What an excellent collection of short fiction! There were, of course, a few stories that didn't seem as strong as some of the others, but I don't thinWhat an excellent collection of short fiction! There were, of course, a few stories that didn't seem as strong as some of the others, but I don't think there was a single one that I disliked—an unusual occurrence with anthologies and something that impresses me greatly. These exceedingly well-chosen sea stories have been grouped here into four different thematic sections, each of which explores a different element of the sea. The tales complement each other perfectly, and each section is an adventure unto itself. I cannot praise this book highly enough. Absolutely amazing collection.
Out of an already-strong collection, these seven were my favorites: • The Fog Horn (Bradbury) • A Descent into the Maelström (Poe) • The Cruise of The Jolly Roger (Vonnegut) • One for the Islands (Highsmith) • The Open Boat (Crane) • The House of Mapuhi (London) • Sail Shining in White (Helprin) ...more
I can't remember the last time I had such an enjoyable reading experience! This book is not my usual cup of tea: it's bleak, it's distressing, it's viI can't remember the last time I had such an enjoyable reading experience! This book is not my usual cup of tea: it's bleak, it's distressing, it's violent, it's mysterious, and the obviously unreliable narrators make it difficult to know what's going on. And yet—it's compelling. I kept turning pages. I also cared deeply about the characters, so even though the situations weren't always clear, I certainly could feel that emotional investment.
And the drama! Well-plotted and full of twists and turns, the narrative keeps building, as the interesting characters work through their struggles and move toward the book's climax. And then! That special moment when everything falls into place. Suddenly, everything makes sense, and the realization is as the sunrise. Light shines in the story, too, and as a VERY minor spoiler, I can say (view spoiler)[the characters who survived the dark night of this novel are greeted at the end by a much more hopeful dawn. Things are definitely looking up. (hide spoiler)] This novel was cathartic. It was cleansing, even healing. Despite the unpleasant subject matter and disturbing events of the story, the novel feels as wholesome by the end as a deep breath in—and out—slowly and peacefully, at the start of a new day....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! A dramatic tale inspired by the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, this novel kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't tend I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! A dramatic tale inspired by the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa, this novel kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't tend to like historical fiction OR thrillers; neither have I ever been much of an art connoisseur, yet I found myself getting more and more drawn into this tale. The characters are sympathetic and always interesting, and the compelling tale unfolds beautifully and naturally. Many stories nowadays take place in two time frames, and this book is no exception, but I think it works better in this story than it does in many others because the two timelines support each other so well. I am also impressed by the level of detail put into this book; the author has clearly done his research, and it shows. There is a despicable villain, but the more brutal elements happen away from the story's action. There is a romance, but it has more of a secondary role in the story and doesn't draw focus. There is drama and sacrifice and hope. Wonderful!...more
First of all, if you haven’t read the blurb yet, don’t! Part of the charm here is trying to figure out who is time traveling and why. I am surprised aFirst of all, if you haven’t read the blurb yet, don’t! Part of the charm here is trying to figure out who is time traveling and why. I am surprised at the information, which unfolded so naturally in the story, being summarized so carelessly in the description. Okay, with that out of the way, on to my review.
This novel in stories tells of a special coffee shop that can send people through time. Each chapter focuses on a different time journey, but since the same characters put in appearances throughout, this book has remarkable versatility. It combines the rich characterization of a traditional novel with the intense focus of a collection of short stories. I was impressed with the nuances given to the characters, as well as with the realistic nature of their problems. This novel is sweet and sad and hopeful, just like real life. Don’t expect the magic to make all the problems go away. Just sit back, enjoy the journey, and don’t forget to read this with a nice hot cup of coffee....more
This author is really good at writing endings. I mean, she’s REALLY good at it. I’ve read a lot of stories where things are going along great, and theThis author is really good at writing endings. I mean, she’s REALLY good at it. I’ve read a lot of stories where things are going along great, and then they just kind of end. Or novels where it feels like the last chapter has been ripped out. This is NOT one of those stories. This ending is solid and powerful. Sure, there are some mysteries left, and it doesn’t spell out every little detail of everything, but the characters get to finish their stories, and there’s a space for everything to fit just perfectly. It’s a tough mark, and she absolutely hit it. The pacing, the tone, the implications for the characters’ futures—every note is perfect.
And what about the rest of the story? Action, danger, risk, the final battle against the shadow king—this book is everything that I had come to expect from this series. It does not disappoint. The characters are amazing, too; flawed, lovable, complex. I especially like what she did with Holland here; we get to see a different side to him, and it was wonderful.
