Alexandra Bracken just keeps getting better. Now, I'm a bit biased - I read Brightly Woven when it was in ARCs and I've been on the fan train ever sinAlexandra Bracken just keeps getting better. Now, I'm a bit biased - I read Brightly Woven when it was in ARCs and I've been on the fan train ever since (choo choo!) but seriously, damn.
Where do I even start?
I guess... first of all, all of the strengths of The Darkest Minds are still present. I love this vision of dystopic America, I love the characterization of all the side characters (the terrified savagery of the kids, the anger or the kindness of adults, the constant portrayal of the choices people have to make to survive now), I love Ruby and Chubs and Liam and Vida and Jude and literally all of the protagonists and their relationships. The narrative twists and turns are fantastic, the villains/antagonists both scary and believable.
The standout aspect of this book is Ruby's characterization. She is so.... gah. Ruby Daly is amazing, and definitely among my favorite YA protagonists ever. The way Bracken portrays both her flaws and her strengths is incredible; the fact that she can't seem to go anywhere without gathering a group of people she desperately wants to protect; the way that she cares so much and is so afraid of herself - it's so perfectly rendered, and makes her into such a strong character and a protagonist I cheer for. (No, seriously. The last line of this book? PERFECTION.)
I will say that it felt very second-book-y, particularly given the events that happened in the denouement. A lot of this book seemed to serve mostly to get people to the physical places and emotional states they need to be in for In The Afterlight - but at the same time, it was so well-done and so engaging to read about how they got there that I don't mind in the slightest.
(also: COLE??? COLE WTF. COLE.)
If you're not reading this series yet, go pick it up. It is, in my opinion, the best YA dystopian series on the shelves right now. ...more
Okay, let's be honest: this book's premise is my crack. The only thing more appealing to a dragon-obsessed marine ecologist than a book about dragon eOkay, let's be honest: this book's premise is my crack. The only thing more appealing to a dragon-obsessed marine ecologist than a book about dragon ecology is the third book in this series, which promises to feature actual marine dragons. So: between the premise, the setting (with obvious analogies to our world, though enough variation to keep it feeling fresh), and the writing style that's just the right combination of actual scientific autobiography and Edwardian-esque language, this was a damn fun read.
My one regret - not even a complaint, really, as I did like the book that I got - was that there wasn't really enough science to satisfy me. On the one hand, I get that not everyone was the kid who reread The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern over and over; but on the other, that gorgeous cover is an anatomical diagram, and the title promises a 'natural history' of dragons, not just a single behavioral discovery, so I was a bit let down that there wasn't more exploration of dragon behavior and biology in the plot. I can only hope that later books (which, obviously, I'm going to devour) will expand the science aspect.
(view spoiler)[I was also a bit disappointed in just what the behavior Isabella discovered - which was supposedly so revolutionary - was. I mean, I get how this would be surprising in Edwardian-esque scientific communities, but this book is written for a modern audience and seriously, you have dragons to work with. Mourning seems like such a small thing in comparison to the mythology built around these creatures! I was honestly kind of let down that that's what was causing their aberrant aggression; a disease seemed like it would have been much more interesting, and would have had much more immediate and tense implications. (Granted: part of the problem was that the plot itself didn't really spend time on the implications of the graveyard/mourning hypothesis, so as a reader I didn't get a good sense of how significant it was in the scientific knowledge of the time, or how it would impact the world.)
Also: did they really just abscond out of Vystrana without going back to the boyar's lodge and recovering the bones and... giving them back to the dragons somehow? Because unless I totally missed something, they didn't actually attempt to rectify the problem by making amends - they just identified it, told people, and then left the mountain people to deal with it. Kinda (really) irresponsible. Also, again, a missed opportunity - how would dragons behave if bones were returned to them? Would they recognize their origins? Whales, another group of animals with strong social ties and mourning behaviors, have been known to behave in ways humans interpret as thankfulness - do the dragons in this world do something similar? I WANT MORE SCIENCEEEEE. (hide spoiler)]
I'm very, very curious to see where Isabella's character goes after this book. The decision to give her a miscarriage early on surprised me, and while certain events of the ending did not, they could have very interesting effects on her development moving forward. She currently strikes me as a very well-rendered protagonist, and the interplay of her mature voice telling the tale and the youthful self she describes gives her a lot of dimension (even if it did often slide into some fairly obvious sequel baiting).
One final note, if you're wondering about whether or not to give this book a shot: it took me less than 48 hours to read it from cover to cover. Granted some of that was a 6-hour train ride, but a lot of it was also taken up by Thanksgiving so it balances out to make for a quick read....more
Regretfully removed from my 'reviewed' shelf as I never actually got around to it. I'll re-read it eventually so I can get to the sequel, but until thRegretfully removed from my 'reviewed' shelf as I never actually got around to it. I'll re-read it eventually so I can get to the sequel, but until then my quick notes will have to stand.
Review to come, hopefully in a few days as I'm packing to go back to school soon. For now: fantastic (though I would expect nothing less from Phoebe North). This book broke YA tropes all over the place, and Terra is one of the most realistic, human, and flawed protagonists I've encountered in a while. A++ book, perfect note to start my 2014 reading list out on. Thank you, Phoebe....more
You ever read a book that's so incredible that it reshapes your perspective on its entire genre?
Zoo City is that for me and urban fantasy, in a big waYou ever read a book that's so incredible that it reshapes your perspective on its entire genre?
Zoo City is that for me and urban fantasy, in a big way.
Where do I even start with this book? It's amazing, from the wild premise to the gritty descriptions to the vicious (and gory - this book is not for the faint of heart) ending. It doesn't pull its punches, and it really doesn't half-ass, well, anything. The protagonist, Zinzi December, is a recovering drug addict recently released from prison, with a spirit animal - a Sloth - she carries as a tangible reminder of her past and her guilt. She's trying to stay clean, or at least get there by paying off the dealers she still owes money to; trying to build a new life for herself and fighting systemic inequality and a world that assumes being 'animalled' is as good as a signed confession to a crime. Her entire character is a study in survival and desperation and the struggle to retain humanity when everyone around you assumes you've already lost it. It's amazing. She's amazing.
And the setting - Beuke's descriptions of Johannesburg are intensely, unflinchingly gritty and rich. The city is palpable, from its colonial history to its present-day dirt. The sense of culture is even stronger than the sense of physical place. I will freely admit that, as a white American who has never been immersed in another culture for a long period of time, I was fascinated by references to South African musicians and traditions, as well as the way different spiritual beliefs were woven into the narrative. I hadn't really realized until reading this book how much culture of origin informs even genre fiction, and it's left me determined to seek out more books like this because damn have I been missing out on most of the world.
The more I think about it, the more I'm not sure if this book can be lumped into the category of urban fantasy as it stands. It fits the broadest tropes of the genre (scrappy low-magic 'PI' loner character gets drawn into a murder investigation with broader implications) but everything about how it's executed is more complex, deeper, wilder, darker than any other urban fantasy I've ever read. I say we take this and The Resurrection of Matthew Swift and refound the genre - using those two books to establish endpoints on a spectrum (high-to-low relevance of magic to plot) of books that tell an engaging story without shying away from or ignoring the harshest realities of modern urban life: true urban fantasy that uses its city settings as more than just a backdrop....more
March 5th: Done with first readthrough. It was, in fact, more perfect than expected. I only cried a little bit; mostly afterwards I just have this feeMarch 5th: Done with first readthrough. It was, in fact, more perfect than expected. I only cried a little bit; mostly afterwards I just have this feeling of intense satisfaction. I will probably still wait to review until I've read through twice; I have a lot that I think I want to say but I haven't fully processed it.
August 10: It's obvious to everyone that I'm not gonna get around to a reread for a while, right? Cool. I'll do it eventually, because I have a lot to say about this book, but it'll take a lot more time and energy than I have right now.
4 MARCH 2014: IT'S OUT! I'm going to leave this review up as-is until I can replace it with an actual review of the book; as I'm going to be reading it twice (one speed-read before Sanderson comes to my area for a signing, one thorough re-read afterwards) that may be some time.
18 December 2013: Review rewritten/reorganized to be more coherent and remove out-of-date info. 19 January 2014: Links added for TOR-released chapters. There will be two more chunks posted on the website before the book comes out. 21 January 2014: First of those two remaining chunks released at noon EST. I feel pretty comfortable saying we'll see the last set of chapters - the ones Peter Ahlstrom has been hinting at by saying we haven't gotten the 'hooks' yet - at the same time on the 28th. 28 January 2014: I was right. Links updated below. Note that now all the chapters we know to expect have been released; this may be the end of preview material.
RELEASE DATE: March 4. This is pretty much set at this point. COVER/FLAP DESCRIPTION: can be found here. If you're not sure who's who, title explanations are under the spoiler cut: (view spoiler)[the Windrunner is Kaladin, the Lightweaver is Shallan, and the Explorer is Eshonai. We're pretty sure the Bondsmith is Dalinar; I'm hesitant to list that as an absolute ID because I still think he's a strong contender for being a Stoneward. The Assassin, obviously, is Szeth. (hide spoiler)] As of this review update, the version Goodreads has on their page for the book is the old version. There are obviously major changes between the two, but both provide interesting hints towards plot events.
READINGS/EXCERPTS: - Eshonai interlude (Audio, part 1 (excerpt starts at 12:30), part 2 (overlaps somewhat with first part); transcript) - Shallan flashback (Audio, transcript) - Rysn interlude (Writing videos: prewriting, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve; transcript) - Taravangian interlude (Excerpt) - Jasnah prologue (Transcript) - Kaladin, chapter 2 (Transcript) - Dalinar flashback (Transcript) - Ym interlude (Transcript) - Lift interlude (Excerpt) - Teeny fragment of conversation involving Dalinar (Excerpt, sort of) -Prologue, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2 at TOR (Excerpt) - Chapters 3-5 at TOR (Excerpt) - Chapters 6, 8, and 9 at TOR (Excerpt) - Chapters 10, 12, 14, and Interlude I-1 at TOR (Excerpt; note that Ch. 10 and Interlude I-1 were previously released in audio as Red Carpet, Once White and the Eshonai Interlude; however, there have been changes in the final versions.)
As of right now, everything released via the Steelhunt is also on this list, so if you don't have a code you're not missing anything. One note: Everything marked 'excerpt' can be considered correct re: spelling and grammar, because it comes from an official source. Anything marked 'transcript' may have misspelled names or inaccurate punctuation. Obviously, any and all of these portions are subject to change before the final version. ...more
Reread as part of my ongoing shelf audit. Verdict: I liked it, but as I somehow forgot I'd ever read it before until I went to write this review, I doReread as part of my ongoing shelf audit. Verdict: I liked it, but as I somehow forgot I'd ever read it before until I went to write this review, I don't think it's a keeper.
Original 2014 review:
I'm... sort of conflicted on this book. Not because I don't know how I feel about it - I quite liked it! - but because I feel like I shouldn't have enjoyed it as much as I did. In a lot of ways, this book felt like it was still rough around the edges, which I usually find distracting while reading but here... it just didn't bother me much at all. The only thing that really bugged me was a lack of development in one of the most important relationships, particularly as the conclusion rested on it.
I suspect a big part of what kept me engaged and enjoying this book was that the concepts, if tritely named (I got really tired of seeing the word 'shifter' capitalized) are really interesting. In particular, the idea of an immortal inhuman creature bound to serve humans trying to sort out their loyalties had a lot of potential, and while the plot wasn't focused on that, Cypess did touch on it several times in a way I found very intriguing. I'd have loved to see it explored more - if there's ever another book set in Samorna exploring the Shifter to a greater degree I'll definitely pick it up.
Isabel, the protagonist, was also a great draw - she was a fascinating mix of competent and confused, and her struggle to define herself in the absence of her own memories was compelling and well-written. While I agree with other reviewers that the resolution of that question came too quickly for any of the characters (or the reader) to react to it, for the majority of the book I really liked how it was handled.
I'm not sure if I would recommend this book, as I feel its appeal to me came largely from interest in the concept and a desire for something light to read - but I guess, if that's what you're looking for too, then this would be a good pick. (and personally - while I haven't read Nightspell yet, I expect it to be much more solid; a lot of the under-development in Mistwood struck me as the result of Cypess being a new writer, and I'm betting she'll get much better as her career goes on.)
2022 update:
The above pretty much holds true, especially the part about wishing the book focused more on the concept of the Shifter than it did. There's a romantic subplot which felt underdeveloped and unnecessary, though to Cypess's credit it's actually not as all-consuming as romance in many of this book's YA contemporaries tended to be, and I appreciate the choice of a somewhat nuanced resolution.
I was surprised to realize how completely I'd forgotten this book, including the major twist/reveal at the end, which... still felt rushed. I wish that information had come to light sooner so that it could have more thoroughly informed characters' choices and motivations. There are some interesting moral quandaries in this book which don't really get explored as fully as they could have been, and I think that spending more page time with those questions would have made the story as a whole more emotionally compelling....more
You know, I've owned this book for... at least three years now, I think; maybe more, and I kept putting off reading it. I'm not sure why - maybe becauYou know, I've owned this book for... at least three years now, I think; maybe more, and I kept putting off reading it. I'm not sure why - maybe because I was worried it would be a banal waste of my time, since it's middle grade and I rarely dip below YA these days?
Well, that worry was unfounded - not only did this book only take me about two days to finish, it was a fun ride from beginning to end, and definitely not a waste even of that brief time.
Honestly, the only aspect of this book that I didn't like is that it gentled out Greek mythology a lot, and even that I understand. (You can hardly write about (view spoiler)[Poseidon raping Medusa in Athena's temple (hide spoiler)] in a book that's marketed to middle schoolers or older elementary schoolers, after all.) Generally Riordan's mythological background is rock solid; I was particularly happy to see that Artemis, while given an honorary cabin at Camp Half-Blood, has no offspring, and that Athena is given her due as a goddess of (defensive) war as well as of wisdom.
