10 March 2011

Unexpected Book Review

Today I finished a book that I wasn't sure I wanted to read, although I devoured it in less than 24 hours.  It's the (probably) last book in one of my all time favorite series and it was just published a week ago.  This is a series that I enjoy so much that I've only ever recommended it once.  If you don't like this series, then you don't like me, and I wouldn't want to find that out after months or years of friendship with someone!  It's the only book series I've ever kept to myself that way and I always eagerly await new installments.

Regardless, it was hard to open this book, knowing that it was the end of characters I admired and enjoyed.  Knowing that there were a lot of negative reviews already circulating.  Knowing that a bad book, especially a poor ending, would forever color the good ones.  Nonetheless, I started it yesterday.  And finished it this afternoon.  And you know what?

It was amazing.  I mean, it was absolutely what I would expect from this author, who I already thought was highly underrated in the fantasy community.  The book was actually a collection of four short stories that got better as they went.  The last story in the book was the reason for all the early negative reviews.  You see, the author killed off a main character, but I could not have asked for a better story or a more realistic treatment of the characters (who are the best part, in my opinion).

So in short, I'm glad I took a chance and read it, because otherwise I would have missed some great storytelling from a favorite author.  My full review is here on Goodreads and it's the only 5-star review I've given this year.

Ever taken a chance on a book and been rewarded?  Do you have a book or series that speaks to you and only you?

3 comments:

  1. you've been holding out on me! shame, shame... ;) I think I may need to find it in ereader...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm pretty sure all the books are available as ebooks now. I'm planning to get them just to have them with me.

    BTW, just as a warning, it's a dark fantasy series (especially the first three books) and is for mature audiences only. This series does not pull punches and deals with some seriously heinous events and characters. To me, that makes it a stronger story, but it is dark and probably not something you'll want to read at night.

    Actually, if you want to try out the author, start with her Tir Alainn series. Great characters, similar style, less dark.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I know what you mean about a book or a series that speaks expressively to you. For me that author is Arturo Perez-Reverte, a former war journalist and Spanish author. His works are all translated—making me wish I could read his works in their original language. There is just something that I find richly beautiful in the writing; I savor the few books that exist by this author. I think his most recognized work is The Club Dumas (which is great), but my favorite is the mysterious and interesting Seville Communion.

    ReplyDelete