A fully realized heroine in a world with deep roots
349688
This YA story of zombies, hunger, and south Florida has haunted me since about 2007, when the author sent me what would become an early chapter.

I don't like zombie stories. But this one ... ate my brain. (sorry)

"Hey, are you still working on that thing?" I'd ask. "When do I get more about the Florida zombies?"

Pretty pesty behavior, as far as writers go - but this is worth the wait.

Hank's world is so hot and full of glare that I found myself squinting when I read it. The world is rich enough that I could *smell* it. I've met these people - the rural Southern poor, with their clannishness and their generosity, their practicality, and the lovingly crafted boxes each person's supposed to fit into.

Hank doesn't fit into her box, and one of the things I most love about her is that she doesn't give one damn about it. She never castigates herself for being fat, for being queer, for being a girl. She's comfortable in her own skin in a way that any teenager would envy. This isn't to say that she's perfect - she makes a lot of mistakes, and some pretty bad decisions along the way. But they're true mistakes and decisions: the kinds of mishaps we all put ourselves into when we're stumbling around, feeling desperate.

This doesn't tell you anything about the plot, I know. There's been a disaster, and the trappings of civilization don't work like they used to. The Reborn haunt the wilderness, informed only by their hunger. After a sleepy life outside a sleepy Florida town, Hank finds herself, at 16, on her own in the Florida wilderness. Stuff Happens from there - you don't want to hear it from me, Kirby's version is way better.

Kirby's novel (her debut!) is subversive in the best kind of way. It takes up issues of agency, and hunger, in its teeth and, through Hank's stubborn refusal to be anything other than who she is, makes them serve her story well.

Now I need to keep causing a ruckus until I get the sequel.
4635482
I just wrote my review of this novel's prequel, The Wizard Hunters, based around the premise that these books are more complex than they seem. Just as this book goes more in depth into the complexity, so I'll continue, in this review.
As I said, on the surface, these books are simply a great swashbuckling sort of adventure (quite YA-friendly, I might add; there's sex but it's fade-to-black, and the violence is realistic but not excessively gory), but it's the characters that make it worth following. And all of them are complex and rich and believable, even the unnamed ones who get a throwaway line in a background scene.

This book gives us a great deal more insight into Tremaine Valiarde, our intrepid heroine. It gives her a love interest, for one-- but a marriage of political expediency, and with a wonderful Wellsian twist: the husband is from a matriarchy and assumes that she will be the authority figure in the relationship. It's a fascinating logic experiment that yields phenomenal results of characterization.
 And this book contains the scene I love to use as an example of what Strong Female Characters ought to be, but never get to be: HUMAN. Tremaine is primarily a human character. She's set up to be a neurotic, bloody-minded person. In this book, she is presented with a desperate situation that catapults her into a leadership role she doesn't particularly want but knows she must take-- to secure it, she has to play a life-or-death game of chicken, and she does so with iron nerves, but believable irritability. (Over the course of about fifty pages there's a delightful little thread of consistency as she bites off each of her nails one by one, followed up later when her husband notices her doing the last one; in many of the scenes she otherwise seems utterly unmoved by the most horrifying things, but if you pay attention to her hands, you can see she's just shredded internally.) And later, she is presented with a choice: murder in cold blood to secure just a bare chance of saving not just her friends but probably her entire world, or spare an innocent man's life and ensure the death of everyone she loves?
The most important part of this is that unlike in many works of fiction, Tremaine doesn't just murder someone, feel on-screen guilt about it, and then move on. No, she returns to think of her hapless victim in tiny little realistic moments of self-doubt and post-trauma for the rest of the series; you know fine well that in the fictonal future, she still remembers the man she shot in cold blood to get a truck.
Like a real person would.
She's not some action superman. She's ruthless because she has no choice. She's her father's daughter, even if she doesn't understand him. And that's possibly the crowning touch to the whole little arc of characterization: she is continuing the same arc her father was on in Death of the Necromancer, when he overheard Inspector Ronsarde and Doctor Halle discussing him. Even then it is apparent; they think him some sort of cold-blooded psychopath, but in his moment of doubt, he knows he is only doing what he has had to do to survive.

Not just any author could make a connection like that, but that is how three-dimensional these characters are.
3645314
Oh, Thorn. In a cookie-cutter world of young adult fantasy, with typically white main characters and cringe-worthy devotions between love interests who have known each other all of two weeks, Thorn stands out. Intisar Khanani has built a diverse and utterly gorgeous world, with character portrayals that are thoughtful and realistic. Throughout the book you witness the transformation, physically and emotionally, of a bright, kind, selfless young woman. Some books hastily assign the title of heroine to their main characters--Alyrra truly earns it.

