Kara
It took me a while to get used to the writing in A Darker Shade of Magic. I kept describing it to myself as "dense." Not a bad thing, let me be clear: I really enjoyed the writing. I just couldn't read more than a couple chapters at a time until I got used to it. Then I was reading large chunks, and really getting into it.
I loved the characters; Kell in particular, from the moment he showed a little bit of kindness to mad King George. The magic of the different Londons was fascinating; I found myself wanting to know more.
The one complaint I had (if you could really call it a complaint) was that the book tied things up too neatly! I liked that, but I didn't feel compelled to start the sequel (A Gathering of Shadows) immediately, even though I checked both books out from the library at the same time. In between finishing ADSOM and starting AGOS, I read three other books. I would have liked a little more of a cliffhanger or at least a hint of what was to come in the next book to keep me going. As it is, I'm mostly reading AGOS now because I like V.E. Schwab's fantasy world, not because I have a burning desire to find out what happens next. Even so, that's a pretty minor complaint.
Samantha
I read A Darker Shade of Magic in a weekend, which is somewhat uncommon for me at this point in my life because of the many other things going on. However, my speed-read wasn't so much the narrative pull, but because the writing flowed. I like V.E. Schwab's voice, and it was easy to get into.
However, I am doomed to analyze everything I ever read or watch, and in this case, I must report that the beginning was not done properly. By properly, I mean following the commonly touted advice given to writers aspiring to publication. What I would consider the first chapter inciting incident (discovering the Black London trinket) didn't occur until about 100 pages in, which means the first quarter was world- and character-building. We followed the main character hither and yon as he completed tasks that were unrelated to the overarching plot. Of course, that meant the true Act I to Act II transition occurred late (the midpoint--nearly halfway through), and the rest felt rushed and underdeveloped.
That being said, I would still recommend it to anyone interested in the premise or a fan of Victoria's other work. She's very strong with world-building, and talent covers a multitude of sins.
In May, to celebrate the category and genre of our upcoming #PassOrPages contest, we're reading Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.
Come back on Monday, May 2, to discuss what you thought of the book!
I'm working on getting caught up from getting behind last month on reading Les Miserables, but the story ground to a halt with the description of the Battle of Waterloo. I ended up sending out a plea to my Twitter followers to ask if I really had to read those chapters, and the answer was, "No, just read the ending of that section." So that's what I did--only after summoning up the willpower after a week of not reading.
That's the kind of thing that frustrates me about classics. I like a contemporary pacing. It's unfortunate because so far, I've been impressed with this book. I might even say that it's my favorite classic I've ever read. (And I'm reading the abridged version, so I wouldn't have expected a wikipedia-page explanation of a battle right in the middle of the action.)
Thanks for stopping by. Let us know what you thought of A Darker Shade of Magic in the comments!
That being said, I would still recommend it to anyone interested in the premise or a fan of Victoria's other work. She's very strong with world-building, and talent covers a multitude of sins.
***
May's Operation Awesome Book of the Month
In May, to celebrate the category and genre of our upcoming #PassOrPages contest, we're reading Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt.
Doomed to - or blessed with - eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family wanders about trying to live as inconspicuously and comfortably as they can. When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles on their secret, the Tucks take her home and explain why living forever at one age is less a blessing that it might seem. Complications arise when Winnie is followed by a stranger who wants to market the spring water for a fortune.
Come back on Monday, May 2, to discuss what you thought of the book!
#LesMisRead2016 Update from Samantha
I'm working on getting caught up from getting behind last month on reading Les Miserables, but the story ground to a halt with the description of the Battle of Waterloo. I ended up sending out a plea to my Twitter followers to ask if I really had to read those chapters, and the answer was, "No, just read the ending of that section." So that's what I did--only after summoning up the willpower after a week of not reading.
That's the kind of thing that frustrates me about classics. I like a contemporary pacing. It's unfortunate because so far, I've been impressed with this book. I might even say that it's my favorite classic I've ever read. (And I'm reading the abridged version, so I wouldn't have expected a wikipedia-page explanation of a battle right in the middle of the action.)
Thanks for stopping by. Let us know what you thought of A Darker Shade of Magic in the comments!
No comments:
Post a Comment