OYENTE

Mari Earle

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This one should have TRIGGER WARNING! on the cover

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
4 out of 5 stars
Historia
3 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 08-09-21

I go into detail about my main issue with the book below, but overall there were several plot points that moved forward in this one that I was waiting for, which I enjoyed, though, but it does take a little while to get to them. Narration is great as always, though it always throws me a little hearing Michael Kramer’s British accents for the girls.
I think Audible fixed audio/production issues that other reviewers mentioned, so if you’re listening in 2021 it should be okay. At least it was for me.


**TRIGGER WARNING**
(SPOILERS)

The biggest issue I have with book 7 is that there is an entire storyline focused on rape. The subject is bad enough on its own, but the way it was approached made my skin crawl. I like Jordan’s writing overall, I’ve gotten used to his style and perspective, so I was super disappointed with the whole thing. All of it was just very weirdly done and truly uncomfortable to get through.

First, Jordan will freely mention that making someone a Warder without their permission is akin to rape and therefore not okay, but somehow becomes all elusive and shy about referring to a woman in power holding a man at knife point, tying him up, starving him, stalking him, and humiliating him to force him into having non-consensual sex with her over and over again as rape.

Rapist/Abuser - Queen of Altara Tylin Mitsobar
Victim - Mat Cauthon

The “relationship” between the two is described in detail throughout several chapters and it ADDS NOTHING to the overall plot/storyline. I honestly have no idea why it was in there other than as a filler to make the story longer, and if that’s the case, it was a bad call.

The men vs. women theme has been present throughout the series. Examining, commenting on, and describing the different gender roles in different lands adds color and context, enhances character development, and is part of the overall world Jordan has created. Even if it can be frustrating at times, it’s a part of the story and is actually important to much of the plot. Okay, that’s fine.
What ISN’T FINE is a storyline in which a a woman forcing a man into sex is treated as just another example of how “women make no sense,” and while he experiences other thoughts/emotions, the main reason he’s confused by it is because men are meant to be “the pursuers” of women - even though women initiating relationships/sex is a concept has already been explored with other cultures he’s been around, so it can’t be said that this is the first time he would have been exposed to that idea. That is, unless by “pursuer” he means to imply that only men can rape women. Yes, this remains a common misconception, but even using the word “pursuer” in place of “rapist” minimizes the seriousness of the topic.
Granted, Jordan may have made that choice intentionally as a way to highlight the confusion and shame a man experiencing abuse by a woman may feel due to society’s expectations of gender roles. Jordan may think the victim may not want to say “rape” because that word would somehow make the whole the harder to accept. BUT if he’s going to elude to it and describe the situation chapter after chapter, at least ONE of the internal dialogues or descriptions could use the word - AT. LEAST. ONCE. Have him say, “bloody ashes, this is rape! No, I can’t call it that. Men can’t be raped by women! It isn’t done! Is it even possible? But holding a knife to my throat and starving me just to get me into her bed certainly isn’t how things should be done. It’s not right!” There. Done.

THEN when the situation is revealed, the assault is laughed at, dismissed, and justified and the victim of the violent assault is blamed for it happening because of the way he smiles at women!
(Elayne, Nynaeve, Aviendha)
Yes, these are all common responses women can face, and explains perfectly why victims of any gender may be hesitant to share their stories. That could be in line with the idea of keeping things “realistic,” but not necessarily for everyone, AND if we can suspend realism for demons and gollums and magic and death clouds, we probably could have allowed for AT LEAST ONE character to say to acknowledge the abuse for what it is, hold the abuser accountable, and/or AT LEAST say it’s not the victim’s fault.

We get to see justice and repentance and accountability for wrongdoings throughout this entire series for all kinds of awful things, but sexual assault - MULTIPLE CHAPTERS of sexual assault isn’t one of them???

