The author "tells" and doesn't "show", dialogue lacks snap, characters lack spark. I won't continue this series. And as for the Vampire Academy series, I hope she doesn't screw it up.
Volusian needs to kill Eugenie and put an end to our suffering.
Friday, August 14, 2009
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I met Richelle Mead at the PNWA writers' conference at the beginning of this month. She's a very effective public speaker and an amiable individual, in person.
ReplyDeleteShe was promoting this book. I'd given it some thought, and I had strongly considered buying it. I still haven't read Vampire Academy though. Sounds like maybe I should start there. Did you like Vampire Academy?
I don't know Richelle Mead, and my review of her book is not my opinion of her as a person. I was at RWA in DC in July and met many authors, and took various workshops presented by some throughout the day. Everyone was friendly, professional and effective speakers. They have to be in order to sell their product. Having said that, I understand that not everyone has the same tastes, abilities, styles.
ReplyDeleteSome people disagree with this review (also posted on Amazon), and I accept that. Some people get very defensive if something is said about their favorite author. But it's not a review of the person, just the book.
You may love the Dark Swan series, beginning with Storm Born. Vampire Academy is better in my humble opinion, because the author effectively puts a spin on the vampire mythos and by book three evokes strong emotions in the reader. Rose is a sympathetic character from the start although, for me, books one and two are 3 stars (I liked them OK) but book three is a 5 star. I didn't have to force myself to read any of Vampire Academy books. I did force myself to read Storm Born, but was somewhat rewarded in the end. Thorn Queen was pushed aside for other books and other things and the only reason I finished it was because I read about a scene that occurs towards the end and I wanted to see how it was handled. I won't ruin it for you in case you read it , but people-even heroes and heroines in books -need a recovery time and the end was just total BS to me. Readers are very willing to suspend belief for authors, me included, but I just couldn't with this one. To me, the books were all chatter, moving slowly towards a predictable conflict and the heroine saving the day. I couldn't wait to be done with it. Some readers on Shelfari called the book "tepid." Readers on Amazon say it's reminiscent of her other Succubus books but I've not read that series so can't comment.
My absolute favorite urban fantasy series is the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. From the first sentence of Darkfever I was hooked and it carried over to Bloodfever and Faefever. The fourth book, Dreamfever, is out this Tuesday and I'm chomping at the bit to read it. Monings forum is constantly active because there's so much mystery surrounding the characters. Fans research (yes, research!) Celtic mythology and history trying to figure out who or what certain characters are! But then, others may not like this series at all.
Books have to hit me emotionally, make me feel like I'm right there with the hero/heroine experiencing everything along side them. To me, Richelle Mead's writing is too passive, too predictable and very, very slow to get started. I hope she doesn't mess up the decent work she's done with Vampire Academy.
I was thinking of reading this but I am not sure now. I feel the same way about the vampire academy series book 1 and 2 were decent however book 3 was awesome. Have you read any of Richelle Mead's other books like Succubus Blues?
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Succubus series, but other reviewers referenced them in their review of Thorn Queen. Some people feel ambivalent about the series--no action, nothing to make it stand out, but others love them. It's all in what you like.
ReplyDeleteVampire Academy book three was great and sets up great conflict and emotion for Blood Promise. I'm completely on board with this series but in the beginning I had my doubts. I didn't know how the author could keep the damphir/vampire relationship exciting and fresh. But oh my! She did! I love Rose and Dimitri. They're why I read the series. I pray it's a strong installment worthy of the two characters.
With so many books to read, I doubt I'll read anything else by Mead.