Review: The Ten Thousand Doors of January

3 stars. Charming! The Ten Thousand Doors of January is about a young woman in the early 1900's who lives in a mansion full of strange artifacts. Her father comes and goes on mysterious missions and she is stuck under the charge of a strict but seemingly supportive caretaker. Until one day, she discovers a door. And a book.

A magical and enchanting story weaves itself beautifully as January makes friends, learns about her past, and runs into trouble. Sure, it's about excitement and adventure and facing misfortune, but it's also about a woman finding herself - loving herself - doubling down on her very sense of self - when everyone else fails. 

If this was a straight up professional-ish review, I'd rate it higher - it's a good book. Well-paced, well-written and it hits certain spots that many readers are nostalgic for after HP and Wayward Children and Narnia. I adore portal fantasies and felt the familiar "man I wish I could find my door" feeling. I also couldn't put it down!

But since this is more of a reaction than a review, I'll call it trope-y, and I'm docking a star, as I always do, for a UDD (Unnecessary Dog Death - even if it's a fake one). The writing comes across as quaint to me, maybe a little cute. I also don't believe in True Love, and sometimes this felt like a romance disguising itself as a fantasy. And the plot contains IMO many impossibilities, which may kind of be the point, but I like writing that solves its problems with a little more finesse. 

Anyway, I do really love the energy here. It's quirky, fun and a great debut.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Abaddon's Gate (The Expanse #3)

4 stars. Yeesh, I made it through another one. I don't know why these books - these fast-paced, cinematic, deeply entertaining books - take me so long. I enjoy them so much, and I love the way the series unfolds in this one, but reading them just ... takes me awhile. They're tiring. And this one explores a lot of religious and moral themes that I couldn't wrap my head around, as much as I wanted to.

Otherwise, it's excellent space stuff. We still have Holden (gag me) and his crew, plus a few new characters: a young woman bent on revenge, a Russian preacher committed to helping humanity through the crisis of encountering alien life, and a hardened OPA officer trying to keep humans from shooting each other. Each character is distinct and charming as always. And the action is so extra - in a good way.

Whereas the last book threw alien life into a largely political arena, this one is more philosophical. Concepts like revenge, morality, forgiveness and love are all central themes; strangely juxtaposed with the protomolecule and its actions. The characters are squeezed and pushed to their limits and forced to show their true colors. I like this kind of writing, writing that doubles down on the complexities of what it means to be human. I respect the way these authors write about PTSD and traumatic identity fractures. 

I still have issues with the female characters and the weird way everyone quickly devolved into "good" or "bad" when the time came, but like I've said in previous reviews: this is golden science fiction. I'm looking forward to what's next, even if it takes me fifty years. (It might. Just saying.)

Abaddon’s Gate on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: The Whisper Man

4 stars. WOW - this was a lot more complicated than I anticipated, in a good way. This book is a very successful example of multiple threads being woven into a complete and thrilling tapestry. I read it in one day and couldn't put it down. I was even, shall I say, a wee bit unsettled at one point...

The Whisper Man features several characters living in a town plagued by tragedy: a man, who recently moved their with his young son for a fresh start after his wife's death, an older detective haunted by a murder case he solved twenty years ago, a younger detective put on a frighteningly similar case, and several other minor - but sinister - individuals circling the mystery.

The multiple voices worked really well (I can't even complain about the younger child's POV, which I always compare to Stephen King and almost always find lacking - but not here!), and the twists and turns tie everyone together nicely. I didn't predict all of the reveals, which was quite something! 

If I did have a slight complaint, I'd say that Tom's voice sounded a bit ... I'm almost scared to say it ... feminine. I kept thinking I was reading from the perspective of a mother rather than a father. I mean, he drank white wine! I know, I'm joking, I would never adhere to such crippling gender stereotypes, but something about his approach to certain situations felt ... off. This is most definitely a problem with my interpretation and not the writing. But I am curious if anyone else experienced the same sensation.

Honestly though, this was great. This would be a fantastic beach read for those of us who like to lean into the dark stuff while lounging in the sunshine. I almost wish the author had leaned even a little bit deeper, because he's talented at writing creepy moments. 4 stars overall, and now I'm back to the Expanse............... god help me.

The Whisper Man on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Caliban's War (The Expanse #2)

4 stars. PHEW. I did it. Another one. These books are frankly a bit exhausting. I've never actually read an absolute pageturner that made my eyes glaze over so much. That's not a criticism, just an observation, really. But still: my commitment to my vague 2020 reading challenge remains strong. I WILL FINISH WHAT I START. 

