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A review by fipah
The Winter Knights by Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell
2.0
2 stars = it was semi OK
This short book left me feeling kind of meh...
1.) It is clearly aimed at children, yet despite knowing it is not necessarily an adult's book I do truly mean this following critique: the plot seems shallow, simply A,B,C happen and the day is unimaginatively won. I found it less quirky than the first Edge book.
2.) I feel it was shallow because the characters and their stories told held no real lessons and/or interesting concepts for children to learn from or empathise with: the variegated figures that appear in the book may be different by their looks or their quaint race, yet they feel like empty vessels carrying a name, saying some select phrases and maintaining their uninspired roles they hold in the story.
3.) Moreover, some of the plot's resolutions I found utterly disturbing and dangerous while still taking into account the rudimentary level of the story. For example, the protagonist literally bought three slaves; this act was portrayed as freeing them. The freed ones were, of course, automatically grateful and assumed the role of protagonist's servants/employees. It felt rushed and only served to accelerate the plot and offer a solution quickly. Again, the characters carried no real agency over their lives and merely served the oversimplistic plot. Don't get me wrong, fairy tales sure are simpler, yet this is book is the wrong simple.
Recommended only if you have really enjoyed the first book and you don't mind the fact that the plot and characters, despite the exotic setting, are lacklustre and vapid.
This short book left me feeling kind of meh...
1.) It is clearly aimed at children, yet despite knowing it is not necessarily an adult's book I do truly mean this following critique: the plot seems shallow, simply A,B,C happen and the day is unimaginatively won. I found it less quirky than the first Edge book.
2.) I feel it was shallow because the characters and their stories told held no real lessons and/or interesting concepts for children to learn from or empathise with: the variegated figures that appear in the book may be different by their looks or their quaint race, yet they feel like empty vessels carrying a name, saying some select phrases and maintaining their uninspired roles they hold in the story.
3.) Moreover, some of the plot's resolutions I found utterly disturbing and dangerous while still taking into account the rudimentary level of the story. For example, the protagonist literally bought three slaves; this act was portrayed as freeing them. The freed ones were, of course, automatically grateful and assumed the role of protagonist's servants/employees. It felt rushed and only served to accelerate the plot and offer a solution quickly. Again, the characters carried no real agency over their lives and merely served the oversimplistic plot. Don't get me wrong, fairy tales sure are simpler, yet this is book is the wrong simple.
Recommended only if you have really enjoyed the first book and you don't mind the fact that the plot and characters, despite the exotic setting, are lacklustre and vapid.