I’ve just finished Raven’s Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet. I loved it. It took me a while to get into this series. I didn’t like the way the first book (Auralia’s Colors) ended…which made it hard to get into the sequels…but overall my biggest complaint was that they were confusing. While reading this series I keep catching myself re-reading. Not a bad thing necessarily, but I’m a fast reader with a tendency to skim, and going back for plot points isn’t somthing I do. Not that the writing is confusing, but there is a wonderful murkiness to these books. As I read, I got the sense that I wasn’t seeing the story clearly. (Reminded me of Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter. One of my favorite books, but it’s easy to miss stuff if you’re just skimming along.) I think I just wasn’t used to the author’s style yet, because as I’ve read sequels (Cyndere’s Midnight and Raven’s Ladder) I’ve gotten more and more into the story. The author reveals more insight into the culture as the series goes on which makes it easier. I also re-read the first book and liked it much better the second time. Great stuff! A unique style and story. Basically it made me pay attention, which can be challenging for me. I would recommend reading this series all at once. Which will be possible when book 4 (The Ale-Boys Feast) comes out in March!
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If you are not used to reading this genre, fantasy, then I could see where you could get confused. I am so glad you stuck with it and gave it a chance. I didn’t like the ending of the first one either, but I have a feeling that there is more to come, especially after reading this last book.
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Thanks for the comment! I actually love fantasy, it’s my favorite genre. The sequels were much easier reads for me. That might be because I adjusted to the authors style, or because I learned more about “The Expanse” in the sequels. The first book actually became clearer as I read them. I’d been reading a lot of young adult titles when I read the first one. (That’s probably the problem. There’s an adjustment I go through when switching back to adult books 🙂 )
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