Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Not Too Rampant over Rampant


Be warned that this post has some mild spoilers.
I wanted to wait a few days after I finished reading this book to let it stew. I thought maybe if I waited my perception would change slightly as I'd have time to think it over a bit.
Yeah...not so much. I still feel pretty much the same way as when I was 100 pages from finishing, then almost finished, then finished. And that feeling is this - I was disappointed. I hate to say that. There were definitely good points about the book; The concept is phenomenal. The writing itself is good. But it was just the delivery that was slightly lacking and extremely slow at times. On a few occasions I almost quit reading. I seriously can't stand to start a book and not finish. I always want to give it a fair shot. Who knows? Some books really redeem themselves at the end of it all. This one didn't really do that for me.
When a story has SO much background information that you feel almost overwhelmed by the amount of info, I get lost - and not in the good way. I get that there are a few different kinds of unicorns. I get that there was an old Order of chicks that hunted them. Ok. Some explanation is necessary. But not the amount of explanation in this book. It slowed the story pace way down for me and just felt like I myself was doing the research, not reading a fun and interesting book about these characters and creatures. There were also a few scenarios in the story that were a little unbelievable. Sure, this is a fantasy story about killer unicorns. That "unbelievable" aspect is acceptable and understandable. But when things go down at the Order and leadership is questioned and changes hands (more than once), do these parents really just sit back and accept all this craziness with out asking a lot of questions or raising some kind of hell? Seriously? I don't know...I guess if they were willing to let their 12 and 16 year olds train to hunt killer unicorns they must just be cool with anything.
And just when the book started to pick up and get a little exciting and interesting - it was over. So, now I am left to contemplate whether or not I care enough about these characters to read the sequel when it comes out later this year. I don't like not knowing for sure that I want to continue.
I'd be interested to hear any other opinions from folks who have read this book...
And please don't let this deter you from reading if you haven't already. Maybe I am just a bit of a book snob. Your opinion may be different - and if it is (or isn't), I'd love to hear about it.

5 comments:

  1. Hmm...well, I'm probably not going to be much help here as I have not read the book, but I also do not like not knowing whether or not to continue reading. Once you've invested the time into the characters it is hard to let go, but it sounds like it may not be such a bad thing to do in this case. Since I haven't read it I would also like to hear from others who have whether it is worth spending the time to read. I don't mind some "research" time if it pays off in story time as well. That's a tough one. I have it on my shelf and was looking forward to reading it, but it is a ways down my list so I will keep an eye on your post here and see what others have to say. I'm sorry to hear it was a let down for you. That's for the heads up on your post!

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  2. I dont intend to discourage anyone from reading this book! Obviously people like it. It got published, so someone must have loved it...and there are rave reviews all over the web. It just wasn't for me. Maybe you'll have a totally different take on it. You already own it, so you may as well give it a shot. I will definitly check out other books of hers in the fantasy realm. I plan on at least giving the next one a shot, but if I can't get thru it, I won't make myself this time around.

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  3. I'm not sure why, but the last few times I've posted to your blog posts it erases my comments... :( I'm gonna try this again. Okay... I will still read this one for sure. I only meant that I could probably have borrowed instead have bought it. I am having some buyers remorse around my house with books and the lack book shelf space as my shelves are swaying. I am going to be buying or ordering some bookshelves very soon because I have no room left and can't really order any more books until I do. I've gone to stacking on top of the bookcase and that is almost full. :( Do you have any good bookshelf recommendations? I also need a laptop too though so I'm not looking forward to the research ahead of me on both fronts. Eeeek! See, buyers remorse. Ha ha. As far as Rampant, I'm still intrigued by the idea and the cover is beautiful so I'm still okay that I have it and will read it and see how it is, just don't know when.

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  4. Hmm. I dont know why it's erasing them either. I set it up so I am emailed when there is a new comment now in case I forget to check this thing w/all the stuff I've got going on :)
    I am getting emailed on the ones that are showing up here for sure, but no others. I'm sorry! I promise it's not me. BAA Forever!!

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  5. Sure, sure... just thought maybe my posts were being screened, lol. j/k. I just thought I'd mention it in case anything showed up on your side of things. Oh well. We'll always have the BAA. :) Have a nice weekend!

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