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?

[lark_ascends]

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

[shoemoney2night.livejournal.com]

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

[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?

[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.