I have done something now that I almost never do, and that is give up on a fantasy series. There is only one more book in The Fionavar Tapestry for me to read, and it’s not even that long compared to the books I’m used to tackling in this genre, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. The idea of reading that book filled me with dread and despair. When I was reading the first book in this series, even with how much the genre mimicry and misogyny turned me off, it was at least entertaining. For The Wandering Fire (book two) I had to force myself through, and it was only 200 pages.
This is what I wrote on Goodreads after finishing:
“I fell asleep while reading this this afternoon. It was a lovely, wonderful two-hour nap. This book was not lovely or wonderful. I don’t think I have it in me to read the third one.”
Indeed, I finished writing this mini-review on Goodreads, thought about it a little more, then immediately looked up spoilers for the rest of the series on Wikipedia. Thanks, Wikipedia! Then I sold the entire series on PangoBooks and made $24! Thanks, PangoBooks!
I know that people love GGK’s later stuff, but this has left such a bad taste in my mouth it’s going to be a long time before I consider reading anything else by him. I won’t say never though.
Basically, this whole review and my feelings about this series boils down to this gif: