Book Reviews

[crisi83]

This is a somewhat off topic post, but I know there are a lot of readers here. I am currently running a one year anniversary contest on my young adult fantasy book review site, Bookwyrm Chrysalis.

The prize is a signed copy of Juliet Marillier’s new book, Cybele’s Secret, which is the sequel to Wildwood Dancing and is currently only available in

Comments

[grimreaperkitty]

I don't usually pick up a book with the intent to deconstruct it, but typically rereads, yes. And then I sort of do it by accident on some books -- if something is off enough to make me wonder (wording, pacing, characterization) then I take a look at why it bugs me and what I'd do to fix it, and that helps me. ((nod))

[crisi83]

Yeah, I really like looking at books that annoyed me. Its easy to study things you like, but often more benificial to try to pick out exactly why you don't like something.

Its strange that I only recently realized how much I like political fiction. I realized that my two favorite books of all time are Summers at Castle Auborn and Crown Duel. The reasons that I like both books are pretty similar: political intrigue, court politics, unexpected romance, girl from a more simplistic life suddenly thrown into a far more complicated world... I only hope I can some how fit these elements that I love into my own fiction.

[felsong]

Those 2 are my fave books too! As well as the Secrets of Jin-shei by Alma Alexander. Wrote a book review for the latter once and it got published in the national paper (I'm from a small island state so it isn't a big deal.
*grins*)

Wanna join your contest but I'm not sure if I'll make the deadline since it's 4th Nov here in Singapore. Yikes..just turned 5th!

[crisi83]

Okay, if those are you two favorite books, than I must check out this other book you mention ^_^ Just reading the summary it sounds like something I would love.
I presume it has romance as well?

[sartorias]

Nodding...I used to have a problem with deconstructing books, but I think I came out the other end of that when I realized that I just had to relax and not mentally try to rewrite the story into "my" story. I'll note something and then dive back in if I'm enjoying the story. I don't finish one I'm not enjoying--not enough time for that!

I do love putting the story on mental "pause" to reread a bit that especially pleases me, tho.

[crisi83]

Hehe, I love pausing and rereading ^_^ I used to do that all the time. These days I don't have as much time for rereading, but I still will pause and just smile for a moment when something really cute happens in the book. I probably look stupid when I suddenly start giggling, but oh well.

[lauroragirl]

I never read "Wildwood Dancing", is it good?

[crisi83]

I really enjoyed it. It’s a fairytale retelling to some degree, a mixture of the Frog Prince and the Twelve Dancing Princesses. It also draws on some Transylvanian fairytale roots, like the tales of Baba Yaga.
Here’s my review - http://yafantasy.com/wildwood-dancing