Rating: Summary: Nice tale, but ultimately disappointing Review: First of all, the Fairy Godmother had a good, well-developed storyline, one which could have been quite enjoyable. That is, if the characters themselves weren't so very bland. I did not like the main character. At all. She had the potential to be an interesting character, but that potential never developed into anything more substantial. She seemed like a character developed mainly to pander to the general audience. Hers was a Cinderella-type background which changed for the better when a Fairy Godmother decided to take her on as an apprentice. She is strong-willed, smart and capable. However, she was boring. After I reached the 200 page mark, I was beginning to tap my feet impatiently, waiting for her to develop some sort of depth, waiting for her to make me take an interest in her. It never happened.
While I am quite the fan of Mercedes Lackey's work, I have to say that I found this book one of her worst. The two stars I gave are for the potential of the book. The other stars were taken away for my occasional onset of boredom and for lack of attachment to any of the characters (a pivotal factor in my books).
Rating: Summary: ML's Best In A Long Time!! Review: 'The Fairy Godmother' is a fresh, tongue in cheek look at happily ever after and all the things that have to happen in order for it to be achieved. I love the power that Tradition is given and the sleeves rolled up, down to earth approach that "The Godmother" takes in making sure that it is upheld. This book will appeal not only to fantasy/fairy tale enthusiasts but to romance readers as well. **Quick not-so-spoiler: if you're looking for a lusty, sex peppered book...this ain't it. If you're looking for a cracking good read with an innovative plot, well fleshed characters and one that will make you laugh out loud in appreciative irony then this is the book for you. I cannot praise it highly enough!!
Rating: Summary: Lackey's best book in years Review: Excellent blend of fantasy and romance. Glad a romance publishing company finally got wise and got a fantasy writer to write a fantasy romance for them.
(I don't know where that earlier person heard the line would be fantasy with light romance. I knew, with a major romance publisher putting out the line, and all the publicity I saw promoted it as romance novels with solid fantasy,and science-fiction plots.)
The line is obviously targeted at readers like me who enjoy all those genres and had been looking for good blends from the romance side of the aisle of the genre instead of bad futuristic romances (exceptions being Susan Grant's "Contact" and Jane Anne Krentz's "Sweet Starfire") promising but weak fantasy/romance blends, and vampire romances with ultra boring Alpha male types (Types like Angel of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's in sci-fi/horror series that sexier, less tradtional macho vampires show up like Lackey's own Andre and Hamilton's Jean-Claude, or Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I would love if the Luna line did a vampire romance story with the a more interesting Spike-like vampire)
I actually wish the story had been a bit sexier, the one love scene was very tame for a romance novel. At least let the scene continue through the end of the lovemaking. This brings to mind the criticism by the reviewer that mistakenly thought the line was fantasy with light romance. The attempts by sci-fi writers (Lackey and Hamilton as obvious exceptions) to incorporate romance into their sci-fi/fantasy stories are as unsatisfying to a reader of all genres as the bad futuristic romances. They are dull with no sense of attraction between the characters, their romance writing is a bad as the romance writer's science fiction or fantasy.
If the other books in the Luna line are as good as Fairy Godmother I can happily say- finally a line for readers like me!
