Review by Stephanie Elizabeth
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
After
a
string
of
ruthless
attacks
on
women
and
the
massacre
of
2034,
there
was
a
considerable
shift
in
the
world.
Women
dominated
all
facets
of
power—men
were
seen
as
lewd
and
nefarious,
a
species
not
to
be
trusted.
As
a
result,
they
were
stripped
of
all
power
and
decision-making
abilities.
Some
of
the
most
powerful
women
wanted
to
obliterate
the
male
species,
and
with
the
Y
chromosome
disappearing,
that’s
where
the
future
was
headed.
Most
males
had
accepted
their
miserable
fate
and
tried
to
make
a
life
for
themselves
by
selling
their
bodies
and
being
controlled
by
women.
Still,
fringe
groups
on
either
side
operated
in
secret,
slowly
gaining
support
and
waiting for the right moment to attack.
A
powerful
woman’s
daughter
is
kidnapped,
and
the
girl
will
not
come
home
safe
until
the
captors
get
what
they
want;
a
young
man
is
taken
from
his
life
and
trained
to
become
a
Loverboy,
and
an
angry
man
plots
his
revenge
on
an
officer
who
took
everything
from
him.
What will happen to males of the future? Will they rise up? You'll have to read the book to find out.
The
Prison
of
Power-
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G
Michael
Smith
is
a
fictional
thriller
set
in
the
future.
In
the
dystopian
world,
there
is
a
war
being
waged
on
men.
The
story
is
complex
and
immersive
and
is
told
in
the
third-person
perspective,
which
gives
readers
a
chance
to
familiarize themselves with the diverse characters—Eve, Sean, Vihaan, Margaret, Quinlan, and Nisheeta.
When
I
initially
began
reading
the
book,
I
was
skeptical
about
the
number
of
main
characters
and
worried
that
the
development
would
be poor. But the author did an excellent job of immersing me into the psyche of each unique personality.
Moreover,
the
variety
of
personalities
and
backstories
was
riveting
and
probably
my
favorite
aspect
of
the
book.
While
I
didn’t
like
Eve
or
Sean’s
extremist
views
regarding
the
opposite
sex,
I
felt
myself
drawn
to
the
plight
of
those
characters
whose
views
were
somewhere
in
the
middle.
Margaret
and
Quinlan’s
connection
challenged
everything
they
were
taught,
but
they
continually
proved
it
was time for a revolution.
I
also
must
applaud
the
author
for
creating
a
convincing
backstory.
While
the
first
event
happens
in
the
2030s,
readers
are
brought
up
to
speed
with
what
happened
after
the
massacre
and
the
years
leading
up
to
the
present,
2051.
Readers
will
learn
the
various
acronyms
for
fringe
groups,
the
importance
of
nanobots,
and
the
reason
behind
numerous
laws
against
males.
No
stone
was
left
unturned.
There
wasn’t
much
to
dislike
about
the
book.
It
was
exceptionally
edited
without
any
errors,
and
the
writing
flowed
beautifully,
but
if
I
were
to
voice
one
minor
complaint,
it
would
be
the
length
of
the
text.
At
just
under
seven
hundred
pages,
some
chapters
were
quite
drawn
out
and
slowed
the
pacing.
This
made
reading
parts
of
the
story
daunting.
With
that
being
said,
it
wasn’t
enough
to
change
my
overall
opinion
or
reading
experience.
Therefore,
I
have
chosen
to
give
The
Prison
of
Power-
A
Man-Made
Tale
a
rating
of
four
out
of
four stars for its unique storyline and engrossing characters.
If
you
love
books
that
are
sprinkled
with
science
and
action
and
take
place
in
the
future,
this
book
needs
a
place
on
your
shelf!
I
would
also
recommend
the
novel
to
readers
concerned
about
issues
like
gender
inequality.
However,
I
would
dissuade
readers
who
are
easily
offended by profanity or scenes of sexual violence, as it may be triggering.
Review by K.C. Finn
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
is
a
work
of
fiction
in
the
dystopian,
political
thriller,
and
cultural
issues
subgenres.
