tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post6693228687871009983..comments2023-08-08T12:09:37.149-04:00Comments on SFF Chat: The Witches of Eileanan by Kate ForsythSimchahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14730042073954228379noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-11953516230200938492011-04-29T01:22:18.963-04:002011-04-29T01:22:18.963-04:00The first book was fairly intriguing - but to be h...The first book was fairly intriguing - but to be honest I could only recommend this series to maybe 11-16 yr old bracket - for them they will probably be a thoroughly enjoyable read. Perhaps I've become a little jaded - I've read a lot of fantasy for a very long time. I actually only got as far as the third book before I gave up, as it began to feel as if (like many other fantasy epics/series etc) it had become a standard fantasy series cash cow. My guess is it could easily have been condensed into a more coherent two books at most.<br /><br />Quite frankly I began rather rapidly to feel sorry for the bad guys - they obviously don't have a chance, with the good guys (the social elite of course) positively bristling with powers, magic items and very powerful allies. <br /><br />It doesn't really help that humans have invaded this realm and driven out in some cases the "bad guys". She does make some attempt to show at least some of the non-humans in a slightly sympathetic light, - but the human foes are decidedly two dimensional. It may be that by the end of the series the balance will be redressed against the "invaders" - but I suspect not, and even if so, most assuredly under human terms.<br /><br />If you have the ability to "suspend disbelief" (a term most commonly used by OTT film directors to excuse poor plot/characterisation and generally silly stuff) you'll survive this. It has it's moments - but would have been way better just focusing on one or two of the ideas/characters - and a little less on the usual world shaking moves of the social elite. With movies I know when to suspend disbelief - if it has sfx then that moment comes as soon as I hear the first American voice (ok - a little harsh) - it's a little harder with books unfortunately, and rather annoying in terms of time spent on them - the first book in fantasy series is often the best (the hook?), and this is no exception.<br /><br />I've gone on enough - and I regard this as just the tip of the iceberg. But maybe get it for your teenagers - I'm not being sarcastic, believe it or not, but a lack of critical faculties will make these books (from what I remember of my childhood) very enjoyable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-88553118716773657542010-05-18T12:12:25.849-04:002010-05-18T12:12:25.849-04:00This wasn't a series I was familiar with befor...This wasn't a series I was familiar with before but after reading your review, I'm more than willing to give it a try.Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17786139533776263328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-17728527704427393012010-05-16T18:23:59.274-04:002010-05-16T18:23:59.274-04:00I have not heard of these books. I may have to lo...I have not heard of these books. I may have to look into them in the future. Thank you for mentioning them. Sometimes the old style fantasies are nice to revisit and read through. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series.Melissa (My World...in words and pages)https://www.blogger.com/profile/09621830513280969319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-29140831452618666212010-05-15T15:28:52.148-04:002010-05-15T15:28:52.148-04:00Stephanie: I agree. This isn't a cover that wo...Stephanie: I agree. This isn't a cover that would usually attract my attention. I look forward to hearing your opinion of the book, if you do end up reading it. If you like the theme I can suggest a couple of other books to you that you may like as well.Simchahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14730042073954228379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-90845550273612564062010-05-15T11:24:43.187-04:002010-05-15T11:24:43.187-04:00It's a good thing I read your review before se...It's a good thing I read your review before seeing the cover. I like the premise and I think I will give this one a chance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1365304542230931817.post-12683345061908144862010-05-13T19:23:49.229-04:002010-05-13T19:23:49.229-04:00I see her name around all the time as well, and I&...I see her name around all the time as well, and I've been meaning to check out something by her. I'll be interested to know, in the end, what you think of the series as it progresses.brizmushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18163313230550265190noreply@blogger.com