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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Like I always say, if you’re reading a second book before the first, why?
Parts of it are better. Other parts are not. It got good in the last act, but before that there’s some quest-y ambling around that doesn’t have to do with the end result. It’s filler or padding in that it doesn’t have an impact on the ending. But it’s more entertaining than I thought it would be. At least the plot stays in motion, has a clearer goal, and has some whiz-bang suspense. Maybe I’m having problems with my own plotting so I see everything as padding nowadays. Maybe I’m jealous that Lila Bowen can write so well, and I’m still struggling to make good sentences.
Here’s one thing I gotta quibble with. There’s still the issues of sexuality and gender confusion. But this time, the main character, who was born female and has female junk, decides she’s male. And then the pronouns change from she to he. And it’s not like this settles everything–there’s still conflict that keeps coming up. In fact he/she has sex with both a male and a female and no one seems to care one way or the other.
For one thing, this seems unrealistic. No one has a reaction to her/him having opposite parts of what’s expected. This makes it an “issue” book. But that “issue” is subplot, which makes it seem not important. It feels like she’s a he just for the sake of the author wanting diversity. For another thing, it’s confusing. He was a she in the last book. And the name changes too. A couple times actually.
Parts of it are better. Other parts are not. It got good in the last act, but before that there’s some quest-y ambling around that doesn’t have to do with the end result. It’s filler or padding in that it doesn’t have an impact on the ending. But it’s more entertaining than I thought it would be. At least the plot stays in motion, has a clearer goal, and has some whiz-bang suspense. Maybe I’m having problems with my own plotting so I see everything as padding nowadays. Maybe I’m jealous that Lila Bowen can write so well, and I’m still struggling to make good sentences.
Here’s one thing I gotta quibble with. There’s still the issues of sexuality and gender confusion. But this time, the main character, who was born female and has female junk, decides she’s male. And then the pronouns change from she to he. And it’s not like this settles everything–there’s still conflict that keeps coming up. In fact he/she has sex with both a male and a female and no one seems to care one way or the other.
For one thing, this seems unrealistic. No one has a reaction to her/him having opposite parts of what’s expected. This makes it an “issue” book. But that “issue” is subplot, which makes it seem not important. It feels like she’s a he just for the sake of the author wanting diversity. For another thing, it’s confusing. He was a she in the last book. And the name changes too. A couple times actually.
Full Review at Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2016/11/03/audiobook-review-conspiracy-of-ravens-by-lila-bowen/
2.5/5 stars
DISCLAIMER: I normally write spoiler free reviews. In this case I really wanted to talk about some of the diversity features of Conspiracy of Ravens. There may be spoilers in regard to that aspect of the book.
Unfortunately, Conspiracy of Ravens just did not work as well for me as Wake of Vultures (which was an unexpected hit for me last year). I felt the over all pace of the story was slower. In the first book, I loved getting to know and understand Nettie/Rhett, learning about the magic and creatures. I loved reading about Nettie’s fight for survival. I never once felt like the book was slow. And the ending of the first book! It was exciting, and promised so much more story to come.
That is part of the reason I was so surprised to struggle to engage as much with the second one. The first quarter, or maybe even third of the book, I honestly fought to find anything interesting happening. There was a good amount of recap. There was a good amount of walking (with a donkey). And I have to say, the next largest component was Nettie/Rhett’s personality. Which unfortunately I found less fun and more whiney in this one.
Now, gender identity is a huge part of who Rhett is and his life. The problem for me I think is that I almost felt like that conflict was too big to serve as a subplot. I feel like the gender identity struggle would be better represented in a book that was dedicated to the character and their internal (and external) struggles surrounding that. I feel like that could make a very engaging, thought provoking and emotional read. Maybe that is a fault with me, but I almost felt like I would prefer more focus on this part of the character, or less. The level it was at almost made it feel more like it was just there, but not enough to do it justice. I mean, I get that this is who Rhett is and of course it will be a major component, but pairing that within the other plot, I just never felt as emotionally connected to the character as I wanted to be or felt like I should be to really understand and appreciate this inner conflict.
