Customer Reviews

The Still

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

The Still is the coming of age story of Roddy, the future king of Caledon and wielder of the Still - a magical power. After having his uncle take regency, Roddy is forced to undergo a quest that will start him on his trek to maturity. Having had no discipline his entire life, he's a petulant child who often displays tantrums like those of a two year old. Only after enduring churlish situations, pain, love, loyalty, and betraying quite a few people is Roddy actually able to take a few steps towards being a decent man.

I had never read anything like fantasy before The Still. I had read Feintuch's other books (the Seafort saga) and immensely enjoyed them so I gave this a shot. Boy am I glad I did! It wasn't easy though... although it's an awesome book, I detested Roddy so much that by halfway through the book I had the intense urge to throw the book against the wall. Feintuch is one of those rare authors who can make you hate a character so much that you want to throw the book against the wall in frustration. At the same time, I absolutely loved Roddy's loyal friend Rustin.

The book was well-written, and it's incredibly enjoyable. A definite page-turner! I'm reading the Seafort saga again, but I plan to re-read The Still and The King as soon as I'm through.

This book is both.
Challenging for some people, as we've seen from the reviews, to understand and sympethize. Rodrigo is a tough character to attach yourself to - he's moody, cocky, direspectful, selfish and uncaring. Despite all that, I couldn't help it but to feel bad for him at times. He is obviously confused and lonley, but it took so long until he figured it out himself.

His relationsip with Rustin is very frustrating since you don't know whose side to take. Rustin bullies Rodrigo phisically (within reason most of the times, but still), while Rodrigo abuses him emotionally. And Rodrigo's insistance over his virginity really started to bug me because he is cheating and sleeping with Rustin. Yet, he still wallows in self pity and treats Rustin like an object to use rather than a person.

The thing that made is more frustrating is that Rustin really is in love with Rodrigo, while the Prince confesses he is ashamed of what they do together and that it would stop as soon as he could have a woman. This is where his character remains shallow throughout the book, while in other points he matures remarkably.

His adventures, his trials and his sufferings transform Rodrigo into a worthy King. I love the character of Genard, and how Roddy always calls him Garamond. I don't know why, but things like that made me burst out laughing every time. ALso, when Roddy falls off his horse and starts screaming and cursing the horse and then abruptly calls him "good boy" for returning. Perfect for Rodrigo's character, and entertaining as well.

The last part of the book is so gripping that I almost had to hold my breath. I couldn't believe how things twisted around and I was so angry at what happened to Rodrigo. The ending was absolutely perfect, with the exception of the whole virginity obsession. I really think that Rustin should find someone who isn't afraid to love him for what he is (a man).

Overall, this book was amazing and I enjoyed it throughly from start to finish. I hope that Mr. Feintuch will continue writing in this saga and delight us with more of Roddy's (and Rustin's) adventures.

I had to read a science fiction book for my physics class, and I was fortunate enough to have my teacher recommend Midshipman's Hope. I really enjoyed that book and so when I saw Feintuch's name in the library, I was aggreable and took out the book. I started to read at 9 at night and didn't put it down till I finished. The reason was that I, along with most of the other reviewers, hated Roddy. I wanted to kill him. And I still don't like him. I found him to be immature and emotionally, a wreck. However, I believe Feintuch's intention was to make a character you hated so much, you had to finish reading the book to make sure he became better. I needed to find out that Rodrigo could change and become a better person. He does get progressively better and I now eagerly await a sequel so that I can be assured of his continue development into the monarchy. I loved this book and am planning on buying my own copy. It's great.

David Feintuch's other books leaned toword strict discipline being required for success, but that was in a military-style story, so it was understandable. This book is supposed to be a fantasy, yet he goes out of his way to create a weak and rotten character who needs repeated humiliation and harsh discipline, to the extent that he appoints someone to beat him when he's bad. And he's always bad. Combine this with our character who must remain "pure", i.e. a virgin, but who can have as much homosexual sex as a teenage boy could want (which is a lot) without being considered impure, and I found nothing worthwhile in the entire book. I'm left with severe doubts about the author and am not sure I want to share his view of the world again.

The Still is mostly one thing - a very refreshing read. If you know your way around fantasy, you may have started to tire of the fantasy formula and the almost mechanical way new fantasy books are published in which the only thing that changes are the names of the characters and the worlds.

The Still is different. When I say different, I mean different in the way Robin Hobb's Farseer trilogy and her new Tawny Man are different from the usual stuff. Not that the Still has much to do with Robin Hobb's books (which are great for fantasy, I think), but the feeling is the same - you're taking a path that hasn't been walked on much before.

What other book can boast of a protagonist that is utterly loathsome for about ninety percent of the book? You find yourself wondering why his friends put up with him. Well, actually you find yourself wondering why he *has* any friends at all. Self important, egoistic, whining Roddy is a great character. I've seldom disliked someone more than this spoiled brat.

There are enough other characters to like, and Roddy's injustices give you more than enough opportunity to root for them.

The plot isn't overly creative and fairly predictable, but different enough from the all too common varations of "party of five (super-hero included) goes on quest for magic token that will protect the world against evil demons plus associated scumbags" (substitute as needed) to make it worth your time.

The Still should feel familiar to people who've read Feintuch's Seafort Saga. If you like the Seafort books, you probably like the Still, too. And vice versa.

