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A review by wretchedtheo
Set in Stone by Stela Brinzeanu
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
The poorly written product of a lukewarm liberal selling out her own culture for western attention, Set in stone was conceptually attractive to me (I'm, sapphic Romanian and love historical fiction) but failed to deliver.
First of all, the two lovers have no personality or chemistry. A lesbian romance set in a repressive medieval environment should be brimming with passion and bewitching attraction; SHOW ME why these two ladies can't bear to be appart despite all the obstacles in their path! But no. Their romance comes out of nowhere and is so boring.
The story is full of cultural inaccuracies and inconsistencies, too many to list here. The author cherrypicks from Moldovan culture whatever is convenient for her story and ignores the rest. Milquetoast liberalism and white feminism pervade the story, accompanied by good old racism. Ah yes, the rich white girl is just as oppressed as the rroma slave - a bellydancing and fortune telling stereotype. Ugh.
First of all, the two lovers have no personality or chemistry. A lesbian romance set in a repressive medieval environment should be brimming with passion and bewitching attraction; SHOW ME why these two ladies can't bear to be appart despite all the obstacles in their path! But no. Their romance comes out of nowhere and is so boring.
The story is full of cultural inaccuracies and inconsistencies, too many to list here. The author cherrypicks from Moldovan culture whatever is convenient for her story and ignores the rest. Milquetoast liberalism and white feminism pervade the story, accompanied by good old racism. Ah yes, the rich white girl is just as oppressed as the rroma slave - a bellydancing and fortune telling stereotype. Ugh.