I read the sample of the first book and I think I’m interested in the story but my god. The writing style is incredibly annoying. I have to go back to re-read passages to understand that nothing is really being said.
Anyway, I’m debating buying the book but really don’t want to. I’d rather get it on Libby but the hold is several months.
So be as honest as possible if you loved, liked or hated 🙂
by lushandcats
6 Comments
I really enjoyed the books. The writing style takes some getting used to, but one thing to remember is that it’s supposed to be Emily Wilde’s journal through her adventures. It’s essentially her inner thoughts on paper.
I tried the first one & had to DNF. I may go back & try it again, maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for that book at that time. It was very slow to me & just wasn’t holding my interest. The book covers are lovely though.
I’ve read the first book and a little less than halfway through the second.
I really like them. The style is one I’m familiar with and enjoyed in the past, so that wasn’t an obstacle for me. Really, they’re the most fun books I’ve read so far this year (which is *not* the same as the best book/s, to be clear) and I’m forcing myself to remember I have a lot of other books on my TBR shelf to consider before running out and buying the third.
That said, I am a firm believer that reading should be enjoyable, and if book is presenting an annoying challenge to read (rather than an engaging challenge), and you suspect the payoff won’t be worth it, well, it’s best to put it aside.
I would see if The Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan is on Libby. See if her style suits you better.
While I very much enjoyed Emily Wilde I think when you have an adverse reaction to writing style it usually only gets worse as you read on. The exception to that is if it is very stylised, Gideon the Ninth and A Clockwork Orange come to mind as styles which take a bit of effort before you get used to them and they become invisible. I would not consider Heather Fawcett’s writing style to be in that category.
I really loved the storyline presented in the series, but I did find the writing to be a bit frustrating at times. I feel like the academic tangents and footnotes only get more prevalent as the series progresses, and I found myself skipping over the footnotes altogether because it added little to the world building.
I’ve read all 3 books and the first one is by far the strongest and most enjoyable. The second one kinda felt like it was just a plot device to set up the third book, and the third one felt both rushed and dragged out in certain parts.
You eventually get used to Emily’s writing, so I think it’s worth giving it a shot. If you’re only feeling lukewarm about the first book then I’d suggest just skipping the next books because I feel like the subsequent books fall short compared to the first one.
I’ve read all three. Loved them. The writing style is a bit different than other fantasy novels I’ve read, but it fits the narrator and the plot. If the story interests you, it’s worth a shot, though I can see how the series isn’t for everyone.