tl;dr- Young adult series often have cooler concepts than "adult" novels
Ok, here's the thing. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson is the son of a Greek God, meets up with others, goes on a quest filled with Greek myth-type obstacles in a modern setting) was good, for a children's book.
By that I mean it was exciting, interesting and had a cool premise, but was written at a 5th grade reading level.
And that's fine. That's cool- 5th graders need books too.
But how many adult series are really willing to take a ridiculous concept, and just RUN with it?
There's a few, of course, but I realized when I finished Lightning Thief that I really, really, really wished there was an "adult" version of the series. Same basic concepts, same cool "demigods in the real world" plot, but... you know, less obvious foreshadowing, deeper characters, more complicated plot.
It's one of the reasons I used to love Animorphs- it just had a really great concept, and just went for it. Had some great themes and characters- and I always wondered what the series would have been like if you couldn't finish a book in 45 minutes.
Eh, I'm just ranting, I guess. It just bugs me to see 50 different sword-and-sorcery fantasy books for adults, and then casually pick up a crazy YA book.
Ok, here's the thing. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson is the son of a Greek God, meets up with others, goes on a quest filled with Greek myth-type obstacles in a modern setting) was good, for a children's book.
By that I mean it was exciting, interesting and had a cool premise, but was written at a 5th grade reading level.
And that's fine. That's cool- 5th graders need books too.
But how many adult series are really willing to take a ridiculous concept, and just RUN with it?
There's a few, of course, but I realized when I finished Lightning Thief that I really, really, really wished there was an "adult" version of the series. Same basic concepts, same cool "demigods in the real world" plot, but... you know, less obvious foreshadowing, deeper characters, more complicated plot.
It's one of the reasons I used to love Animorphs- it just had a really great concept, and just went for it. Had some great themes and characters- and I always wondered what the series would have been like if you couldn't finish a book in 45 minutes.
Eh, I'm just ranting, I guess. It just bugs me to see 50 different sword-and-sorcery fantasy books for adults, and then casually pick up a crazy YA book.
My 10 year old son is finally interested in reading again because of this series. I took him to see the movie thinking I'd just enjoy that he was enjoying it, but I thought the premise was clever. I'll read them eventually when I'm done with my grown-up stack of books, but while it will likely make me yearn for more original adult fare, I'm very glad Cam has something that he devours. When we went on a long bus ride for a field trip today I saw copies of all five books out. Not too shabby that.
Just read The Lightning Thief, and I realized why literature often frustrates me. (minor spoilers)
- 27/05/2010 07:01:05 PM
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So you want more adult books with barmy premises?
- 27/05/2010 09:08:09 PM
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Those sound cool... but I dunno if I got across what, exactly, I meant.
- 28/05/2010 09:26:32 AM
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This is why S. King and N. Gaiman are so loved by their fans.
- 28/05/2010 02:58:48 PM
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i think i've seen more gaiman filmd adaptations than read his books
- 29/05/2010 12:26:19 AM
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You just hit the nail on the head.
- 29/05/2010 06:05:09 AM
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