What do you think?
Rate this book
Nedé Rising #1
A Gentle Tyranny
2022 Christy Award Finalist!
What if women unraveled the evils of patriarchy?
With men safely "gentled" in a worldwide Liberation, the matriarchy of Nedé has risen from the ashes. Seventeen-year-old Reina Pierce has never given a thought to the Brutes of old. Itching to escape her mother's finca—and desperate to keep her training and forbidden friendship a secret—her greatest worry is which Destiny she'll choose at her next birthday. But when she's selected as a candidate for the Succession instead, competing to become Nedé's ninth Matriarch, she discovers their Eden has come at a cost she's not sure she's willing to pay.
Jess Corban's debut novel presents a new twist to the dystopian genre, delivering heart-pounding action, thought-provoking revelations, and a setting as lush as the jungles of Central America.
What if women unraveled the evils of patriarchy?
With men safely "gentled" in a worldwide Liberation, the matriarchy of Nedé has risen from the ashes. Seventeen-year-old Reina Pierce has never given a thought to the Brutes of old. Itching to escape her mother's finca—and desperate to keep her training and forbidden friendship a secret—her greatest worry is which Destiny she'll choose at her next birthday. But when she's selected as a candidate for the Succession instead, competing to become Nedé's ninth Matriarch, she discovers their Eden has come at a cost she's not sure she's willing to pay.
Jess Corban's debut novel presents a new twist to the dystopian genre, delivering heart-pounding action, thought-provoking revelations, and a setting as lush as the jungles of Central America.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 6, 2021
16 people are currently reading
3200 people want to read
About the author
Jess Corban
4 books94 followersJess Corban graduated college with a degree in Communications and, perhaps more instructive, thirteen stamps in her passport. After college, a chance interview at a small publisher for an even smaller position sparked a love for writing that turned into twelve nonfiction books (under various pseudonyms). Now Jess lives with her husband and two daughters in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, where she finds inspiration in a sky full of stars and hiking the Canyon of the Kings. A Gentle Tyranny is her debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
December 29, 2022
UPDATE: the author recently accused me in a magazine article of “cancelling” and “silencing” her. Here is my response: Brio magazine, "cancel culture" & christian "persecution"
https://youtu.be/QxRkPKSAnYg
This book contains quite a lot of harmful things.
Here is my review:
youtu.be/sRb_Skyz5W8
This book was deliberately written under a pseudonym in order for the author to distance herself from her other works, which contain blatant homophobia.
VIDEO EXPLANATION HERE: https://youtu.be/_7bSbIEXPV4
https://youtu.be/QxRkPKSAnYg
This book contains quite a lot of harmful things.
Here is my review:
youtu.be/sRb_Skyz5W8
This book was deliberately written under a pseudonym in order for the author to distance herself from her other works, which contain blatant homophobia.
VIDEO EXPLANATION HERE: https://youtu.be/_7bSbIEXPV4
April 3, 2021
the thing that kept running through my mind when i read this was the old proverb, ‘power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ whether its a patriarchy or matriarchy, no society is flawless.
im not going to lie - i became very wary of this story during the first 100 pages or so. men are essentially enslaved, among other harmful things done to them, which kind of rubbed me the wrong way. i understand that dystopian stories do not shy away from extreme scenarios but, as the story continued, it seemed a bit much, all in the name of feminism. thank goodness there is some exciting character development and the story progressed in a way where i felt optimistic about the plot and the world-building. i found myself super invested in seeing how the MC was going to shake things up.
overall, this book is a compelling example of how a perfect civilisation is impossible, that corruption is not specific to any one gender, and how, ultimately, the person we are is who we choose to be. its a unique coming-of-age story and im very much looking forward to how the series will continue!
thank you so much to jess, the author, and to tyndale for providing me with an ARC.
↠ 3.5 stars
im not going to lie - i became very wary of this story during the first 100 pages or so. men are essentially enslaved, among other harmful things done to them, which kind of rubbed me the wrong way. i understand that dystopian stories do not shy away from extreme scenarios but, as the story continued, it seemed a bit much, all in the name of feminism. thank goodness there is some exciting character development and the story progressed in a way where i felt optimistic about the plot and the world-building. i found myself super invested in seeing how the MC was going to shake things up.
overall, this book is a compelling example of how a perfect civilisation is impossible, that corruption is not specific to any one gender, and how, ultimately, the person we are is who we choose to be. its a unique coming-of-age story and im very much looking forward to how the series will continue!
thank you so much to jess, the author, and to tyndale for providing me with an ARC.
↠ 3.5 stars
April 26, 2021
I did read this flaming piece of garbage so others don’t have to. If you want a detailed review that’s articulate and insightful Rachel did an amazing job. https://youtu.be/_7bSbIEXPV4
Jess Corban is a pseudonym for Jessie Minassian, who is a fundamentalist evangelical Christian. She doesn’t want people to know that she’s a fundamentalist Christian intent on spreading her views and is donating to anti-porn, Christian organizations and some of them are very anti-LGBT. She’s explicitly claimed not to be homophobic, which is a lie. There are screen shots of her telling a questioning child that homosexuality is a sin and urged said girl to get help to change her attraction. Which is dangerous conversion therapy. She even linked this kid to services that would “help” her, while pointing her to another author more versed in homophobia. She’s trying to delete comments from outting her and her child abuse. This is a common bait and switch tactic fundamentalists do called subterfuge. This tactic enables them to gain access to safe spaces so they can lie and promise things in order to “help”. One of their ways to help includes advocating for conversion therapy.
If that isn’t reason enough she’s pretty racist and extremely xenophobic. Jessie still advocates for imperialism, and wrote a book packed with racist stereotypes. Don’t try to interact with her, she only cares about evangelizing, she doesn’t care about you or who she steps on. This woman is lying to gain access to vulnerable people.
Jess Corban is a pseudonym for Jessie Minassian, who is a fundamentalist evangelical Christian. She doesn’t want people to know that she’s a fundamentalist Christian intent on spreading her views and is donating to anti-porn, Christian organizations and some of them are very anti-LGBT. She’s explicitly claimed not to be homophobic, which is a lie. There are screen shots of her telling a questioning child that homosexuality is a sin and urged said girl to get help to change her attraction. Which is dangerous conversion therapy. She even linked this kid to services that would “help” her, while pointing her to another author more versed in homophobia. She’s trying to delete comments from outting her and her child abuse. This is a common bait and switch tactic fundamentalists do called subterfuge. This tactic enables them to gain access to safe spaces so they can lie and promise things in order to “help”. One of their ways to help includes advocating for conversion therapy.
