Wed Reading Meme
May. 7th, 2014 09:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatWhat I just finished reading?
In between books, finally finished the Illona Andrews Kate Daniels Series, with number #6: Magic Rises, which is amongst my favorites. Great plotting, and some wonderfully witty scenes. Plus the mythology and world-building continue to impress. These writers have an innovative take on the run of the mill urban fantasy novel.
The latest book Magic Rises is considered the most controversial on Good Reads. I can sort of understand why, although the reviews on both Good Reads and Amazon once again underline what should be obvious to me by now - we all perceive things very differently, and certainly read and think differently.
I tend to be more mythic-poetic inclined than rational. And I am highly analytical - my mind plays with the subtext, perhaps more than most. Also, I read carefully - I read sentences in this book three or four times, often re-reading chapters, sometimes even aloud - to hear the cadence of the words. That may or may not have had an effect on my interpretation of the text. (shrugs)
There's a character death in the novel, but the character who dies isn't really that central to the action and has been sort of in the background for the last two books anyhow. The character's death makes sense and I think worked, both in regards to that character's arc, the heroine's emotional arc, as well as various other characters and the plot in general. It did appear contrived, nor was it possible for anyone to have prevented it. It also managed to convey the seriousness of the situation.
The other controversial bits - were Curran, the romantic interest, flirtation with a were-princess, which for many reviewers didn't work. Or felt out of character.
Actually I found his actions to be within character and Kate's reactions, to make complete sense. This sub-plot forced Kate to question her relationship with Curran and the PACK, and for Curran and The Pack to make it clear where they stood. It also underlined some of the key differences and conflicts between them - how differently they come at problems, and how both characters struggle with emotional pain, intimacy, and trust. It made sense and worked for me. Curran explains in detail why he was openly flirting with Lorelie, the were princess, and that he realized that he could lose Kate because of it. They have an epic, and highly satisfying argument, which irons out many of their issues. He's a paranoid manipulator and stragetist, while Kate is a paranoid no-nonsense, rely on my gut warrior.
The villain, Hugh D'Ambry, is well drawn in this novel. Amongst the most layered villains that I've seen to date. And provides more information on Kate's background, her family, and her choices. She was raised to be a cold-blooded assassin, she's chosen not to be. Many readers on Good Reads and Amazon (and this frankly bewilders me), have chosen to view Hugh as a potential love interest for Kate and were rooting for him. They also saw him as potentially redeemable.
Uh, no. There's an entire passage where Kate explains to Hugh exactly why she could never be with him. He puts people in cages and enjoys torturing them. (Ugh).
I get being into characters who are on redemptive journeys, or do horrible things, followed by selfish ones...ie. Jamie in Game of Thrones, Spike in Buffy...but Hugh?
Really? Mind-boggling. One of the highlights of this novel is a sword fight between Hugh and Kate.
The world building and mythology continues to impress. Rare to find this much exploration of Russian, Iberian, and Ukranian mythology. It focuses on the myths and legends around the Black Sea, which I found rather intriguing. Introducing creatures I've not seen in urban fantasy before.
If you haven't tried the Kate Daniels books, and like urban fantasy? I highly recommend. Loved this series to pieces, witty, romantic, action-packed, and lots of great mythology.
Now I just have to figure out what to read next. Considering reading the author's other series - The Edge, but I don't know, it looks like it is more YA and romance oriented.
In between books, finally finished the Illona Andrews Kate Daniels Series, with number #6: Magic Rises, which is amongst my favorites. Great plotting, and some wonderfully witty scenes. Plus the mythology and world-building continue to impress. These writers have an innovative take on the run of the mill urban fantasy novel.
The latest book Magic Rises is considered the most controversial on Good Reads. I can sort of understand why, although the reviews on both Good Reads and Amazon once again underline what should be obvious to me by now - we all perceive things very differently, and certainly read and think differently.
I tend to be more mythic-poetic inclined than rational. And I am highly analytical - my mind plays with the subtext, perhaps more than most. Also, I read carefully - I read sentences in this book three or four times, often re-reading chapters, sometimes even aloud - to hear the cadence of the words. That may or may not have had an effect on my interpretation of the text. (shrugs)
There's a character death in the novel, but the character who dies isn't really that central to the action and has been sort of in the background for the last two books anyhow. The character's death makes sense and I think worked, both in regards to that character's arc, the heroine's emotional arc, as well as various other characters and the plot in general. It did appear contrived, nor was it possible for anyone to have prevented it. It also managed to convey the seriousness of the situation.
The other controversial bits - were Curran, the romantic interest, flirtation with a were-princess, which for many reviewers didn't work. Or felt out of character.
Actually I found his actions to be within character and Kate's reactions, to make complete sense. This sub-plot forced Kate to question her relationship with Curran and the PACK, and for Curran and The Pack to make it clear where they stood. It also underlined some of the key differences and conflicts between them - how differently they come at problems, and how both characters struggle with emotional pain, intimacy, and trust. It made sense and worked for me. Curran explains in detail why he was openly flirting with Lorelie, the were princess, and that he realized that he could lose Kate because of it. They have an epic, and highly satisfying argument, which irons out many of their issues. He's a paranoid manipulator and stragetist, while Kate is a paranoid no-nonsense, rely on my gut warrior.
