I just started this (I'm about 100 pages in) but so far... blah. None f the characters are particularly likable, and I don't feel like I have anyone to 'root' for, IYKWIM. It's just plodding and dull. Additionally, it seems to be overly crude... as if Rowling is trying to be shocking with her choice of language, to separate herself from the HP series. I think she could have gotten her point across in a much smoother manner. The crudity is very jarring (at least to me) and is a turnoff. You guys know me: I don't mind discussions of sexual relationships or teen boys thinking about sex, but the way she describes things just sets my teeth on edge. I'm wondering if it gets better? I'm thinking of giving it up already (and generally I don't do that; I like to see books through to the end).

I've reached page 200, and still I'm not thrilled with it. Maybe I had too high hopes. I detect a hint of mystery (Tessa's past, basically) so I guess I'l stick with it.

I've been waiting. I usually wait for paperbacks unless I'm really into a series or something. I know the reviews I've seen have been more miss than hit.

I prefer to wait until I can borrow them from the library before I'll purchase a book, and then, like Ame, wait for paperback, although it sounds like she's falling back on her success with the Harry Potter series to sell this. I will try to read it first before making any judgement on the actual story.

I don't know... I'm getting the impression that it's not that she's 'falling back on her success' more than that she is just trying too hard to do something that's completely different... and in trying to be completely different, she's caused it to be devoid of anything interesting. At least, that's my impression so far. I'll try another hundred pages or so.

I was not overly impressed by the last three of the HP series. Too much exposition by far. Could have cut 2/3rds of the text in my estimation and still had a good to great story. No interest in getting her latest...

Originally posted by Reboekah I was not overly impressed by the last three of the HP series. Too much exposition by far. Could have cut 2/3rds of the text in my estimation and still had a good to great story.

My sentiments exactly. It is as though because of her success, she no longer needed an editor...and from what I read of her latest effort, she stated essentially the same thing...she self edits her work, and frankly, it shows.

No interest in getting her latest...

Me neither.

I'm sort of curious about it but not enough to buy it, though I wouldn't rule out reading it if I should happen to come across a copy right before a long plane trip or something like that, but nearly everything I like to read has a scifi, fantasy or historical setting/premise so her latest isn't so much my thing.

So I've given it another 100 pages. It's picked up a bit, and I'll probably finish it now, but it's still not overly thrilling. I certainly can't see myself reading it again in the future, or really recommending it. Oh, and I figured out why it's an 'adult' book... you wouldn't want kids reading it because the teens in this book loathe their parents and do horrible things to them. Sigh... ETA LB, if you want to read the book on a long airplane flight, I can bring my copy to Comic Con next year and let you borrow it for the return journey. And no rush getting it back to me...

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Originally posted by Transmute Jun ETA LB, if you want to read the book on a long airplane flight, I can bring my copy to Comic Con next year and let you borrow it for the return journey. And no rush getting it back to me...

Hey, there's a plan! And I'm usually actually awake on the return flight.

Ok guys, I finished it! Actually, for me, it got better and better, and had a really shocking ending. Thinking back, I think I liked it a lot more than I thought originally. It's human, hard-hitting, not something I'd had read if it wasn't JKR, but, for what it is, I think it's a good book.