Review #5 - The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

General Comments:  A quick note about Young Adult fiction in general.  I am usually not a fan.  Even when I was a young adult I was not a fan.  Granted, things have come a long way since then, but I still try to avoid pretty much anything with a YA label.  So why did I read The Hunger Games?  I was intrigued.  Everyone I know personally who has read these books loved them. That includes my mother, three sisters, brother-in-law, and sister's boyfriend.  This is a selection of people who have really diverse tastes in literature.  I wouldn't have thought it would be possible to find a book that appealed to all of them.  Thus, when I learned they had all read The Hunger Games trilogy, and loved it, I had to see for myself.

I'm reviewing this trilogy together instead of the three books separately, because altogether they form a single narrative unit.  The main character is consistent throughout, and while each has a distinct plot, they don't really work as stand-alones.

Characterization:  This is probably the part I hate the most about YA.  I was never really a typical teenager so most of the time I find the main character of YA novels to be too distant to really connect with.  I don't generally understand why the problems are even a problem to begin with, and so many things that occupy the pages of YA books, from my perspective, seem silly.  That being said, I actually really liked Katniss.  Maybe it's because she has real problems.

The dystopian setting doesn't really lend itself to the moody and overly dramatic tone of a lot of other teen lit.  Yes, the character has a lot of characteristics of a teenage girl.  She spends a lot of time sorting out her feelings over boys, she can be whiny and dramatic, and she is extremely self-absorbed, but this is also counterbalanced by the fact that she kind of has a right to be.  The things she experiences are nothing short of horrific.  Her life is not easy, and she has a sense of real responsibility.  I guess I can forgive her more caustic personality traits because ultimately she's just a kid, and in the span of these three books she's given a lot to handle.

The other characters are also amazing.  Since the trilogy is written in first person I'm impressed at how much presence the other characters have.  Beyond just their impact on Katniss and interactions with her, the rest of the cast seems to exist beyond the scope of what the reader is given.  That takes skill to accomplish.

Plot:  Where do I even begin with this one?  There is a lot of material here.  The three books total over a thousand pages and Collins makes each one of those pages count.  The plot is intriguing.  The story is complex, but not overly so and I feel that the books took exactly the right amount of time to tell it.  The trilogy builds on itself.  The Hunger Games is pretty simple and straightforward, with the other two getting more complex.

One thing I thought was particularly strong about the plot is that it's filtered through the character so a lot of the time there's more going on than she's aware of, but at the same time there is enough detail that it's still easy to follow.  Something that really impressed me is that Collins isn't afraid to take chances and certainly doesn't shield her audience from what are some pretty horrific events.  There is violence, but it is never gratuitous, and at the same time, Collins doesn't shy away from it either.

Writing:  The writing is a particular strength of these books.  The prose isn't anything super special, it isn't especially poetic or complex, but it is wonderfully crafted.  One of the considerations has to be that this is teen lit.  The level of the writing needs to reflect the reading level of the audience, and I think it does this.  But somehow Collins manages to preserve a subtle intricacy in her writing.  This woman is a more than capable writer.  I'm going to give an example of what I think was the most impressive part of the trilogy in terms of writing and I'm going to try really hard not to give anything away.

If you don't know by now, people die in these books.  The premise is a tournament to the death, so hopefully that wasn't too revealing.  There are a couple of characters that die and have a significant impact on the story, but their deaths are almost a side note to the larger events of the story at that moment.  My reaction to those deaths was one of shock and disbelief since they were so overlooked and seemed like they should have been more than just a  footnote.  As a reader, I have a horizon of expectation that the attention given to an event in a story will reflect the significance of that event within the story.  This didn't happen.  Collins managed to play on my expectations as a reader to elicit a reaction that exactly mirrored the reaction of the main character - shock and disbelief.  That ability to evoke the desired reaction from the reader not through the shock value of the events, but through a subtle manipulation of the writing style is what earned these books five stars.

Setting:  The setting is also well done, but is actually one of the weaker elements of the stories.  I'm not sure how I feel about something set in a future dystopic North America.  Not because I dislike the idea, but because I'm not sure if it creates the correct tone for the books.  On the one hand it hits a lot closer to home, but on the other it's so different from the world we live in that it's almost unrecognizable and so I think it loses that impact.

The other real weakness of the setting is the frequent passages of pure information that are required to explain it.  It could be argued that this is a weakness in the writing, but the passages don't ever really break the rhythm of the narrative.  They fit with the rest of the writing so it isn't entirely a writing issue.

Whatever the issue, the setting is imaginative and vibrant.  The imagery is vivid and demonstrates that clear thought has been put in to developing this world.  Panem comes with a complete history that has depth and complexity.  The different places the story takes place in are clear and distinct and the setting reflects the story, almost becoming another character.

Overall Rating: 5/5

Review #4 - Corambis, Sarah Monette

General Comments: Synopsis can be found here.  I actually enjoyed this one less than the other three.  I found the ending disappointing, the character development rushed, and the writing not up to the usual standard.  The end is anticlimactic and while that in itself is not an insurmountable fault, combined with the sudden self-revelations of the characters and the transparent plot devices the whole thing just feels false. It's the first time in any of these books I felt the characters or plot seemed contrived. It was all just a little off. That being said, it may seem like I really disliked this book. I didn't. It wasn't as good as the others, but it wasn't bad either. It just wasn't as good as I know it could have been.

Characterization:  Again, Corambis features a third character: Kay.  I was really impressed with the style Monette chose for his voice. He speaks in a really archaic way, which includes changes in syntax and the exclusion of unnecessary pronouns.  The characters experience some profound growth, Felix especially, and while I'm sure that this will make some people happy, I actually found this to be one of the weaker aspects of the book.  After building such strong and realistic characters with interesting development, the sudden revelations they experience right at the end seem to come out of nowhere.

Plot:  The plot felt a little flat.  I found the ending to be rushed and a little superficial.  I hate spoilers so I'll try to make this as vague as possible. There has been a common thread throughout the entire quadrilogy. For someone paying attention, the fact that the series is called the "Doctrine of Labyrinths" is a big clue. Since this is a common theme one would expect that this is building up to something, and it does, it's just that the something it builds up to isn't all that exciting.

Writing:  To be honest, the writing just isn't as good as it has been up until now.  For the first time the different styles used to delineate characters slips and some of the characters end up speaking in the wrong way.  The styles are all very distinct, so when the character does not stay true to his particular style it is very apparent. I found this more than a little distracting.

Setting: The setting is definitely worth a mention; there were a number of things I especially liked.  This book moves more towards a system of magic realism as Corambis (the location within the story) utilizes magically and mundanely powered machines, including trains and indoor plumbing.  While there are aspects of modernization present it still doesn't lose the fantasy feel, and the more modern society of Corambis doesn't seem overpowered, it is nicely balanced with the greater setting at large.  


One of the things that really came out in this book that was perhaps present, but never really emphasized in the previous three is the actual workings of the magic system.  I think Monette has found a really nice balance between "hard" and "soft" magic as characterized by Brandon Sanderson.  In theory, the magic system present in Doctrine of Labyrinths is unlimited, placing it in the realm of soft magic, but it is restricted within the story.  Magic is limited by how people frame their understanding of it.  As Felix puts it in the book, it's all about the metaphor that one utilizes in order to frame their understanding of it and subsequently use magic.  Magic that is limited and follows specific rules in accordance with whichever school one adheres to is hard magic.  I thought this was especially unique and a very interesting blend of two usually opposed magical systems.

Overall Rating: 3/5

Review #3 - The Mirador, Sarah Monette

General Comments:  I don't really have any specific criticisms of this book.  Once again it's a solid read, but still missing that 'wow' factor.  At the end of The Virtu everything had been resolved, so I was very interested to see where The Mirador would take the story.  If you're looking for a synopsis one can be found here.

Characterization: One of the first things to note is the introduction of a new voice.  Felix and Mildmay are still there, but in addition to them we have the perspective of Mehitabel, a character introduced in The Virtu.  At first I was not taken with the introduction of a new character, but she grew on me.

I would also like to make a note about Felix.  I've read some other reviews and they all seem particularly harsh regarding him.  Granted, Felix is not an especially likeable character.  He has many, many flaws, but I think that's what I appreciate the most.  Felix is a broken character who shows substantial realistic growth over the course of the books, his growth includes some backslides into his more negative aspects.  I respect a writer who can give such an abrasive character so much depth.  It's difficult not to appreciate him, even if I don't really like him.

Plot:  The plot is decent, if a bit predictable.  The thing I like the most about the plot was that the events were predictable, but the characters weren't.  Not everything works out perfectly and this is often due to one or another of the characters missing something or just behaving badly.  I really like that there was an element of human error to the story, as all too often everyone involved is just a little too good at what they do.

Writing:  The writing is good, but that is to be expected.  I'm still impressed that with the addition of yet another character each of the voices still retain their own unique style.

Setting:  This one is set almost exclusively in the Mirador (not surprising considering the title).  The setting is interesting and adequately serves the purposes of the story.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Review #2 - The Virtu, Sarah Monette

General Comments: This is another solid book, but again lacked something in the outstanding department.  There isn't anything I disliked about it, but it still failed to blow me away.  It's the second book in the tetralogy, but the conflict is completely resolved by the end, which left me wondering where the next two were going to go.  This one picks up exactly where the last one left off.  If you want a synopsis one can be found here.

Characterization: Felix and Mildmay once again take centre stage as the main characters.  There is a significant difference in this book, however, as Felix is sane.  The characterization is still very strong.  While Felix may now be sane and therefore the possibility exists for he and Mildmay to establish a kinship, their relationship is still strained, largely due to the fact that Mildmay saw Felix at his most vulnerable.  The tension between the two is dynamic and frequently frustrating, but never dull.  There is a definite element of realism to their dysfunctional relationship that adds depth to both the story and the characters.

