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roadtripreader 's review for:
Fireheart Tiger
by Aliette de Bodard
When I started reading this, I expected something... different, something more and initially, I found myself utterly disliking all the characters from Thanh, to Eldris, Pharanea, Mother-Empress and so forth. I couldn't say why I disliked them as I didn't know why...I just did - and I first noticed it during the introductory war negotiations that I found myself somewhat irritated with this book.
And then, about halfway, it dawned on me when I looked at the lay of the world presented in this book and it struck a chord - A Matriarchal world were Matriarchy ruled as opposed to Patriarchy. And why would I hate that? It is beautiful, like a herd of elephants with the powerful Matriarch ahead and leading them along a path to the watering hole.
Picture this:
⦁ There are Princesses leading war negotiations (which seem to be failing.)
⦁ There are Princesses off fighting battles with neighboring regions.
⦁ There are even Woman-Generals blackmailing princesses to sway negotiations to the favor of
another Matriarchal Kingdom.
⦁ In this world; becoming QUEEN is the power that the young character craves - and there is no
mention of Kings and Emperors. And Yet, a very steadfast rule of humanity regardless of
gender - power corrupts, and this world is not without the same predatory pillars of
power-hungry opportunists; women who have way more agency than others in this world.
⦁ The weak and feeble nations might be ruled by kings but there aren't enough pages in this
book to be definitive about this possibility.
So, turns out I, subconsciously rejected this idea of all powerful Matriarchal Kingdoms, not just the structure but that the conquering kingdoms and encroaching invaders were for all intents and purposes, a bunch of women - you know; girl power and all that.
For shame! Suffice it to say after that realization and being aware of it on an acute level, I started seeing the story and the characters the way I would if it were me as Mother-Empress or even just the Fire Elemental Giang in a world where women ruled.
An interesting read.
And then, about halfway, it dawned on me when I looked at the lay of the world presented in this book and it struck a chord - A Matriarchal world were Matriarchy ruled as opposed to Patriarchy. And why would I hate that? It is beautiful, like a herd of elephants with the powerful Matriarch ahead and leading them along a path to the watering hole.
Picture this:
⦁ There are Princesses leading war negotiations (which seem to be failing.)
⦁ There are Princesses off fighting battles with neighboring regions.
⦁ There are even Woman-Generals blackmailing princesses to sway negotiations to the favor of
another Matriarchal Kingdom.
⦁ In this world; becoming QUEEN is the power that the young character craves - and there is no
mention of Kings and Emperors. And Yet, a very steadfast rule of humanity regardless of
gender - power corrupts, and this world is not without the same predatory pillars of
power-hungry opportunists; women who have way more agency than others in this world.
⦁ The weak and feeble nations might be ruled by kings but there aren't enough pages in this
book to be definitive about this possibility.
So, turns out I, subconsciously rejected this idea of all powerful Matriarchal Kingdoms, not just the structure but that the conquering kingdoms and encroaching invaders were for all intents and purposes, a bunch of women - you know; girl power and all that.
For shame! Suffice it to say after that realization and being aware of it on an acute level, I started seeing the story and the characters the way I would if it were me as Mother-Empress or even just the Fire Elemental Giang in a world where women ruled.
An interesting read.