It
is
intended
for
the
mature
reading
audience
due
to
the
presence
of
explicit
language
and
scenes
of
a
sexual
nature
and
was
penned
by
author
G
Michael
Smith.
In
this
role-reversal
novel
which
explores
gender
politics
and
traditional
binary
roles,
we
discover
an
alternate
universe
in
the
near
future
where
a
cataclysmic
series
of
events
has
led
to
women
becoming
the
dominant
gender
of
the
human
race.
As
men
in
different
corners
of
the
globe
are
subjugated
and
their
rights
are
taken
away,
we
get
a
glimpse
of
what
life
would
be
like
if
the
history
of
the patriarchy had been reversed.
Author
G
Michael
Smith
presents
an
interesting
and
thoughtprovoking
read
which
highlights
many
social
issues
and
current
global
attitudes
by
flipping
them
on
their
heads
and
holding
them
up
for
our
examination
against
a
deadly
background
of
governmental
control.
There
must
be
balance
in
all
things,
and
in
seeing
the
reversal
of
such
extreme
roles,
G
Michael
Smith
shows
us
that
any
kind
of
imbalance
is
truly
deadly
for
society,
no
matter
who
comes
out
on
top.
I
also
thought
that
the
characters
from
both
sides
of
the
debate
were
well-realized
and
had
some
very
relatable
emotional
moments
that
are
as
relevant
to
real
life
now
as
the
circumstances
of
the
book itself.
Overall,
The
Prison
of
Power
is
certainly
a
worthy
read
for
anyone
looking
for
an
original
book
they’ll
be
thinking
about
long
after
they’ve
finished reading it.
Review by Jamie Michele
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G
Michael
Smith
is
a
dystopian
novel
set
in
the
future
where
male
dominance
has
not
only
ended
but
the
roles
they
are
now
permitted
to
take
have
been
dramatically
suppressed.
Females
have
ascended
to
near
absolute
control
around
the
globe
following
waves
of
intense
feminism
that
eventually
evolved
into
feverish
militancy.
Smith
narrates
through
multiple
point
of
view
characters,
both
male
and
female,
who
offer
alternate
frames
of
reference
and
a
variety
of
perspectives
across
gender
and
a
systemic
hierarchy.
These
include,
but
are
not
limited
to,
Eve,
a
woman
who
was
the
victim
of
imprisonment
and
institutional
rape
and
is
committed
to
reprisals
against
all
men
without
any
sympathy;
Karima,
a
female
who
is
gender-reassigned
as
a
'Loverboy'
to
satiate
women
sexually
by
way
of
contract,
but
who
has
her
eye
on
a
role
that
could
lead
to
a
position
of
authority;
and
Quinlan,
a
male
who
has
been
unwittingly
strung
into
a
dragnet
from
which
even
his
risk-averse
former
kidnap
victim
partner,
a
woman
named Margaret, may not be able to save him.
The
Prison
of
Power
by
G
Michael
Smith
ticks
several
of
the
boxes
that
readers
who
enjoy
suspense
fiction
centered
around
female-
dominated
societies
will
expect
in
a
novel
that
strives
for
the
same.
We
are
shown
the
excuses
employed
by
those
in
power
for
the
new
gender
structure
and
the
impact
they
have,
which
is
dependent
on
the
amount
of
benevolence
or
malice
a
female
in
power
has.
The
most
interesting
to
me
was
the
female-female
disparity
in
power
between
women
like
Karima
and
those
who
contract
her,
like
the
more
influential
Karen
Chow,
and
the
ways
they
find
to
use
each
other
in
that
power
structure
to
meet
their
own
personal
needs.
Men
have
no
agency
and
are
therefore
used
for
everything
one
would
imagine
with
draconian
punishments
for
the
slightest
faux
pas.
At
one
point
a
primary
male
character
is
told,
should
he
cooperate,
which
isn't
actually
a
request,
he
may
receive
a
‘dispensation
from
common
penalties
imposed
on
males’.
