Reading Patrick Ness's Chaos Walking threesome, the first being the intriguing The Knife of Never Letting Go. The first was the best, full of all the things in the Elitist review and more. If only the next two books were as concise. Alas, they drag on. They do blossom in emotional complexity and scope and they are what I consider "reliable" despite some language and much violence. I really do really want to know what happens, but it has been a bit of a chore to get through. The overall story is as bleak as anything out there, too. Unrelentingly bleak. Every glimpse of hope is followed shortly by huge disappointment and increased peril. Ness uses, though, some unusual and innovative punctuation and spelling choices that convey exactly what I believe the author wanted. It all rings true, even the complete lack of a good break for the mains.
I recommend this series to a fast reader, lover of character development (me) and someone who likes the idea of good YA fare for grownups (me, me, me). I do not regret becoming invested in the story, despite its pacing problems, probably due to the problems of the gardener-style writer. There is much to like.
Treated myself to my first taste of K.J. Parker also on vacation last week. Blue and Gold was fun and satisfying. I loved the cynical humor and the redemptive ending. Well, somewhat. Not too tidy, fun prose, really fun characters. I look forward to Colours in the Steel next, if I ever make it through this Ness stuff. The ending better be full of happy-ever-after or I'm going to throw my Kindle gently against the wall. Not too tidy, though, please.
Also on the dock: the short stories That Leviathan Whom Thou Hast Made (Stone) and The New World (more Ness). Then I am off to Ted Dekkerland, heretofore unexplored territory for me.