A review by blossomjin
Dauntless , by Elisa A. Bonnin

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 
The world Elisa Bonnin created was so unique and is something I’ve never actually experienced before. Each location was so distinct and vivid that I can still see each one in my mind. It’s one of those cases where the entire world played in my mind like a movie the entire time. This is largely thanks to the excellent world building done within the first couple of chapters which brought me gently into the brand new world that, at times, the characters were unsure of. 

Elsa Bonnin provides us with three women - Seri, Eshai and Tsana - who all have different backgrounds, convictions and motives and shows how within their own narrative each of these women are dauntless as the title suggests. At the heart of Dauntless there is a core message of bravery (I mean it is quite literally in the title), but through each of these women we get to see that to be brave is not to be fearless. Each character experiences and grapples with their own personal fears and traumas to come out the other side as brave women who embrace their flaws and mistakes. I thought that this message was so healing because it subverted a few negative tropes associated with femininity which you find perpetuated in fantasy novels. 

Personally, I’m a huge fan of romance and tend to lean towards books where it’s at the forefront. Romance is more of a subplot here and is not always center stage but works for me. Eshai’s romance was understated, quiet. Seri and Tsana’s romance, while more central to the plot, still played out off to the sides with shy kisses, quality time and brushed hands. An innocent and healthy lesbian relationship which gave both women something and someone to fight for.
If you’re going to pick up one fantasy book this year I urge you to choose this. I can’t wait till Elisa Bonnin’s next book!