Snakecharm by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Crys > January 24th, 2005, 12:03 AM
I've finally gotten my eager fingers on Snakecharm yesterday, and I quite enjoyed the book. It's been a long way since the first book Ms Atwater-Rhodes wrote; and there's a very obvious improvement of both themes and subject matter and writing. Before, there were so really obvious affinity with Anne Rice and Laurell K Hamilton, but with Hawksong (and Snakecharm), I see that she has broken out of that mould.
Things I enjoy:
Fresh subject, fresh theme, a good world with some history and world building. Even the language and names are fun. I personally enjoy the descriptions, and that the author is able to bring me into that world. And I love the way her grasp of language improves with each book! :clap:
Things I don't enjoy as much:
There is, unfortunately, no climax in the book. No buildup, hence no climax, hence no anticlimax, hence no sense of high peaks and low valleys. The book is like a chronicles of facts, albeit very well written. But it lacks a little story factor, the way the plot moves. So it develops to a bit of a monotone.
I also see Zane as a weaker narrator than Danica. ie the author has a weaker grasp of Zane than Danica. With Hawksong, Danica comes across as an interesting, compassionate character, and Zane as a fascinating creature that does seems to catch the imagination. Unfortunately, now that Zane is the narrator, it somehows lose that compelling X factor and become a not as interesting hero. And Danica has less than nothing to do in the book. She's not particularly compelling either. Although I must admit, I like the portrayal of Rei.
Romance is weak. But it is still an improvement compared to the earlier novels. The other pair besides Zane and Danica just doesn't have the X factor either.
All that said, I did enjoy the book. I like the ending, which at least gives a sense of finale. I like how she puts the little poem/verse/whatever at the end. In my opinion, it's a good read. :bounce:
Crys