If that isn’t reason enough she’s pretty racist and extremely xenophobic. Jessie still advocates for imperialism, and wrote a book packed with racist stereotypes. Don’t try to interact with her, she only cares about evangelizing, she doesn’t care about you or who she steps on. This woman is lying to gain access to vulnerable people.
March 19, 2021
Update: unfortunately it turns out this author is wildly homophobic and racist and is pro-conversion therapy and that she wrote this book under a pseudonym so people wouldn't find her other work which is filled with homophobia, misogyny, and racism.
This is what happens when feminism only includes straight white women
I was quite concerned at first that this was going to promote the “feminist” idea that men are inherently evil, which of course isn’t actually feminist, the belief in equality and not superiority.
A few thoughts I had while reading:
How have they got advanced medicine yet no technology?
Reina keeps contradicting herself, she says she hates and resents her mother for being kind to the gentles yet is glad treowe is one of her mother's gentles as it means he knows kindness and is safe?
When Reina starts training it begins to read very much as feminine=bad, caring about your appearance/makeup/clothing/skincare is bad and stupid, she actually describes interest in such things as petty
The explanation Rohan gives as to why some men hurt women and some don't as being that they're men, is stupid, some women hurt people some don't, women still commit domestic violence, female rapists exist, female paedophiles exist. Reina has seen women being violent and cruel herself plenty of times, violence isn't a solely male attribute. Even with men being ‘gentled’ violence would definitely still exist.
“I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding”
The idea that every country in the world legalising paedophilia and rape is insane and honestly the most ridiculous thing about this book
Porn=evil, its not like women like porn, though its clear from the beginning in the articles that sex is evil and shameful, that only men can enjoy it, which is ironically a very patriarchal view.
Power corrupts - the system was corrupt before they came to power, Tristan is shown to be hateful decades before nede was founded, even before the laws stated above were enacted.
The articles show that nede has from the beginning been built on enslaving people, about striping everyone including the women of freedom and liberty. Nede hasn't become evil under teeras reign nede was built on hate and evil.
How is the population into the hundreds of thousands yet the country is only 125mile across and there is heaps of farmland?
Women have testosterone as well. Completely inhibiting testosterone would kill you, it doesn't just affect your reproductive organs it affects almost every organ in drastic ways
The author note at the end clearly shows that she is against the ideas of Nede though and is actually in support of equality between genders and not women being superior.
I've seen another reviewer criticise the book for donating to A21, which they have said is homophobic, and for the publisher being a Christian organisation, however, Reina and Trins relationship, their intimacy, the way Reina talks about and describes trin, is queer-coded, so I doubt an author who would write such a relationship especially one that is a significant source of good in the book would hold homophobic ideals.
This is what happens when feminism only includes straight white women
I was quite concerned at first that this was going to promote the “feminist” idea that men are inherently evil, which of course isn’t actually feminist, the belief in equality and not superiority.
A few thoughts I had while reading:
How have they got advanced medicine yet no technology?
Reina keeps contradicting herself, she says she hates and resents her mother for being kind to the gentles yet is glad treowe is one of her mother's gentles as it means he knows kindness and is safe?
When Reina starts training it begins to read very much as feminine=bad, caring about your appearance/makeup/clothing/skincare is bad and stupid, she actually describes interest in such things as petty
The explanation Rohan gives as to why some men hurt women and some don't as being that they're men, is stupid, some women hurt people some don't, women still commit domestic violence, female rapists exist, female paedophiles exist. Reina has seen women being violent and cruel herself plenty of times, violence isn't a solely male attribute. Even with men being ‘gentled’ violence would definitely still exist.
“I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding”
The idea that every country in the world legalising paedophilia and rape is insane and honestly the most ridiculous thing about this book
Porn=evil, its not like women like porn, though its clear from the beginning in the articles that sex is evil and shameful, that only men can enjoy it, which is ironically a very patriarchal view.
Power corrupts - the system was corrupt before they came to power, Tristan is shown to be hateful decades before nede was founded, even before the laws stated above were enacted.
The articles show that nede has from the beginning been built on enslaving people, about striping everyone including the women of freedom and liberty. Nede hasn't become evil under teeras reign nede was built on hate and evil.
How is the population into the hundreds of thousands yet the country is only 125mile across and there is heaps of farmland?
Women have testosterone as well. Completely inhibiting testosterone would kill you, it doesn't just affect your reproductive organs it affects almost every organ in drastic ways
The author note at the end clearly shows that she is against the ideas of Nede though and is actually in support of equality between genders and not women being superior.
I've seen another reviewer criticise the book for donating to A21, which they have said is homophobic, and for the publisher being a Christian organisation, however, Reina and Trins relationship, their intimacy, the way Reina talks about and describes trin, is queer-coded, so I doubt an author who would write such a relationship especially one that is a significant source of good in the book would hold homophobic ideals.
March 22, 2021
Only read this if you want to be preached at by a Christian fundamentalist bigot 🙃
March 18, 2021
ok homophobe
October 7, 2020
Goodreads asks, what did I think?
Ha! Well, I thought this book would take me six months to write. Four years, countless drafts, reams of paper, and actual tears later, I am beyond ecstatic to share the world of Nedé with you. I hope the story entertains, the setting inspires, and the characters endear themselves. But most of all, I hope you find yourself chewing on big questions long after THE END.
Most authors dream that their words will somehow make a difference in this world, and I’m no different. But words sail further when tethered to action. That’s why I’m donating half of all my earnings from this book to the Corban Fund, which supports organizations seeking to end violence against women and promote change, like the A21 Campaign, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, and Fight the New Drug.
If you enjoy A Gentle Tyranny, I know you'll love the soon-to-be-released sequel, A Brutal Justice. How do I know? Because (maybe authors aren't supposed to admit this, but) it's my new fave!
Safety for all,
Jess
Ha! Well, I thought this book would take me six months to write. Four years, countless drafts, reams of paper, and actual tears later, I am beyond ecstatic to share the world of Nedé with you. I hope the story entertains, the setting inspires, and the characters endear themselves. But most of all, I hope you find yourself chewing on big questions long after THE END.
Most authors dream that their words will somehow make a difference in this world, and I’m no different. But words sail further when tethered to action. That’s why I’m donating half of all my earnings from this book to the Corban Fund, which supports organizations seeking to end violence against women and promote change, like the A21 Campaign, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, and Fight the New Drug.
If you enjoy A Gentle Tyranny, I know you'll love the soon-to-be-released sequel, A Brutal Justice. How do I know? Because (maybe authors aren't supposed to admit this, but) it's my new fave!
Safety for all,
Jess
March 27, 2021
Jess Corban is a pseudonym for Jessie Minassian who is a fundamentalist evangelical Christian who is homophobic to the point of supporting what is essentially conversion therapy. There's more which you can look up yourself. I am not wasting my time by reading a book that is trying to sell me her disgusting views.
March 28, 2021
Vile, homophobic, anti-feminist, racist trash. Do not be fooled by the premise. This is dangerous hateful garbage. Please read the review from Reads With Rachel and watch her videos (linked in her review) for more information.
January 24, 2021
The potential for A Gentle Tyranny’s premise to go horribly wrong is tremendous, but it’s a calculated risk that pays off enormously at the end. I feel it’s only right that I mention that at the outset. With every page that I read, the more I loved the book and the more concerned I became for how the major thematic element—the Big Message™—was going to play out. Let me explain.
A Gentle Tyranny is a twist on the YA dystopian genre that we haven’t seen before. In the world of Nedé, women have taken over. In response to an increasingly cruel and male-dominated world, women revolted and for nine generations they have “gentled” the men of their world, changing their biology to be docile and subservient. My fear—and at no point was this ever a point the book was leading toward—was that the conclusion of the book would be that of conservative Christian fundamentalism: Men were made to lead and a world without “real” men, manly men, men of chest hair and testosterone would be an ungodly world indeed.
Fortunately, that is not where A Gentle Tyranny goes. Instead, debut author Jess Corban presents a world where both patriarchy and matriarchy have resulted in violence and destruction and the best path forward is humankind working together in a blessed alliance, male and female, to live and lead.
But to the story: For generations now, the matriarchy of Nedé has ruled. Men have been safely “gentled” in a worldwide movement of liberation. It’s into this world that seventeen-year-old Raina Pierce is born. At the age of eighteen, the women of Nedé are expected to chose a type of profession—a Destiny—which they then perform throughout their lives. Raina has no clue what she wants to be and, complicating that, her grandmother, Matriarch of Nedé, has selected Raina as a candidate to succeed her. It’s through the competition to become the next Matriarch that Raina learns some of the darkest secrets of Nedé and becomes convinced that she must become the next leader to set things right.
One of the most difficult aspects of YA dystopia, particularly now that the genre is utterly saturated, is giving the audience what they want and expect while still telling a new story. Corban takes from the classic tropes: the various Destinies read like the factions in Veronica Roth’s Divergent, the competitive element is somewhat reminiscent of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, and when we move into Christian dystopias there’s thematic shades of the Ted Dekker/Tosca Lee Books of Mortals and Rachelle Dekker’s The Choosing. Yet, while A Gentle Tyranny has elements of all these books—because all these books are drawing on the same tried and true formula—it’s also very clearly its own thing and something much different than I’ve seen in the genre up until now.
A Gentle Tyranny is a thoughtful take on male/female relationships and leadership, political elitism and the corruption of power, the justification of evil on the basis of an alleged greater good, speaking truth to power, leveraging one’s position of privilege and influence for the marginalized, the appropriate means of the oppressed to fight against oppression, and more. While A Gentle Tyranny’s primary inequality is gender-based—men are “gentled” while women are honored—it’s impossible to read the book without seeing the nonfictional inequalities of our own, both historical and present. You also begin to see the inequalities within Nedé—rural and urban, poor and rich, commoner and elite—and how the elite, Raina’s grandmother in particular is no less cruel than the male leaders of the past that proved the need for male “gentling.”
Jess Corban’s A Gentle Tyranny is a masterpiece of fiction. Her sense of world-building is stupendous. Her characterization is rich and layered. The novel’s pacing keeps the story moving even as never rushes over important elements of the plot. The story gives readers story we think we want, one with all the comfortable familiarity of the genre, but then goes beyond that to deliver a thematically-rich and thought-provoking story. Jess Corban has breathed new life into a well-worn genre.
I’m reading this in January, but I’ll make the prediction now that this will be one of my favorite novels of the year. I predict some debut author awards coming Corban’s way and it’ll be well-deserved. Now can I please have the next book?
A Gentle Tyranny is a twist on the YA dystopian genre that we haven’t seen before. In the world of Nedé, women have taken over. In response to an increasingly cruel and male-dominated world, women revolted and for nine generations they have “gentled” the men of their world, changing their biology to be docile and subservient. My fear—and at no point was this ever a point the book was leading toward—was that the conclusion of the book would be that of conservative Christian fundamentalism: Men were made to lead and a world without “real” men, manly men, men of chest hair and testosterone would be an ungodly world indeed.
Fortunately, that is not where A Gentle Tyranny goes. Instead, debut author Jess Corban presents a world where both patriarchy and matriarchy have resulted in violence and destruction and the best path forward is humankind working together in a blessed alliance, male and female, to live and lead.
But to the story: For generations now, the matriarchy of Nedé has ruled. Men have been safely “gentled” in a worldwide movement of liberation. It’s into this world that seventeen-year-old Raina Pierce is born. At the age of eighteen, the women of Nedé are expected to chose a type of profession—a Destiny—which they then perform throughout their lives. Raina has no clue what she wants to be and, complicating that, her grandmother, Matriarch of Nedé, has selected Raina as a candidate to succeed her. It’s through the competition to become the next Matriarch that Raina learns some of the darkest secrets of Nedé and becomes convinced that she must become the next leader to set things right.
One of the most difficult aspects of YA dystopia, particularly now that the genre is utterly saturated, is giving the audience what they want and expect while still telling a new story. Corban takes from the classic tropes: the various Destinies read like the factions in Veronica Roth’s Divergent, the competitive element is somewhat reminiscent of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, and when we move into Christian dystopias there’s thematic shades of the Ted Dekker/Tosca Lee Books of Mortals and Rachelle Dekker’s The Choosing. Yet, while A Gentle Tyranny has elements of all these books—because all these books are drawing on the same tried and true formula—it’s also very clearly its own thing and something much different than I’ve seen in the genre up until now.
A Gentle Tyranny is a thoughtful take on male/female relationships and leadership, political elitism and the corruption of power, the justification of evil on the basis of an alleged greater good, speaking truth to power, leveraging one’s position of privilege and influence for the marginalized, the appropriate means of the oppressed to fight against oppression, and more. While A Gentle Tyranny’s primary inequality is gender-based—men are “gentled” while women are honored—it’s impossible to read the book without seeing the nonfictional inequalities of our own, both historical and present. You also begin to see the inequalities within Nedé—rural and urban, poor and rich, commoner and elite—and how the elite, Raina’s grandmother in particular is no less cruel than the male leaders of the past that proved the need for male “gentling.”
Jess Corban’s A Gentle Tyranny is a masterpiece of fiction. Her sense of world-building is stupendous. Her characterization is rich and layered. The novel’s pacing keeps the story moving even as never rushes over important elements of the plot. The story gives readers story we think we want, one with all the comfortable familiarity of the genre, but then goes beyond that to deliver a thematically-rich and thought-provoking story. Jess Corban has breathed new life into a well-worn genre.
