annabel’s Reviews > Mother of Rome > Status Update

So Rhea is a furry now

I hate it when people say ‘your body was meant for this’ like diva no people DIE in childbirth

Something that’s irking me is that whilst Mars is presented at a dick, he’s almost an attractive, endearing dick; meanwhile Vesta was just presented as an unforgiving asshole.

I’m getting the impression this book has a problem with presented women who aren’t Rhea as obstacles or instruments for her success. They don’t seem to exist on their own terms; they’re defined by their relationship to Rhea.

I’m somewhat underwhelmed thus far

This has been the most underwhelming coup of all time

icl rhea is pissing me off

Why are the mothers always dead

Big thoughts for 21 pages in but I had to say it. I still have high hopes for this book

Every time a woman in a ‘feminist retelling’ doesn’t like the protagonist because of how ‘different’ she is I roll my eyes a little bit. Like, absolutely women help to perpetuate misogyny and patriarchy, but it’s almost making Rhea Silvia into a bit of ‘I’m not like other girls’ sort of character, like she’s too smart to be pulled in by the status quo, and it’s everyone else who is stupid.