I picked up my first “Chicks in Chainmail” book at a used bookstore for a dollar, I believe. Tucked between paperback copies of “Atlas Shrugged” and dogeared “Dragonlance” books, the picture on the front of the book is what caught my eye: a compelling, strong-looking woman in chainmail walking in front of a generic background. On second glance I noticed the supine man that had apparently been knocked out by the woman. My interest piqued, I read the blurb on the back of the book:
“Here they come, and they’re out for blood. For too long, they say, have hot-blooded babes in brass bras and chain-link bikinis been held up to scorn as the embodiment of male fantasy wish-fulfillment and non-functionality. You think their swords won’t cut, their clubs won’t crush? You think they look cute?
You can’t run, ’cause they’re faster than you, and you better not fight, ’cause they’re tougher – and they have no mercy. Here they come, Chicks in Chainmail, and they’re going to get you.”
After a snippet like that, how could I pass it up? I bought the book and never regretted my decision. The Chicks in Chainmail series, published by Baen and edited by Esther Friesner, has five installments: Chicks in Chainmail, Did You Say Chicks?!, Chicks ‘n’ Chained Males, The Chick Is in the Mail, and Turn the Other Chick. (Sadly I only own three of these volumes, something I plan to rectify whenever I get around to it and can make space on my bookshelf.)
The cover from the first book in the series.
There are a lot of things I like about the series. The stories are funny and creative, with a lot of real life mixed in – it’s easy to relate to most of the main characters. Since the stories are by different authors, there is a lot of variety in topic, tone, and character. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is a women-only club trying to get back at men for not letting them play, either – there are contributions by both male and female writers, about one-third men to two thirds women authors. Almost all the stories pass the Bechdel test, which is a good way to evaluate if the stories truly reflect the lives of women.
My favorite story is by Elizabeth Moon, who contributed several to the series. Her short story “And Ladies of the Club” is in the first Chicks book. The women in the king’s guard (members of the Ladies’ Aid and Armor Society) are being discriminated against because of the necessity of wearing bronze bras. An unfair tax against only metal bras – not men’s chainmail – has been instituted, and in a flash of creative inspiration the women decide to use magic to solve their problem. They hire a wizard to store their unneeded boobs in a magic extra dimension, for access and retrieval whenever and wherever they like. With their “original equipment” painlessly removed, they will comfortably be able to fit into the standard men’s armor. As can be expected, the situation goes hilariously awry, and in the end discrimination is defeated and equality is restored. My greatest admiration is Elizabeth Moon’s ability to take a real issue – discrimination against women because they are women – and use humor and cleverness to overcome the problem.
There are very few things I dislike about the series. The themes can be mature, and some of the stories are pretty edgy, with the occasional swear and some sensual themes – but overall these are very reasonable, and make sense in context. A blurb from a Locus review says, “There’s something to offend everyone… so bring your sense of humor, and prepare to be entertained.”
The series is not dismissive of men, but asserts women’s capability and equality with them. As can be expected, many of the men in the stories disagree with these conclusions – but women are also common perpatrators if injustice, stalling efforts of other women to be successful. This series is serious in all good fun in dealing with real issues. Overall the stories are very fun and funny, and a light-hearted read that will make you laugh and think at the same time. Humor is a great bridge that leads to empathy and understanding, and these books will do nothing if not tickle your funny bone. If you enjoy fantasy stories but are tired of the same old “useless female” characters, take a look at the “Chicks in Chainmail” series – you won’t regret it!