A weak beginning isn't completely detrimental to me, and I'm willing to keep reading, just much slower. That being said, if a book doesn't grab my interest by the 25-40% mark, I'll drop the book.
Gideon the Ninth's opening was rather memorable and hooked me in immediately. Gideon's narration is so distinctive and fun, setting up her character very well.
As much as I love The Spear Cuts Through Water, it admittedly took me a few attempts to get through the beginning. There's quite a lot of worldbuilding, the narration is different from what I'm used to, and I was preoccupied with other things when I first read it. I did like the beginning, it just demanded more attention than what I had at the time. When I finally came back and read it earlier this year, I was thrilled to love it.
Here's the thing though, I liked the beginning, I just recognized it wasn't the best time for me to read. If I didn't like the beginning, I don't think I would have bothered trying again at all.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2025-05-02 10:49 pm (UTC)Gideon the Ninth's opening was rather memorable and hooked me in immediately. Gideon's narration is so distinctive and fun, setting up her character very well.
As much as I love The Spear Cuts Through Water, it admittedly took me a few attempts to get through the beginning. There's quite a lot of worldbuilding, the narration is different from what I'm used to, and I was preoccupied with other things when I first read it. I did like the beginning, it just demanded more attention than what I had at the time. When I finally came back and read it earlier this year, I was thrilled to love it.
Here's the thing though, I liked the beginning, I just recognized it wasn't the best time for me to read. If I didn't like the beginning, I don't think I would have bothered trying again at all.