I read The Incandescent, which has gotten decidedly mixed reviews from all of you

[conuly]

I fall very in the middle - I enjoyed it, probably won't read it again.

But - am I supposed to feel most sympathetic towards the Phoenix demon? I mean, geez, it was really trying to Be a Human correctly! It was working so hard, guys, and even following arbitrary rules like "don't kill children" and "don't harm people without a really good reason" and "hey, diet and exercise are good for the body!"

Comments

[kyrielle]

YUP. I didn't love the book and I really really didn't love her. But I do understand why she's not sympathetic. Granted, she earned it, but I do understand why she would be unhappy with it.

I am frankly pleased by it and hope it goes on to have a lovely time as the not-human guardian of the school, which is arguably better off for trading in the protagonist for the demon.... :P

[conuly]

I just hope our Phoenix keeps Learning About Humans. It really was so enthusiastic about that project! It even had its own pet imp!

Humans get to study demons, so fairs fair!

[kyrielle]

YES! And, honestly, if it turns out demons *can* learn to be "people" (not necessarily human people, but something that understands more than hunger and desperation) to this degree...do they not deserve the chance?

[conuly]

Of course, the previous supervolcano demon also had a personality, and that personality was terrible. A good match for Protagonist's wealthy asshole fuckbuddy, actually.