Comments on The Rejectionist: Today's Book Review

Read the book before you review it. I think you&#...

2011-07-26T19:21:01.060-04:00

Read the book before you review it.

I think you'll find that Grace saves Sam in the end and comes up with the idea of the cure herself, and she also reads poetry and studies the wolves (as well as valuing her friends, which Bella never does). Also, I didn't know that women weren't allowed to cook any more; that's news to me. I really must stop hanging around in my kitchen, huh? Why, a female merely touching a frying pan is an abomination to the feminist universe! How dare women today enjoy making delicious food and having a hobby? Ludicrous!

Your argument is redundant. Like I said; try actually reading a book before you review it. It helps.

I don't really understand where you are coming...

2010-04-01T18:02:01.269-04:00

I don't really understand where you are coming from in this. Is this a review or a rant? It looks like it's supposed to be a review, but then it became a rant. Shiver is an amazing book. I respect that some people disagree with me, but it's really unnecessary to bash on it by using it as an example.
Grace, for one, is not feeble or week. Shiver is a romance, not an action or horror! Notice how she saves Sam many more times then Bella saves Edward, even Sam saves Grace! And her emotions are normal for a teen girl. She had many interests and loved Sam! Is there something wrong with that?
Although I agree with you on the whole 'Female heroins need to be strong and hold themselves on their feet', that does not mean they have to be Superman!

Without having read Shiver myself, I have t...

2010-03-02T17:15:26.353-05:00

Without having read Shiver myself, I have to admit I find it rather odd that you say the romantic relationship "looks a lot more like domestic violence than fabulous romance" and then point to Katsa's romantic relationship in Graceling as more appropriate. Katsa's relationship with Po doesn't look like domestic violence, it is domestic violence. The two enjoy regularly fighting each other - kicking, punching, leaving scratches and bruises. It's highly disturbing to me that you consider that a more appropriate relationship for young girls to emulate.

When you first posted this review, I skipped over ...

2010-01-05T14:15:30.691-05:00

When you first posted this review, I skipped over it, because I didn't want to spoil the book for myself. All of my friends are crazy for it, so I knew I would eventually want to read it.

I'm in the process of listening to it now on my daily commute, and I have to say...I don't really see what all the fuss is about. The story is nice enough, but I agree, I'm tired of characters like Grace and Bella who seem to be defined by their boyfriends (though I disagree that Edward is more interesting than Bella...I didn't really find him particularly interesting at all).

I loved Lyra as a character so much that my husband and I are seriously considering that name for our first daughter, when the time comes. She is so kick-ass and sassy, but she still has a beautiful relationship and falls in love. I'm hoping that my female lead is one fraction of the awesome that Lyra is.

This book disappointed me. For the first hundred p...

2010-01-02T11:14:27.568-05:00

This book disappointed me. For the first hundred pages I was truly engaged, but after that I felt like I was o.d.ing on the sappiness of it all. It was really overdone. In the end, I couldn't wait to be done with it and I won't be reading the sequel.

i loved this book, and i thought it was the greate...

2009-12-26T14:23:13.765-05:00

i loved this book, and i thought it was the greatest book out there. i can not stop reading no matter how hard i try.. so dont be insulting the book when u havent even read it.. u choose to review a book, that dosnt even match ur taste or intrest.. so u simply have nothing to say about it.. u cant have anything to say about this wonderful, magical book.

Hi Sarah, I just wanted to clarify my point sinc...

2009-12-01T12:38:42.494-05:00

Hi Sarah,

I just wanted to clarify my point since I think it was misinterpreted. I am not trying to defend books that portray unhealthy romantic relationships or that feature enfeebled heroines. I simply don't agree with the Rejectionist's opinion that Grace is enfeebled. When I read Shiver, I saw Grace as a very strong and independent person. Just because Sam is the one with the paranormal ability does not mean that Grace is the weaker character, and in my opinion, she was not portrayed that way. Sam and Grace both come to depend on each other through the course of the novel, but I didn't see it as unhealthy and it was completely logical considering the story and their circumstances.

My original comment was mostly intended as a rebuttal of this statement of the Rejectionist's: "whose lives come into focus only through the addition of some melodramatic attraction to a charismatic male figure." It seemed to me the Rejectionist was complaining that the book focused only on the aspect of Grace's life that involved her relationship with Sam, when in fact that is the point of a romance. It doesn't mean that Grace is a weak and unworthy person without him, just that the aspects of her life that didn't involve him did not serve a place in this particular story. And since the examples of 'strong' heroines given by the Rejectionist and some commenters were not from books I would consider strictly romances, I believe this was not taken into consideration.

Exactly, thank you! I am the product of this '...

2009-11-30T11:37:18.391-05:00

Exactly, thank you! I am the product of this 'romantic culture' and two marriages later I've finally found myself and I am just as passionate about cranking out powerful young female protagonist as you are.

I am currently in query hell trying to sell my urban fantasy with a free thinking atheist who doesn't take shit off anyone and the 'dear Edward' in my story makes the sacrifice.

Best thing I've read on a blog since... Well, ...

2009-11-28T04:45:13.171-05:00

Best thing I've read on a blog since... Well, maybe ever. Your last two senteced summed it all up perfectly and deliciously. I want to kiss you!

Hot damn, that was awesome!

2009-11-27T21:24:41.585-05:00

Hot damn, that was awesome!

Shiver is a romance. By the nature of that genr...

2009-11-26T12:09:37.905-05:00
Shiver is a romance. By the nature of that genre, it is supposed to focus on the relationship between Grace and Sam and how their lives are affected by this new relationship.

Melinda, I haven't read Shiver so I won't talk about the merits of the book. But I will say just one thing before fleeing into the night: I believe you're making a very troubling assumption - the implicit assumption that Shiver being a romance, must naturally feature a romance like the one apparently potrayed in this book. As though the type of romance that Grace and Sam are depicted as having is entirely natural and representative of the way romances are and should be in romance books and maybe even real life. Thus, if Shiver is a romance, it must necessarily have the kind of romance that the author has chosen to represent.

Not true.

There are many types of romantic relationships men and women can have. There are many dynamics possible between a man and a woman in a romantic relationship. A man and woman being in love does not HAVE to have the woman being entirely co-dependent, helpless and domesticated (the claims I think the Rejectionist is making). So no, the Rejectionist is not criticizing the book because it is a romance. I'm pretty sure when you read the back of the book, you'll know that it is a romance and so that aspect shouldn't really come as a surprise to anyone, nor would any reasonable person pick up a romance and say "ew! I hate this book because it's such a friggin romance!" However, I do believe that the Rejectionist is simply criticizing this particular romance book for the type of romance it portrays. Again, I'll have to read the book to form concrete opinions about it, but regardless, I do think it's very worth taking a critical eye to how romances are potrayed in books and how, as you've unwittingly revealed in your post, many people seem to take such types of romances as the natural definition of romance in general.

So let me get this straight: 1) Don't write th...

2009-11-17T09:08:27.190-05:00
So let me get this straight:
1) Don't write this sh*t
2) Don't buy this sh*t
3) This book is a pile of filth (even though the poster has never read it)
4) Dumb asses buy these books
5) If you don't like the book, ban it
6) These authors have a "cunning and cynical" bias against women.

Wow. I'd say the books did what they were meant to do -- engender conversation. Pity some of it wasn't more respectful of the authors' efforts.

I know I'm a little late here, but I just have...

2009-11-16T21:09:03.193-05:00
I know I'm a little late here, but I just have to make this point because I didn't see anybody else specifically mention it.
Shiver is a romance. By the nature of that genre, it is supposed to focus on the relationship between Grace and Sam and how their lives are affected by this new relationship. Romances typically start with the couple meeting for the first time and end when the couple has finally overcome all the problems keeping them apart, as Shiver does. A lot of your criticism seems to be based on you wanting this book to be something that it isn't. Some of the examples of strong heroines (in your main post and by others in the comments) are from books that are not primarily romances. They may contain romantic elements/subplots, but the romance is not the main focus of the story. Criticizing a romance because the book concentrates mainly on the romance seems a bit unfair.

