A review by chrisyakimov
Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregillis

Did not finish book.

DNF around page 40. I think any time we choose to portray gendered violence or violation, against children, no less (no matter how “slight” you might claim it to be) — you better have good reason for it. Characterizing the evil of the “Doktor” just isn’t a good enough reason by itself. If the book were going to explore injustice or exploitation in a meaningful way, then I’d have been willing to give it more of a chance. But twenty pages or so after that scene, nothing more has come forth to justify continued attention on this.

Writing is hard, and I don’t feel like it’s fair that those of us who haven’t published get to say whatever we want about someone’s creative work. But when it comes to illustrations of gendered oppression (and other forms), I think it’s important to speak up.