Search - If I Pay Thee Not In Gold

I read this book for the first time when I was about 12, and I loved it back then. My copy of it got lost, so I never go to read it again. Now, at 28, I had an opportunity to re-read, and I was glad I did. I had seen several bad reviews, which left me wondering if it has merely appealed to my juvenile view of the world, but I can now say knowingly - this was a good book 16 years ago and it still is.

While being modeled around a very matriarchal society, I find it to be surprisingly anti feminist. There is a distinct role reversal, but it makes the stigmas modern society places on it's women clearly obvious. And it in no way glorifies women, as many feminist works tend to.

It's true that some elements will make you want to roll your eyes, and some parts you will probably see coming. But overall, the writing is solid and the story flows nicely. There is a good blend of magic and romance, along with a sweet coming of age story.

I love this book, and choose it as one of my favorites. I re-read it and had my boyfriend read it aloud to me because it is definitely a different a different world view than our reality.

Women are warriors and some have magic, and men are lesser, often times slaves. Demons are also prolific, though mostly stay in their own society or for their own gain. Many twists, artfully written.