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The Still

The Still

List Price: $6.50
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An Excellent First Book in Feintuch's Genre Switch
Review: The Still by the talented David Feintuch left me just a little disappointed. But, that could be because I was so acclimated to his style of writing in the Seafort Saga books. However, it tantalized me enough that I couldn't wait for the next book in the series. And, believe me, I wasn't the least disappointed.

The Still introduces us to a young prince who is destined to take over his kingdom before he has the maturity to do so. He makes a pact with an young man several years older and more mature to guide him. The Still itself is a magical power that the prince is able to wield. It can be self-defeating if not used properly. I don't want to give away the plot by saying too much. I do strongly recommend this book. It is merely the beginning of a terrific new fantasy saga. Move over Robert Jordon.

Carol Kluz, author of The Prophecy Unfolds

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Refreshing read
Review: The Still is mostly one thing - a very refreshing read. If you know your way around fantasy, you may have started to tire of the fantasy formula and the almost mechanical way new fantasy books are published in which the only thing that changes are the names of the characters and the worlds.

The Still is different. When I say different, I mean different in the way Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy and her new Tawny Man are different from the usual stuff. Not that the Still has much to do with Robin Hobb's books (which are great for fantasy, I think), but the feeling is the same - you're taking a path that hasn't been walked on much before.

What other book can boast of a protagonist that is utterly loathsome for about ninety percent of the book? You find yourself wondering why his friends put up with him. Well, actually you find yourself wondering why he *has* any friends at all. Self important, egoistic, whining Roddy is a great character. I've seldom disliked someone more than this spoiled brat.

There are enough other characters to like, and Roddy's injustices give you more than enough opportunity to root for them.

The plot isn't overly creative and fairly predictable, but different enough from the all too common varations of "party of five (super-hero included) goes on quest for magic token that will protect the world against evil demons plus associated scumbags" (substitute as needed) to make it worth your time.

The Still should feel familiar to people who've read Feintuch's Seafort Saga. If you like the Seafort books, you probably like the Still, too. And vice versa.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: I felt like I was sneaking a look at a psychotherapy journal
Review: Actually no stars is a more accurate assessment. I read this book in the vain and forlorn hope that Feintuch had finally lived up to the promise of great storytelling he'd indicated in Midshipman's Hope. Well, don't waste your time. Feintuch's obsession with corporal punishment, psychological punishment, horrific facial scarring injuries and totally unrealistic behavior that made the Hope series disappointing is even more obvious here. I can suspend my disbelief with the best of them but the author has to do something to make that possible. Like Seafort, I couldn't understand why Rodrigo wasn't strangled within the first 75 pages.

I finished the book only because I hoped that something would change in the the characters or the plotline that would make everything worthwhile. The corporal punishment was carried to extremes that were unnecessary for the movement of the plotline. The main character, Rodrigo, never ever takes responsibility for his actions, and has the biggest case of denial of his homosexual nature I have ever seen. The disfiguration of Rodrigo's face at the end was completely unnecessary except as a transparent reason for him not to have a relationship with the token princess character.

Unless you want to feel like a voyeur don't spend a penny for this book.

Feintuch has the potential to be a great writer, but it won't happen until he leaves his personal issues and problems outside of the manuscript.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Feintuch's Best Work
Review: This is definitely Feintuch's best work - better than the Seafort Saga. In the Seafort Saga the main character whines through 6 books about how unworthy he is and never seems to understand why people follow him. In "The Still", Prince Rodrigo is the opposite. He is spoiled, arrogant, and egotiscal and believes he deserves loyalty because he is prince. However there is also depth to him and you see flashes of what he could be. It is the secondary characters that make the story complete. These characters see something in the spoiled prince that makes them want to follow him and risk their lives to protect him. The story is well written and I read it straight through the first time - I literally couldn't put it down. Feintuch draws you into the story and even though you can't stand the spoiled prince, you want to keep reading to see how he will change and what he will become. The beginning is a little slow, it took about 50 or 60 pages for me to be drawn in and the prince can be tedious at times, but it is definitely worth the time.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best I've Read In a LONG Time
Review: I consider myself a voracious reader and I've read books from pretty much every genre, and I must say that The Still is one of THE BEST novels I've read in a long time. I'm talking years. I don't remember when was the last time I became so absorbed in the story and characters of a book. I didn't want to put it down; when I saw I only had a few pages left, I felt like whimpering in disappointment. Exciting and fascinating plot with unforgettable and realistic characters, especially in the central protagonist (or at times, antagonist) Roddy, beautiful romance, great fight scenes and setting, what more can one ask for? So Roddy starts out as a brat--yeah, I wanted to slap him many times too--but I really appreciate the fact that Mr. Feintuch allowed his character to grow over the course of the novel not by leaps and bounds, but in baby steps. I don't find his personality change that abrupt at all; in fact, even to the end, I would say we still can't be sure if he really has entirely grown up or would he fall back into his old habits if given enough time to become complacent again. He's one of the most human characters I've ever come across in a novel because he's so flawed and so slow in overcoming his flaws. I do really hope that Mr. Feintuch will eventually write a sequel (or two) to The Still 'cause if any novel is just screaming for a sequel, this is definitely one.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Unconventional, if boy meets girl is your convention
Review: I like how the back cover of my paperback termed this book "unconventional." I don't know if that statement represents some sort of warning or what.

Although negative reviews are rarely seen as helpful, I prefer a reviewer that has the consideration to tell others about a book that isn't so good.

Disregarding the romance of sorts between a would-be king and his henchman, the spoiled princeling throwing tantrums gets a bit old after page 250. Mr Feintuch, I get your point: the kid is spoiled, please continue developing your plot. I hoped that after Roddy had his epiphany (you knew it was coming) things would get better, but they really didn't.

For those who say this is the best book you have ever read, you truly have my pity. Feel free to cast "unhelpful" votes, if it makes you feel better. However, better books are out there for the finding.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Be Still my mind
Review: This is one of those fantasy books that leaves you wondering,at the end, why you wasted your time. Sure, it may have beenmarginally interesting in the reading (the last quarter, anyway), butit leaves you with a feeling of "so what?". There are nocharacters you can really cheer for. Roddy is essentially a moron andthe rest are patheticly shallow. Where others found characterdevelopment, I found a story that didn't know its start and suredidn't know where it was going. I won't stand in line for any sequelbecause, frankly, I don't care what happens to the characters. Bottomline: Fast, ...read if you are looking for something to fill yourtime. END

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Yeesh - stay away from this one
Review: Not even in the same league as his Hope series - I really don't know why I forced myself to finish this.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wow....I could kill Roddy.
Review: I had to read a science fiction book for my physics class, and I was fortunate enough to have my teacher recommend Midshipman's Hope. I really enjoyed that book and so when I saw Feintuch's name in the library, I was aggreable and took out the book. I started to read at 9 at night and didn't put it down till I finished. The reason was that I, along with most of the other reviewers, hated Roddy. I wanted to kill him. And I still don't like him. I found him to be immature and emotionally, a wreck. However, I believe Feintuch's intention was to make a character you hated so much, you had to finish reading the book to make sure he became better. I needed to find out that Rodrigo could change and become a better person. He does get progressively better and I now eagerly await a sequel so that I can be assured of his continue development into the monarchy. I loved this book and am planning on buying my own copy. It's great.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: I'll try to keep it short; this was a great book. And what goes on between Rustin and Rodrigo wasn't really that bad, unless you are a homophobic. I highly suggest you read this bood.


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