Lovely style, complex characters, broad sweeping storyline…

This one took me by surprise as I have no idea where I saw the book or how I even ended up reading it—but I’m glad I did. About 20% in I was feeling a bit too confused to continue, and I realised at that stage that this universe already has two previous novels invested in fleshing out its settings and conflicts. But I pressed on and I’m glad I did. The characters began to generate greater interest and the plot blossomed to a near epic dimension.

Über creative with the south-eastern European and somewhat Mideastern styles of renaissance culture —though not these at all since the whole world is a contrived fantasy.

The third-person omniscient perspective played out so well with both living and recently living characters, offering a taste of even the possibilities of what the afterlife holds for some of this diverse cast. Extreme care was given to diversity, the uniqueness of each voice, and the grandeur of war—from both intricate sides of the battlefield.

I’m glad I pressed on and finished. Very impressed. I’ll be looking for the other books from this fantasy universe.

Third and final of this series. Thankfully. The backdrop of a desolate United States offered an interesting yet somewhat overused setting, though Portland, Maine was a nice change from the ever-always New York or Los Angeles in these YA novels.

The love story gave us everything love masquerades as with very little in the way of real love —apart from the gradual awakening of Hana who learns love, repentance, and humility. Her voice was the favoured in this novel—at least for me. I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting to slap Lena. Yes. Lena was the one needing slapped here for the way she treats people. Considering her loveless childhood, though, I’m extending her the long rope of a second (or third) chance. Her character is shallow and flighty, blindly self-centred, quick to react and slow to forgive. She shows very little maturity or growth, and it seems all the wonderful lessons she’s learned (in the trials and victories of book#2) have been easily forgotten with the next discomfort.

Some of the writing is certainly very poetic and compelling, but the lack of maturity in these characters (both adults and teens)—while it might ring true of some teens—offers zero challenge of hope to the reader regardless of age. Lena is never invited to address or question her own fickle heart, quite the opposite; she relies on it and follows it through all the flimsy and vacillating emotions it experiences, trusting it as if it was the quantifier of all goodness and truth. Silly girl.

If Oliver hadn’t been trying to allegorise a vital message, I’d have been lightly entertained. In the end, the message gets chewed up and spit out irreverently (though sometimes phrased in aesthetic beauty) by characters who need to hear it rather than be the illustrations for her to preach it.

Harry is entering a very dark time of his mid-adolescence, and the powers surrounding him don’t make things a bit easy on the lad.

There’s so so much I could rave about in each of these books, but for this one I will highlight my awe at the beautifully narrated struggle of a fourteen year old boy as he faces his own inner demons, the evils of the world, and the flaws of his crumbling mentors.

These stories ring true of the teenage experience at each stage, and as I read them through a second time, the imagery, and the poetic balance of real world and the realm of magic open chasms of possible conversation with young people as they face their own struggles, not unlike those Harry faces. Minus the magic. Maybe.

I’m just over halfway through the series and looking forward to the next, and then looking forward to be able to read them all over again… these don’t get old.

PS: my 11 year old niece and I had a pact to read them again in 2022. She’s already done. What a kid…

This might be a short four chapters of journal reflections, but it is as thick as scripture and as profound as our deepest pain. I’ve read other Lewis musings and contemplations, but this one is honest and raw and broken, and he still doesn’t let us away with sentimentalising God or spirituality or humanity. He hits us between the eyes with truth, even in life’s darkest pit, where truth shines at a most uncomfortably bright apex.

This is a must-read (like a proper smack in the head) for anyone who blithely calls themselves a ‘Christian’ and a balm for those of us who call ourselves Christ’s disciples. 

More Murder and twisty unravelling of secret scandals and historical plots that teeter of real historical events and people. Some new additions to our beloved cast and more appearances of our old favourites. Not as much glitchy kitchy writing this time round, but still contained a few overworked idioms, but all-round better editing!! Yay! Still a nice smattering of Latin. I do like that…

Another good addition to this clean fun series. I’m enjoying these thoroughly. 

Finally. We get more of what we want by the end of this one. Still full of the cheeky dialogue and historical richness as the others, but tamer on clichés this time. Good character development —love the addition of Cordelia to the Blue Stocking collective. Can’t wait to see what’s next…

I love these stories. They’re paced so perfectly with great characterisation and intriguing mysteries and compelling subject matter. The slow burn romance is also delightful, with the hint of another in the insinuations between the lines.

The time period is enthralling. The historical setting is fantastic. The educational use of Latin and scientific discoveries and historical context are brilliantly executed. And the cheeky dialogue is bright, intelligent, sharp and witty.

But I have some complaints. 

‘took out his pocket watch and watched’

‘gooseflesh on her flesh’

‘called the Porter for some port’

…to name a few. Choice terms and phrases are repeated just a touch too often, and rather than retain their creativity and interest, they begin to grate on the reader.

But, who’s so picky? Well. Me. I like a repetition of terms when it’s useful in poetry or flowing poetic prose, but that’s not the case here—neither is it the case that Ms Penrose hasn’t the vocabulary to utilise creative phrasing. Cos she has a stellar vocabulary. But no. This is lazy, uncreative editing, I’d wager.

Unfortunate. Also… I recommend reading over audiobook as James Cameron Stuart, while excellent at the voices and accents, has such a choppy pace to his reading that every sentence carries three of four lurching burdens.

But I can overlook some cliché phrasing and repetitive idioms and expressions—and other bits— because of the complex stories and super interesting characters…they’re just clean, addictive fun.

This was more of an introduction for those of us unfamiliar with the issues and the debate. I like Chomsky, his views, his politics—and here we see some of his politics. It was short, though, and I wanted more. More depth. More content. It brushed over the issues without diving too deep, and while some solutions were present (and we allow for some reasonable griping, too) I feel so much more could be said, especially from Chomsky. Not a bad intro, mind you. If you need an intro. 

Second time round you get more detail than you could ever remember the first time. Stuff from book seven show up in chapter one here—wow… just makes you realise how meticulously planned out this whole saga was from the very beginning.

I’d forgotten how villainous Sirius was made out to be in the beginning…

All the pieces that hang just beyond arm’s reach in this novel keep you in suspense—even when you already know the outcome. (This is my second reading.) The pacing of cheeky or intense or even sport-commentary style dialogue is so well manoeuvred, with such unique characterisation for each participant, and the unfolding of this complex plot with each detail retaining astounding significance is perfectly timed—this third novel addition to the overall story is superbly intricate and fun and incredible. In reading it a second time it is even more amazing to see all the fine details that had to be perfectly timed to fit into this plot in order to bring it to a rousing climax and satisfying resolution. What writing…