Jalav
A promising fantasy about a fierce tribe of warrior women begins as an intriguing reversal of traditional gender roles, then devolves into relentless rape, slavery, and abuse portrayed as romance. Unconvincing characterization and a dreadful post-apocalyptic reveal only make its dangerous rape apologism worse.
Taurus Four
A stranded space explorer encounters a primitive society descended from hippies and falls for a teenage girl. I kept reading in hopes that the protagonist's spectacular sexism was deliberate satire. Instead, the novel celebrates his misogyny and delivers one of the most appalling endings I've encountered.
Contrarywise
An eccentric trickster god, an expansive magical world, and a wonderfully engaging ensemble make for a promising beginning. Then an increasingly incoherent, world-ending plot introduces divine meddling, rape, and a supposedly heartwarming romance between biological twins. I loved the first third. The rest? What the fuck.
The Duchess of Kneedeep
A runaway duchess flees across an absurd planet where seemingly every man she encounters threatens her with sexual violence or murder. Tepid jokes, shallow characters, and a twist that trivializes her entirely reasonable fears made this supposed comedy impossible to finish.
Song of the Pearl
A teenage girl journeys through the afterlife and her past incarnations to understand her suffering. Beautiful prose cannot redeem a YA novel whose central message holds an abused child responsible for her own sexual assault—and ultimately demands that she apologize to her abuser. My most hated ForFemFan read.
Sorcerer's Legacy
A grieving widow is transported across time and space to save a prince, only to become trapped in deadly court intrigue. Competent prose can't rescue an unconvincing heroine, relentlessly contrived suspense, or an appalling ending that treats terrible sacrifices as a triumph.
Soul-Singer of Tyrnos
A young Singer follows the gods' guidance across Tyrnos, using the magic of song to heal suffering and expose corruption. A compact, traditional fantasy quest with likable characters, unusual magic, and just enough adventure to scratch that fantasy itch.
The Nature of Witches
An American scientist in Sweden begins to wonder whether his estranged wife is a witch. Surprisingly perceptive prose and vivid characterization give way to appalling misogyny, sexual violence, and an ending that rewards an utterly reprehensible protagonist.
Alien Blues
A futuristic police procedural featuring serial killers, a sinister conspiracy, and wonderfully peculiar stingray-like aliens. The Elaki are delightful, but muddled plotting, stilted prose, and gratuitous sexualized violence ruin an otherwise promising premise.
Call of Madness
In a kingdom that executes its mages, a reckless princess discovers she has forbidden magical powers. An intriguing premise and thrilling final act are undermined by inconsistent characterization, questionable decisions, and a frustrating protagonist.
Far Edge of Darkness
A group of modern-day strangers find themselves enslaved in ancient Rome, caught in a dangerous time-travel conspiracy. A well-written, suspenseful action novel that's solidly enjoyable, even if its central mystery proves more compelling than its resolution.
An Alien Light
A fascinating, deeply human science fiction novel about violence, relationships, and the contradictions of human nature. Its unusual premise and richly developed characters made it one of my favorite ForFemFan discoveries.
Chrysalis of Death
A fossil collector unearths prehistoric caterpillars that unleash a horrifying epidemic on a tiny desert town. Competently written, genuinely suspenseful pulp horror whose relentless cruelty and hopelessness left me furious.
The Serpent
A sheltered goddess-princess is thrust into a brutal world where women's sexuality is both a liability and a source of power. Beautiful, devastating, unexpectedly funny, and one of the most thought-provoking novels I've read.
The Nonborn King
The third Saga of Pliocene Exile novel abandons much of what made the series wonderful: compelling characters, immersive storytelling, and emotional depth. What's left is war, betrayal, and people I desperately want to see die.