After a week of trying to read it I've given up on GP Taylor's Wormwood. It's not that it's such a bad book; it's just that I can't seem to get into it. The story doesn't make me want to keep turning the pages. The characters don't excite my interest, sympathy or curiousity. The descriptions of the most exciting events leave me cold.
I guess Taylor and I just don't get along. It was the same with his debut novel, Shadowmancer, which I stuck to till the last page and then cursed for wasting my time.
A friend of mine stops reading a book if the first chapter doesn't grip her. Another friend sticks it out even if he's bored to death. In my case, it depends on the book. If I have to review it I read it all. Ditto if I need to discuss it with someone. If it comes highly recommended, I try my best to continue to the end even if I hate it from the first chapter.
To me, Wormwood is just another of the many fantasy novels published in the last year or two. There are just so many - too many. After a while they sort of blend into one. The same with young adult novels about teenagers coping with school, dating and difficult parents. Some stand out: I've mentioned a few young adult titles that I really like in this Sunday's Tots to Teens column and I hope to write short synopsis/reviews on them for this blog, so stay tuned.
As for fantasy books, the last one I read and loved was Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix. Have yet to write a review because I've not been well and have got way behind in reviews and other work. It's all piling up, screaming to be done - boo hoo! But I will get around to it. Promise!
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