A feminist fantasy epic about a revolutionary spell that gives women the ability to control their own fertility. Sounds amazing, right? And I truly thought it was but I thought the book was incredibly slow (it took me a good week to finish it when I usually finish books in one sitting or within two days.) The magic system was intricate but I had a difficult time trying to discern what was going on. I am still very interested to see where this series goes.

The Women's War is a complex fantasy story. It's also a long story. Be prepared to read for days. Definitely a feminist leaning story. In a world where women are treated like trash and sold or sent away by men, a few strong willed women cast spells to change that. What will happen with women in charge of very important things? The beginning of the story is slow and just bogs down in too much information. It does pick up, but the entire story is complicated. The magic and the politics are a lot to absorb. The ending is disappointing because now there must be a sequel you must read. The characters are strong intelligent and powerful. The world building is interesting. It's not a bad story, but I don't think I would read it again. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I could tell that this book was setting up for something that might be interesting in the long run, but I just was not able to become emotionally invested in the characters and ended up DNFing this one. Part of this might be due to my tendency to gravitate towards character-driven novels, so I'm not writing this one off entirely.

Unfortunately I am DNFing this novel at 15%. The premise of the book has GREAT potential, but the execution, receptiveness and just lack of passions from any characters leave it flat.

This book took me a while to get through. It's over 500 pages and while I really enjoyed it, it was rather slow pace. Now, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't attempt this book because you really should. It just sets this up for an epic sequel that I can't wait to get my hands on.

This was such a unique take on fantasy magic and the typical patriarchy of the Victorian/Renaissance Era. I developed such a great respect for some of the characters and enjoyed how powerful they can be (or will become!)

There were some very realistic features that make you not like some characters but also fall in love with others. This book was not a romantic fantasy. This book set very much emphasis on the political and magical takes that created this novel. Women are taking a stand and not putting up with the crap anymore and that's what I love. It's dangerous thing to do but with magic on their side they are fearless! Okay, I shouldn't say fearless because there is always something or someone you fear for but those relations make them stronger and fight harder for the right things in their life.

Women are finally having a choice in their own destiny and what makes this more epic is that it is set farther back in the past where women had ultimately no choice or say in anything. The Women's War truly can empower women. It was provocative, invigorating, inspirational, and daunting. Each character is so well developed they practically jump off the page.

I can't wait for the next book. I feel like the slow pace of this really sets it up for an epic sequel. I mean the ending of this one had me at the edge of my seat.
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey books for allowing me this amazing adventure to review!
Until Next Time,
DauntlessReading

*I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book is marketed as “feminist fantasy” and it is so obvious from the very beginning. In this society women are seen as lesser, not even allowed to study magic, though they can still see it, and elements of magic are gendered, therefore feminine elements are considered less than. The entire book sets up this patriarchal society just to dismantle it and it is quite a feat. Much of the plot is just women characters essentially saying “but that’s not how it’s done” then doing it anyway.

One of the main characters is Alysoon, she is the illegitimate daughter of the king, aged about mid-40s, and once the spell to change magic is cast, she immediately begins learning magic elements and putting them into practice. Alys’ mother is the one that cast the spell, causing an earthquake, and irrevocably changing women and magic (Alys’ mother is the Abbess, or leader of the Abbey of the abigails–more on that further down).

If there’s one take away here let it be that this fantasy novel took this quote and made it real: “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” – Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) (2012)

The changes to the magic at first seem small: the magical element Rho changes its form. Then we find out that the spell changes fertility so only a woman who wants the child will keep the child. Then we find out that if a woman is raped, she produces a magical element called Kai, previously only seen when a man is dying in battle, that they can use in spells without the women themselves perishing. This is the biggest threat to men as the book goes along because women’s Kai, when used against men renders them impotent. Another consequence of the spell is that a Well of magic appears in the wastelands that border two kingdoms, the well produces magical elements that were previously unknown or rare. This makes the place valuable, but because they are labeled as feminine elements the immediate importance is not known to men in leadership positions.

Another primary character is Ellin, who succeeds the throne after all of her immediate family is killed in the earthquake that kicks off the novel. All of the men in her court are trying to marry her off and be done with her, but she embraces being queen in such a short period, and rebuffs the men’s decisions at each turn. She has to navigate this world of rumors and alliances, and with little training, she really comes into her own. By the end of the novel she’s come into her own as queen and I’d really like to know more about how her reign will go in the next book.

One of the issues I had with this book was that there were too many perspectives. I’d say it’s a book about Alys and Ellin, but actually, the book jumps between so many different characters, at first it’s hard to keep up. Chanlix is also a voice prominently featured in the book. She is the new leader of what is essentially a whore house/convent after the earthquake. All women who are divorced, un-marriageable, and otherwise hideous, are sent here to service men and create simple spells. The “abigails,” as they are called, are blamed for the spell and banished to the wastelands, but they discover a new Well of Magic, that they keep secret. She’s also falling in love with Alys’ brother, who is tasked with protecting the abigails. She has no idea what she is doing, but at least she acknowledges that and turns to others for help.

Another quiet perspective is that of Shelvon, she is the wife to Delnamal, whose only purpose is to produce a male heir. Her pregnancy is terminated when the spell is cast because the spell knew that she did not want the pregnancy. The marriage was not built on anything other than alliances and Shelvon was constantly put down by her husband. Despite her quiet nature, she has the biggest character change. Her fate is not clear at the end of the book, but in the end she stands up to her husband, and does the right thing.

The main antagonist, Delnamal, is also a POV in this book. He succeeds the throne (small spoiler), threatens Alys and the abigails, and is generally a horrible person. He feels a duty to his kingdom, but also a personal vendetta against his half-siblings (Alys and Tynthanal). In contrast to Delnamal, Tynthanal is respectable, level-headed, and honorable. He understands that the change in magic can be useful—not threatening—so he allies himself with those who Delnamal seeks to destroy.

For all this feminism and dismantling the patriarchy there’s one element of this book that is lacking. The book is not very intersectional. There are hints that some of the characters are “tawny” with “raven” or hair, but otherwise, there are barely any other descriptions of skin color (despite how many times Alys and Ellin are described sitting in front of a mirror!). Ellin is described with “black braids and coils” at one point after the earthquake, while Alys is described with wearing only one braid, no color descriptor, but her brother Tynthanal has brown hair and “nut-brown skin.” Should we infer that Alys looks similar since they have the same parents? In fact, the only characters who are described in any detail are those of “Nandel” origins, like Shelvon, they have blonde hair, blue eyes, and pale skin, which to other places like Alys’ home, are not desirable traits. There has been discussion online that lack of description usually defaults to white–and this is overwhelmingly accurate. This is what I felt while reading the book. I think there are hints that not everyone is white, but I think the character descriptions for the women could have been flushed out more. Other basics of intersectionality like LGBT+ characters, characters with disabilities, or people of color are not present, either. Which is surprising considering there was a convenient scapegoat in the Abbey for them to go in that society. I’m disappointed because otherwise this is a very strong start to a series, but through the lens of feminism today it’s glaring obvious what is missing. I even went through my copy of the book again to see if I could find descriptors for characters other than clothes, but I didn’t find much other than what I mentioned above.

On a related note, I just want to include a trigger warning for rape. There is a violent scene after the earthquake. The storytelling purpose is so the women (plural) who are raped gain the magical element Kai, described above. There is also other violence in the book, but this is the most jarring. Literally the purpose of the Abbey is for men to have their way with women, where they pay, but the money goes to the Crown, but this system dissolves once the earthquake happens. However, I also want to point out that there are sex-positive relationships in the book as well. Ellin goes after her crush (very forward!), and then finds a trusting relationship with another man (potential for marriage, too), and Chanlix and Tynthanal start a respectful relationship when they reach the new Well. Alys is a widow, but her relationship with her former husband is described as consensual. See? Feminism!