Not only do we not see justice for the abuser, but the resolution for the whole thing is a weird Stockholm syndrome moment where he realizes when he’s leaving that he means it when he tells her he’ll miss her and if they meet again he’ll do the pursuing of her?!?! As though the pain and abuse just becomes okay for him and he’s just become attached or something?? COME ON! Totally inconsistent storytelling and totally gross.
Yes, trauma caused by repeated/long-term abuse can lead victims to have conflicting feelings and develop unhealthy beliefs about what is and isn’t okay in a relationship and can contribute to reasons someone may stay in abusive relationships. AND the fact that the rapist flat out says that she doesn’t like being pursued by men 1) proves that not holding abusers accountable for their abuse just perpetuates and condones more abuse and 2) could elude to the idea that “pursue” does mean “rape” and maybe her behavior is the result of being a victim herself thus showing that abuse begets abuse.

Even the whole thing is meant to be some attempt at a social commentary on gender roles or sexual assault or to further endear the audience to the victim - it was a disappointing, weird, uncomfortable way to go about it. Because, if it was any of those things, Jordan should have said AT LEAST ONE OF THEM outright.

The good news is that because this whole story line is meaningless to the plot, if you decide to skip past it, you will miss nothing. Shoot, if you made it this far in this post, I literally gave you the whole thing.

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Re: Narrator Change, I’ll Contribute if it’s a Money Thing

Total
3 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
1 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 04-20-21

I’m early in the story, and I don’t know how long I’ll last. I’ve followed the series so I’m intrigued to hear where the story goes, but I can’t focus on the story because I keep thinking my speakers are going out. There is no strength in the narrator’s delivery. She speaks in a “sultry whisper” with minimal variation. There’s no inflection changes to differentiate between the characters or convey the tone of any given scene. I’m confused and disappointed about the change. To whomever makes the decisions for narrators, if the change is influenced by money, please pay out for Jennifer Ikeda or Amanda Leigh Cobb to come back for any future books.

I am sure Stina Nelson is the perfect choice for certain books, this one just doesn’t seem to fit for her.

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Depressing and Dreary Disappointment

Total
2 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
2 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-17-21

I hardly ever rate below 4 stars, but I can’t justify anything over 2 stars for the story because of the turmoil I went through listening to it. This will probably be more of a diary entry than a book review. I’m just...disappointed. I love this series so much. Even with some plot holes and nit-picky preference things, it’s been a fun and refreshing addition to my library. And I’m so disheartened with how the journey has evolved.
Basically, getting through this installment was way more of a project than it should be. I was frustrated and considered stopping listening within the first 2 chapters. I pressed on. I had this thought at least 20 more times. That’s not hyperbole. After a while, even though I was miserable and frustrated, I knew I had to finish the book just so I could “win” at something.

This book was rough. Another reviewer warned readers not to listen to it if they’re not in a good place emotionally. I second that.
I will concede that I can see some of the possible wisdom in certain plot points, but only if I’m pressed and only out of loyalty to the characters and stories of St. Mary’s, not because I have any real optimism about what’s going to happen next.

I don’t know if Jodi Taylor was going through something when she wrote this one, but if she wasn’t when she started writing the book, I’ll bet she was by the middle of it.

There is just way too much in this book to be angry, sad, confused, frustrated, scared, or exasperated by. Going on a journey of human expression is part of the fun of being immersed in a book, but needing a nap and a cigarette (and I don’t smoke) after every 30 minutes, is a sign it’s gone a little far. And the history wasn’t even a fun “escape.”
I’m not English so I’m not as well-versed in the details of the Normans and the Saxons as my 9th grade history teacher would like. I couldn’t even have fun re-learning/getting more background and depth about all that because it was so drawn out and happening in the midst of a really awful plot line “in the present.”


I don’t know if I’ll be able to continue with the series after this one, but I know I’ll at least need a break.
It doesn’t help that I read some of the reviews for Book 9 and already saw more negative reviews than positives about that one...

