The Charmed Sphere, by Catherine Asaro
Jul. 9th, 2007 03:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
keilexandraThe Charmed Sphere
by Catherine Asaro
471 pages (trade paperback)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/Romance
Sadly, Asaro's debut fantasy novel doesn't live up to her SF standards. The style is the same, with the same weaknesses--ample description of physical appearances, telling of emotions, almost-but-not-quite perfect characters. But in the Saga of the Skolian Empire, the issues are minimized by overall coherence and excellent science. In this fantasy, the same strengths are present--an intriguing magic system, ultimately imperfect characters, lovely romance--but Asaro never digs herself out of the cliche pit. Fantasy and science fiction are both speculative genres, but it isn't as easy to switch between the two, and in my opinion Asaro severely underestimated the challenge of writing original fantasy. Allow me to list the cliche elements: initial meeting with hidden identity, Chime's beauty, a flat and obviously evil antagonist, special (SPESHUL) and unique mage characters. Virginity makes Chime and Muller's love so much the sweeter--"Knowing they came together new and fresh, by their own choice, sweetened their passion." [p. 265] The couple is also married against all odds, yet readers are told that no one could be forced to marry without giving consent; so why worry about people opposing their union? In fact, many of Asaro's books could do with a final proofreading to detect tiny inconsistencies and typos. Jarid is indeed a fool for not killing Varquelle, and it's obvious setup for the sequel. The geometric magic system is very cool, but the price isn't high enough--a certain miraculous almost-death completely destroyed my respect for the magic. If all that isn't enough, we also have to deal with annoying dramatic irony AKA readers knowing things that the characters don't, which equals no tension. The last sentence of the book: "But whatever labors lay ahead, their intertwined lives and love would make it worthwhile." Okay, I get it, it's a romance and a Happily Ever After; must you scream it in my ear?
My many complaints notwithstanding, this is a bearable if mediocre read. Though I have serious reservations about reading The Misted Cliffs. Character growth is contrived, the narrative suffers from over-telling, and both the prologue and epilogue are unnecessary, but the romance is still compelling. It's a pity, because if I hadn't already tried and loved Asaro's SF, I would surely avoid her work. Recommended only to romance fans not looking for decent fantasy.
by Catherine Asaro
471 pages (trade paperback)
Genre: Fiction/Fantasy/Romance
Sadly, Asaro's debut fantasy novel doesn't live up to her SF standards. The style is the same, with the same weaknesses--ample description of physical appearances, telling of emotions, almost-but-not-quite perfect characters. But in the Saga of the Skolian Empire, the issues are minimized by overall coherence and excellent science. In this fantasy, the same strengths are present--an intriguing magic system, ultimately imperfect characters, lovely romance--but Asaro never digs herself out of the cliche pit. Fantasy and science fiction are both speculative genres, but it isn't as easy to switch between the two, and in my opinion Asaro severely underestimated the challenge of writing original fantasy. Allow me to list the cliche elements: initial meeting with hidden identity, Chime's beauty, a flat and obviously evil antagonist, special (SPESHUL) and unique mage characters. Virginity makes Chime and Muller's love so much the sweeter--"Knowing they came together new and fresh, by their own choice, sweetened their passion." [p. 265] The couple is also married against all odds, yet readers are told that no one could be forced to marry without giving consent; so why worry about people opposing their union? In fact, many of Asaro's books could do with a final proofreading to detect tiny inconsistencies and typos. Jarid is indeed a fool for not killing Varquelle, and it's obvious setup for the sequel. The geometric magic system is very cool, but the price isn't high enough--a certain miraculous almost-death completely destroyed my respect for the magic. If all that isn't enough, we also have to deal with annoying dramatic irony AKA readers knowing things that the characters don't, which equals no tension. The last sentence of the book: "But whatever labors lay ahead, their intertwined lives and love would make it worthwhile." Okay, I get it, it's a romance and a Happily Ever After; must you scream it in my ear?
My many complaints notwithstanding, this is a bearable if mediocre read. Though I have serious reservations about reading The Misted Cliffs. Character growth is contrived, the narrative suffers from over-telling, and both the prologue and epilogue are unnecessary, but the romance is still compelling. It's a pity, because if I hadn't already tried and loved Asaro's SF, I would surely avoid her work. Recommended only to romance fans not looking for decent fantasy.
