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A review by spacecadelliot
Predator's Gold by Philip Reeve
Did not finish book.
DNF’d at page 137
Now, I don’t normally review and rate books I dnf, but this book really frustrated me. Mortal Engines was a wonderful introduction into this steam punk fantasy world with stronger character development in our two main protagonists Tom and Hester. However, in this sequel all of that is gone and replaced by poor, lacklustre depictions, character decisions and plot.
Not even 100 pages in and we were constantly bombarded with how “ugly” Hester is with her scared face- “ ...look at her awful face without wincing.”, “She’s so ugly!”, “...wasn’t just ugly, she was downright terrible.”.
Not only Hester but we get it with all of the women we meet in the story. We are introduced to a young female commander who’s described by an older male character as a “stern looking little minx”. Our new main protagonist, Freya the margravine, ((Mayoress or queen)) is instantly described as “large” and “...far too fat.”, which continues on perhaps throughout. An older lady, who has helped heal and care for our new, older gentleman, Pennyroyal is called a “silly old moo” by him, who also later refers to the margravine as a “ninny”.
It’s just really difficult to hear all of this outdated, misogynistic terms thrown at these young women by older men. I get that they’re meant to be old, mean and our potential baddies, but boy it gets tiring! And yes, that all really happens in the first 100 pages.
But it’s not just the women. We get an introduction to a new race in the book which is constantly referred to a likeness of Inuit, which I guess would be okay if they weren’t just described as being “...round, acorn-brown people in parkas and fur bonnets.”
Then there’s Smew, one of the margravine’s servants who’s title is “...the margravine’s dwarf”, who’s sole purpose is to “To amuse the margravine.” How you ask? “By being short, I suppose.”
When a book should all be about adventure, exploration and good ol’ steam punk mechanics, it’s difficult to constantly hear negative stereotypes about real marginalised people. One big turn of for me.
Then there’s the plot. Well, is there really one besides the fact that “kind, nice” Tom hasn’t once been kind or nice to his girlfriend of two years - Hester? Or the fact that the only reason Freya’s character exists is to put a big wrench in their relationship? Maybe it has to do with the fact that all Hesters character has boiled down to now in the second book is how much she loves Tom, would do anything for Tom and couldn’t even think of continuing to live if she didn’t have Tom? Boorringggg
I’m sorry, I came here off my hype of the first book expecting mechanical warfare, strong breath taking scenes and the allure of hidden secrets and ghosts. But all I got instead was a lousy love triangle and bunch of men who’s whole personality is riddled with toxic masculinity :/
Now, I don’t normally review and rate books I dnf, but this book really frustrated me. Mortal Engines was a wonderful introduction into this steam punk fantasy world with stronger character development in our two main protagonists Tom and Hester. However, in this sequel all of that is gone and replaced by poor, lacklustre depictions, character decisions and plot.
Not even 100 pages in and we were constantly bombarded with how “ugly” Hester is with her scared face- “ ...look at her awful face without wincing.”, “She’s so ugly!”, “...wasn’t just ugly, she was downright terrible.”.
Not only Hester but we get it with all of the women we meet in the story. We are introduced to a young female commander who’s described by an older male character as a “stern looking little minx”. Our new main protagonist, Freya the margravine, ((Mayoress or queen)) is instantly described as “large” and “...far too fat.”, which continues on perhaps throughout. An older lady, who has helped heal and care for our new, older gentleman, Pennyroyal is called a “silly old moo” by him, who also later refers to the margravine as a “ninny”.
It’s just really difficult to hear all of this outdated, misogynistic terms thrown at these young women by older men. I get that they’re meant to be old, mean and our potential baddies, but boy it gets tiring! And yes, that all really happens in the first 100 pages.
But it’s not just the women. We get an introduction to a new race in the book which is constantly referred to a likeness of Inuit, which I guess would be okay if they weren’t just described as being “...round, acorn-brown people in parkas and fur bonnets.”
Then there’s Smew, one of the margravine’s servants who’s title is “...the margravine’s dwarf”, who’s sole purpose is to “To amuse the margravine.” How you ask? “By being short, I suppose.”
When a book should all be about adventure, exploration and good ol’ steam punk mechanics, it’s difficult to constantly hear negative stereotypes about real marginalised people. One big turn of for me.
Then there’s the plot. Well, is there really one besides the fact that “kind, nice” Tom hasn’t once been kind or nice to his girlfriend of two years - Hester? Or the fact that the only reason Freya’s character exists is to put a big wrench in their relationship? Maybe it has to do with the fact that all Hesters character has boiled down to now in the second book is how much she loves Tom, would do anything for Tom and couldn’t even think of continuing to live if she didn’t have Tom? Boorringggg
I’m sorry, I came here off my hype of the first book expecting mechanical warfare, strong breath taking scenes and the allure of hidden secrets and ghosts. But all I got instead was a lousy love triangle and bunch of men who’s whole personality is riddled with toxic masculinity :/