Rating: 
Summary: A "positive" annyoing story.
Review: If you are in any way Homophobic you will probably not be very comfortable reading this story, which would be a shame because this is a very good story. Like many of the other people who have reviewed this book I found the main character very annyoing, almost to the point were I thought about putting the book down, because ya just wanted to smack Roddy. I found the characters within the story interesting and easy to like,hate and sympathize with. I mention homophobia for two reasons. One,You are reading my review. And two, the story line includes scenes of homo/bi-sexuality that are mild and suggestive (in other words there is nothing explicit) in their depiction. They may make some reader uncomfortable . I also think those scenes are important to the story and the development of the characters involved. I feel any mature person can deal with this book and find it for what it is, a good well thought out story. I look forward to the next Vol.
Rating: 
Summary: THE STILL named "Best of the Year"
Review: THE STILL was just named "Best Fantasy Novel of 1997" by _Science Fiction Chronicle_ magazine.
Rating:
Summary: Cut Roddy some slack
Review: I read the other reviewers' comments of "The Still" and I agree that Roddy is spoiled, egotistical, bad-tempered, etc. However, look at his upbringing. In the first pages, his mother has no patience (or affection) with him. He is sent to the Chamberlain to be beaten. Current theories of child-rearing foster the idea that a child who is shown violence reacts with violence. That he is willing to undergo tutelage at the hands of (literally) his friend Rustin shows the strong character and perseverance that he has. It is sad that he lost his father at a young age and his mother, nurse, or teachers refuse to teach him how to behave--they just yell at him and beat him. The other reviewers have summarized the book so I will not re-hash. I welcome your comments/feedback.
Rating: 
Summary: Feintuch works a Fine touch
Review: The Still is, I can safely say, a fine addition to the works Feintuch has created thus far. His stories, this one included, are character driven, and while in The Still, the character was a royal pain, pun intended, Feintuch was able to create another human character, with feelings and flaws, more of the latter. The story is driven along by Prince Rodrigo's lack of Princely behavior until he finds himself at a point where he must change or lose everything. I love Feintuch. His Seafort Saga another look into character development that riveted me. I can only wait patiently for the sequel to The Still, knowing it will be another all nighter
Rating:
Summary: An epic with characters that you can picture on main street
Review: For the first 200 pages I hated the main character of the book. He is a spoiled, obnoxious, self centered brat. I wondered when he was going to be killed so the REAL story could take place. By page 250 I began to think "maybe he's not so bad" and by page 350 I realized the story is not about magic and swords but about growing up and learning to lead. Oh, all of the usual elements that make up a fantasy exist: war, love, magic, and mystery. But the book uses those to fill out a rich tapestry of human relationship and growth.
This is a book that pulls few punches - but has one of the most honest characters I have ever read in fantasy. No perfect heros, villianous villans, or swooning lovers will be found. If that's what you are looking for go somewhere else. But if you do you will miss what, by the end of the book, is one of the best fantasy books I have read in a long time. Take the plunge and read the book, in the end whether you like the Prince or not, the book is one you will find unforgetable!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: The Still is a beautifully crafted fantasy which transcends the usual sword and sorcery epic. Roddy is not likeable - at first; in fact, he is downright nasty, caustic, pompous and totally caught up in his own self-importance. As this story is told in the first person by Roddy himself, his biting sarcasm in the face of those trying to help him is laughable at times because he can actually rationalize and justify his words and deeds. He has a great deal of growing up to do and in his pursuit for his Crown he has help along the way from his small and loyal band of companions; especially his lifelong friend, Rustin. A nobleman himself, Rustin's affection for the prince and his patience and determination to bring out the estimable qualities in Roddy he knows are there (somewhere) is the real story here. To be a prince, Roddy must also learn to be a man. It is Rustin who strives to teach him humility and compassion. The prince is sometimes very brave and sometimes quite cowardly throughout the novel. At times he is pitiful and I alternately wanted to shake him/hug him. Mr. Feintuch is a wonderful storyteller and, as Roddy still has a ways to go at the end of the novel, I eagerly await the sequel. It's a charming story, thrilling and often dark, with some delicious offbeat characters. I thoroughly recommend this novel! You won't want to put it down and the characters will stay with you long after you close the book
Rating: 
Summary: Ugh!!
