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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
It's been a while since I've read anything by Orson Scott Card, and my wife brought this home from the library for me one day. To some extent the premise is pretty standard (coming of age story about a boy who realizes he is something far more special than he could imagine) but the universe in which Card builds this out in starts to draw you in.
This is an "urban fantasy" so after the first few pages of the opening chapter, you're left wondering where or when you are. Soon, references to Walmart, the Internet, and other modern day things gives a whole new dimension to the story at hand. The world that Card has created is rather immense, especially when it comes to the "rules" of magic that are involved, which can be a little overwhelming at times. You're taken on a journey of discovery as Danny learns new things and Card does a good job at providing the same awe or confusion that he is going through.
The final confrontation and ending seemed a bit rushed, but considering there are more books in the series it feels as if there is a lot more going on to complete the story. I'm looking forward to finishing off the saga, but probably not with the same gusto that I have in the past with the Ender and Bean series.
This is an "urban fantasy" so after the first few pages of the opening chapter, you're left wondering where or when you are. Soon, references to Walmart, the Internet, and other modern day things gives a whole new dimension to the story at hand. The world that Card has created is rather immense, especially when it comes to the "rules" of magic that are involved, which can be a little overwhelming at times. You're taken on a journey of discovery as Danny learns new things and Card does a good job at providing the same awe or confusion that he is going through.
The final confrontation and ending seemed a bit rushed, but considering there are more books in the series it feels as if there is a lot more going on to complete the story. I'm looking forward to finishing off the saga, but probably not with the same gusto that I have in the past with the Ender and Bean series.
It wasn't a horrible book, but it isn't one that I'll be actively seeking the last two of. I did enjoy the turn of events brought about by the end of the book and it wasn't exactly what I expected, but the story along the way didn't suck me in like I normally find myself with other books. I was actually hoping that by the end of the book I would be jumping to find out more, but I almost feel like there just wasn't enough to have me completely in love with the characters.
For me the beginning was a bit all over the place and I wasn't exactly sure what was fully going on until further in the book. By the time I figured out we were following two people it made a little more sense to me. It still took me longer than I would have liked and all because I was reading a book and not really transported into this world with the characters.
For me the beginning was a bit all over the place and I wasn't exactly sure what was fully going on until further in the book. By the time I figured out we were following two people it made a little more sense to me. It still took me longer than I would have liked and all because I was reading a book and not really transported into this world with the characters.
adventurous
mysterious
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:
No
Another impulse pick from the library. I gobbled this up like a bowl of potato chips. Like potato chips, it's probably not terribly good for me. While reading this I found myself muttering "not another story about a precocious/powerful/mischievous/misunderstood little boy saving the world....please". I mean OSC, we already have Alvin and Ender? Maybe you might like to make your protagonist a little girl or god forbid an adult at some point? Danny, the boy in question was kind of hard to like, but you forced me to anyway. But it was really the magic system that kept me going. Elemental magic is not an unusual trope in a fantasy setting, but it was an interesting twist to have one the 'elements' be space time itself. This turned out to be a fun and fluffy little read. I hope my library gets the second book in the series.
Fantasy! This is what fairy tales used to be, bright stories for grown ups! I cannot wait to read the next one.
REVIEW OF THE ENTIRE MITHERMAGES TRILOGY:
I think I've learned my lesson: the Enderverse is good. OSC's other books are not. Or at least, they are not for me. [Mature content discussed in this review.]
This one has an interesting premise, and I enjoyed certain scenes/characters, but there were a few major problems that made me decided to never reread (and probably never try OSC's fantasy ever again):
- Unnecessary sexual content including public nudity, semi-explicit sex scenes, a demon attempting to force someone to have sex with someone else, and non-consensual polygamy/adultery including fade-to-black sex scenes and discussion of sex.
- Incredibly confusing magic system. I know OSC likes to confuse his readers (at least that's how it seems), but this was ridiculous. Even worse than philotes.
- I did NOT like the love interest.
- My favorite character got killed. It was supposed to be a beautiful, sacrificial scene, but I was just MAD.
Good things: the characters felt real, the alternate world (an Asgard-type place) was awesome, ancient myths were woven in well, some cool stuff in Washington DC, Danny had a major change of heart and became a semi-"good person"
So I wouldn't recommend this book (or really any of OSC's work except the Enderverse, with some caveats). But I would like someone to write an exploration of Norse mythology in modern times without excessive sexual content.
I think I've learned my lesson: the Enderverse is good. OSC's other books are not. Or at least, they are not for me. [Mature content discussed in this review.]
This one has an interesting premise, and I enjoyed certain scenes/characters, but there were a few major problems that made me decided to never reread (and probably never try OSC's fantasy ever again):
- Unnecessary sexual content including public nudity, semi-explicit sex scenes, a demon attempting to force someone to have sex with someone else, and non-consensual polygamy/adultery including fade-to-black sex scenes and discussion of sex.
- Incredibly confusing magic system. I know OSC likes to confuse his readers (at least that's how it seems), but this was ridiculous. Even worse than philotes.
- I did NOT like the love interest.
- My favorite character got killed. It was supposed to be a beautiful, sacrificial scene, but I was just MAD.
Good things: the characters felt real, the alternate world (an Asgard-type place) was awesome, ancient myths were woven in well, some cool stuff in Washington DC, Danny had a major change of heart and became a semi-"good person"
So I wouldn't recommend this book (or really any of OSC's work except the Enderverse, with some caveats). But I would like someone to write an exploration of Norse mythology in modern times without excessive sexual content.
not my favorite OSC, but i liked it and will probably read the next ones :)
I keep hoping the next OSC book I read is going to be the next one I really love. I REALLY loved some of his early work, and keep waiting for him to meet those expectations, but coming up lacking. This book wasn't as far lacking as some others I've read recently, but it wasn't the next Ender's Game or Pastwatch.
For starters, I had serious difficulty getting behind Danny as a character I could root for. For a 12- to 16-year-old kid, he was kind of an asshole. He was too smart and too trickstery, lacking in comprehension and compassion. He did see some personal growth by the end, but it was awfully slow coming.
I liked the bits about Wad best, though reading them, I had to wonder at this being a YA novel. Seemed a bit steamy (which is probably just to say I've lost touch with the YA genre...).
The plot dragged a bit through the middle, though the pace picked up very near the end. Getting the Greek girl back into the story perked up my interest again, but then it was just over. So...
I own the second book (thanks, Bargain Bin), so I'll probably read it eventually.
For starters, I had serious difficulty getting behind Danny as a character I could root for. For a 12- to 16-year-old kid, he was kind of an asshole. He was too smart and too trickstery, lacking in comprehension and compassion. He did see some personal growth by the end, but it was awfully slow coming.
I liked the bits about Wad best, though reading them, I had to wonder at this being a YA novel. Seemed a bit steamy (which is probably just to say I've lost touch with the YA genre...).
The plot dragged a bit through the middle, though the pace picked up very near the end. Getting the Greek girl back into the story perked up my interest again, but then it was just over. So...
I own the second book (thanks, Bargain Bin), so I'll probably read it eventually.
4 ⭐️
I had never heard of this series, but I’m so happy I stumbled across it today. This is the perfect mix of fantasy, humor, and trickster mythology that I didn’t know I needed.
I had never heard of this series, but I’m so happy I stumbled across it today. This is the perfect mix of fantasy, humor, and trickster mythology that I didn’t know I needed.