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A review by veliciajerus
The Deer and the Dragon by Piper C.J.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
If I overlook a lot of things, at a high level, this look was fine. It has a lot of mythology and unpacks religious trauma in a healing way.
However, there are a few glaring problems that I struggled with:
- transphobia with a nonbinary character by the FMC towards supposedly her best friend.
- pretty privilege. All of the characters are so unrealistically beautiful and that is constantly harped on.
- annoying, mean girl attitude from side character Fauna. The constant insults and frustration with the FMC was exhausting.
- over-glorification of (high-end, exotic) sex work while shaming prostitution. Money is everything.
- FMC is so willing to ignore her life and friends, everything she has worked to build, just for a man. Friends who endlessly care about her, because FMC is trauma bonded with him.
The women characters aren’t really likable. I don’t think characters need to be likable - maybe there will be a redemption arc in the future books - but it was very heavy handed and exhausting.
Let me note: I have followed this author for years, even before her first book. I loved her mythology content. I have legit wanted to be her friend. I gave her passes on behavior during her first book series and enjoyed it overall. I loved those characters most of the time. The author has inserted herself into the book with the FMC in a way that actually made me dislike her some as a person. Like, she has broken some trust and I worry she is also not a good person now.
However, there are a few glaring problems that I struggled with:
- transphobia with a nonbinary character by the FMC towards supposedly her best friend.
- pretty privilege. All of the characters are so unrealistically beautiful and that is constantly harped on.
- annoying, mean girl attitude from side character Fauna. The constant insults and frustration with the FMC was exhausting.
- over-glorification of (high-end, exotic) sex work while shaming prostitution. Money is everything.
- FMC is so willing to ignore her life and friends, everything she has worked to build, just for a man. Friends who endlessly care about her, because FMC is trauma bonded with him.
The women characters aren’t really likable. I don’t think characters need to be likable - maybe there will be a redemption arc in the future books - but it was very heavy handed and exhausting.
Let me note: I have followed this author for years, even before her first book. I loved her mythology content. I have legit wanted to be her friend. I gave her passes on behavior during her first book series and enjoyed it overall. I loved those characters most of the time. The author has inserted herself into the book with the FMC in a way that actually made me dislike her some as a person. Like, she has broken some trust and I worry she is also not a good person now.