Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Currently reading Or Challenges of finding a good book

Posted by Simcha 11:45 AM, under | 2 comments

I finished Brandon Sanderson's Warbreaker, last night, and I am prepared to declare it the best fantasy book I have read all year. Lately I've been reading a lot of urban and contemporary fantasy and I forgot how great a real fantasy book can be; the kind that skillfully creates whole new worlds, religions and systems of magic. It's been a long time since a fantasy book has engaged me as wholly as Warbreaker has and I loved every minute of it.
After finishing Warbreaker I was feeling a little bereft that the book was now over and its characters have all gone on their own way. So I was delighted to receive The Unit, by Ninni Holmqvist, in the mail today, a book I have been eager to read for a while now.

But before jumping from one book to the other, I wanted something lighthearted and fun to serve as a sort of "palate cleanser" between books.
I thought it would be easy to find some kind of paranormal romance or urban fantasy to provide a quick enjoyable read before I move on to The Unit, which I expect to be somewhat dark and heavy, as many dystopic novels are.

But quick enjoyable reads seem to be hard to come by. I started Rosemary and Rue, by Seanan McGuire, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. The introduction, where October gets turned into a fish, forcing her to abandon her partner and daughter for fourteen years, depressed me. I don't like stories that involve abandonment of children. And then when she returns to human form and her boyfriend and daughter refuse to even meet with her, I just couldn't suspend my disbelief. I mean, even if they were upset at October's disappearance, they had no reason to think that it purposefully done. They should have been overjoyed to have October back when they thought she was dead. The idea that they wouldn't even meet with her to find out what happened was too implausible for me and made it difficult for me to continue the book.

So I moved on to Ravenous, by Sharon Ashwood which wasn't too bad except that it reminded me of so many other vampire books that I have already read that I just wasn't compelled to continue after the first few chapters.

Next, I decided to give Some Girls Bite, by Chlo Neill, a try. I've seen this book recommended by a few blogs so far but I haven't been tempted to read it mostly because I don't like the title or cover (yes, I do judge books by such things). But after so many other books have failed to interest me I'm feeling determined to find one that I can full-heartedly enjoy. But a few chapters in, and I don't think this book is the one for me either. I thought it was strange that Marit was so unaffected after her transformation into a vampire, other then being a little woozy. Most vampire books go into great detail as to the physical challenges and intense blood lust a vampire experiences after being newly turned but Marit is just dropped off at home where she behaves in a disappointingly human manner; having a good cry with her roommate and then going off to break the news to her parents about her new undead status. I just thought that it was rather unbelievable, or as unbelievable as a book about vampires can be.

Am I being too picky here?

I think I'm going to give up on trying to find a PNR or urban fantasy for now and tomorrow I will start on The Unit. I believe my palate has been cleansed enough for today.

2 comments:

Hi Simcha, it seems that you're stuck in a rut...It happened to mee some days ago, I think I overindulged in urban fantasies with vampires also so now I'm reading The Magicians by Lev Grossman and I am really having a blast with it. Did you read the book?
Oh, and The Tel Aviv Dossier was a fine spooky book, I liked it a lot!
xx Ramona

Yes! I read The Magicians about a week ago and have been looking for someone to discuss it with. Unfortunately no one I knows reads fantasy so I haven't had anyone to talk to about it, which is really frustrating.
Anyways, I enjoyed the book while I was reading it but after finishing it I can't say if I really liked it. Tell me when you finish it and I'd love to discuss it.
I just finished The Unit, by Ninni Holmqvist, and I have a feeling you would like this book. I'll post a review next week.

Simcha

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