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saidtheraven's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting genre. Probably the first that I have read around the realm.
I applaud the author for writing and including an intriguing new world of mestizaje where borders are blurred, I couldn't ignore the awful stereotyping...The sexualization of women, race, and queer characters. In instances like these I have to be critical.
Representation in novels, especially in those written by PoC, are VITAL. We must not only create worlds where Chican@ concepts collide/mix/intermingles, or create characters where gender/sex/ethnicity other than common are presented, we must also make SURE that we are not further perpetuating stereotypes and ideals that debilitate those groups. Our characters must be accurately represented, as human beings. Not caricatures of their identity. I cannot stress that enough.
I remember I once read a comment of a reviewer that criticized a certain author about her lgbt characters in her series. She remarked on how this author created "gay characters" instead of "characters who are gay". And finishing this book and even hearing my classmate's echoing sentiments, I keep thinking that about this novel. These characters are nothing more than what their "role" implies.
Long story short, cool world, cool concept. As far as the character? What my professor described perfectly, written with a "white man's gaze".
I applaud the author for writing and including an intriguing new world of mestizaje where borders are blurred, I couldn't ignore the awful stereotyping...The sexualization of women, race, and queer characters. In instances like these I have to be critical.
Representation in novels, especially in those written by PoC, are VITAL. We must not only create worlds where Chican@ concepts collide/mix/intermingles, or create characters where gender/sex/ethnicity other than common are presented, we must also make SURE that we are not further perpetuating stereotypes and ideals that debilitate those groups. Our characters must be accurately represented, as human beings. Not caricatures of their identity. I cannot stress that enough.
I remember I once read a comment of a reviewer that criticized a certain author about her lgbt characters in her series. She remarked on how this author created "gay characters" instead of "characters who are gay". And finishing this book and even hearing my classmate's echoing sentiments, I keep thinking that about this novel. These characters are nothing more than what their "role" implies.
Long story short, cool world, cool concept. As far as the character? What my professor described perfectly, written with a "white man's gaze".
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