I actually did enjoy The Stone Key--I stayed up way to late reading the darned thing because I couldn't put it down--but my enjoyment was more because I'd been waiting SO LONG than because it was in any way a good book. It's a bit like Deathly Hallows in that respect.
I think the review came off so harshly because I was trying to think how to describe it for someone who didn't wait for it & wasn't a fan, because I don't think such a person would enjoy it.
Oh, Elspeth. Elspeth, Elspeth, Elspeth. On the one hand it makes some sense that she thinks she's the center of the universe (the universe, after all, seems to agree), but I wish some of the characters found it irritating. And that they weren't all in love with her.
No, seriously. Rushton, Dameon, Swallow, AND Gilbert, who barely even KNEW her. She cannot possibly need a harem that large!
The supporting characters are fun. I like Swallow when he's not behaving like maybe he's in love with Elspeth too. I liked Domick and was very sad about the manner of his death. And Bruna was fun.
Although I'm not sure about the whole desert chase marriage kidnapping custom in Sador. Clearly the descriptor matriarchal is being used very loosely, because I just cannot see that as a matriarchal custom.
I've read the Legendsong Saga. I seem to be in the minority in that I liked Ember more than Glynn--Glynn just seemed so perfect--especially by the end of the last book, where there was an entire chapter where Ember and her companions sit around discussing how awesome Glynn is.
I liked the setting--I have some reservations about whether or not the Draaka cult is a good nest of villains--honestly, I have some reservations about Carmody's ability to write villains in general. But I thought the good characters were well-written--Bleyd, Kerd, the Vespian soulweaver whose name I have forgotten.
Hmm. Perhaps I should write a post on the Legendsong.
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I think the review came off so harshly because I was trying to think how to describe it for someone who didn't wait for it & wasn't a fan, because I don't think such a person would enjoy it.
Oh, Elspeth. Elspeth, Elspeth, Elspeth. On the one hand it makes some sense that she thinks she's the center of the universe (the universe, after all, seems to agree), but I wish some of the characters found it irritating. And that they weren't all in love with her.
No, seriously. Rushton, Dameon, Swallow, AND Gilbert, who barely even KNEW her. She cannot possibly need a harem that large!
The supporting characters are fun. I like Swallow when he's not behaving like maybe he's in love with Elspeth too. I liked Domick and was very sad about the manner of his death. And Bruna was fun.
Although I'm not sure about the whole desert chase marriage kidnapping custom in Sador. Clearly the descriptor matriarchal is being used very loosely, because I just cannot see that as a matriarchal custom.
I've read the Legendsong Saga. I seem to be in the minority in that I liked Ember more than Glynn--Glynn just seemed so perfect--especially by the end of the last book, where there was an entire chapter where Ember and her companions sit around discussing how awesome Glynn is.
I liked the setting--I have some reservations about whether or not the Draaka cult is a good nest of villains--honestly, I have some reservations about Carmody's ability to write villains in general. But I thought the good characters were well-written--Bleyd, Kerd, the Vespian soulweaver whose name I have forgotten.
Hmm. Perhaps I should write a post on the Legendsong.
Have you read Alyzon Whitestarr?