Caliban's War brings back the crew of the Rocinante to fight another day, or should I say, another form of the protomolecule that plagued the solar system in Leviathan Wakes. This time, though, we get fun new characters. Instead of alternating between Holden and Miller, we are introduced to: a scientist desperate to find his missing daughter, who is apparently at the heart of an evil corporate scheme (another one lol … or the same one?), a large Martian soldier named Bobbie, who spends the book trying to find her place in politics, and a high-up UN government official whose hardass insane personality is actually really charming.

I missed grumpy old Miller, but I LOVED Avasarala. 

I mentioned a lot of worldbuilding detail in my review of the first book, and I want to either reassure or warn future readers that the attention level needed here remains pretty high. At least, it did for me. I love space battles and stars and alien science, and the authors do a great job of dumbing things down when absolutely necessary, but I had a very hard time grasping certain things like the mechanics of the ships. I am reading this with an English Literature degree, after all.

That being said, the world expands (ahem) here quite nicely. I did enjoy the juxtaposition of petty human political infighting ("the game") with the very serious, mysterious apocalyptic threat spewing monsters at civilization. I also appreciated the fact that, unlike in many books, characters who go through traumatic events get totally traumatized. It was refreshing to read about these folks struggling to process or recover from haunting events. 

I still hate Holden and Naomi. In fact, I think I kind of just hate Holden...? 

Anyway, these books are must-reads for sci-fi fans and I would call them an excellent escape if the political infighting wasn't so damn FRUSTRATINGLY FAMILIAR. These are strange times.

Caliban’s War on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Daisy Jones & The Six

3 stars. Crap. I really wanted to like this one. I admire the premise and respect the author, but this just felt like a big ol' bowl of bland mush to me. 

This book takes the form of an "oral narrative," essentially a collection of related quotes from various players that tell the story. In this case, the "author" has "interviewed" the members of a famous fictional classic rock band from the 70s: Daisy Jones & The Six. We as readers hear firsthand about the formation of the band and its (this is not a spoiler) ultimate demise. 

Under the umbrella of an obvious Fleetwood Mac retelling, there are some really serious and interesting themes explored: the power and intimacy of performance, the pain and emotion of hearing or writing music, the heartbreaking challenge of addiction, the intensity of unrequited love, etc. I enjoyed the author's ability to write succinctly and with style about all of this. I also appreciated the representation of a female character who wanted to take an "untraditional" path in her life. 

I mean some of the passages about music hitting right and about clocking the person you’re attracted to and about the pressure of having to make sacrifices and Big Choices and stuff like that! So good.

However, like I said, it was bland, to me. It needed more pepper. I think this is a personal thing, but I desperately just wanted Billy and Daisy to communicate directly. I know firsthand how the line between hate and love can get blurry, but it's a pet peeve when so much can be solved and worked through with basic communication. And I GET IT - the point was that they communicated with their music. It just personally bugged me.

It also didn't seem very realistic in its depiction of three things: hardcore substance use disorder, creative differences in a famous band, and true love. The drug use is talked about seriously but I never felt like it was horrifying or a real threat to any of the characters. The clash of personalities in the band and musical jealousies were solved way too quickly. And the loyalty and trust of Billy's wife was WAY over the top angelic. What an obnoxious saint.

And, of course, as with her other books, the author wrapped this up in a neat little bow. Too neat. Ugh, I don't know, am I being too harsh? I couldn't put it down, that's for sure! And I did really love the way music was used and described and explored. My mind just really wasn't blown. On to the next. 

Daisy Jones & The Six on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1)

4 stars. OMFG I finished a book. 2020 has already been the weirdest year ever, and partly because it took me this fucking long to finish a book?! Due to a combination of: the post-holiday blues, post-holiday chores, leaving my Kindle in a hotel room in Delaware, and a spontaneous decision to pursue a semi-remodel of our condo, I haven't had much time or energy to read. And I think that's also because...

I decided to re-read The Expanse series. My husband has been begging me to so we can watch the TV show together, but I've been dragging my heels knowing what a commitment it would be. But one of my (very personal, very intangible, very low-pressure) reading goals for this year is going to be FINISH WHAT YOU START, which means series. So here we are. Leviathan Wakes.

Considering what the series becomes, this book is laughably simple in premise. We have two narrators: Captain Jim Holden, a man from Earth leading a small crew through a variety of weird, unlucky space misfortunes on a universally political scale, and Detective Miller, a Belter (born and raised in the outer planets of the solar system) assigned to investigate a missing girl. Chapters alternate in perspective and we get a front seat as these two characters orbit (lol) around each other until .... VOMIT ZOMBIES!!

