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Review originally appears on the book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.
This novel paints, with its words, an incredibly poignant picture of the lives of the people that play a role in or are affected by any given "small bomb." We live in a world, and it is, truly, a worldwide phenomenon, where we hear almost daily of another terrorist act, a threat, a shooting, a bomb, a hostage situation - and inevitably some we hear of, we move to help, we sympathize with, much more than others. But for all that, what is always lost, in the end, is the people who are affected. Whether that is due to our lack of personal connection or the passing of time, the aftermaths always fade from our memories. This novel focuses on exactly that: the individual reactions, relationships, connections to these small bombs, both in the moment and for years after. He re-humanizes an event that seems to happen so often that we have started to overlook it.
In a series of what I'd almost call character studies, Mahajan tells the stories of a handful of people who are in some way connected to a bomb that was set off in a crowded market in India. A Hindu couple who lost both their sons to the blast. The bomb-maker, the terrorist, whose cell planned the attack that he then carried out. A Muslim boy, friend to the two dead sons, who survived the blast when they did not, and his parents. A Muslim activist who works with a group that protests peacefully, attempts to fight for the release of falsely accused terrorists. And we see these characters grow, cross paths, change over time in ways that, with subtly interwoven threads, can all be traced back to that one day, that one bomb. The parents who try to help other victims, but cannot help but continue to lose themselves to the memories and the loss and are eventually, they believe, betrayed by their sons' survived friend in the worst way. The terrorist whose friend was [arguably] falsely arrested, the activist who works on the friend's behalf, but turns to a path of violence instead, connected more with the terrorist in the end. The young friend who grows up haunted physically by the day of the blast, is saved by the activist, and then, in turn [parallel-ly and ironically] arrested and accused of another blast. Both terrorists troubled not by the lives taken, but by that one friend, one each, whose life they ruined. And we come to see the double meaning in the title, the associations forged by the detonation of a small bomb, the intentionally formed "support group" versus the accidental interconnectedness.
This collection of experiences is told in a mystical, distant tone. One that explores the complication and terror of the event, but leaves the reader with a feeling of seeing everything happen in an almost detached way. Like the characters, once affected by the blast, are no longer able to move through life in a real, grounded way. We see that separation clearly in many of the stories, especially the Khuranas, who appear as one thing to those on the outside, but are experiencing and justifying everything in an entirely different way internally. We see the development of personalities and beliefs, the lifelong and far-reaching aftershock that characterizes the slow burn reality of change, of forward movement, after trauma. We see a psychological and philosophical exploration of terror and its aftereffects.
It's not an easy read - philosophy never has been for me. But the thematic exploration was so timely and so compelling. There were many times that I had to pause, to recollect my thoughts, before moving on. Mahajan does an amazing job creating relatable characters from such a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs is impressive. What people can convince themselves of, talk themselves into...in an age where the avoidance of cognitive dissonance can be seen everywhere, this is an important read.
This novel paints, with its words, an incredibly poignant picture of the lives of the people that play a role in or are affected by any given "small bomb." We live in a world, and it is, truly, a worldwide phenomenon, where we hear almost daily of another terrorist act, a threat, a shooting, a bomb, a hostage situation - and inevitably some we hear of, we move to help, we sympathize with, much more than others. But for all that, what is always lost, in the end, is the people who are affected. Whether that is due to our lack of personal connection or the passing of time, the aftermaths always fade from our memories. This novel focuses on exactly that: the individual reactions, relationships, connections to these small bombs, both in the moment and for years after. He re-humanizes an event that seems to happen so often that we have started to overlook it.
In a series of what I'd almost call character studies, Mahajan tells the stories of a handful of people who are in some way connected to a bomb that was set off in a crowded market in India. A Hindu couple who lost both their sons to the blast. The bomb-maker, the terrorist, whose cell planned the attack that he then carried out. A Muslim boy, friend to the two dead sons, who survived the blast when they did not, and his parents. A Muslim activist who works with a group that protests peacefully, attempts to fight for the release of falsely accused terrorists. And we see these characters grow, cross paths, change over time in ways that, with subtly interwoven threads, can all be traced back to that one day, that one bomb. The parents who try to help other victims, but cannot help but continue to lose themselves to the memories and the loss and are eventually, they believe, betrayed by their sons' survived friend in the worst way. The terrorist whose friend was [arguably] falsely arrested, the activist who works on the friend's behalf, but turns to a path of violence instead, connected more with the terrorist in the end. The young friend who grows up haunted physically by the day of the blast, is saved by the activist, and then, in turn [parallel-ly and ironically] arrested and accused of another blast. Both terrorists troubled not by the lives taken, but by that one friend, one each, whose life they ruined. And we come to see the double meaning in the title, the associations forged by the detonation of a small bomb, the intentionally formed "support group" versus the accidental interconnectedness.
This collection of experiences is told in a mystical, distant tone. One that explores the complication and terror of the event, but leaves the reader with a feeling of seeing everything happen in an almost detached way. Like the characters, once affected by the blast, are no longer able to move through life in a real, grounded way. We see that separation clearly in many of the stories, especially the Khuranas, who appear as one thing to those on the outside, but are experiencing and justifying everything in an entirely different way internally. We see the development of personalities and beliefs, the lifelong and far-reaching aftershock that characterizes the slow burn reality of change, of forward movement, after trauma. We see a psychological and philosophical exploration of terror and its aftereffects.
It's not an easy read - philosophy never has been for me. But the thematic exploration was so timely and so compelling. There were many times that I had to pause, to recollect my thoughts, before moving on. Mahajan does an amazing job creating relatable characters from such a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs is impressive. What people can convince themselves of, talk themselves into...in an age where the avoidance of cognitive dissonance can be seen everywhere, this is an important read.
Review originally appears on the book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.
Well this was a phenomenal debut. And again, I have gotten myself into the position to have to wait for a second and third book to be published. Ugh. In the end thought, totally worth it. Wow. From the beginning the story jumped right in. And though, as a reader, you really had to work for it (dude, so much new vocabulary!), it was worth it from page one. What a completely original story...the concept of aether and the different types of connecting to/affecting it is something I've never read anything like. And the play of power among the Scion, the Rephaim, the mysterious Emim and the humas (amaurotics) was so well created and developed...and the creation of this society have started so long in the past (and incorporated such great historical events like the Molly Riots) and moving so far into the future was very creative. And the characters. I felt they all held their roles so well, from Jax to Nick to Liss and Julian. And Warden was just a wonderful hero/anti-hero mix. The connection between him and Paige was wonderfully done - the breaches of trust mixed with times of "compassion" - and how it developed into something more was paced well and completely reasonable and believable. I enjoyed that Paige did distrust him for so long...though it's harder on the love story, it's so much more believable than a quick trip to trust. I can't wait to see how their golden cord plays into the "we'll never see each other again" situation. The one thing that sucked is was I call the "Mr. Darcy" effect...where the main man's thoughts are so hidden that you don;t get to see his change as comes around to the main lady. I wish I could have seen more into Warden's thoughts and how he got to feel about Paige the way he clearly grew to. Honestly, a gorgeous and full read. Plus, I love when a strong female character shares my name! :-)
Well this was a phenomenal debut. And again, I have gotten myself into the position to have to wait for a second and third book to be published. Ugh. In the end thought, totally worth it. Wow. From the beginning the story jumped right in. And though, as a reader, you really had to work for it (dude, so much new vocabulary!), it was worth it from page one. What a completely original story...the concept of aether and the different types of connecting to/affecting it is something I've never read anything like. And the play of power among the Scion, the Rephaim, the mysterious Emim and the humas (amaurotics) was so well created and developed...and the creation of this society have started so long in the past (and incorporated such great historical events like the Molly Riots) and moving so far into the future was very creative. And the characters. I felt they all held their roles so well, from Jax to Nick to Liss and Julian. And Warden was just a wonderful hero/anti-hero mix. The connection between him and Paige was wonderfully done - the breaches of trust mixed with times of "compassion" - and how it developed into something more was paced well and completely reasonable and believable. I enjoyed that Paige did distrust him for so long...though it's harder on the love story, it's so much more believable than a quick trip to trust. I can't wait to see how their golden cord plays into the "we'll never see each other again" situation. The one thing that sucked is was I call the "Mr. Darcy" effect...where the main man's thoughts are so hidden that you don;t get to see his change as comes around to the main lady. I wish I could have seen more into Warden's thoughts and how he got to feel about Paige the way he clearly grew to. Honestly, a gorgeous and full read. Plus, I love when a strong female character shares my name! :-)
Review originally appears on the book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.
AMAZING. A spectacular follow up. The action seriously never stopped and it was paced so well - I never wanted to put it down! All my favorite characters were back (Nick, Jax, Paige, the Warden), with some new ones thrown in (or enhanced) like Cutmouth, Ivy and the Rag and Bone Man and the Abbess (great new "bad guys" on the scene). And Eliza's increased role, along with a little more interaction with the Rantham, were great additions as well. I think my biggest criticism would probably be how long Paige took to realize how deep the Rephaim infiltration went and what the grey market was - she is smarter than that. I guess at the same time, people are reluctant to see corruption that close to home. The scrimmage was a GREAT scene and the way Paige took down Jax, the White Binder, was a wonderful culmination and everything it needed to be. And that twist at the end, the reappearance of, I assume, Jaxon Hall is really leaving me wanting more RIGHT NOW. I hate this waiting game that I've gotten myself into. However, I have never been so happy to be waiting as I am with these books...totally worth it. I am looking very forward to what the Black Moth does next!
