Status Updates From The Lost Baron: A Story of ...

I really like how the villains (so far) seem like real people, not some unrelatable Darth Vader-ish caricature.

I love how subtly the author depicts Martin's humble boyhood and goodness. His gratitude for the man calling his shambling pony a horse. The way he assured Ben he needed prawns for Rosamund and then its only afterwards we see his thoughts and how he's afraid he'll look like a bumpkin. It's so delicately done - and I love this little boy.

Everything about this book is excellent and amazing - even better than I remembered from my many re-reads as a teenager. It was blissfully enjoyable to read it again now!

I adore the protagonist of this book so much. And the second main character--the young man and woman at the center of the book. I always have, but now I can articulate why.

In part: They're so wise and mature even though they are young, but they still act like young people of the age they are. Great responsibility is thrust on them, and it's difficult for them--but they rise to it and succeed, and do what is right.

Grrrr, some of the antagonists in this book make me so mad! They're so well-written!

All of the antagonists are unique, understandable, and fascinating. Several are dastardly, and all are bad, but none of them is wholly evil, which is very well-done. Some are pitiable, and at least one is quite likeable despite serving the main antagonist - who is most complex of all.

As a writer and reader, it's instructive!

I'm in need of a sweet, familiar, beloved favorite to re-read. This one is perfect, even though I wasn't planning on re-reading it till next year.

I've read it many times, and I'm already enjoying being back with the wonderful characters and observing their relationships. And it's so cool to see the strong foreshadowing and hints of events to come that I wouldn't notice without knowing the whole story.