Review: The Prince Who Fell From the Sky by John Claude Bemis

Title: The Prince Who Fell From the Sky [Amazon|GoodReads]
Author: John Claude Bemis [Website|Facebook]
Standing: Stand alone novel.
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
Published: May 22nd, 2012 by Random House
Format: Kindle edition; 272 pages
Source: ARC from publisher via NetGalley
Challenge: YA/MG Fantasy Challenge

In Casseomae's world, the wolves rule the Forest, and the Forest is everywhere. The animals tell stories of the Skinless Ones, whose cities and roads once covered the earth, but the Skinless disappeared long ago.

Casseomae is content to live alone, apart from the other bears in her tribe, until one of the ancients' sky vehicles crashes to the ground, and from it emerges a Skinless One, a child. Rather than turn him over to the wolves, Casseomae chooses to protect this human cub, to find someplace safe for him to live. But where among the animals will a human child be safe? And is Casseomae threatening the safety of the Forest and all its tribes by protecting him?

Middle-grade fans of postapocalyptic fiction are in for a treat with this fanciful and engaging animal story by the author of the Clockwork Dark trilogy.

Anyone who’s been reading my reviews for a while now has probably realized that I love when a book puts a spin on my traditional way of thinking.  I don’t always agree with the spin, but I like knowing it’s out there affecting the way people think about things.  The Prince Who Fell From the Sky was one of those books.  I was worried on more than one occasion that it would cross the line into ‘big message’ territory and make me groan, but it didn’t!  John Claude Bemis weaved his tale with a deft hand in a way that made me think without making me feel like I was being judged.  Not completely easy for a story about post-apocalyptic earth where the humans live no more and animals pass down stories of the Skinless Ones’ cruelty to the Forest.

The Prince Who Fell From the Sky was an interesting weave of native mythology, animal fantasy, and the currently popular post-apocalyptic setting.  The main character, Casseomae (or Cas for short), is an aging bear with the instincts and desire to be a mother.  Unfortunately, all of her cubs have been stillborn.  As a result, she feels very protective of all those in need, saving each member of the band repeatedly throughout.  When the Skinless Ones fall from the sky (presumably in some sort of space craft) and a child emerges, Cas refuses to let the hierarchy of the Forest kill him, despite the risk.  The only memories creatures of the forest have of the Skinless Ones are of killing and destruction. She sets off with the companionship of a somewhat knowledgeable rat, a Faithful dog, and the ‘cub’ in tow.

The Prince Who Fell From the Sky is the story of unlikely partnerships between animals of different standing and relation to humans.  It seems that each type of animal has their own stories and myths about humans, and I loved to see the alternate takes that the animals had.  The greatest humor of the book sprouted from Dumpster, the rat who begrudgingly journeys alongside Cas in search of his Mischief and the Havenlands.  He is the Memory for his Mischief, the one who is supposed to remember all of the stories and history.  As such, he considers himself the authority on all things human, but of course, at least half of his ideas are laughably ridiculous and nonsensical to our human minds.  For example, the idea that people had fire escapes on buildings so they could escape fire on the ground and run up to safety.

The relationship between Cas and the ‘cub’ is powerful.  Despite a language barrier (and I honestly loved that the human and animals couldn’t talk with one another), she manages to impart wisdom and respect for the Forest into him.  This, she hopes, will make him a part of the Forest and unlikely to cause the destruction that all of the animals fear he portends.  The ending of The Prince Who Fell From the Sky is unequivocally perfect.  It’s realistic, heartwarming, and sad all wrapped into one.  Plus I have to say, that I totally dig this cover.

While I obviously have many kind things to say about John Claude Bemis’s The Prince Who Fell From the Sky, I will admit that this story didn’t really grab me.  It was well done, unexpected, and made me think from a new perspective, but at the same time it was very easy to put down, and didn’t have me longing for more.  I feel descriptions of this one as a post-apocalyptic Jungle Book are fairly on the nose, though that is another story I was never enraptured by.  Personally, I could take it or leave it, but I do feel that it will be a better fit for many young readers.

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  This was my first John Claude Bemis, and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t fall madly in love and am not sure I will be picking up the Clockwork Dark trilogy.

Recommended for: They’ve pitched this one more to fans of post-apocalyptic fiction, but I personally feel it’s a better fit for fans of animal fantasy such as Redwall, Wattership Down, The Jungle Book or the Warriors series.  Nice crossover appeal! 