This
way
he
won't
be
punished
if
he
accidentally
bumps
into
a
woman
and
sincerely
apologizes
immediately.
Overall,
this
is
a
fun
romp
into
an
alternate
society
that
is
simply
written
and,
therefore,
very
easy
to
consume
over
the
course of a weekend.
Review by Asher Syed
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
Speculative
science
fiction
meets
a
futuristic
era
when
women
rule
the
world
in
the
new
release
by
author
G
Michael
Smith
appropriately
titled
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale.
The
prison
is
one
of
power
in
a
struggle
between
the
haves,
who
are
almost
exclusively
women,
and
the
have-nots,
who
are
almost
exclusively
men.
Smith
provides
a
rapid
introduction
to
readers
about
how
the
planet
did
a
complete
180-shift
and
toppled
the
patriarchy,
then
transitions
into
the
less
hasty
explanation
of
the
individual
accounts
as
and
when
it
occurred,
and
in
the
protracted
time
following.
The
point
of
view
is
thirdperson
past
tense
and
sometimes
omniscient.
It
is
also abundant with over half-a-dozen point of view narratives complete with their own backstory and standing within this dystopian epic.
The
Prison
of
Power
is
a
big,
fat,
long
novel
but
do
not
let
that
put
you
off.
It's
girth
is
deceptive
when
considering
the
pace
as
it
barrels
forward
and
its
uncomplicated
delivery.
Substance
over
style
isn't
usually
my
preference
but
I'm
grateful
G
Michael
Smith
was
laser-
focused
on
content
over
loquacious
and
flowery
prose.
There's
a
good
story
to
be
told
here
and
he
tells
several
of
them
in
one
fell
swoop.
I
imagine
the
plot
will
be
polarizing
and
cleanly
split
into
the
readers
who
like
it
and
the
rest
who
do
not,
which
is
fine.
I
am
a
man
who
just
enjoys
good
escapism
with
interesting
characters
and
The
Prison
of
Power
handed
me
this
and
more.
Also
between
the
covers
is
plenty
between
the
sheets
so
escapism
doubling
as
eroticism
is
there
too.
In
this,
consent
is
questionable
in
the
same
way
it
is when one group/gender is overpowered by the other; another layer to Smith's world to spark conversation. Recommended.
Review by Vincent Dublado
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G.
Michael
Smith
is
a
futuristic
dystopian
tale
with
gynocracy
at
its
core.
The
tables
have
turned
as
gender
politics
tips
its
scale
in
favor
of
women.
Men
have
been
relegated
to
the
second
sex
as
women
take
the
helm
in
socio-
political
and
economic
affairs.
Women’s
rise
to
power
was
brought
about
by
a
string
of
violent
attacks
against
them
that
prompted
a
catalyst
for
a
revolutionary
change.
In
order
for
the
gynocratic
government
to
thrive,
fempol
was
created—a
societal
force
of
women
that
uses
male
tactics
against
men.
As
male
subjugation
peaks,
where
men
can
no
longer
exercise
suffrage
or
hold
public
office,
there
are
still
many
who
have
been
resisting
by
underground
means,
finding
the
right
time
to
retaliate.
Meanwhile,
the
woman-centered
government faces dangers caused by elements that want to crush their system and casuistry.
The
Prison
of
Power
does
make
brilliant
points
when
it
comes
to
gender
politics,
especially
in
the
scenario
of
how
women
would
exercise
control
of
the
powers
vested
in
them.
The
message
is
cleverly
delivered,
and
the
social
commentary
is
generally
smart.
Of
course,
this
is
not
likely
to
bridge
the
gap
when
it
comes
to
philosophical
perspectives
on
gender
issues.
But
G.
Michael
Smith
has
delivered
a
satire
that
may
well
spark
an
interesting
conversation
among
friends.
The
Prison
of
Power
is
a
sharp
novel
that
deserves
to
be read as it is different from
other
dystopian
science
fiction
stories.
Whether
you
agree
with
the
story’s
theme
and
message
is
up
to
you,
but
one
thing
is
certain:
It
will captivate you and it will trigger you to exercise your critical faculties.
Review by Joanne Ang
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale,
written
by
G
Michael
Smith,
is
a
dystopian
tale
about
women
rising
up
to
political
power.
The
roles
in
history
are
reversed,
where
men’s
access
to
education,
career
path,
and
rights
to
vote
are
extremely
limited.
Every
single
movement
by
men
is
calculated
and
controlled
–
a
form
of
modern
slavery.
Unlike
most
men,
Quinlan
Smith
has
exceptional
intelligence
that
is
on
a
par
with
women
in
this
day
and
age.
Unfortunately,
the
fear
of
slavery
has
kept
him
quiet
for
years.
Margaret
Carver
was
taught
that
all
men
stand
below
women.
The
day
she
met
Quinlan
changed
her
view
on
men;
perhaps
not
all
of
them
are
as
bad
as
the
world makes them out to be? Or is this just her teenage hormones raging?
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G
Michael
Smith
is
an
eye-opening
view
of
a
world
filled
with
women
in
power.
I
really
liked
that
the
storyline
started
with
events
that
happened
in
real
time,
giving
a
realistic
outlook
on
the
shift
in
power.
I
also
enjoyed
reading
about
Quinlan’s
obedient
and
compliant
personality
as
a
result
of
the
oppression
against
men.
It
sheds
light
on
the
unequal
power
and
unjust
circumstances
that
he
constantly
finds
himself
in.
I
also
enjoyed
Margaret’s
shift
from
being
overly
against
men
to
accepting
that
men
are
a
vital
part
of
our
world.
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
gives
more
than
just
an
insight
into
the
importance
of
equality;
it is a book riddled with drama, family feuds, gore, and a hint of romance. This is definitely a book that you can’t miss!
REVIEWS
The Prison of Power
©
2023 G Michael Smith All Rights Reserved
©
2023 G Michael Smith All Rights Reserved
Review by Stephanie Elizabeth
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
After
a
string
of
ruthless
attacks
on
women
and
the
massacre
of
2034,
there
was
a
considerable
shift
in
the
world.
Women
dominated
all
facets
of
power—men
were
seen
as
lewd
and
nefarious,
a
species
not
to
be
trusted.
As
a
result,
they
were
stripped
of
all
power
and
decision-making
abilities.
Some
of
the
most
powerful
women
wanted
to
obliterate
the
male
species,
and
with
the
Y
chromosome
disappearing,
that’s
where
the
future
was
headed.
Most
males
had
accepted
their
miserable
fate
and
tried
to
make
a
life
for
themselves
by
selling
their
bodies
and
being
controlled
by
women.
Still,
fringe
groups
on
either
side
operated
in
secret,
slowly
gaining
support
and
waiting
for
the
right
moment
to
attack.
A
powerful
woman’s
daughter
is
kidnapped,
and
the
girl
will
not
come
home
safe
until
the
captors
get
what
they
want;
a
young
man
is
taken
from
his
life
and
trained
to
become
a
Loverboy,
and
an
angry
man
plots
his
revenge
on
an
officer
who
took
everything
from
him.
What
will
happen
to
males
of
the
future?
Will
they
rise
up?
You'll
have to read the book to find out.
The
Prison
of
Power-
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G
Michael
Smith
is
a
fictional
thriller
set
in
the
future.
In
the
dystopian
world,
there
is
a
war
being
waged
on
men.
The
story
is
complex
and
immersive
and
is
told
in
the
third-person
perspective,
which
gives
readers
a
chance
to
familiarize
themselves
with
the
diverse
characters—Eve,
Sean,
Vihaan,
Margaret,
Quinlan, and Nisheeta.
When
I
initially
began
reading
the
book,
I
was
skeptical
about
the
number
of
main
characters
and
worried
that
the
development
would
be
poor.
But
the
author
did
an
excellent
job
of
immersing
me into the psyche of each unique personality.
Moreover,
the
variety
of
personalities
and
backstories
was
riveting
and
probably
my
favorite
aspect
of
the
book.
