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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
You can certainly see the influence on CS Lewis in this classic pre-Tolkien fantasy novel!
It takes a while to get into the story, and it has a strange dreamlike quality. However, once things get properly started, it's an intriguing read. It's worth it for the white leopard shifter women, who are some of the best aspects of this story, and I'd love to read a spinoff from the perspective of Lady Mara.
As can be expected, there are some profound spiritual lessons portrayed here, but it avoids being preachy. The style is also old-fashioned, but that's to be expected with a book that is, after all, old. It's got moments of charm and quirkiness, and also some very sinister moments. I was left with an impression of moonlight and silver - and those shapeshifting leopardesses.
One thing that could have been developed better would have been to clarify the age of Lona, as I thought she was a little kid at first, but it turned out that she's older - old enough to be the true love of the narrator. One also wants to kick the narrator at times for continually ignoring the advice of Mr Raven/Adam, almost getting into TSTL territory.
It takes a while to get into the story, and it has a strange dreamlike quality. However, once things get properly started, it's an intriguing read. It's worth it for the white leopard shifter women, who are some of the best aspects of this story, and I'd love to read a spinoff from the perspective of Lady Mara.
As can be expected, there are some profound spiritual lessons portrayed here, but it avoids being preachy. The style is also old-fashioned, but that's to be expected with a book that is, after all, old. It's got moments of charm and quirkiness, and also some very sinister moments. I was left with an impression of moonlight and silver - and those shapeshifting leopardesses.
One thing that could have been developed better would have been to clarify the age of Lona, as I thought she was a little kid at first, but it turned out that she's older - old enough to be the true love of the narrator. One also wants to kick the narrator at times for continually ignoring the advice of Mr Raven/Adam, almost getting into TSTL territory.
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I only read "Phantastes" this time...I'll come back to "Lilith" some other time.
This book reads like it was originally just the author writing down a weird fever dream they had and then during the second draft they started adding some symbolism, meaning, and profound sentences to the book. The beginning of the book is more weird and random, the middle has some horror, and the end is religious. Though what would you expect with a fantasy book named Lilith. My favorite part of the book is when he first meets the sexton/raven/librarian. It was so weird and the tone shift from confusion to terror was beautifully done.
Overall all of the imagery throughout the book was great. Also the book does a great job at keeping you entertained with all the weird and terrifying characters and scenarios. If you ever wanted a darker Alice in wonderland this book is a must read.
Overall all of the imagery throughout the book was great. Also the book does a great job at keeping you entertained with all the weird and terrifying characters and scenarios. If you ever wanted a darker Alice in wonderland this book is a must read.
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Religious diatribe dressed up as a rather confusing fantasy tale + misogyny. C. S. Lewis did it better.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated