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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
This series just gets better as we get to know the Jason and his friends at deeper levels. This is perhaps my favorite so far in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
I’ve enjoyed this series – until now
What has made this a good series (up until now)? The humor. The personal relationships. Jason’s perseverance despite great odds against him. Jason’s irreverence toward those who are used to fawning reverence. The scheming of those in power. The hugely diverse set of increasingly physically and magically deadly monsters. And Jason’s interesting combination of subtle aura control yet extreme aura power.
With this book, there’s way too much about matters of aura, soul and astral forces. . Trying to explain the increasing esoteric aspects of these forces goes on for pages and pages and pages. Basically, Shirtaloon used a lot of words to try and describe how these forces work within the universe he has imagined. But it was like reading a textbook about astrology; that is, not interesting and ultimately just nonsense.
To me, the most humorous exchanges are between Jason and Shade. Shade’s observations on the obviously most reasonable course of action (in response to what Jason just said or did) are dry wit at its finest. I wish there had been more such conversations. But overall, there is simply less humor in this book because the author seemed too preoccupied with aura, soul and astral forces.
There were also less pages spent on personal relationships. I think Jason spends more time with Dawn than anyone else. But a friendly relationship between silver ranker and diamond ranker is hard to easily imagine. What do Jason and Dawn mostly talk about? If you guessed “aura, soul and astral forces”, then you guessed right.
Unlike the previous book, there was very little palace intrigue either (unfortunately). Indeed, those in the palace were more interested in knowing what Jason might be doing than with using Jason for their own nefarious schemes.
Nor is there much monster fighting, though I was fine with that as monster fighting alone can’t really carry the story forward (except for its level-up potential).
Bottom line: I’ve been a fan of this series, but this 8th book was a bust -- and not just because Jason is no longer the personable and lovable underdog. There was just too much explanation of imaginary metaphysics. Had this been the first book in the series, there would not have any readers around wanting to read a second book.
What has made this a good series (up until now)? The humor. The personal relationships. Jason’s perseverance despite great odds against him. Jason’s irreverence toward those who are used to fawning reverence. The scheming of those in power. The hugely diverse set of increasingly physically and magically deadly monsters. And Jason’s interesting combination of subtle aura control yet extreme aura power.
With this book, there’s way too much about matters of aura, soul and astral forces. . Trying to explain the increasing esoteric aspects of these forces goes on for pages and pages and pages. Basically, Shirtaloon used a lot of words to try and describe how these forces work within the universe he has imagined. But it was like reading a textbook about astrology; that is, not interesting and ultimately just nonsense.
To me, the most humorous exchanges are between Jason and Shade. Shade’s observations on the obviously most reasonable course of action (in response to what Jason just said or did) are dry wit at its finest. I wish there had been more such conversations. But overall, there is simply less humor in this book because the author seemed too preoccupied with aura, soul and astral forces.
There were also less pages spent on personal relationships. I think Jason spends more time with Dawn than anyone else. But a friendly relationship between silver ranker and diamond ranker is hard to easily imagine. What do Jason and Dawn mostly talk about? If you guessed “aura, soul and astral forces”, then you guessed right.
Unlike the previous book, there was very little palace intrigue either (unfortunately). Indeed, those in the palace were more interested in knowing what Jason might be doing than with using Jason for their own nefarious schemes.
Nor is there much monster fighting, though I was fine with that as monster fighting alone can’t really carry the story forward (except for its level-up potential).
Bottom line: I’ve been a fan of this series, but this 8th book was a bust -- and not just because Jason is no longer the personable and lovable underdog. There was just too much explanation of imaginary metaphysics. Had this been the first book in the series, there would not have any readers around wanting to read a second book.