My praise of this book is unreserved and ecstatic. I was devastated to finish it and lingered woefully over the final paragraph. That sense of mourning - that I'd never read another book as good as this again - gripped me as I passed the halfway mark and is still with me. From an author who normally specialises in Science Fiction, this is a fantasy with more depth, scope and understanding than I have ever encountered before. The setting is mediaeval/feudal; the characters astonishing, the pace exhilarating and the dynamics resonant and sound. It's an unsqueamish, non-prudish, sexy, stolid fantasy about a boy's journey into manhood and a prince's quest for his crown. Growing up dangerously, in the perilous position of being next in line for the throne and the fabled magical powers the office bestows, a young, arrogant, self-important prince resents and detests the responsibilities of his position, while grasping for the crown and the powers it will confer. But before he can become king, he must outwit the opposition, in the shape of his evil uncle, and, on a subtler level, learn the magical secret of the Still and the true craft of kingship. His best and probably only friend, loyal despite unconscionable treatment by his prince, seeks to guide him in this - but the task is monumental. Likewise, his little brother seeks to support him with courage and devotion, but the prince cannot see beyond his paranoia of all with a claim to the throne and his big brotherly annoyance at the persistent hanger-on. Curiously, the story is written in the first person - the prince is the 'I' of the text: the opportunity for devastating ironies is immense, and fullly exploited with consummate skill by the author. Feintuch pulls no punches whatsoever; neither is he afraid of emotion, in all its violent and passionate extremes. I rejoiced with the triumphs and felt the tragedies of this work as body blows. I would gladly read The Still over and over again, but I'm on the quest for more Feintuch fantasy, and I won't rest until I've found some.

This is definitely Feintuch's best work - better than the Seafort Saga. In the Seafort Saga the main character whines through 6 books about how unworthy he is and never seems to understand why people follow him. In "The Still", Prince Rodrigo is the opposite. He is spoiled, arrogant, and egotiscal and believes he deserves loyalty because he is prince. However there is also depth to him and you see flashes of what he could be. It is the secondary characters that make the story complete. These characters see something in the spoiled prince that makes them want to follow him and risk their lives to protect him. The story is well written and I read it straight through the first time - I literally couldn't put it down. Feintuch draws you into the story and even though you can't stand the spoiled prince, you want to keep reading to see how he will change and what he will become. The beginning is a little slow, it took about 50 or 60 pages for me to be drawn in and the prince can be tedious at times, but it is definitely worth the time.

For the first 200 pages I hated the main character of the book. He is a spoiled, obnoxious, self centered brat. I wondered when he was going to be killed so the REAL story could take place. By page 250 I began to think "maybe he's not so bad" and by page 350 I realized the story is not about magic and swords but about growing up and learning to lead. Oh, all of the usual elements that make up a fantasy exist: war, love, magic, and mystery. But the book uses those to fill out a rich tapestry of human relationship and growth.

This is a book that pulls few punches - but has one of the most honest characters I have ever read in fantasy. No perfect heros, villianous villans, or swooning lovers will be found. If that's what you are looking for go somewhere else.

But if you do you will miss what, by the end of the book, is one of the best fantasy books I have read in a long time. Take the plunge and read the book, in the end whether you like the Prince or not, the book is one you will find unforgetable!

The best thing I can say about "The Still" is that the act of reading it made me learn something about myself -- namely that I do not enjoy reading fiction were the "hero" is devoid of redeeming qualities.

The premise of "The Still" is basic: a spoiled teenage prince is orphaned before his majority, and must struggle through the requisite trials and intrigues to gain his rightful crown.

Feintuch's twist is that the maligned prince is completely unworthy of his inheritance! Prince Rodrigo is spoiled, arrogant, unintelligent, immature, foolish, impatient, cruel, self-centered to the point of despotism, and unrepentant. To make Rodrigo even worse, Feintuch does not allow the prince to grow up or learn from his mistakes. The supporting characters who surround Rodrigo give him unconditional love and support, and the prince rewards them with cruelty and scorn.

I guess the author's point is that not all "princes" are born noble and good, and watching Rodrigo flounder is an interesting twist to the "canned heroism" usually found in this genre.

But, what I learned about myself was that I didn't really enjoy watching an unrepentant boor suffer and feel sorry for himself for 500+ pages. There is nothing tragic or endearing about a cruel little ugly duckling of a boy who grows up to be even uglier. I didn't feel one ounce of pity for "Prince Rodrigo," and began to hope that his erstwhile companions would come to their senses and carve him up into Mighty Dog.

Mixed up in this sorry tale is Feintuch's concept of magic, which has to do with special powers inherited through the firstborn children of ruling families. Prince Rodrigo's "magic inheritance" is called "the Still," and to come into his power he must remain a virgin, always tell the truth, etc. These burdens prove too much for Rodrigo, and "The Still" plays little part in the story except to provide another excuse for Rodrigo's bad behavior, as he struggles with his adolescent sexual needs.

I sensed at the end of the book that Feintuch had laid the groundwork for potential sequels. I can only hope that a poor response to "The Still" will discourage a reprise of Prince Rodrigo's story

This was a great novel. It not only considered the mind of a pampered teenage boy learning to take on responsibility, but also expressed the difficulty of being a nation's leader--and those whom had to deal with him while he was growing. There are many interesting characters that come through and the reader comes to care about, even though you're getting the story through the prince's, Roddy's, eyes, and he's not always too fond of them.

The Still is set in a medieval era where noble blood is truly distinguished by the magical gifts inherited by the leaders, but there is a catch: their magic is directly connected to the land. The more one has power over it, the stronger the power. Unfortunately, when the queen dies (gender does not determine who rules), Roddy's still young, their kingdom is under attack, Roddy's uncle wants to unseat him, and the nobles are wavering in their support for him. Roddy needs the votes of 4 of the 7 council members to crown him king--because his magic will not come in power unless his is king--in name, with the crown, and the implements of the Still, his gift of communication with the past kings and queens which will allow him to deal with the threats to his throne and country.

The sequel The King, is even better. Feintuch has set the story and the reader is in for an emotional ride in that book.