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A Great and Terrible Beauty
Book Review
Reviewed August 3, 2007
I hated this book. I hated it so much that I read it in one sitting. I hated it so much that after finishing it, I immediately went to the library and checked out the next book in the series—and I hated that one enough to read it in a single day, too. In fact, I hate this whole series so much that I’m rather embarrassed at how much I’m anticipating the trilogy’s conclusion, which is due out in December 2007. I can think of plenty of reasons to hate this book—the writing screams first novel!, the plot is terribly predictable (and fueled by hints that drop like anvils), and the cover art is so trite it hurts … and yet, and yet, the actual reading of it was fun. The prose may be rough, but it’s got a fresh, snarky charm that made me chuckle despite myself; the plot may be predictable, but the depth of the characters more than makes up for such shortcomings. It’s like the book isn’t afraid to fall on its face, pick itself up, push its dorky glasses up on its nose and say, “It’s okay, you can laugh at me—as long as you’re having fun.” I’ve always liked that self-deprecating quality in people, and I find I like it in books, as well. For fantasy fans and Victoriana devotees alike, this book is an entertaining read. (P.S.: The author blurb inside the back cover is the funniest one I’ve read in ages.)
Without Feathers is a personal site run by Romy.
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