The Secrets of Jin-Shei

[kyrielle]

Just finished reading The Secrets of Jin-Shei by Alma Alexander. I never want to read it again, ever. I can't say it's a bad book. In fact, I think to get this reaction from me, it has to be a very good book in many ways. But I never, ever wish to read it again. (I cannot recommend it, for obvious reasons; neither can I explain my reaction without spoilering the entire thing, even worse than the jacket cover already does. And the jacket cover is AWFUL for spoilers. If you want to read the book, give the publisher blurbs a miss!)

Comments

[mneme]

Wanna discuss it with spoilers behind warnings? I don't remember the novel all -that- well, but I did read it. (without reading the jacket -- but then, I pretty much never do, if I intend to read a book).

[kyrielle]

Not unless you really have something you want to say. If you've read the book, you can probably imagine why I don't ever want to read it again; it's not the sort of story I want to have read.

[davmoo.livejournal.com]

I was curious about this after you posted, so I looked the book up on Amazon.

First, it sounds way to "girlie" for me to read it.

And second, from Amazon's description it sounds way too alternate history for me. I know enough about ancient Chinese culture that I started having major brain conflicts just from reading the stuff on Amazon :-)

[kyrielle]

It's definitely "girlie" but I think "alternate history" is assuming too much history. It's fantasy, with real magic, and while the culture is obviously and almost completely inspired by elements of Oriental cultures, predominantly China, it's not really trying to claim to be China as far as I can tell. (Good thing. I don't know much about ancient Chinese culture but even I can see this wouldn't be it.)