No Star for You!
As I always get a giggle out of Travis Jonker's One Star Review Guess Who posts, I figured I'd swipe the idea and post the occasional one-star Amazon review of a much-lauded YA title.
So, can you guess what book this disappointed reader is reviewing?:
I enjoy reading fantasy fiction, including titles primarily intended for children, and I applaud the imagination of the author. A full-sized castle that roams the hillsides is a fascinating invention. The author's inclusion of some side trips into modern-day Wales, set in a Welsh-speaking household, were also interesting and commendable.
Nevertheless, the poor character development, flimsy story lines, and impausible (if predictable) plot devices made [title] a painful read at times. The book seems as though it was published before the final draft was ready, and it could use at least one more thorough edit. As a reader, I got the sense that the author felt that this was "only a kid's book" and that a feeble story with plenty of flash would be just fine.
I would like to see [author] match up her strong imagination with a more proven and compelling writer. Such a team could develop some truly wonderful storytelling!