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A review by optimalbook
The Warded Man by Peter V. Brett
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I am so very conflicted on this novel. The first 2/3rds were overall pretty good I loved the coming of age story of Arlen and Leesha and was curious to see where Rojer's story would go. My issues are however the strong focus on sex and "breeding" and the usage of SA later in the novel.
While I do believe Brett was trying to critique the diminished role of women in this world and dissuade notions of "virginal purity" it felt both heavy handed and simultaneously not dissuaded enough. The novel opens and closes with ideas of womanhood equating to birthing children and that birthing children is the end all be all.
Additionally, I kept waiting for Arlen's views on the world and on everyones roles in it to be questioned and become more reasoned but in the end Arlen's views feel mostly unchanged and unchallenged. I hope this is something addressed in the later novels.
As of now I think I will most likely continue though book 2 is not high on my TBR.
While I do believe Brett was trying to critique the diminished role of women in this world and dissuade notions of "virginal purity" it felt both heavy handed and simultaneously not dissuaded enough. The novel opens and closes with ideas of womanhood equating to birthing children and that birthing children is the end all be all.
Additionally, I kept waiting for Arlen's views on the world and on everyones roles in it to be questioned and become more reasoned but in the end Arlen's views feel mostly unchanged and unchallenged. I hope this is something addressed in the later novels.
As of now I think I will most likely continue though book 2 is not high on my TBR.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault