My Big Problem with Tanya Bird's Companion Series 

When I first read this series, I original gave these books a 4 out of 5 star rating on goodreads. However, after reading the final book in the series, I have recently realize some very problematic issues within this book. 

If you haven't heard of this series before, you should be are that there is a lot sex and violence, especially towards women, in this book. The story follows Aldara as she sold to the Prince of Syrasan to be his royal Companion. It seemed like a fun, quick read so I read it. And it was. This series is fun, fast paced, and really romantic. However, after reading this series again, I realize that there is a lot of problems within in this book, specifically the treatment of women in this book. 

Looking back on it now, I am really ashamed that I didn't realize this sooner. The Companion Series is essentially about sexual slavery of women. The worst part is that this series almost justify it. Or at least, they accepted that this is just another normal facet of life and they choose to live with it. 

 It is so weird how the people within this book are okay with selling their daughters into sexual slavery. I mean I get that everyone in this medieval country is so poor and they are straving. However, you think that at least one person would say, "Hey, instead of selling our daughters why don't we try a different irrgation system instead?" At last, no one ever freaking does. 

There is so many things I would label as kind of sexist/misogynistic in this books. First of off, Aldara is  raped within this series. And literally, no justice was done for Aldara. She even acts like it's not a big deal and even blames herself. Prince Pandarus, the man who arranged for her to be raped, walks away without any justice because his power and his crown shields him from doing so. The guy who rapes her doesn't get his due until the very last book in the series.  

Also, Crown Prince Pandarus is a sexist cow. He buys women and then he causually throws them when he gets bored. He also doesn't believe that a women should fight and that her place in society is at home and be a broodmare. He also goes on and on about how women should "be put in their place". What an asshole! Please excuse my language but I really have no other word to describe this due. He is such a jerk and no one admonishes his bad behavior. Not even his own mother. No one in his family likes his behavior but also no one tries to teach his better. I really, really pity his poor wife (he cheats on her religiously, like he doesn't even bother to hide it) and children (he was so disappointed that his fist child was a girl). 

There is also a lot of domestic abuse within this series. It's really distrubing. Thankfully, all the women in this terrible siutations are able to walk away and find safety & happiness. However, no one is trying to solve his issue that obviously a huge problem in their society. They also allow the companion ordeal to continue. People are still allowed to sell their daughters to royal men in exchange for money. No one makes any kind of statement about how women might be more than objects for men's pleasure. At the end,  there are some discussion about having a equal partership in a marriage. However, so many sexist and misogynistic behavior exist within this book and it is not being properly addressed at all. 

Also, I just want to complain that there is no LGTBQ characters or romance in this entire 6 book series. Also, the way people of color are portrayed in this series are a little sketchy to say the least. 

So do I recommend this series? No, not really. Tanya Bird is a pretty good author. I am not in any way trying to bash her work. Her stories are fun, fast paced and addicting to read. The romances are very cute but I felt like she could have sent a stronger message about gender equality and sexism. I know this books is written to be a fun fantasy romance and it's not supposed to be taken seriously but I cannot overlook the misogyny within this book.