I may just need to cut my losses and try to remember the St. Mary’s crew and our times together with fondness.

Zara Ramm was as wonderful as ever.

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Still Great, But...

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-07-21

Still a great installment in a great series, but the overall impact was lacking for me due to one main issue... There was a giant development in the last book affecting the timeline AND a change in dimension. That’s a big deal, right? But, somehow, it was barely referenced. Among countless opportunities, I can think of one only comment that was mentioned that (vaguely) implied the whole point of the last book even happened. Maybe I missed an installment or side comment somewhere addressing it all, but based on my first listen, I was so distracted by the elephant on the timeline that I had a hard time getting as invested as I have in other books in the series.

HOWEVER, it’s still St. Mary’s, I still love it, and I’m still excited to carry on!

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Listen Now or Later - it’s great!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-02-21

Based on other reviewers’ suggestions, I waited on this one until I was a few books into the series. It was fun getting some background and being able to relate the information in the book to what is revealed later on. However, I think if I had started with this one it would not have taken away from the rest of my experience. The only thing that took getting used to was the change in narrators. Of course, Ms. Taylor does a wonderful job!

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Better & Better

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 02-02-21

Honestly, I haven’t enjoyed a series this much in a while. I am completely immersed and invested in the lives of the characters. Jodi Taylor does an excellent job of messing with every single one of my emotions and every time I think I can guess where the story is going next, I’m wrong. This installment definitely throws some curveballs - a few of which almost made me want to walk away. I’m glad I stuck it out. And, as always, Zara Ramm’s narration is wonderful.

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TOTALLY SMITTEN! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 01-16-21

I loved this book! I love the premise and the way Jodi Taylor creates this fantastical, sci-if world in a way that makes you think, “maybe this could actually happen...” Zara Ramm’s narration is a perfect portrayal of the characters: direct, emotive without being over-the-top...basically, very British.
I did have two two issues with the book. First, there were some parts that got a little wordy with more description or “set up” than I felt was necessary during which I found myself getting a little fidgety and restless. Second, throughout the book, Taylor has her narrator foreshadow certain twists which led to one or two outbursts of, “can’t you just let me have a moment of hope this one will turn out well!”
Really my reaction just demonstrates how invested I got in the story. Even with the foreshadowing, there were PLENTY of twists and turns that kept me on my toes.
I’m so glad there are so many books in this series. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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Strange Pace, Great Delivery!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 12-29-20

It took me a while to get invested in this story. I stuck with it because of the positive reviews and the overall premise. The story did come together and pick up about halfway through. At times I wasn’t sure I could adjust to the construction style - certain things are explained or things happen or terms used without context. The author does give context and explanation eventually which helped me feel more informed and engaged as a listener.

As the world got more fleshed out, the characters became more interesting, and the story itself made more sense.

The narrator does an excellent job! When the story seemed to waiver for me, the narrator’s skill kept me hooked.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue to the next book in the series, but the epilogue at the end of this book intrigued me enough that I simply can’t say goodbye to these characters yet!

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The Background Story I Needed!

Total
5 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
5 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 11-24-20

I am so glad I read the reviews and took the suggestions to read this after book 4 before going on to book 5!
The origins of otherwise-mysterious characters and their journeys of maturity, in many ways, mirror the journeys of the main characters in the series.
It really is a great addition to the series. I was sad when it was over!

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Another Great Installment!

Total
4 out of 5 stars
Ejecución
5 out of 5 stars
Historia
4 out of 5 stars

Revisado: 07-01-20

As other reviews have mentioned, Mr. Mancour spends a great deal of time describing and developing the goings on of the world around his characters. A great deal of time. This makes the first 1/3 of this installment somewhat difficult to get through (though it was good for having on as background noise before bed). Once the emphasis returns to the plot, the book meets expectations as continuing an intriguing story. Thaumaturge seems to set us up for more action and excitement!
As always, John Lee is a wonderful narrator!!

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