Pacing: Too fast? Too slow?

[Michael]

Some people have felt the book's pace was wonderful, others felt it was too fast, lacking pause for depth and reflection. What is your take?

[Jon]

I felt the pacing was just right for the type of story; it was similar to a heist or action-adventure movie. While I would have preferred more in depth character background and development, that's probably just my bias towards epic fantasy leeching forth.

[Chris]

I think the pace was just fine. I'd also like more character development, but it seems that we'll get that in time. Getting to know these characters was like meeting real people - it takes time to get to really know them....

[Elena]

The pace was fast, but not too fast for me. I like it that way.

[Kelsey]

I agree with Chris. I felt like I wanted to get to know the characters better, but then I have taken into consideration the fact that it is a series and I'll probably get more of that as I read on. I thought the pace was completely fine.

[Sandi]

I liked the pace. I'm so tired of 500-900 page tomes that go nowhere. I never had a chance to be bored.

[Janny]

Preference is entirely personal - I think you paced it precisely as you wished it to move - your author's choice of focus emphasized the action, with that pure gold thread of humor, and the neat, very occasional subtle touch implying the depth to the characters beyond what you put on the page.

[Tanya]

I really liked the pace, it was just right for me. I didn't have to struggle to remember what happened to the other characters when the focus came back to them.

[Libby]

Chris wrote: "Getting to know these characters was like meeting real people - it takes time to ..."

Very accurate statement which is why the book was refreshing. The characters aren't forced on you. You will get to know them just as someone you meet in the real world.

[Elise]

I thought the pacing was just right.

[Leslie Ann]

I, too, had no problems with the pace of the book. It was exactly right.

[Tracy]

I actually felt like it was a bit too slow at the beginning....or if not the pacing, something held me back from getting into the first bit of the story. After that first bit, though, I thought the pace was great.

[Michael]

A number of people disliked the first chapter. It was off-putting to start with a dislikable character and turned many people off. Also many readers felt the book was heading in the direction of a romance between Alenda and Gaunt with Archibald as the antagonist then, wham! The whole story goes in a different direction. One individual actually referred to it as a bait-and-switch (I am not certain if this was meant derogatorily or not.)

Usually by the time the three are floating down the river, most people have revealed that they were sucked in.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I am another who would've liked to have seen a bit more depth of character, even some more persective swithces to characters we don't see much of but hear about...

I also thought it was a bit slow in the beginning... but was a decent pace, overall, for the type of story it was.

[Janny]

I didn't think the pace at the start was flawed - I suggest it may have lent the appearance to some, not because of the writing, but because the viewpoint character at the opening was clearly portrayed as a grasping, unlikable person. That didn't provide the reader a sympathetic stance to root for at the first plunge - until the contrast was provided, with the supposedly "dishonest" characters having more heart.

Though I, too, am a reader who leans toward more depth and scope in a book - I feel that this book has a strong story line, and accomplished exactly what the author aimed to do - presented the reader with a fast moving adventure with kick butt directness, entertaining humor, and a few clever plot twists.

Start to finish, the work was all of a piece - it maintained consistency in style and pace.

Most readers looking for this style of story are quite likely to enjoy the action, first, and not pause to over-examine the nuances, or miss the fact there's little reflective introspection. It's a direct style, start to finish, and delivers all the classic story elements.

More, the predictable plot points were also balanced by others that provided some lovely surprises.

Without spoiling, I felt the sequel maintained the same angles of style and consistency. It's engaging without trying to be pretentious or profound. The read is for fun, not for challenge, which will make for a wide slice of receptive audience for the series.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Interestingly enough, when I think of the start of the book - of the first part that didn't sit entirely well with me - I don't think of the very first chapter but, rather, the second. I felt that the tale of how they got the letters was too much tell and not enough show. The chapter could've been kept the way it was, with the thieves telling the story, but embellished more in a way that felt we were there with them, instead of just listening to a rehashing of events.

Similarly, when they were sailing down the river and it switches to "the figures" being shot with the arrows, there was no real suspense that it could've been our heroes, because we had just seen them decide to get off the river. If it had been left a little more vague, perhaps them arguing over whether to get off the river or not, and then cut to the arrows, then maybe there would've been some tension, some relief at seeing them in the reeds.

But, then, as you say - perhaps I am just not the type of reader for whom the style of story is aimed. I do like reading for fun, and would say the vast majority of my reading isn't exactly challenging, though. I guess I just wasn't entertained enough, wrapped up enough in the story, to be swept away with it. As it stands, I couldn't help but reflect on some of the things I felt lacking or annoying. *shrugs*

[Kathy]

My vote is just right. Can't wait for the next book!