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Myrren's Gift (The Quickening, #1)

Fiona McIntosh

Start date: September 12, 2012

Finish date: October 12, 2012

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Mar 26, 2018 Jenny rated it did not like it

Shelves: own-it, fantasy

Things I liked:
- somewhat exciting plot
- somewhat colourful characters

Things I didn't like:
- McIntosh's portrayal of female characters as in need of male guidance and protection. Even Valentyna, a strong and capable woman who really doesn't need anyone's help, constantly has all these men looking out for her and protecting her, but it's not really clear why they are more capable at looking after Valentyna's safety than she would be. And Ylena, what is the deal with her? Despite being of a marri Things I liked:
- somewhat exciting plot
- somewhat colourful characters

Things I didn't like:
- McIntosh's portrayal of female characters as in need of male guidance and protection. Even Valentyna, a strong and capable woman who really doesn't need anyone's help, constantly has all these men looking out for her and protecting her, but it's not really clear why they are more capable at looking after Valentyna's safety than she would be. And Ylena, what is the deal with her? Despite being of a marriable age, she seems to be about eight years old considering how much her older brother coddles her.
- Also, why are all these women totally fine with the idea that they might be raped? It's like it's a totally normal thing and not at all traumatising, scary or sickening.
- Then we have the issue of the stereotypical portrayal of women as emotional creatures who cry all the time and who have to keep their emotions in check so that they can act like rational beings (which is "obviously" what they should be doing because someone who makes decisions based on feelings is an idiot).
- and men can only be rational and cold people and if they show emotion (that isn't rage or lust) it is rarely a lasting thing. Like when Lothren spends a day crying because his wife has died in childbirth and then forgets everything about her and instead becomes his old grumpy self. The only male who isn't a macho type of dude is our dear Fynch, an awkward child.
- Further, what kind of message is McIntosh trying to convey when Wyl starts off being an ugly, short man who couldn't ever hope of attracting someone as attractive as a Princess and then all of a sudden he takes over the body of a tall and handsome guy and gets the girl?
- what is up with the expository dialogue and thinking all the time? It is SO boring and uncreative.
- it is also very obvious that the author hates Celimus. I mean, I totally get where he's coming from. His mother was married off to some king who was older than she and who forced himself on her. She obviously developed a hatred for the guy and inevitably passed this on to her son who never enjoyed any attention from his father. Instead, the king basically adopts his best friend the general's son. Celimus is jealous of this other boy who somehow has managed to win the affections of his father and a rivalry develops. Yet Celimus is demonised and I felt like the author didn't even try to show any nuances in Celimus's behaviour; everything was just evil and cruel. I'm not defending Celimus because to be fair he is a bit awful, but he's such a Disney villain. He's got no depth and no motivation - he's just a bad person. Wyl, however, is THE golden boy. He is great at fighting, leading his troops and also a great person, despite being ugly and having no parents. Because he is such a good leader and warrior he earned the respect of his army immediately (?) at like age 10... He is also sexually innocent (there are very strong connections between morality and sexuality in this book, just compare to the morally dubious Romen and his sexual prowess).
- etc.

=> Don't read this.

also, why do the guys get erections all the time? ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Oct 09, 2011 Tara rated it liked it

Shelves: read-by-theme, fantasy-sci-fi, books-owned

Mar 11, 2013 Gaijinmama marked it as to-read

Aug 15, 2014 Sarah rated it it was ok

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