I have had this book on my To Read list for a long time - since I saw
a student who otherwise read very little carrying it around OPEN to the
page he was currently on. And now I can say that I see why it
attracted him and I can also see a bit better what the differences
between top quality books and lesser books are.
First
of all, this is not a top quality book. There is too much "oh my gosh,
isn't this amazing!" kind of writing. But it does have what middle
schoolers like - a lot of action with characters that are calculated to
have middle school appeal. If they are female, they are attractive and
reasonably smart. But they are lacking something that lets the boys
shine through. If they are male, they fit some stereotype, so that in
depth characterization isn't necessary - geek, sports-dude, all knowing
mentor who never seems to be able be there when the protagonist really
needs him thus forcing the character to struggle to victory, powerful
evil villain who nevertheless makes a critical mistake that the main
character is able to exploit. No, it is not writing - or plotting, for
that matter - at its best, but it is an interesting read and it doesn't
take deep insight into people or society to understand. It is just a
swashbuckling story, with movie-like main events and movie-like appeal.
I
am getting closer to understand what it is that makes a book good.
Though I still don't always agree with people who are more well versed
in this than I am.
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