Review: I tried to like it
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 01 27, 2014
Once again, I find myself flabbergasted by all the glowing reviews.The plot was derivative, but that's never stopped me from liking a story before. And it had potential.But since the other reviews are so skewed in favor, I'll point out the (biggest) flaws so you can decide whether they're deal-breakers.****#3 below contains spoilers; proceed with caution****1. The author doesn't tell the story from one point of view or another. He doesn't alternate between several people, either. Instead, he describes what ALL his characters are thinking/feeling/doing from the outside. I read fantasy so I can immerse myself in a tale, and the writing style prevents that utterly.2. Similarly, the characters' emotions are...pretty emotionless, really. They all seem to do a lot of nodding happily and glaring angrily and frowning worriedly. They're flat. There's no nuance.3. The plot is unrealistic. (Even for a fantasy!) When a hooker is beaten up and threatened, are we really supposed to believe that a couple of kids - with absolutely no clue how to use the swords they're carrying - are going to bluff the enormous scary villain? And then said hooker is going to run off with her heroes with no clothes or money...or anything, really, besides adoration in her eyes? It's as treacley as a teenager's daydream. Or how about a young man who finds out his TWIN isn't even related to him? Should we really believe that he's going to burst into heartbroken sobbing (believing it instantly, of course) and then forget all about it two pages later?4. The author isn't great at grammar or punctuation. I started out willing to overlook the poor word usage and the missing commas, but when he started to end declarative sentences with question marks, I gave up. "I was curious about that" is not a question! I should not have to explain that to an author!Tell you what: I'll give this book 2 stars because I got it for free and because there's potential there. Buried, but there. The general idea was an interesting one. And should this author get some more practice - and (*ahem*) an editor - I may give his work another shot.