So, when it comes down to it the book started very slow for me. I also had issues connecting with the protagonist, which surprised me as I did not have that issue in Wake of Vultures. I could see enough merit in this book that I an appreciate others may still enjoy it. But for me? Ultimately, I think I am likely done with the series unless I hear rave reviews for book 3 to convince me to read on.
2.5/5 stars
DISCLAIMER: I normally write spoiler free reviews. In this case I really wanted to talk about some of the diversity features of Conspiracy of Ravens. There may be spoilers in regard to that aspect of the book.
Unfortunately, Conspiracy of Ravens just did not work as well for me as Wake of Vultures (which was an unexpected hit for me last year). I felt the over all pace of the story was slower. In the first book, I loved getting to know and understand Nettie/Rhett, learning about the magic and creatures. I loved reading about Nettie’s fight for survival. I never once felt like the book was slow. And the ending of the first book! It was exciting, and promised so much more story to come.
That is part of the reason I was so surprised to struggle to engage as much with the second one. The first quarter, or maybe even third of the book, I honestly fought to find anything interesting happening. There was a good amount of recap. There was a good amount of walking (with a donkey). And I have to say, the next largest component was Nettie/Rhett’s personality. Which unfortunately I found less fun and more whiney in this one.
Now, gender identity is a huge part of who Rhett is and his life. The problem for me I think is that I almost felt like that conflict was too big to serve as a subplot. I feel like the gender identity struggle would be better represented in a book that was dedicated to the character and their internal (and external) struggles surrounding that. I feel like that could make a very engaging, thought provoking and emotional read. Maybe that is a fault with me, but I almost felt like I would prefer more focus on this part of the character, or less. The level it was at almost made it feel more like it was just there, but not enough to do it justice. I mean, I get that this is who Rhett is and of course it will be a major component, but pairing that within the other plot, I just never felt as emotionally connected to the character as I wanted to be or felt like I should be to really understand and appreciate this inner conflict.
So, when it comes down to it the book started very slow for me. I also had issues connecting with the protagonist, which surprised me as I did not have that issue in Wake of Vultures. I could see enough merit in this book that I an appreciate others may still enjoy it. But for me? Ultimately, I think I am likely done with the series unless I hear rave reviews for book 3 to convince me to read on.
Rhett has learned to accept what he is--a monster *and* a monster hunter, and then he's brought a big problem. Confident he can solve it, he strolls in unprepared for the scope of the challenge ahead.
Another thoughtful exploration of identity, wrapped in an adventure-packed western with diverse characters.
Another thoughtful exploration of identity, wrapped in an adventure-packed western with diverse characters.
Still a problem with the prose, more in-depth exploration of gender (signposted right at the start of the book, yay), and overall a fairly satisfying read.
I think strong 3.5, edging into 4 star - I really like Rhett as a narrator. He's interesting and compelling and the world around him is very cool. I like all the supporting characters and watching Rhett figure himself out, and I like the magic of it all. Fun series :)
In which Rhett suffers a lot . . . and gets laid a lot.
I can't say enough good about this series. They're well-written Westerns exploring issues like gender identity and sexuality in ways that never feel anachronistic or politicized--just good story-telling. When Lila Bowen writes about the desert, you can actually see it's stark shadows and feel the dry heat. The risks the characters face are real; they never feel protected from causality to indulge either author or reader. And there are very few books or series where I don't particularly like the main character but find them engrossing and want to spend time with them all the same.
I can't say enough good about this series. They're well-written Westerns exploring issues like gender identity and sexuality in ways that never feel anachronistic or politicized--just good story-telling. When Lila Bowen writes about the desert, you can actually see it's stark shadows and feel the dry heat. The risks the characters face are real; they never feel protected from causality to indulge either author or reader. And there are very few books or series where I don't particularly like the main character but find them engrossing and want to spend time with them all the same.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found The Devil's West trilogy much better. More emphasis on the story in a magic alternate American West, and less on the main character's gender identity and sex life.
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced