starshift18

A long time ago someone gave me this book, and so I did some research to see what it was about and if I would like it or not. What I read on a number of reviews here on Goodreads was sufficient to convince me I wouldn't really enjoy it. and so I gave the book away, and moved on. Recently my husband discovered audio books, and started listening to this. So me hearing bits and pieces of it was inevitable. and based on what I heard, I'm glad I didn't waste my time on the book. For one thing, the focus in the storyline on conjurations and various forms of demons was just creepy. In much the same way I didn't love Sabriel, I didn't love the world in which this story was set. Bartimaues wasn't a bad character, and perhaps if the story had only focused on him, I might have enjoyed it. But the story also starred the little punk Nathaniel/ John. I was not impressed. He may have been motivated and precocious, but he was also a little jerk. Bossy and rude and wrapped up in himself. I found that every time the story veered into telling more about him, and showing his behavior, I was annoyed. Yes, there were moments of kindness and good character, but they were sandwiched between his unpleasantness. And all the psychoanalysis attempts at his motivation couldn't change the fact that I simply couldn't enjoy a book about his character. Yes, he lived an unenviable life, and faced emotional deprivation, but that didn't make him more pleasant or enjoyable to read about. So unless my husband chooses to listen to the remaining books in the trilogy, I won't be following up on this. I've got better things to do.

2023-07-22 00:04