Comments on: Novella Review: Untouchable by Kresley Cole

By: Ana

Ana — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:17:14 +0000

I don’t think any of us is saying that they are THE SAME only that can expect the same QUALITY from both full length novels and novellas. I think the point I tried to make is that when we say “it’s only a novella” as an excuse for any problems we perceive with a novella is being quite dismissive of a perfectly viable format. If you can’t devote the proper time to a storyline, I think it’s better not to touch it at all. In this specific case, an entire new species is introduced, a 2000 year conflict presented and solved in what came out as a mere excuse to introduce a new character – the fey guy – who I am sure, will be a hero in an upcoming novel. Which is exactly my problem with Kresley Cole’s worldbuilding: most of it feels like afterthoughts to me, in the service of the main couple. Things coming out of left field (like the Vessel for example, or the Icere) are not unusual. This is not a problem per se, as long as the reader is ok with it. I am not, I usually tend to prefer worldbuilding being strongly built and well thought-out. But that is only me, of course.

By: Jellybean

Jellybean — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:21:33 +0000

I disagree that a novella and a full-length can be the SAME. This story still had good world building, I don’t think it was at all bad in that respect, but things do have to happen quicker. No one is saying that the meat of the story isn’t there, you just can’t devote as much time to this or that. Furthermore, I think the world building is generally more interesting to begin with. The developments still surprises me, which is a novelty with long-running paranormal series of this type. I wouldn’t agree that Kresley Cole is any less adept than the authors mentioned above. One of them in particular, I feel, is putting out work that is increasingly repetitive and very uneven in terms of quality.

By: Diana Peterfreund

Diana Peterfreund — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:41:41 +0000

They are different skillsets. It’s like running a sprint versus a marathon. Books are a marathon. You need to pace yourself differently, you have different concerns you need to keep in mind as you go. But they are both valuable forms. I know people who write great short stories but can’t seem to even finish a novel, and people who write great novels but can’t hack a short form.

I wrote my first pro short stories this year (and non-pro, when it comes to that) since I was in college. After training all these years for marathons, it was quite the switch to become a sprinter!

By: katiebabs

katiebabs — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:09:17 +0000

Writing a short story in a novella and still not delivering the goods just because it is a short and is believed not to have the same standards as a full length is ridiculous. If I am paying for something, I want the best quality regardless if the book is 500 pages or 200.

I still love Kresley’s work but after reading a few Showalter books lately, hers have lost something and it feels as if perhaps Cole’s influence has become too strong on Showalter’s work.

By: KMont

KMont — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:13:15 +0000

I would agree with Ana on a novella being able to have a resolution and even some possible revelations. To say this can’t be so is selling a very viable writing format quite short – no pun intended. Many writers grind their writing teeth on novellas and short stories and many become very good at it. It’s almost a different animal from the full length lovel in that it IS more fast-paced and so the writer is that much more challenged, with the shorter word count too, to provide readers with just as fulfilling and satisfying a read.

I seriously doubt any writer of short stories sets out with the attitude that it’s “just” a novella and oh well, no one will really care in the long run if it isn’t as great as exciting as a full length novel.

When I read them I do tend to give them a different look, because of that shorter word count. But it doesn’t mean I don’t want to close that short story and feel breathless.

That aside, I never really quite got into Cole’s IAD series. I read two that I really liked and any others I’ve tried after or before those were definitely too much alike. I do intend one day to finish her historicals though.

By: Ana

Ana — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:38:48 +0000

Jellybean – Actually I kinda WOULD. I don’t see novellas as “only novellas”: if they are published and people expect me to pay for them, then I want to see a good story in short format without coup outs only because they are novellas. And this one has more than 250 pages – that is a LOT for a novella. I have read several novellas – even shorter than this one, that are QUITE good. I refer you to Meljean Brook’s and Nalini Singh’s, Patricia Brigg’s and Marjorie Liu’s.

I thought the chesmitry was good too, Mandi, but I have seen that before. I don’t know, I am going through a serious reading slump.

By: Mandi

Mandi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:26:22 +0000

I have lost some interest in this series over the last few books (especially Kiss of a Demon King – blech). However, I really did enjoy this one. I thought the chemistry between Murdoch and Danii was really well done – I liked the fact they were all sexed up but they couldn’t touch each other. I did think the action part was wrapped up too quickly/too easily and kind of a set-up for the new king dude.

I liked how all the previous stories occurred during this book…it just wrapped up everything nice and neat – but I can see how that would be boring too

By: Jellybean

Jellybean — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:18:48 +0000

It’s only a novella, it kinda comes with the territory that things will be wrapped up quick like. I didn’t enjoy this installment all that much, but I’m still loving the series. Overall I think the world building is coming along nicely, but of course you wouldn’t expect resolutions and revelations in a short novella like this one.