Has anyone read The Lost Art by Simon Morden? And if you have, did you like it? Did you have trouble getting hooked? Does it get better? By what chapter?
This book--on the surface--seems to be a book that I'd really like, really be into, really enjoy. The cover. The jacket which reads "The world has turned. The past awakens." The fact that it's science fiction, post-apocalyptic.
Yet I'm 168 pages into it and just not feeling any connection at all. Just mild disinterest mixed with slight confusion. Too many narrators perhaps? Too many story threads? Slow pacing??? I'm not sure why it's not working for me.
If you've read it and think it's good to great--enjoyable--worthy of persevering....please let me know!
As of now I'm setting it aside. I may try to pick it up later on.
An excerpt of chapter one can be found here.
Product Description
A MILLENNIUM AFTER the formidable war machines of the User cultures devoured entire civilizations and rewrote planetary geography, Earth is in the grip of a perpetual Dark Age. Scientific endeavor is strongly discouraged, while remnant technology is locked away—hidden by a Church determined to prevent a new Armageddon.
This is the world to which Benzamir Michael Mahmood must return. A descendant of the tribes who fled the planet during those ages old wars, he comes in pursuit of enemies from the far reaches of space. The technology he brings is wondrous beyond the imaginings of those he will meet, but can its potency match that of the Church’s most closely guarded treasure?
For centuries it has lain dormant, but it is about to be unearthed, and the powers that will be unleashed may be beyond anyone’s capacity to control. Even a man as extraordinary as Benzamir . . .
From the Hardcover edition.
About the Author
Dr. Simon Morden is a bona fide rocket scientist, having degrees in geology and planetary geophysics. He’s also the author of a number of short stories blending science fiction, fantasy and horror. The Lost Art is his first novel for children. He lives in England.
From the Hardcover edition.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
2 comments:
Becky, I haven't read it, but I'm wondering what age you would think it's for? Is it appropriate for middle schoolers or more for high schooler/adults?
I'm not quite sure. But here is what I can tell you. It is rather lengthy. 522 pages. It is rather complex. Creates another world, and at least two if not three different societies that live on this world. My first response would be older readers probably. But there's no rational for that response. Middle schoolers might be patient enough to stick with it. As far as language/situations go, in the first 168 pages nothing has happened that would make it inappropriate for middle schoolers.
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