Also, why is Grace considered "enfeebled" because her life becomes focused on Sam (which seems natural in any new relationship), and Sam is not? He is at least as obsessed with/dependent on her as she is him, and yet he is not criticized for it. In fact, in the end, he is the one that gives up part of who he is (and risks dying) to be with her, not the other way around. When Grace's (girl) friend is not willing to risk her life in the same manner, Grace says she probably wouldn't make that choice either -- basically saying she would rather live without Sam than not live at all. She also saves/helps Sam much more often than he rescues her. Just because she uses her intellect and creative thinking rather than brute strength or a paranormal ability does not mean she isn't as worthy as Sam or all those "kick-ass" heroines.

I'm sorry that you didn't enjoy Shiver and I hope your post doesn't discourage anyone who was interested in this book from reading it. I thought it was beautifully written and the story was everything I expected and wanted it to be. Next time I'd suggest taking a little more care when choosing books so you don't get a romance by mistake, since they obviously aren't to your taste.

(By the way, I've always enjoyed reading your blog and of course you are entitled to your opinion. After this post, I'll just be taking those opinions with a bit more grain of salt.)

Amen. Just...AMEN! Thank you, Rejectionist. And, ...

2009-11-16T14:33:58.698-05:00
Amen. Just...AMEN!
Thank you, Rejectionist.

And, Penny Bloom - very well said!

Thanks, Nancy, and oops. Taken care of.

2009-11-16T11:16:12.941-05:00
Thanks, Nancy, and oops. Taken care of.

hear hear! or should i say: "hear FUCKING he...

2009-11-16T10:18:47.247-05:00
hear hear!

or should i say: "hear FUCKING hear!"

sorry for the profanity, but REALLY.

Firstly, let me express in no uncertain terms that...

2009-11-16T09:25:29.763-05:00
Firstly, let me express in no uncertain terms that I applaud this post and this call to reason.

You are to be commended.

Let us not fool ourselves. Culture is still chronically misogynistic, and in some very frightening ways, it seems headed even more in this direction.

Each time that this type of pulp-fiction becomes popularized by the marketing machine that backs it, it destroys strong women's icons and turns heightens the Ophelia archetype, encouraging young women, still in their formative years to convert to victim mentality, rather victorious mindset.

Encouraging strong women to be the norm rather than the exception, is essential to society. As Plato suggested, thousands of years ago, a society that has equally strong men and women is invincible.

That is at the very heart of this discussion, and all people, regardless of gender; anyone who values strong, secure, well-balanced individuals running the planet, should be concerned that this toxic message is becoming so virally prolific.

I cannot help but read the critiques of this article being a call to censorship as tongue-in-cheek. (To avoid calling it outright cynical. Or perhaps simply blind ignorance.)

Certainly no one believes the writer of this piece has the power to censor anything. Furthermore, there is nothing in this post that suggests censorship. It merely expresses (in a free society we have the right to express) disagreement and disgust with the trend.

This is a rightful indignation. The rational response of a rational mind confronting irrational behavior and prejudice.

Consider this. If the trend were blatantly damaging to any other minority on earth; to ethnic minorities, to religious minorities, to the physically challenged, would there not be an out-cry of all people around the world against it?

If the trend were to indoctrinate racism, or ethnic bias, or other bigotry, would the producers of the work not be labeled as dangerous fanatics promoting a dangerous thinking?

Why is it that women, who have consistently been the most maligned minority of all history, deserve less outrage when our icons and our stereotypes are thus manipulated?

Why can we not protest our Auntie Tanias?

It is high time we woke up and realized that there may be all the free speech on earth, and long may it reign, but it can only remain useful and positive, when those who are truly devoid of all hatred speak as loudly as those who cunningly and cynically present a bias as the norm.

