Mini Review
Gosh did I want to love this book. It's a classic! Not only that, it's a fantasy classic. And written by one of THE authors every self-respecting fantasy fan is pretty much obligated to have read (this is my first) and loved (I did not).
Does this mean I have to turn in my fantasy-fan card??
I thought it was dull. It was like I was on a blind date set up for me by my boss. I had all this pressure to fall madly in love with The Black Cauldron, and so I tried really, really hard to FORCE myself to get my heart racing over the plot or melting over the characters. Every time I picked up the book I would give myself a little pep talk that THIS would be the time I'd feel that reading spark.
But I failed to spark. Instead, I was contemplating doing laundry when I was reading. Seriously, laundry.
I'm at a total loss as to why this happened.
The plot felt slow even though objectively I know lots of things were happening. There weren't many lulls at all and the action was pretty steady throughout with lots of opportunities for peril. There were battles and double-crosses, fantasy creatures and even questing.
Despite my best efforts, I could not feel any sort of connection to the characters (it was like trying to hug damp cardboard!). Again, I'm not sure why. From a distance they look great. Tragic heroes, complex nemeses, character growth, and even a little romance of my very favorite hate-turned-love slow burn variety!
I should have been all over those characters but I wasn't. You know how something far away can look pretty great, but then when you get up close to it you realize that, whoa, not looking so good after all? The Black Cauldron feels kind of like that. If I step back and think about the events and characters, then I kind of do love it all.
Then when I was up close and actually reading it? Total snooze-fest (and cliched to boot)!
BUT, ok, I'm not sure if I should admit this on such a public forum but, erm, well,
ifeltthesamewayaboutthelordoftherings. (But loved the movie!)
Fine. I'll surrender my fantasy-fan card now.
Explanation of rating system: Star Rating Key
Do you have any questions about The Black Cauldron that I haven't addressed?
Did I just commit total blasphemy and cause great offense?
Feel free to let me know in the comments!
Did I just commit total blasphemy and cause great offense?
Feel free to let me know in the comments!
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