Poison or Protect

DNF - PG 6

Why?

Honestly, I adore this author. Her books are fun, even if they're not as progressive as they seem to want to be. However, in these six pages, I have four highlights of things that I dislike and that are huge turnoffs for me.

Observe:

The Lady was a porcelain doll, perfect in every detail, delicate as fine china and no doubt more costly.

... I really, really hate it when women as described as porcelain dolls - and considering that this was on the second kindle page, the first time our delightful hero sees her ‘in profile.' (Don't worry, when he sees her straight on, it gets even better.)

It wasn't that a chorus of angels opened up and sang. Nor did pixies sprinkle fairy dust in his vision. For the day was all gloom and grey, and the engine of the train was as smelly and loud as may be. Gavin, however, was horrified to feel his world start to shift, right under his massive boots. Usually, he was brick-wall steady, and brick-wall solid. But now his entire body , like a magnet to iron, centered on Lady Villentia.

And that was the first time he actually saw her. I mean, I get that in romances, there's usually an immediate, physical attraction between the love interests. An ‘awareness' - if you will. But this? My eyes were rolling so hard. But, wait, there's more!

Gavin was known amongst his friends for his abhorrence of tiny females. But such a widely stated preference suddenly seemed absurd.

Yeah, because that's how types and attraction works. Look, if you dislike - abhor - tiny females, you're not suddenly, first sight, going to find yourself attracted to one. If you abhor males with big muscles, you won't suddenly find yourself attracted to one. Sure, you could fall in love with one - you could fall in love with somebody that isn't your type at all, but that would take time and getting to know the person and their personality. Not just seeing one and thinking they are ‘perfect in every detail' and that your preferences are suddenly irrelevant. (And Carriger really missed a chance with this one, where the hero isn't physically attracted to the heroine at first, but gradually begins to think she's the most beautiful woman ever. Even though she isn't his ‘type.')

Lady Villentia even walked beautifully. Gavin found himself, preferences be damned, imagining what it might be like to unbutton that dress. One jet bead at a time, from top to bottom, until he knelt at those tiny feet.

If I even have to explain why this is such a turn off to me, then you've come to the right place. Read the book. (Someone walks ‘beautifully?' Really? I think his preferences are already damned. Oh, and here, have a side of a guy fantasizing about undressing a woman that he's never even spoke to, before they even meet and that is his love interest. Ugh. Sexist drivel.)

Please not, most of these things might have been okay if saved for later - much later - in the book. But this is six pages in, and we have a case of insta-lust.

Done.

(Here's hoping Ms. C's next books are more to my liking.)