Review: The best thing I can say about "The Still" is that the act of reading it made me learn something about myself -- namely that I do not enjoy reading fiction were the "hero" is devoid of redeeming qualities.
The premise of "The Still" is basic: a spoiled teenage prince is orphaned before his majority, and must struggle through the requisite trials and intrigues to gain his rightful crown.
Feintuch's twist is that the maligned prince is completely unworthy of his inheritance! Prince Rodrigo is spoiled, arrogant, unintelligent, immature, foolish, impatient, cruel, self-centered to the point of despotism, and unrepentant. To make Rodrigo even worse, Feintuch does not allow the prince to grow up or learn from his mistakes. The supporting characters who surround Rodrigo give him unconditional love and support, and the prince rewards them with cruelty and scorn.
I guess the author's point is that not all "princes" are born noble and good, and watching Rodrigo flounder is an interesting twist to the "canned heroism" usually found in this genre.
But, what I learned about myself was that I didn't really enjoy watching an unrepentant boor suffer and feel sorry for himself for 500+ pages. There is nothing tragic or endearing about a cruel little ugly duckling of a boy who grows up to be even uglier. I didn't feel one ounce of pity for "Prince Rodrigo," and began to hope that his erstwhile companions would come to their senses and carve him up into Mighty Dog.
Mixed up in this sorry tale is Feintuch's concept of magic, which has to do with special powers inherited through the firstborn children of ruling families. Prince Rodrigo's "magic inheritance" is called "the Still," and to come into his power he must remain a virgin, always tell the truth, etc. These burdens prove too much for Rodrigo, and "The Still" plays little part in the story except to provide another excuse for Rodrigo's bad behavior, as he struggles with his adolescent sexual needs.
I sensed at the end of the book that Feintuch had laid the groundwork for potential sequels. I can only hope that a poor response to "The Still" will discourage a reprise of Prince Rodrigo's story
Rating:
Summary: Heart moving fantasy with an unusual twist
Review: (Beware, this review has some spoilers).
What I found most intriguing about this coming of
age story centered upon Rodrigo, the heir to throne of Caledan, was not the transformation from the snotty I-am-better-than-churls (a much nicer word than peasants don't you think?) boy into a just and noble, if not at times petty, ruler which is a fairly typical theme in fanstasy fiction. Rather what kept me from setting the book down was how Rodrigo's only redeeming quality at the beginning of the story--his admiration and respect for Rustin, his almost too noble and affectionate friend--accomplishes this transformation. Only because he truly loves his friend, does Rodrigo ever have one chance in million to become a respectable human being.
Some of the most humorous scenerios conjured up during Rodrigo's quest to become a man is based upon his frustration in having to remain a virgin for as long as he may have access to the Still, the ancient power inherent to the True rulers of Calendan--the great wisdom from all the past rulers of the land--and the lengths he will go in order to satisfy his unseemly passions.
These manly urges soon become entangled with his volatile temper which leads him to almost raping Rustin's girl friend and then later to telling the whole painful truth when accused of rape--and as a consequence losing his virginity--before the Council of Caledan. The Council believes his version of the story because of his sincerity and openness regarding his anguish at having to remain chaste.
In this instance and many others, Rodrigo demonstrates the difference between being good at statecraft which comes naturally to him while being terrible in handling personal matters. This trait of Rodrigo's causes Rustin great consternation, but at the same time endears him to his friend to the point of showing Rodrigo how to be a man.
Another example of this is after Rodrigo reluctantly agrees to become Rustin's "bed companion", an odd twist in the story to be sure, and discovers that Rustin "sacrificed his manhood" (i.e. sold his body for a favor) so that Rodrigo can obtain the throne. During his cornation he magnamiously appoints Rustin as one of his councilors, but then immediately afterwards accuses Rustin of "whoring for the crown" and refuses to have anything more to do with him. What is so odd is that Rodrigo only agrees to share Rustin's bed as a poor substitute for the sex he really craves with women while he has to remain chaste and pure. He refuses time and again in the story to admit any real feelings of love toward Rustin, especially in the sense of a lover. He claims that it simply isn't within his nature. However, this fit of jealousy speaks otherwise.
