Both stories center around the world of abuse and how it affects families, such great material for creating a gripping, memorable tale. Plus, both stories have a Native American element as well as a boy and a girl who suffer in abusive homes. But only one story stays with me and has been added to my recommend-to-friends list: Max and Menna.
I know quickly the books that will stay with me. I don't always take the time to dissect why. Sometimes it's just a feeling. But I was intrigued reading these two books so close to each other, especially with such similar themes. Why did I love one and not the other? Don't get me wrong, Guardian Spirit was not a failure. I gave it 4 stars with the tagline, "Just Missed Being Great". I read a lot of books, and I enjoy a lot of books. But it's the rare gem that makes my recommendation list.
I realized Shauna Kelley took more risks, risks that paid off. Max and Menna were not perfect characters, but they were real. I identified with them. And when I finished the book, I stared in disbelief at the last page. It couldn't be over. I couldn't let them go. That's powerful. With Guardian Spirit, I wanted everything to work out and I needed to know the ending, but I won't remember this book a year from now. The characters weren't developed or, quite frankly, interesting enough to stay with me. Again, not a failure. Just not great.
Even more than that, the conflict seemed more real, touchable even, with Kelley's novel. In Guardian Spirit, there was believable conflict, but I didn't flinch or react when she described it.
You see the journey, the lesson learned, the cruelty of fate along with experiencing a range of emotions in Max and Menna. I had a hard time putting it down, because the desire to know was too great. I wanted to yell at the characters, shake them. My emotions were raw, and I was invested. Throughout Guardian Spirit, I kept seeing opportunities for the author to make me care more. In a bad book, I wouldn't have cared at all.
Sometimes, a book that's close to great is more disappointing than a terrible book. A bad book is just that. Bad. It would take too much effort to even get it to mediocre. But a good book is just so darned close, it's sad when it misses the mark.
I commend both authors for their tales. I'm just inspired by Shauna Kelley's effort to hit the great bulls-eye.
Have you ever been frustrated by a book that was almost great?
4 comments:
Actually, I was frustrated by a series that was "almost great"...The Mockingjay trilogy. The first book, The Hunger Games, showed such promise. But I was very frustrated by the 2nd and 3rd books. I almost wish this had just been kept as a single book. Still, I felt the first book was so good that I picked up another book, Enclave, by Ann Aguirre, because it was advertised as something fans of the Hunger
Games would enjoy-and the "ad" was right!
Alana,
Thanks for your comment, and I couldn't agree more. I loved Hunger Games and was so eager to read book #2. Trudged through and blamed it on sequel-letdow and bought Book #3. But I haven't felt compelled to read it yet. I'm sure I will. I want to know, but I wish I felt compelled to know!
Thanks for stopping by! Looking forward to seeing you around the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
You know, I seldom read new books today for this very reason. I have so little time for reading and I get frustrated with books that don't quite hit the mark. So I re-read old favorites by authors that I love. But since it takes me about 4 months to read a 150 page novel, it's probably for the best! ;-D
Wonderful thoughts!
Kate, That was the hardest part to me about writing a book. I'm so particular about what I like. I've often said in book clubs. I like books that stir up passion. I'd rather passionately hate a book or love a book than just think ho-hum.
Thanks for stopping by!
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