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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
First in the Mither Mages series. Clever concept explaining lots of myths and legends.
I've read everything by OSC, so my critique is a bit pithy. OSC is getting lazy and it shows. There is no difference in the voices of the characters anymore and, indeed, no difference in his own voice in the afterword. His politics and beliefs so subtly pervade his stories in the most grating and irritating of ways. Women are always subservient. Men are always the saviors. I loved OSC when I was a teenager, but now I see him as just another misogynistic homophobic white guy and I want to run back to the stories of better authors with more interesting stories to tell where women are allowed to be human instead of objects, people of color exist, and the narrative tension rests as much on the intriguing characters as it does on good writing. Also, don't create magic systems that are so boring and require so MUCH exposition to learn. Get ON with the story already.
P.S. the unrelenting horror of trapping a woman and her children in solitary confinement inside of travel trunks for any length of time is absolutely HORRIFYING and it speaks so very much about the author that his character gives almost no pause to consider what he's done. As usual, women are objects meant only to illustrate the motivations of the men in the story and children are only interesting in their potential to become men and, therefore, "important" to the story. The sexism is relentless and exhausting.
P.S. the unrelenting horror of trapping a woman and her children in solitary confinement inside of travel trunks for any length of time is absolutely HORRIFYING and it speaks so very much about the author that his character gives almost no pause to consider what he's done. As usual, women are objects meant only to illustrate the motivations of the men in the story and children are only interesting in their potential to become men and, therefore, "important" to the story. The sexism is relentless and exhausting.
It was a four until he got to high school. When talking about researching teens he says he's been reading YA books but actually lists Juvenile titles and then when he is in school he acts like he's 12, not 16. Disappointing. However, I really enjoyed the magic and the myths.
This was a surprising read! I knew I wanted to read this book for a while, but I kept putting it off. When I finally picked it up, I was pleasantly surprised with the connection to Norse Mythology. This book, as expected, it was a well put together books. Great pace, great characters, and interesting settings. I liked the split perspective! Honestly, it gave me a soft spot for an underappreciated brother of a Norse God. It made me want to read up on all the other ancient gods too!
This Book has been on my reading shelf for so long. It is bittersweet to have finished it. This novel has reminded me why I love Orson Scott Card’s work. He weaves a beautiful universe that is engaging and thought out. Most heartbreakingly is Wad’s story within the story. But sadly that you knew going in that it was going to end that way. I look forward to the other Mither Mage books.
I appreciate Card's ability to create a detailed world and interesting characters. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Good story but there didn't seem to be much closure at the end of the story. I'm assuming this is going to be the first in a series...
Interesting, but not quite what I was looking for. Too much adolescent angst and not enough actual theological commentary as I wanted - which is no real fault of the author, but still made the book feel too shallow for me.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 almost 4 stars. I enjoyed the magic system and story. Some of it felt a bit rushed but overall I liked it a lot. The narrators were a bit strange but I’m keen to see where the story goes.