I was also frustrated reading the novel because it wasn’t clear what the characters motivations were. The middle of the novel is just describing the day to day plans, but I felt that there wasn’t action. Alys, for example, is learning magic and trying to find a husband for her daughter to protect her from a worse marriage, but it isn’t until the third act that Alys has some sort of purpose for learning spells. Ellin also falls into a similar trap. She is the figurehead for the monarchy, but every time she has an opinion she’s thwarted by members of her council. We don’t understand what she actually wants or what is motivating her to stay on the throne until much later, and even then the arc of her character development is slow going, so much so that the end of the book leaves questions about her moral compass—in a good way. It just took so long for us to get there.

To sum up, despite my criticism, I’m still very much interested to see where this series goes. The characters and magic system are complex and fascinating. It’s rare that a fantasy book, dare I even say dark fantasy, would even attempt to dismantle the societal systems like this and I think there is room for improvement. I would recommend this as an antidote to Game of Thrones or Kingkiller Chronicles.

The only thing about this book that I did not like is that it is clearly a first book in a series. If the next book does not come out, I will be quite upset -- it's that good! It's a fascinating premise, but right now, only one full of promise. I look forward to seeing the promise fulfilled.

This book has a very strong point of view, and that point of view is not necessarily one that I disagree with. At the beginning of the book, it felt a little bit preachy. Alysoon is a character who is very sure of herself and thinks she knows best, which kind of influenced that initial feeling. However as the book went on the argument very much expanded. The additional points of view very much helped with that.

Alsyoon, the 'bastard' daughter of a king, Ellin the woman who ended up taking over as ruler once her entire family was killed, and Shevlon the wife of Alysoon's half-brother. These three women all deal with the curse that allows women to only conceive if they want to, and allows women a magic that can be use for murder, all react in very different ways. Yet every single one of them manages to grab some level of power that they had always wished for but had never been able to have.

The political machinations in this book were absolutely fascinating. These three women covered an entire continents and the relationships between them were complicated and beautiful. I enjoyed the way that various decisions did span across the world of the novel.

2.5 stars.

This book contains a richly drawn world, believable characters, a complex but neat system of magic and enough political machinations to keep you on your toes the whole way through. What it isn't is fast paced or exciting, and this took me over a month to get through.

While I really, really appreciated the concept of this book—that the world changes because women gain the power to control whether or not they become pregnant—the execution left much to be desired. This was not the angry feminist fantasy I wanted. In fact, none of the characters seem all that angry, despite living in a terribly misogynistic world. They aren't itching for change. They accept the things that happen to them and it was...frankly disheartening to see all this women just...not be angry. Like Shelvon! I'm sorry but as an historian of the Middle Ages, I can say that in no time period were women ever that docile.

My largest complaint with this book is the utter absence of gay characters. You cannot in the year 2018 write a feminist fantasy and not include queer women. An abbey full of scorned noble women?? Sorry but at least a few of them would be having sex with each other. Instead, these women all just accept the fact that they will never have enjoyable sex because like, apparently 0 of them are gay. It made no sense. Queer women have always been at the forefront of feminism and to not include them in a feminist story like this one is upsetting, unacceptable, and insulting. Seriously there are 0 gay characters, 0 mention of homosexuality existing in this society, and 0 hint that any of the women who ALL LIVE TOGETHER might have romantic feelings for one another.

I really enjoyed aspects of this, don't get me wrong. But it's such an ambitious book that fails in many ways, and I can't overlook the ways it fails when it has to do with the very aims the book sets out for itself. Your feminist fantasy should be queer. It should have queer characters. It should have angry women. And it should have women who seek power for themselves without having to have a man tell them to do it. Seriously our two queens here are put in power because men give them the idea. It's ridiculous. I get that maybe these women have lived with misogyny and no power for so long that they wouldn't think to take power but history has shown us that women always find a way to think outside of misogyny and rebel.

The things I legitimately liked here was the ending with Ellin and Tamzin, Ellin's arc in general, Jinnell's character (she's gay you can't convince me she isn't), and the magic itself.

I'm so disappointed by the lack of queer women in a story that so desperately needs them. I'm disappointed by the lack of anger.

And most importantly I'm disappointed by how this story handles rape. The author chooses to have all these women raped in one brutal scene, the result of which is that they start producing a specific type of killing magic. Great. Except none of these women is given a survivor's arc, their trauma is never explored, and we are actually fed a line about how they experience so much trauma on a daily basis that the rape basically doesn't matter. AS AN HISTORIAN OF RAPE IN THE 14TH CENTURY I CAN TELL YOU WITH ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Rape causes trauma. How can you include rape victims in a feminist fantasy and then not give at least one of them an arc about survival, healing, and dealing with trauma? I was shocked, hurt, and frankly amazed.

This book has some great elements. Ultimately, though, it fails in the ways that matter by setting itself up as a feminist fantasy and then...not being very feminist. This was intriguing enough that I might read book 2 and will at least check out the final product. But I can't say I'm very pleased.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2597300839

In a world where men rule and women are treated no better than cattle, three women cast a spell that changes everything. Suddenly, women can control conception. Not good for a king who wants an heir but can't be bothered to treat his wife with dignity.

Alysoon is an illegitimate-after-the-fact princess. Her father, the king, had declared her and her brother illegitimate when he sent their mother to the Abbey so he could marry a new wife. The Abbey is little more than a brothel where the young women are sold to men for an evening's entertainment and the older women make small spells to be sold. All money they make goes to the crown.

One of the three women who cast the spell that changed their world is Alysoon's mother. This does not make Aly's life better in any way. Aly's half brother, the official heir to the king, hates Alysoon and her brother. He uses her mother's spell as an excuse to cause them both more problems.

As Aly's mother was head of the Abbey he takes out his anger on the rest of the women there, They end up being beaten, raped and forced to move to the edge of the desert.

I could go on but spoilers. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the very shocking and abrupt ending. I never enjoy feeling like I HAVE to buy the next book in a series. That dropped my 4 star review to a 3 star.

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

3.5 stars - 'The Women's War' contains a detailed and intricate cast of characters, magic system, and political sphere, coming in at over 500 pages, there is a lot to explain and set up. The intriguing concept pulled me in, but this was just not my cup of tea. Readers seeking a rich fantasy world and robust cast of characters will love this book.

The Women's War by Jenna Glass is a fabulous fantasy novel that tells the story of several prominent women. The story is a beautiful blend of a renaissance period with women as compliant servants to their husbands and a fantasy world where earth and magical elements far surpass any place we can imagine. The nature of magic in these kingdoms is breathtaking. My favorite were the chevels. The story centers of Alys (Alysoon) after her mother, an abandoned divorcee, casts a generational spell on the kingdoms. Alys is a mean and mild character but as her concern for the safety of her children intensifies, so does her character in the story. My favorite story of all characters was Ellin.. Her romance and life with Graeson was intense and gripping. In her story, and in many of them, the endings were not what you expected and I found that to be the biggest strength of these stories of all. Packed with beheadings, rape, and betrothals; not a story for the faint. This is a must read for those who enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, and feminism.

Game of Thrones meets The Handmaids Tale! In this world with magic, women have few rights and little respect. Men rule the countries as Kings, and women are married off for political gain. Women who are "unwanted" are sent off to an "abbey" where the young and good looking women are auctioned off to the highest bidder for an evening's pleasure. The older women have to make healing potions with all the profits going off to the crown. The old queen, sent to the abbey because the king divorced her, wants to change this. Her spell will change the world, will it be better?
Suitable for High school students and up.
Violence and sex make this unsuitable for a less mature reader.

Hands down, this is one of the most unique, elegant and powerful books of feminist fantasy I've had the pleasure to read in years! The complexity of the plot is easily absorbed by the mind, as the world building intrigues the heart. This book works on every level, and that's said as someone who doesn't ordinarily delve into this sort of fantasy epic. I'm hooked!.

This is a very three star book, and that's in no way a bad thing. It's an amazingly detailed epic with a feminist bent. It's heavy on political maneuvering on all sides. It doesn't pull its punches in any way. The magic, the worldbuilding, the characters, are all extremely well drawn. It's a dense book, and a smart book, and it's not something that can just be torn through. I enjoyed it. Some people will like it a lot more than I did, some will hate it, but I would be very surprised if anyone claimed it was poorly written, boring, or a misfire. Jenna Glass has written a masterpiece for both the feminist and fantasy genres, and it will no doubt find an audience who has been desperate for it.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.