The villain, Hugh D'Ambry, is well drawn in this novel. Amongst the most layered villains that I've seen to date. And provides more information on Kate's background, her family, and her choices. She was raised to be a cold-blooded assassin, she's chosen not to be. Many readers on Good Reads and Amazon (and this frankly bewilders me), have chosen to view Hugh as a potential love interest for Kate and were rooting for him. They also saw him as potentially redeemable.
Uh, no. There's an entire passage where Kate explains to Hugh exactly why she could never be with him. He puts people in cages and enjoys torturing them. (Ugh).
I get being into characters who are on redemptive journeys, or do horrible things, followed by selfish ones...ie. Jamie in Game of Thrones, Spike in Buffy...but Hugh?
Really? Mind-boggling. One of the highlights of this novel is a sword fight between Hugh and Kate.
The world building and mythology continues to impress. Rare to find this much exploration of Russian, Iberian, and Ukranian mythology. It focuses on the myths and legends around the Black Sea, which I found rather intriguing. Introducing creatures I've not seen in urban fantasy before.
If you haven't tried the Kate Daniels books, and like urban fantasy? I highly recommend. Loved this series to pieces, witty, romantic, action-packed, and lots of great mythology.
Now I just have to figure out what to read next. Considering reading the author's other series - The Edge, but I don't know, it looks like it is more YA and romance oriented.
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no subject
Date: 2014-05-08 02:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-05-08 11:01 pm (UTC)They changed their blog again.
At any rate, one of the reader questions was:
"Is Hugh D'Ambry going to be redeemed and could he be a possible love interest for Kate?"
Authors: No, Hugh is a bad guy. Kate is also a bad guy who has decided to become good.
[This amuses me now to no end. Because, seriously, they wrote 100 pages depicting just how irredeemable Hugh is, and why it would be really bad if Kate went off with him.]
Apparently a lot of the reviewers had issues with Curran flirting with Loreli and playing Kate, even if it was to save her life. Yet no issues with Hugh who was also playing Kate, and intent on destroying her and everyone she loved - because you know, he stroked her and was sexy.
I get the whole bad-boy attraction bit, but seriously? There are limits.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-08 11:09 pm (UTC)I also thought the plot line was a bit implausible at several points, but I try to be accepting of that in genre works.
no subject
Date: 2014-05-10 10:07 pm (UTC)3. Is X character in Magic Rises Roland in disguise?
Roland does not appear in Magic Rises. None of the characters are Roland.
4. Why did Curran do what he did?
He did it to save Kate. In his mind, it was the only way to keep her alive, so he went into it knowing it may cost him their relationship. He loves her completely and true love is selfless. He knows that Kate can’t lie – and she really doesn’t do it very well, because things she think register on her face – and so he did what he thought he had to do in a strange place with limited resources. He would rather see her alive and without him than see her grave.
This is a core conflict of their personalities. People don’t just change overnight. He was trained to manipulate people at an early age and it takes time for him to adjust.
5. Why did Kate react so strongly to Curran’s actions?
Kate never had a long-term relationship. She was never stood up by her boyfriend ( before Curran) and she never had cause to be jealous. When we have those trial relationships in adolescence, we learn what to expect. She had no significant relationships and she has very little emotional armor when it comes to Curran.
6. I disagreed with something you said or wrote and I will argue with you in the comments to this an other posts. You owe me, you suck, and I will tell you all about it because you need to know etc, etc.
I wish you wouldn’t. We can’t write a book tailored to your expectations. There are thousands of you, and a book by committee wouldn’t be a very good book. We can only write the best book we can according to our expectations.
If you are upset about the book, the internet has many forums available to you. If you just can’t help yourself, go ahead, but we will not respond to your comment. If it contains personal attacks or profanity, it will be deleted.
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11. Can Hugh be redeemed and turned into good guy?
No. Hugh is his master’s creature.
12. Does Hugh really have the hots for Kate?
Yes.
13. Does Kate have the hots for Hugh?
Not really. Hugh and Kate are complicated. They were trained by the same man, they are birds of a feather. When Kate pulls off an awesome move, Hugh genuinely appreciates it because he knows exactly how difficult it is. To be genuinely admired for what you can do is a very powerful thing. But Hugh is a bastard and he will never stop being one. Kate is a bad guy who has chosen to be good. If she chooses Hugh, that would mean a collapse of her moral character. So you will just have to read Book 7 to find out what happens.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12119529-magic-breaks?from_search=true
I found this amusing before reading the book, after reading it - it is even more hilarious. The poor writers - they wrote over 100 pages that explained this stuff.
Also apparently a lot of people thought Astamur was Roland in disquise, uh no.
[Eh...plot implausibility is sort of par for the course in all sci-fi/fantasy/horror and romance novels. It clearly isn't something that bothers me all that much or that I tend to notice. If it did, I wouldn't watch daytime soap operas. Half the fun of those is the plot implausibility. LOL! Urban fantasy novels are like daytime soap operas, superhero movies, mythology, various sections of the Bible, and tween tv shows about vampires - you know the plot is going to be implausible going into it, that a given. ]
no subject
Date: 2014-05-10 10:10 pm (UTC)Those readers who thought Hugh was good or that Astamur was Roland sure were reading an interesting book. I wonder where they bought it.