Saturday, January 26, 2008

An Odd Week

Yep, this week has been very strange. We finally have both the invalids back home, out of the hospital, and in the bosom of our family. Last week, I wanted to strangle my daughter. This week, we're close again. Last week, my father in law looked like hell, this week he looks almost normal. I was sick at the beginning of week, now my husband doesn't feel well, and the brat (otherwise known as mini-me) is out for the night at a birthday party.

Thank god.

I received another review today from novelspot.com. I was excited about it because it's a more in-depth review with both praise and criticism. The beginning starts like this--


The Reckoning of Asphodel, by Celina Summers, is traditional high fantasy,
with chivalric knights and wood-wise elves, beautiful princesses and wise female
seers, good and evil sorcerers and magicians. It's written in the language
typical of the genre. It is, however, much better written, with more complex
characters and situations, than many similar books. This is a serious fantasy
novel, not the verbal equivalent of a computer game.

I also liked this part:

Summers has created a complex and colorful world inhabited by equally complex
and colorful characters. Minor as well as major figures are quirky and
individual. The dressmaker, Myrielle, advising Tamsen on using proper dress as a
woman's weapon is clever, funny and down to earth - a good supporting
character.

You can read the rest of the review by clicking on the novelspot.com link.

Feel free to read the whole review and leave a comment. I, personally, am pleased by the review mostly because the reviewer got exactly what I was trying to do. There is a lot to be said for having your debut novel compared to Lud-In-The-Mist! I was completely overwhelmed.

This review brought up an interesting point for discussion. The first person POV apparently didn't work for the reviewer--she found it constrictive and limiting and called my villian 'cardboard.' I disagree with that statement mostly because I know what happens next. Spesialle is purposely limited in the first book; we really get to know him in the second book. But...is first person POV really limiting?

I don't think so.

At any rate, check out the review. Once you read it, you'll realize how proud I am. And remember, you guys wouldn't love me if I wasn't an arrogant smartass. I understand that my friends Bibsy and Dan are having a hell of a year already--you might want to check out their blogs. I have them listed on the sidebar. Plus I have another, secret project in the works. *grin* You guys might like it.

Checking out now. See you later.