Review: Vita Nostra

4 stars. WOAH. I am dizzy. This book is everything I expected - bizarre, abstract, insane. It’s also beautiful, darkly beautiful - defiant, philosophical fantasy at its finest. I took my time with this, and I’m glad I did, because it requires patience, discipline - a studious eye - to complete. There are elements of many genres here - coming-of-age, fantasy, science fiction, horror, magical realism. It’s best to approach it without expectations, without the intent to put a label on it.

Yes, yes, I know, first things first: Vita Nostra has definite Harry Potter vibes, as many have said. A vacationing teenage girl is approached by a mysterious stranger who requests - compels - her to complete strange, potentially dangerous tasks in exchange for gold coins. These coins are eventually used as payment for admission to the Institute for Special Technologies, a weird and scary school in an isolated village. The girl, Sasha, discovers that she has a gift for the work she is assigned, sparking a transformation that she does not understand; one she cannot control or stop.

Let me be upfront: you, as a reader, will not receive all the answers. The authors successfully paint a breathtaking and compelling picture here, but you will never see the full image. Blindly exploring the themes and ideas was enough for me and in fact a refreshing exercise, but it will not be satisfying for others. Had I not been in the right mood, reading this would’ve felt frustrating and wasteful. Beware, interested readers, you will be forced to navigate uncomfortable waters here.

But yes, I loved it. I truly enjoyed stumbling around bumping into concepts such as consequence, fear, love, discipline, obligation, transformation, and destiny. This book is dark - and simmers with foreboding - but there is something so charming about Sasha; I really fell in love with her shenanigans as a gifted student and an awkward teenage girl. I appreciated getting to know her allies, her supporters, her family, her professors. I really rooted for her, without knowing where she was headed, or how she’d succeed. It’s quite something.

At the risk of beating a dead horse, this is not for the faint of heart. But I’d recommend it for anyone interested in taking a deep, dark dive into abstract philosophy.

Or perhaps anyone interested in what it feels like to take LSD. Russian LSD.

Vita Nostra on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: The Leftovers

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

4 stars. I'm glad that I knew to expect a quiet book before I picked this up. I'm a huge fan of the television show - one of the gutsiest ever written - and had high expectations, for sure, but I knew going in that I likely wouldn't feel ... satisfied. Well, I guess I was satisfied, but not in a comparable way.

The plot is similar: following what appears to be some sort of rapture-like event, several residents of Mapleton, New Jersey attempt to navigate a traumatized world and learn to live without answers.

I think one of the most important things I ever learned, or accepted, is that there is no right or wrong way to grieve. Recovery is not black and white, and everyone reacts to trauma differently. You should not expect a grieving individual to react the same way you would - nor should you expect them to feel comfort from things that offer you comfort. One size simply does not fit all.

This is my preferred way to interpret this book. It's my favorite thing to draw from the story. Simply written, and almost painfully human, The Leftovers examines connected individuals of all ages, shapes and sizes, and how they react to the incredibly traumatic Departure. This book tells their stories without reluctance and without judgement - detailing messy pain and exploring how human connection helps and hurts, sometimes simultaneously.

It doesn't always feel good. It's hard to see people struggle, to witness them spiral into depression, or denial, or anger, or fanaticism. But it happens, and The Leftovers depicts this quietly, subtly. Maybe it's a warning, maybe it's a statement of the inevitable. Maybe it's a combination of both - humans are fragile and also resilient. Some things get back to normal, some things are ruined forever. Again, my favorite lesson: one size does not fit all when it comes to recovery.

The book’s version of The Leftovers is a different, less wacky interpretation of an idea. A little footnote to the grand themes illustrated by the show. It's fascinating but maybe a little less compelling. I really enjoyed it, though.

The Leftovers on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next #1)

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

4 stars. What a delightful, quirky book.

I'm not even sure where to begin, actually.

First of all, as an English Literature graduate, I got such a kick out of the premise. Not just the premise, really, but the world-building. What a fantastic opportunity to escape into a world in which literature shapes society, in which books are considered priceless cultural heirlooms, in which cults are formed based on theories of authorship and the government dedicates an entire faction to "literary crimes." The Eyre Affair grants my wish to experience a world in which everyone - everyone - is as obsessed with reading as I am. The literary inside jokes are astoundingly funny.

It's also wonderfully British. I could practically hear the accents in the perfectly paced conversations. The English setting lends to the lightheartedness of the story and the charm of the characters. It's mocking but in a loving way and made me homesick for London. I really, really appreciated the author's obvious love for Jane Eyre, and Shakespeare, and Dickens - it's clear that this book (or these books, I haven't read any others in the Thursday Next series), are his love letters to the classics.

It's also a bit difficult to swallow, at first. Perhaps because of my degree, it takes more effort for me to suspend belief without the burden of analysis - somewhere along the way, I've forgotten how to simply sit back, employ full acceptance of what I'm reading, and relax and enjoy the ride. This is a perfect reminder that unique storytelling comes in all weird shapes and bizarre sizes, and even occasionally-cutesy "fluff" can have something meaningful embedded in its pages.

This is not a book to be taken seriously, but it is seriously enjoyable and great. I'm into Thursday Next and will be reading more.

The Eyre Affair on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: The Witch of Willow Hall

3 stars. I picked this up determined to prolong the spookiness in my life after Halloween (and after finishing The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina). I was hoping for something dark, scary, and witchy - and ended up with what was essentially a less sophisticated Jane Austen romance novel. No, I didn’t hate this, hence the middle-ground rating, but it wasn’t what I wanted.

The Witch of Willow Hall tells the story of Lydia Montrose as she attempts to adjust to a new home after her family is exiled from Boston. It is the early 1800s and the Salem witch trials are a not-so-distant memory. Lydia struggles to keep the peace with her two sisters, to sort out her feelings for a handsome neighbor, and to deal with an unseen threat that seems to emanate from Willow Hall - and from within herself.

The premise is interesting enough, but I just could not get behind our heroine. I’m so peeved by characters who are idiotic about their own feelings - it’s called attraction, dummy! You aren’t blushing “for some reason,” you aren’t weak at the knees “inexplicably,” it’s because you’re in lust with somebody! I don’t care what time period you’re from, that shit is universal.

Lydia also - quite unfortunately - confuses, or negates, the feminist undertones of the story. There are some great moments - moments where she demonstrates true female empowerment, and female complexity. And the next moment, she’s fainting into her true love’s arms for really no reason at all. I just don’t get that. She’s a fantastic sister, a forgiving daughter and a badass witch. But this treads dangerously into “not without a man” territory.

Speaking of the romance, I’m sorry, but it didn’t feel real for me. I spoke about one trope already, but there are many here. Insta-lust, sexual tension, a weird love triangle (square?) and some random incest? Hester Fox is actually a BEAUTIFUL linguist, and I loved her way with words, but there’s a lot of room to grow in her plotting.

I’m so sorry, but this wasn’t truly gothic for me. It was somewhat atmospheric, but it wasn’t haunting. It gets three stars because it is a page turner, and because I appreciate the intent here. I’ll likely read more by this author and support her efforts. We always need more stories about strong women! This just wasn’t nasty enough for my tastes.

The Witch of Willow Hall on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: The Name of the Wind

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

3 stars. This book is like the stoned version of A Song of Ice and Fire.

It's got terrific world building and great writing. But it's sleepy. It's mellow. It's super chill. It hyperfocuses on things that don't really warrant attention.

It's actually so good!

But something is definitely missing. A true climax? It just doesn't have the nastiness I enjoy so much in other fantasy novels.

Also - the money. Oh, the money. Kvothe's bank account yo-yo's more than mine, which is saying something. And we, as lucky readers, are privy to every transaction, deposit, and withdrawal. I stress enough about money as it is; I'd rather not stress about it through my characters.

Certainly, certainly. It adds a sense of realism and background and context to the character and to the story. It just isn't my cup of tea.

Again, terrific world building. It reminded me a little bit of the Harry Potter books in that sense - we get the good, we get the bad, we get the normal. Books tend to focus on extreme situations and this one slows down so we get the big picture. I enjoyed that. Maybe it slowed down a little too much, though.

Bottom line: yeah, I guess I'll read more.

The Name of the Wind on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: Warcross

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

4 stars. Ooh, I am so into this. I’m all about comparing books to really specific food and drinks, and this is a cool, refreshing glass of Sprite. It’s electric. I was really, really entertained.

Slightly predictable? Definitely. Did it resemble Hunger Games a little too closely? Maybe. But the worldbuilding is incredible and the technology feels real. And having just visited Japan, I loved the descriptions of Tokyo. And the diversity - so natural and right and real. The writing is simple but in a good way, not amateur … it doesn’t pander to its audience.

I just loved how colorful it was. And I loved the character names, they felt really on point, if you’re the type of person who cares about such things, which I oddly really do. I loved that the main female character codes like a badass, and I loved that the romance took such an unexpected turn.

Warcross, to me, is one of those rare magical books that successfully provides a colorful escape, strong characters to root for, and a sense of youthful adventure. Bottom line: this author is going places and I can’t wait to see where.

Warcross on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children #3)

4 stars. So, so delighted to return to Seanan McGuire’s imagination for a vivid journey into the hearts and minds and worlds of her wayward children. We return to the “present” timeline here - after the last book’s prequel - to watch our trusty lost souls throw the space-time continuum out the window and right some wrongs.

As I noted in my reviews of the first two books in the series, Every Heart a Doorway and Down Among the Sticks and Bones, I am so truly inspired by the sense of possibility in McGuire’s writing. I love fantasy and read it often, but I rarely - maybe not since Harry Potter - feel so immersed and … hopeful.

As always, McGuire includes very crucial, very on-the-nose, VERY IMPORTANT, RELEVANT messaging here - about acceptance, tolerance and the need to be kind to one another, among other things. I had the same reaction as I did to the second: okay, that’s a little preachy; a little loud. But again I kicked myself for assuming myself beyond the need for such a message. I need reminders too.

We do find out a little bit more about the worlds and the doorways. We get to visit several in this book and it made me so happy. I want a map, or a catalog, I want to know EVERYTHING. And I want to know where I would fit - what my world would look like. Perfectly suited? True acceptance? Fantasy, indeed. MORE, PLEASE!

Beneath the Sugar Sky on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

5 stars. Game of Thrones + Ocean's Eleven + The Name of the Wind. In this epic fantasy, a group of thieving scoundrels dare to pull off an huge, sophisticated heist. As expected, the group, who call themselves the Gentleman Bastards, encounter complications - some small, some deadly - along the way.

This was so much fun. Top-notch world building, spectacular writing, detailed imagery, colorful characters, and clever dialogue - and so much fun. I really appreciated this book, perhaps even above the A Song of Ice and Fire books, because the exposition was done so carefully. I've often complained that George R.R. Martin includes details about his world to, essentially, rub your face in his craftsmanship. Scott Lynch seems to approach world building with a detailed but gentle touch. The info dump is palatable and doesn't impact the storytelling in a negative way.

I could honestly go on and on about how witty and stunning this book is, but that's already been done here - many times. So I'll leave it at that.

This books offers lovely writing, an interesting premise, and a wonderful adventure. You don't have to love fantasy to appreciate this one.

The Lies of Locke Lamora on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: American Gods

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

4 stars. For a book that clearly has so much to say, I don't have a lot to say about it. It was enjoyable, entertaining, and epic, but I can't say that it was as life-changing as I expected. It reminds me of the books I was assigned in school - yeah, I can see why this is important, but I'm not really moved, you know? I'm just reading this cause it moved a bunch of other people with different preferences than I.

There are some specific things I really liked, though: I found the writing refreshing. Shadow isn't your typical "hero," but on top of that, he doesn't question every single little thing that happens to him. He's just along for the ride, and the absence of the whole "what is happening" thought process that most protagonists suffer from helped move things right along.

There are some specific things I didn't like, too. Laura, for example. I love a good redemption story, but I wasn't really rooting for her at all. Maybe that's the point, though - maybe everyone, including the folks you don't root for - deserve a second chance, a chance to do the right thing and make the right choice. She certainly sacrificed herself admirably. I guess.

Hmm. I'm just not sure. It didn't affect me that much. I liked it, though. I guess. I really, really liked the television adaptation, maybe better. It took color and style and striking visual elements to make this story glow, for me.

American Gods has its moments, but it's not momentous.

American Gods on: Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: The Hobbit

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

5 stars. The Hobbit is, to me, the most special adventure ever. The most thrilling, creative, amusing, satisfying story there is. It's the ultimate example of how to house a simple plot in a complex world with balance and grace. And it's cozy. So fucking cozy.

Everyone has a Hobbit story, right? I remember, upon hearing it read aloud for the first time (by my father, on a vacation, I can't remember where), trying to comment on the words - "the language is different" - and being eagerly told about Tolkien's background in literacy and language. And the writing does feel different - especially now, many years later. It's really relaxed and informal and occasionally too cute for its own good. The friendly tone kind of takes some getting used to, am I right?

But the language is without a doubt part of Tolkien's brilliance. He is truly an artist. I want to dive - no, I want to burrow, deeply burrow - into the core of this story and hide there until second breakfast.

I know it isn't perfect. I know some readers find it boring or confusing or annoying. I actually didn't pick it up for years because I didn't remember the reading experience to be that enjoyable. But after 6 days in a hotel at a conference during which I had exactly 1 full hour to myself (which I spent having a panic attack), my brain wanted comfort food. And the level of incredible delight I felt upon reading the first chapter of this book ... I felt better. I felt excited. I felt the magic of the words.

And yes, the movies are disappointing. Jackson over-extended middle earth until it became bloated, grandiose, and overreaching in a way that contrasts so painfully with the careful, in-depth, loving look of his LOTR trilogy. It's a shame, really, because so much of the beauty of this book lies in its simplicity. The basic adventure story with its unassuming, humble hero, who takes joy in the simple pleasures of life and would scoff at anything so extra.

But let's get back to the book as an accomplishment. There's something thrilling about reading the words from which archetypes were birthed. Yes - to the people who complain about the archetypes - Tolkien invented them. You are reading about the original wizard, the original magic ring, OG dwarves and elves and dragons. It's like reading a preserved manuscript or something - a rare first edition. Sure, he expertly draws on mythology and literature (influences include everything from Old Norse sagas to Jules Verne) but his narrative style and worldbuilding is unprecedented.

I know I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said. The Hobbit is just so fucking magical and different and amazing. Thank god for Tolkien and his brain and his talent because I'd go crazy without having a window into his world.

The Hobbit on: Amazon | Goodreads