unezakokab

The second in the Mercy series. I have hardly ever given a book two stars, and never a one star, because i try and see the best in every book. But this one was different. There were too many things wrong with it. Rebecca Lim managed to sound pretentious and snooty throughout the whole book. The first few pages were okay, but then she began describing the universe and cosmos, and she couldn't quite get it right. Several times, complicated words were used, when the more simple terms would have suited the situation more. I really hate it when authors do that- try and exhibit their sophisticated vocabulary on every page. One author who doesn't do that is the amazing Stephen King. Rarely do I come across a word which i do not understand, and this makes every book of his even more gripping. Rebecca Lim should take a leaf out of his book, cuz that guy knows what he's doing. Luc is a bad guy; everyone can see it. He's probably the devil, which is no spoiler, if the shorthand version of Lucifer is anything to go by. Of course, the only "being" who can't see it, has to be fricking Mercy. God. My major criticism of this book is Sulaiman's character. In many Australian books I have read, Muslims are generally depicted as religious fanatcis who look down on anybody who doesn't share their faith. This is another one of them. I don't understand if it's something in the water there, or something in the air, but i am really getting tired of it. And a note to the author...WHEN MUSLIMS PRAY, THEY DON'T HOLD A PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATE WITH SOMEONE STANDING NEXT TO THEM. When I first came to this point of the book, about halfway through, I wasn't sure if I was reading it correctly. Good ol' Sulaiman, standing on the prayer mat in his little kitchen, and performing all the actions involved, such as bowing and kneeling onto the floor- but then also talking to fricking Lela who was watching him with a sneer. I re-read it, and asked my friend to check it, too. We both came to the same disgusted conclusion. The writer doesn't know what she's talking about. This was the most disturbing aspect- Rebecca Lim had pinned a religion on a character, but didn't have a clue about that religion, and has thus portrayed Islam in completely the wrong way. Muslims don't talk during prayers, because how can you be having a conversation with someone whilst also praying to God? Ms. Lim- THE LACK OF RESEARCH IS SHOCKING. You should be ashamed of yourself, and so should your editors for not having picked up on it. The character of Lela was fine, but Mercy herself is quite a little witch. Case in point- all the snidey little remarks about Sulaiman, and at one point explaining a character's reaction to something with: "He's Russian." And how in the hell, Mercy, do you have the first clue about what Russians are like? Seeing as you hardly remember your past lives except for a few glimpses, and don't seem to watch the news or read newspapers. There were too many cliches and stereotypes to count. The jolly old Russian employer, the shy and quiet coffeemaker from the Phillipines, the sullen and pompous Muslim chef, the bitchy co-worker, a prostitute who was a kind soul underneath; the loving dying mother. Layer upon layer upon layer of cliches. And don't get me started on bloody Randal. He's such an idiot, really, but that doesn't excuse what Mercy did to him. Agreeing to a date when you knew you wouldn't be around to go through with it? That's just plain cold. He didn't deserve that, no matter how strange he was, and I blame what happened at the end to Mercy, the stupid little girl who has been around for millenia, but does not know how to let a guy down gently. Overall, I have many complaints about this book. I can't be bothered to write any more, but am just warning everyone that this book tries too hard, but doesn't satisfy. At all. However, on the plus side, the next in the series, Muse, sounds quite fascinating. I might give it a go. Maybe. (view spoiler)

2022-10-29 03:52