Review: Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2)

4 stars. I was pretty excited about Every Heart a Doorway - I loved the world, the writing and the essence of sheer possibility emanating from the pages - and hoped for the same in its sequel. And it definitely delivered - thought not how I expected.

Instead of returning to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, we get a backstory: Jack and Jill's, to be specific, and their journey to and from the Moors. We meet the Master (Jill's creepy vampire) and Dr. Bleak (Jack's steadfast scientific guardian) and we learn how the twins were shaped leading up to the events of the first book. 

It's a quick read and McGuire's atmospheric, playful writing shines once again. But I have to admit I was disappointed, only because I wanted more out of the story - I wanted to visit more worlds and encounter more backstories and linger with the idea of doorways. There's a lot to enjoy, though, here. 

I truly admire McGuire's ability to put some sorely-needed emphasis on identity acceptance in her writing. I have to admit I thought she got a little heavy-handed in the first half of this book - it's like she prioritized her need to send a message over her need to incorporate it into the story successfully or smoothly. But what a message! As soon as any complaint crossed my mind I was hit with a strong premonition that I would refer to the preachy parts one day when I'm raising children of my own.

So, not what was I expecting, but magical nonetheless.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones on: Amazon | Goodreads

Review: The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1)

4 stars. A young Egyptian thief with emerging special powers accidentally calls a warrior to her side - a warrior who belongs to a species only remembered in ancient myths and stories. As she tries to wrap her head around why / how / who she really is, and embarks on a journey to her homeland, a young and well-intentioned prince in a brass city learns how cruel and complicated the world - all worlds - can be. Both become wrapped up in a dangerous political game full of mayhem, magic and monsters.

This was wonderful, full of colors and impressive creative elements. Bear in mind - the world is complicated and the terminology takes some getting used to. But the twists and turns are totally worth it. It's WAY too great to be a debut and I'm happy to say that I learned from it.

Along those lines - this book's exploration of big themes (themes like racism, sexism, tradition, religious conflict, power, loyalty, etc.) is not subtle. It doesn't come across as preachy, thank goodness, but a lot of things happen - a lot of characters interact a certain way, or behave a certain way - simply because of social tradition or because it's expected and what people are used to. Two species hate each other because they are "ancestral enemies;" protocol is followed because "that's the way we do things;" references to ignorant prejudice, racial slurs and social injustice abound. 

It's not subtle, as I said, but it is done carefully so that - essentially - everyone has a point, or a motivation, or a reason. That doesn't make it okay, but it makes a powerful statement about the complexities of a connected world.

If I had one complaint, it would be that the author takes us deep into Trope Town almost immediately. I was delighted by the complexity of the protagonist, the deeply detailed setting, and yes, I was delighted by the zombies and flaming swords, but I rolled my eyes at the instant undercurrent of romance. Can we not, for once? In a book full of such sophisticated writing / world-building, it stood out like an extra amateur sore thumb.

But people should read this, because it represents the unrepresented. It illustrates places and ideas rarely illustrated in mainstream literature. It depicts these places and ideas and people with a deft and reverent touch. It cinematically illuminates a rich and colorful and exotic world. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to sink into the second one.

The City of Brass on: Amazon | Goodreads

List: 5 Classics

I guess the word “classic” is a bit subjective; I would consider the following books to be among the most important ever:

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens | A love triangle (lol, I oversimplify plots like nobody's business!) unfolds during the Reign of Terror. So much has been written about Dickens - I won't bore you with what this book is (INCREDIBLE, IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING); I'll tell you what it isn't: it isn't boring, it isn't lame or dry. In weaving thousands of stories together with his words Dickens creates a soul-wrenching heartbreaker that everyone should read. Amazon | Goodreads

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Lord of the Flies by William Golding | Everybody read this in school, right? Need a refresher? A plane crashes on an isolated island and a group of schoolboys must learn to survive without society's influence. This book offers a particularly intense and unsettling reading experience, but its message rings, to me, so true, and so powerful. A particularly disturbing aspect of the story is that you can apply its allegory to almost any period in global history, proving the idea that some forms of evil are innate, deep-seated, and not to be ignored. Amazon | Goodreads

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Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen | Arguably the least depressing story on this list (whoops), this romance tells the tale of Elizabeth Bennett and her family as they navigate life, love, and loss in historical England. I realize it's an understatement to call this book a classic but truly - it's all there. Austen is a witty and sharp writer who just ... fucking ... gets ... people. She's a rock star and deserves every ounce of respect she's earned. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck | The Joads, a farm family from Oklahoma, migrate west during the Great Depression. Despite having read this years ago, the tragedy of this book continues to wriggle and worm its way into the way I look at America today. It's almost the opposite of Lord of the Flies in that it paints a portrait of innate goodness - compassion, kindness, perseverance and hope. It paints a portrait of simple people pursuing - fighting for - a simple life. It paints a portrait of America as a great disappointment and I can't help but feel like while we should have learned from it, we didn't. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne | In seventeenth-century Massachusetts, woman named Hester Prynn is punished for having a child out of wedlock. It is important to note that her lover remains unidentified and safe. It is also important to note that this book could be a lot better; it's not the most well-written or the most progressive and it doesn't necessarily address its themes in a broad and satisfying way. But it's a significant read for me because it taught me - at the age of 14 - how woman are almost universally punished for having sex. Amazon | Goodreads

Retro Review: Vicious

When I started this blog, I had been posting reviews on Goodreads for about 6 months. In the interest of having all of my book writing in one place, I will post one of these old reviews every Friday. They weren't written with a blog in mind, so please forgive the lack of summary and off-the-cuff tone.

4 stars. I’m officially a Schwab superfan. This book is fun, carefully crafted and surprisingly deep - three features I’ve come to expect from such a talented author. I was completely absorbed by the simple plot and delicious characters and wanted to revel in how … unsloppy it was. Is that weird? The writing is thorough, graceful and tidy. It sparkles and shines.

For a book that examines such huge moral quandaries, it’s also extremely entertaining. And unpredictable. Somehow Schwab incorporates elements that would normally get a “well, that’s convenient” reaction and makes them feel fresh and somehow perfect. Sharp twists keep things interesting and it’s just full of fantastic characters that are too smart for their own good. I’m in awe. Highly recommend. I want more!

Vicious on: Amazon | Goodreads

List: 5 Scary Books

I am a huge horror fan. There's just something about bone-deep fear that brings a giant smile to my face. I tried to keep this list well-rounded - some classics, some contemporary - but it's certainly not comprehensive.

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay | When 14-year-old Marjorie Barrett begins exhibiting abnormal behavior, her family turns to the Catholic Church for help. Grappling with the "diagnosis" - demonic possession - and faced with mounting medical expenses, the Barretts agree to be filmed by a production team for a reality TV show. Years later, Marjorie's sister Merry recalls and traces the events leading up to a horrifying and traumatic climax. This book left me out of breath and desperate for some sunlight. It took me hours to unclench my jaw and return to reality. It's The Exorcist for millennials. Amazon | Goodreads

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Alice by Christina Henry | Trippy and dark, this story follows a young woman who escapes from an asylum and embarks on a journey full of monsters and blood. It's edgy and disturbing (I had to take a break every now and then to breathe) but, not just for the sake of being edgy and disturbing. Ultimately, it's deeply creative and delightful. You've never Alice like this before. Amazon | Goodreads

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The Shining by Stephen King | Everybody knows this story, right? In an isolated hotel during the off-season, a man battles madness while his young son battles darkness. It's truly an epic - Stephen King goes deep AND wide - and while I wasn't terrified by this, there were plenty of cringe-worthy moments to enjoy. Amazon | Goodreads

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We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson | Merricat and Constance Blackwood live with their ailing uncle in isolation following the poisoning of their other family members. When a distant cousin shows up, their fragile form of existence shatters. Ugh, it's so good, and so unexpected and so full of incredible quotes. Dear Hollywood: please make a movie of this starring the Fanning sisters.  Amazon | Goodreads

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The Woman in Black by Susan Hill | Arthur Kipps is sent to Crythin Gifford to settle a client's affairs at the isolated and perfectly-named Eel Marsh House. As he uncovers the house's secrets, he starts hearing - and seeing - impossible and terrifying things. I love all forms of horror but I cannot pass up a traditional haunted house. "The Classic English Ghost Story" is quite right - this story is very classic and very English and very, very scary. Amazon | Goodreads

A Few Things to Get Started

Hello. Welcome to my book blog. A few things to get started:

• E-book versus hard copy: both.
• A few literary pet peeves: tropes, pregnancy plot twists (it's lazy), sloppy editing, melodrama.
• The Plan: 3 posts a week (a review, a list, a retro review until I run out).
• This is a blog of opinions. I am entitled to mine and open to yours.

I am passionate about authenticity and introvert advocacy. Alexandria, VA. Let's do this!