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Keertana's Reviews > In the Hand of the Goddess
In the Hand of the Goddess (Song of the Lioness, #2)
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Rating: 2 Stars/DNF
It seems as if Tamora Pierce and I must part our ways. Quite simply put, I am above the age group to enjoy this. While I know many of my older friends have loved this, I seem to have lost interest in the life and struggles of a mere fifteen-year-old girl, which says everything about me and nothing about the book itself. I've only ever read The Immortals Series by Pierce when I was ten and I suspect I'd have loved this as much, if not more, if I were the same age. Alas, Alanna fails to capture my attention and although this novel is written impeccably with thoughtful musings and a solid plot line, I'd only recommend it to younger readers or readers who enjoy intelligent literature for younger YA. As I grow I seem to prefer my protagonists to be older and can't seem to wait for Alanna to grow up. Sadly, this is just a classic case of it's-me-not-you syndrome.
It seems as if Tamora Pierce and I must part our ways. Quite simply put, I am above the age group to enjoy this. While I know many of my older friends have loved this, I seem to have lost interest in the life and struggles of a mere fifteen-year-old girl, which says everything about me and nothing about the book itself. I've only ever read The Immortals Series by Pierce when I was ten and I suspect I'd have loved this as much, if not more, if I were the same age. Alas, Alanna fails to capture my attention and although this novel is written impeccably with thoughtful musings and a solid plot line, I'd only recommend it to younger readers or readers who enjoy intelligent literature for younger YA. As I grow I seem to prefer my protagonists to be older and can't seem to wait for Alanna to grow up. Sadly, this is just a classic case of it's-me-not-you syndrome.
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Reading Progress
June 25, 2013
–
Started Reading
June 25, 2013
– Shelved
June 25, 2013
– Shelved as:
did-not-finish
June 25, 2013
– Shelved as:
did-not-finish
June 25, 2013
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)
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Mayflower
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rated it 5 stars
Jun 25, 2013 04:39PM
While I understand where you're coming from, I don't think it's quite fair to rate a book down because you are above the targeted age group! I actually meant to comment this on your review of the first part of the series but never got around to it hahaha :-) Rating books down primarily because you're too mature for them unfairly brings down book ratings. To be fair, though, you did admit that your low rating has more to do with you than the book... I guess we should just agree to disagree?
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Mayflower, I completely see your point, which is the primary reason I really dislike rating systems. It's unfair for me to rate books that I am unable to finish, but the fact of the matter is that I found this book to be just OK for my tastes, which is what GR considers a two-star review. I don't feel comfortable rating it two stars, but at the same time it is an honest representation of my feelings toward it. I do need to re-visit this situation, though...thank you for your thoughts, that too put so kindly! :)
I disagree that it is unfair to rate a book that you're "above" the age-range for. The rating system is simply "Did you like this book?" not "Is this book the greatest piece of literature ever?" I rated "The Great Gatsby" low because I personally did not enjoy it, period. It doesn't matter if everyone else says it's great...this is YOUR rating, and you can rate it however you like. As for the age-range thing...A great story has no age limit. I have no problem enjoying books for younger readers even though I'm almost 30. I also have no problem rating books for younger readers low when I don't feel that they were tat great. Most of my all-time favorite books are for younger readers, so I certainly don't have a bias against books that I'm "too old" for. The fact that you didn't like the Alanna books is because they just don't hold up that well once you've gone out and read more books in this genre, not because of your age.
I also wish I'd read these when I was younger, but the covers that were reissued when I was a kid were so lackluster and did not represent the books at all. That said, she does turn 18 in this own. This is clearly kidlit from before YA was what it is today. A friend of mine told me the third book is the best in the series, but I'm a little hesitant to jump in right away to the next one.