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Review: Neversink by Barry Wolverton

Title: Neversink [Amazon|GoodReads]
Author: Barry Wolverton [Website|Twitter|Facebook]
Illustrator: Sam Nielson
Standing: Stand alone novel.
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Published: March 27th, 2012 by Walden Pond Press
Format: Hardcover; 287 pages.
Source: Borrowed from my local library.
Challenge: YA/MG Fantasy Challenge

Birds of the Northerly World

Excerpted from THE WALRUS GUIDE TO LESSER CREATURES, Sixteenth Edition

Puffin: Smallish, squidgy, improbable looking.  Relatively quiet and well-mannered, expect when provoked.  Not to be confused with a penguin, or a parrot, or a cross between a penguin and a parrot.

I would hug this book if it weren't physically impossible for a human and a book about a puffin, a walrus, and a hummingbird to embrace.  It has everything I love about a fantastic middle grade book.  Adventure, fun, wit, illustrations, a dastardly villain, love, friendship, PUFFINS, and of course, a map:

Neversink by Barry Wolverton tells the story of an improbable hero, Lockley Puffin, and his adventure that comes full circle.   Neversink is an island populated by auks (a family of fish-eating birds that includes puffins, razorbills, murres, and guillemots) lying off the coast of the mainland, Tytonia, where, if you will forgive the expression, the owls rule the roost.  When the fear arises that the small animals owls consider food are infected with the sickness, one ambitious owl takes it as an opportunity to oust the king and put the auks of Neversink back under the owls’ thumb (yes, I know owls don’t have thumbs, it’s a figure of speech!).  Rozbell, the new owl ruler with a Napoleon complex, enacts a fish tax, indulging in the scrumptious delights that are Lucy Puffin’s fish smidgens.  It would appear, however, that Rozbell’s appetite cannot be quenched (while of course, those around him continue to be quite peckish), and soon the demands upon the auks rise.  Lockley refuses to let such a burden fall upon his people, particularly upon his wife Lucy.  But with a population of birds who have many mottos about not making waves, how will a squidgy puffin, a scholarly walrus, and an excitable hummingbird save the day?

Oh friends, I loved this book.  Barry Wolverton’s writing was so unabashedly clever and full of wit that I found myself constantly smiling and chuckling while reading Neversink.  It’s the type of book that is written perfectly for the intended age, and yet has so many quick references and jokes in it that an adult will most assuredly appreciate them as well.  Taking place before the appearance of humankind on the globe, Neversink is full of funny lines that reference things we know as familiar (like pants), and then reminders that those things don’t exist.  Egbert, our dear walrus, even has some good Beatles and Alice in Wonderland references up his metaphorical sleeve. 

Not only was the writing fun and clever, but the story and characters were as well!  I appreciate it so much when a middle grade author doesn’t shy away from realities such as death.  Barry Wolverton doesn’t make it ghastly or inappropriate, but he doesn’t do the Disney thing and have characters just fall from high places never to be seen again either (I suppose when the bulk of your characters can fly, this tactic would be rather misguided).  His villain, Rozbell, has depth, and isn’t just a mad-bird lusting for power for power’s sake—you can really see how he becomes corrupt, and understand his thought process, even if it’s selfish and cruel.  I love a well-done bad guy!     

And of course I was going to love a book where our hero was a puffin!  Do you remember how excited I was when I brought this one home?  I just love them so much!  Even if they can be rather indignant at times.  It would seem that calling a puffin a penguin, is much akin to calling a Scott English.  Lockley and Lucy were both perfect heroes in my mind because they didn’t set out to be.  They’re scared, they don’t want to make trouble, make things worse, or defy authority, but we all know that everyone can be pushed too far.  When pushed too far, some characters break, but heroes push back. 

In the end we see that like Neversink, not every good story needs a moral.  Some adventures just need to happen.  Sam Nielson’s illustrations are whimsical and perfect for the setting, as mentioned I am a particular fan of the map.

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  Neversink was such a fantastic debut!  I would love to see other stories from Tytonia (like one involving badgers perhaps?), but will happily check out whatever Barry Wolverton comes up with next.

Recommended for: Anyone who enjoys great middle grade, in particular animal fantasies like Redwall or Legend of the Guardians.  Because apparently some owls are inherently evil.

Real life repercussions of reading this book: The boyfriend said we can dress up our squidgy Wocket as a puffin for Halloween!  What do you think, can he pull it off?

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Salute Your Shorts: Mouse Koan by Catherynne M. Valente

Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) feature here at Bunbury in the Stacks highlighting and reviewing short stories and novellas. Everyone is welcome to join at any time, just grab the pic above and shoot me a link in the comments so that I can include your post in a roundup.

