The Prodigal Troll, by Charles Coleman Finlay (unfinished)

The Prodigal Troll
by Charles Coleman Finlay (ccfinlay)
372 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy

I'm really unsure about this book. Returned it to the library already because I know I won't keep reading it, but then I feel guilty because it's a good book. Very well-written, interesting characters, unique world-building... well-rounded. But I read to page 42 and had no urge whatsoever to keep reading. I skipped to the very end, read the climax, and had no urge whatsoever to find out how they got from beginning to end. I was interested in the gender reversals, but I wanted more about the Empress and society, and about Xanagritte (sp?) and the knight guy. Except, I could tell that the story wasn't about them--it's about Claye. And Claye really isn't that interesting. Maybe because he's a baby much of the beginning, but I didn't care about Claye/Maggot. Or the trolls, for that matter, though I admit I didn't read much on them before quitting.

As for plot summary: basically, Claye is kidnapped as an infant from the castle and raised by trolls. His name is now Maggot, and he goes back to human society and experiences the usual adventures, then has to make a decision.

It lacked the necessary spark for me, but in this case that lack doesn't reflect poorly on the book. I would still recommend it, with reservations.

"Pol Pot's Beautiful Daughter (Fantasy)" by Geoff Ryman

I've had the PDF file on my desktop for ages, but finally got around to reading it this morning.

And I really liked it. I love the setting--Cambodia and just Asia in general doesn't get written about enough--and I loved the characters. The only quibble I have is with the whole untrue story thing, because it felt unnecessary. It was unique, but what's the point of it?

Still, a great story.

Tinker, by Wen Spencer

Tinker
by Wen Spencer (wen_spencer)
340 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/SF

At first I only read the first two pages and put it down, because it felt very much like weird urban fantasy-SF and didn't seem like my kind of thing. But one night I was bored and in the mood for a romance, and I remembered an Alphan recommending this book for the romance, so I flipped to somewhere in the middle and started reading.

Wow, that was a long sentence. Anyway, it hooked me. I read to the end and then went back and read the beginning, and it suddenly seemed a lot more dynamic. Because I was already invested in the characters--Tinker and Windwolf especially--so I cared. The beginning takes a while to establish that this is a fantasy-cyberpunk romance, so it came close to losing me because I don't much like cyberpunk. Or anything-punk, actually, because mannerpunk is fantasy of manners, damnit.

Only side-effect of reading way in the wrong order: I didn't like Riki very much. But I loved Tinker's real name, especially the scene with the NSA agents. And the elves were cool, though their names grated on my nerves sometimes.

The cover, by the way, is hideous. Ignore it; not the author's fault.

Imperial Woman, by Pearl S. Buck (unfinished)

Imperial Woman
by Pearl S. Buck
376 pages (hardcover)
Genre: Fiction/Historical

Got to page 95 before realizing that I didn't really need or want to slog through the rest. The publication date is 1956, and the dry prose is characteristic of older historical novels. Omniscient POV was annoying, too. I really wanted to like this, because I love historicals about Empress Ci Xi, but alas, it was not to be.


And I'll stop the post-spam now, honest.

Questions Meme

1. Leave me a casual comment of no particular significance, like a lyric to your current favorite song, or your favorite kind of sandwich, maybe your favorite game. Any remark, meaningless or not.
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3. Update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
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I would like to add that if you aren't on my friends list, please comment with a link to your post once you do the meme.

( Questions from yhlee... )