Strong female characters

[DorcasToo]

I have to disagree. I don't feel like the female characters really did anything to define themselves as strong. While it is interesting to note that the "bodyguards" are both females in a traditionally male role, as well as the terrorists team leader, them being female came across as inconsequential. Any single female character in this story could have been swapped for a man, and there would literally be no impact on the story itself, with perhaps the exception of Kelly. Kelly was written with more female mannerisms that even LGBT male characters would feel cliched if they exhibited the same behavior. As for strength, Kelly swaps between paranoia, hysterics and general uselessness. Tom showed just as much prowess with technology as Kelly is supposed to have (ie the part where he hacks into a database using his phone) and it seemed like Kelly's only real motivation to be part of "Team USA" was to keep an eye out for Tom and contribute to the supposed "romance" part of this novel. That's not exactly what I think of when I think of a strong female character.

This is my take too. And don't forget that Kelly's role was also to bring everyone drinks. I really disliked how she was portrayed. It feels like she is there only to be a connection between Mike the senator and this new book, and make Tom's life easier.

When you put it that way it's feels she was just placed there as a connection to the senator

[Chigozie Anuli Mbadugha]

I agree that the author departed from the damsel in distress stereotype and opted for really strong female characters. That makes the book very appealing.

[Gathoni1991]

Female empowerment is such a goal of this decade, and it is refreshing when authors insist on it via their works.

[ohlendorfbe]

I agree that most of the female characters are depicted in more of a serving role - only to help their male counterparts. However, I feel that Sue Rhee-jin was one of the strong females in the book, who stood on her own and acted very strongly, even if she was an antagonist.

[AntonelaMaria]

I agree that most of the female characters are depicted in more of a serving role - only to help their male counterparts. However, I feel that Sue Rhee-jin was one of the strong females in the book, who stood on her own and acted very strongly, even if she was an antagonist.

I agree she was my favorite too. And I liked how she was portrayed in a way. Except in some parts where is she is made as an idiot who doesn't know "western ways of life". I mean someone who is trained as profesional secret agent no matter in which country is more capable in social skills. I don't know. She is still my favorite because she felt real where the rest were without any depth.

[Connie Otwani]

Absolutely! I liked Cynthia and her team most. Kelly started off strong, but I can't tell what became of her come operation 'break into the shop.'

[Sanju Lali]

Crafting strong female characters is good for female empowerment. In this story, contrary women in role of body guards as well as in the role of terrorist leader looks quite astounding. However, i like the Kelly's character balanced well with female mannerism.

[micoleon13]

It's an interesting take to have females in the traditional male roles of bodyguards. More and more in recent fiction there are increased female roles and characters which makes a nice change.

[cpru68]

For me, I felt like the characters were lacking personalities. Yes, it was nice to see so much female involvement in this type of book that revolves around a potential dangerous situation and terrorism. However, it didn’t feel realistic to me, and therefore, I felt the females and male characters were one in the same.

[Zeix]

I agree! I thought Sharon was a strong character too. She never displayed any fear and was always ready to jump right in there.

From your explanation I agree if she didn't fear that she is a strong character

[mensah2]

The occurance of strong female characters in a story is awesome. It does not necessarily depicts women empowerment. The style of the author is to make the story unique as most novels are dominated with male characters.

[Jeremie Mondejar]

A lot of books nowadays carry strong female characters that represent women empowerment and this shows how the world changes where equality between sexes is emphasized and given due importance.

Exactly! I notice that in this novel as well, the women was emphasized having with strong character without altering their feminine aura.

[Juliet+1]

I think it depends on what you mean by "strong" when you talk about strong female characters. Does it mean that a woman is doing a job typically done by a man? Does it mean that she is athletic and strong, or that she has a feisty attitude? To me it means that she defines herself, her life, and her goals independent of male/female stereotypes and social conventions.

[Erick Muyesu]

Sharon was a great character because of her brevity. However, female characters were not portrayed as strong characters.

[Blindjew]

Of the female characters portrayed, I think Kelly and Soojin were the strongest displays of strong women. With Cynthia and the other staff working under McBride, many of them show strength and competence, but it all rather vague whereas Kelly, who doesn't appear to have the same sort of background, showed versatility and perseverance in the face of a wholy untoward situation. Soojin, by contrast, was consistently under stressful influences, indoctrinated within the regime of her country and forced into quite a pressing role. She showed great strength in maintaining her position and striving to be the best, even if it was directed towards the nefarious means of a selfish leader figure. The depth to both Kelly and Soojin seemed far more poignant than, for example, Agatha or even Cynthia, the latter of which shines more in other books.

What I found great was the fact that the female characters weren't patronized very much within the novel, presented as being competent not as a competent woman, but as a competent individual.