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A review by libraryofflo
The Desert Prince by Peter V. Brett
3.5
This reads as very classic fantasy to me, which I know is a matter of perception, but it does. While this is marketed as a separate series from Brett’s other works, having not read those beforehand, I do feel as though I am missing some of the backstory of the world, as this just throws you right into the action and I’m sure for anyone who had read them it would feel redundant but for someone just coming to this new series it was missing.
I do not think anything would have been lost if Olive and the others had been older, and in fact I think them being 15 or so makes this less effective for me because it becomes the children know better and all adults are stupid and can’t see what is happening, but I think that Olive’s naivety and how they had grown to conform to their mother’s wishes would have still worked with a 17-20 year old instead. I think Olive being intersex is an interesting choice when exploring gender expectations and the rigidity of these roles in different societies. I think that Olive being confined to presenting as a girl from such a young age and their mother’s fears of what would happen if they were found out is an interesting plot line.
I am very interested to see where this goes in the next book, as Olive now has that connection with the demons and knows what is planned. I think especially following what happened to Chadan and Micha, I think Olive will have a lot more to think on and experiencing that loss will have a heavy impact.
I do not think anything would have been lost if Olive and the others had been older, and in fact I think them being 15 or so makes this less effective for me because it becomes the children know better and all adults are stupid and can’t see what is happening, but I think that Olive’s naivety and how they had grown to conform to their mother’s wishes would have still worked with a 17-20 year old instead. I think Olive being intersex is an interesting choice when exploring gender expectations and the rigidity of these roles in different societies. I think that Olive being confined to presenting as a girl from such a young age and their mother’s fears of what would happen if they were found out is an interesting plot line.
I am very interested to see where this goes in the next book, as Olive now has that connection with the demons and knows what is planned. I think especially following what happened to Chadan and Micha, I think Olive will have a lot more to think on and experiencing that loss will have a heavy impact.