This is the end of a fantasy series, and to an extent, the yardstick against which every other fantasy series is measured is the Harry Potter series. So I figured I’d close this review by pointing out a few things that this series does better than Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling may have set the bar pretty high, but here are some ways that Schwab exceeds expectations. 1. Characters. Harry Potter has lots of really interesting characters, but that makes it harder to focus on any in depth. Here, Schwab plums the depths of all her major characters, making for some rich development and nuance. 2. The way magic works. It’s not at all complicated, and yet it still manages to be surprising. Everything is clear and consistent, and it all follows the same rules. 3. The deaths. I really enjoyed Harry Potter, but all the deaths in that last book? It just felt . . . devoid of feeling. Like she’d flipped a coin for everyone, and some lived, and some died. It felt heavy-handed, like she’d killed a bunch of people to make the ending feel serious, but the deaths themselves didn’t really carry a lot of weight, and much of the grief that the characters would have felt is skipped. But here? Here, many people die—so many deaths—but unlike with HP, here I felt distraught over every single one of them. They were tragic and poignant; they felt like actual loss, and I was sad. These deaths are weighty, and their emotional impact is 100% earned, and I am DEEPLY impressed....more
This second book in the shades of magic series does what every sequel should do: flesh out the characters from the first book and expand the world-buiThis second book in the shades of magic series does what every sequel should do: flesh out the characters from the first book and expand the world-building. Kell is still a main character here, of course, but this time, he shares the stage with some newcomers. Even the characters from the previous book get a chance to shine here, especially Kell’s brother Rhy. His much larger role in this book makes him into an interesting character in his own right, and the relationship between the brothers is a strong component of the story. Lila, for her part, finds her footing in the magical world, which she explores (along with the readers). We get to see a new side of her, and we come to understand her a bit more. There are plenty of surprises along the way. I also thought that Schwab did a good job of handling the drama; the conflict between the characters felt real. Their struggles have progressed logically from the events of the first novel, and while many novels fall into the trap of manufacturing tension just to keep the plot going, here, every issue felt justified. These are complex characters who don’t always get along, and I loved it. This is not a book for people who love lots of action; it’s a book for people who love a journey, and this book reads like a slow, leisurely travelogue. It’s wonderful, but it isn’t really about the plot. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to give it away, but I found it to be excellent.
There were only two things that really didn’t sit well with me—two areas in which it felt like the author was cheating. This is a magical fantasy story, about a magical land that doesn’t exist, and about people who aren’t real. So when I read it, I suspend my disbelief and just enjoy it for what it is: a made-up thing. But there are couple of places where characters discuss Christianity, and I found that to be a bit jarring; it took me out of the story by reminding me of real things. There was even a bizarre tangent in which a Christian and a Magician get into a philosophical debate about how illogical faith is when one’s reality is magic. Can’t we just have magic stories without bringing in real religions? And using fictional magic to discredit a real faith just seems disrespectful. I know this is a weird thing to object to, since it’s such a small section of the book, a few pages at most, but I’ve read this book 3 times now, and every time, it just seems so random. It’s like being really engrossed while watching a movie, and then all of a sudden you see the boom mic in the frame, and it takes you out of the moment. I enjoy books with religious aspects—any religion—and I enjoy fantasy. But I’m not sure how well they work together.
The other thing I really don’t like is the ending. (view spoiler)[It ends on a cliffhanger! So much of the book is spent waiting for something to happen, and then it just ends. In Schwab’s defense, this was never meant to be a whole story. Part one is self-contained, but two and three tell only a single story between them, which I’m sure would make it difficult no matter where she chose to end it. But not only does this cliffhanger ending feel like a bit of a cheat, it is also completely misleading for the next book. It sets up a really interesting problem: Kell is imprisoned in White London and cut off from his magic. It makes it seem like that’s the main thrust of the third book. It lets readers expect to see a story how Kell and Lila are working toward a common purpose, but separately, without each other to lean on. It makes us think that Kell is going to be outside his comfort zone, learning to fight back cleverly, subtly, without relying the blunt force of his magic. Actually, none of that happens. Spoiler for book three: (view spoiler)[He gets rescued and his magic is restored, all in about the first ten pages of the next installment. (hide spoiler)] So, what was the point of this? (hide spoiler)]
But these objections are relatively minor. All in all, this solid story is a worthy continuation of some beloved characters....more
Well, this book swept into my life and completely disrupted it. This was one of those books that I kept constantly near to hand: whenever I could readWell, this book swept into my life and completely disrupted it. This was one of those books that I kept constantly near to hand: whenever I could read it, I would; whenever I couldn't read it, I was thinking about it. Then, as soon as I'd finished, I immediately had to read the sequel. Then I had to finish the series. Then, I caught my breath for a few hours before reading this book all over again. So if nothing else, the author deserves major appreciation for writing something so compelling and so interesting.
But of course there's something else! This book is vivid with its descriptions and its construct of magic. Its characters are just all kinds of wonderful; they're bright and entertaining in their own right, but the friendships between them are what really drive the book, especially the relationship between the two brothers. The plot is involved but never plodding, and there were enough twists and turns along the way to keep me turning pages to the end. Things do get rather dark and disturbing in places, and the villains are absolutely creepy, as villains should be. This is grittier, bloodier, and more violent than most of the fantasy books I've read, but the result is an unforgettable journey with some extraordinary characters.
Finally, a huge shout-out to Chris at the local public library for suggesting this book in the first place. I would never have read this or even heard of it if not for her. Reader’s Advisory is an art, and she is an artist, and THIS is why libraries are so important. (Well, one of many reasons, I’m sure.)...more
What a nice story! It’s a perfect blend of warmth, atmosphere, danger, and adventure. Cassidy, who can see ghosts, and her best friend Jacob, who is aWhat a nice story! It’s a perfect blend of warmth, atmosphere, danger, and adventure. Cassidy, who can see ghosts, and her best friend Jacob, who is a ghost, make an unbeatable team. While the supernatural elements make this story unique (and are certainly interesting), I found myself most drawn in by the friendship between the two main characters. This children’s book may be a bit shorter than most grownup novels, but Schwab has done a fine job of giving her protagonists depth. They’re vivid, quirky, and really, really fun. There is also a healthy dose of action-adventure, some ghost fights, and a shadowy realm of the dead. A wonderful magical friendship story.
A quick thank-you to my Goodreads friend Chris! Thanks for suggesting this!...more
This moody and atmospheric tale weaves a story of hope and heartbreak across two timelines. Four unwanted children languLoved it, loved it—SO amazing!
This moody and atmospheric tale weaves a story of hope and heartbreak across two timelines. Four unwanted children languish in boarding school in the 1950s, and a modern woman comes to terms with the murder of her sister years before. The connection between them is a single spooky location, a haunted boarding school that is so well-described in this novel that it’s practically another character. This is a ghost story, but it’s also a mystery with flesh-and-blood characters following concrete evidence—in fact, it’s an almost-perfect blend of the realistic and the supernatural. There is some romance, some intrigue, some terrifying villains, some amazing character development, and some strong protagonists, both male and female. The characters are memorable, and I found myself thinking of them long after the story’s end. Fabulous!...more
This is a difficult book to review. Or, rather, it is difficult to cover so many full-length books in a single review. One constant in this series is This is a difficult book to review. Or, rather, it is difficult to cover so many full-length books in a single review. One constant in this series is the quality of the writing: the mysteries are fresh and interesting, and the characters feel very real and well-developed. The friendship between Holmes and Watson is genuine and solid, even if the Sherlock doesn’t like to show emotion or admit to any kindness. He insults Watson to his face, yet he praises him to others (and means it); Holmes trusts Watson, cares for him, and relies on his courage in many dangerous situations.
Throughout the series, Holmes seems to go out of his way to make himself seem worse than he is. He pretends not to care for the people close to him, but he does. He claims not to like women, yet he is chivalrous, tender, and sympathetic toward women. He worries, risks his life to help, and is compassionate. In one story, he refuses to tell the police about a woman who’d killed her husband (and he even saves her life) because he cares for her. He is egotistical, but he is honest and forthcoming about his failures, and he doesn’t seek credit for his work. He is empathetic. He becomes furious (and would even sink to murder) when someone harms the ones he loves. His personality is strong, and his kindness, when it appears, is equally strong—perhaps all the more so because it is so unexpected.