I’m reading this in January, but I’ll make the prediction now that this will be one of my favorite novels of the year. I predict some debut author awards coming Corban’s way and it’ll be well-deserved. Now can I please have the next book?
March 28, 2021
islamophobia, homophobia, anti-vax themes, evangelical agenda, anti-sex-positivity, racism...
nope.
nope.
April 10, 2021
I honestly enjoyed this book and am confused by the amount of hate the author is getting. It seems many of the people leaving reviews haven't actually read it, they are just taking someone else's word about it. I would say: read the book and then decide for yourself!
It's a work of fiction that has a really unique and interesting premise, and things don't go the way you think they will in the beginning. The female relationships are layered and realistic, whether they are with the main character's family, friends, or enemies. I expect to re-read this book and would definitely recommend it to others.
It's a work of fiction that has a really unique and interesting premise, and things don't go the way you think they will in the beginning. The female relationships are layered and realistic, whether they are with the main character's family, friends, or enemies. I expect to re-read this book and would definitely recommend it to others.
April 11, 2021
this book gave me kidney stones. thanks, jess.
January 25, 2021
*I received this book as a free giveaway*
After reading the first few pages I didn't think I'd be able to continue. I am so glad I did! I now understand the shocking beginning.
As a mother of a sweet and gentle boy this was sad to read. It shows the lengths people are willing to do to others out of fear. But it also shows the lengths good people will go to to do the right thing.
I definitely can't wait to read the next one!
After reading the first few pages I didn't think I'd be able to continue. I am so glad I did! I now understand the shocking beginning.
As a mother of a sweet and gentle boy this was sad to read. It shows the lengths people are willing to do to others out of fear. But it also shows the lengths good people will go to to do the right thing.
I definitely can't wait to read the next one!
October 13, 2023
This is a fantastic book by a prolific author. The ability to craft a world that is the end-all for some and a nightmare for others and explain why the grass isn’t always greener on the other side via narrative is an art form not many have mastered. Very much appreciated this author’s take and couldn’t find anything in the book to which that the cancel culture kids in the comment section referred. Don’t listen to the loud minority—they’ve been crafted to speak before they listen and to act before they think.
March 22, 2021
I absolutely will not read this hot pile of homophobic garbage.
December 29, 2020
This was a very interesting dystopia. Normally, in dystopias, our protagonist is actively resisting the government, they're part of a rebel group. Think Legend, The Hunger Games, or Divergent. In A Gentle Tyranny, Reina is much more passive, and while that helped the story in some regards, it also harmed it.
Blurb
In a society run by women, built off the backs of men, Reina is approaching her 18th birthday. Soon to pick her career, but unsure what to pick, she is tapped by her grandmother to become the next Matriarch. Before this elevation, her world was black and white. Men must be gentled in order to be safe, and women are superior. As she sees more of Nede though, her beliefs are challenged.
Like I said earlier, Reina is a very passive protagonist. She has her beliefs, but she definitely isn't out in the world changing things. I did enjoy this take, because it felt different. I loved how she wasn't fiery, and thought through her decisions. I loved that her entire goal was to become the Matriarch, and institute change through that avenue. Writing a protagonist who is passive is difficult though, because the story can very quickly become boring. In some ways, that is what A Gentle Tyranny suffered from.
Simply put, not enough happened. Countless pages of this book are devoted to building a lush and complex world, and while I loved that, only so much worldbuilding is necessary. We're treated to Reina learning and discovering herself, but not much happens. Up until the 50% mark, she hadn't had much significant character development. Once we hit 50%, I was much more interested in the book, but it just took a little too long.
The one thing that did absolutely no wrong in this was the setting. As someone who has recently traveled to Belize, the country that inspired the setting, I could picture every scene perfectly in my head. Jess Corban excelled at writing a setting that complimented her story, and I loved the descriptions that accompanied it. From the bright clothing, to the native wildlife, this felt lush and extravagant, while also feeling natural and warm.
Although this is nowhere near the branch of dystopian that I usually read, I really enjoyed it! It's definitely a thought provoking read, which is always something I look for.
Thanks to Jess Corban and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Blurb
In a society run by women, built off the backs of men, Reina is approaching her 18th birthday. Soon to pick her career, but unsure what to pick, she is tapped by her grandmother to become the next Matriarch. Before this elevation, her world was black and white. Men must be gentled in order to be safe, and women are superior. As she sees more of Nede though, her beliefs are challenged.
Like I said earlier, Reina is a very passive protagonist. She has her beliefs, but she definitely isn't out in the world changing things. I did enjoy this take, because it felt different. I loved how she wasn't fiery, and thought through her decisions. I loved that her entire goal was to become the Matriarch, and institute change through that avenue. Writing a protagonist who is passive is difficult though, because the story can very quickly become boring. In some ways, that is what A Gentle Tyranny suffered from.
Simply put, not enough happened. Countless pages of this book are devoted to building a lush and complex world, and while I loved that, only so much worldbuilding is necessary. We're treated to Reina learning and discovering herself, but not much happens. Up until the 50% mark, she hadn't had much significant character development. Once we hit 50%, I was much more interested in the book, but it just took a little too long.
The one thing that did absolutely no wrong in this was the setting. As someone who has recently traveled to Belize, the country that inspired the setting, I could picture every scene perfectly in my head. Jess Corban excelled at writing a setting that complimented her story, and I loved the descriptions that accompanied it. From the bright clothing, to the native wildlife, this felt lush and extravagant, while also feeling natural and warm.
Although this is nowhere near the branch of dystopian that I usually read, I really enjoyed it! It's definitely a thought provoking read, which is always something I look for.
Thanks to Jess Corban and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
April 2, 2021
I won this book in a give away. As a male, I was apprehensive about the setting of the book, where males had been gentled as a result of their aggression toward women. I was appalled by the whole concept. After reading about treatment of the gentled males by the women, I was further appalled and almost stopped reading at that point. Rather than give the book a one star rating, I decided to finish the book, as promised, and provide an honest assessment. I’m glad I did because, without dropping any clues, the story line improved and left me feeling hopeful about a satisfactory conclusion. All the issues are far from resolved by the end of the book, making it apparent that other volumes will be forthcoming. I think three stars is a mediocre book that has some entertainment value. I must admit it was entertaining and kept my attention throughout, even if it was uncomfortable in parts. And so I give it a rather reluctant four star rating.
And for those who like to summarize the story like a book report, it’s not necessary. Leave the story telling to the author. You can tell us what you think without revealing the plot line.
And for those who like to summarize the story like a book report, it’s not necessary. Leave the story telling to the author. You can tell us what you think without revealing the plot line.