Rating: Summary: Good, but this is more romance than fantasy Review: I am a fan of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series and have not been disappointed with the other books of hers I have read, so when I bought this book after reading an interesting first chapter, I didn't expect to have any problems. While the book was interesting and I did enjoy the first third a lot, then the hero rolled around and kind of ruined it for me. Alexander was a bit cliche, but I could have lived with him if it wasn't for the new element he introduced to the book: an opportunity to write very graphic love scenes. Since this book and the LUNA line was billed as fantasy with light romance, I was not only dismayed but confused. Especially after reading the next two books in the LUNA line (which also have rather overdetailed love scenes), I think the publishers have mistargeted the science fiction/fantasy audience when they should be shooting for the romance audience, since that's where most of the emphasis is. I have no problem with some and more tastefully portrayed romance, but I just think LUNA should include more fantasy if that's what they're billing it as. Despite the obvious genre mix-up, I gave this book three stars because I did enjoy the novel and will reread it, but definitely skipping over the love scenes. If you've never read any Mercedes Lackey books, I personally recommend "The Arrows of the Queen" to start with, a wonderful series with adventure, heroes and heroines, and real light romance
Rating: Summary: Great new world Review: I loved this book. I bought it mostly because I loved her valdemar series but after I started reading it I realized that it pretty much stood on it's only two feet.First of all I'm a sucker for the godmother job. I think it's fabulous. Mercedes Lackey did a wonderful job of giving it depth and making it mostly realistic. I love romance and I'm glad that it was a part of this book it was written in such a way that it wasn't the whole point of the story. Each character had a purpose outside of their romance. Overall I believe this to be a wonderful book, colorful and charming. If you love fairy tales and fantasy you should definitely read this book. I hope the ML continues to write in this world, I would love to meet more of the kingdoms and the fairy godmothers that protect them.
Rating: Summary: A Lighthearted Romp Review: I picked Fairy Godmother up at the library not quite sure what to expect. I've read all of Lackey's Valdemar books, but very little of her other work. Once I started it, however, it was hard to put down. Lackey takes the fairy tale and turns it on its ear. Yes, some of the conceits may be trite, some of the plot turns a bit forced, and some of the characters drawn with broad strokes, but isn't that the nature of the fairy tale genre to begin with? I found the concept of "the Tradition" intriguing, and the unicorns had me giggling. On the other hand, the Brownies tended to be annoyingly smug--protective, but smug. What kept me from giving this book five stars was that in a handful of places Lackey did not provide enough detail--even in keeping with the "broad strokes" of the genre. Sometimes those details are necessary for consistency in the storytelling. All in all, Fairy Godmother is a lighthearted romp through the fairy tales that makes for a good summer or vacation read.
Rating: Summary: extremly interesting Review: I really enjoyed this book. I'm teaching fairy tales in English right and this really hit the spot. The entire premise was so fresh and unique. No graphic sex scenes explicit themes, just a really interesting book.
Rating: Summary: one of her best Review: I'm an old Lackey fan and love this new romantic focus that she's been putting into some of her books, making them more rounded. There was a somewhat negative review about the charecter Alexander, and I somewhat agree; but he grows on you. However, the book is incredible, but hey, I've only reread it about twenty times so maybe I'm biased.
Cheers!
Rating: Summary: I don't like Alexander Review: It started off strongly and at first I was enjoying the book with the same sort of enthusiasm I had enjoyed Arrows of the Queen some ten years ago. Then Alexander happened and I yelled at the book and contemplated tossing it across the room. From about page 200 to about page 275, I couldn't help but picture Donkey from Shrek and I found the whole experience very distracting. My husband told me that the book got better and every time I growled about Alexander, he reminded me, "But he's important to the story." Things fortunately did get better and I could enjoy the last third of the book although with not quite the same way as I had the first third. I am waiting now for zombiebooker to get back to me with an address. If I don't hear back in a day or two longer, I'll send the book onto Eskielover.
Rating: Summary: Enjoyable Review: Mercedes Lackey writes an enjoyable, if not unforgettable story in "The Fairy Godmother". This story is about Elena Klovis, a girl who was destined to be a Cinderella in her kingdom. However, a twist of fate lands her with a job as a fairy godmother to her kingdom. From then on, countless adventures come her way, along with a spoiled, rude, arrogant prince who she is determined to change for the better.
To me, Elena wasn't a particularly special heroine. She just didn't seem that interesting even though she was a fairy godmother. However, I thought this story was still quite enjoyable. It is a book that you would read on a long lazy day when you have nothing else to do. If you are looking for a special, interesting book, try another before you read this one.
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