A Brother's Price

Wen Spencer

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love the idea of a wild gender-flipped world where women run everything and men are rare, cherished, and sometimes commodified, "A Brother's Price" delivers with flair! The blend of swashbuckling adventure, palace intrigue, and unconventional romance offers a unique take on regency and western tropes. The world-building is immersive, and the cast - especially Jerin, Ren, and all the bold sisters - are easy to root for. This book is a treat for readers who enjoy speculative societies, alternate histories, or want to see romance from a fresh - and sometimes subversive - angle. It's especially resonant for those interested in explorations of gender roles and found-family dynamics.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers felt the book leans too heavily on romance tropes at the expense of truly exploring its intriguing premise. The treatment of gender dynamics - especially the underlying threat and normalization of gendered violence and the lack of nuanced representation of queer and nonbinary experiences - can be uncomfortable or disappointing. Others found the pacing predictable and the male characters too passive or caricatured. If you're looking for deep, nuanced commentary on gender or complex sci-fi/fantasy plotting, this might not hit the mark.

A page-turning, gender-bent adventure romance that inverts expectations - perfect comfort reading if you're in the mood for something fun and thought-provoking, but don't expect a fully developed sci-fi or feminist treatise.

About:

In a world where women greatly outnumber men, 'A Brother's Price' explores the dynamics of romance, gender roles, and societal structures. The story follows Jerin, a rare male in this female-dominated society, as he navigates relationships with multiple women and faces challenges unique to his gender. The book presents an interesting premise of gender reversal, with men being highly prized and protected, while also delving into themes of desire, romance, and the societal impact of such a skewed gender ratio. Readers found the world-building to be engaging, the plot to be intriguing, and the writing style to be enjoyable, offering a mix of romance, fantasy, and exploration of gender constructs.

Characters:

The characters are distinctive, with Jerin as a unique hero and strong supporting female characters, collectively challenging conventional gender roles.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and engaging, making for an enjoyable and quick read while addressing complex themes.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot unfolds in a society with a severe gender imbalance, focusing on the rare male character Jerin and his relationship with Princess Ren, intertwined with elements of romance and intrigue.

Setting:

The setting is a Western-themed imagined world where men are scarce and treated as valuable, contrasting traditional norms.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and breezy, making for an engaging read, although it sometimes affects the suspenseful elements of the plot.

There were a few advantages to being a boy in a society dominated by women. One, Jerin Whistler thought, was that you could throttle your older sister, and everyone would say, “She was one of twenty-e...

Notes:

The book explores a gender-flipped society where men are rare and treated like property.

Women outnumber men at least ten to one, leading to men being groomed and sold into marriage.

The main character, Jerin, is a young boy who navigates this world dominated by women.

The society is reminiscent of the Old West, with women performing roles typical of men.

The narrative combines romance with palace intrigue and military action.

The author Wen Spencer is known for weaving social commentary into her worlds, despite the focus on romance.

The story contains elements of adventure, featuring a young man who rescues a princess, leading to a deep romantic connection.

The book's setting prompts reflections on gender roles and societal expectations.

Readers have mixed feelings about the portrayal of male characters, which some consider caricatures.

The book has a strong following, with many readers wishing for a sequel or additional stories set in the same world.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Addresses themes of gendered violence and sexual coercion in the context of the plot.

Has Romance?

A significant focus on romance, central to the plot.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

On an alternate Earth, where the population is ninety percent female and a man is sold by his sisters to marry all the women in a family, Jerin Whistler is coming of age.

His mothers are respected landed gentry, his grandfather a kidnapped prince, and his grandmothers common line soldiers blackballed for treason, trained by thieves, re-enlisted as spies, and knighted for acts of valor. Jerin wants to marry well, and his sisters want a husband bought by his brother’s price.

July 2005

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312 pages

Ratings (13)

Loved It (6)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (30):

Read It (14)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (12)
Not Interested (3)

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