I'm awake now! But before you think this is Resident Evil in space (someone needs to write that immediately), I should highlight the intense complexity of the world-building here. Sure, there are entertaining chapters full of space battles and terrifying alien monsters, but there is also a ton of detail. Get ready to pay attention: you essentially have to learn a new vocabulary and receive a crash course in space science to reap the full benefits of this series.

Fine by me. What I DID mind? The women. Not just the female characters - the interactions they have with the men. I don't know why they bothered me so, so deeply, but they did. I really, really hate Holden and Naomi. I really, really hate that Miller "falls in love" with Julie. I can't even explain why I cringe so hard I literally clench my stomach during anything that remotely touches romance or relationships. It's not because the female characters aren't realistic. I think it might actually be because ... the male characters aren't.

But anyway, sometimes after a hard few months and a lot of family drama and political chaos and impending warfare, I just want to read about aliens. This is golden sci-fi right here. 

Leviathan Wakes on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Imaginary Friend

3 stars. UMMMMM WOW. Okay. Was NOT expecting that. This is going to be a weird review to write, because Imaginary Friend was a weird book to read. Full disclosure: I have not read Perks of Being a Wallflower - it’s decidedly NOT my cup of tea (I did see the movie and am aware of the basic themes). However, I was really excited to sink my teeth into a long horror story said to resemble King, my king.

This is going to be an epic fail of a summary, but I'll try. Essentially, a young boy, Christopher, moves to a new town with his mother Kate. He is lured into the creepy woods nearby and disappears for six days. When he returns, he's different: school is easier, his financial situation improves, he can read more easily, and he has a new "friend" - an invisible voice persuading him to return to the woods and build a treehouse. He does, and .... very weird shit happens.

Here’s what I liked about this: it’s a pageturner. It has multiple distinct characters. It’s detailed and well-written and has some GREAT villains. It explores religious mythology in an interesting way (more on that below). The plot doesn’t always involve kids versus adults (“you don’t believe me!” “well, you’re grounded” for forty chapters is always fun).

Here’s what I didn’t like: it’s way too long. It’s preachy. The ages of the kids don't quite match up with their characters, even before they become geniuses. It isn’t quite scary enough for me. It becomes VERY abstract and even a bit confusing. It’s cartoonish, which distracts from what could’ve been super genuinely disturbing. And it tries way too hard.

On the religious aspect of this book: I didn’t realize there would be one when I picked it up. As an atheist, I don’t always enjoy books that paint such certain and steadfast messages about faith. But, and this is going to sound a bit snooty, I do find it very interesting to read the Bible, and learn religious lore (of all religions) from a historical standpoint. Or from a literary standpoint. I don’t know what the author intended, but I’ll just consider this (I’m trying to be as vague as possible to avoid spoilers!) an exploration of a religious story many of us know and subscribe to, rather than a sermon. Otherwise, I wouldn't be the right audience, and I’d be annoyed.

Imaginary Friend reminds me much more of Joe Hill than Stephen King. Just because it’s long and detailed and plays with many characters just makes it a little Kingish, not totally King! I’m not surprised by the comparison but definitely expected more. I did love the 'Salem's Lot vibe featuring a town entirely corrupted. The suburbs are always full of secrets...

Anyhoo, I don't think I can quite recommend this, because it's such a big effort for such a weird payoff. But it kept me pretty entertained for a few days.

Imaginary Friend on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: The Sands of Time (The Hermux Tantamoq Adventures #2)

2019 CHALLENGE: 1 RE-READ PER MONTH 12 / 12

5 stars. Ah, what a pleasure to return to the world of Hermux Tantamoq and his exciting adventures. I really loved re-reading this not just for the nostalgia but for the details I missed as a young person. There's so much witty humor here to enjoy!

In The Sands of Time, our view of Hermux's world expands wonderfully. His artistic friend, Mirren, has regained her sight and attempted to capture what she saw during her years of darkness. Unfortunately, the citizens of Pinchester have no stomach for the mythical creatures she paints: CATS. 

Luckily, or unluckily, an old friend of hers returns claiming to have discovered proof that cats existed in a kingdom in the desert. With a little daring and a lot of cheese, Hermux and his special lady Linka embark on a quest to find the kingdom and save Mirren's show! 

It's adorable - just as adorable as the first book. The plot is a bit more complicated but Hoeye deftly keeps the pages turning and the tone intact. Each character maintains a distinct voice and motivations, and, perhaps more profoundly here than in the first, we encounter a range of "villains" instead of black-and-white good versus evil. Tucka has her moments, but she'll always be Tucka after all.

