The Truth-Teller's Tale

by Sharon Shinn

[ladygrey]

This is a well written book in an interesting world with (nearly) great characters. I just... I wanted to like it more than I actually did.

I didn't entirely enjoy it for two reasons. One is that it's obvious. I mean, there's a one thing that I didn't expect because I wasn't looking for it but I can't say it surprised me. Everything else, (and I mean everything else) I knew the instant it was introduced. And I've been thinking that's kind of an odd grievance. I reread books all the time and obviously the second and third and 12th time I enjoy the story even though I know what's going to happen. Why does it bother me the first time? I haven't found the answer to that yet.

Secondly, Eleda kind of bothered me. 80% of the time she's a decent character and being a Truth-Teller is interesting and her dynamic with her sister is engaging. But the rest of the time she's one of my least favorite characters - the one who overreacts in a negative manner. It's so annoying when they're talking to someone they know and trust and that person says one thing they don't understand and they're response is, "How can you ruin us!! I never thought you'd betray us!! How could you!!" And I'm like - come on. You know this person well enough to know that's not who they are and so you're just being dumb and it's really, really annoying.

I liked Adele a lot and the story wouldn't have been the same told her from her point of view, but she's a much better character. And everyone else in the story is a well developed, interesting character. Eleda is too, I just didn't like her very much some of the time.

The romantic elements are very subtle, but there's a sweetness to Gregory that I enjoyed. I really liked him.

And really the world of Truth-Tellers and Safe-Keepers is really interesting. It elicits ideas and perspectives around truth and honesty and secrets and how people react to those things that are fun and engaging.

If I'd enjoyed Eleda more I'd probably go back and read this a second time, eventually, just to see if I could enjoy the story better when I'm ok with knowing how it's going to play out.