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A review by rolien
Battleaxe by Sara Douglass
2.0
This is a book which really disappointed me. The book is terribly clichéd. There's an evil force in the north, which according to prophecy has to be stopped by a group of people of various backgrounds and races, who find it difficult to get along. Not original at all. This doesn't have to be a problem if some other aspects of the book would stand out in quality (e.g. characters, world-building, etc.). Alas, I haven't really found too many redeeming qualities in this book.
My main complaint, however, is the fact characters are lacking in depth. They are stereotyped string dolls, victims of a prophecy which derives them of making their own choices (and making them feel like human beings). Just a comparison: George R.R. Martin will make me care more about a small character in one paragraph, than Douglass does with the main characters in the whole book! I neither like nor dislike them; they just did not come 'alive' for me. The 'good guys' are too perfect; everything they do is easily achieved, for example the use of magic. Characters make decisions quickly, without a lot of contemplation (if there’s contemplation, it’s usually packed in one paragraph). This makes me feel making difficult decisions is not difficult at all. It's a shame, because this could have been an opportunity for fleshing out the characters. Because they are puppets to the prophecy, there seems to be little chance for internal mental struggle. It takes away responsibilities and choices for the characters. Too bad, a book without believable well written characters usually fails to appeal to me.
One of the stronger points of the book, and probably one of the reasons there's a big group of people who actually like it, is the pacing of the story. If it wasn't for the clichéd, predictable plot twists and the soulless characters it could have been an exciting book.
A traditional, clichéd epic fantasy which fails to entice me because it’s too predictable and has meagre characterizations of the protagonists. The pacing is good, however, and the book will possibly appeal to fantasy fans who are less demanding concerning depth of characters and originality in their books.
My main complaint, however, is the fact characters are lacking in depth. They are stereotyped string dolls, victims of a prophecy which derives them of making their own choices (and making them feel like human beings). Just a comparison: George R.R. Martin will make me care more about a small character in one paragraph, than Douglass does with the main characters in the whole book! I neither like nor dislike them; they just did not come 'alive' for me. The 'good guys' are too perfect; everything they do is easily achieved, for example the use of magic. Characters make decisions quickly, without a lot of contemplation (if there’s contemplation, it’s usually packed in one paragraph). This makes me feel making difficult decisions is not difficult at all. It's a shame, because this could have been an opportunity for fleshing out the characters. Because they are puppets to the prophecy, there seems to be little chance for internal mental struggle. It takes away responsibilities and choices for the characters. Too bad, a book without believable well written characters usually fails to appeal to me.
One of the stronger points of the book, and probably one of the reasons there's a big group of people who actually like it, is the pacing of the story. If it wasn't for the clichéd, predictable plot twists and the soulless characters it could have been an exciting book.
A traditional, clichéd epic fantasy which fails to entice me because it’s too predictable and has meagre characterizations of the protagonists. The pacing is good, however, and the book will possibly appeal to fantasy fans who are less demanding concerning depth of characters and originality in their books.