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Land Des Todes (2012)

by Unknown(Favorite Author)
3.27 of 5 Votes: 4
ISBN
3404207084 (ISBN13: 9783404207084)
languge
English
genre
publisher
Bastei Lübbe
review 1: I was really disappointed by this book. I loved Croggon's "Pellinor" series (great world building, interesting plot, awesome characters), so I had high hopes for this book, and it paled in comparison to her previous works. I felt that the world building in this book was rather weak, and the addition of magic seemed half-hearted and unnecessary. There was no real explanation of the magic, and the story could have been essentially the same without it. As written, the magical aspect felt like it was just thrown in without much planning or development. It was also difficult not to unfavorably compare the book to Wuthering Heights. The story is clearly heavily based one Bronte's novel, which the author makes no secret of. Interpretations of famous works can often be interesting... more and good, but Croggon didn't make the story different enough for the reader to not come away feeling like it was basically Wuthering Heights fan fiction. I'll definitely still read whatever Croggon publishes next based on the merits of the Pellinor books, but I was extremely disappointed with this book.
review 2: Now I know of a new way of messing up a retelling - an author can create a retelling of a story so close to the original, that it becomes just a poor copy of it. (I think I even want to throw “plagiarism!” somewhere here.)At first, I thought I would love “Black Spring.” Although from the very beginning the atmosphere in Croggon’s retelling of “Wuthering Heights” was very similar to the original, the writing was so spectacular, I felt that the author’s additions of magic and vendetta to Emily Bronte’s story would help her create a familiar, but at the same new version of the beloved classic . Alas, as "Black Spring" progressed, the Croggon’s inventions were quickly abandoned to rehash and copy “Wuthering Height”’s plot and characterization, to the point that I started to think – It’s the same exact story! It has exactly the same mood! I might as well be rereading “Wuthering Heights”!I wish Croggon used Bronte’s setting and her own beautiful way with words and developed a completely new plot, leaving poor Cathy and Heathcliff alone. These two were much more passionate and mysterious in Bronte’s version. less
Reviews (see all)
qwerty
Wuthering Heights with a twist...it could have done with more of a twist in my opinion!
MRSPOONZ
Wonderfully Gothic. The vendetta reminded me of the Icelandic sagas.
Rene
Squealing in joy that there is a new book by Ms. Alison! WOOT!!
meenu
Well... It is a boring version of Wuthering Heights.
Sexta
It was so good, I couldn't stop reading.
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