And just like the first book, there are astoundingly deep themes for such a seemingly superficial book. It's for young people, but it embeds some amazing lessons within its pages that'd be just as suitable for adults. 

My brain is SUPERFRIED from the holidays, so I'll leave it at that. I just really, really, really recommend these books. Also, they make me hungry for cheese.

The Sands of Time on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: The Bell Jar

2019 CHALLENGE: 1 YOU HAVEN'T READ THAT YET?! PER MONTH 12 / 12

5 stars. I feel like a broken record at this point, but The Bell Jar is yet another book that somehow slipped through the cracks, making it perfect for this challenge. I was an English major, for Pete's sake. I took classes in Women's Lit. This is book is freaking important. 

The Bell Jar refers to the main character's sense of major depression from which she suffers for most of the novel. We meet Esther in New York, successful but feeling empty in the busy, glamorous city. When she returns home - without the urban distractions and without work - her mental state worsens. She feels suffocated. She chafes against society's expectations. She becomes fixated on taking her own life. 

The last quarter of the novel follows her stay in an asylum, under the care of a patient and competent female psychologist who administers proper treatment. This feels very lucky. Having recently watched Unbelievable, it sometimes feels like victims either end up with a good cop or a bad cop (or a mediocre one), and it's just luck of the draw that can dictate the rest of their lives. Similarly, Esther first ends up with a mediocre doctor and then, miraculously for the 50s, gets a great one - paving the road of her recovery.

I don't claim to know firsthand what major depression feels like (and I try very hard to not take my mental health for granted - I'm lucky), but I've learned a lot about it through experiences and through my relationships. Not all cases are the same, but Plath's depiction of the sheer compulsive, depressive fog seems accurate and articulate. I could barely breathe reading those pages.

This wasn't an enjoyable read, exactly, but I do enjoy books that capture the tragedy of being a woman. There are many angles to explore here, reminding me of The Virgin Suicides and Girl, Interrupted and others of that nature. I'm sure there's a way to examine the mental illness theme without considering gender, but the sheer confusion of being a woman must be on the table. It's incredibly relevant, even today.

The Bell Jar is a must-read for anyone who has felt lost, confused, or imposter-y, for anyone whose care has been put in the wrong hands, for anyone who finds the world ill-fitting, for anyone who feels swollen against expectations, for anyone who finds society preposterous. It won't loudly solve your problems, but it will quietly take your hand in commiseration. Knowing Plath's life story, and how it ended, makes it that much more incredible.

The Bell Jar on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: Ready Player One

2019 CHALLENGE: 1 YOU HAVEN'T READ THAT YET?! PER MONTH 11 / 12

Ah fine, 5 stars it is. I'm in a good mood, and it's the holidays. What the hell, why not? 'Tis the season. But don't get me wrong - I have complaints! But this is a GREAT read. I loved it. 

Look, this was FUN. It was entertaining. It was well-written, RELEVANT, amusing, adventurous, and delightful. Ready Player One is The Westing Game + Warcross + Willy Wonka. It takes place in the future (normally I would use the word dystopian but I think it may just be the expected reality now), when the world is decaying and humans spend most of their time in a VR program called Oasis. Oasis's creator dies and leaves a "hunt" as his legacy - an Easter egg contest with his fortune as the prize. Obviously this inspires millions to study up on the creator's obsessions in the hopes of finding clues to the egg. 

One of these hunters, Wade, stumbles across the first clue and suddenly the game is afoot. We get to witness him form alliances and enemies as he races against corporate drones (intent on winning the contest to monetize the Oasis platform - boo hiss so evil!!), solves puzzles and plays games for the ultimate prize. It's an addicting read full of its own Easter eggs - thousands of references to 80s pop culture. Which of course I loved.

I know I mentioned complaints. I guess my heart is still a few sizes too small. Here they are: first, it's a teensy weensy ittle bittle tryhard. I didn't find the adolescent voices entirely convincing. Second, I'm not sure if it was actually a bit preachy in places. I completely stand by the book's messaging, I just found the delivery a tad hamfisted and dry. It is eerily and accurately bleak when it comes to the future of the human race, but some of that exposition came across as info dumpy. And pompous. 

I actually found myself complaining to my husband about this mid-read, while simultaneously trying to convince him to read it. It's just too much FUN. Many of my favorite movies, books, TV shows, etc. aren't PERFECT. I enjoy them to such a degree that they are affecting, and offer proper escape. This is a wonderful pageturner for readers of all ages and I'm excited to view the adaptation. 

Ready Player One on: Amazon | Goodreads