Elizabeth Hayden: The Floating Island

[Lily]

ok. I am researching this book based on an ad I saw in Voya. From what I understand this is an established Fantasy author but this book is her first YA book.
correct?

and. anyone read it? what did you think? I am actually TRYING to find a bad review or writeup for this book/author but I can't. I need to know if it is that there really aren't many out there or if I'm not looking in the right place.

I do plan on reading this for myself, but I tend to like fantasy for fantasy's sake, and am researching this to possibly recommend for purchase where I work. I know I will probably like it, but I also know that just because I like a book doesn't mean that I should ask my boss to add it to our YA collection.

any help, feedback, links to more reviews, and confirmation/smiting down of the facts I've presented are not only welcome, but practically begged for.

 

[WickedWitch]

Well, Lily, line up your facts.

1) You liked the book (just imagine that you've read the book already).

2) Other people liked the book (you can't find a bad review).

3) The book is written by a popular, established author (so you know that the author knows how to write good books and she also has a fan base).

4) The author's previous books are popular with young adult readers.

What ELSE is you boss looking for? If your boss can't give you a good explanation of your work requirements, and then your boss is critical of everything you do, it's a neon sign that you need to find another job - one where your (new) boss values your opinion.

 

[Lily]

my boss is actually fabulous. I just don't want to insist purchase of something based on an ad in Voya and the fact I like the cover. All I'd have to do is say the word and she would put it on her purchase list.

It's more that I am trying very hard not to make idiotic recommendations (I have not read the book, nor any of Hayden's) and waste our tiny precious budget on something that won't circulate.

It seems, from the author's site, that this is actually a part of a series.

It looks like I'll just have to put that one on hold until I have a chance to actually read it and the series and see for myself.

then again, a reader for reading's sake, I'm a rotten judge of whether a book is actually any good or not. in my 26 years of reading, I have only found 2 that I disliked. that says something for my reading tastes, (or lack thereof), I think. This is why I was asking if anyone knew..

 

[WickedWitch]

Lily,
I'm sorry. I was way too harsh, and I jumped to a bad conclusion.

I've read and enjoyed Elizabeth Hayden's previous books, and I'm looking forward to reading this book. It looks like this book is the first one in a new series, and the others haven't been written or published yet.

Don't be so hard on yourself, sweetie. Other people will like the books that you choose. Your boss trusts your opinion. You have very good instincts about the books that you like.

Besides, haven't you heard stories about prize-winning, best-selling book manuscripts that were turned down by publisher after publisher? The publishers are experts at picking popular books, and the book publishing companies struggle with just staying profitable.

 

[Lily]

Lily,
I'm sorry. I was way too harsh, and I jumped to a bad conclusion.

Not at all. "Way too harsh" would be calling me an idiot for asking. no worries, at all.

thank you for correcting me on where that book stood in the series (being the first in a new one). Good to know.

Most likely my course of action will be to read another of her books first. can you recommend one?

 

[WickedWitch]

Her previous books are all in the same series. The first book is Rhapsody: Child of Blood. I would suggest reading them in order because the story is complicated.