  Title: Mouse Koan [Tor.com]
  Author: Catherynne M. Valente [Website|Twitter]
  Standing: It’s a poem!
  Genre: Poetry, Fantasy
  Published: April 2nd, 2012 on Tor.com (it’s possible it exists in print somewhere else that I’m   unaware of).
  Format: Web post; short and sweet! 
  Source: Featured on Tor.com

Contrary to what you may have heard
it is possible
to sate a trickster.
                              It only takes the whole world.

Soooooo…I’m not much for poetry.  In fact, you’ll hear me complain when guys in books are into things like poetry because I think it’s lame.  BUT.  But.  There are exceptions to every rule.  I’ve read a lot of Neil Gaiman’s poetry in his short story collections, and I even like some classics like Lady of Shallot, and poems that have inspired some great books like Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came.  If it’s a story, I’m much more likely to read and enjoy it.  Since it’s National Poetry Month, I figured that I should suck it up and read a poem.  Luckily, Tor is celebrating by posting poems by Sci Fi and Fantasy authors, so when I saw Cat Valente’s name pop up, I had to read it and share it with those of you who may have missed it!

Mouse Koan is a quick read that’s worth the time for an ever-mystifying view into Cat Valente’s mind.  I love the way this woman puts words together and paints the world.  The poem is told in two parts.  Part one is somewhat of a creation story, telling of the birth of multitudes of gods, including one particular trickster god—a nameless mouse.  The second part is spoken by the mouse god himself, telling of his triumph and downfall as a trickster, worming his way into all of our lives as the face of Disney.  The trickster wins by being everywhere, but realizes that the commonplace existence has made him invisible.

I’m sure there’s a lot to be read into this poem about Disney, Mickey Mouse, corporations, and consumption, but I chose to just enjoy it.  Cat Valente has a way with words that is entirely magical, and entirely her own, and I certainly recommend you take 5-10 minutes to check out Mouse Koan.

Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman

  Title: The Book of Blood and Shadow [Amazon|GoodReads]
  Author: Robin Wasserman [Website|Twitter|Facebook]
  Standing: Stand alone novel.
  Genre: Young/New Adult, Mystery
  Published: April 10th, 2012 by Random House Children’s Books
  Format: Kindle edition; 448 pages.
  Source: ARC from publisher received via NetGalley.

It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up.  When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love.  When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark.

But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead.  His girlfriend Adriane, Nora's best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora's sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer.

Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life.

The Book of Blood and Shadow was, for me, one of those reads that is almost but not quite right.  I enjoyed it as a read, but found myself far from blown away with a story that was more tepid than bone chilling.  The story starts with the gruesome murder of Nora’s best friend, Chris, but then backtracks to that fall in order to give us a greater scope on the scene.  Nora, Chris, and Chris’s freshman roommate, Max, are hired on as research assistants for a local scholar of old manuscripts, where they are set to translating from Latin.  Chris and Max are given the more prestigious task of attempting to translate and decode a manuscript that has been of interest to conspirators for centuries, while Nora is relegated to translating a pile of letters.  Nora, though put out by the belief that she has been assigned this ‘lesser’ task by virtue of being a high schooler or a girl, soon finds herself enraptured by the letter writer, Elizabeth’s, story.  Nora feels a certain kinship and understanding between herself and Elizabeth, feeling the need to keep her most private correspondence private, and understanding her words with more ease and depth over time.

While all of the characters were well-written, I found myself unable to connect with any of them or feel truly invested in their futures.  Chris, undoubtedly the most likable character, is announced dead before the story even gets going.  Nora’s relationship to Chris, and to Elizabeth, were the only relationships I really felt in the book.  Her romance with Max seemed very lukewarm to me, and as such I couldn’t really grasp her devotion and faith in him (I’ll admit it, I’m prejudice against boys who recite poetry to come across as ‘smart’ or ‘romantic’, to me it just reads lame).  Nora’s relationship with Adriane also seemed rather mild, but I did enjoy having Adriane around as she was the only character that seemed to bring any humor to the book.  I suppose in the end, I would have to state that The Book of Blood and Shadow, as a mystery, seeks to be both plot and character driven, but is lacking somewhat on both accounts.

The writing in The Book of Blood and Shadow is nearly poetic, a story that seems like it should be adrenaline filled is instead more quiet and subtle.  The mystery to be solved presents a fun and engrossing trail throughout the book, with various twists and turns to uncover.  I did, however, question the plausibility of the mystery itself.  The information uncovered from Elizabeth’s letters didn’t really seem that difficult to figure out.  I suppose the best reasoning one can come up with for previous scholars not having uncovered it is the supposed unimportance of Elizabeth’s letters.  This didn’t really line up for me though, given events and beliefs exposed later in the story.  

The setting of Prague always lends and air of mystery and intrigue to any story, and The Book of Blood and Shadow is no exception.  I found myself craving more detail of the city, like those we received in Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, but as the character in that book lived in Prague, while the characters in this one are only visiting, it seems fair that we don’t get quite the same feel for the city.

The Book of Blood and Shadow, despite its faults, is a book worth reading for those who enjoy uncovering age-old mysteries.  I very much enjoyed that while this was a contemporary mystery, it had many elements of historical fiction in play.  The mystery, those involved, and even the city of Prague lended the perfect elements of a good historical fiction, while at the same time having the conveniences of a contemporary novel.  This book will appeal to those who enjoy conspiracies, and secret societies; with a more subtle Indiana Jones and the Arc of the Covenant feel, The Book of Blood and Shadow was intriguing and fun.  I will say that this book presented three very different but interesting views on faith and God, all of which presented a possible extreme; I do think that my inability to align with any of these extremes is part of the reason I felt disconnected from the story.

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  I do still want to read Robin Wasserman’s Skinned series, but I won’t be prioritizing it based on my experience with The Book of Blood and Shadow.

Recommended for:  Fans of Indiana Jones and the Arc of the Covenant, Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco, or The Divinci Code by Dan Brown.  Basically those who enjoy mystery and adventure with religious themes.

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Review: There is No Dog by Meg Rosoff

Title: There Is No Dog [Amazon|GoodReads]
Author: Meg Rosoff [Website|Twitter]
Standing: Stand alone novel.
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Published: January 24th, 2012 by Penguin Group USA Inc (First published August 2nd, 2011 by Doubleday Canada).
Format: Hardcover; 256 pages.
Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Perhaps the way to succeed is to think of life on Earth as a colossal joke, a creation of such immense stupidity that the only way to live is to laugh until you think your heart will break.

You know God?  He’s kind of a dick.  It’s not all his fault though, he’s incredibly spoiled, and his mother won this planet for him ages ago in a poker game, even though he was completely unqualified for the job.  He’s only 19 after all, and like most teenagers, he mucks a lot of things up.  People created in his own image?  What was that about?  Tying the weather to his emotions?  Probably not the best move.  And the duck billed platypus just had to be the product of boredom and alcohol.  Luckily, Mr. B is always about to wade through the paperwork and attempt to keep some order.  This is next to impossible, however, when Bob (that’s God) decides he’s in love with (another) human girl.  He won’t be happy until Lucy loves him back, but how can he expect her to fall for him when he’s himself?

It is rare that one book can make so many different factions equally happy.  There Is No Dog will satisfy optimists, pessimists, atheists, religious people (okay, maybe it’ll insult quite a few religious people, but personally I loved it), etc.  Basically, it’s the perfect book for that old question--”Is the glass half empty or half full?”  

Okay, okay, maybe There is No Dog isn’t really the book for everyone.  It’s very quirky, whimsical, and off-kilter.  Some people might deem it just plain weird.  But me?  I loved it.  The spirit of it reminded me very much of some of my all time favorite reads, like Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s Good Omens or Douglas Adams’s Long, The Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.  The entire time I was reading I was thinking ‘Jim Dale needs to do this audio’, as the tone reminded me very much of the narration to Pushing Daisies.

I adored the writing style of this book.  It’s written in third person omniscient perspective, in which perception flits from character to character in a way that many readers find unnerving, but I personally enjoy very much when done well.  In There is No Dog, it was done very well indeed!  We get to see into most of the character’s thoughts at some time, including into Eck’s, which was one of my favorites.  Eck is a furry penguiny ardvarky creature, who despite being an animal has some very real concerns about life (his in particular).  The characters are divided between the immortal, and the mortal, the practical, and the impractical, and I liked that the lines weren’t always cut and dry the way one would expect. I particularly loved that while Bob was seemingly the main character, he was so unlikable. We have zero invested in him or his success, and as such, get to love and cheer for so many of the other wonderful characters around him. I mean, how often do you find yourself actively cheering for the downfall of your protagonist?

While There is No Dog may have presented some questions about religion, it was ultimately a book about faith.  It was full of hope, wisdom, the miraculous, and a pleasant outlook for living life.  It was full of rich characters who were both selfish, romantic, goodhearted, and fun, though yes, it was a little weird too.

