A Picky Reader

I love it when I get lost in a captivating book, so involved that I pay no attention to the constructs. Each time I pick up a book I'm ready to immerse myself into a world created by the writer.

I'm reading a romance that is superbly written. A richly detailed setting brings an era to life. The characters have depth, their individual stories are compelling.

But (there's always a but) as the plot is based on a simple premise, the reader knows from the start how it will finish. And while the interest lies in reading a grand adventure from the beginning to the end, the adventure here leaves me begging.

I don't need to have a physical chase around the country, or dangerous occurrences whipped up by evil villains. But I would like to see a villain of sorts, even if the villain is a dire situation. This book has no villain, and because the characters only have each other and themselves to struggle against, there is endless character-dwelling-on-his/her faults, should-haves, what-ifs, and plentiful woe-is-me's.

Three-quarters of the way through the book I'm still waiting for a BIG SOMETHING to happen. A surprise of some sort.

Maybe the surprise will be at the end. As I've started skimming, I'll reach the end sooner, rather than later.

--Cat