Eliza’s Reviews > Noir de lune - Prix 20 minutes > Status Update

I either found a new appreciation for this book following my “seven husbands” hiatus, or three quarters in, it finally found its rhythm. Now, one writing note: “can we, in an alternate medieval universe use the expression ‘my kingdom for a Xxxx’ (bath in this case)?” Making direct reference to “real” human history, this is a writing faux-pas for me…

The main heroine keeps getting beaten up...women are constantly objectified...hell, it’s coherent for a medieval like atmosphere, but not sure yet why it is a story worth telling...62% in, it’s becoming a problem...well written however. Points for that.

One negative point that bothers me considerably. The antagonists: Anthar is a nation constructed according to bygone logics of what a villain is. They are waaaay too « evil », « bad », « violent » to be believable. For me it’s a major mistake on the part of the writer, a retro, old-school, not-that-interesting way of framing the story.

So far, a bit predictable, but it flows nicely. In this medieval like world, the author makes some mistakes…talking at times about “colis qui explosent” for instance, in a world that does not seem to know gun powder yet. Some imprécisions here and there that the editor should have picked up on