I kept putting off doing these two book reviews, and now I have to do a mini-review because frankly they aren’t fresh enough in my mind for something more in-depth.
Jennifer Roberson’s Deepwood continues from Karavans, which I reviewed earlier. Like it’s predecessor, Deepwood is well-written. The characters, which I found a touch lacking last time around, have grown in the face of hardship. Unlike the last novel, a lot happens in this book. Since the entire karavan family and Rhuan got taken in by the Deepwood, they find themselves in a lot of danger, so the book is never dull. It’s a little on the dark side, but the book is interesting, and is a definite improvement over Karavans. If you like fantasy, I would say it’s worth your time.
Next up is Freda Warrington’s Elfland. I was admittedly drawn to this book by the lameness of its title. I mean, really? I saw that it won a fantasy award and had lots of praise, so I went ahead and got it. Readers should know that books featuring the world of fae in any way, shape, or form get an automatic bonus with me. I am besotted with the world of fae and the endless interpretations it receives. This book featured a race of people somewhere between human and fae, who could escape into the edgy world of fae at will… Except that the gate keeper has barred the doors. The plot centers on Rosie, her brothers, and her neighbors, who are mostly part of this odd race. Because the doors to Elfland are closed, she has grown up without learning about the world beyond those gates.
At first I really liked this book. The writing struck a deep cord with me, not so much by its skill, but by how it presented the feelings of feeling the world of fae on the edges around you. Unfortunately the plot seemed to be trying to outdo itself with “and then it got worse” moments. Frankly the stuff that happened in this book seemed aimed to shock for no reason. For instance, Rosie cheats on her husband, causing him to put her younger brother and half brother into his car and drive them into a tree at full speed because she loved them, and he wanted to hurt her. You’re left saying “Wait, what, really?”. Sadly that was just one of many weird moments in this book. Stuff like this, coupled with the constant string of stupid decisions involved, made me not really care about the characters and their fates. I just liked the stuff about fae. The bottom line is that if you have a taste for the world of fae, or for rather extreme drama, you’ll probably like this book well enough. Otherwise, probably not.
Time for another book review! Today we have Karavans by Jennifer Roberson. It’s a fantasy novel about a country under invasion and its people, who are desperately fleeing the invaders. The story is divided between a few groups. One is a large family whose matron is pregnant. They want to reach a certain land in time for the birth because prophets have warned them that the child must be born there. The problem is that they need to take a risky shortcut to make it in time. Another includes the workers at the karavan that the family joins, including a hand-reader, two guides, and the karavan master. There is also a standoffish courier named Brodhi, whom frequently deals with the members of a fantasy-esque Hooverville.
The invaders are a problem, but so is the land of Alisanos. Alisanos is sort of… Hmm. It’s a hellish land that you can physically walk into. Most humans die quickly there, and those that do not slowly turn into demons. The thing is, everyone knows where it is, so you just avoid it. However, for whatever reason it’s decided that it’s time to change locations of its own will, and it seems like it’s gonna move right where the family needs to pass through for the sake of the child in the mother’s womb.
We’ll start with the good things that this book has to offer. The book is well written and includes several story lines. The author also does a great job of revealing things slowly, dropping hints here and there instead of throwing the backstory in your face. Although this was well done, anyone paying proper attention and thinking while they read could piece stuff together much faster than I think she might have intended, but she may have been going for that. Also, family relationships are realistically explored, especially the strength parents need for their children in times of uncertainty and upheaval.
Now for the not-so-good. Despite having a few plots going on here, nothing…nothing really happens in this book. The whole book is essentially a backdrop for the sequel, which is a little unappetizing since it’s still 441 pages long. It’s a little dull, and the only strong, interesting character (in my opinion, of course) was Rhuan, one of the guides.
Despite these weaknesses, the quality of the writing is strong, and I think the book is worth reading, especially for potential payoff in the sequel (which I will review shortly). I wouldn’t say to go out and by it right now, but if you see it at your local library or in a friend’s collection and need a book, go ahead and borrow it.
~Jen