August 28, 2022
As the author's beliefs would tell you, Satan is trying to attack gender roles!!!!!
It's me; I'm Satan
It's me; I'm Satan
May 6, 2022
https://stephaniesninthsuitcase.com/2...
I don’t usually review audiobooks. In fact, I usually just review books that are given to me as review copies, without pressuring myself to review each book I read (or listen to). However, I decided to borrow this book from the library, with the purpose of reviewing it, after reading some GoodReads reviews.
I discovered that people were tearing down the author because she opted to use a pseudonym when publishing a mainstream (ish) book. This author was also donating the proceeds of the book to some worthy causes.
Readers were deeply offended to discover the author’s “secret” identity. Some indignant reviewers were so scandalized that they went back and changed their reviews, even discounting all of their former positive opinions. Because of this author’s transgressions, there was now NOTHING redemptive in the book.
Her shocking crime? Christianity. Author Jess Corban is guilty of running a big-sister site that ministers to young women, and she supports organizations that uphold the traditional definition of marriage. Scandalizing, isn’t it?
Seeing this sister in the Lord coming under such intense attacks for her faith, I wanted to read the book for myself, with the express intention of leaving a positive review.
A Note about Audiobooks
I listen to a ton of audiobooks while working. Because this was the format in which I enjoyed the title, my review will look a little different and quite possibly less detailed. Reason A) It’s a lot easier for me to “miss” things in an audiobook (if, for instance, someone came in while I was listening. Reason B) my timeline for audiobooks is different, depending on how often/long I listen. I started this one probably over a month ago. As a result, the content notes will also be less comprehensive than usual.
On the other hand, I’m really glad I listened to the audiobook, because there’s a pronunciation guide in the ebook and I’m quite sure I would have been mispronouncing many names/titles, in my head.
Scripture Connection
Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Psalm 82:3
Spiritual Themes
A Gentle Tyranny was published by Wander, an imprint or Tyndale House (Some readers did not realize the book was from a Christian publisher, hence their indignation at a Christian author). In all fairness, though, I can see how the book itself passes as mainstream. Spiritual content is quite light. The most overt Christian content is some references to Reina’s mom’s religion.
However, there are some strong Christian themes, even if they’re not identified as such. For example, one of the key themes is about the importance of virtue combined with power, “because power without virtue is tyranny.” Another repeated theme is to “remember who you are,” which initially evoked Rachelle Dekker’s The Choosing for me— but there’s no direct commentary on what exactly that means, spiritually.
But, given that this is a mainstream book, I’m very happy with it. The power/virtue theme is so strongly biblical (it’s found throughout the Bible) and this is a book that I’d feel happy to recommend to my (public school) students, because it’s clean AND truthful.
Other Themes
The novel also raises questions about free choice, and whether or not it is okay to forcibly strip someone of choice. (From a Christian perspective, we recognize that God gave us free will). This is a significant question for many people at the center of various political debates, and which people use on both sides of issues.
What I Liked
Overall, the writing works and the narrative is crisp. While it took me a little while to get “into” the story, I did get hooked (and I was pretty excited to immediately borrow book two once I finished book one).
I especially enjoyed the scenes in the city, where Reina is competing as a candidate for the Matriarchy. I enjoyed not only the competition, but also the interactions between the candidates and trainers, not to mention getting to eavesdrop on some insider political conversations.
There were also a few “dress up” scenes, where Reina has her own personal designer come in and prep her for events. These scenes are all the more fun because Reina doesn’t usually care about her appearance, and I really enjoy this setup, whether in books or movies. (Princess Diaries, anyone?)
I really liked how the author handled sexuality in the book. I was a bit concerned about this in the premise (a society with just women…?). As we learn, one of the “core virtues” is self-restraint, so sexual acts are just frowned on, in general. I thought this was a brilliant choice, on the author’s part.
I also felt that the author did a good job with pacing and world-building. I know that it is very tricky, when introducing a speculative world, to achieve the “need-to-know” balance for readers— giving as much information as is necessary to understanding (and maintaining interest), without revealing too much too soon. I feel that Corban does a great job of slowly teasing out the way the society works.
Respectful Critique
I think this was partially due to how long it took me to get through the book. However, I did have some trouble keeping the many female characters apart in my head. By the end of the book, I pretty much remembered who was “good” and “bad,” but I couldn’t really remember who had said and done what. I also suspect this had a little bit to do with the cast consisting mainly of females.
My other point is just that there were certain parts where I felt my interest lagging. Interestingly enough, it was the parts with the “gentles” that felt a little less interesting to me. This is almost a compliment, coming from me, since I have been known to read books for the romance. In this case, I was much more invested in the question of succession.
Content
There are some subtle allusions to homosexual relationships but, as mentioned above, these are not presented favorably, as social constructs forbid romance, in general.
Reina, understandably, has very little knowledge about male and female relationships and physicality. She has the vague knowledge, for instance, that “brutes” had to be “gentled” because of the horrible things that they used to do to women. But she doesn’t know what sorts of things were done. When she encounters the word “rape,” in the context of history, she knows it’s something bad but doesn’t know exactly what it means.
Resultantly, Reina has no frame of reference for physical attraction. She is startled by the way her heart rate increases around a male character, and even more confused by her desire to be around him more. But she doesn’t understand what is going on, nor why.
Other thematic content includes violence (including the threat of sexual assault, which doesn’t go far and which Reina doesn’t understand). Violence isn’t especially graphic, but characters are forced to make challenging decisions, raising significant questions, such as Does the end justify the means?
Recommendation Status
What I like about this book is that it works as a mainstream recommendation. Not an overt Christian title but one I’d recommend to Christians and non-Christians, alike (even more so with it being “cancelled”).
I don’t usually review audiobooks. In fact, I usually just review books that are given to me as review copies, without pressuring myself to review each book I read (or listen to). However, I decided to borrow this book from the library, with the purpose of reviewing it, after reading some GoodReads reviews.
I discovered that people were tearing down the author because she opted to use a pseudonym when publishing a mainstream (ish) book. This author was also donating the proceeds of the book to some worthy causes.
Readers were deeply offended to discover the author’s “secret” identity. Some indignant reviewers were so scandalized that they went back and changed their reviews, even discounting all of their former positive opinions. Because of this author’s transgressions, there was now NOTHING redemptive in the book.
Her shocking crime? Christianity. Author Jess Corban is guilty of running a big-sister site that ministers to young women, and she supports organizations that uphold the traditional definition of marriage. Scandalizing, isn’t it?
Seeing this sister in the Lord coming under such intense attacks for her faith, I wanted to read the book for myself, with the express intention of leaving a positive review.
A Note about Audiobooks
I listen to a ton of audiobooks while working. Because this was the format in which I enjoyed the title, my review will look a little different and quite possibly less detailed. Reason A) It’s a lot easier for me to “miss” things in an audiobook (if, for instance, someone came in while I was listening. Reason B) my timeline for audiobooks is different, depending on how often/long I listen. I started this one probably over a month ago. As a result, the content notes will also be less comprehensive than usual.
On the other hand, I’m really glad I listened to the audiobook, because there’s a pronunciation guide in the ebook and I’m quite sure I would have been mispronouncing many names/titles, in my head.
Scripture Connection
Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
Psalm 82:3
Spiritual Themes
A Gentle Tyranny was published by Wander, an imprint or Tyndale House (Some readers did not realize the book was from a Christian publisher, hence their indignation at a Christian author). In all fairness, though, I can see how the book itself passes as mainstream. Spiritual content is quite light. The most overt Christian content is some references to Reina’s mom’s religion.
However, there are some strong Christian themes, even if they’re not identified as such. For example, one of the key themes is about the importance of virtue combined with power, “because power without virtue is tyranny.” Another repeated theme is to “remember who you are,” which initially evoked Rachelle Dekker’s The Choosing for me— but there’s no direct commentary on what exactly that means, spiritually.
But, given that this is a mainstream book, I’m very happy with it. The power/virtue theme is so strongly biblical (it’s found throughout the Bible) and this is a book that I’d feel happy to recommend to my (public school) students, because it’s clean AND truthful.
Other Themes
The novel also raises questions about free choice, and whether or not it is okay to forcibly strip someone of choice. (From a Christian perspective, we recognize that God gave us free will). This is a significant question for many people at the center of various political debates, and which people use on both sides of issues.
What I Liked
Overall, the writing works and the narrative is crisp. While it took me a little while to get “into” the story, I did get hooked (and I was pretty excited to immediately borrow book two once I finished book one).
I especially enjoyed the scenes in the city, where Reina is competing as a candidate for the Matriarchy. I enjoyed not only the competition, but also the interactions between the candidates and trainers, not to mention getting to eavesdrop on some insider political conversations.
There were also a few “dress up” scenes, where Reina has her own personal designer come in and prep her for events. These scenes are all the more fun because Reina doesn’t usually care about her appearance, and I really enjoy this setup, whether in books or movies. (Princess Diaries, anyone?)
I really liked how the author handled sexuality in the book. I was a bit concerned about this in the premise (a society with just women…?). As we learn, one of the “core virtues” is self-restraint, so sexual acts are just frowned on, in general. I thought this was a brilliant choice, on the author’s part.
I also felt that the author did a good job with pacing and world-building. I know that it is very tricky, when introducing a speculative world, to achieve the “need-to-know” balance for readers— giving as much information as is necessary to understanding (and maintaining interest), without revealing too much too soon. I feel that Corban does a great job of slowly teasing out the way the society works.
Respectful Critique
I think this was partially due to how long it took me to get through the book. However, I did have some trouble keeping the many female characters apart in my head. By the end of the book, I pretty much remembered who was “good” and “bad,” but I couldn’t really remember who had said and done what. I also suspect this had a little bit to do with the cast consisting mainly of females.
My other point is just that there were certain parts where I felt my interest lagging. Interestingly enough, it was the parts with the “gentles” that felt a little less interesting to me. This is almost a compliment, coming from me, since I have been known to read books for the romance. In this case, I was much more invested in the question of succession.
Content
There are some subtle allusions to homosexual relationships but, as mentioned above, these are not presented favorably, as social constructs forbid romance, in general.
Reina, understandably, has very little knowledge about male and female relationships and physicality. She has the vague knowledge, for instance, that “brutes” had to be “gentled” because of the horrible things that they used to do to women. But she doesn’t know what sorts of things were done. When she encounters the word “rape,” in the context of history, she knows it’s something bad but doesn’t know exactly what it means.
Resultantly, Reina has no frame of reference for physical attraction. She is startled by the way her heart rate increases around a male character, and even more confused by her desire to be around him more. But she doesn’t understand what is going on, nor why.
Other thematic content includes violence (including the threat of sexual assault, which doesn’t go far and which Reina doesn’t understand). Violence isn’t especially graphic, but characters are forced to make challenging decisions, raising significant questions, such as Does the end justify the means?
Recommendation Status
What I like about this book is that it works as a mainstream recommendation. Not an overt Christian title but one I’d recommend to Christians and non-Christians, alike (even more so with it being “cancelled”).
September 5, 2022
I knew this would be a hard-hitting book, but the punch it packs leaves you breathless and aching.
A chilling look at seeing things come to logical conclusions, A Gentle Tyranny is not the oxymoron you'd think. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" had never proven more true than in this Nede society.
Exceptionally well-developed characters ensure that you think you know what is coming and then are broadsided nearly at every twist. And boy are there many twists!
Jess Corban's Nede Rising series is a sobering look at today's problems through the lens of tomorrow's "solutions." And the hypocrisy of rejecting one thing while using that thing to justify another... Well, we've seen it all too often, and we're doomed to repeat if we're not careful.
If I'd had this book 20 years ago, it would have been required reading for my kids before graduation. And then I probably would have killed the punch it offers by making it required, so maybe it's best it wasn't. But wow. Just wow. Onto the next!
A chilling look at seeing things come to logical conclusions, A Gentle Tyranny is not the oxymoron you'd think. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" had never proven more true than in this Nede society.
Exceptionally well-developed characters ensure that you think you know what is coming and then are broadsided nearly at every twist. And boy are there many twists!
Jess Corban's Nede Rising series is a sobering look at today's problems through the lens of tomorrow's "solutions." And the hypocrisy of rejecting one thing while using that thing to justify another... Well, we've seen it all too often, and we're doomed to repeat if we're not careful.
If I'd had this book 20 years ago, it would have been required reading for my kids before graduation. And then I probably would have killed the punch it offers by making it required, so maybe it's best it wasn't. But wow. Just wow. Onto the next!
December 4, 2020
Dystopian fiction isn’t my usual go-to genre (I’m more of a historical fiction fan) but I LOVED this book. Fascinating plot line that kept me reading late into the night; thought-provoking social and cultural constructs; engaging characters and relationships. Highly recommend!
odio-jarocho-aka-nope
November 18, 2021Fundie harmful beliefs thinly veiled as "YA dystopia" geared towards teen girls. Big no.
December 17, 2020
A Gentle Tyranny is a complex book--it addresses questions difficult questions like equality, power, corruption, and abuse. While one could read it for just the story, you would be missing the whole purpose of the book. As the mother of a daughter and a son, this book gave me a lot to think about.
I suspect that regardless of where you stand on the issues addressed in the book, you will find something that you like and something that you profoundly disagree with. I don't want to go into too much depth, but I do want to provide a warning that this book deals with difficult subjects, including sexual abuse against women. The beginning of the book was hard, as was some information revealed later in the book.
As for the writing, I thought that the build up to the main story was a tad slow. This made more sense when I realized that some of the issues in the book would not be fully resolved. I suspect that there will be a book 2, which I would definitely read.
Finally, I loved the setting in Central America--great addition to the book!
Thank you publishers and netgalley for the free E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.
I suspect that regardless of where you stand on the issues addressed in the book, you will find something that you like and something that you profoundly disagree with. I don't want to go into too much depth, but I do want to provide a warning that this book deals with difficult subjects, including sexual abuse against women. The beginning of the book was hard, as was some information revealed later in the book.
As for the writing, I thought that the build up to the main story was a tad slow. This made more sense when I realized that some of the issues in the book would not be fully resolved. I suspect that there will be a book 2, which I would definitely read.
Finally, I loved the setting in Central America--great addition to the book!
Thank you publishers and netgalley for the free E-Arc in exchange for my honest review.
April 15, 2021
wot in the white radfem hell 😀
June 9, 2021
Corban’s dystopian tale opens in a lush, futuristic setting that appears to be a utopian paradise governed by women. The Nede is a place where women rule, and men or “Brutes” have been “gentled” so that they can never harm women again. Her vivid descriptions and detailed world-building made me feel immediately part of this world, where I also instantly suspected that all was not “virtuous.”
Reina is the Matriarch’s granddaughter who knows little about the true workings of her world and is just about as clueless regarding what destiny or career choice she will make on her eighteenth birthday. When her grandmother asks her to compete in the Succession that will determine the next Matriarch, Reina discovers the cruel realities about her world—and grandmother—she had never imagined. She believes she can make changes when she’s chosen as the next Matriarch, but how low will she have to stoop to compete?
Corban did a masterful job with Reina’s characterization. She is a teenager who doesn’t appreciate what she has until she loses it and doesn’t understand her mother until she grows wiser herself. I saw some reviews that complained about her pivotal choice at the end of the story. Although I don’t like her choice any more than other readers, I do appreciate that she didn’t receive what she expected from making it. (I’m being vague to avoid spoilers.) Perhaps the author’s intention is to show that doing the wrong thing for the right reason is not a wise choice. Regardless, I am also sympathetic toward Reina, because she was placed in a difficult situation and forced to make a split-second decision. Her story doesn’t end with this book, and I expect we’ll see some redemption for her in the sequel. All that to say, I’m not deducting a star for her choice, because I think young adults need to see the consequences (and hopefully redemption that is possible) when they make poor choices.
Speaking of which, I’m so glad A Brutal Justice releases soon, because I’m eager to watch where Corban takes this story.
Reina is the Matriarch’s granddaughter who knows little about the true workings of her world and is just about as clueless regarding what destiny or career choice she will make on her eighteenth birthday. When her grandmother asks her to compete in the Succession that will determine the next Matriarch, Reina discovers the cruel realities about her world—and grandmother—she had never imagined. She believes she can make changes when she’s chosen as the next Matriarch, but how low will she have to stoop to compete?
Corban did a masterful job with Reina’s characterization. She is a teenager who doesn’t appreciate what she has until she loses it and doesn’t understand her mother until she grows wiser herself. I saw some reviews that complained about her pivotal choice at the end of the story. Although I don’t like her choice any more than other readers, I do appreciate that she didn’t receive what she expected from making it. (I’m being vague to avoid spoilers.) Perhaps the author’s intention is to show that doing the wrong thing for the right reason is not a wise choice. Regardless, I am also sympathetic toward Reina, because she was placed in a difficult situation and forced to make a split-second decision. Her story doesn’t end with this book, and I expect we’ll see some redemption for her in the sequel. All that to say, I’m not deducting a star for her choice, because I think young adults need to see the consequences (and hopefully redemption that is possible) when they make poor choices.
Speaking of which, I’m so glad A Brutal Justice releases soon, because I’m eager to watch where Corban takes this story.
February 20, 2021
Spoiler free review. I really enjoyed the amount of world building this author uses and the way the author really brings out the characters. The way the location is described throughout the story is amazing. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend!
April 2, 2021
Really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the second one to be released! The book starts out a little slow but I loved that the author took the time to help the reader really get to know the characters. Definitely recommend this book if you love girl warrior stories!
Read
April 12, 20218/4/2021 Update: in light of revelations that Jess Corban is a pen name for Jessie Minassian, I will be removing my rating as I do not support the author's beliefs when it comes to conversion therapy.
Growing up, Reina always wanted to be an Alexia and protect Nedé but her grandmother has other plans for her when she nominates her to be the next monarch. Pitted against four other women, Reina suddenly has to navigate the political elite and show the Matriarch she's the best candidate.
In the late 21st century, Tristan Pierce established Nedé as a safe haven for women. The men are gentled from birth while women are allowed to pursue a life free of fear and oppression. In order to assure this, Nedé's men are unable to grow much hair and muscle, making them weak and short lived.
Shortly after birth, they are separated from their mothers and raised to be servants. They are only allowed to perform society's menial tasks while being forbidden from forming any sort of relationship with the women around them. Corban does a brilliant job describing men's lives under this regime, which rightly makes certain passages uncomfortable to get through.
Even Reina, who grew up on a more tolerant farm where the men are allowed to have names, doesn't question this subjugation until later on in the novel.
Reina was an interesting character. I found her grating in the beginning as she dismissed her family's chosen careers but I was happy to see her grow out of that. As she learns more about those destinies, and her family in particular she not only comes to appreciate them, but they help fuel her determination to change Nedé for the better.
She also started out very naïve. While she maintained a secret friendship with a gentle, she still held firm to Nedé's constitution, until the selection process challenged her core beliefs.
I appreciated that Corban didn't make Reina a rebel from the beginning. Given the setting, it's expected that Reina would agree with the status quo, which makes her rebellion all the more poignant.
A Gentle Tyranny was fun well balanced. Once the selection begins, the book flowed well and I had no trouble getting through it. I liked that Reina is slow to change her ideas as it's hard to rebel against one's upbringing from one day to the next, and this was reflected in the book.
My one complaint is that I don’t think Corban developed her world enough. Some of the secondary characters are lacking, whereas the worldbuilding is confusing at times, particularly when it comes to the Brutes. As this is the first book in a series, there's more than enough potential to grow and I look forward to seeing what Corban does in the sequel.
A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban was an interesting study in what a matriarchal dystopia could look like. Corban's character arcs are well crafted and the slow build of a rebellion fits Reina's mindset. The lack of a romantic element was a welcome surprise as well, even if I do like the hints of a future relationship.
This book is for older readers as it contains violence and on-page depictions of executions.