I wholeheartedly encourage potential readers to give Thorn a shot, because both the book and you deserve it.
3736948
The Bone Season is extremely difficult to review without devolving into gushing. What Shannon has managed to accomplish in this book with the introduction of a new, complex world and real, complicated characters is a triumph. She draws on the familiar and real (such as the Seven Dials and Oxford), but twists them into something entirely original -- and the combination works. While the length of this tale might be unnerving, the journey within its pages is worth a read.

Samantha Shannon's creation certainly inspires a lot of awe. The world that she's created, with details both real and invented, is refreshing in its complexity. It's challenging to picture the locales, characters and cultural nuances of her story.  There are complicated names, and an intense new hierarchy to delve into. But the intense amount of information, complete with charts and a glossary, appears to be necessary to produce a strong foundation for the books to follow. While this might not work for all readers, it's not something that particularly deterred me from pressing on with the novel.

The sheer desire to continue, of course, is rooted deeply in the story. The plot manages to turn something so simple into something more complicated, and it is managed quite enjoyably. It's quite hard to explain what happens without accidentally spoiling things, so suffice it to say that it's an experience readers will want to have for themselves. The Bone Season weaves heavy action sequences together with more introspective moments very well, enticing the reader to keep turning the pages.

Paige Mahoney is a pretty awesome character. Her main character trait is a stubborn bravery that persists in every circumstance. She's got a strong sense of right and wrong, coupled with compassion and intelligence, among other things.  Her abilities as a voyant are awe-inspiring, but also intimidating. Still, I was rooting for her to succeed!

(While I really like Paige, Warden is actually my favorite character, though I'll leave you to discover who he is and why I adore him when you read the book.)

Honestly, The Bone Season is the type of book a reader needs to experience for himself. It's not necessarily going to be everyone's cup of tea, because it's pretty dark, complex and twisted. But it was, personally, the book I didn't know I wanted until I had cracked it open -- and I devoured it instantly. Complex, rich and compelling, this book has found a place on my favorites shelf!
4769052
As the title suggests, this book is about a tree.  But it is a special tree.  It turns into a girl, and may one day save the world.  Thats more than most trees achieve.  This is a nicely executed novel, with some fresh ideas baked in, and an easy read too.  There is certainly a focus on the series rather than the novel in isolation, but it hints at an exciting journey, so why wouldnt we read on?

This is a story about a tree who suddenly wakes up one morning with legs and arms.  Yep, you know the feeling.  One day you're a tree and the next you're a human.  But theres method behind the madness.  The world is stepping steadily towards another war, and the tree has been awoken to provide salvation.  Youll have to read on to get the details.

So, whats it like to be a tree?  Well, this is one of the very best things about this book.  We don't get much tree time, but Finns constant yearning for her life as a tree (she keeps sticking her toes in soil) and her exploration of all things humanity as a full-grown adolescent, are really well presented.  The author has thought about concepts that are not obvious, and this is really nice.  It also brings Finns journey to life.

The other really well-developed aspect of this book is the Fae.  Now, Fae are common in fantasy, but here they are really rich and vivid.  They actually reminded me of Rothfusss interpretation of the Fae, which is a definite compliment.  I suspect well also meet more of the Fae in future books, and that can only mean more mischief and trouble.

We also get the sense that there is a really big plot bubbling away here.  It only really gathers traction in the last quarter of the book, but there is definitely something big and exciting going on.  A definite incentive to read on.

Now, the flip side of this is that although we can look forward to an exciting series, as a stand-alone novel this seemed to lack a bit of structure.  It would be unfair to call it a setup novel because there is a definite adventure going on, but it never quite felt like we got the big punch.  Having piqued our interest we may argue its a job well done, but it would have been nice to see a better and more complete flow.

Linked to this, there were some threads that seemed just a little bit loose.  It seems that some story threads were developed with future novels in mind (which is good), but weren't really explored thoroughly enough to stand up in this book.  We can hazard a guess as to why its important, but it is a guess.  This can be a little frustrating as a reader.

My one other concern is that the use of multiple perspectives is a touch freeform, and therefore confusing in places.  This is primarily Finns story, and although some other perspectives are offered (and rightly so), some switches seem to be purely for information purposes.  This is jarring as a reader, and it would have been nicer to get the information through one of the characters we were more fully invested in.

Overall though, this is a really great concept and a well-executed book.  Perhaps as a stand-alone this isn't quite perfect, but if you're looking for a fresh series to get stuck into, then definitely read on.
2831201
The beautiful cover reflects the beautiful story within.

I love books in which the author has a deeply held personal philosophy to convey and they are able to do so through a beautifully conceived and carefully crafted story which doesn't preach but rather entertains. Natasja Hellenthal has done this magnificently in "Skywhisperers."

The world of Lorian is earth-like in a dystopian fashion and very greek in its belief system.  This is something that resonates strongly with me personally. The message of the power of love is timeless and tireless.  Natasja has found within herself a unique voice to convey this message.

Thank you, Natasja for sharing this wonderful story with us.

I think she left a nice opening for a sequel. :)
3931916
(Note: spoiler alert!)

Shannon Hale's novel is a re-telling of  a Grimm's fairy tale, about two young women shut up inside a tower, their escape, and how the narrator, a self-described "mucker maid," steps in for her princess mistress and wins the man the princess was supposed to marry. The world that Hale creates is poised between fantasy and medieval Mongolia, though the narrator's voice strikes me as being from an archaic outpost in19th century America.

It is the voice of the protagonist, Dashti, that truly carries the story. She has a unique way of describing things, and it doesn't take long for it grow on you. The story is comprised of entries she makes in her book, from the first day she and her lady are shut in the tower to the day of her wedding. All throughout, Dashti proves to be bright, steadfast, courageous when facing self-doubt, and resourceful. I challenge anyone to finish this book and not feel admiration for her.

The world that Dashti inhabits is brutal, but not without its charms. Words like "khan" and "steppes" ensure that we understand it to be Mongolian, but the country is divided into kingdoms with names like Thoughts of Under and Song for Evela--named in honor of Under, God of Tricks, and Evela, Goddess of Sunlight and Songs, respectively. Dashti unhesitatingly accepts her people's pantheon, as well as the myth perpetuated by the ruling class that they, not the "mockers," are the only ones blessed by the Ancestors. This latter view starts to crumble when she meets a really nasty warlord and a soulless lady, but ultimately she never challenges the way things are. She is a healer, not a revolutionary.

She's also unflinchingly honest about her emotions, whether the it's the fear she feels when rats invade the tower or the forbidden love she feels for Khan Tegus, betrothed to her mistress Saren. She finds courage by writing down her experiences, and this courage proves critical in two places--when she outwits the evil warlord Khasar, and when her identity switch with Saren is uncovered.

Hale shows considerable writerly craft in laying down this tale. She understands irony and uses it well (for example, the rats in the tower were both the source of nightmares for the girls, yet were also the cause of their eventual escape). Dashti's words contain both a wonderful grasp of human nature, and reflect her adoration of the natural world as well--especially for domestic animals. And I love the little songs she has for people's various psychological disturbances. Her words have a deceptively simple rhythm, totally lacking in pretense. To paraphrase Dylan, she is a poet but doesn't know it.

Maybe too much of a poet? At times she seems too good to be true. Where, for example, did she learn to write? Probably from her long-dead mother, now with the Blessed Ancestors, but if Hale ever explains this the facts are buried. My only other gripe about the book is a minor one--unlike the fantasies du jour, this one refreshingly refrains from supernatural entities like vampires and werewolves and--whoops, my bad. Lord Khasar turns out to be a werewolf after all. While Hale describes Dashti's confrontation and defeat of Khasar wonderfully well, and she drops more than one foreshadowing hint that we were in for some unreal wolf-human nastiness, I still felt some disappointment when it went down that way. (I'm sure, however, that the Twilight fans who've read this have a different point of view.)

These are minor annoyances, however. Book of a Thousand Days is a great read, no matter your age, gender, or preference of fiction genre. Recommended.
2417170
Witchy Eye is a singular book in what will likely be a unique series. Very well written with a richly realized world that twists American history and lore into a world at once recognizable, but also truly bizarre. It is quite a densely put together novel, which we don't get a lot of these days, but the main character, Sarah, and those in her circles, are real and interesting and human- so the denseness is grounded in empathetic characters.

I heartily recommend this book.
506883
Only two things can surpass Raphela of Milson sensuous beauty, her desire for power and her thirst for knowledge. While the latter she fulfills by breaking the tradition of her land that women are uneducated and learns to read and write, the first can be satisfied by only one man, Duke Atan Ishtba, a man of unstoppable strength and power. In their first intimate meeting, both know their lives are about to change forever due to the other.

As the first in a trilogy to follow, Envy of the Gods, lays the foundation by introducing the players and conflicts in this grand tale. The pacing of the novel is extremely fast, sweeping the reader along and making it difficult to put the book down. Occasionally though, the pacing is so fast that it leaves the reader wishing for a touch more descriptive details in such areas as the religion of the Nameless Ones, and the history of the world of Raalek. However, this is easily overlooked due to the novel's main strength, characterization.

