I find that my favorite books are focused on fabulous characters in a great setting, and this book is more fabulous setting with great characters— notI find that my favorite books are focused on fabulous characters in a great setting, and this book is more fabulous setting with great characters— not a huge distinction, but meaningful to me. Hugely imaginative in world building, meandering in plot, inconsistent in pacing. Lots of great things here, but it didn’t grab me as much as it might have at a different point in my life....more
I have very little tolerance for things fae and quest books at this point in my life, but this is the exception that reminds me it's worth giving thinI have very little tolerance for things fae and quest books at this point in my life, but this is the exception that reminds me it's worth giving things a chance. It's all about the characters -- I love great characters and this book has them. I love a deeply grumpy protagonist and this book has that, too. It's weird and wonderful and full of surprises as events unfold. And cozy (sort of) and very friendship forwards, which I loved. It's also got the darkness at the heart that creates a really gorgeous narrative.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss....more
Yes. This is a satisfying book about faerie and folk songs and sisterhood and murder ballads. Marvelous that it also includes willow working. And my vYes. This is a satisfying book about faerie and folk songs and sisterhood and murder ballads. Marvelous that it also includes willow working. And my very favorite bit is that Peri Meri Dictum Domine is at the heart of it, and discussed very cleverly as a riddle of both past and future. I’ve never thought of it like that — so brilliant, and such a gift to my evening. I was once deeply enamored of fairy tales and have gone off them somewhat due to over exposure, but this is, like T. kingfisher’s books, the style of story that digs down to the heart of a folktale and brings up something new and rich and spicy. I love the characters. I experienced vast emotions from such a short book. The short story at the end matched it in pure unadulterated narrative wonder. Glorious.
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**spoiler alert** There are a lot of people writing middle grade magic school books, and this is one that stands out -- from Vanya's surprising magica**spoiler alert** There are a lot of people writing middle grade magic school books, and this is one that stands out -- from Vanya's surprising magical abilities (books talk! To her!) to the enchanting archive, to the detailed and delicious magical world -- it's fabulous. I love that Vanya's ADHD is part of her story, as are her mother's Indian roots. I love the friendships she's making, the familiars, and the family she's finding. I love that therapy is part of her life -- both the old life and the new. I love the winged stags. If I'm burbling, it's because this book has swept me off my feet. Things I love less -- I feel like the ending is a bit rushed, but that may be because this is the start of a series and mysteries remain to be unfolded. I think that might be it. There's a magical bakery, and doors that take you anywhere and a fabulous library.... hard to quarrel with any of that.
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This is a strong sequel, and I love love love the story theme -- it's a search for the bird of a thousand stories by searching through and listening tThis is a strong sequel, and I love love love the story theme -- it's a search for the bird of a thousand stories by searching through and listening to stories within the book. Marjan makes a lot of human mistakes (not trusting your friends with the truth for one). The world continues to be a frustrating mix of good and bad, betrayals, misunderstandings, mysteries -- much like real life. It continues to be weird that Marjan is a teenager, but after a while I just accept and move on. I also love how well these books stand alone -- will there be another one? There's opportunity for the story to continue, but there's also a good closure of the current story.
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Twists and turns and an original take on the fae. There is something so visceral about Tesh's writing (beautifully reflected in the cover art) -- it pTwists and turns and an original take on the fae. There is something so visceral about Tesh's writing (beautifully reflected in the cover art) -- it puts you in places and then fills up the tactile portion of my imagination. The drowned forest, the brambles, the barren wastes -- they all feel very present and familiar in a nightmare sort of way. Silver is not a loveable character, but I enjoy his quixotic nature. Interested in the new characters as well. Solid. ...more
Delightful! We get to spend more time with Roman, one of my favorite characters. Love the set up, the action, the time in the Nav. Love the backstory,Delightful! We get to spend more time with Roman, one of my favorite characters. Love the set up, the action, the time in the Nav. Love the backstory, the lessons he imparts to Finn, and the potential of this new connection with The Vasylisa. Very cool. ...more
Oh no, it’s a series? Now I find this out? Sigh. Anyway, great book. Reminded me a lot of Gideon the Ninth in social mores, but I appreciate that it’sOh no, it’s a series? Now I find this out? Sigh. Anyway, great book. Reminded me a lot of Gideon the Ninth in social mores, but I appreciate that it’s a more linear narrative with characters that also have a moral compass. It is an epic level fantasy — long, involved, intricate. There’s also a lot of abuse and horror interspersed with philosophy and deep joy. I thought a lot about nature vs nurture while reading. I love the magical systems, I love that they differ wildly between nations, and I really really love the necromancer allergy to violence and the several bird magics. And I love the various relationships— the Rook with her court — married to 24ish? The friendships that are lifelong familial bonds among the falcon people. Fascinating. Lots of big emotions in this book, too. So much to think about. I’m not disappointed that the adventures will continue, but it’s going to be a commitment to remember so much.
Other people think this is like Pratchett— huh. That did not occur to me, but I can see it....more
What a delight! I adored the art, the remix of Arthurian tales, the wildly imaginative storytelling, the excellent characters. Young Hag is a redoubtaWhat a delight! I adored the art, the remix of Arthurian tales, the wildly imaginative storytelling, the excellent characters. Young Hag is a redoubtable hero. I loved loved loved Sir Britomart and her faithful companion. The Goblin Market's invocation of Christina Rosetti was glorious. And the whole this is just really funny, in a deadpan, pragmatic sort of way. ...more
**spoiler alert** I love stories that explore old traditions, especially when they can take us with them to heart of things. In this case, the heart o**spoiler alert** I love stories that explore old traditions, especially when they can take us with them to heart of things. In this case, the heart of the woods, which is a place where time moves strangely. I was not expecting the practical folklorist, but I am certainly glad to know of her. And I appreciate cats and dryads, so I will forgive the death of the tree. ...more
Weird little tale -- what I loved: the vibrant queerness, the polyamory, the family connections, the love, the unusual magic that nonetheless resonateWeird little tale -- what I loved: the vibrant queerness, the polyamory, the family connections, the love, the unusual magic that nonetheless resonates very powerfully. I also really liked that it was a novella -- it was just the right size for the story it told. ...more
A lovely book, with both intense themes (tsunami, loss) and a remarkably gentle found family situation. I absolutely see the connection to Spirited AwA lovely book, with both intense themes (tsunami, loss) and a remarkably gentle found family situation. I absolutely see the connection to Spirited Away (based on one of the author's other books) in the storytelling -- here, the fantastical is every day, the legends are real, and sometimes that's frightening, and sometimes that's just beyond our understanding. Beautiful story about finding refuge and creating home. ...more
Lovely, short and sweet, with many things to contemplate in their pages. The art is gorgeous, and the messages are strong. For me, they don't quite acLovely, short and sweet, with many things to contemplate in their pages. The art is gorgeous, and the messages are strong. For me, they don't quite achieve fairy-tale fullness, but they definitely ask fairy tale questions, and require new answers. I love that. ...more
Spectacular. Stands alone, but has shadows of Elatsoe here and there. I love this world so much. And the strength and kindness of the women who inhabiSpectacular. Stands alone, but has shadows of Elatsoe here and there. I love this world so much. And the strength and kindness of the women who inhabit it. Gorgeous characters, relatable teens — which is great with a setting in the 70s. Fascinating magic-science. Beautiful respect and love for land and heritage. Mostly, though, it’s a cracking good story that just flows like a river....more
On the one hand, I have to agree with reviewers who stumble over the idea that Marjan is 15, recently orphaned, and allowed to just get on with livingOn the one hand, I have to agree with reviewers who stumble over the idea that Marjan is 15, recently orphaned, and allowed to just get on with living on her own and owning/running her father's veterinary practice. Theoretically, her next door neighbor has stepped up as legal guardian and been allowed to do so. Theoretically, her entire extended family in Iran is totally ok with her just living on her own in the states. Theoretically, the staff at the practice is completely ok with her popping in and acting as an ad hoc vet tech and mysteriously disappearing and/or helping private clients when they show up asking for her... I mean, the levels of no this isn't even remotely realistic are very very high, and there doesn't even really seem like a good reason for making this a middle grade book or for determining that Marjan is 15 -- why couldn't she be older? It would make so much more sense. I also agree with the reviewers who want the title to be Once Was -- that would be so much more in keeping with the story.
On the other hand -- I couldn't put it down. I liked the characters, the interweaving of fantastical beasts, Marjan's powers. I loved the friendships (and maybe these are why she needs to be 15, but I don't really buy that argument) and the darker side of magic. The book perfectly captures the ambivalence to humanity and danger that is present in so many folktales. The story is complex and fascinating, including the jaded brokering and power plays that the adults are indulging in around her. I particularly loved Malloryn's version of witchcraft and how she is both adamant and generous about how she interacts with her intolerant family. And I appreciate the nuanced and difficult relationship Marjan has with her father. The whole package is highly original and a deeply satisfying read. ...more
If you are into this series, I think you’ll be happy with this book — it has a lot of the typical plotlines — Rachel angsting, taking the blame for thIf you are into this series, I think you’ll be happy with this book — it has a lot of the typical plotlines — Rachel angsting, taking the blame for things she shouldn’t, making friends with her enemies, surprise outcomes from spells. It also have the usual repetitive trouble situations that happen again and again over the course of the adventure. I love this world a lot, and I always want to know what’s going to happen next with these characters, so I enjoyed it very much.
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I stuck with it because I wanted to know how things wrap up for these characters, and it certainly was an unexpected and eventful ride! I seem to haveI stuck with it because I wanted to know how things wrap up for these characters, and it certainly was an unexpected and eventful ride! I seem to have lost my ability to really appreciate Hearne's level of silliness -- I loved the Iron Druid series, and it feels like these books just don't live up to them. I appreciate the found family. I appreciate the imagination that goes into this plotline. I am sincerely happy to see how things work out.
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Spectacular collection -- and I love love love that Novik can create whole worlds and share them so easily. Each of these gems is fully formed within Spectacular collection -- and I love love love that Novik can create whole worlds and share them so easily. Each of these gems is fully formed within itself, with just a nod to the larger works that some of them are related to. The characters leap to life. The stories are sweet or satisfying or intriguing or funny. It's a vibrant collection and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
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Huge amount of story in a short, accessible book. I love that they make a new friend who speaks Nahuatl and helps them navigate Aztec deities. Feels MHuge amount of story in a short, accessible book. I love that they make a new friend who speaks Nahuatl and helps them navigate Aztec deities. Feels Magic Treehouse in a good way. ...more
A solid and interesting biography of a legendary figure, Mu Guying. It manages to keep the sort of unreality mythic people take on -- and tells a greaA solid and interesting biography of a legendary figure, Mu Guying. It manages to keep the sort of unreality mythic people take on -- and tells a great story at a fast pace. This feels like the best kind of martial arts film, with a undefeatable main character, but I hate that she bows to the cultural obedience required of women of her time -- in duty if not in a greater sense.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss. ...more
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