Some final thoughts: I like the atmosphere in the stories; they definitely have a British “feel,” and the details about the Victorian age in which it is set help evoke the scene. Quick shout-out to Simon Vance, who narrated the audio, and who adroitly handled voices for men, women, and children, and with a variety of accents. I enjoyed Watson’s romance in The Sign of Four. I enjoyed the variety of the stories in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes; I liked that some of tales featured no murder, and some featured no crime at all. The tone is much sweeter and more lighthearted than most of the other mysteries I’ve read. By the time the later books came, the overall feel was much darker, and it felt like the author was getting tired. The series ends on a high note, however, with a burst of creativity in the last book, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes; it’s as though Doyle was willing to try new things here. It’s a great farewell to these two beloved characters. I can’t believe that it’s over, and that there isn’t any more to look forward to. It’s been a beautiful and deeply emotional journey, and I would very much like to pull out these books in the future and read them all over again. Slipping back into this world would be like visiting old, dear friends....more
A powerful, satisfying end to the trilogy. Alina has some difficult choices to make in this installment, and I loved watching her journey. Mal really A powerful, satisfying end to the trilogy. Alina has some difficult choices to make in this installment, and I loved watching her journey. Mal really comes into his own in this one as a leader and a warrior. I loved that the Grisha follow him and trust him, even though he’s otkazat’sya. I have read far too many fantasy books in which nonmagic characters drop out of the story because they aren’t important, or they get marginalized by the author to make room for magic characters, and I love love LOVE that Bardugo doesn’t fall into this easy trap. Mal is still very much an important character; he’s spent much of the trilogy fighting for every last scrap of respect from a more powerful magic elite, and it’s incredibly satisfying to see that pay off here. (Mal also has to be one of the nicest fictional characters ever—he’s got an unusual mix of strength and humility, and I love him to pieces. I don’t think I’ve cared so much about a love interest since Gilbert Blythe.) I was surprised by some of the story’s twists and turns, and I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. I couldn’t predict where it was going; I didn’t know what would happen until it did. Parts of this story are very sad, and I love the bittersweet tone. And the ending is absolutely perfect....more
This is the middle book of a trilogy, but it’s anything but filler. The action starts right in the first chapter, and the plot is interesting and wellThis is the middle book of a trilogy, but it’s anything but filler. The action starts right in the first chapter, and the plot is interesting and well-crafted. This book continues the story of Alina, Mal, and the Darkling, and it introduces some beloved new characters as well. I also have to say how impressed I was with the character development. These are young characters who have been put into tough situations, and it’s fantastic watching them grow and change. Alina becomes a great deal stronger in this one, refusing to be simply a pawn, and pushing back where she can. They all learn from their previous mistakes and try to forge ahead. I also like that while the Darkling is around to threaten Alina and Mal, they grow strong in their resistance; they fight together and become closer. When the Darkling backs off, however, their friendship is strained and they grow distant. This idea, that the biggest danger to Alina and Mal’ relationship is Alina and Mal, makes for a very interesting character study. My favorite parts of the story were the conversations between the characters, in between the action scenes. It was nice to see the characters change, and the whole process was completely believable. This book also developes more of the fantasy world, and the story kept my interest all the way to the exciting conclusion....more
I made the mistake of starting this series on a Sunday afternoon, and it took me the better part of the week to squeeze inLove this! Loved it so much!
I made the mistake of starting this series on a Sunday afternoon, and it took me the better part of the week to squeeze in enough time to read the whole trilogy. This book swallowed me whole. When I was reading it, nothing else mattered. When I wasn’t reading, I was counting the minutes until my next chance to read. I fell in love with the characters, and with the world, and with the storytelling. I like that the characters are flawed (and believable), but still very likeable, even when they’re quarreling. I like watching Alina discover her abilities and learn about herself along the way. I loved seeing the romance (okay, I guess it’s a love triangle) develop. I like that it’s a fantasy story in a different universe, but I also like that it’s Russian-flavored; it makes the story seem very grounded and also slightly exotic. This book grabbed onto me and won’t let go. I want all my friends to read it so that we can all talk about it. I want Leigh Bardugo to write about a million more of these. (She’s written a bunch of other stuff that’s pretty amazing, but I want this trilogy to last forever.)
My advice? Start reading on Friday. You can binge-read the whole trilogy over the weekend, and you’ll get WAY more sleep that way, too!...more
Wow! What a journey! I almost don't know how to review this—I certainly don't want to give anything away!—but I will say that this book is unusual andWow! What a journey! I almost don't know how to review this—I certainly don't want to give anything away!—but I will say that this book is unusual and very intense. Ghosts exist in this novel; if you can accept that premise, then just hang on for the ride. Colorful characters come to life in this story narrated by different voices, but centering on one haunted place. This isn't a horror story, but it's a compelling tale of poor decisions and tough survival. Highly recommended....more
This book is amazing. The characters are well-developed, the plot is intricate, and this seamless blend of two completely different mythological figurThis book is amazing. The characters are well-developed, the plot is intricate, and this seamless blend of two completely different mythological figures from two different cultures kept me turning pages until the very end. Powerful and beautiful, and completely unlike anything I've ever read before....more
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