Growing up, Reina always wanted to be an Alexia and protect Nedé but her grandmother has other plans for her when she nominates her to be the next monarch. Pitted against four other women, Reina suddenly has to navigate the political elite and show the Matriarch she's the best candidate.
In the late 21st century, Tristan Pierce established Nedé as a safe haven for women. The men are gentled from birth while women are allowed to pursue a life free of fear and oppression. In order to assure this, Nedé's men are unable to grow much hair and muscle, making them weak and short lived.
Shortly after birth, they are separated from their mothers and raised to be servants. They are only allowed to perform society's menial tasks while being forbidden from forming any sort of relationship with the women around them. Corban does a brilliant job describing men's lives under this regime, which rightly makes certain passages uncomfortable to get through.
Even Reina, who grew up on a more tolerant farm where the men are allowed to have names, doesn't question this subjugation until later on in the novel.
Reina was an interesting character. I found her grating in the beginning as she dismissed her family's chosen careers but I was happy to see her grow out of that. As she learns more about those destinies, and her family in particular she not only comes to appreciate them, but they help fuel her determination to change Nedé for the better.
She also started out very naïve. While she maintained a secret friendship with a gentle, she still held firm to Nedé's constitution, until the selection process challenged her core beliefs.
I appreciated that Corban didn't make Reina a rebel from the beginning. Given the setting, it's expected that Reina would agree with the status quo, which makes her rebellion all the more poignant.
A Gentle Tyranny was fun well balanced. Once the selection begins, the book flowed well and I had no trouble getting through it. I liked that Reina is slow to change her ideas as it's hard to rebel against one's upbringing from one day to the next, and this was reflected in the book.
My one complaint is that I don’t think Corban developed her world enough. Some of the secondary characters are lacking, whereas the worldbuilding is confusing at times, particularly when it comes to the Brutes. As this is the first book in a series, there's more than enough potential to grow and I look forward to seeing what Corban does in the sequel.
A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban was an interesting study in what a matriarchal dystopia could look like. Corban's character arcs are well crafted and the slow build of a rebellion fits Reina's mindset. The lack of a romantic element was a welcome surprise as well, even if I do like the hints of a future relationship.
This book is for older readers as it contains violence and on-page depictions of executions.
October 31, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of A Gentle Tyranny in exchange for an honest review.
A gentle Tyranny takes place on a dystopia island where 200 years ago, a group of woman fed up with societies mistreatment of woman formed a new society with men (now called 'Gentles') far below women in the social hierarchy. We follow Reina after being chosen by the island's leader, The Matriarch (who also happens to be her grandmother), to compete as a wildcard for the change to become the island's next Matriarch.
As a dystopia, I really enjoyed this. It's the kind of feminist fic that flips the script to showcase how sexism may look if men were seen as the inferior gender and Corban's narrative style is wonderful for the genre while also unique enough to add a lot of atmosphere and keep the story sounding unique. A few things were quite predictable, but in my opinion that's a lot better than having never set up any of that. Even outside of the social commentary, this is still a good 'corrupt government' book.
My only issues come down to some world building things. This takes place about 250 years in the future, 200 years after the island's been formed. There are a few references to what seems to be an all encompassing religion on the island which threw me a bit because the book makes it very clear that the original inhabitants came from diverse backgrounds and were allowed and encouraged to let their cultures thrived. I don't see every other religion dying out or even really a new one being able to form over a 2 century time span especially since it seems like the life expectancy for women is near or beyond 80 and it made it harder to conceptualize when this takes place. This next part may be a spoiler but I don't think it hurts anything plot wise but feel free to stop reading.
Basically, to make the men more docile they apparently remove their testosterone. I'm not a scientist or doctor or anything, but I know low testosterone in either sex is a health risk and would imagine removing it all together just wouldn't be viable. This book does stress that men die earlier because of it, but the protagonist takes the time to mention that she's never heard of 'testosterone' before in a way that seemed to imply its been completely eradicated on the island so do the woman not have any too and if so, why is their quality of life not also hindered? How are some of them casually pumping out 10 kids each while missing a hormone that helps with reproductive organs and fertility? Or do the woman keep their testosterone and the MC just doesn't know what its called and that was a weird throwaway line? If so, the society's clearly decided that getting rid of the gender with more testosterone will solve all conflicts but what happens with woman like the Matriarch who at the age of 76 actually has the potential of having higher testosterone levels than men in the same age bracket? It may seem like I'm nitpicking, but the book makes a huge deal about testosterone and I kept getting more and more confused.
A gentle Tyranny takes place on a dystopia island where 200 years ago, a group of woman fed up with societies mistreatment of woman formed a new society with men (now called 'Gentles') far below women in the social hierarchy. We follow Reina after being chosen by the island's leader, The Matriarch (who also happens to be her grandmother), to compete as a wildcard for the change to become the island's next Matriarch.
As a dystopia, I really enjoyed this. It's the kind of feminist fic that flips the script to showcase how sexism may look if men were seen as the inferior gender and Corban's narrative style is wonderful for the genre while also unique enough to add a lot of atmosphere and keep the story sounding unique. A few things were quite predictable, but in my opinion that's a lot better than having never set up any of that. Even outside of the social commentary, this is still a good 'corrupt government' book.
My only issues come down to some world building things. This takes place about 250 years in the future, 200 years after the island's been formed. There are a few references to what seems to be an all encompassing religion on the island which threw me a bit because the book makes it very clear that the original inhabitants came from diverse backgrounds and were allowed and encouraged to let their cultures thrived. I don't see every other religion dying out or even really a new one being able to form over a 2 century time span especially since it seems like the life expectancy for women is near or beyond 80 and it made it harder to conceptualize when this takes place. This next part may be a spoiler but I don't think it hurts anything plot wise but feel free to stop reading.
Basically, to make the men more docile they apparently remove their testosterone. I'm not a scientist or doctor or anything, but I know low testosterone in either sex is a health risk and would imagine removing it all together just wouldn't be viable. This book does stress that men die earlier because of it, but the protagonist takes the time to mention that she's never heard of 'testosterone' before in a way that seemed to imply its been completely eradicated on the island so do the woman not have any too and if so, why is their quality of life not also hindered? How are some of them casually pumping out 10 kids each while missing a hormone that helps with reproductive organs and fertility? Or do the woman keep their testosterone and the MC just doesn't know what its called and that was a weird throwaway line? If so, the society's clearly decided that getting rid of the gender with more testosterone will solve all conflicts but what happens with woman like the Matriarch who at the age of 76 actually has the potential of having higher testosterone levels than men in the same age bracket? It may seem like I'm nitpicking, but the book makes a huge deal about testosterone and I kept getting more and more confused.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews