Jonathan answers “Ok, ok, ok.. i know this is vague and...”

Turner Keith Reeves asked this question about Shadow and Bone (Shadow and Bone, #1):

Ok, ok, ok.. i know this is vague and redundant, but is this a good read? I am looking for something dark, not a "lovey-dovey-im-an-emotional-preteen-oh-does-he-really-love-me" YA novel that is so annoyingly prevalent these days.

Jonathan Me: 63 year old male. I am very demanding of quality. Terror, SciFi, Fantasy. Historical fiction and History.

I found this to be completely predictable…moreMe: 63 year old male. I am very demanding of quality. Terror, SciFi, Fantasy. Historical fiction and History.

I found this to be completely predictable. It is the classic "Hero" Format a-la Joseph Campbell.

Dorothy, an orphan living in bleak Kansas. So very plain goes to Oz, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.

Luke, an orphan living in bleak Tatooine. So very plain goes to Space, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.

Alina, an orphan living in bleak fill blank. So very plain goes to fill blank, has wonderful power, changes the world and has evil nemesis to overcome.

We then add a dose of Twilight teen anguish, I'm so ugly (over and over), (I'm unloved) I love the bad guy who is OBVIOUSLY bad, only to return to my one true love.

Is it a "lovey-dovey-im-an-emotional-preteen-oh-does-he-really-love-me YA novel"

Why yes it is, and while engagingly written, book one at least is extremely formulaic.

If you like that sort of thing, absolutely go for it. I actually enjoyed it...in a simplistic way.

PS at about 80% complete (book one) I quit.(less)

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