Without a doubt the complex characters are the heart of Envy of the Gods. Raphela and Atan are almost anti-heroes on the surface with some of their ruthless actions to gain power. Yet underneath their ruthlessness, is a compassion to try and create a better world, making them sympathetic and likeable characters despite any atrocities they may commit to achieve their goals. With characters presented with such strength and the believable world of Raalek just beginning to unfold, Envy of the Gods leaves great hope to the potential that following novels will blossom into a wonderful trilogy.
4620365
I may be a bit biased, as I had been waiting for the release of this book for years. However, I was certainly not disappointed. S. Usher Evans presents us with a female heroine at the beginning of her journey to balance two completely different lives and she needs to come to terms with her past in order to move forwards with any success. It is a journey that many women can relate to and the growth of Lyssa/Razia throughout the book is intriguing to read. However, all of this character development is balanced by action, adventure, and a healthy dose of snark. I highly recommend this book to any fan of fantasy and I eagerly await the next installment.

The world she builds is believable, with elements of politics, family, and the very real struggle to make something of yourself.
1948527
High and complex fantasy at its very best, "Sabriel" has an original and fascinating heroine, a unique world that places a medieval land beside a version of George V's England, and reams of magic and action. Unlike the many fantasy novels that try to copy Lord of the Rings by piling on enormous amounts of complex information and plot strands, Sabriel maintains a simple narrative thrust that drives the story at a fast pace. It will fascinate both the young adult audience at which it is aimed, and also older fantasy fans. Garth Nix's world is accessible to the teenage reader, and dazzlingly inventive to entrance the older reader.
The heroine, Sabriel, is a sorceress in training at Waverly College, an all-girl's school in the land of Alcestierre, a country that resembles World War I-era Britain. Across a great wall near the school lays the magical Old Kingdom, where Sabriel's father, the Abhorsen, works as a necromancer, using magic to keep the dead from crossing into the world of the living. Sabriel discovers that her father has become trapped in the world of the dead and she must cross the wall and enter the Old Kingdom to find him and rescue him. She is joined in her quest by a free magical creature trapped in a cat's body, Mogget, and an immature boy named Touchstone. Opposing them is a fearsome greater dead creature, Kerrigor, who desires Sabriel's death for his own fiendish purposes.
The protagonist is the book's strongest feature. Sabriel resists the female action-hero stereotype of women who simply act like muscle-bound males. She is intensely feminine and emotional, a teenager at heart but an adult in mind, and shouldering a heavy burden of responsibility that gives her a somber attitude. Almost any teenager will understand Sabriel's problems, for they are only slightly removed from their own: obedience to parents, the conflict of awakening maturity, and finding a place in the adult world. Sabriel also casts an air of mystery-she's an image of the beautiful unattainable, and can hold her own in a sword fight. Sabriel's romantic foil Touchstone is also a departure from fantasy norms. He is no swashbuckling he-man or equal to his female counterpart, but is something of a child. We can understand why these two begin to fall in love but at the same time cannot let it fully flower.
The roster of supporting characters is short, and Mogget is the most interesting. The cat creature's cynical attitude contrasts with Sabriel's inexperience and creates tension that carries much of the story. Abhorsen serves as an Obi-Wan Kenobi figure, and Kerrigor is a delightfully hideous and disgusting villain.
The action and spectacle of "Sabriel" are almost non-stop. Adventure constantly brews, suspense and danger always mount. There are a number of terrific action-set pieces, and the finale sounds like an outrageous combination of different elements (WWI soldiers, an army of the dead, an all-girl's school) but is one of the most exciting conclusions I've ever read.(...)
1262932
This book shows readers a strange new world through the eyes, hearts, and minds of some of the most realistically portrayed characters in a work of fiction. The reader can see, hear, and feel along with the deeply felt experiences of the characters, who are so real, whose lives are so fully and beautifully brought to life for the reader. This book describes the characters' reality, and makes totally real and believable for the reader what the characters are experiencing. It is a most realistic, fully realized story of its characters. And this is true even though the characters in this book are  experiencing phenomena that are, literally, out of this world. But the author takes us there; and we see, hear, feel, and believe every experience the characters are having. It's truly a full and real experience--and I thank the author for taking me to this very real--and very strange--place and giving me the opportunity to experience something that seems totally real even as it is thrilling me with its strangeness and mystery.
4859425
On its own, Shatter is a novel that introduces us to the personalities and struggles of some memorable characters. Faela is a character on a journey propelled by deep motivations that aren't immediately apparent. As you unravel the mystery surrounding her and discover what drives her you are treated to her practical yet charming personality. The other characters in this book are just as interesting, their struggles are just as compelling, you'll find yourself cheering for some and sneering at others.