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  Oh I’ve been meaning to read Meg Rosoff for ages, and now that I fell head over heals with There is No Dog I’ll certainly be pushing her other books up the pipeline.

Recommended for:  People who enjoy quirky reads ala Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, etc.  

Real life repercussions of reading this book:  Someone buy me an Eck, please!  Or you can buy your own.

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Waiting on Wednesday: Embers and Echoes by Karsten Knight

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcomign releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

   Embers and Echoes – Karsten Knight
   August 28th, 2012 – Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing

Ashline Wilde is about to discover that when you’re the reincarnation of a Polynesian volcano goddess, “new beginnings” are just a myth.

Leaving the fiery ruins of her sophomore year behind her, Ash travels to the sizzling beaches of Miami, hot on the trail of the little sister she’s only seen in visions. But her happy family reunion isn’t all palm trees and paradise. A cult of evil gods-on-earth, known as the Four Seasons, has kidnapped her sister to use in its terrifying new religion. Soon, the streets of Miami erupt in chaos and violence…and Ash gets caught right in the tropical crossfire

Ash isn’t without help, however. Unexpected romance arrives in the form of Wes, an Aztec god of night with his own vendetta against the Four Seasons. As memories of Ash’s previous life begin to flicker into her dreams, the boundaries between ally and enemy, life and death, and love and hate all bleed together. And when a mysterious trickster from her past reappears to derail her new quest, Ash must choose between the echoes of a once-forgotten yesterday and the embers of an uncertain future.

Because when old flames return from the dead, even a volcano goddess can get burned.

I read Karsten Knight’s debut, Wildefire, the first in the series last fall and really enjoyed it.  The series has a fun take on mythology, where gods are reincarnated each generation, and he writes about a wide variety of mythologies including Norse, Egyptian, Polynesian, and Hopi.  Looking forward to the next installment!  I may have to dredge up my memories so that I can review this series on the blog.  I don’t like the cover for Embers & Echoes as much as I liked Wildefire’s, but ah well.  What are you waiting on?

Review: A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

Title: A Conspiracy of Kings [Amazon|GoodReads]
Author: Megan Whalen Turner [Website]
Standing: Book four in The Queen’s Thief series.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Published: March 23rd, 2010 by Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins
Format: Hardcover; 336 pages
Source: Borrowed from my local library.
Spoilers!: This review contains some unavoidable spoilers for the first three books in the series (clicky for my reviews), The Thief, The Queen of Attolia, and The King of Attolia, so go read those first!

We do what we must, but we are not defined by our circumstances.

Sophos, last seen by us (and by Eddis and Eugenides) at the close of The Thief, has gone off the map.  Rumored to be dead in the midst of his country’s civil war, Sophos has managed to survive under the radar long enough to come into his inheritance, the throne of Sounis.  With his country torn by rebellion and facing overzealous influence from both the Continent and Medes, Sophos must find a way to secure his position and his kingdom.  Sophos seeks solace and friendship with another young ruler, The King of Attolia.

If Gen is the mysterious rogue we give our hearts to, Sophos is the brother we hold most dear.  He’s less temperamental, less schooled in concealing his emotions,  and far less sure of himself.  Where Eugenides has hidden himself through deception, it has been hard to see him change throughout the series.  Sure, he grew into a man, developed some most inconvenient emotions for the Queen of Attolia, and changed his rank (and two countries) immensely, but Gen remains, more-or-less, the same inkpot throwing, trouble brewing, fierce friend he always was.  Sophos, on the other hand, matures in many more ways.  Not only has he grown up a fair amount since the journey to find Hamiathes’s Gift, he must find it within himself to become both man and king in A Conspiracy of Kings without losing sight of who he is as a person.

Personally, I loved this book, which is the first in the series that doesn’t focus on Eugenides.  Yes, The King of Attolia was told largely from the perspective of Costis, but it was still about the King of Attolia.  A Conspiracy of Kings, on the other hand, stars Sophos, and gives us an opportunity to better know Eddis, see more of the kindness in Attolia, while of course incorporating Eugenides (and the gods) into the mix.  It goes without saying that I love Eugenides, and his relationship with both queens, but there is something more accessible about Sophos, who is not at all times working some deception.  Also, I’ll admit it, I love Eddis so much, I was very happy to have more of her.  Attolia is beautiful and strong, and completely right for Gen, but Eddis is my favorite of the two queens, and I was absolutely toothy with grins at her presence in this book.

In each of these books there has been a moment for me.  An exact moment I can pinpoint in which I fell head over heels for the book in my hands.  This is stunning for me, as that’s not how it usually happens.  Usually I’m a ‘let’s get to know each other over the course of the story and I will slowly fall for you’ kind of girl.  But with The Queen’s Thief series, it’s been ‘I like you so much, you could be my best friend’, and then something clicks into place, and I know it’s not friendship, it’s love.  This was most stark for me when reading The Thief, but after that, A Conspiracy of Kings follows close behind.  I can tell you the exact paragraph, the exact sentence, where I knew this was more than a ‘good’ book.  I don’t want to say less it ruin anything for those who haven’t read, but for those who have, I’m betting you know where I’m talking about.  

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised by A Conspiracy of Kings. It was just the story I was hoping it would be, but I honestly hadn't expected to love it as much as I did after having adored the first three. I cannot possibly pick my favorite of these four books, as they are all so unique and different from one another despite their similarities. I suppose I'll have to suffice it to say they are similar enough to keep me coming back, but different enough to keep me wanting more.

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  Not only will I be patiently waiting for the next installment in this wonderful series, I will more likely than not be rereading it before then.

Recommended for:  Again, anyone who enjoys reading...after four books I feel like a broken record.

Real life repercussions of reading this book:  Only that I cannot wait to reread this series again before the next book comes out.  I appreciate MWT so much for making each of her books a complete story.  I know where the next books can go, but at the same time it’s nice to be happy with what we already have.

Review: Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers

Title: Grave Mercy [Amazon|GoodReads]
Author: R.L. LaFevers [Website|Twitter|Facebook]
Standing: First in a new series, His Fair Assassin, though it seems they will be more like companion novels, so yay!
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy
Published: April 3rd, 2012 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Format: Kindle edition.
Source: ARC from publisher via NetGalley.
Challenge: YA/MG Fantasy Challenge

I can dodge a blow or block a knife.  I am impervious to poison and know a dozen ways to escape a chokehold or garrote wire.  But kindness?  I do not know how to defend against that.

Ismae is forced into an arranged marriage to a man who terrifies her, by another who is just as bad.  When her new husband sees the scar marking her as a daughter of Death, he beats her savagely, and locks her away.  She is rescued by those who would send her to the convent of St. Mortain, filled with women who serve as the handmaidens of Death.  There she is trained in all manner of assassination tactics before being released on her first assignments to test her for full initiation into the convent.  These tests lead her on an assignment to the high court, where she must ferret out traitors and protect the young Duchess.  She is supposed to watch one man in particular, but soon Ismae doesn’t know who she can or cannot trust, including herself.

You know those books that fill you up and leave you positively giddy and excited about life?  Well, this may sound odd, but that for me was a book about this female assassin who is the daughter of Death.  Morbid much?  Well, maybe a little, but in this case I don’t think so.  Grave Mercy was a beautifully rendered historical fiction with touches of fantasy, mythology, and a slow burning romance that will have any girl holding her breath.  I was hooked in from the first paragraph, where we learn that Ismae bears a scar from her mother’s attempt to abort her as a fetus; the fact that she survived indicated that she was the daughter of Death himself.  

The story takes place in Brittany, which is now the upper NW corner of France, but at the time was its own country sitting uncomfortably between England and France.  LaFevers creates a haunting and wonderful mythology where the country’s nine gods have been transposed into saints under the Christian church (as the Christian church was wont to do).  Ismae escapes a desperate and cruel life under the abusive men that raised her and bought her as wife, to study under the tutelage of the sisters of St. Mortain’s convent.  The convent trains its members as assassins, as they are all offspring of their saint, Death himself.  Literally. Like Megan Whalen Turner's The Queen's Thief series, or Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar, the gods are very present and important in a more direct way that we often see. As full initiates of St. Mortain, these women work as his handmaidens, dolling out vengeance to those who put Brittany in danger.  

Dudes, can I even express how awesome Ismae and her sisters in Death are?!  Apparently not without reverting into surfer lingo.  If you love strong women who don’t take no crap from no man, Grave Mercy is for you!  Ismae and the other girls all have horrors in their pasts that have led them to the convent.  At St. Mortain’s, they are offered a chance at a new life, one where they will be the wolves that prey.  They are trained in skills of weapons, combat, poisons, and seduction.  They have a seeress that forsees those who have been marqued for death.  To them, their work is not murder, it is a sacrament to their god and father.  Ismae has her own unique talents given by her father; she can see maques indicating when and how a man will die, and she is immune to poison.  Ismae gratefully accepts a place at the convent, looking forward to proving herself and casting vengeance on men, who in her experience are only cruel and untrustworthy.  

