/lit/ - Literature

I read the fourth book of Age of Fire (or the first of the second trilogy? Hard to tell) and I'm dissapointed. It's not that quality dipped, although I'd say it did, but because the series has little to offer after its first two books. Maybe the author had some big plan - it would appear so basing on all the set-ups he'd made throughout the story - but in the end it all fizzled out. The dialogues and characters in the fourth book sucked, extremely so. Not just in idea, but in quality and writing. It was quite some time since I've read dialogues this forced, stilted and unnatural.

I'd have to the other anon who reads the series as well to give his opinion, but to me the author just gave up on any resemblance of authencity in this book. It's all plot events and script done through puppets that are supposed to be characters. An outline of a story given form, but instead a story being made from an outline it's an outline that became a story. THe result is discomforting. The story in turns meanders and rushes, not allowing for any solid emotional impact to grow. I considered dropping the book half-way through, but for some strange reason prevailed, just to be sure I'm not doing things prematurely. Alas, maybe I should have.

I belive the characters of Dragons were the strongest part of the series, but the author simply couldn't come up with anything past the first book. The first has a solid story and mood, with a bit sudden but explainable finish. A classic fantasy story through eyes of a Dragon. The next one was derivative, trying to do the same but a bit differently. The third was stale. The fourth? It's obvious the author had a grand plan in the making, but had no idea how to write it.

I am dissapointed. Very dissapointed. I'm not sure what the author was thinking while writing the last two books, that he has to rush them out? If he just rewritten the drafts two-three times then surely he would make it much better. Does he not read other books to make a comparison? An average webnovel cares more. Damn, I wish it was better.

For any people interest in a fantasy series where protagonist is a Dragon: Read just the first book, Dragon Champion, and end at that. Maybe the second book as well, if you found it to your tastes. Otherwise - don't read the other books.

4/10