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A review by bookishchef
Fortuna Sworn by K.J. Sutton
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
TW: Sexual Assault!
This author treats men in her story like most male authors treat female characters. The men in this book are described in what can only be called the het female equivalent of "she breasted boobily". They are only described by their eyes, penis and muscles.
That would already be bad enough, but it gets worse. The female MC, Fortuna, is a sexual predator who preys on men when they are vulnerable, and sexually assaults them multiple times in this book. This is never adressed within the text, and I truly think the author did not realize that that was what her MC was doing.
A list of the sexual scenes in this book:
- I listened to the audiobook, so I am sorry if any of the names are spelled wrong.
1. Oliver x Fortuna - one of the few consensual sex scenes. Oliver explicitly asks Fortuna for consent, because consent is apparently only attractive when it is given by the woman in a heterosexual relationship.
2. Collith x Fortuna - both start making out, Fortuna makes a grab for Colliths genitals and starts initiating sex, Collith has to push Fortuna away
3. Collith x Fortuna - Fortuna pulls Collith into a corridor and forcibly starts making out with him. She remarks on him not seeming into it, he also tries to stop Fortuna verbally, but she continues and grabs his penis. At that point he gives up and stops struggling. No consent was given here, and although Fortuna is eventually the one to push him away, she did sexually assault him.
4. Oliver x Fortuna - Fortuna does not want have a serious discussion with Oliver, so she starts making out with him. She remarks on him not being into it, Oliver has to shove her off him.
This all happens before the 55% mark!
How the fuck am I supposed to root for a sexual predator?
The worst thing is, that this book is highly rated because the vast majority of people do not recognize sexual violence against men when it happens.
After the halfway point, it does not get any better. This stuff is not seen as a character flaw to overcome, instead it is seen as a perfectly fine character trait within this book.
5. Not a sex scene. But Fortuna walks in on a passed out Collith and starts sexualizing his unconscious body, paying extra attention to his genitals. Not SA, but still very creepy.
6. Collith innitiates the sex while Fortuna is bathing. Fortuna nor Collith verbally consents here, but both seem into it, so this might be the second consensual sex scene. Fortuna starts slut-shaming other women right after this scene though, which is also not cute
It was right about here that I started struggling with paying attention to the story. The MC has to go through some trials to become the official queen of the Faerie kingdom, but I lowkey wanted her to die during all of them.
Later on, there is a conversation between Laurie (her 3rd love interest, no I am not kidding) and Fortuna, where it is said lust and sexual desires should always be given into. Like, I am sorry, but no? Absolutely not? Consent is very much necessary, thank you.
So yeah. 1/5. Do not recommend .
This author treats men in her story like most male authors treat female characters. The men in this book are described in what can only be called the het female equivalent of "she breasted boobily". They are only described by their eyes, penis and muscles.
That would already be bad enough, but it gets worse. The female MC, Fortuna, is a sexual predator who preys on men when they are vulnerable, and sexually assaults them multiple times in this book. This is never adressed within the text, and I truly think the author did not realize that that was what her MC was doing.
A list of the sexual scenes in this book:
- I listened to the audiobook, so I am sorry if any of the names are spelled wrong.
1. Oliver x Fortuna - one of the few consensual sex scenes. Oliver explicitly asks Fortuna for consent, because consent is apparently only attractive when it is given by the woman in a heterosexual relationship.
2. Collith x Fortuna - both start making out, Fortuna makes a grab for Colliths genitals and starts initiating sex, Collith has to push Fortuna away
3. Collith x Fortuna - Fortuna pulls Collith into a corridor and forcibly starts making out with him. She remarks on him not seeming into it, he also tries to stop Fortuna verbally, but she continues and grabs his penis. At that point he gives up and stops struggling. No consent was given here, and although Fortuna is eventually the one to push him away, she did sexually assault him.
4. Oliver x Fortuna - Fortuna does not want have a serious discussion with Oliver, so she starts making out with him. She remarks on him not being into it, Oliver has to shove her off him.
This all happens before the 55% mark!
How the fuck am I supposed to root for a sexual predator?
The worst thing is, that this book is highly rated because the vast majority of people do not recognize sexual violence against men when it happens.
After the halfway point, it does not get any better. This stuff is not seen as a character flaw to overcome, instead it is seen as a perfectly fine character trait within this book.
5. Not a sex scene. But Fortuna walks in on a passed out Collith and starts sexualizing his unconscious body, paying extra attention to his genitals. Not SA, but still very creepy.
6. Collith innitiates the sex while Fortuna is bathing. Fortuna nor Collith verbally consents here, but both seem into it, so this might be the second consensual sex scene. Fortuna starts slut-shaming other women right after this scene though, which is also not cute
It was right about here that I started struggling with paying attention to the story. The MC has to go through some trials to become the official queen of the Faerie kingdom, but I lowkey wanted her to die during all of them.
Later on, there is a conversation between Laurie (her 3rd love interest, no I am not kidding) and Fortuna, where it is said lust and sexual desires should always be given into. Like, I am sorry, but no? Absolutely not? Consent is very much necessary, thank you.
So yeah. 1/5. Do not recommend .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, and Medical content