Review: Heir to Sevenwaters (Sevenwaters, #4) by Juliet Marillier

Title: Heir to Sevenwaters (Sevenwaters, #4) 

Author: Juliet Marillier

Rating: 5 Stars

One of my English teachers once told my class that instead of telling her daughter the fairy tales of Disney legend, the classic Snow White and Sleeping Beauty that had the gallant princes arriving to save the day, she'd always change the ending so that the princess saved herself or, better yet, saved the prince too. When her daughter, only a mere seven years old, got cancer, we all visited her - and still do visit her - in the hospital and would help tell stories; stories of women strong enough to fend for themselves and fight back all that life threw at them. Although, after a point, it would be difficult to come up with new tales, I know the story I'm going to tell her when I see her next. The story of Heir to Sevenwaters.

Heir to Sevenwaters is a new leaf from the original Sevenwaters trilogy. Whereas the first three books in this series were full of constant strife and issues such as rape, abuse, and sexual harassment to name a few, the problems Marillier tackles in this installment are far lighter. As always, these books are about the women of Sevenwaters; about the courageous journey these young girls take and the obstacles they manage to overcome, time and time again, despite their plain status. In that regard, this novel is no different. Yet, the oppressive and terrifying presence of the Lady Oonagh is finally lifted and, truly, Sevenwaters seems all the lighter for it. Now, Lord Sean's daughters are growing and the house is a circle of joy for Lady Aisling is expecting again and this time, she is certain that her child is the long awaited son and heir to Sevenwaters.

During this time, Clodagh's twin sister, Deirdre, is set to be married and though the family is concerned for Aisling's old age, health, and the future of her baby, they struggle to maintain a facade of happiness for Deirdre's marriage brings a needed alliance. For the wedding, Johnny has arrived with his men, among them Aidan and Cathal. Aidan and Clodagh met the summer before and, once again, the two are drawn to each other. Cathal, the rude friend of Aidan, however, warns Clodagh away from the handsome man. As Cathal and Aidan continue to stay at Sevenwaters, Clodagh cannot help but notice how strange and distant Calath is. When her younger brother, Finbar, is finally born safely into the world, she becomes the sole keeper of her sibling, helping to care for him while her mother recuperates. All is not well at Sevenwaters, though. Hidden enemies seek to undermine the family and the Fair Folk of the forests have moved on, leaving behind the tricksters. Thus, when Finbar is exchanged with a changeling, Clodagh knows she has no choice but to go into the Otherworld and bring back the true heir. Along the way, however, she will uncover more not only about her companion, Cathal, but also about, surprisingly, herself.

Unlike its predecessors, Heir to Sevenwaters takes awhile to really reach its true plot thread, the journey to the Otherworld, but the novel never lags because of it. Instead, I appreciate that the beginning of this novel is focused on Clodagh and her life in Sevenwaters. Although she is known as the daughter whose sole skill lies in her household duties, as Sevenwaters sinks into chaos, both of a political and emotional nature, Clodagh manages to hold her own and stay strong for her family, remaining a constant rock of support for them. As such, when her journey in the Otherworld proves to be full of challenges, it is not much of a surprise to see Clodagh tackle them. We see her growth both during times of magic, but also during times of difficulty in everyday life. Furthermore, Clodagh is a heroine whose strengths lie in her realistic portrayal. Unlike Liadan, who seems forever strong, Clodagh isn't ashamed to cry or show her fear. Instead, it is her perseverance despite the burdens placed before her that make her such an engaging heroine. While she lacks physical prowess, the burning strength of her heart and her courage more than make up for any shortcomings she may have, making her one of my - if not the most favorite - Sevenwaters women.

And yet, Heir to Sevenwaters would be nothing without its leading man, Cathal. From the beginning itself, Cathal is a slightly shady character. We see his sarcastic tongue emerge and his ominous warnings about his own friend cause us to doubt his character. Nevertheless, as the story progresses, we begin to peel back the layers Cathal so carefully hides under and discover the heart of the man underneath. A man who is tortured and broken, forced to grow up with the belief that he is unloved and constantly hunted by the fey. A man who is powerful and strong, one whose capacity for love is tremendous and whose sacrifices are oft unnoticed. While Clodagh and Cathal slowly, tortuously, fall in love, the perfection of their union is made all the more obvious. While Clodagh sees herself as others see her, as nothing more than the perfect housewife, Cathal is able to see beyond her plain exterior to the incredible woman she is inside. Similarly, Clodagh is willing enough to look beyond the facade that Cathal puts up and see that he is, in every way, her equal. Together, Clodagh and Cathal are able to weather the worst of storms, including the deadly new villain this book introduces. One who is, thankfully, no Disney character like Lady Oonagh but clever and cunning, a true force to be reckoned with. As Clodagh and Cathal race to rescue the baby Finbar, though, their love story unfolds beautifully, one that made my heart beat erratically and swoon more than I can count. In all honesty, I could discuss these two and their never-ending depth for ages, but I hope you will discover it yourselves. Next to Sorcha and Red, these two are the most fleshed-out, well-deserving, and beautiful couple in this series. And I hope this won't be the last I see of them because I am so in love with their love.

Heir to Sevenwaters is the perfect introduction to a new era of Sevenwaters. While far less dark than its predecessors, this series still contains its tell-tale signs of struggle, of pushing its protagonists to their limits and forcing them to discover new, hidden, and stronger parts of themselves. Additionally, old characters are still very much present and it was a pleasant surprise to see Ciaran play such a vital role, both in this book and hopefully in the rest of this new trilogy. Ultimately, Heir to Sevenwaters is the type of fairytale I'd have wanted to hear as a young child; one where a mere Cinderella-esque housewife transforms into a woman who can fend for herself, save the future of her family, and rescue her own prince too.

Summer Series Reading Challenge: 7

AudioBook Review: A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Title: A Northern Light 

Author: Jennifer Donnelly

Read By: Hope Davis

Rating: 5 Stars

A Northern Light is one of those books you come across every few years; the type of novel that buries itself in your heart from the first page and simply lingers in your thoughts for days, weeks, and even months afterward. Although I've probably read at least two books and three novellas since I set this story down, it has still been in the forefront of my thoughts. I will likely tell my parents to yell at Jennifer Donnelly if they want someone to blame for my bad grades and sleepless nights. After all, how could I have done anything with my life until I knew what happened in Mattie's? And now how can I possible continue do anything without her voice by my side? It's the cruelest kind of paradox, one that only arrives when you love a protagonist as much as this one. Without a doubt, A Northern Light is very possibly the best book I've read - and will read - this year.

Prior to having read A Northern Light, the only Donnelly novel I'd read was Revolution, which made me sit up till 3 AM wracked with sobs while I finished the book. Now, let me tell you, that was not a fun reading experience. I had swollen cheeks, red eyes, and an aching heart by the end of it. Needless to say, I more-or-less swore off of Donnelly after that. Any author whose words had that type of power over me was dangerous. Quite thankfully, though, a lovely review convinced me to pick this one up and I'm so very glad I did. A Northern Light is a quiet, unassuming sort of tale, one that is filled with courage and strength and hope instead of despair and death and loss. It isn't always a happy story, but it is a truthful one; it never glosses over the harsh realities of life, especially for women of the time, and it faithfully empowers women in a manner that is never overbearing, merely subtle.

Donnelly's A Northern Light is told cleverly with two timelines neatly converging into one, creating an ending that is both satisfying and powerful. When the novel begins, the body of a drowned woman, Grace Brown, is found near the inn where Mattie works. Shortly before leaving for her boat ride, Grace gave Mattie a bundle of letters to burn, but just hours later, Grace herself is found dead. Mattie, suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her death, begins to read the letters Grace gave her. As the contents of these letters are slowly revealed, so is Mattie. For every present-day chapter there are even more chapters from the past, not only detailing Mattie's journey but also showing who she really is.

Mattie's story takes place in the early 1900s, a time when women were expected to run a household and raise a family. Mattie, however, yearns to attend college, despite the fact that her mother recently died and her father needs her help on their farm. Although there are many other responsibilities Mattie has, from the beginning itself it is hard not to root for her. After all, this is a protagonist whose love for language pushes her to learn a new word from the dictionary everyday. And though I regard A Northern Light to be a tale that empowers women and celebrates feminism, Mattie herself is no Alice Paul. Instead, what makes her such an endearing and unforgettable protagonist are, first and foremost, her passions and secondly, her own inner battles. While society pushes Mattie towards a life of love and comfort in a house with children, her own heart begins to push her that way too, which makes the decision to chase her dream that much more difficult.

All the more, Mattie is not a perfect character. Although one of her best friends is an African American boy who is on his way to Columbia, Mattie doesn’t always treat her own family properly. In fact, these family dynamics are what make the novel so fascinating, what make us keep flipping these pages frantically. Will Mattie convince her father to allow her to go to college? Can the inspirational teacher Mattie had help her in this endeavor? Is Mattie really going to be tied down to her small town by a promise she once made to her dying mother? In such a subtle manner, Donnelly uses Mattie’s life to build her era. Instead of paragraphs of bland information, Mattie’s society is build around her and stems from her perceptions, making this the best kind of historical fiction there is – the kind that doesn’t feel like fiction at all.

In all honesty, though, I can keep prattling on about this book for days if you’d allow me. Mattie is such a vivacious, strong, and courageous character that her story captures you from the beginning. You yearn for her to fulfill her dreams, for her to realize her true calling in life and pursue it despite what others may say. You begin to pray that she will somehow escape her small town and farm life. You keep the book aside and tie your hands behind your back because you don’t want to know what happens even though you really do, but you’re so very scared of the outcome. You begin to hope feverishly that her love for her family will not cause her to disregard her love for words; that she will finally gain the opportunity to do what she wants to do. It’s a beautiful book, the kind you’ll always carry around with you – in your heart.

Mini-Reviews: Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers & The Lost Conspiracy by Frances Hardinge

I firmly believe that there are two types of mini-reviews. More commonly, there are the type that are written simply because not much can be said about the novel. It is merely okay, forgettable at best, but a review must be written, so let's make it a mini one. And then there are the mini-reviews that are born out of an inability to say anything. What is there to say that can possibly convey the feeling of the book itself? What more to say than "read it"? I like to this today's reviews are of the second variety.

Title: Cracked Up to Be

Author: Courtney Summers

Rating: 4 Stars

Ever since I read this novel, I've been judiciously punishing myself. I made a vow to not pick up another Courtney Summers book until I had tackled this review first and although I have sat down to type out this review on more than one occasion, the words never came. Even now, over two months since I last held this in my hands, I struggle to find the words to adequately express what an emotional wreck this book rendered me. Parker are her struggles are still as real and visceral to me today as they were two and a half months ago as my eyes read the words that conveyed her story to me. And, just as I was so many days previously, I am speechless.

Cracked Up to Be, is not a perfect Courtney Summers novel in the way This is Not a Test is. Although I find myself unprepared to talk about this novel, that doesn't prevent me from admitting that I found the ending to be too abrupt, too devoid of the emotional punch I was looking for that marked the last line of Summers latest book. And yet, Cracked Up to Be is just as strong, raw, and powerful. Parker, the protagonist of our tale, is as "unlikable" as heroines come. Not only does she exude snark, but she genuinely despises people and wants to be left alone. Parker is rude, she is cruel, she is as mean as the most despicable villains of legend. And yet, Courtney Summers makes us sympathize, empathize, and only want the best for her. Just like the majority of the characters in this novel who never give up on Parker, doing their best to break through her tough defenses, we become just as invested and curious about her sudden fall from fame, her unexpected and self-imposed wall.

It is Parker who makes Cracked Up to Be the successful novel it is. As the truth behind Parker's past slowly comes to light, the relationships with her parents and friends disintegrate and re-build only to fall apart, our hearts and brains are turned to mush and broken and stomped on and overturned again and again and again. While objectively Parker doesn't seem to be the type of protagonist we can relate to, we all have our bad days, our bad moments, and the times in our lives when we simply want to punish ourselves and reading Cracked Up to Be is a snarling reminder of the monster that lurks beneath the surface of us all. It is beautifully written and wonderfully rendered, so much so that I can only beg you to read it. Not for me, not for Parker, and not even for Courtney Summers, but for yourself. I sincerely doubt you'll regret it.

Title: The Lost Conspiracy 

Author: Frances Hardinge 

Rating: 4 Stars

It's difficult for me to imagine reading a Frances Hardinge novel as a young child. Although her books are marketed as being Middle Grade, I fervently wish I could travel to every library and bookstore and rip off that constricting label. If there is any author whose writing transcends all ages and successfully manages to write complex stories that are never dumbed down for a younger audience, it is Frances Hardinge. Although The Lost Conspiracy is not my favorite Hardinge novel - A Face Like Glass still has my heart (and the Kleptomancer refuses to give it back) - this fantasy adventure is just as heartfelt, moving, unique, compelling, and utterly original.

The Lost Conspiracy takes place on Gullstruck Island, colonized by outsiders years ago but still thriving with a village of original islanders known as the Lace. The Lace, however, are foreign and inspire fear in the hearts of the islanders and all those who don't understand their peaceful ways. Into this tribe is born Arilou, the only Lost to ever be born into a Lace tribe. The Lost are a rare group who can control their five senses, sending them away from their bodies to explore the island. Hathin, the type of girl who is easily overlooked, has been assigned with the task of caring for Arilou - a purpose she has devoted her entire life to. When a mysterious tragedy is blamed upon the Lace, it is up to Hathin to take Arilou to safety and maybe, just maybe, find it within herself to emerge from the shadows she has lived in and find her true destiny.

Frankly speaking, I struggled quite a bit with The Lost Conspiracy. It's first few chapters sucked me in, but its pace drastically slowed afterwards and I don't think it was until the last third of the novel that I truly became fully invested in this tale. Nevertheless, despite that minor qualm, The Lost Conspiracy is a masterpiece of literature. Although it doesn't contain nearly as many light bulb moments as A Face Like Glass did, it still keeps you turning the pages frantically. Hathin is such an endearing protagonist, at once distraught over her situation and still filled with hope. While she remains to be rather naive, her cunning and skills come to light as the novel progresses and she truly comes into her own without others to define her or her status. It is this journey of self-growth that makes The Lost Conspiracy so fantastic. Granted, its mystery, conspiracy, and idea are all masterfully rendered in and of themselves, but Hathin steals the show in every way. Although there is much darkness in this tale - what seems like too much, almost, for middle grade readers to understand and fully comprehend the magnitude of - The Lost Conspiracy remains a novel of immense hope. Underneath all its complexity, it stands as a one of the best coming-of-age novels ever written and leaves your heart nearly bursting with joy at the very end.

ARC Review: Golden by Jessi Kirby

Title: Golden 

Author: Jessi Kirby 

Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: May 14th, 2013

Very rarely do I come across novels that make me slow down, catch my breath, and actually reflect. Usually, I’m too caught up in the rush of the next book that I fly through my current read, type out a review, and put it behind me. Granted, I remember my favorite titles fondly, discuss and recommend them often, but either than the twist of my gut or intense swooning while reading, my love affair with the novel has ended almost as quickly as it began. Golden and I, however, are on an extended honeymoon – one I suspect will go on for awhile. Quite simply, I cannot get this book out of my head. Its quotes, its characters, its plot…all of it keeps spinning around and around in my head like a revolving door without air resistance to stop its momentum. 

I wish there was an apt anecdote I could find to convey exactly why this book struck such a deep chord within me, but there isn’t. Although I cannot determine the reactions of other readers, I know for a fact that Golden is so special to me merely because it mirrors my own hopes, fears, aspirations, dreams, and life itself so perfectly. In fact, I’ll take a leap of faith and simply state that Golden mirrors the thoughts of so many teenagers on the cusp of adulthood. For the first time, I have finally found a New Adult novel I am proud to call New Adult because it is deserving of that title. Golden is what New Adult should be – rich, intellectual fiction that transports its readers to the troubles of finding oneself in the world. 

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” ~ Mary Oliver 

Parker Frost, the protagonist of our tale, is a very typical heroine: class valedictorian, perfect goody-two-shoes, and set to win a scholarship to attend Stanford. Now, as her senior year is winding to a close, Parker helps Mr. Kinney return journals to his students from ten years ago. Every year, Mr. Kinney asks his seniors to reflect on their futures in a journal, only to ship it back to them in a decade. One of the journals Parker stumbles across, however, is written by Julianna, a teenage girl who died in a car crash with her boyfriend ten years ago on the night of graduation. Julianna and her boyfriend were seen as the Golden Couple, the two who “had it all” and their story has become the stuff of legend in the small town Parker lives in. As such, Parker cannot help but read her journals, but she soon learns that the girl whose life – and love – they all believed to be perfect was far more flawed than they thought. And, as Parker begins to follow the story of Julianna, she just may find herself as well. 

What I love about Golden is how unflinchingly honest it is. Although, at its core, it’s a mystery novel unraveling the truth of Julianna’s past, it is simultaneously a novel of friendship, first loves, family, and most importantly, finding yourself in a world full of people whose lives are entangled with your own. Although Julianna and Parker are starkly different people, both have lived their lives without making decisions for themselves, but for others. For Parker, it is her mother who she is fearful of disappointing and, as such, she becomes the person her mother wishes she herself was at her daughter’s age, stifling out who her daughter really is on her own. Although the interactions between Parker and her mother are minimal in this novel, they carry their own weight and the impact of even minor conversations is felt so palpably through Parker’s actions. Jessi Kirby, who failed to make me a fan of her writing with In Honor, successfully made me fall head-over-heels for her talent by capturing the tenuous and delicate relationship between a mother and a daughter in a way that felt only all too real. 

And, if I’m being honest, this is the heart of Golden. Its heart lies in Parker undertaking a task she feels passionate about – the mysterious death of Julianna, who she feels bonded to through her journal entries – and pursuing it to the point where she breaks the rigid rules her mother has always placed in front of her and finds herself while searching for completely different answers. Golden may belong to Julianna or to Parker, but these two never outshine one another, somehow managing to connect with us despite – or perhaps because of – their differences. All the relationships Parker experiences are like this, whether it is the inevitable separation with her best friend or the drawn-out tension between her long-standing crush, Trevor, so much is explored and comes to light during Parker’s journey. In terms of the romance, especially, I was pleasantly surprised by its subtleties; by its ever-present undercurrent that never managed to overtake the plot, by its sweet and eternal factor that was far more touching than any amount of swoon, and by its realistic ending full of hope. 

Yet, even more poignant were the ongoing messages of choices and fate. Although Parker learns and uncovers more than she bargained for on the journey she undertakes, she comes to realize that she has the choice to change her future – if only she is willing to act on it. If only she seizes the moment and doesn’t let it slip by. After all, life, as she learns, only gives you a few fleeting moments, a few chances, and it’s up to you to take them or leave them, if only you are daring enough to reach out and take that leap of faith. Moreover, all this self-growth is presented in a very realistic fashion. All the ultimate decisions Parker makes are perfect for whom she is and her relationships, whether they be romantic, familial, or friendly, are all viewed in the lens of reality; of inevitable change just around the horizon. And I love that. I love that perfect relationships don’t exist, but that everything is in equal measures bitter and sweet. I love that finding your way doesn’t mean seeking the meaning of life, it simply means seeking the meaning in your life. And I love that happy endings are not permanent because all that really means is that sad endings aren’t either.

Golden is a novel that I emerged from a different person. Or, at any rate, it felt that way. It is inspiring, realistic, and beautifully written. In fact, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw it up there with my other favorite coming-of-age story, Wanderlove, and I know that I will inevitably wind up re-reading it multiple times. While Golden may have come to me as a godsend at the exact right time in my life, I suspect it’s one of those novels that transcend time and age, managing to resonate within you no matter what. If you read one novel this year, let it be Golden. It could be the road less traveled by – or it could not – but I can assure you, it really will make all the difference.  

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Jessica Darling: The College Years

Megan McCafferty became one of my favorite authors the instant I finished her first novel, Sloppy Firsts. The Jessica Darling Series is so very close to my heart and despite a few mixed reviews for this series after the first two books, I decided to continue - and I'm so glad I did. You can see my reviews for Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings HERE, but my review is spoiler-free for the first two novels in this series. At least, for the most part. 

Title: Charmed Thirds (Jessica Darling, #3) 

Author: Megan McCafferty 

Rating: 4.5 Stars

When you finish a Jessica Darling novel, there is only one thing to say: "OMIGAWD" (Or, you know, quote oh my gawd! unquote).

Whether it be after Sloppy Firsts when that heart-breaking cliffhanger just makes you want to rip your hair out. 

Or after Second Helpings after Jessica and Marcus finally, finally, finally get together. 

Or after Charmed Thirds when you are simply unable to digest the sheer magnitude, truth, and scope of one book, four years, and so many journeys. 

Quite honestly, I picked up Charmed Thirds more skeptic than excited. After two such poignant Jessica Darling books, I wasn't quite sure if the college years would live up to be just as powerful as the high school years had proven to be, especially as I have yet to experience college for myself. With Jessica Darling, so much of the punch is in the nostalgia, in the experiences long forgotten but still so pivotal and important to growth. Surprisingly, though, Jessica's thoughts in Charmed Thirds continue to mirror my own, even where her experiences are so different from mine. It seems almost strange now that I ever imagined that Jessica and I would be unable to relate to one another just because she went off to college while I'm still slaving my way through high school. Yet, Megan McCafferty continues to prove what I always suspected: Jessica Darling is timeless. 

Of all the Jessica Darling books, Charmed Thirds is easily the most messy of the lot. Not only is its format slightly different in that Jessica journals only rarely, skipping months altogether, but also in that this novel expanses an entire four years of Jessica's own life. In parts, it almost feels a little jarring to see Jessica remain the same from one month to a month five months down the road and yet, her growth is forever. Where the previous two Jessica Darling books chronicled every single slight detail about high school, from the people to the teachers to the homework assignments, Charmed Thirds has little to do in way of teachers and students. Instead, it is a deeper, more introspective look at Jessica's own college experience - her struggles to find a job, her stress at discovering her major isn't what she thought it would be, her ever-changing relationship with the elusive Marcus Flutie, and most of all, the crazy experiences she undertakes in trying to find herself. 

And while I may not agree with everything Jessica chose to do (and know for a fact that I will NOT be making many of the mistakes she made), these years are a true testament to just how difficult it is to find who you are and what you want from life. Jessica remains to be as witty and intelligent as ever, her insights both monumental and increasingly silly when it comes to the opposite sex. And, best of all, one of my favorite themes is still present in this series - that of impact. Just the fact that Marcus and Hope remain so important to Jessica while simultaneously being the people most apart from her continues to be such a realistic theme in this series. While Jessica and Marcus' relationship has its ups-and-downs, so does the one between Jessica and Hope. And yet, while Jessica is out feeling guilty, passionate, regretful, and everything-but-happy, the other people in Jessica's life provide us with immense insight into the college experiences of other people. Whether it be Bridget, whose relationship is a model of perfection, or Hope, who manages to achieve so much from her college years, or even Marcus, who finally finds who he is after years of misbehavior, not everyone's experience is like Jessica's. And yet, hers is by far the most realistic, messy, and poignant by the end. 

Perhaps best of all, though, is the mere fact that Jessica comes to learn more about her parents, her sister, her niece, her boyfriend, her school friends... Where before they faded into the background of Jessica's story as her journal entries were filled with increasingly anxious remarks about Marcus or high school or college, now her journals become an insight into the people who have made her, molded her, and continue to do so. What I love best about Jessica is that she thinks she has everything figured out, but she truly doesn't. By the end of Second Helpings, Jessica seems to be a self-confident individual, ready to tackle on everything the world has to offer, but she could not be further from the truth. With college comes an exposure to entirely different people and the shocking truth that contrary to popular belief, Jessica does not know what she's doing with her life. And that is okay. Easily the best part about these novels is the plain truth that it is perfectly normal to not know where you want to go in life. And while we all know this, Jessica included, coming to really know it is an entirely different journey altogether. 

Charmed Thirds is a collection of stories. While it is predominantly Jessica's story herself, it encompasses so much more, tackling on the world in entirely new and insightful ways. Although my review itself is conspicuously romance-free, Jessica's love story continues to be as messy and delightful as it always was, not to mention shockingly realistic. (You will cry. You will scream. You will often find yourself telling Jessica, "NO! NO! NO!" to no avail. And yet, you will love it. Just trust me on this one, okay?). All in all, Charmed Thirds has shaped up to be the most unforgettable of all the books in this series so far and I cannot wait to see where the adult years continue to take Jessica. 

Review: Wolfskin by Juliet Marillier

Title: Wolfskin (The Light Isles, #1)

Author: Juliet Marillier

Rating: 5 Stars

After my ever-so-slightly-disappointed encounter with Son of the Shadows, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Wolfskin. It can be a painful process to read the work of a beloved author with the knowledge that the novel in your hands is good, but it isn’t the outstanding masterpiece you were expecting, and I did my best to avoid another Marillier novel because of my fear of that very feeling. Even more disturbing, though, is the fact that virtually none of my friends have read Wolfskin and the public reviews I had to go by promised that readers would either love this tale of Vikings or feel drastically apathetic towards it. Needless to say, I cracked open the spine of Wolfskin with shaking fingers, but by the end of the first paragraph itself, I knew, without a doubt, that I had discovered another legendary story from Juliet Marillier; one I would undoubtedly display on my shelves next to Daughter of the Forest itself.

In the cold settlement of Rogaland, young Eyvind dreams of becoming a Wolfskin, an honored Viking warrior who hears the voice of Thor himself in battle. When Ulf, a visionary chieftain, arrives during the winter with his younger brother, Somerled, in tow, Eyvind and Somerled strike an unlikely friendship. Although Somerled is strange, taciturn, and refuses to make any friends beyond Eyvind himself, the two become blood brothers, swearing a life-long oath of loyalty to one another. Years later, Somerled secures Eyvind a spot on the ship of his elder brother who seeks to voyage to faraway islands of fable. Once there, Ulf establishes a peaceful friendship with King Engus and the islanders – a time of joy that is broken with the ruthless murder of Ulf. It is now that Eyvind begins to witness the cunning, ambitious persona that lies under the quiet exterior of his friend as he comes to question not only his loyalty towards Thor – whose battle cry he no longer wishes to follow – but also towards his childhood friend, who asks him to sacrifice the one woman he holds most dear.

From the first few pages of Wolfskin itself, a dark, ominous tone is set for the novel. It is the type of creeping feeling there isn’t a name for; the kind where you know terrible events are about to unfold, but you can’t do much about it. What Marillier excels in with Wolfskin is the blurring of lines between good and evil. Although it is established from the very beginning of this tale that Somerled is not necessarily a good person, we see the goodness in him, alongside the evil. We see him create a new type of knot just so he can trap animals and watch as they die, but we also see him risk his life to save that of Eyvind’s. We see that he is a clever and intelligent young man, once timid and afraid of others, but we also see his glowing ambition. At its heart, Wolfskin is the tale of these two friends, of the adventures they’ve experienced together and of the dreams that have brought them to where they are in life. We experience the inner battle that Eyvind faces, that of confronting his childhood friend or dealing with the guilt of not having stopped him before. Marillier makes us see the grays of these two characters so deeply, their flaws right alongside their goodness that it is impossible to know where to place blame and where to weep.

As you can imagine, Wolfskin is a dark tale. Its pages contain rape, murder, suicide, massacres, and heavy violence, but still, it remains a story of love and hope.* Unlike the previous Marillier novels I’ve read, Wolfskin is not simply narrated from one perspective; rather, it shifts between the third-person perspectives of Eyvind and Nessa, a priestess and the niece of King Engus. Although Nessa and Eyvind come from different races of now-warring people, the two are drawn to each by fate and their love only offers them greater faith and strength in a time of desolation. Furthermore, their bond is a feeling, one that carries them through the difficult paths they face alone and the respect, equality, and understanding between the two is unrivaled by any other literary couple I have come across as yet.

One of the themes that stood out to me throughout the duration of Wolfskin was that of faith. We have literal faith in that the Vikings believe in Thor, the people of the island in their spirits, and even a priest in Christianity. Yet, Wolfskin is not a religious book. It shows us how faith drives our lives – faith in something, whether it be divine or otherwise – and even when our faith in one thing is broken, something else invariably comes along to replace it. Until, that is, we are stripped of everything but our faith in ourselves. Wolfskin explores, so poignantly, of what humans are capable when pushed to their limits, when they have nothing and no one to turn to but themselves and their allies and whether, at the end, their faith stands the true test of time, come what may. Nessa, in particular, as a priestess is constantly told that she will embark on a journey in which she must be prepared to go on, despite losing everything and everyone she holds dear. It is for the strength and compassion she displays on this journey that she will go down as one of my most inspirational protagonists of all time.

In addition to literal faith, though, Marillier explores the faith we put in other people, the trust we place in them to do what is right. With Somerled and Eyvind especially, she doesn’t hesitate to break our hearts, time and time again, especially as she builds an attachment to both these characters, despite the flaws that they possess. Ironically enough, I found myself patting myself on the back as I neared the end of this novel for not shedding a single tear. Naturally, I found myself bawling during one particular scene during the last chapter – a scene that continues to take my breath away. It is through this subtle inflection of faith that Marillier enables her characters to grow, making them build that faith within themselves that is formerly lacking, and even the complexity of relationships she builds, no matter how trivial, continue to build throughout the novel, culminating in an ending that is simply utter genius.

Like Daughter of the Forest, this novel has forced me to re-evaluate my own life and look out upon it with different eyes. Juliet Marillier, I can only thank you for writing such life-changing masterpieces. From the bottom of my duct-taped heart.

*I just want to re-iterate that Wolfskin, although containing characters who are in their teens, is really not for teenagers. If you are not comfortable with any of the subjects I mentioned, or with novels that contain sex, I’d suggest a more light-hearted novel by Juliet Marillier like Shadowfell instead. (You can read my review of Shadowfell HERE if you're interested.) 

Review: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Title: The Sky is Everywhere

Author: Jandy Nelson

Rating: 5 Stars

The Sky is Everywhere is the type of novel that makes me devastated that I only know five languages. You see, perhaps if I knew more words in different languages I could find that one perfect word to describe what this book is. All I know is that it doesn’t exist in the English language. Nelson’s debut is a raw, visceral experience, one that you need to live through yourself to understand its beauty. It’s the type of novel that makes me realize that I’ve been looking at the world the wrong way all my life, but maybe I’ll see it with new eyes now.

From the surface, The Sky is Everywhere seems to be your run-of-the-mill contemporary story of love, loss, and growing up. In some ways it is, but it is also so much more. Lennie Walker has just lost her older sister, Bailey, who is the pillar of her existence. While Lennie re-reads Wuthering Heights in her spare time, practicing her clarinet in a corner, it is Bailey who goes out into the world, making her imprint on everyone she comes across. Without Bailey, Lennie is left alone with only her Gram and Big, her uncle. Now, lost and alone, Lennie feels as if no one can understand her pain.

No one, that is, except Toby, Bailey’s boyfriend the boy who somehow makes Lennie’s pain recede. Very quickly, their relationship escalates into a phase that can only be described as clearly-not-platonic. Yet, while we watch as Lennie slowly makes her life spiral into what is sure to be a train-wreck of a disaster, Nelson enables us to simultaneously understand what grief can make you do. With Toby, Lennie finds someone who feels the loss of Bailey just as sharply as she does. Moreover, the loss Lennie feels comes at a time when she is confused about her sudden outbursts of sexual need. All in all, it seems as is Lennie is a character doomed for tragedy.

There was once a girl who found herself dead. 

She peered over the ledge of heaven

and saw that back on earth

her sister missed her too much,

was way too sad,

so she crossed some paths

that would not have crossed,

took some moments in her hand

shook them up

and spilled them like dice

over the living world.

It worked.

The boy with the guitar collided

with her sister.

"There you go, Len," she whispered. "The rest is up to you."

In the midst of this already confused romantic mess, though, walks in Joe Fontaine, the boy who plays the trumpet like an angel himself. Joe enters Lennie’s life and makes her remember, makes her revive herself. It is Joe who makes Lennie resume her clarinet playing, who uncovers the musical background behind her name, who ingratiates himself into the Walker household, charming her Gram and Big both. Although Joe seems to be nearly perfect himself, it is obvious he has problems of his own, but these only add to his charm. As a flawed, but realistic and understanding character, Joe Fontaine is what we all imagine in a perfect guy.

When Joe and Toby meet, though, and the two halves of Lennie’s life – one filled with grief and the other filled with love – come together, Lennie is left alone. It only now that Lennie begins to realize the truth about grief. What I love about The Sky is Everywhere is that it is a quirky novel about flawed characters who, no matter who else they have for them, have to make their way in life by themselves. Whether it is Toby and Lennie, who are drawn together and then apart because of their grief, or Gram and Big, who are experiencing this tragedy in their own way that Lennie fails to understand, each of them ultimately comes to terms with what this loss means all on their own. Ultimately, this journey is one that needs to be self-realized.

The Sky is Everywhere is a beautifully written novel, dispersed with small poems or snippets of conversation that Lennie writes on discarded pieces of paper or cardboard and throws right back where she found them. It is these poems that give us the most insight into Lennie’s heart and the depth of her hurt. Moreover, her day-to-day life is filled with unexpected moments of grief where, quite suddenly, Lennie aches for her sister’s presence. Growing up in a household without a mother, Lennie and Bailey have formed a bond that is closer than that of even most sisters which makes the pain Lennie feels all the more acute and nuanced.

One of the greatest adventures Lennie undertakes throughout this story is the one of her missing mother. Gram has always told Bailey and Lennie that their mother is an adventurer, the type of person who cannot be tied down to one spot, but, they should never worry for she will return home one day. According to Gram, it’s a gene the Walker’s have, one that makes them just get up and leave, only to return decades later. As Lennie comes to terms with what her missing mother means to her – and meant to her sister – though, she gradually comes to learn about herself along the way. Even more, Lennie comes to realize the gift that is her family. Although Lennie may not have a conventional family, it is one full of love and through her grief, Lennie never realizes what a pillar they are for her, even when Bailey is gone. It is this relationship of family, of re-defined lines of mother-daughter relationships that truly struck a cord with me more than anything else in this story.

The Sky is Everywhere is a novel with a little bit of everything – romance, first love, grief, loss, heartache, friendships, family, music, literature, happiness, and best of all, finding yourself. Unfortunately, my review barely even begins to cover the depth, poignancy, and beauty of this novel. Nothing I can say will ever do it justice. Jandy Nelson has written a debut that makes its way into your heart and lives there with you, ever-present in your thoughts. In the few short weeks since I first picked it up, I’ve already gone back and highlighted my favorite passages (read: the whole book) and added post-its with my thoughts on the most contemplative areas (read: every chapter). It’s a novel I will cherish and read and re-read throughout my life. I just know it.

Review: Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters, #1) by Juliet Marillier

Title: Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters, #1) 

Author: Juliet Marillier 

Rating: 5 Stars

Incredible. I know I've said I've been speechless when reading books before, but this time, I genuinely don't have the words to express what a masterpiece this novel is. I actually finished this novel early today morning, at around 1:30, but it was only at 2:30-ish that I actually got up to go to sleep. I couldn't get this story out of my head; I simply kept thinking about it. If Juliet Marillier hadn't already made a fan out of me with Heart's Blood, then I'd be tripping over myself to fall at her feet for truly, this book is remarkable. 

Daughter of the Forest is known to be one of the best fantasy novels out there, but it's hard to believe just how good it is until you read it. From its cover, it seems to be a simplistic fairy tale re-telling, but it's a fairy tale like no other. We don't have any knights in shining armor; instead, the princess has to save herself. We don't have an innocent girl for whom circumstances clear up and solve her problem; we have a broken girl who has to struggle to find happiness. Sorcha is the youngest of seven children, six of whom are boys. Thus, she has grown up sheltered, loved, and cared for by her siblings. When her father re-marries, however, bringing Lady Oonagh, a deadly sorcerer, into their peaceful abode, Sorcha's life is turned upside down. Lady Oonagh turns her beloved brothers into swans and the only way for Sorcha to break the spell is to weave six shirts made of a prickly nettle and remain silent for her entire ordeal. It is only when the shirts have been made and worn by her brothers that the spell will be broken, but the journey that Sorcha will embark on will change more than just her future, it will change her very being and shatter her to her core. 

Daughter of the Forest starts out slowly, introducing us to Sorcha, her world, and her close relationship with her brothers. Thus, when her brothers are turned into swans, we, as readers, feel just as much pain as Sorcha herself. I could feel myself visibly wincing every time Sorcha was reminded of her past life with her brothers, full of happiness and delight. Daughter of the Forest is a dark tale. A very dark tale. I sobbed for a solid five minutes at one point in this story because of the utter horror of the situation. Yet, despite all the darkness, there is a subtle undercurrent of hope, of happiness, of love. It's all so beautifully interwoven that one cannot help but be reminded of life itself with its ups and downs and darkness and light. 

You see, Daughter of the Forest is a painfully realistic tale. Sorcha has an incredible trove of inner strength. I admire her immensely and she's one of those heroines I'll never forget. I could simply be in the supermarket having a bad day and Sorcha is one of those protagonists who will come to mind and I already know I'll tell myself, "If Sorcha could go through all that, I can get through today." Sorcha isn't a saint - she's only human and that is felt so palpably despite the ordeal she manages to go through. Thus, despite the seemingly amazing feats she manages to achieve, Marillier weaves this tale in such a way that she is able to convey that each and every one of these ordeals is possible to overcome, just as anything is with the right dose of love, faith, and perseverance. 

Nevertheless, one of my favorite aspects of this novel is, hands-down, the romance. If Marillier is the Queen of Slow Burn Romance, I am the Glutton of Slow Burn Romance. I can't get enough of it and Marillier writes it to pure perfection. What I loved about the romance in this novel, particularly, is the fact that it manages to happen all without Sorcha uttering a word. Somehow, against all odds, Sorcha manages to find someone who understands her very soul, who sees her task as a brave ordeal she is facing, and who can understand her with little difficulty, despite her silence. Furthermore, Sorcha never even realizes that she's falling in love. As the reader, we can see this romance unfold in front of our eyes, but Sorcha's task remains to be the main plot thread, until eventually, Sorcha comes to realize the love she had and how, despite not realizing it before, she needs the very presence of her lover to calm her. For, to be in love isn't necessarily to crave physical affection or even understanding, but often, it comes from the most basic, innocent, and true primitive instinct of needing that other person's presence and strength by you. It is this that Marillier manages to embody so beautifully within this novel and I can't get enough of it.

Daughter of the Forest is a dark, emotional, and achingly bittersweet fantasy like no other. It is one that kept me on the edge of my seat with a box of tissues within the grasp of my hand and a warm blanket draped over me. It's one of those stories that continues to plague you long after you've read it as you marvel over both the author's creativity and skill along with the characters and their complexity. I can't recommend this book enough, but really, everyone should read this. Everyone. Like all fairy tales, Daughter of the Forest contains a trove of themes and lessons and Marillier conveys all this in a subtle and beautiful manner that touches and stays with you like nothing else quite does. Truly, if there's one book you should make yourself read before you die, it's this one. 

Series Review: Kate Daniels (#2-5) by Ilona Andrews

For those of you who actually look at my "Currently Reading" sidebar, you'll have noticed that I sped through this series last week. Thus, instead of bombarding you all with four long, drawn-out, and rather similar reviews, I figured I'd condense them all into one giant series review below. None of these reviews contain spoilers for the series, but the blurbs do. You can read my reviews without needing to know too much about the series itself, but if you want a background, you can check out my review for the first novel, Magic Bites, HERE. Once again, none of these reviews contain spoilers for the series and are perfectly understandable even without prior knowledge of these books. 

Title: Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)
Author: Ilona Andrews
Rating: 4 Stars

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, Celtic god Morfran supersedes goddess Morrigan for witch coven worshippers of the Crow, and sea monsters from the Underworld enter via the Cauldron of Plenty. Kate starts looking for Pack maps and 13-year old Julia's witch mother, and ends up uniting shapeshifters and vampire zombie controllers to save the world.

Well, consider me humbled. The Kate Daniels Series is easily the most popular UF/Paranormal Adult Series out there, but after reading Magic Bites, the first novel, I wrote the entire series off. Magic Bites was decent. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything mind-blowing either. Magic Burns, on the other hand, is simply amazing. Ilona Andrews seems to have taken every qualm I had with Magic Bites, built upon it, developed it, and turned this series into one I just love.

With Magic Burns we begin to see Kate Daniels – the real Kate Daniels. Underneath her tough, mercenary exterior, she is every bit as vulnerable, human, and relate-able as we’d like her to be. Not only is she far more fleshed out, real, and flawed, giving her a three-dimensional and realistic appeal, she’s sarcastic, amusing, and her dialogue is never boring, even for a minute. Furthermore, with a new story line, better world-building, and the introduction of Julie, a young girl who brought out the best in Kate, Magic Burns was off to an excellent start. Now, just throw in a super sexy shape shifter, who just happens to be the Beast Lord, and we have a novel to simply salivate over.

Needless to say, Magic Burns utterly mesmerized me. I read the majority of it staying up late into the morning and later finished it while brushing my teeth, pulling on my clothes, and eating my breakfast. I just couldn’t take my eyes off the page and the feel-good, warm, and homely feeling it left me with wasn’t something I could resist for very long. If you weren’t a fan of Magic Bites, I’d urge you to pick this one up at once! It isn’t worth missing.

Title: Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3) 

Author: Ilona Andrews 

Rating: 4.5 Stars 

Investigator for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Kate Daniels keeps humans safe in Atlanta. But when her werewolf friend Derek is dying in human form, from attack by the mysterious Reaper team at the Midnight Games, she and Curran, the Beast Lord, must fight together to win the Wolf Diamond topaz and save his Pack and her friends.

I’m telling you, this series just keeps getting better and better. While the greatest asset this novel has going for it is the attraction between Curran and Kate – and that may just be the reason I picked it up so quickly after Magic Burns - it blew me away in every other aspect as well. Magic Strikes amps up the stakes, not only on the general plot line, but especially on Kate, her life, and her past. If we thought we knew Kate before, she’s now become a confidant as we are privy to her inner secrets, understanding her like never before. Furthermore, this series finally seems to have some type of direction – a villain – to guide it. (Not like it needed one, mind you.)

Yet, what stands out the most to me is how much growth Andrews’ characters experience. It is an extremely gradual, extremely realistic kind of development that goes to show just how well Andrews’ know their characters, their limitations, and just what makes them tick. In addition, this husband and wife duo never loses their witty humor, entertaining banter, or sarcastic remarks that keep you flipping the page and mark a classic Kate Daniels novel. Perhaps most intriguing, though, is the amount of research these two put into their work.

Every Kate Daniels novel is relatively formulaic – Kate encounters a problem that she, as a merc, has to undertake and solve. Usually, these problems cause her to need to work closely with the Pack, and by default, Curran, and they all have some sort of mythological lore driving it. It is this aspect of it that grants so much mystery to the series as the research is authentic, the lore fascinating, and the ultimate incorporation of it into the novel phenomenal. It seems as if with every book I read, I keep becoming a bigger and bigger fan, not only of this series, but of this amazing duo as well.

Title: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4) 

Author: Ilona Andrews

Rating: 5 Stars 

Kate Daniels keeps the peace in Atlanta for the Order, humans caught between the vampire controlling People led by her biological father and best kept secret, Roland, and the shape-shifter Pack, led by her mate-to-be Curran, the Lord of the Beasts. But her look-alike aunt Erra, Babylon's god of chaos and terror, has come to town controlling seven naked warriors: Deluge (flood water), Tremor (earth quake), Gale (hurricane wind), Torch (fire inferno), Venom (disease poison), Beast (animal monster), and Darkness (overpowering dread).

Magic Bleeds is, without a doubt, my favorite of all the Kate Daniels novels. Not only does it center around my favorite plot line yet, one with an evil villain, cruel family members, and past vengeances, but the sexual tension between Curran and Kate is off the charts. Seriously. It seems as if these two have taken forever to get together, but it is so worth the wait. Needless to say, I was re-reading their interactions throughout this novel with a silly grin plastered to my face and absolutely no regrets about how ridiculous I looked. It was all just so, so worth it. *sigh*

For me, Magic Bleeds was special merely because of Kate and what her romance with Curran meant to her. It seems as if, for the first time in this series, we see Kate for her inner insecurities – she, like every human, wants to be loved. Just because she’s a killer doesn’t mean she doesn’t yearn for the type of happily-ever-after romance that every woman wants and with Curran, she allows herself that hope – that area for vulnerability. For Kate, this is HUGE. Thus, seeing her struggle to reach a level ground with Curran, meet his terms while staying true to herself, trusting him to love her, believing that she can actually receive love, is all so endearing. Magic Bleeds definitely focuses on a mysterious plot with a killer, battles, and epic villainous encounters, but it also has something the other novels seemed to have lacked just a little bit – heart. 

Title: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5) 

Author: Ilona Andrews 

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job. Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate. So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . 

Magic Slays wasn’t nearly as good as Magic Bleeds, but it was pretty darn close. I’ve said it before, but it deserves repeating – this series excels because of its characters. Its formulaic-ness never becomes a problem simply because the characters are so lively and real. Even secondary characters such as Jim, Curran’s best friend; Derek, a werewolf who’s good friends with Kate; Julie, the orphan child Kate is guardian too; and especially Andrea, Kate’s best friend, have all played HUGE roles throughout this series and their continued presence, depth, and dialogue just contributes towards making this series as amazing as it is.

With Magic Slays, we begin to see the potential cracks in Kate and Curran’s relationship as they transition from their honeymoon phase to truly needing to work together, all within the constraints of Pack Laws. Much like with Magic Bleeds, it was Kate’s inner reflections that made this novel as remarkable as it was for me. Kate learns more about her past, her parentage, and her true purpose in life and with all these heady revelations, there is bound to be backlash, confusion, and worry. Ilona Andrews manages to convey these emotions so perfectly that, despite the fact that Kate is different from any of us, we can still understand and empathize with her. Even her relationship with Curran, although strained at times, was a pleasure to watch unfold merely because it was so realistic, all while maintaining a strong and healthy companionship.

It’s tough to pinpoint exactly what makes this series brilliant. It’s a combination of everything really; intriguing plot, hair-raising mysteries, well-researched lore, unique world-building, incredible romance, and, at the heart of it all, a protagonist who is impossible not to love. Kate is someone I actually look up to now, someone I admire, and she is just that real to me. Ilona Andrews has gained a fan in me and I only hope that, despite the disaster that was Magic Bites, this series continues to receive the hype and popularity it maintains – and rightfully deserves. 

A huge, huge, HUGE thank you to Maja from The Nocturnal Library and Heidi from Bunbury in the Stacks for encouraging me to continue reading this series. I absolutely LOVED it, so you should definitely check out their reviews for these novels HERE and HERE!

Review: The Diviners by Libba Bray

Title: The Diviners (The Diviners, #1) 

Author: Libba Bray 

Rating: 5 Stars 

The Diviners is, without a doubt, my favorite Libba Bray novel - and I've read all of them except for The Beauty Queens which I didn't get time to finish but which I fully intend to as I loved the few chapters I read of it. I am, truly, a self-proclaimed Libba Bray fan. I know her Gemma Doyle Trilogy had its flaws, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I remember it changed my perspective of literature at that time quite drastically. The Diviners on the other hand, contains no flaws. Well, to be honest I think this 578 Page book should have been longer, but I'm glad there's a sequel. I don't want to say good-bye to these characters anytime soon. 

Evie O’Neill is not like other girls living during the booming industrial age of the Roaring 20s. For one, she’s loud, outspoken, and hilariously full of life, but Evie also contains a gift that few other possess – by merely touching an object, Evie can glean information about its owner while that object was on them. Thus, after a “scandalous” incident forces her to stay with her Uncle Will in New York City, Evie finds herself in the midst of a mystery - a murder mystery no less. While random victims seem to be murdered in a bizarre – and frankly speaking creepy – fashion in New York, we are also introduced to a slew of other characters and story lines beyond just than of Evie’s. Jericho, the soft-spoken and handsome young man who works at Uncle Will’s Museum of Creepy Crawlies American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult; Theta, a beautiful show-star who dreams of making it big; Henry, a piano player with his own slew of secrets; Memphis, a handsome black poet who used to be able to cure with a touch; and many, many more. Nevertheless, even with an enormous cast, Libba Bray’s The Diviners manages to transport you back into America’s Roaring 20s and despite the freaky murders that occur left and right, you won’t want to leave.

I’ll be perfectly honest – I didn’t expect to not love this book. I went into The Diviners with high expectations and I came out of it with my mind blown, itching for the sequel despite the concrete ending and wanting to immediately flip to the beginning and experience this novel all over again. Yes, experience, for what Libba Bray creates is a portal into the realm of the past, full with the blitz, glamour, and utter joy of living in the Roaring 20s. Nevertheless, into this happy-go-lucky setting, she manages to throw in and create one of the most chilling mysteries I’ve ever read. It takes a lot to scare me while I read a book, but The Diviners sent my spine tingling with chills and had me constantly jumping in the middle of the street whenever I heard a whistle. It’s one of those books that assimilate itself into your life because you simply cannot let go of its pure awesomeness.

While the setting and fanatic murders of The Diviners itself make this novel stand out, what truly makes it a remarkable story is its characters. Evie is a gal that I just love. Not only is she fiercely headstrong, independent, and full of spunk, but she has her own share of flaws and can even be hard to like at times, but all this only serves to make her more real, more three-dimensional, and more understanding in my eyes. If I had to pick a book best friend, I’d pick Evie because believe me, this is a girl you want by your side. While Evie startles us with her outgoing nature though, it is Naughty John, the ghost killer in this novel, who truly takes our breath away – not with his dashing good looks, but with his tantalizing murder song, tell-tale whistle, and utter creep factor.

The Diviners is probably one of the few books I’ve read where the reader knows the killer from the beginning and is still utterly invested in the story. It seems as if it’s a storyline that is doomed to fail, but really, the reader is only kept frantically flipping the pages to see how Evie manages to use her power and sharp wit to uncover that this murderer isn’t even alive, but a ghost. It’s a wonderfully spun tale and the cast of other characters who accompany her on this mission are just as heart-warming, well-developed, and deep as Evie is.

One of the most memorable side characters, who really is a main character on his own, is Memphis. While Memphis’ and Evie’s storylines don’t intermingle as much as we might like in this installment, his storyline perfectly sets us up for the direction this trilogy is taking. You see, Memphis is a young black man struggling to cope with the loss of his gift of healing – a gift which failed him when he most needed it to cure his mother. Thus, we are introduced to a second storyline in this tale, one of the diviners, a group of people who possess gifts, much like Memphis and Evie. In most cases, multiple storylines, narrators, and characters in general is a recipe for disaster, but yet again, Libba Bray pulls it off perfectly. Naughty John and his murders still remain to be our prime issue at hand, but the subtle manner in which Bray wove together the back stories of her characters and revealed to us the wondrous direction in which her trilogy was heading was all done with a talent that I must admit is unparalleled.

I could go on about The Diviners for hours if I really wanted, but I’ll let you discover the magic that this book contains for yourself. The Diviners is unlike anything you’ve ever read before. It’s original. It’s atmospheric. It's vivid and sparkling and jumps out from the pages. Its characters are thoughtful, deep, and full of their own human flaws. Its murder mystery is chilling and creepy. Its setting is beautiful beyond doubt. Its multiple perspectives are written flawlessly. Its plot is only thickening in this book and I can't wait to see where it goes. It is scary. It is funny. It is love. 

Review and Virtual Tour of The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna

Title: The Lost Girl 

Author: Sangu Mandanna 

Rating: 5 Stars 

If I were ever to write a book, this is the book I would want to see my name on. The Lost Girl was not a novel I originally went into expecting to love, but surely enough, it has made its place in my heart and even now, days after putting it down, it hasn't left. Yet, more than that, I don't want it to. With her debut, Sangu Mandanna has created a piece of fiction that transcends all boundaries and explores, not only an unique futuristic society, but also the bonds of friendship, the ties of family, the depth of grief and most of all, what it means to be human. 

In all honesty, I can not explain the utter beauty that this book is. The Lost Girl is truly, in every sense of the word, a heart-wrenching tale that will keep you both reaching for the tissue boxes and stunned in horror. Mandanna’s futuristic world is one that is richly developed and filled with cut-throat politics. You see, echoes, or clones, are regarded as monsters in society and many of them are illegal in certain countries, including India. Yet, this doesn’t stop parents from requesting a carbon-copy of their children in the hopes that their grief will be alleviated through the presence of one who looks exactly like their deceased child. Thus, Weavers, enigmatic scientists who reside in England, create these echoes and while society shuns them, they live their life in perpetual fear of Hunters, people who dedicate their lives to wiping off all the echoes from the face of this planet. In The Lost Girl, however, we see life through the lens of Eva, an echo herself, and we see that she is just another teenage girl. Eva’s narration is filled with poignancy, an inner sorrow, and deep-rooted hope for her future. Throughout the novel, we only become closer and closer to Eva until her feelings are ours and it is impossible to tell where we, as readers, end and she, as a character, begins.

The Lost Girl is truly a character-driven novel, but that does not make it a novel without a brilliant plot-line of its own. Eva has grown up in isolation, studying the life and memories of Amarra, the girl whose face she shares. Thus, when Amarra unexpectedly dies in a car crash, Eva is forced to leave behind the only life – and family – she has ever known and travel to India, forgoing her true nature and becoming Amarra once and for all. Yet, Eva and Amarra are completely different people and it is Eva’s struggle to remain true to herself and her personality in a world which demands she become someone else that is so moving. Mandanna writes with a skill that is unparalleled and she develops Eva’s character in a subtle, and utterly compelling, manner. We, as the reader, are with Eva every step of the way and cannot help but root for her to eventually find a solution to her dilemma and return home – to her home – England and finally be together with her family and not Amarra’s.

The Lost Girl is split, roughly, into three sections, each of which detail a different part of Eva’s journey, but within the first section itself we are so invested in Eva’s life. We see Eva’s bond with Mina Ma, the mother figure of her life, and are exposed to the beautiful friendship which is just waiting to blossom into something more with her Guardian, Sean, and just as we have given our hearts out to Eva and her little world of happiness, it is snatched away from us. Eva’s life in the second section focuses on her journey in India as she assimilates with Amarra’s family, builds friendships with her siblings, makes friends of her own, and most confusing of all, battles with her emotions concerning Amarra’s boyfriend. Yet, there is no love triangle in this novel as Eva’s heart belongs solely with Sean. Nevertheless, there is a gentle exchange and slow build-up of beautiful friendships and for someone like Eva who has never been seen as a human, who has never attended a school and had friends, her self-realization and growth is astounding.

Eva aside, Sean is one of my favorite aspects of this book. I loved the romance in this story and while it broke my heart, it made me swoon in equal part too. One of the things I admire the most about Mandanna’s writing is that each and every character she introduces us to has their own depth, their own perspective, and she enables us to see that about them. In terms of Sean and Eva, they are perfect and just click. In terms of other characters and their relationships to Eva, we are somehow able to understand them too, despite their convoluted-ness at times. Furthermore, their responses to Amarra’s death and the exploration of grief which Mandanna brings out through them are all written flawlessly. It is difficult to explain, but just know that her writing brought tears to my eyes and there were sections of this novel where I had to constantly dab my eyes just to read the words on the page.

It pains me to admit, but my review for this novel is terrible. I loved this novel with a passion I have shown for very few books such as The Book Thief or anything written by Melina Marchetta, but it is difficult for me to put into words the beauty that this book has. It is written beautifully, it is character-driven, its cast contains depth, and its messages are provocative and sure to stick with you for days – if not years – to come. It is, hands down, the best debut I have had the pleasure of reading this year and is a novel I will, without a doubt, be reading again and again and again. I don’t know if there will be a sequel for this, especially as I am quite content with the open ending of this novel as it is, but if there is one, you can bet I’ll be groveling at Mandanna’s feet to receive an ARC. I really, really loved The Lost Girl. It takes a lot for a book to make me cry and even during The Book Thief or a Marchetta novel, I only cry once or twice. The Lost Girl? I was crying after Part I, during the beginning of Part II, after Part II, and on-and-off again during Part III. It was that type of novel. It is a story that truly makes you feel and it is so rare to read a novel like that these days. Truly, The Lost Girl is a gem in a genre of fiction I had nearly given up on, but just like Eva, Sangu Mandanna gives me hope for a glorious future. 

Virtual Tour! 

When I usually read books, I'm always that solitary reader who never knows what London or Dublin or San Francisco looks like, so I have to rely on my imagination to paint a picture of the scenery for me. Surprisingly, that was not the case with The Lost Girl. While much of this book is spent in England, an equal part is spent in the Bangalore, a city in South India where I've spent my summers for the past nine years at least, if not more. 

While Mandanna's descriptions of each and every place were spot-on and incredibly authentic, I thought I'd give you all a quick virtual tour of some of my favorite places that Eva visited in Bangalore, so I hope you enjoy this quick virtual tour of India! :) 

Inside View of the Garuda Mall

The Garuda Mall is a huge mall in Bangalore and it, if I am not mistaken, has five floors. I absolutely love this place as it's huge, sprawling, and is filled with every shop you could ever want, not to mention spas, massage centers, and a theater/cinema on the top floor which has all the latest movies along with an incredibly diverse food court. While they do have Indian movies, they also show American Films, so I always go there to catch up on any big movie releases I miss while spending my summer in India. Eva comes here quite often during her stay in Bangalore, so I'm sure you can see the appeal now! ;)

MG Road

In The Lost Girl, Eva also visits two roads quite often - MG Road and Church Street. While I believe Church Street is mentioned more often, I am more familiar with MG Road as it's one of the busiest roads in the city. It is filled with shops and restaurants though, so it's wonderful to spend a day just roaming through the stores there as well!

Cafe Coffee Day Logo

Cafe Coffee Day Interior

In addition to spending time in malls and streets with her friends, Eva visits Coffee Day very often. I guess Coffee Day is the equivalent of a Starbucks in India and it's a wonderful cafe to just sit and drink coffee with your friends. I actually go there quite often in the evenings sometimes, simply because I have a morning routine of drinking coffee with my grandparents on our balcony, but it's a wonderful coffee shop for sure! Indian Coffee, believe it or not, is very different from American Coffee and I actually prefer it in some ways, so I just adore this place!

Crossword Bookstore

I saved the best for the last, so my favorite place that Eva visits in Bangalore, and my favorite place anywhere, is, of course, A BOOK STORE! Crossword is a huge bookstore and while they don't always have the same books available in the US, since many UK/International release dates are later than the ones in the US, I think they're one of the best bookstores in India and always have the latest releases, which is rare in some other stores in different cities throughout the country. Eva visits Crossword in this novel, so I knew you would all appreciate this fantastic store just as much - if not more - than she did! :D

Crossword Bookstore

Well, that's my virtual tour of The Lost Girl, for you all! I was thrilled to have visited every place mentioned in this novel (while Eva was in India), so I couldn't resist sharing some of my knowledge of this city with you all. I hope you enjoyed my virtual tour (and review of course) and that you all pick up The Lost Girl soon. It's one of my favorite reads of the year and I simply cannot recommend it enough! :)