Plot: The plot is again elegant and sophisticated.  There are some surprises that will maintain interest.  Labyrinths feature a lot more centrally in this one, and as the series is called "Doctrine of Labyrinths" that shouldn't really come as a surprise.  However, the labyrinth aspect was almost completely absent from the previous book, so it was good to see where the series got its name.

Writing: The writing is good, actually, the writing is great.  One thing about a book written by a woman with a PhD in English is you know the writing is going to be worthwhile.  Monette maintains the voices of the two protagonists and her narration frequently breaks the fourth wall, but in a way that is natural, conversational even, and therefore not jarring or disillusioning.

Setting: The setting is well executed in this work.  The story revisits a number of locations from the previous book, but manages to make them fresh and new.  Part of this is accomplished through Felix, as his perspective is quite different and his view of the places they encounter adds and element that wasn't there previously.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Review # 1 - Melusine, Sarah Monette

I've been reading this tetralogy over the last couple months. I am currently on the last one, but I thought I should start the reviews at the beginning.

General Comments: I very much enjoyed this book. While there wasn't anything that especially wowed me, I felt it was a very solid read. I'm not going to give a synopsis, there are several available (such as this one on goodreads) and I don't feel I have anything to add to those. I will say this book was well worth the read and is generally enjoyable even if not outstanding.

Characterization: The characterization is very strong. One of the main characters, Felix, suffers bouts of madness throughout the middle section of the book. Even insane, he remains consistent with his core character. Felix is exceptionally complex and extremely flawed. Despite his abrasive qualities Monette manages to find a way to connect him to the reader. Much of this is due to his underlying fear of being socially rejected, something that is almost universally experienced and seems to be the root cause of Felix's acerbic personality.

 At it's heart, the elements of a character like Felix that alienate the reader stem from the very thing that also makes him a sympathetic character and gives him something to which the reader can connect. Mildmay, the other main character, is fairly typical. He is a thief and assassin with a heart of gold. As much as this character type is a common trope, in this case Monette provides enough depth to the character to make it work.

Plot: The plot definitely fulfills my criteria of being elegant and sophisticated. There is enough plot to drive the action and it has a certain complexity but not so much so that the story gets overwhelmed with it. What becomes the primary conflict is resolved by the end, but there is still plenty of material from which the rest of the series can build.

Writing: The writing was fairly impressive. The perspective switches back and forth between two main characters: Mildmay and Felix, and changes in perspective are conveniently labelled with the character's name. The entire book is told from the first person. Both characters have unique voices and Felix's narration style changes with his state of mind, which impressed me greatly. One of the particular strengths of this book is the perfect pacing, the action moves quickly, but is never rushed.

Setting: The setting is good. The different schools of magic make it a little more dynamic. The political tension is present, but not emphasized, since the book is about two brothers and not the world. As a side note I appreciate the close perspective. Seeing the global problems and setting from the perspective of the characters makes everything feel a little closer.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Let's Start With Some Reviews

I read. I read a lot. However, the things that I read are not very varied. I mostly stick to speculative fiction, and I have reasons for that. Within the spec fic genre, as a general rule, I read fantasy, with the very occasional foray into sci fi. I also tend to be a little particular about what I read (I like to think I have standards, but really I'm just picky). Up until now, urban fantasy has been out, but, I have in recent times been expanding my reading selection.

I also think about what I read, and that is where this blog comes in. I have a process for determining what makes a book good, bad, or otherwise and if I had to distill it enough to make it explanatory I would say I judge a book on four things: characterization, plot, writing, and setting.

Characterization is by far my most important criteria. Characters are what make books worth reading. A story that is strictly about events is not a story; it's a summary or a report. Good characterization can make or break a story. Characters should be complex and dynamic. They should exhibit growth. They should be at least reasonably realistic, and preferably not insufferable.

Plot is important because if it doesn't make sense it isn't a very good story. In my mind a good plot is elegant and sophisticated. The plot is the framework that supports the story. It needs to be complex enough that it progresses the story and moves the character, but not overly so. Plotting is a subtle art.

Writing is my second most important criteria. A good story poorly written makes for a bad book. Writing is also a subtle art. Overuse of words and phrases is something I find really distracting. I also tend to notice things like sentence length and complexity (I know that's weird). The thing that impresses me most is words used together in a unique or poetic way, but I will settle for something that has varied vocabulary and is relatively free of major flaws.

Setting is barely a criteria. For some people worldbuilding is a really big deal. The only reason I include setting in my evaluation is because sometimes a writer succeeds at making a world that is unique and stunning or presents familiar elements in a brilliant way, and that deserves to be acknowledged.

So, with this in mind, let's start some reviews.

The Nemeton

In celtic mythology a nemeton is a sacred grove. This is going to be my e-grove, my little corner of the internet. My idea for this project is somewhat amorphous. Ostensibly, it's going to be a forum for posting book reviews, but it may not stay that way. Like the real groves for which this blog is named, it may prove to be more organic than I currently anticipate. And so I'm going to do my best to leave room for it to grow and metamorphosize into whatever it ends up being.