Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

In the Hand of the Goddess by Tamora Pierce

5 reviews

seulgireads's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This second book was a bit rough compared to the first one. Higher highs, but also (much) lower lows. Everything concerning gender and sexuality in here could have been super interesting but falls flat in actuality and appears dated where it's not outright misogynistic and transphobic.

Best part: Alanna's first battle and the scene where she eases Big Thor's passing. Beautiful atmosphere. Campiest part: Roger being a walking caricature of an evil sorcerer who covets the throne. Worst part: The love triangle; absolutely excruciating to read about. Both George and Jonathan are huge dicks, but George takes the cake by sexually assaulting Alanna MULTIPLE TIMES while she's a minor and he's in his twenties. Gross, throw the whole man away! Jon is not much behind with his rapey comments though. Bottom line: Both of them can get in the bin.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault

Minor: Misogyny

cicadaknight's review

adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

• Genuinely love Alanna’s wit and banter. Her characterization is probably what’s made this series stick with me for 2 decades. 
• A story from the 80’s where men have loving, tender, and affectionate friendships with each other and a girl? Delightful.
• Pushy, waaay-too-old-for-the-protagonist love interests? Less delightful. 
• At least for the era it was written, pretty fascinating for a girl character to reject sexuality entirely and then overcome her fear of it. When she IS ready to explore it, she isn’t oversexualized nor is her desire demonized. 
• Also appreciate that this book fully avoided homophobic tropes around fear of the protagonist and her lover being caught or suspected of being involved while she’s disguised as a boy. 
• Regrettably, no exploration of her two love interests being attracted to her masculinity given that she presents as male for 8 years. Bicurious kings lmao

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Outing, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Drug use and Racial slurs

Use of “yellow” to describe an asian-coded character. How this character is “asian-coded” should be its own discussion.

10(?) year age gap between 15-16 year old protagonist and her adult friend. He’s persistent, pushy, kisses her without consent repeatedly when she tells him she’s not interested. Tells her he’s waiting for her to grow up to marry her.

Also tagging for drug use as in “drugging” since this guy ^ drugs the protagonist’s drink. Narratively, he drugs her so she’ll rest instead of wear herself out before an important event. He takes her to his room and tucks her into his bed. Nothing untoward happens, but it was unnecessary.

3(?) year age gap between same 15-16 y.o. protagonist and another love interest. Likewise, this guy is pushy and barely takes no for an answer. “Leave before I change my mind,” he says about not wanting to let her go after she initially rejects his proposal to sleep together. Should be noted, protagonist is interested in him and consensually pursues an affair.

Protagonist is once again outed (previously outed in book 1) by someone exposing her body.

samanyana's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racial slurs and Torture

I noted two mentions of the slur 'yellow' in regard to an Asian person in the narration.

inferiorwit's review against another edition

emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Outing, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Death of parent

charm0nix's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Violence

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Misogyny

Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent