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rowanpendragon's review against another edition
2.0
Welll, it started out great. Then it slowed down. The major problem was the character development. I wanted to slap most of the characters. By and large they didn't behave like anyone I've ever met. I didn't believe them and mostly didn't like them. Well written with an interesting plot but the characters stunk!
infinispace's review against another edition
1.0
One of the most godawful abominations of cliched fantasy I've ever had the displeasure to read. I've got nothing else to say, that about sums it up.
silvernfire's review against another edition
3.0
I read this back in the 1990's when it first came out, and enjoyed it at the time. And I didn't dislike it this time around, but it was more dismal than I remembered.
Although I didn't like the book as much this time, I don't regret reading it. It's hard to find a fantasy book with a protagonist older than her teens or twenties, and Ruth is 30. And I have a soft spot for reading about librarians (or student librarians, as the case may be). Also, I had fun imagining how radically different the story would be if the characters had had cell phones. I will probably reread the next two books in the series as well, but I don't see myself coming back to this book again.
Spoiler
(Naomi's death made the story darker; the dismalness was more the book's overall tone.)Although I didn't like the book as much this time, I don't regret reading it. It's hard to find a fantasy book with a protagonist older than her teens or twenties, and Ruth is 30. And I have a soft spot for reading about librarians (or student librarians, as the case may be). Also, I had fun imagining how radically different the story would be if the characters had had cell phones. I will probably reread the next two books in the series as well, but I don't see myself coming back to this book again.
tricky's review
2.0
It was not the best book I have ever read and though it is a first part, I wont be reading anymore. I did not find the characters all that captivating. The book was a good idea but it was not just my cup of tea.
lauraellis's review
4.0
I love this book. I loved it the first time as a twenty-something lawyer in upstate New York, and I love it now 20 plus years later, and all the times in between.
The only problem with this series is that the author reneged on her implicit promise to the Reader and stopped after book 3.
The only problem with this series is that the author reneged on her implicit promise to the Reader and stopped after book 3.
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