Grey Liliy reviewed An Evil Guest by Gene Wolfe
Review of 'An Evil Guest' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
I don't think I was the target audience for this book--I wanted to like it, I did, but I can honestly say it wasn't for me.
Before I talk about why that's so, I will give credit where credit is due--it does have it's moments here or there that were enjoyable. The characters and descriptions are witty, and the dialogue is entertaining--to a degree.
It's been mentioned in other reviews, and I'm going to agree: There is so much dialogue in this book it's near overwhelming. The pages are covered in near constant talking and conversations. Dialogue here, dialogue there--it just never ends. So much of it is exposition and explanations, that when the good, fun, intelligent stuff sneaks in, it's forgotten in a sea of "Are they still talking!?"
The other half is story related--I spent most of this book wondering if I skipped something, or trying to figure …
I don't think I was the target audience for this book--I wanted to like it, I did, but I can honestly say it wasn't for me.
Before I talk about why that's so, I will give credit where credit is due--it does have it's moments here or there that were enjoyable. The characters and descriptions are witty, and the dialogue is entertaining--to a degree.
It's been mentioned in other reviews, and I'm going to agree: There is so much dialogue in this book it's near overwhelming. The pages are covered in near constant talking and conversations. Dialogue here, dialogue there--it just never ends. So much of it is exposition and explanations, that when the good, fun, intelligent stuff sneaks in, it's forgotten in a sea of "Are they still talking!?"
The other half is story related--I spent most of this book wondering if I skipped something, or trying to figure out what I missed. When she hit the islands and the god and goddess and alien stuff started to happen I literally flipped back a few pages and said out loud: "Okay, I missed something." I was confused, to put it simply--I'm still not sure if I know what happened in the book.
Character wise, Gideon Chase was probably the only likable one with quirky behavior, witty dialogue, and a determined spirit--but he didn't get much page time. And even he was ruined a little bit by sudden "I love you, Cassie" syndrome. Speaking of Cassie--I don't understand her appeal. I felt she was a little self-centered, and sort of bratty. I know there was some magic/sci-fi thing going on to make her likable to the characters in-book, but it didn't do much for me. Her friends all sort of blurred together after a while, and I still don't have an opinion on the opposite leading male Bill.
But, as I said--the dialogue and language of the novel is quite good, and there was a lot of action inbetween the endless chats. If you enjoy that sort of thing, I think you'll like the book.
Overall, I think the 2-star vote is accurate: "It was okay."
(The book cover is amazing though. Great design.)