Shades of Milk and Honey Recommended by: Mary Robinette Kowal (on Writing Excuses)
Recommended for: people who like Jane Austen
Read from January 30 to February 11, 2014
Read count: 1
 
It was ok. I really wanted to like it, since I love Mary on Writing Excuses. Usually when the author narrates his/her own book, it is a disaster, but not so for this one. She does a really good job.The story is gentle, mellow. All the Jane Austen touches are nice, but it is too much like a 'faded copy'. Jane Austen writes regency romance, yes, but with wit and an ironic tongue. She makes sharp observations and questions, gently. Mary keeps the regency romance, but lacks both the wit and the irony. I know how much effort Mary put into it, that's why I want to love it... but I don't. Taking out the element that's the most important makes it bland, almost meaningless. It's merely OK. Maybe I shouldn't have reread all that noir urban fantasy prior to reading this. Maybe I should have eased myself into it by reading more similar works first. However, it got more interesting near the end. There was finally some action. Less sighing, swooning and moping around, more doing. I think I'm just not the female romance kind of woman (even though I love Jane Austen).