13) The Summoner by Gail Martin

"Run," the old woman hissed through broken teeth. "Run for your life."

    pg. 345

*rolls eyes* That about sums up my feelings on this book.

How sad is this? : I got more pleasure out of looking at the beautiful cover than actually reading this book.

(I'm sorry! I would hate to hear that as an author, but it is my honest opinion!) As a reader, I was severely disappointed on several counts.

Severely.


Currently I'm on page 422 out of 637. I don't even know why I pushed it that far. Around page 300, it suddenly occurred to me that - wow, I don't have any feelings for any characters whatsoever. For me, the value of a book comes with writing that literally takes me to that world. The characters become people that I know well and their world is one that is tangible. The plot must be structured against cliches and unpredictable. For me not to contain any feelings for the main character or his comrades quite irritates me. This book had stereotypical characters (an evil brother who usurps his father for the throne, a blamed younger brother - on the run (oh noes...) and he's wronged on the accounts of a murdered family, an evil sorcerer acting as a sinister presence behind the new regime) and it  was a cliche fantasy thriller - and it wasn't even that thrilling.

Seriously, if the main character died by falling down a hole or some other ignominious way, I would feel rather satisfied. "Good, he's gone and done. Now, I can pick something else up worth my valuable time."

Another thing: the writing. I do not exactly understand how this book got published. The words were simplistic. Nothing invigorated my word-thirsty mind. I simply stared at the sentences and got pissed off. Not to mention the number of sayings that forced me to look away and roll my eyes. Seriously? Can you get away with this?

I thought my blood was going to boil out of anger. (And yet, I hung on, hoping, just hoping the book would live up to its cover).


Nope. I'm done. (Actually, if it makes me angry enough now - it's probably healthier for me to stop). I'm just incredibly disappointed how a book with an incredible premise (I love necromancers like none other...) can fall so flat. I mean, I am arrogant enough to believe that I can write something better than this - and not be ashamed.

You see? It was bad.

Do I recommend it?

No.

Please, unless you have the time to kill or are really new to the fantasy genre, don't bother reading this book. (By the gods, hearing that come out of my mouth! O.O)  I think I need to curl up with a real book and get this stupidity out of my system. I swear my brain is melting, and my command over language is dying alongside it.

*huffs*

-Lila