AMAZING. A spectacular follow up. The action seriously never stopped and it was paced so well - I never wanted to put it down! All my favorite characters were back (Nick, Jax, Paige, the Warden), with some new ones thrown in (or enhanced) like Cutmouth, Ivy and the Rag and Bone Man and the Abbess (great new "bad guys" on the scene). And Eliza's increased role, along with a little more interaction with the Rantham, were great additions as well. I think my biggest criticism would probably be how long Paige took to realize how deep the Rephaim infiltration went and what the grey market was - she is smarter than that. I guess at the same time, people are reluctant to see corruption that close to home. The scrimmage was a GREAT scene and the way Paige took down Jax, the White Binder, was a wonderful culmination and everything it needed to be. And that twist at the end, the reappearance of, I assume, Jaxon Hall is really leaving me wanting more RIGHT NOW. I hate this waiting game that I've gotten myself into. However, I have never been so happy to be waiting as I am with these books...totally worth it. I am looking very forward to what the Black Moth does next!
This review originally appeared in the book review blog, justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.
I've never read anything written like this before. The style was observational, almost distant. I mean, there was dialogue and character thought processes, the same as with an third person POV writing, but it was all presented in an almost detached way. Like the person telling the story had a lot of details and wanted to tell them, but was also maybe thinking about something else while they did it or wasn't entirely sure that their details were all correct. That is not a commentary on the plot or story development - it was all done clearly and smoothly, with great pacing, but the feelings and emotions behind it all seem to be hazy. That's it, exactly. The emotional basis for the story, of which there is quite a bit, seemed to be far away from the words I was reading. Which is just an interesting feel for a story all about love and relationships. And it's interesting considering that many of the "blurbs" I read talked about the humor in the story, the way you empathize with all the characters... And while it wasn't not funny, it was actively humorous. Or while I did come to appreciate and understand each character's perspective, and enjoyed the journey of learning and accepting each of them, I did not feel close enough to the characters to feel their emotions/thoughts as my own. Overall, the almost ephemeral feel of the writing in the novel was intriguing and, though it seemed at odds with the topic, also fitting in some ways.
I very much liked the story itself, the exploration of a type of relationship, opwn, that is frowned upon, not understood, by most people. I think Sharon's reactions are likely the most realistic to life for most of us. But I definitely found myself more in the Chris/Kathryn camp, personally. I get Chris's perspective - being super happy in the relationship you have, but wanting to have that closeness with other people too, and certain people drawing you into that. And I get Kathryn too - being happier with a group of four than she maybe ever was with just one other person. Both of them, in their own way, just looking for the closeness and comfort and reliability you get from your family, from people you love, with as many people as possible. And both of them willing to put themselves into uncomfortable positions/out of their comfort zone, to make the other one happier. It's an exploration of a different kind of love, one that is less explosive and sexual than you find in the early stages of relationships (though that part is there too), and more about the commitment, the understanding, the proximity, the contentment. That kind of love, of connection, is one I personally identify with. A lot. That is what matters more to me. And so I respect Chris and Kathryn for searching it out for themselves.
And then there's another type of love explored, the family type. As Kathryn had no family, really, growing up, we can see here how she is trying to fill those spaces inside her with more people, including Emily, and then Moss, and then everyone at Ahimsa. And Emily is there for the changing scenery, the differences, the excitement within the comfort. But for them both, the more people that are there in the lives, the happier they are.
There were some other small, but notable, pieces of this novel that I think really added to the originality; the occasional section headers, within the chapters, in particular cause my fancy. Also, the fact that a few months were left blank, throughout the year, was quirky and really fit the atmosphere of the book. I also loved that March was just sections of "what everyone wants" spelled out specifically - even if in some cases those specifics still seemed unsure or vague. I'm not at all sure what the title means or how it's related...maybe I missed something or it's just that the events took place over a year and I'm reading too much into it, but I am not a fan of not knowing where the title comes from.
I've never read anything written like this before. The style was observational, almost distant. I mean, there was dialogue and character thought processes, the same as with an third person POV writing, but it was all presented in an almost detached way. Like the person telling the story had a lot of details and wanted to tell them, but was also maybe thinking about something else while they did it or wasn't entirely sure that their details were all correct. That is not a commentary on the plot or story development - it was all done clearly and smoothly, with great pacing, but the feelings and emotions behind it all seem to be hazy. That's it, exactly. The emotional basis for the story, of which there is quite a bit, seemed to be far away from the words I was reading. Which is just an interesting feel for a story all about love and relationships. And it's interesting considering that many of the "blurbs" I read talked about the humor in the story, the way you empathize with all the characters... And while it wasn't not funny, it was actively humorous. Or while I did come to appreciate and understand each character's perspective, and enjoyed the journey of learning and accepting each of them, I did not feel close enough to the characters to feel their emotions/thoughts as my own. Overall, the almost ephemeral feel of the writing in the novel was intriguing and, though it seemed at odds with the topic, also fitting in some ways.
I very much liked the story itself, the exploration of a type of relationship, opwn, that is frowned upon, not understood, by most people. I think Sharon's reactions are likely the most realistic to life for most of us. But I definitely found myself more in the Chris/Kathryn camp, personally. I get Chris's perspective - being super happy in the relationship you have, but wanting to have that closeness with other people too, and certain people drawing you into that. And I get Kathryn too - being happier with a group of four than she maybe ever was with just one other person. Both of them, in their own way, just looking for the closeness and comfort and reliability you get from your family, from people you love, with as many people as possible. And both of them willing to put themselves into uncomfortable positions/out of their comfort zone, to make the other one happier. It's an exploration of a different kind of love, one that is less explosive and sexual than you find in the early stages of relationships (though that part is there too), and more about the commitment, the understanding, the proximity, the contentment. That kind of love, of connection, is one I personally identify with. A lot. That is what matters more to me. And so I respect Chris and Kathryn for searching it out for themselves.
And then there's another type of love explored, the family type. As Kathryn had no family, really, growing up, we can see here how she is trying to fill those spaces inside her with more people, including Emily, and then Moss, and then everyone at Ahimsa. And Emily is there for the changing scenery, the differences, the excitement within the comfort. But for them both, the more people that are there in the lives, the happier they are.
There were some other small, but notable, pieces of this novel that I think really added to the originality; the occasional section headers, within the chapters, in particular cause my fancy. Also, the fact that a few months were left blank, throughout the year, was quirky and really fit the atmosphere of the book. I also loved that March was just sections of "what everyone wants" spelled out specifically - even if in some cases those specifics still seemed unsure or vague. I'm not at all sure what the title means or how it's related...maybe I missed something or it's just that the events took place over a year and I'm reading too much into it, but I am not a fan of not knowing where the title comes from.
This review originally appeared on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.
"This book is one of the most aptly titled pieces of literature I've ever read. It was, straight up, vicious. In the best way. After the fame, and possible over-doing, of the X-men stories, I've been hesitant to pick up any books about supernatural or special abilities. But there was so much praise for this novel, plus I do love Schwab, so I went for it. The basic plotline is covered in the blurb about the book...Victor and Eli are college friends, their theories about extraordinary abilities that are picked up post "NDE" (near death experience) are turned into real life experiments (on themselves of course), and naturally it doesn't turn out as expected. In fact, things get pretty ugly. Their once close friendship turns into more of a nemesis type situation. Along the way, we meet some really unique, lovable, sidekick characters, both human and canine. And things conclude with a final confrontation between these two alliterative main characters. What's not to love there?
But beyond that, this book explores some incredibly interesting points and really questions the typical "villian" vs. "hero" stereotype. Everything is in the perspective. And how is it decided whose perspective is right? (There's a Serena in every story, if you take the time to look for them.) Along with this, we see both Victor and Eli struggle with not coming back from their respective NDEs quite whole. And while one turns to God and a higher mission, the other works to "recreate" a normal set of rules to interaction with others. But really, when you have such a special power and have lost certain governing feelings (your full conscience) and are essentially an incredibly smart, powerful sociopath, how to you handle that? The way all the EOs (ExtraOrdinaries) are in some way feeling like they are missing something they used to have - it was such an interesting way to study people and character. In fact, probably my favorite part of this whole story was the exploration of how people ended up with the "abilities" that they did. Their power's relationship to who they were as a person, what they experienced, how they died, and what they were thinking of when they died was one of the best, most creative pieces of the entire story. And Schwab's ability to produce powers that perfectly matched the people was uncanny. Then, too, the reactions the people had to their powers after they discovered them was fascinating. How they lived with the power afterwards, how they used it and how it made them feel. I mean the handle she has on how people think and act is just...wow. And it was all written so matter of fact, so clearly, with no extra embellishment and no softening of the motives or actions. Like I said earlier, Vicious was the perfect title.
In addition to all that, the structure of the novel was fantastic. We jump around in time and in viewpoint - from Victor and Eli in college 10 years ago, to Syndey and Serena's story a just few years ago, to Sydney's encounter with Eli 2 days ago, to present day, present hour. And these were all identified with awesome chapter titles like "10 Years Ago," "Two Days Ago," "Around Noon," and "3 and a Half Hours til Midnight." So fun! Also, props to Scwab to managing that typw of story-telling in a clear, totally not confusing way. And the ending - I didn't see it coming! Maybe I should have - once I got there it was the best, and possibly only realistic, way out, but it was so well paced and developed that I just didn't guess until I was in the midst of it. And that was so exciting! And just beautifully satisfying. This is one of those books that just makes you give a huge sigh of contentment at the end. I love that and I loved this book."
"This book is one of the most aptly titled pieces of literature I've ever read. It was, straight up, vicious. In the best way. After the fame, and possible over-doing, of the X-men stories, I've been hesitant to pick up any books about supernatural or special abilities. But there was so much praise for this novel, plus I do love Schwab, so I went for it. The basic plotline is covered in the blurb about the book...Victor and Eli are college friends, their theories about extraordinary abilities that are picked up post "NDE" (near death experience) are turned into real life experiments (on themselves of course), and naturally it doesn't turn out as expected. In fact, things get pretty ugly. Their once close friendship turns into more of a nemesis type situation. Along the way, we meet some really unique, lovable, sidekick characters, both human and canine. And things conclude with a final confrontation between these two alliterative main characters. What's not to love there?
But beyond that, this book explores some incredibly interesting points and really questions the typical "villian" vs. "hero" stereotype. Everything is in the perspective. And how is it decided whose perspective is right? (There's a Serena in every story, if you take the time to look for them.) Along with this, we see both Victor and Eli struggle with not coming back from their respective NDEs quite whole. And while one turns to God and a higher mission, the other works to "recreate" a normal set of rules to interaction with others. But really, when you have such a special power and have lost certain governing feelings (your full conscience) and are essentially an incredibly smart, powerful sociopath, how to you handle that? The way all the EOs (ExtraOrdinaries) are in some way feeling like they are missing something they used to have - it was such an interesting way to study people and character. In fact, probably my favorite part of this whole story was the exploration of how people ended up with the "abilities" that they did. Their power's relationship to who they were as a person, what they experienced, how they died, and what they were thinking of when they died was one of the best, most creative pieces of the entire story. And Schwab's ability to produce powers that perfectly matched the people was uncanny. Then, too, the reactions the people had to their powers after they discovered them was fascinating. How they lived with the power afterwards, how they used it and how it made them feel. I mean the handle she has on how people think and act is just...wow. And it was all written so matter of fact, so clearly, with no extra embellishment and no softening of the motives or actions. Like I said earlier, Vicious was the perfect title.
In addition to all that, the structure of the novel was fantastic. We jump around in time and in viewpoint - from Victor and Eli in college 10 years ago, to Syndey and Serena's story a just few years ago, to Sydney's encounter with Eli 2 days ago, to present day, present hour. And these were all identified with awesome chapter titles like "10 Years Ago," "Two Days Ago," "Around Noon," and "3 and a Half Hours til Midnight." So fun! Also, props to Scwab to managing that typw of story-telling in a clear, totally not confusing way. And the ending - I didn't see it coming! Maybe I should have - once I got there it was the best, and possibly only realistic, way out, but it was so well paced and developed that I just didn't guess until I was in the midst of it. And that was so exciting! And just beautifully satisfying. This is one of those books that just makes you give a huge sigh of contentment at the end. I love that and I loved this book."
Well this was fantastic. I was a little skeptical going in, as the multiple Londons seemed like it could be a little kitschy, but boy was I wrong. This was a really fun magical journey that I'm glad I got to experience. I enjoyed some of the various "staples," like the thief you can't help but like (mixed with the snarky female, in this case), the handsome prince, the magical good and bad guys. But I also enjoyed how some things were left out...mainly, no love interests (which was refreshing), but also that Lila's magic didn't just show up at the most opportune time, to save the day. It's both a compelling reason to read the next ones and a nice veer off the normal fantasy "path." I also liked Holland's character, the role he played, and how for both him and Beloc, they beat the magic that controlled them with self-sacrifice (speaking to the "follow out of respect, not fear" mantra of leadership). I also thought that sending Holland to Black London with the stone was a cool way to get rid of it, without anything too cliche needing to happen with Kell and Lila. I actually, because of her glass eye, would be interested to see if we find out in future that they are somehow related... All in all, this was a great adventure, one that Lila's character would be proud to be in (I'd rather die on an adventure than live standing still), and I am excited to see where these character's go next.
Mmmmmm this second book delivers. First, Kell and Lila - I love it. The back and forth is there, the pull is between them, but true to themselves, the people they have had to grow to be to survive the lives they were given, the connection is not easy. It's there and it's strong but they both pull it their own way (Lila leaving and Kell's sense of responsibility/personality keeping him from following or looking for her) and the full meeting between the two is still yet to come. That relationship has been well paced and I'm really enjoying it. Rhy and Kell - wonderful story of the deep bonds of brotherhood past, blood or no. And the tension the builds both between them and including the king and queen with the connection of their lives (Rhy's dependent on Kell's) is masterfully written. There is guilt and anger and blame and sorrow and fear from all 4 of them and it is woven together to cause the book to end the way it does so perfectly. Plus, the added secrets of Kell's parentage, that the king and queen clearly know something about, adds a layer of distrust that I hope plays out more. Also, the appearance of Alucard was fun and intriguing, both as Lila's Captain and Rhy's heartbreak....interesting to see the care he pays Rhy at the end. I'd love to see how that plays out with Rhy's responsibilities as future ruler and Alucard's discovery that perhaps is is not ALL rogue... All in all, this was a great character novel. And the suspense of the ending is making me wish I had waited to read this til closer to the next one's publication date (the ending of the first one was much easier on us readers) - though Lila has all my faith as the one person who could save Kell and Rhy and Holland and stop Osaron. The one thing that was a bit iffy for me was the general plot based around the magic competition - not a super original idea - and though it does what it needs to as a platform to get everyone back to Red London and gives Kell and Lila a chance to disguise and dance around each other a bit longer, it was the least inspired piece of the novel for me. Another reviewer wrote that these books sneak up on you, that nothing really happens in the first half or so (in either of them) and yet you are never bored reading. That's where I think the writing of the characters really outweighs the plot here, but that may just be me. No matter what the case is, I'm super looking forward to the final installment of the story!
This review originally appeared on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.
The Editor's Note sets the tone for this novel before we even get to the first page...and it lets you know that you're in for one unique journey:
'I have been charged with editing these pages and seeing them through to publication, but I do not like the task. I wish it on record that I think it better they had been burned.' - Hubert Lancaster, Esq
What an incredibly fun read. A great mix of Victorian language, propriety, and themes, with some added humor, anachronisms (I'd say a bit in the form of steampunk, really) and a heavy dose of snark that almost bordered on satire (except for this being set in days long gone). Lionel Savage was a phenomenally enjoyable narrator, not a bit reliable (but that's what made him so fun), but with the assistance of little notes from his cousin and editor, Hubert, we were able to get a little extra (though quite "proper") perspective.
Vivien and Lizzie were great female characters, stretching the boundaries of what women are allowed to do in a way that (at least mostly) fits the time period and setting. Vivien's secret plan that sets Savage on a mislead quest to retrieve her from the Devil is funny and subversive. I enjoyed that, until her actual disappearance, Savage noticed nothing (and really may not ever have, but was lucky that her flight coincided with his meeting of "the Gentleman"). He really is a self-absorbed cad, but the lovable kind who really just can't see it.
Lancaster and Will Kensington were great additions to the cast and their interactions with Lizzie were probably some of my favorite parts. I think the biggest disappointment for me was The Gentleman himself. Not that he was poorly written (in fact, I liked his character a lot), but how infrequently he appeared and how small his role ended up being (I mean theoretically, and as far as our characters knew, he was much more involved, and he did set the ball rolling on Vivien's plan, however unwittingly), but I really was just hoping for more of the title character. I do see how his was a pivotal role and deserved the title spot though. Plus, it's a great title/nickname for the Devil.
On the whole, I enjoyed how all the drama and confusion was set in motion by such a mundane and commonplace problem as a man too wrapped up in his work and a wife that feels unloved - a great snarky take on that issue. This was a very fun read (I actively laughed out loud while reading more than once), that had great period style writing/speaking (with a suitably modern twist), and overall a fantastically jolly cast and set of adventures. Plus, who wouldn't be charmed by a book whose chapters titles are in the vein of "In Which My Sister Returns from School for Reasons Best Omitted, & I Am Forced to Deliver to Her a Previously Unmentioned Piece of Intelligence" and "In Which I Very Nearly Fight a Duel." Leo has a great voice and that was definitely the highlight of this read for me.
The Editor's Note sets the tone for this novel before we even get to the first page...and it lets you know that you're in for one unique journey:
'I have been charged with editing these pages and seeing them through to publication, but I do not like the task. I wish it on record that I think it better they had been burned.' - Hubert Lancaster, Esq
What an incredibly fun read. A great mix of Victorian language, propriety, and themes, with some added humor, anachronisms (I'd say a bit in the form of steampunk, really) and a heavy dose of snark that almost bordered on satire (except for this being set in days long gone). Lionel Savage was a phenomenally enjoyable narrator, not a bit reliable (but that's what made him so fun), but with the assistance of little notes from his cousin and editor, Hubert, we were able to get a little extra (though quite "proper") perspective.
Vivien and Lizzie were great female characters, stretching the boundaries of what women are allowed to do in a way that (at least mostly) fits the time period and setting. Vivien's secret plan that sets Savage on a mislead quest to retrieve her from the Devil is funny and subversive. I enjoyed that, until her actual disappearance, Savage noticed nothing (and really may not ever have, but was lucky that her flight coincided with his meeting of "the Gentleman"). He really is a self-absorbed cad, but the lovable kind who really just can't see it.
Lancaster and Will Kensington were great additions to the cast and their interactions with Lizzie were probably some of my favorite parts. I think the biggest disappointment for me was The Gentleman himself. Not that he was poorly written (in fact, I liked his character a lot), but how infrequently he appeared and how small his role ended up being (I mean theoretically, and as far as our characters knew, he was much more involved, and he did set the ball rolling on Vivien's plan, however unwittingly), but I really was just hoping for more of the title character. I do see how his was a pivotal role and deserved the title spot though. Plus, it's a great title/nickname for the Devil.
On the whole, I enjoyed how all the drama and confusion was set in motion by such a mundane and commonplace problem as a man too wrapped up in his work and a wife that feels unloved - a great snarky take on that issue. This was a very fun read (I actively laughed out loud while reading more than once), that had great period style writing/speaking (with a suitably modern twist), and overall a fantastically jolly cast and set of adventures. Plus, who wouldn't be charmed by a book whose chapters titles are in the vein of "In Which My Sister Returns from School for Reasons Best Omitted, & I Am Forced to Deliver to Her a Previously Unmentioned Piece of Intelligence" and "In Which I Very Nearly Fight a Duel." Leo has a great voice and that was definitely the highlight of this read for me.
This review originally appeared on my book review blog: justonemorepaige.wordpress.com.
This book. Honestly, I think it's going to be impossible to do it justice. There's just no way that I can tell you how gorgeous Yapa's writing is. His sentences, his descriptions, his words - they are just stunning. I'd be lying if I said this style of writing is something I'm normally drawn to. With section after section of self introspection, run-on sentences, long descriptions that often you have to read twice to fully appreciate, and the slow burn of a "plot," really more a setting, that is completely drowned out by the inner character development. It's just not usually my cup of tea. But the chatter about this book was just so loud that it bore me down. I had to see what it was about. And I've never read an author that can write this style in the way Yapa can. It's that special.
This is the story of a riot, yes. But really it's a story of humanity. It's a story of perspectives and reactions. It's a story of moments. It's about the slow march to understanding. Understanding the lessons we've already learned, why we made our choices. It's discovering how we really got to where we are. It's finding who we really are, what we really care about. It's starting here: "Son, care too much and the world will kill you cold." (p. 94/212) and "...how easily an open heart can be poisoned, how quickly, love becomes the seeds of rage. Life wrecks the living." (p. 132) and finding this has been there waiting for us: "...he understood in some way, the sometime knowledge of what this is, the knowledge of the whole ugly beautiful thing, the knowledge of the courage it takes to move into fear and to fuck up and to go on living, knowing that sometimes it is two people alone and some small kindness between them that is not even called family, or forgiveness, but might be what some, on the good days, call love." (p.306)
This is the story of a father who lost a wife, then his son, then himself to grief. This is the story of a son looking for something he may have always had. This is the story of two officers acting as they feel they must, acting to protect. This is the story of two protesters, struggling to fight for something greater, struggling to keep it peaceful. This is the story of a man who wants more for his people, who is faced with choosing between being crushed by disillusionment or pressing onward. This is a story of people. This is a story of their perspectives of a single day. This is a story of how all their pasts led them to that day and where their futures will take them afterwards. This is a story of the everyday heroics.
This is a story of us. All of us. Of the roiling mass that is our world. And this is a story of finding the worth in that world. It's touching, haunting, explosive, agonizing. It will both crush and rebuild your heart. It's so absurdly relevant that it hurts to read at times. It will leave you feeling raw and open. It's a masterpiece of humankind that will affect you to the core.
This book. Honestly, I think it's going to be impossible to do it justice. There's just no way that I can tell you how gorgeous Yapa's writing is. His sentences, his descriptions, his words - they are just stunning. I'd be lying if I said this style of writing is something I'm normally drawn to. With section after section of self introspection, run-on sentences, long descriptions that often you have to read twice to fully appreciate, and the slow burn of a "plot," really more a setting, that is completely drowned out by the inner character development. It's just not usually my cup of tea. But the chatter about this book was just so loud that it bore me down. I had to see what it was about. And I've never read an author that can write this style in the way Yapa can. It's that special.
This is the story of a riot, yes. But really it's a story of humanity. It's a story of perspectives and reactions. It's a story of moments. It's about the slow march to understanding. Understanding the lessons we've already learned, why we made our choices. It's discovering how we really got to where we are. It's finding who we really are, what we really care about. It's starting here: "Son, care too much and the world will kill you cold." (p. 94/212) and "...how easily an open heart can be poisoned, how quickly, love becomes the seeds of rage. Life wrecks the living." (p. 132) and finding this has been there waiting for us: "...he understood in some way, the sometime knowledge of what this is, the knowledge of the whole ugly beautiful thing, the knowledge of the courage it takes to move into fear and to fuck up and to go on living, knowing that sometimes it is two people alone and some small kindness between them that is not even called family, or forgiveness, but might be what some, on the good days, call love." (p.306)
This is the story of a father who lost a wife, then his son, then himself to grief. This is the story of a son looking for something he may have always had. This is the story of two officers acting as they feel they must, acting to protect. This is the story of two protesters, struggling to fight for something greater, struggling to keep it peaceful. This is the story of a man who wants more for his people, who is faced with choosing between being crushed by disillusionment or pressing onward. This is a story of people. This is a story of their perspectives of a single day. This is a story of how all their pasts led them to that day and where their futures will take them afterwards. This is a story of the everyday heroics.
This is a story of us. All of us. Of the roiling mass that is our world. And this is a story of finding the worth in that world. It's touching, haunting, explosive, agonizing. It will both crush and rebuild your heart. It's so absurdly relevant that it hurts to read at times. It will leave you feeling raw and open. It's a masterpiece of humankind that will affect you to the core.
This was such a fast read. I feel like I opened to page one and then all of a sudden it was over. I credit the author with great writing, on that front. I didn't even notice how fast I was reading. And that speaks to a few other things as well...the level of dialogue, pacing, and general language was high, because there was never a time where I felt like cringing or ever actively thinking about those pieces of the story. For YA, I really appreciate that, because I've read my fair share of books with issue like that in this genre. Overall, there's been an increase in quality in YA recently, and I've really liked that. In any case, there was nothing about this book that I particularly didn't like, and it dealt openly and honestly with some really difficult topics. And that is something I love seeing in this genre. This is the exact population reading these books and to know that this happens to other people, even if it's fictional - I mean I just really cannot say enough how important it is to address these types of topics. So on that front, this was a tough read. Let me be very clear: though I am about to talk about a few things that didn't quite work for me, this is not in any way a reflection on the challenges these characters face or how that relates to things we face in real life. These are horrible things to read about. And child abuse is by far one of the worst. Again, credit to the author for handling it so openly. I loved the different points of view that we get to see - the person experiencing the abuse, his friends, other adults around him, etc. It's also a bit haunting to see how many danger signals go unnoticed (I mean, even if people look at them suspiciously, still so many things go unaddressed). And then even when things are obvious, they are not always handled in the healthiest way. And that's so much a part of why we need more books like this. It needs to be normalized and able to be talked about. Brava Robin Roe. But there were some things that just didn't feel right for me - Adam's always "knowing" seems too easy. I mean it's an adorable part of the story and I love the closeness that grows between Adam and Julian, but it's just a little too perfect of a relationship for me to believe. And Adam's intuition a few times leads to discoveries, etc. that are pivotal for the story, but, again, his "knowing" comes through as a bit flimsy as a plot device. Also, with Adam's inclusion of Julian with his friends and their general reactions to that seem slightly too stereotyped. Similarly, the ending is just very...clean...considering. I'm not talking about Julian's recovery - that's clearly portrayed as long and arduous, as I assume it would be, but other parts involving Russell...maybe too easy. I think that some of those issues really held me back from connecting completely with the characters - it was more like reading a story from afar, where you sympathize with everyone, recognize the horror, but cannot quite fully connect. However, I read a little about the author's life and perhaps this is based on things she has seen - sometimes life is more fantastic than fiction. Regardless, this was a well put together novel, a quick read, a great exploration of dealing with child abuse and childhood trauma from multiple perspectives, and a beautiful story of the relationship between two boys/friends/brothers.