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A review by tostita
Resisting Maxu by Victoria Aveline
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I would have DNFed by the 40% mark at the latest if I were not reading this for a book club.
Meg was trapped in a controlling marriage on Earth and viewed being abducted by aliens as a rescue. She is thrilled to finally have the opportunity to explore and make her own choices. So why is she saddled with the most controlling punitive “hero” this series has produced so far? I felt so bad for her that she was stuck with this lout who was determined to force her compliance and publicly humiliate her for perceived infractions at every turn. He physically restrains her, overpowers her, and carries her off, which bystanders see as “cute” but I’m pretty sure the FBI would view as kidnapping. Chapter 16 was downright rapey. He is absolutely awful.
His attitude does improve somewhat in the second half of the book, but frankly, it was too late. There was just no redeeming him in my eyes at that point. Furthermore, the reasons for his turn around were too flimsy. I couldn’t buy it.She doesn’t yell at him when she finds out he’s been systematically stealing and hoarding her stuff, so now he’s able to trust a woman? He found some old clothes the humans were wearing when they were abducted and that made him realize for the first time that kidnapping women for breeding is bad? Am I supposed to be impressed? That should be Ethics 101, not a shocking revelation, for a full-grown man.
The political intrigue was by far the best part of the book. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really kick in until near the end and isn’t near enough to save the reading experience.
Meg was trapped in a controlling marriage on Earth and viewed being abducted by aliens as a rescue. She is thrilled to finally have the opportunity to explore and make her own choices. So why is she saddled with the most controlling punitive “hero” this series has produced so far? I felt so bad for her that she was stuck with this lout who was determined to force her compliance and publicly humiliate her for perceived infractions at every turn. He physically restrains her, overpowers her, and carries her off, which bystanders see as “cute” but I’m pretty sure the FBI would view as kidnapping. Chapter 16 was downright rapey. He is absolutely awful.
His attitude does improve somewhat in the second half of the book, but frankly, it was too late. There was just no redeeming him in my eyes at that point. Furthermore, the reasons for his turn around were too flimsy. I couldn’t buy it.
The political intrigue was by far the best part of the book. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really kick in until near the end and isn’t near enough to save the reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Lesbophobia