One of the things that I never really notice while I'm reading a book, but never fail to notice once I start talking about said book, is whether there are any good female characters in it. Or how female characters are treated in general, or how many there actually are.

This is why I almost think of Havemercy as a guilty pleasure of sorts. I mean, I don't really have guilty pleasures; I enjoy things for the aspects that I like and am perfectly capable of doing so without feeling bad about the aspects that I don't like. However, some mild embarrassment does creep up on me occasionally, usually coupled with instant defensiveness. ("What?!," I demand of my imaginary critics. "I only like this for the ...")

Havemercy (this is not a post about Havemercy, much as I may be giving off that impression) is a very entertaining book and I am looking forward to reading the sequel whenever I can get my hands on it, but evidently it has some issues. How can a book written by not one, but two women be so completely devoid of interesting female characters?! I have read it twice by now and I'm almost certain that during the first two thirds or so, only a single one is even mentioned - and she's an exaggeratedly awful person. Later several more appear, but it's not like we find out much about those.

That said, may I please marry Royston?? I'm in love with his words, of which he has so many (can definitely relate there, ha). I am also fascinated by all the things that he notices, mostly because I wouldn't. I think the ability to Notice Things is something that attracts me in people in general - perhaps a survival trait, as at least one person in a couple should probably have it. :P

Another book I have recently read for a second time is The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. When I started to read it for the first time, I think I mentioned on here that I had some trouble getting into it, but it turned out to be pretty awesome in the end. In order for me to enjoy a book, it needs to have at least one out of the following: fascinating characters, a fascinating plot or a narrator with a fascinating "voice". The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms doesn't really have the latter, hence my original lack of enthusiasm. However, I came to love it soon enough as the fascinating characters started to appear and the plot became apparent ... and from time to time the narrator did have something witty to say, too.

Obligatory fansquee: NAHADOTH. (That is really all I need to say.)

Also, I rather love the whole mythology of the book's world and what the gods are like in it and the scenes that mess with reality a bit and and and- NAHADOTH.

Ahem.

Anything else that I reread while I didn't have internet, I already commented on when it was new. And then I had the pleasure of being able to read something that was new: Patrick Rothfuss's The Wise Man's Fear, the long-awaited sequel of The Name of the Wind.

When I sat down on my bed with that very large book in my hands, I hesitated to open it for a moment, afraid that I would be disappointed. Ten minutes later I was as absorbed in the story as always, so I guess I needn't have worried, but I must confess that it really wasn't as good as its predecessor. This came as no surprise to me, since in my opinion The Name of the Wind is practically perfect. In The Wise Man's Fear, I noticed several too drawn-out descriptions, one minor continuity error and a handful of things that seemed repetitive, which wouldn't even have bothered me in any other book and only stuck out in this instance because it came after something that had none of those things.

... that I noticed. Which, you know. But never mind.

Elodin was quite unexpectedly promoted to the position of Favourite Character - I never realised how his previous portrayal had been bothering me until it stopped. Basically, if I were to start listing my favourite scenes, it would go something like "That time when Elodin was on that roof, that time when Elodin was on that other roof, that time when ... OH SHIT DID THE THING ON THAT ROOF REALLY HAPPEN." I don't know what he's doing on roofs all the time, but it leads to awesome so that's okay.

And! Another favourite scene was when Mola totally saved the day. Here we go again with the female characters - I think PR's doing a fine job of it.

I could say more, in fact I suspect I could write several essays, but I'd better stop here. :)