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Gathering Dust on Page 205

© Karen James

Arcady by Michael Williams sat on my bedside table for several weeks — gathering dust. Occasionally, it shuffled its way up to the top of the short stack of books I'm reading. I'd pick it up, glance at the cover where reviewers promised . . .

"A milestone book. Williams takes fantasy to new heights."— Margaret Weis, New York Times bestselling author of the Darksword trilogy.

"Already being hailed as a classic in the genre."— Realms of Fantasy

"The rarest of realms . . . intelligent, witty . . . a quest worthy of our full respect."— Locus

. . . and think with all that praise the book must be a winner.

Well, the book is running at a turtle's pace, and at this rate there won't ever be a winner. I don't like to give up on a book. I'm sure Michael Williams worked hard to create this story of a world defined by Presence, Absence and Border. Unfortunately, he didn't grab my attention. Maybe the good parts were sucked into the Absence. The cover art is about the only thing that peaked my interest — it was enough to encourage me to purchase, but not enough to turn to page 206.

By page 40, I started considering relegating this book to the unfinished shelf. But, in all fairness to Williams, I tried again and again. I guess I wasn't up for the task. Now, as I wipe the dust off my fingers, I really don't understand how I even made it to page 205. I searched for something in this 436-page novel that would be of interest. It was hidden too well for this sleuth.

Williams' Arcady won't be alone on the unfinished bookshelf this year. He'll find himself in the illustrious company of:

• Children of Enchantment by Anne Kelleher Bush e-mail page 91 of 352
• Rats and Gargoyles by Mary Gentle page 140 of 475
• Steel Beach by John Varley page 295 of 566 — so that's what happened to my panda bookmark.

I haven't given up on these books. Perhaps next year I'll find something to grab my attention within the pages of these stories. Until then, they'll be sitting on the bookshelf, unfinished and providing homes for old well-used bookmarks.

If you have books that you couldn't finish and/or you disagree and think I should finish any of these — please share.

Check out my booklist a list of books I have read or am planning to read.

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