Congratulations on being a voice of reason, and a courageous voice at that.

I support you. I applaud you. I encourage you to rage against the dying of the light.

Regards,

Penny Bloom

A quibble: you might correct the spelling of Krist...

2009-11-16T09:25:24.713-05:00
A quibble: you might correct the spelling of Kristin Cashore's name.

Victimization/Damsel in Distress fantasies seem to...

2009-11-15T11:44:21.381-05:00
Victimization/Damsel in Distress fantasies seem to be very popular among women--perhaps especially among women who are strong in real life. (But this is an untested theory. I don't know if it's true.)

The fact is, many women and girls love engaging in fantasies of victimhood, which is why these stories are so popular. I recognize that just because a woman indulges in the fantasy, that doesn't mean she thinks victimization is right or wants it to happen in real life.

HOWEVER, I do find it disturbing that these stories are sold to teens, who have less ability than adult women to distinguish a fantasy avatar from a role model--emotionally, even if not intellectually.

Keeping all that in mind, I'm working on a fantasy novel in which the two female leads (teen girls) indulge in victimization fantasies--one out of loneliness and one in manipulation of a man--until they figure out what they really want and what makes them truly happy. Both are flawed and immature, yet empowered females who end up rescuing their own selves, and other people--including a helpless werewolf--along the way. I hope my story will unite the fun of fantasy with the excitement and joy of empowerment.

For a hilarious interpretation of the terrible "moral" lessons embedded in beloved Disney movies, check out this article: http://www.cracked.com/article_16905_7-classic-disney-movies-that-taught-us-terrible-lessons.html

Though many took exception to TWILIGHT because of ...

2009-11-15T08:45:32.850-05:00
Though many took exception to TWILIGHT because of Bella's wimpishness, the series was used as a platform for dialog between adults and teens. TWILIGHT allowed discussion of love, obsession, stalking, etc. I know parents who took advantage of that "teachable moment." So to believe that Ms. Meyer's series only had negative consequences is incorrect.

I don't necessarily want all my heroes and heroines to be spunky, butt-kicking folk. I like to read about tormented people making mistakes and not necessarily learning from them. I do hope that by the end of the book/series they've made some personal growth, but that doesn't always happen. In that regard fiction mirrors reality.

I whole-heartedly agree with you on this review/ra...

2009-11-15T00:02:26.827-05:00
I whole-heartedly agree with you on this review/rant. Can we just all agree as ladies that this stuff is crap, and we shouldn't support it in the least?

Romances of that style ARE abusive. It's setting tween girls up to become accepting of abusive relationships, and honestly...women as a whole don't need any encouragement there.

Rejectionist, I have to agree with some of the oth...

2009-11-14T21:27:48.787-05:00
Rejectionist,
I have to agree with some of the other commenters: That's not a review. That's a rant. Please don't call it a review when you're singling out an author to bash.

While I'm not a fan of Twilight and couldn't quite get through the series, I loved SHIVER. Maggie's writing has grace (pun intended) and beauty. And I thought Grace kicked ass when she came up with the idea for Sam's cure and helped him through it. K.M. Cruz: if you gave up at Chapter 10, you missed the best parts.

For all of you getting irate about so-called feeble heroines, this is FICTION, people. It's not life. Even the strongest female occasionally likes to kick back and read something romantic.

We wouldn't have had all this trouble if vampi...

2009-11-13T16:31:20.756-05:00
We wouldn't have had all this trouble if vampires and werewolves hadn't started brushing their teeth and getting all sociable. Give me a proper paranormal beast any day.

Actually I liked SHIVER. Grace didn't particul...

2009-11-12T22:53:15.334-05:00
Actually I liked SHIVER. Grace didn't particularly bother me at all. Sure, I'd love more kick ass action, but that wasn't the point of the story. Where I enjoyed SHIVER, I couldn't handle TWILIGHT, so it's all in the eyes of the beholder (or reader in this case).

Amen.

2009-11-12T18:44:10.041-05:00
Amen.