Partially because he doesn't understand the nature of humility, Rodrigo puts himself into situations far more humilating than any normal person would.
Case in point: Rodrigo allowing Rustin to fondle him in the first place. At the beginning of the story, Rodrigo is afraid Rustin will make "an amorous" advance and will have "to kill him" when they are both nearly naked and Rustin kneels to pledge his leigehood. Clearly, Rodrigo doesn't want Rustin's advances and keeps throwing off Rustin's affections and gets angry in being treated "like a plaything". However, after he manages to alienate everyone, including Rustin, the only way he can think to win back some trust is to swear an oath (which he must keep or lose the Still) to do whatever Rustin says in order to become a man. Mistake.
Rustin takes advantage of this misplaced trust after rescuing Rodrigo from drowning and freezing to death in the stream while he is trying to keep shivering Rodrigo warm in his bed. Romantic, I suppose, except that Rustin waits until Rodrigo goes to sleep. Rodrigo has a passionate wet dream of Rustin's girl friend, Chela, the one he almost raped earlier in the story, to only wake up and discover that his hands weren't anywhere near his genitals and Rustin's are.
If Rodrigo didn't desperately need Rustin's emotional support and guidance, he wouldn't have relented when he confronted Rustin the next day.
As noted earlier, it is Rodrigo's love for his friend that gives him his chance for redemption.
Rodrigo agrees to sleep with Rustin not so much for his own sake--having someone hold him while being chaste, but because he wants to please his friend. Here, Rodrigo surpases Rustin in being considerate of others before self which is what ultimately wins him his manhood at the end.
Ironic, isn't it?
Rating:
Summary: Challenging but Enjoyable
Review: This book is both.
Challenging for some people, as we've seen from the reviews, to understand and sympethize. Rodrigo is a tough character to attach yourself to - he's moody, cocky, direspectful, selfish and uncaring. Despite all that, I couldn't help it but to feel bad for him at times. He is obviously confused and lonley, but it took so long until he figured it out himself.
His relationsip with Rustin is very frustrating since you don't know whose side to take. Rustin bullies Rodrigo phisically (within reason most of the times, but still), while Rodrigo abuses him emotionally. And Rodrigo's insistance over his virginity really started to bug me because he is cheating and sleeping with Rustin. Yet, he still wallows in self pity and treats Rustin like an object to use rather than a person.
The thing that made is more frustrating is that Rustin really is in love with Rodrigo, while the Prince confesses he is ashamed of what they do together and that it would stop as soon as he could have a woman. This is where his character remains shallow throughout the book, while in other points he matures remarkably.
His adventures, his trials and his sufferings transform Rodrigo into a worthy King. I love the character of Genard, and how Roddy always calls him Garamond. I don't know why, but things like that made me burst out laughing every time. ALso, when Roddy falls off his horse and starts screaming and cursing the horse and then abruptly calls him "good boy" for returning. Perfect for Rodrigo's character, and entertaining as well.
The last part of the book is so gripping that I almost had to hold my breath. I couldn't believe how things twisted around and I was so angry at what happened to Rodrigo. The ending was absolutely perfect, with the exception of the whole virginity obsession. I really think that Rustin should find someone who isn't afraid to love him for what he is (a man).
Overall, this book was amazing and I enjoyed it throughly from start to finish. I hope that Mr. Feintuch will continue writing in this saga and delight us with more of Roddy's (and Rustin's) adventures.
Rating: 
Summary: Bah
Review: Ever see that horrible Dungeons & Dragon movie where the sidekick character was so annoying that people in the theatre cheered when he was killed? The main character in The Still makes that guy seem like good company.
The payoff in this book is simply not worth wading through 500+ pages establishing that the main character is annoying, childish, petulant, rude, boorish, spoiled, etc........................
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