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When expectations are too high...
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I know what you mean, Robin. I find that with fiction in general. My expectations are very high, because I remember how good my reading experiences were so wonderful as a kid. It's so rare that I find a really good piece of adult fiction. I think Juvenile books are "looked after" more carefully, at least that's the impression I have. Adult books get thrown out into the market without any good editing done on them (link to other thread, re proofing problems).
I find generally that a mystery is more carefully written, probably has to be, otherwise the puzzle doesn't work out right, so the sequence of events, the timing, the characters have to be balanced more carefully.
I find generally that a mystery is more carefully written, probably has to be, otherwise the puzzle doesn't work out right, so the sequence of events, the timing, the characters have to be balanced more carefully.
That is one of the reasons I don't follow or let it help me choose a book. People can be so different, so also if they will like a book or not.... when I pick uo a book it msut be because it give me a certain curious or good feeling and not because for months it had been mentioned as very good, fast reading........ sometimes they are also saying it is the 'new' that one or so....can be right but I am not buying it for that. A lot of times reading all those pro things constantly about a book has the opposite effect on me.
ain't that the truth... the more "they" (critics, etc.) talk about it, the more I'm sure there isn't enough word of mouth.
There's also the factor of "the right book at the right time", what you need then. I had that with Folly, Laurie King. I was just coming out of a long depression, trying to come out of it and I picked up this book because I had liked her mysteries. I didn't know it at the time but it spoke about a lot of the things that were going on in my life, said in such a great way and by an author that I had already come to love. I wasn't expecting anything much at all, but it turned out to be one of my all time fave books.
There's also the factor of "the right book at the right time", what you need then. I had that with Folly, Laurie King. I was just coming out of a long depression, trying to come out of it and I picked up this book because I had liked her mysteries. I didn't know it at the time but it spoke about a lot of the things that were going on in my life, said in such a great way and by an author that I had already come to love. I wasn't expecting anything much at all, but it turned out to be one of my all time fave books.
You are right Hayes, was thinking about that too. Not every book will look appealing to you at every moment...but when I hear everything so good about a book and all those marketing slogans about one book....I just ignore it and go to the other books.
Overall I "liked" the book - but I think my biggest problem is baseed on what I read my expectations were just too high. I think for me this book focused too much on the magic system (though it was interesting - I thik it too up too much space in the book).
One thing that was mentioned over and over again was how good is pacing was and what a fast read the book is - that is #1 on my list for action/adventure/fantasy reading but I found it just the opposite. It seemed to take forever to get started and was amazed that there were only a few pages left in the book and there was still a lot to tie up.
I think if I had read this book without reading the reviews first I would have had a different reaction - but then again if i had not read the reviews - I wouldn't have read the book ;-)
Wife of GR author: Michael J. Sullivan | The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)