If you have ever accused someone's character of being a Mary-Sue

[starrylizard]

...you should read "Red Phoenix" by Kylie Chan (Book 2 of Dark Heavens).

The benchmark for Mary-Sue-ism has now been set so high in my mind, I think I could read a twelve-year-old's RPG and think they were wonderfully rounded and well-thought-out characters. Seriously the mind boggles. And no, I don't plan to read book 3 of this illustrious series. *snark*

Miss Emma I-married-a-god-and-am-perfect-and-have-magikal-powerz-and-everyone-loves-me-but-I-am-so-frekin'-humble-and -modest-that-I-can't-imagine-why-and-all-the-gods-bow-before-me Donahoe is quite possibly the biggest Mary-Sue I have ever read about.

While the first book bordered on Mary-Sue, the story was interesting enough to hold me. The second book, however, masters the art of Mary-Sue. Plus, after reading book two, I started to seriously wonder whether people of the Buddhist or Taoist faith would be somewhat offended at the idea of an Australian nanny marrying one of their gods... or installing broadband internet in their heaven for that matter. Hmm food for thought.

Comments

[charis-kalos.livejournal.com]

Never heard of the series, and am now very intrigued. If I look for it am I browsing adult or children's shelves? I assume I'm in the fantasy section?

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

The first book is called "White Tiger." It's apparently a trilogy, but as yet I don't think the third has been released. If I was living in the same state I'd give you my copy quite happily for keeps. lol

Oh, and it'd be in the fantasy section of the bookstore. If it was aimed at kids it possibly wouldn't bother me so much.

The first book was interesting enough, since I know only a little about the Taoist faith and I love learning about all religions (a product of being raised atheist that my parents only kinda understand), even if it is through someone's imaginings... but the second book is like a complete copy of the first, but by now the lead character is perfect at everything and therefore BORING as all heck! O_o

[charis-kalos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, but if it's really that bad, I think I'll just browse in a bookshop and laugh. I'm heading into the big smoke for a meeting today, so I might do exactly that.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Hee, have fun!

[lark_ascends]

*snorts* Installing broadband internet in heaven....*giggles madly*

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Actually I think it was cable...only the best for Miss Mary-sue and her Godly companions.

[shoemoney2night.livejournal.com]

... internet in heaven? *snickers* That is a new level of fail.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Oh yes!

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Heh, you've got to hand it to someone for being so very determined.... *cackles*

Note: I am not my icon. I iz just a humble crone. Can I help it that they fall at my feet?

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

I am rather dumb-founded that it got published. I can only assume that the first book was ok, even sort of interesting, so they said "Yeah make it a trilogy" and then some poor editor got this crap... Gives me hope I may get published one day. :P

Yeah yeah, sure you're not your icon. *wink*

[emma-mage.livejournal.com]

At first I thought it was a fanfic you were talking about, because "Kylie Chan" sounds an awful lot like a 14-year-old girl's pen name. o-O

I think the writer and publisher are cashing in on easily-impressed people who think that book counts as exposure to a different culture. Geez I feel so mean saying that...yet surely there are better fantasy novels out there that are inspired by world cultures.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

You're quite possibly right. I did weirdly enjoy the first book, though the first person kept throwing me out of it, the character was bordering on Mary-Sue and the ending was less than satisfactory. Well I was enjoying it most of the time... The second book, though... *facepalm* I happened to be on holiday and didn't have anything else to read, or it never would have been finished.

[emma-mage.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. I just realized my comment might've sounded borderline insulting to you. I'm sorry. You know, I was directing my cynicsm at the publishers' penchant for marketing the heck out of trendy ideas, even if the execution of said idea wasn't exactly brilliant, and people who buy into the hype right away.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Hah, you really have to try harder than that to offend me. *grin*

I just have a sneaking suspicion the publisher agreed to print three books, then got book 2 and though 'oh dear lord,' but they'd already agreed... ya know! :P