Dreadnought early review
Jun. 15th, 2018 07:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bjornwildeI started Dreadnought by April Daniels last night and it is already a solid 5 stars. It is going to have to work hard to lose any stars too. Basic concept is a trans-girl ends up with a fallen super hero's powers which transforms her to the body she always knew she should have.
I am not trans and I haven't know too many in my life. I have know those who enjoyed wearing feminine clothing and count myself among them. I also grew up hating and being uncomfortable with what I would now label as toxic masculine culture. I remember never feeling like I fit in or had a tribe until I discovered Goth culture and it's blurred gender expectations. I do not know the trans experience and do not claim to understand it, but I think I can recognize it. This book seems to do an amazing job of presenting a trans person and the emotional and personal challenges they face. Reviews I've seen online from queer people as well as trans support this view, though there is some eye rolling at the magical transformation and skipping the challenges in a realistic transition.
So far, my only grump is the goth witch super hero, who is of course the judgemental bitch/mean girl. Granted the story is still in the early stages, so maybe she comes around, but it just seems too typical. Still, I've known a fair number of older pagan/wiccan women who were/are trans-exclusionary, so it's not unrealistic.
I am not trans and I haven't know too many in my life. I have know those who enjoyed wearing feminine clothing and count myself among them. I also grew up hating and being uncomfortable with what I would now label as toxic masculine culture. I remember never feeling like I fit in or had a tribe until I discovered Goth culture and it's blurred gender expectations. I do not know the trans experience and do not claim to understand it, but I think I can recognize it. This book seems to do an amazing job of presenting a trans person and the emotional and personal challenges they face. Reviews I've seen online from queer people as well as trans support this view, though there is some eye rolling at the magical transformation and skipping the challenges in a realistic transition.
So far, my only grump is the goth witch super hero, who is of course the judgemental bitch/mean girl. Granted the story is still in the early stages, so maybe she comes around, but it just seems too typical. Still, I've known a fair number of older pagan/wiccan women who were/are trans-exclusionary, so it's not unrealistic.
