Tuesday 7 October 2014

Teaser Tuesday: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.
To play along just do the following:
  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey.

The Infinite Sea –
G.P. Putnam’s Sons

You never know when the truth will come home. You can’t choose the time. The time chooses you. I’d had days to face the truth that now faced me in that cold, black space, and I’d refused. I wouldn’t go there. So the truth decided to come to me.
— Chapter 13

I didn’t think it was a promise at the time. I told myself it wasn’t. Told him it wasn’t. But there’re the things we tell ourselves about the truth, and there’re the things the truth tells about us.
— Chapter 76


Here’s a truth about my reading habits: I dislike narrator changes within a series, or changes of perspective ... and especially focal changes and changes in voice within a book. It’s fine when multiple perspectives are introduced in the first book, but I have a hard time warming up to new perspectives in a second book. Or if there’s suddenly another I-narrator ... or no longer an I-narrator at all. I hope you get the idea. I like continuity ... and my favourites from book one.
Here’s another truth about my reading habits: They totally and completely change if the book can persuade them to do so.
With this book those changes actually went so far that I was annoyed when my former favourite narrator got some page time because I so badly wanted to know what was happening to the other one. Luckily, this didn’t last long and I still like my former favourite, but now I have new characters to like! And I think that this is a thing that grows when it’s divided: Liking characters. Also makes the reader more vulnerable, but who said that reading was cuddly and safe? But damn you (in the kindest possible way), Rick Yancey, for that twist ... or the other one! Still reeling. Just saying.
I understand why many people who loved the first book might not like the second, because it is so very different in plot development and pace. The writing is the same. Very deep and revealing. And beautiful even if the subject itself is anything but. Second books can do one of two things: continue in the trajectory of the first book, which can be very rewarding, but also hard, or cut out a completely new path, which isn’t any less difficult, but can also lead to amazing results. And the more I think about it, the more I think this sequel executed the second of those options rather well.

Do you have reading habits that you gladly throw out the window for the right book? Let’s hear about them and share your teasers in the comments!

6 comments:

Beth F said...

I don't mind shifts in POV. The teasers are interesting but not sure this book is for me.

Unknown said...

Sometimes different POVs throw me off. But if the voice is strong I quickly catch on and continue. I'm on the fence about this book.
Here is my TT - http://fuonlyknew.com/2014/10/07/teaser-tuesdays-84-the-death-of-death/

sherry fundin said...

POV changes can help me get to know the characters better when it is done well. I am pretty flexible in my reading habits, I might miss something good otherwise. :-)
sherry @ fundinmental My TT - Who's Afraid of a Little Kitty Kat

Lisa Mandina said...

Yeah, I'm not always a fan of the POV changes, but I love when I get so into them that I get annoyed like you did. I still need to read this one!
Check out my Teaser

Sandra Nachlinger said...

I don't like point-of-view shifts, but if the author changes POV skillfully, then I'm okay with it. Unfortunately, that's rare.
My Tuesday post features SAVING SHELBY SUMMERS.

Unknown said...

I can understand why you wouldn't like it, because it can be disorienting. But I think sometimes a skillful writer can do it well. It sounds like Yancey is one such author. Happy reading!
Here's My Teaser.

Post a Comment