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smiley_c 's review for:
The Golem's Eye
by Jonathan Stroud
In all honesty I'm rather disappointed. The first part is a complete drag: even now I just can't remember what happened at all. The final part does take off, and it got better with all the suspense and action, but still, the ending doesn't feel too satisfying. It's decent, alright, though sometimes it feels like a chore to chug through it.
I remember someone asking if good plot or good characters matter more in a book, now I think good characters are the most important. Sadly, though the 3 protagonists are well written, they aren't especially likeable. I'm surprised that I look forward to Bartimaeus' POVs the most -- his lightheartedness is very much needed to lift the mood (the footstool in the pentacle being an actual footstool, not a demon's uncreative form lol). Kitty's were alright but doesn't draw me in -- I could imagine Scarlett McCain inspired by her (funny how I find her closer to Scarlett than Lucy, if not in personality than choice of weapons). Nathaniel wasn't much better -- if he doesn't go through a major redemption arc in the next book I will be sorely disappointed.
The conspiracy plot is fairly obvious, so there wasn't really much room for twists and surprises. The world building doesn't seem to expand too much from the last one, except to reinforce that magic corrupts people and commoners have to suffer for it, and also the police are werewolves. Woof.
I didn't know Kitty-Bartimaeus conversation is something I dearly need.
I agree with what a review I've seen refers to as the middle child syndrome, where the middle book of a series lacks something. Yes, you get over the initial thrill of a new series, but haven't reached the epic conclusion yet, so you'll have to contend with some filler content somewhat. The book isn't bad, but it's a disappointment from the first one, (and don't get me started on Lockwood and Co or Scarlett and Browne-- but it's truly amazing to see how Jonathan Stroud's style refines and how his later works echo some elements from his previous stories!)
I remember someone asking if good plot or good characters matter more in a book, now I think good characters are the most important. Sadly, though the 3 protagonists are well written, they aren't especially likeable. I'm surprised that I look forward to Bartimaeus' POVs the most -- his lightheartedness is very much needed to lift the mood (the footstool in the pentacle being an actual footstool, not a demon's uncreative form lol). Kitty's were alright but doesn't draw me in -- I could imagine Scarlett McCain inspired by her (funny how I find her closer to Scarlett than Lucy, if not in personality than choice of weapons). Nathaniel wasn't much better -- if he doesn't go through a major redemption arc in the next book I will be sorely disappointed.
The conspiracy plot is fairly obvious, so there wasn't really much room for twists and surprises. The world building doesn't seem to expand too much from the last one, except to reinforce that magic corrupts people and commoners have to suffer for it, and also the police are werewolves. Woof.
Spoiler
One of the few good parts is where Nathaniel meet Kitty FINALLY. Our 2 enemies (hopefully to friends in the next book, though I can't see how it's possible) confronting each other had me shouting with joy. Sadly there aren't much scenes more of them together in this book!I didn't know Kitty-Bartimaeus conversation is something I dearly need.
I agree with what a review I've seen refers to as the middle child syndrome, where the middle book of a series lacks something. Yes, you get over the initial thrill of a new series, but haven't reached the epic conclusion yet, so you'll have to contend with some filler content somewhat. The book isn't bad, but it's a disappointment from the first one, (and don't get me started on Lockwood and Co or Scarlett and Browne-- but it's truly amazing to see how Jonathan Stroud's style refines and how his later works echo some elements from his previous stories!)