And then there’s Duval.  Duval!  Prepare for the slow-burn romance of the year because man oh man.  It’s a good thing corsets weren’t around yet, or there’d be lots of swooning going on up in here.  Duval is unwillingly saddled with Ismae, each have their own agendas and countless reasons not to trust one another.  And they don’t.  Not only is this a romance that takes hundreds of pages to unfold, it develops from the very depths of mistrust.  Personally, I loved Duval instantly.  It was clear by the relationships he had with his friends, and the fierce dedication and support he showed for his half-sister and country, that he was a wonderful man.  And he would have to be to earn any leeway from Ismae, who has only known men as dangerous, conniving, treacherous, and cruel.  Duval never pushes Ismae, or asks her to be anything but who she is, and I love it.

I will say that this is one of those books that I’m torn about seeing the ‘YA’ label on.  Yes, this is great for YA readers, but at the same time I am sad at the amount of adults who will not read this series because of it.  The characters and situations, to me, make this a very adult book, so I’m hoping there will be plenty who give it a shot!  I am so excited to see this series continue, largely because I believe it will be set up in a companion novel sort of fashion.  The second book will be about another of the girls at the convent, Sybella, and so I am hopping the third will be about their friend Annith.  I love series that do this, and though I adored Duval and Ismae, I am happy they won’t be the focus of Dark Triumph.  Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll get all huffy if they were to make an appearance!

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  I’ve already considered stalking and/or bribes to get my hands on Dark Triumph asap.  Not only that, but I can see myself rereading Grave Mercy in the future, such was my love for it!   

Recommended for:  Anyone whose favorite SoIaF character is Arya, or I suppose fans of strong women who persevere through tough times in general.  This is a fantastic historical fiction, even for those who prefer theirs fantasy free--all of the politics are very true to life, and it would be a strong book even without the mythological elements (though I loved the mythological elements!).  

Real life repercussions of reading this book:  I learned something very important about reading historical fiction!  If you aren’t familiar with the history don’t go read about it before you finish the book.  Total spoilers.  If you’re interested, I read some history of Brittany on Wikipedia, and the author also has a lovely post on the specific era here.  Do read it, but after.

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Review: The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

Title: The Queen of Attolia [Amazon|GoodReads]
Author: Megan Whalen Turner [Website]
Standing: Second book in the Queen’s Thief series.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Published: January 1st, 2000 by Eos
Format: Paperback; 362 pages.  
Source: Borrowed from my local library.
Spoilers!: This review contains some spoilers for The Thief, so go read that first.  Seriously.  Go read it.

The Queen of Attolia has been fuming, harboring a slowly building hatred for a thief who not only succeeded in stealing Hamiathe’s Gift from her lands, but has been taunting her within her own palace for months.  She knows he has been spying for his queen, he could pass unnoticed, but instead Eugenides chooses to leave her evidence informing of his presence.  Attolia has finally found a way to capture Eugenides, and when she does, he will be at her mercy.  Little does she consider the consequences of her judgement upon the thief...

I sometimes find it easier to write reviews for books that I hated, or just liked, than those that I’ve loved.  With those books that I fall absolutely head over heals for, I’m afraid that I could not possibly formulate words that would do my feelings about the book justice.  Hence, my reviews for this series may be somewhat shallow or short, but it’s not because I don’t have strong feelings for this books, it’s because I love them too much.

I really feel that I have grown up with Eugenides after reading the short story, Thief!, and the first in the series, The Thief.  Megan Whalen Turner has a unique talent for writing for the age of her characters perfectly, and it has been lovely to see the development of Eugenides as a 10 year old scallywag to a young man.  The Queen of Attolia is far more complex than The Thief in a way that enriches the story and draws one in even further than before.  While The Thief highlighted the mythology of the old gods, The Queen of Attolia focuses on the current political situation.  It is unfortunately rare that an author is able to convey the intricacies of complex politics without either info-dumping or causing intense boredom.  Turner does this beautifully, presenting the situation naturally.  I adore stories where you get to see all sides of a conflict, understand that there is no true ‘bad guy’, and see the strategic motivations of all involved.

Of course, the character of Eugenides, as well as the other characters in the cast, gain much more depth in this second book.  I love Eddis, she reminds me so much of Mercedes Lackey’s Selenay that I just want to hug her and be best friends forever.  Eugenides balks against all stereotypes of thieves created by other works--he doesn’t come from a broken home, he’s not riff-raff or street trash, he is nobility in his own right and holds a very respected position among his countrymen.  Unlike The Thief, which was told entirely from Eugenides’s point of view, The Queen of Attolia offers us an array of perspectives, including that of (surprise!) the Queen of Attolia, who must deal with the consequences of Eugenides’s capture and punishment while balancing the snakes lurking within her own court.

