There is a huge difference between a passable (bordering on abysmal) book and a wonderful book. One of the biggest to me is the latter being 30 pages longer, and not notice them. To say it clearer, I didn't begrudge every page, I swallowed it hole and with it complete, beg for more.
I just finished reading The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card. And he's a pretty fantastic writer. And the book is fantasy. Which is why it took me less than a fourth of the time to complete it as compared to The Secret of Lost Things. (I now I have just realized they both have lost in the title, and I feel like it says something about my subconscious feeling about this summer...)Back to the book. Well-written. Witty, interesting characters with interesting things happening! And solid world-building skills (I do love good mythopoeia!). Really no comparison to the prior book I read. A nice palate-cleanse. And more than a welcome relief to be back in the world of good writing.
And my minimal Wikipedia research has told me this is the first in a trilogy. CAN'T WAIT for the next ones!
Ooph. I feel like I should go through in detail what was right in this book (more or less compared to the other one). But, it's funny, I almost feel like I don't need to. The whole thing just clicked. I guess some writers are just better at getting the important things right. Maybe they are better storytellers. Maybe they've worked harder on it. Maybe they have a better editor.
Really, one of the most prominent things was that I liked the main character. Not just that I was supposed to, but I actually did. I wanted to know more about his magical abilities, about his world. I was interested. I know that I am predisposed to like fantasy, it's one of my favorite genres. But I still feel like Card made me interested as a reader because of his skill as a writer.
And the other characters were compelling and developed. Not flat pieces of furniture.
There is more (it's just better on every level). And if you want me to I can discuss more deeply anything you want me to. But it's nearly 5:00 and I'm gonna jet work like now. :)