While
I
didn’t
like
Eve
or
Sean’s
extremist
views
regarding
the
opposite
sex,
I
felt
myself
drawn
to
the
plight
of
those
characters
whose
views
were
somewhere
in
the
middle.
Margaret
and
Quinlan’s
connection
challenged
everything
they
were
taught,
but
they
continually proved it was time for a revolution.
I
also
must
applaud
the
author
for
creating
a
convincing
backstory.
While
the
first
event
happens
in
the
2030s,
readers
are
brought
up
to
speed
with
what
happened
after
the
massacre
and
the
years
leading
up
to
the
present,
2051.
Readers
will
learn
the
various
acronyms
for
fringe
groups,
the
importance
of
nanobots,
and
the
reason
behind
numerous
laws
against
males.
No stone was left unturned.
There
wasn’t
much
to
dislike
about
the
book.
It
was
exceptionally
edited
without
any
errors,
and
the
writing
flowed
beautifully,
but
if
I
were
to
voice
one
minor
complaint,
it
would
be
the
length
of
the
text.
At
just
under
seven
hundred
pages,
some
chapters
were
quite
drawn
out
and
slowed
the
pacing.
This
made
reading
parts
of
the
story
daunting.
With
that
being
said,
it
wasn’t
enough
to
change
my
overall
opinion
or
reading
experience.
Therefore,
I
have
chosen
to
give
The
Prison
of
Power-
A
Man-Made
Tale
a
rating
of
four
out
of
four
stars
for
its
unique
storyline
and engrossing characters.
If
you
love
books
that
are
sprinkled
with
science
and
action
and
take
place
in
the
future,
this
book
needs
a
place
on
your
shelf!
I
would
also
recommend
the
novel
to
readers
concerned
about
issues
like
gender
inequality.
However,
I
would
dissuade
readers
who
are
easily
offended
by
profanity
or
scenes
of
sexual
violence,
as
it
may be triggering.
Review by K.C. Finn
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
is
a
work
of
fiction
in
the
dystopian,
political
thriller,
and
cultural
issues
subgenres.
It
is
intended
for
the
mature
reading
audience
due
to
the
presence
of
explicit
language
and
scenes
of
a
sexual
nature
and
was
penned
by
author
G
Michael
Smith.
In
this
role-reversal
novel
which
explores
gender
politics
and
traditional
binary
roles,
we
discover
an
alternate
universe
in
the
near
future
where
a
cataclysmic
series
of
events
has
led
to
women
becoming
the
dominant
gender
of
the
human
race.
As
men
in
different
corners
of
the
globe
are
subjugated
and
their
rights
are
taken
away,
we
get
a
glimpse
of
what
life
would
be
like
if
the
history of the patriarchy had been reversed.
Author
G
Michael
Smith
presents
an
interesting
and
thoughtprovoking
read
which
highlights
many
social
issues
and
current
global
attitudes
by
flipping
them
on
their
heads
and
holding
them
up
for
our
examination
against
a
deadly
background
of
governmental
control.
There
must
be
balance
in
all
things,
and
in
seeing
the
reversal
of
such
extreme
roles,
G
Michael
Smith
shows
us
that
any
kind
of
imbalance
is
truly
deadly
for
society,
no
matter
who
comes
out
on
top.
I
also
thought
that
the
characters
from
both
sides
of
the
debate
were
well-realized
and
had
some
very
relatable
emotional
moments
that
are
as
relevant
to
real
life
now
as
the
circumstances
of the book itself.
Overall,
The
Prison
of
Power
is
certainly
a
worthy
read
for
anyone
looking
for
an
original
book
they’ll
be
thinking
about
long
after
they’ve
finished reading it.
Review by Jamie Michele
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G
Michael
Smith
is
a
dystopian
novel
set
in
the
future
where
male
dominance
has
not
only
ended
but
the
roles
they
are
now
permitted
to
take
have
been
dramatically
suppressed.
Females
have
ascended
to
near
absolute
control
around
the
globe
following
waves
of
intense
feminism
that
eventually
evolved
into
feverish
militancy.
Smith
narrates
through
multiple
point
of
view
characters,
both
male
and
female,
who
offer
alternate
frames
of
reference
and
a
variety
of
perspectives
across
gender
and
a
systemic
hierarchy.
These
include,
but
are
not
limited
to,
Eve,
a
woman
who
was
the
victim
of
imprisonment
and
institutional
rape
and
is
committed
to
reprisals
against
all
men
without
any
sympathy;
Karima,
a
female
who
is
gender-
reassigned
as
a
'Loverboy'
to
satiate
women
sexually
by
way
of
contract,
but
who
has
her
eye
on
a
role
that
could
lead
to
a
position
of
authority;
and
Quinlan,
a
male
who
has
been
unwittingly
strung
into
a
dragnet
from
which
even
his
risk-averse
former
kidnap
victim
partner,
a
woman
named
Margaret,
may
not
be
able to save him.
The
Prison
of
Power
by
G
Michael
Smith
ticks
several
of
the
boxes
that
readers
who
enjoy
suspense
fiction
centered
around
female-
dominated
societies
will
expect
in
a
novel
that
strives
for
the
same.
We
are
shown
the
excuses
employed
by
those
in
power
for
the
new
gender
structure
and
the
impact
they
have,
which
is
dependent
on
the
amount
of
benevolence
or
malice
a
female
in
power
has.
The
most
interesting
to
me
was
the
female-female
disparity
in
power
between
women
like
Karima
and
those
who
contract
her,
like
the
more
influential
Karen
Chow,
and
the
ways
they
find
to
use
each
other
in
that
power
structure
to
meet
their
own
personal
needs.
Men
have
no
agency
and
are
therefore
used
for
everything
one
would
imagine
with
draconian
punishments
for
the
slightest
faux
pas.
At
one
point
a
primary
male
character
is
told,
should
he
cooperate,
which
isn't
actually
a
request,
he
may
receive
a
‘dispensation
from
common
penalties
imposed
on
males’.
This
way
he
won't
be
punished
if
he
accidentally
bumps
into
a
woman
and
sincerely
apologizes
immediately.
Overall,
this
is
a
fun
romp
into
an
alternate
society
that
is
simply
written
and,
therefore,
very
easy
to
consume
over the course of a weekend.
Review by Asher Syed
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
Speculative
science
fiction
meets
a
futuristic
era
when
women
rule
the
world
in
the
new
release
by
author
G
Michael
Smith
appropriately
titled
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-
Made
Tale.
The
prison
is
one
of
power
in
a
struggle
between
the
haves,
who
are
almost
exclusively
women,
and
the
have-nots,
who
are
almost
exclusively
men.
Smith
provides
a
rapid
introduction
to
readers
about
how
the
planet
did
a
complete
180-shift
and
toppled
the
patriarchy,
then
transitions
into
the
less
hasty
explanation
of
the
individual
accounts
as
and
when
it
occurred,
and
in
the
protracted
time
following.
The
point
of
view
is
thirdperson
past
tense
and
sometimes
omniscient.
It
is
also
abundant
with
over
half-a-dozen
point
of
view
narratives
complete
with
their
own
backstory
and
standing
within this dystopian epic.
The
Prison
of
Power
is
a
big,
fat,
long
novel
but
do
not
let
that
put
you
off.
It's
girth
is
deceptive
when
considering
the
pace
as
it
barrels
forward
and
its
uncomplicated
delivery.
Substance
over
style
isn't
usually
my
preference
but
I'm
grateful
G
Michael
Smith
was
laser-focused
on
content
over
loquacious
and
flowery
prose.
There's
a
good
story
to
be
told
here
and
he
tells
several
of
them
in
one
fell
swoop.
I
imagine
the
plot
will
be
polarizing
and
cleanly
split
into
the
readers
who
like
it
and
the
rest
who
do
not,
which
is
fine.
I
am
a
man
who
just
enjoys
good
escapism
with
interesting
characters
and
The
Prison
of
Power
handed
me
this
and
more.
Also
between
the
covers
is
plenty
between
the
sheets
so
escapism
doubling
as
eroticism
is
there
too.
In
this,
consent
is
questionable
in
the
same
way
it
is
when
one
group/gender
is
overpowered
by
the
other;
another
layer
to
Smith's
world
to
spark
conversation.
Recommended.
Review by Vincent Dublado
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G.
Michael
Smith
is
a
futuristic
dystopian
tale
with
gynocracy
at
its
core.
The
tables
have
turned
as
gender
politics
tips
its
scale
in
favor
of
women.
Men
have
been
relegated
to
the
second
sex
as
women
take
the
helm
in
socio-
political
and
economic
affairs.
Women’s
rise
to
power
was
brought
about
by
a
string
of
violent
attacks
against
them
that
prompted
a
catalyst
for
a
revolutionary
change.
In
order
for
the
gynocratic
government
to
thrive,
fempol
was
created—a
societal
force
of
women
that
uses
male
tactics
against
men.
As
male
subjugation
peaks,
where
men
can
no
longer
exercise
suffrage
or
hold
public
office,
there
are
still
many
who
have
been
resisting
by
underground
means,
finding
the
right
time
to
retaliate.
Meanwhile,
the
woman-centered
government
faces
dangers
caused
by
elements
that
want
to
crush their system and casuistry.
The
Prison
of
Power
does
make
brilliant
points
when
it
comes
to
gender
politics,
especially
in
the
scenario
of
how
women
would
exercise
control
of
the
powers
vested
in
them.
The
message
is
cleverly
delivered,
and
the
social
commentary
is
generally
smart.
Of
course,
this
is
not
likely
to
bridge
the
gap
when
it
comes
to
philosophical
perspectives
on
gender
issues.
But
G.
Michael
Smith
has
delivered
a
satire
that
may
well
spark
an
interesting
conversation
among
friends.
The
Prison
of
Power
is
a
sharp
novel
that
deserves
to
be
read
as
it
is
different
from
other
dystopian
science
fiction
stories.
Whether
you
agree
with
the
story’s
theme
and
message
is
up
to
you,
but
one
thing
is
certain:
It
will
captivate
you
and
it
will
trigger
you
to
exercise
your critical faculties.
Review by Joanne Ang
Review Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale,
written
by
G
Michael
Smith,
is
a
dystopian
tale
about
women
rising
up
to
political
power.
The
roles
in
history
are
reversed,
where
men’s
access
to
education,
career
path,
and
rights
to
vote
are
extremely
limited.
Every
single
movement
by
men
is
calculated
and
controlled
–
a
form
of
modern
slavery.
Unlike
most
men,
Quinlan
Smith
has
exceptional
intelligence
that
is
on
a
par
with
women
in
this
day
and
age.
Unfortunately,
the
fear
of
slavery
has
kept
him
quiet
for
years.
Margaret
Carver
was
taught
that
all
men
stand
below
women.
The
day
she
met
Quinlan
changed
her
view
on
men;
perhaps
not
all
of
them
are
as
bad
as
the
world
makes
them
out
to
be?
Or
is
this
just
her
teenage hormones raging?
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
by
G
Michael
Smith
is
an
eye-opening
view
of
a
world
filled
with
women
in
power.
I
really
liked
that
the
storyline
started
with
events
that
happened
in
real
time,
giving
a
realistic
outlook
on
the
shift
in
power.
I
also
enjoyed
reading
about
Quinlan’s
obedient
and
compliant
personality
as
a
result
of
the
oppression
against
men.
It
sheds
light
on
the
unequal
power
and
unjust
circumstances
that
he
constantly
finds
himself
in.
I
also
enjoyed
Margaret’s
shift
from
being
overly
against
men
to
accepting
that
men
are
a
vital
part
of
our
world.
The
Prison
of
Power:
A
Man-Made
Tale
gives
more
than
just
an
insight
into
the
importance
of
equality;
it
is
a
book
riddled
with
drama,
family
feuds,
gore,
and
a
hint
of
romance.
This
is
definitely
a
book
that
you
can’t miss!
REVIEWS
The Prison of Power
