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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
This was an interesting book. It didn't amaze me, but I did find some of the plot lines intriguing enough that I will probably read the next book.
The way the drowthers were talked about was off-putting to me. I don't know if it was meant to display character development in Danny or to show the culture of his people, but I didn't like it. Danny and Wad were difficult protagonists to like at times. Danny was so foolish after he left home, while at home he had been so careful. That didn't make sense to me. The parts about him stealing, etc. in DC were tiresome to me.
I enjoyed the plotline of the other world, with Wad, much more.
I enjoyed the plotline of the other world, with Wad, much more.
2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge: A book with a book on the cover.
I remembered why I did not finish this last year. I did not like the book at all. The book got marginally more interesting in the last 10% where there was a major plot twist, but even that wasn't enough to make me want to read the next book in the series.
As many have stated in their reviews, this book is full of dialogue. Very little is left to the reader's imagination and we are bombarded with the thoughts of teenage Danny.
I remembered why I did not finish this last year. I did not like the book at all. The book got marginally more interesting in the last 10% where there was a major plot twist, but even that wasn't enough to make me want to read the next book in the series.
As many have stated in their reviews, this book is full of dialogue. Very little is left to the reader's imagination and we are bombarded with the thoughts of teenage Danny.
Interesting magic/world, but the plot became more focused on a generic/not remotely interesting take on a teenage coming of age with generic characters. Author clearly has issues with sex too, and no sense of minutiae
I like the originality of the plot. I love that Card does what he does best in this book, by allowing the depth and detail to evolve and grow in the reader's imagination. This seems a magic trick to me, but it may be that by explaining his characters so well, one is able to see from their eyes. I did feel like parts of this book were heavy-handed with philosophical views that weren't needed in this kind of book. I would rather see a character change his actions as he develops ideas and morals, rather than having to listen to that character think about those ideas and morals.
This is a 3.5 star rating rounded down. I enjoyed the magical aspects and the way that two narratives that seemed to be mysteriously unrelated wound together in the end. I thought that the scenes in the family compound were interesting and I enjoyed learning about the culture around the magic that developed in our world after they were cut off from the great gates.
There were definitely things I wasn't wild about, though. For example, the sexual assault on the main character who was 13 at the time, why was that included? I didn't feel that it was handled great, or the explanation given for the character that did the assault. It didn't seem to serve any purpose to the book other than the straight male point of view and detailed description of a grown woman assaulting this child. I know it isn't a large portion of the book, but the discomfort stuck with me.
I feel as thought the female characters in general left something to be desired, which alienated me as a female reader. I don't know that I like the magic and fantasy aspects enough to continue if this is what the rest of the series is like as well.
There were definitely things I wasn't wild about, though. For example, the sexual assault on the main character who was 13 at the time, why was that included? I didn't feel that it was handled great, or the explanation given for the character that did the assault. It didn't seem to serve any purpose to the book other than the straight male point of view and detailed description of a grown woman assaulting this child. I know it isn't a large portion of the book, but the discomfort stuck with me.
I feel as thought the female characters in general left something to be desired, which alienated me as a female reader. I don't know that I like the magic and fantasy aspects enough to continue if this is what the rest of the series is like as well.
This was an amazing book. Fact. However, I could only give it four out of five stars, because something about Orson Scott Card's writing bugs me. I can't explain it. I love his stories. But his writing, I just, I dunno. His characters have such smug voices! I dunno. You know?
I received an ARC of this book through Goodreads First Reads, and I couldn't be more pleased with the result. The delivery was prompt --I got the book within three days of being notified about my status as a winner-- and the book was in excellent condition. I hope to be so lucky as to win more from First Reads in the future.
Now, on to the book review. Compared to Card's other works, I was not as impressed with The Lost Gate; however, I will compliment it in saying that it was not due to my general dislike of urban fantasy. In fact, I rather liked the way that element was presented. As something of a mythology buff, I have always enjoyed books which pull in the mythology of the World, and this was done quite effectively in The Lost Gate. In fact, it is a central point of the book, as the main character, Danny North, is a mage, the descendant of beings from another world who have used their magic to convince humans that they are gods. (Okay, so it's a little Stargate-y, but still...)
The clans have lost their power due to the sealing of a gate and in order to maintain balance, all gatemages who are born into the clans must be killed. Naturally, enter Danny, the clan reject, and amazingly enough, a Gatemage! I found that whole discovery and the way it was presented a little... rushed. But, once again, that's a stylistic choice that's different for every author.
My main issue with the book, aside from small stylistic details like the one mentioned above, is the main character himself. I realize, in the style of a Loki-like character, Danny is a trickster, but I found him altogether... well, simply not likable! He was insubordinate, smart-mouthed and made foolhardy decisions. Even when he learned from his mistakes, he still didn't seem to think about his actions. I realize that this was necessary to build this type of character, but as a hero, it was hard to root for his victory, especially by the point that I had figured out who the Gate-Snatcher was.
Which brings me to my praise of the book. I particularly thought the story line concerning the Gate-Snatcher and his life after being sealed away was particularly interesting, though tragic. Card certainly pulled no punches where that was concerned. I look forward to the next book in the series in the hopes that he will further expand on the history of the Gate-Snatcher, and his reasons for being sealed away.
Overall, the plot line was interesting, though predictable, and most of the characters, aside from the main one, were likable and interesting. While it was not the best of Card's works as far as characterization (Danny was no Bean) nor complex plot devices that leave you a little shocked (as utilized in his earlier work, Treason, which I read earlier this year), I will definitely read the next one. All along the way, this novel felt very much like a set-up for something bigger; it gave you a history so you can understand what will happen in the rest of the series, and I hope that the future books will take more time to expand on the story into which Card has obviously put so much time and thought.
Now, on to the book review. Compared to Card's other works, I was not as impressed with The Lost Gate; however, I will compliment it in saying that it was not due to my general dislike of urban fantasy. In fact, I rather liked the way that element was presented. As something of a mythology buff, I have always enjoyed books which pull in the mythology of the World, and this was done quite effectively in The Lost Gate. In fact, it is a central point of the book, as the main character, Danny North, is a mage, the descendant of beings from another world who have used their magic to convince humans that they are gods. (Okay, so it's a little Stargate-y, but still...)
The clans have lost their power due to the sealing of a gate and in order to maintain balance, all gatemages who are born into the clans must be killed. Naturally, enter Danny, the clan reject, and amazingly enough, a Gatemage! I found that whole discovery and the way it was presented a little... rushed. But, once again, that's a stylistic choice that's different for every author.
My main issue with the book, aside from small stylistic details like the one mentioned above, is the main character himself. I realize, in the style of a Loki-like character, Danny is a trickster, but I found him altogether... well, simply not likable! He was insubordinate, smart-mouthed and made foolhardy decisions. Even when he learned from his mistakes, he still didn't seem to think about his actions. I realize that this was necessary to build this type of character, but as a hero, it was hard to root for his victory, especially by the point that I had figured out who the Gate-Snatcher was.
Which brings me to my praise of the book. I particularly thought the story line concerning the Gate-Snatcher and his life after being sealed away was particularly interesting, though tragic. Card certainly pulled no punches where that was concerned. I look forward to the next book in the series in the hopes that he will further expand on the history of the Gate-Snatcher, and his reasons for being sealed away.
Overall, the plot line was interesting, though predictable, and most of the characters, aside from the main one, were likable and interesting. While it was not the best of Card's works as far as characterization (Danny was no Bean) nor complex plot devices that leave you a little shocked (as utilized in his earlier work, Treason, which I read earlier this year), I will definitely read the next one. All along the way, this novel felt very much like a set-up for something bigger; it gave you a history so you can understand what will happen in the rest of the series, and I hope that the future books will take more time to expand on the story into which Card has obviously put so much time and thought.
I love delving into Card's worlds. This was not my favorite but I am interested to see where the story goes in the following books.
The magic/super power system was nothing innovative, but how it's rules and depiction is shown through the MC and his entire family is dynamic. The MC jumps a lot between relatable and sympathetic to annoyingly dickish when he interacts with normal people, but that makes a more realistic teen I suppose. The flip flop POV between the present day MC and this mysterious, mute servant boy of the past with similar powers to the main protagonist is often and abrupt, it disrupted the flow of the plot constantly for me. The characters were forgettable, I don't even remember the name if the MC, just what his powers were and his pendulum attitude. Despite my complaints it was a decent enough story, just needed better plot flow. In my reading journal I'd give it a C+.
This was the first book by Orson Scott Card that I've started and finished. I did enjoy it and had a hard time putting it down but the ending left much to be desired. It felt to me that the publishing deadline and come and Card had to turn in what he had. I really hope that this is going to be part of a series so the characters have better closer than they did in this.