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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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.