Comments | rouxgoss: Street Magic: A Review

rouxgoss

Street Magic: A Review

Oct 04, 2009 21:14

I've got to say, I almost didn't make it past the first three chapters of this book. It tried too hard, the slang was awkward, and it was so vague on plot as to make a girl want to stop reading. But now that's I've finished it? It's was delightful. Very nearly exactly the same kind of wonderful as Neverwhere and War for the Oaks, as anticipated ( Read more... )

Comments 7

theljparadox October 5 2009, 02:44:54 UTC

this is really only tangentially related, but 'War for the Oaks' continues to sit on my shelf. i picked it up at a used bookstore, because i'd heard of emma bull, and took place in my hometown. however, when i started reading it, the problems you mentioned with 'Street Magic' (the awkward slang and trying to hard, in particular) were so overwhelming that i put it down after a few chapters.
do these thing improve over the course of the book? should i try again, or just sell the damn thing?

rouxgoss October 5 2009, 02:56:04 UTC

Lex will absolutely insist on it, I'm sure. I enjoy it because it's warm and fuzzy, and I like how whimsical it is. If you keep reading it, it turns into a kind of Changeling: The Dreaming book. Bits of it are definitely awkward, and you can never escape that it was written in the 80's (to quote: "He's cuter than Prince." "Don't be silly, no one's cuter than Prince."), but overall the plot and characters kind of sweep you up.

All in all, I'd say try to get through it. If you like it for the light and fluffy thing it is, keep it for day-reading when you're blue. If not, go ahead and sell it!

lex_of_green October 6 2009, 16:48:05 UTC

Honestly? Those problems don't really improve over the course of the book.

I don't recommend War for the Oaks to everyone, and I almost never recommend it as a book. 'Cause, frankly, it's kind of bad by book standards. It is, however, WONDERFUL at being a warm fuzzy blanket.

War for the Oaks cheers me up when I'm sad and gives me a hug when I'm down, but not everybody is comforted by the same things. If you could eat War for the Oaks, it wouldn't taste like gourmet food and fancy wine - it'd be a bowl of mac n'cheese a mug of hot cocoa.
And if that's not your thing you probably won't like it.

Me? I'm into blankets.

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rouxgoss October 5 2009, 03:14:23 UTC

I can't decide if you're being condescending or not.

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rouxgoss October 5 2009, 03:39:09 UTC

I'm sorry - it is the internet, and there was absolutely no context. Hanging out with Elizabeth, *claps* usually referenced the terrible slow-clap (indicating we were being dumb).

I'm sorry. I let my reactions get away with me - if you thought I was being dumb, you would tell me how to make it better. I was skittish about posting a review (like I am a person whose opinions on books are relevant?). Of course you weren't being condescending - it was terrible to imply you might have been, and I feel sincerely bad for suggesting it.

lex_of_green October 6 2009, 16:49:40 UTC

Huzzah! A review! Thank you, Maggie. :-)

Also, you my have just sold me on this book. I'll see if the University Bookstore has when when I finish War of the Flowers.

rouxgoss October 6 2009, 18:22:09 UTC

I think you'd enjoy it. If you do find it, please let me know what you think of it! There are some pretty good bits (though I have already shared my favorite, and the other ones will spoil the plot a little). It is only like $6, and so totally worth getting if you like that kind of book (which we do, I think).

Love love love, huge hugs of love from your giant-ladyfriend!