Interesting. I'd wondered what people would think of the book if they were already versed in faery fiction. What else is out there, btw? Who writes it?
I didn't feel like Marr was writing it for a teenage level, though I did notice her handling of sex and virginity, the particular issues aren't exactly something that would be handled the same way in adult fiction, but should be addressed in YA simply because it's a dangerous thing to let YA read about kids their age not being responsible about it. But that's me, and that may not even be the instance you were referring to. :)
I think my favorite YA novel I've read as an adult is Holes by Louis Sachar. We had to read it for SHU, and I was beyond impressed with it. Talk about handling prose better than some adult fiction does, dang! :)
Did you feel the same ambiguity with Don's ending that I did, or am I crazy? I liked that she got what she wanted, that she got MORE than what she wanted, but I still felt there was an edge to it.
Glad to know you've read this, btw. I'm still wishing you'd at least post a book list in your LJ every month so I know what you're reading. :) One reason is so that I don't accidentally stick a book like this on the list for a challenge or a dare!
Speaking of books, and YA fiction I may dare you to read in the future, have you ventured to read Stephanie Meyer yet?
My two centsshadowravynSeptember 4 2007, 15:38:34 UTC
Hi, I hope you don't mind me responding here. I followed a link.
First, to make a few things clear: a) I'm about ten years too old to be YA's target audience, and b) I'm well-versed in other faerie lore, faerie tales, and modern faerie stories.
I loved this book. Don't get me wrong, there are areas that needed work, but I think my absolute favorite aspect of the book itself is that Aislinn isn't stupid. Since I grew up reading stories about the fae, it frustrates me to no end when the main character interacts with a faerie kingdom and is pig-ignorant of even the least of the 'rules'. It's akin to watching the dippy cheerleader go down into the basement in a horror flick--it leaves me screaming "How can you be so monumentally stupid!" Aislinn is the first heroine that I didn't have to scream at, and believe me, it was refreshing. Marr did a very good job of making a character who was intelligent and believable, which I very much appreciated.
I didn't feel like Marr was writing it for a teenage level, though I did notice her handling of sex and virginity, the particular issues aren't exactly something that would be handled the same way in adult fiction, but should be addressed in YA simply because it's a dangerous thing to let YA read about kids their age not being responsible about it. But that's me, and that may not even be the instance you were referring to. :)
I think my favorite YA novel I've read as an adult is Holes by Louis Sachar. We had to read it for SHU, and I was beyond impressed with it. Talk about handling prose better than some adult fiction does, dang! :)
Did you feel the same ambiguity with Don's ending that I did, or am I crazy? I liked that she got what she wanted, that she got MORE than what she wanted, but I still felt there was an edge to it.
Glad to know you've read this, btw. I'm still wishing you'd at least post a book list in your LJ every month so I know what you're reading. :) One reason is so that I don't accidentally stick a book like this on the list for a challenge or a dare!
Speaking of books, and YA fiction I may dare you to read in the future, have you ventured to read Stephanie Meyer yet?
Reply
First, to make a few things clear: a) I'm about ten years too old to be YA's target audience, and b) I'm well-versed in other faerie lore, faerie tales, and modern faerie stories.
I loved this book. Don't get me wrong, there are areas that needed work, but I think my absolute favorite aspect of the book itself is that Aislinn isn't stupid. Since I grew up reading stories about the fae, it frustrates me to no end when the main character interacts with a faerie kingdom and is pig-ignorant of even the least of the 'rules'. It's akin to watching the dippy cheerleader go down into the basement in a horror flick--it leaves me screaming "How can you be so monumentally stupid!" Aislinn is the first heroine that I didn't have to scream at, and believe me, it was refreshing. Marr did a very good job of making a character who was intelligent and believable, which I very much appreciated.
Reply
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I, too, have the first book in my giant stack. Cool.
Ah, your idea...you've been teasing me with it for a long time as well. I'm most curious. :)
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment