sunnyskywalker: Voldemort from Goblet of Fire movie; text "Dark Lord of Exposition" (ExpositionMort)
I'm sure everyone has had this experience at some point: the entire world is raving about some book being the best thing in literature since The Canterbury Tales, and yet when you try it, you think it's more like an entry in the Bulwer-Lytton bad writing contest. Or maybe it isn't bad, but you don't see what the big deal is either - it was a good popcorn book, but now you can't even remember the main character's name. (Probably John. Or Jack.)

Here's a two acclaimed fantasy series I didn't like, plus one I eventually did like a lot but with major reservations which unfortunately are looking justified.

The Chronicles of Narnia )

The Dark is Rising )

And finally, there is one series I started off disliking immensely, but changed my mind on a re-read, though I never lost my initial wariness. (And now that the author can't seem to finish the series, I think I might be totally justified in distrusting his skills, as admirable as much of his opus is.)

Spoiler for a few character deaths, if anyone needs to know.

A Song of Ice and Fire )


What much-loved books (or movies or shows) did you not love?
sunnyskywalker: Young Beru Lars from Attack of the Clones; text "Sunnyskywalker" (Lando against racism)
Let me make it clear up front: there are lots of things I enjoy about A Song of Ice and Fire. But for International Blog Against Racism Week, I'm going to talk about this thing that has increasingly pissed me off throughout the series.

It starts with Jalabhar Xho. He's the exiled prince from the Summer Isles who hangs around the court in King's Landing begging for help getting back his throne, and as far as I can tell, the only black person in the entire first book. And while everyone and his concubine in the court is busy scheming and backstabbing, Jalabhar Xho is... doing nothing. Except wearing feathers and maybe greeting someone or other at an official function. Even then, I think what he says is summarized rather than presented directly. Cut for rantiness. And some spoilers, I guess. )

There are also those sexy, dangerous (brown) women of Dorne, and the eastern (brown) societies that have an even worse social system than Westeros with slavery and interchangeable brainwashed soldiers. And (brown) nomads who help Dany learn to command and then conveniently leave so she can go rule other brown people. Except her two servants, who still haven't gotten any personality or desires of their own. One of whom dutifully pleasures Dany on occasion - pretty much the only thing that distinguishes her from the other servant-girl. We still don't know what she actually thinks about this, because her character doesn't matter.

I like the series, but it has skanky race issues.
sunnyskywalker: Young Beru Lars from Attack of the Clones; text "Sunnyskywalker" (ChewieR23PO)
Feeling random today. So: ignoring major characters like Jon and Dany, what do I guess will happen to some of the others?

Probably not spoilers, since I'm pulling these out of thin air, but cut anyway. )

ASOIAF Quiz

Sep. 9th, 2007 06:33 pm
sunnyskywalker: Young Beru Lars from Attack of the Clones; text "Sunnyskywalker" (ChewieR23PO)
From [livejournal.com profile] snarkel. (And yes, [livejournal.com profile] baleanoptera, I have finally gotten myself over to the bookstore and bought the series, and will have lots to say about it soon ;) )
Giant quiz. )

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