Rating: 
Summary: An extraordinary story of growth.
Review: The still is an amazing work of fiction. David Feintuch managed to in the space of one novel, turn a childish sniveling brat into a man, and King. He did this not after one auspicious moment in the characters life, but rather over a period of time, letting the character gradually evolve into someone that the reader can appreciate. The paceing of the novel was perfect, never leaving me bored, but constantly challenging me to turn the next page to see what will happen. I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy at its best.
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS A TRUE HUMAN STORY!!
Review: I read the other reviews and I do agree on one point,I also wanted to slap Roddy most part of the book,but that what made the book interesting.It is about human faults and how trying to change yourself it not always easy and how it doesn't always works on the first try.That growing up can be a long painful road and require some sacrifices. About how when you go through all the hardships and all the sacrifices and endure humiliations beyond what you have ever had to endure before,that it is not over that you still have more growing to do. I thought the plot was put together really well and I also was amazed by complexity of the characters.I was a little disappointed by the the ending kind of left me hanging but I hope their will be a sequel. And that Roddy realizes his true feelings for Rusty before it too late. And for all you homophobic readers, this is the 90's, GET OVER IT!!
Rating:
Summary: Yep, it's a keeper.
Review: This is the first book by David Feintuch that I have read, and I think that it is excellent. The character development was well done and I would recommend this book to any who enjoy reading fantasy.
Rating: 
Summary: The REAL Review!
Review: My goodness . . . I just finished reading each and every review for this book on this page, and I am APALLED! (Please forgive my horrid spelling.) It would seem most of the readers consist of biased, arrogant, morons. But, oddly, I find myself agreeing with them . . . to a point.What the others say is true, Roddy is MOST annoying in the firt half of the book. So annoying, in fact, I was forced to throw my copy across the room on many an occassion. But his annoying characteristics are what set up such a magnificent character trasformation, I cannot help but to love the book as a whole. However, I find myself agreeing on another point with the homophobic reviewers: Roddy's being allowed to have sexual relations with Rustin and still maintain virginity is absolutely insane. A climax is a climax, and if it is caused by being with another person, then that person can no longer call themselves virgin. What angers the biased-ones most is that Roddy takes Rustin as his ! lover. This angers me too, but for different reasoning than their's. What angers me about this choice on the author's part is that Roddy chooses this only because he cannot get the girl. Absolute absurdity! Any boy with SLIGHTLY bi tendencies would see that Rustin is BY FAR the much more desireable interest. As I read the book, I couldn't help but to feel sorry for Rustin and wish that were the novel real, I could show him how he SHOULD have been treated. All in all, it is a most wonderful book, and makes me hope that should Mr. Feintuch write a sequel, Roddy realize his stupidity and realize his love for Rustin. Should the sequel end with Roddy getting and sticking with the girl (so uninteresting, I have forgotten her name) I certainly will have destroyed my copy of that novel by my constant throwing of it out of frustration. 'Til then . . .
Rating: 
Summary: Promisingly interesting, critically flawed
Review: Many people have already commented upon Mr. Feintuch's fascination with badly behaved people learning lessons in painfully slow motion. This book is an orgy of more of the same. What is redeeming about that, at least in his other books, is that we are a society much in need of lesson learning about bad behavior. To the extent that a book can provide insight into our lives, Mr. Feintuch's work is admirable. Problem. As noted, the idea that virginity would be necessary for 'power' is an interesting concept for this genre. Allowing homosexual activities as an 'out' (no pun intended) is an idiotic plot device, however, not the least because it wasn't integral to the story. It also does not make sense, since as someone else put it so delicately, 'penetration is penetration'. Some will say criticism of this is homophobic. Maybe so. Maybe not. Nonetheless, that part of the story will quite likely put off readers on the whole book, for whatever reason.
Rating: 
Summary: A strange way of writing
Review: Don't get me wrong, I liked this book, I really did, at least the storyline. But the Gross stuff like homosexuality and masturbation should definately have been left out. The Story was superb, probably 4 stars, or maybe a low 5, but the stuff used to flesh(Literaly) it out could have been left alone. Even in a medievel society where people generally did "Do It" around puberty, a 16 year old boy should have a bit more self control then Rodrigo does in that Department(I should know, I am 16). As for the characters. They were realistic, with Flaws and strong points. but like I said, Unless you can look past the Gross parts, you might want to stick away from this book.
Rating: 
Summary: I like my fantasy WITHOUT sadomasochism, please.
Review: David Feintuch's other books leaned toword strict discipline being required for success, but that was in a military-style story, so it was understandable. This book is supposed to be a fantasy, yet he goes out of his way to create a weak and rotten character who needs repeated humiliation and harsh discipline, to the extent that he appoints someone to beat him when he's bad. And he's always bad. Combine this with our character who must remain "pure", i.e. a virgin, but who can have as much homosexual sex as a teenage boy could want (which is a lot) without being considered impure, and I found nothing worthwhile in the entire book. I'm left with severe doubts about the author and am not sure I want to share his view of the world again.
Rating:
Summary: Not Feintuch's best
Review: First, I absolutely loved his Nicholas Seafort saga! I wished I could say the same for "The Still"but i just can't. Like most of the other reviewers, I felt that Roddy had no redeaming qualities for over half the book.I tortured myself through the first half hoping to see an intelligent and gradual change in him until he transformed into a caring human being, and ultimately, a great leader. Mr. Feintuch tried to deliver, I'm sure, but couldn't quite do it. Roddy's transformation into a leader happens way to suddenly and just wasn't believable to me. You just don't see any maturity in roddy through the preceding chapters to suggest that he could transform himself so suddenly into a leader. Also, I disliked the rational for the homosexuality. The concept of the character having to remain a virgin to gain the power of the still was something i could go along with. Infact, I thought it very interesting to explore. Kind of an Arthurian knight, or monk's vow of chastity. It certainly could of been an interesting character building concept. But to say that virginity is lost by having sex with a woman but not by having sex with a man is ridiculous to me. I mean what difference does it make what orifice you penetrate. you have still experienced a sexual act I still place Mr. Feintuch as one of my favorite authors because of his Seafort saga but must respectully put a thumbs down on this particular book.
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Summary: This book is a tribute to it's-not-my-fault thinking.
Review: This is a boring tale of a boy and his self-interest, self love, self-righteousness, selfishness and self-satisfaction. He is easy prey to someone older who initiates a same sex physical relationship. It's about the young and how easily they fall victim to being a victim. I found nothing that was uplifting, good or enjoyable about this book. It looks like mere propaganda for the self-justification of any behavior of the moment. Do not read it unless you like darkness, depression and defeat masked as victory.
Rating:
Summary: There are so many better books to read
Review: Written in first person (hard to do). The main character is pathetic (who cares?). What's with all the homosexual? I could care less about young men spanking each other. This book was a waste of time and Feintuch is permanently off my list. I have read thousands of books and this was one of the worst. When I finally finished it, much to my dismay, it was not the end and more is to follow. Not for me! This book gives fantasy a blank eye.
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