Firstborn: A Book Review

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, but you know why. So I'm doing book day today! And I'm reviewing Firstborn by Lorie Ann Grover.

(I received this book for free from the publisher in return for my honest review.)

Back Cover:  Where does a firstborn girl fit in a world dominated by men?
When Tiadone was born, her parents had two choices: raise their daughter as male and force her to suppress all feminine traits, or leave her outside the community to die in the wilds. Now, as the first female living as male in her village, Tiadone must prove her father didn’t make a mistake by letting her live. As her time of male initiation approaches, Tiadone desperately wishes to belong, and be accepted in her world---though at every step it appears the Creator allows traditional feminine gifts and traits to emerge, as well as cursing her with a singing bird the ruling culture sees as a sign of the devil.
Worse, as Tiadone completes her initiation rites, she finds she is drawn to her male best friend and patrol mate in ways that are very much in line with the female gender.
Confused and desperate, Tiadone tries to become what she must be while dealing with what she indeed has become: a young woman who may be able to free her people from despotic rule and allow the Creator’s name to be sung once more.

~

 I needed to pick a book to review and the idea of this book intrigued me. From the synopsis, I immediately thought this book might be about embracing your femininity and the way God made you. Or something of the sort. And I got that... partially. Here is my full review.

 Since I always seem to do it this way, let's start with the characters. Tiadone was interesting. She was a girl trying to be a boy, and I think it was portrayed pretty well for the most part. I felt bad that she couldn't be the woman she was, but... Anyway, Ratho was interesting too. I think that's every character. I wasn't happy with him part of the time, but as the story progressed he grew more likable. I really adored the birds, especially if Mirko, even if the relationships between bird and human stepped into strange a few times, but...

 As far as the plot goes, I didn't have the problem of some who found it confusing. I was able to follow along with what was happening pretty easily for the most part. I hope this isn't the only book and that it will be a series, because the ending left me wanting to read more. Which is generally a good thing. Anyway, it was enjoyable, and I read it in probably two days.

 Now, onto the part I hate. The parts I didn't care for. My biggest problem with this book was the PHYSICAL. I get that because Tia is a girl, they had to portray certain... female characteristics for realism, but I felt the author could have showed that without going into so much detail. Also, Tia's thoughts/relationships to boys made me squirm just a little. I don't like it when a book makes me feel all awkward and squirmish, and I feel really bad that I can't recommend it to any of my guy friends, and some others who wouldn't like reading so much detail. For both Tia's changing form, and her actions toward men. I know it might be necessary to show some, but I think less detail could have been shown.

 So, overall it was pretty enjoyable. I give it three stars. I think the author has a pretty good foundation, and I hope the next book (if there is one) is even better.

~ a rambling author