Alas, much like The Thief I am reticent to say too much about the story lest I give anything away, but I'm sure that at some point I will need to make a stand alone post meant specifically for those who have read the books!

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  Like anything could stop me.  I hear The King of Attolia is the best in the series, and I cannot wait.

Recommended for:  Um...everyone?  I think if I were going to buy this series for any one person, I’d give it to my childhood best friend, Raegan.  I know she’d love it.

Real life repercussions of reading this book: I love that MWT distinguishes between grins and smiles.  I had never thought about this subtlety before, but it’s certainly changed the way I view facial expressions!

Review: The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Title: The Thief [Amazon|GoodReads]
Author: Megan Whalen Turner [Website]
Standing: First book in the Queen’s Thief series.
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Published: January 1st, 1996 by Greenwillow Books
Format: Paperback; 280 pages.  
Source: Borrowed from my local library.

Challenge: Award Winning Reads Challenge.

If you want to keep something safe, I say hire a guard, at least until someone invents a better lock.  Or hide your treasure where no one will find it.  That’s what most people do.  Being able to find valuables in boxes hidden behind bed frames, being able to move through a building with no one the wiser, those are more important skills for a thief than opening locks.  Those and a good head for heights.  People don’t usually hide their emerald earrings in the cellar.

Gen has cultivated a reputation as a fantastic thief...and a fantastic idiot.  Having been thrown in the king’s prison for stealing a seal, and having the audacity to brag about it and show it off in public, Gen is fairly miserable, hungry, and sadly unable to escape.  He’s pulled from the dark by the magus, the king’s scholar, with a plan to put his skills into service of king and country.  Given the choice between cooperating and an astronomical price on his head, Gen decides it’s probably best to go along...

You guys!  I’ve been hearing about the Queen’s Thief books for ages now on the blogosphere, and they were on my list, but I wasn’t prompted to actually pick them up until Chachic of Chachic’s Book Nook hosted a lovely Queen’s Thief Week.  What I found when I did, I will love forever.  It is so rare for those of us who read so many books to be really truly surprised by anything.  I find I am constantly anticipating plots, and more often than not, I am correct, and even if I am not correct, I am not often surprised.   This didn’t happen with The Thief.  Not only did I have no idea how the story was going to end until I got there, I had no idea what was coming next from any individual turn, I could no more predict or see things coming than if I had never consumed a book before in my life.  Days later my head is still spinning and I am marveling--how did Megan Whalen Turner do it?!  

This is one of those books with immediate reread value.  I already want to go back through, knowing how things turn out, to see the crumbs that I inevitably stumbled blindly over along the way.  Part of me is so sad that I did not discover these books when I was younger, but part of me is so happy to just now being experiencing this story for the first time.  The world created by Megan Whalen Turner is full of beautiful myths of creation and the gods, and I could not be happier about her simultaneously writing from a male perspective set in a world where females are so strong, and not degraded or regulated to certain positions.  Additionally, instead of being set in a medieval world, as is so often in high fantasy, the world of The Thief came across more as that in The Three Musketeers, a transition between medieval and renaissance.  And that, my friends, is awesome.

I loved the characters involved, primarily because they were so well written and constructed.  Honestly while reading, I didn’t know how I felt about many of them, and this was great!  I wasn’t always sure Gen knew how he felt about the rest of the cast either, particularly the magus who is alternately despicable and generally well intentioned.  Also, can I just say that my heart was captured by Gen the second I learned that he hated horses?  I don’t hate horses, but neither does anyone else, especially not in fantasies set in time periods where horses are the prime means of transportation.  This one quality stood out so much to me, it made me smile at its uniqueness.  

I could go on to wax poetically for some time, but I refuse to talk about this book in any way that might ruin it for anyone who has yet to read it.  So I can only say, read it, and enjoy!

Likelihood that I'll be back for more:  It is very rare that I will blow through a series.  Most often, I need to read at least 5 books in between.  This is one of those amazing exceptions.  I am ready to read the next installment this second!

Recommended for: This is one of those books that everyone and their mother will probably enjoy.  It transcends its genre, so that you don’t have to be a young adult or high fantasy fan to like it.

Real life repercussions of reading this book:  I believe I’ve just begun a lifelong love affair.