Very good read. The world-building was slow and deep and very informative. It was imaginative, but seemed more like a patriarchal society with female leaders. A matriarchy doesn't necessarily look the same in terms of power structure. However, it was very enjoyable.

I really enjoyed reading this book, the characters were great and I really enjoyed the storyline going on. It was a fun idea and I enjoyed the way the author writes.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing a copy of A Woman's World. I have reviewed honestly.

I have mixed feelings about this book. For one, the world building was great and the whole concept of women ruling over men was unique and empowering. However, the writing style just didn't do it for me and the characters weren't overly special.

Overall, a great read, but could use some touch ups.

Are you looking for a book to enjoy on a hot summer afternoon with a side of iced tea. This is it!
You'll find young love, storms, tests and trials, banishment, animals that communicate, surviving in the wild, and so much more. You'll find issues of gender equality, racism, bullying, and family.
I found it interesting that many of the 'stories' of this book could be indirectly related to many of the stories of the Bible.
All in all it's a really good read!

WOW. I absolutely loved this book. It was a great read with a lot of cliffhangers that made me stay up late to read more. The start was a little slow and a bit confusing but you could quickly understand the world and society in the book and how things worked. The characters are all interesting and it's great to be able to see things from a lot of the different characters point of view. The pace of the book is great, never bored reading it and the final cliffhanger, will leave you speechless and wanting to read the second book right away.

I read this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review
This was so disappointing to me. men basically as slaves while the women rule on high. kind of lame.

3.5 stars - a quick and entertaining read set in an intriguing world

This fantasy novel takes a reverse spin on gender dynamics by being set in a matriarchal world run by priestesses who also wield magical power and where men are considered inferior and are relegated to lower manual work.

We follow Baya, the daughter of one of the most powerful priestesses, as she is sent to be trained in the palace to follow in her mother's steps. The palace is a place full of competition and rivalry as future political success is being shaped during these years. Baya befriends Vicaroy, a boy who tends to the palace garden and they become inseparable. After years of intense training she has to take three tests that all aspiring priestesses have to pass in order to be considered a fully grown woman. Those who do not, do not survive.
But Baya is a fighter and will have to rely on her determination indeed, because just after finishing the tests her life is taking a completely unexpected turn and she has to find her own way with Vicaroy by her side.

I enjoyed this one a lot. The setting is of course pretty intriguing and many of the aspects of the reversed gender dynamics are being explored. Baya is quite obviously used to being taken seriously and to overcome obstacles. Her friend and later love interest Vicaroy on the other hand is frequently questioning himself, casting his eyes down when he feels like he has failed expectations and accepting that Baya gets her will if they disagree on something.
But both are also faced with having to grow beyond their upbringing and to redefine their relationship as they are facing all sorts of problems to be solved.

While gender and power dynamics are being explored, this book is fundamentally a light, quick and throughly entertaining read. The prose is straightforward and simple, the worldbuilding easy to submerge oneself in, I cared about the characters enough to keep turning the pages and the plot had plenty of unpredictable turns. Not to mention the companion animals joining Baya and Vicaroy later on. They are unique and a fun addition!

Usually I prefer books with a bit more depth and emotional heft, but after having waded through a challenging and annoying read before this one, it was just exactly what I needed!

Absolutely recommended to fans of easy-to-read-but-not-dumb Fantasy!

What a wonderfully enticing and fantastical fantasy story! The characters were well fleshed out and relatable, and super easy to root for. The plot was well thought out and executed and I hope to read more books from this author!

What a marvelous adventure thus book has been, a really pleasant surprise! I couldn't predict not even one twist and turn from this ride, which is a major bonus.
I can't wait to see what happens next.

4 stars

~ I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own ~

The Review

A truly marvelous and engaging YA Fantasy novel that perfectly introduces readers to a brand new series, this story does an excellent job of crafting both a narrative and cast of characters that complement one another. The incredible new mythos that this author has brought to life will feel both familiar and original all at once. So many elements of this story feel like a tribute to the tales of the Ancient Amazons in Greek mythology, both the original and the DC Comics version. Yet the author elevates those elements to new heights, creating a world in which men serve the women of the island, and women born to become leaders are gifted with powerful abilities that few could ever imagine.

Yet it is Baya and her journey that truly make this story engaging. Her impact on allies and enemies alike and how it influences their own stories to her shocking decision and the ramifications it has on her as she faces a dangerous new world make her character arc full and richly developed. Readers will instantly connect with the protagonist while at other times shaking their heads at things we all wish Baya would realize herself, making her such a well-rounded heroine for this new YA adventure.

The Verdict

A mesmerizing, addictive, and long yet engaging read, author Lynne Hill-Clark’s “A Woman’s World” is the perfect first entry into a whirlwind YA Fantasy series. The novel holds a steady yet entertaining pace as the author introduces more and more elements to the world’s mythology, and the shocking cliffhanger final chapter will leave readers breathless for the next entry in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab or preorder your copy today!