The world, magic system and history behind this book are specific and well made. Unlike many fantasy and science fiction novels these days, you don't get the feeling that the whole universe is built to the direct benefit of the characters. Instead, Elizabeth Mock has built a setting that is anything but convenient or simple, adding depth and realism to their struggles.

This book does stand on its own, but I promise you'll be looking forward to the second part of the trilogy by the time you finish it.
376599
How pleasing that Kinsale can create a character who is quietly strong, thoroughly a lady, gentle, clever, wise and altogether remarkable; Leda does not have a temper of a psychopath and the mouth of a sewer that seems to pass for all the aforementioned attributes in many romance heroines. These attributes are commonly found in "ladies" that heroines of other romance novels represent. Those traits contrast starkly with their position in the era in which they are portrayed.

Leda manages to remain a true "diamond in the rough" without losing her poise or her education. In the time setting of the book, etiquette, speech, manners, reading and a few other achievements form the education of women. Leda is a believably special lady because she has all this and gumption with eyes to see what is before her and courage enough to face the truth. She loves with her heart and her mind. This is seen in how she endeavours to understands Samuel and attunes to his thoughts, good as he is at hiding them. She also admits to herself when she is in love with him when it is no longer possible to deny or reject her feelings. Leda embraces her feelings and loves him wholeheartedly even when in most of the book, Samuel is unaware of his own love for her and tries to push her away.

I admire her for her honest, pure and true love. A love without guile. Unlike many other heroines she is also brave enough to steer clear of the gravest fault of young ladies--lying to herself.

I love the Asian twist and American and English premise in the story. They work to produce a backdrop of perfect harmony. I like how the author uses the subtleties of Japanese culture to create meaning in the story and Samuel's use of meditation and martial arts as a form of self discipline (although slightly incorrectly applied by himself as he sees all his natural instincts a fault--further showing us unique flaws in his self understanding).

Well written indeed. Leda and Samuel remain my favourite romance characters even after having read many novels. Faelin in "An Uncertain Magic" also by Kinsale comes close although the heroine Roddy only average--though she is quite amiable despite her conflicting rejection and acceptance of herself.
1431828
Chantel Seabrook expertly presents a compelling world here, with a fully developed religious system and civic culture. But all that is really just a wondrous backdrop to the life and death struggles experienced by well-drawn complicated characters, especially Cara, whose life is being tossed upside-down because of the decrees of a goddess she doesn't believe in. This is not your normal fantasy tale. There's an authentic depth to it, and Seabrook's confident prose keeps the pages turning faster and faster until a completely satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.
4325213
This book embraces the deep meaning of true love. It's a story of the coming of age of a young woman, Harmony, immersed in a paranormal society, and her relationship with her best friend, Tesch. This book embraces many of the trials and tribulations we have all experienced growing up, the unbridled excitement, the unrelenting uncertainty, the desire to fit in, and the perilous gauntlet of emotion we are all forced to run during our school years. But this book is so much more.

The author writes this adventure in an engaging format, a fast paced page turner punctuated by humor and intrigue. The dynamics between the characters are intricate and heartfelt. And the paranormal aspects of the book are so wonderfully entwined throughout, that it strikes the perfect balance between a reality that we can all identify with, and fantasy.

Harmony's world is both awash with excitement and shrouded by chaos as her journey plays out. I can't wait to follow her and Tesch in future books!
1616299
This story has so much intellectual depth, which is exactly what I was expecting from Aditi after reading MIRROR IN THE SKY. Aditi begins writing her books by focusing in on the themes she wants to include in the story, and in THE LIBRARY OF FATES, we really get to explore the ideas of fate, destiny, and the path not taken. There is also some commentary on refugeeism and the utter devastation and challenges that come along with truly losing absolutely everything.

I loved the tone and imaginative world building throughout this story. It so perfectly matches the beautiful book cover, which itself has all kinds of wonderful Easter Eggs that are applicable to the story. I also adored the mythology that Aditi created to accompany this story. It was beautifully imagined, and I deeply admire the way she gave women such prominent and vital roles in the mythology of this world.

Amrita was such a fantastic main character. Her love for her people and selflessness was inspirational and heartwarming, and it was a pleasure watching both her journey through the plot of this story as well as the mental and spiritual transformations she undergoes throughout the novel. It was also incredibly refreshing to watch two wonderful female characters, Amrita and Thala undertaking a journey of such epic proportions.

This story is absolutely lovely. I am so glad I had the opportunity to read it and can't wait to see more from Aditi in the future.