Among Others

Fan. Tastic.

Incredibly overrated. Mediocre writing, bad plotting and pacing. The worst magic system (if you can call it that) ever. This is basically a lame coming-of-age story pretending to belong on the fantasy shelf.
It is very good inspiration to read other (better!) works of sff.

Every once in awhile I find a book that deserves more than five stars, this is one. This was impossible to put down. Normally I cringe with a diary format, but I really felt like I had found the journal of someone just like me on a bench somewhere and read her private thoughts. Now, I did not grow up on SciFi or fantasy books, but I was (am)an avid reader so this spoke to me. I know it is not the book for everyone, but those that it reaches will leave a lasting impression on them for all time.
I only wish that someone (maybe me in my spare time-HA!) would create a list of all of the literature mentioned in the book for easy reference.
I have already ordered everything Jo Walton wrote from my library. If the books are half as good as this one, I'll be pleased.