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Title: The resources aren't worth the slanted viewpoint
Review: I keep looking for a good, down and dirty resource specifically for fantasy fiction, one that doesn't wrap it in with science fiction as an afterthought. Fantasy fiction, while speculative, is also its own genre and has its own archetypes and standards that stand alone, without the crutch of science fiction. The problem with LeFanu's book is that she leans on some archetypes while dismissing others. Any attempt of this sort leads to a narrowing of the genre. Being revolutionary and liberated from all past stereotypes is no more valid a stance than writing something fresh within old and standard archetypes. I was unimpressed with her one-sided viewpoint and sweeping judgements. The moment you say, "You shouldn't do it this way or that way," someone will come along and knock you off your high horse, and I daresay that authors come along every year to prove Sarah LeFanu wrong.
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