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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Basically, my favorite book of all times. Nothing beats it, man.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3 stars for how much I enjoyed it - too much angst and tragedy for me
5 stars for the quality of the book
Spoilers abound:
The beginning was slow, but enjoyable. It puzzled me though, how much the author disobeyed the "show, don't tell" rule. Certain years of Ash's life would be summarized in a few paragraphs.
I loved when Ash was accompanying the travelers from Karidkote and negotiating in Bhithor. The various threads of plotting and intrigue were very interesting to read.
Then more angst and moping because he can't have Juli. And ignores the advice of everyone - literally absolutely every single person - that marrying her is a terrible idea and wouldn't work in Indian or British societies. Then he has to rescue her and is a fool and sacrifices all of his friends and his beloved horse. I had already lost interest by this point, but then we move back to the Guides (who all think he should not have married Juli) and then to Afghanistan (which I only skimmed, hoping for relief). And then, when they have lost all other friends and relatives, they ride out in search of a place where they can live in happiness, that is neither Indian nor British culture. "And it may even be that they found their Kingdom."
I don't know what kind of ending I wanted, but it so definitely was NOT THAT. No happily ever after? No killed under an avalanche, putting a final tragedy on this tale of woe? 1200 pages and all I get is a MAYBE? Hmph.
5 stars for the quality of the book
Spoilers abound:
The beginning was slow, but enjoyable. It puzzled me though, how much the author disobeyed the "show, don't tell" rule. Certain years of Ash's life would be summarized in a few paragraphs.
I loved when Ash was accompanying the travelers from Karidkote and negotiating in Bhithor. The various threads of plotting and intrigue were very interesting to read.
Then more angst and moping because he can't have Juli. And ignores the advice of everyone - literally absolutely every single person - that marrying her is a terrible idea and wouldn't work in Indian or British societies. Then he has to rescue her and is a fool and sacrifices all of his friends and his beloved horse. I had already lost interest by this point, but then we move back to the Guides (who all think he should not have married Juli) and then to Afghanistan (which I only skimmed, hoping for relief). And then, when they have lost all other friends and relatives, they ride out in search of a place where they can live in happiness, that is neither Indian nor British culture. "And it may even be that they found their Kingdom."
I don't know what kind of ending I wanted, but it so definitely was NOT THAT. No happily ever after? No killed under an avalanche, putting a final tragedy on this tale of woe? 1200 pages and all I get is a MAYBE? Hmph.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is classic adventure/travel/historical fiction/romance (not the kind with the flowing locks and frilly men-shirts and naughty sections, though). It's her best book, and even after having read it three times, I get caught up in every bit of it. Inspires those dumb cover blurbs like "sweeps you away" but it always leaves me breathless.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced