tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25675853.post4082389120245584826..comments2024-01-21T09:25:55.810+00:00Comments on Civilian Reader: “The Desert Spear” by Peter V. Brett (Voyager/Del Ray)Civilian Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10978134983999101494noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25675853.post-43786883495206768532015-02-28T17:42:27.757+00:002015-02-28T17:42:27.757+00:00Loved this book! I think its better than both The ...Loved this book! I think its better than both The warded man and The daylight war, although both of those are also excellent. WQhy, because of the imersion in th Krasian warrior society, much more intersting than the simple country folk of the hamlets and the sub-medievel, war of the roses society of the cities. Also nice to see chapters from a Demons point of view. extremeteenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25675853.post-69298771787224058432013-03-02T16:01:16.771+00:002013-03-02T16:01:16.771+00:00I can't speak for other reviewers, but I wasn&...I can't speak for other reviewers, but I wasn't complaining about anything. Just pointing out the situation as I saw it.<br /><br />But regardless: the subversion of culture, society and politics have been literary staples for centuries, if not millennia, so I don't really see why there's anything wrong with what Pete's done with the Krasian society and the changes Jardir and Inevera bring about.<br /><br />And, frankly, without Inevera, Leesha and Renna thumbing their noses at conventional gender roles in their respective communities, they would be very dull characters. This, too, is a long-held tradition in literature.<br /><br />I also do NOT believe that Brett is making any apologies for it - there are plenty of statements made by Jardir (in Desert Spear and Daylight War) that would be highly objectionable in modern Western society, not to mention a bucket-load of events perpetrated by various Krasians on their women that are horrific when filtered through an enlightened lens. Brett is offering a starkly non-modern, fundamentalist "feudal" society. But so do many other authors.<br /><br />I think you're mistaking discussion and debate on gender roles (which is necessary and good) with people's complaints when female characters in novels are basically sex objects or plot devices. THAT is what gets people mostly (but not solely) "wound up".Civilian Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10978134983999101494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25675853.post-5891755177873599482013-02-26T10:50:22.029+00:002013-02-26T10:50:22.029+00:00Almost every review I read have a line or paragrap...Almost every review I read have a line or paragraph complaining about the treatment of women in the books, and I just don't get it. Since when are we, fantasy fans, sociologists? Peter V. Brett has created a very interesting culture in the Krasian. Like all cultures, there are good and bad things about it and that's what makes it interesting. I haven't read The Daylight War yet, but I read on reviews that there is now a Krasian women warrior sect. This is an example of what I meant about the changes. <br />Personally, I would prefer it if the writer stay with the culture as it is (warts and all) and make no apology for it. I mean come on people, this is fiction. There's no need to get so wound up about the treatment of women in a fictional, fantasy society. Ghosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05160118520611754510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25675853.post-56003651718847372962013-02-25T16:45:29.162+00:002013-02-25T16:45:29.162+00:00He didn't make it THAT "reader-friendly&q...He didn't make it THAT "reader-friendly", to use your phrase. Women are still considered lesser than even khaffit, as Jardir says at one point. Things aren't as rosy or "Western"/Enlightened as I maybe suggested in the review. But also, the changes he instigates do make sense in the narrative, in my opinion. He needed hundreds if not thousands more warriors. Lots of Khaffit are able-bodied, strong males who could easily become warriors. Ergo... I thought he spent enough time with Jardir to let us get to know him, but not enough to make it feel like reading "Painted Man" was in any way optional or sidelined.Civilian Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10978134983999101494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25675853.post-45191270837889521642013-02-25T11:05:58.133+00:002013-02-25T11:05:58.133+00:00I personally think The Desert Spear is better than...I personally think The Desert Spear is better than The Warded Man. It give us Jardir’s story which makes a fine counterpoint to Arlen's and make it an open question on who the real hero of the story rally is. I mean they are all basically good men who are doing whatever they could to fight the demons, even if that means betraying and killing each other. Hell, it leaves open the question if indeed there are too many heroes in this story. As they say; too many cooks spoil the dish.<br />The only thing I dislike is the changes Jardir and his rise bought to the Krasian culture. I barely got to know the culture as it is and then he started changing things like making khaffit into warriors and giving women more voice and power in the structure of Krasian society. I know this is to make the character more likable and heroic but I would have like to the culture as it is (or was). Personally, I think making Krasian society more "reader friendly" also make it less interesting.Ghosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05160118520611754510noreply@blogger.com