(Okay, I was a bit frustrated at the bizarre insistence that they use bronze weapons - I get it in the context of Riptide, which is super special magic, but bronze is incredibly heavy. I have handled bronze weapon replicas; there's a really good reason humans switched to other metals basically as soon as we could. Unless all of the half-bloods' bronze swords are magic, they should really have more modern blades.)
Overall though - fun book, quick read, definitely a series I'll continue, especially since the conversation that convinced me to start this one was about how well Riordan handles his female characters. (So far, so good - including antagonists! - but I want more ladies.)
Edit: okay no, forgot one thing - really leery of Riordan's characterization of America as the 'heart of Western civilization' or whatever. raises some serious questions re: what happened to gods of Native American beliefs post-Colonialism, and also smacks a bit of cultural imperialism in general....more
Thus far in my Bayern reread, this is definitely the strongest book by far. It benefits both from Hale being a more experienced writer and from buildiThus far in my Bayern reread, this is definitely the strongest book by far. It benefits both from Hale being a more experienced writer and from building on the groundwork established in the previous two books in the series: the premise is a great deal more politically complicated than either The Goose Girl or Enna Burning, and it benefits the story greatly.
The characters also have a lot more nuance, I suspect in part because this is the first book Hale wrote with the idea of nature-speech overwhelming people firmly developed. This is by far one of my favorite concepts in the Books of Bayern, because it makes such a strong counterpoint to characters' powerful abilities and it changes their motivations so thoroughly. Magic in this world is a weight to carry as well as a source of power, and using it has significant costs and consequences, and I love that. I also love the differences between the elements and how they affect people - fire is too eager, air too busy, water so relaxed and malleable that it draws those who speak its language to join it. They're all distinct threats, and all dangerous in different ways.
As far as characters in this book go - I'm still apathetic towards Finn; I love Dasha completely; Enna is amazing, wavering between fear of doing the wrong thing and wanting to defend those she cares for. Razo's arc I found very compelling, though some of it did feel more told than shown - in particular, he's picked out for his ability to notice details; as the book is written in third person focused on his POV, seeing those small nuances from his view would have made sense and cemented that bit of characterization. (view spoiler)[(I was also slightly annoyed that he underwent a convenient growth spurt to match his interior growth - it just felt a bit too neat.) (hide spoiler)]
The more I reread this series, though, the more it stands out to me that all of the books have very similar romantic B-plots. Not that I don't like this book's romance - I do - but after reading three very similar romances in a row I find them a bit dry. There's also some convenient pairing up of secondary characters that made me feel acutely aware of the complete and utter lack of non-heterosexual romances in the series. Seriously, in addition to this book's main duo there are two other couples who get together in the course of this book - something about it felt overwhelming to me. Having come across Hale's explanation of why there are no queer romances in her books, which is less than satisfactory at best, it bothers me all the more. It just feels like... defaulting.
Forest Born - the one book without a romance plot - is up next, so maybe that'll go better....more
I'm of a mixed mind about this book, on reread: on the one hand, I love the complex morality of Enna's story and the questions it raises about will anI'm of a mixed mind about this book, on reread: on the one hand, I love the complex morality of Enna's story and the questions it raises about will and blame. On the other, this book felt like it underlined the weaknesses in Shannon Hale's prose that had bothered me a bit in The Goose Girl, and now they're harder to ignore. In particular, the pacing in this book was erratic and confusing - partly because Enna spent much of it sick and out of commission, but partly because the book would skate over weeks in a single sentence in the middle of a paragraph, and I found myself having to reread entire pages to figure out when time passed.
As far as characters go, I think I'm in the minority in finding Finn kind of bland. Much like Geric, he doesn't really have a function in the story other than his feelings for/relationship with Enna, and he doesn't get a whole lot of characterization other than that. Again, I found myself much more invested in Enna and Isi's relationship (and wishing, even though I knew it wouldn't happen, that they'd get together). Their bond is much more shown than told, whereas Enna's feelings for Finn or Isi's for Geric are communicated by the narrative rather than by actions.
Enna as a protagonist is fascinating, because her story here is mostly one of falling to her own flaws and then trying desperately to dig herself out. One of the things I love about this story is the way Enna's friends are completely, unwaveringly loyal to her, and that they believe wholeheartedly in her value as a person and her lack of bad intent. As someone who deals with depression, one of my constant insecurities is that my friends will abandon me, so seeing that positive response in a fictional setting is reassuring. As for the morality of Enna's actions - she makes mistakes, certainly, but so does everyone, and she does whatever she can to fight back or atone for damage when she causes it, so in my opinion at least it's a net positive.
One final note: I really, really like the way this book cast a more nuanced perspective on the magic we were introduced to in The Goose Girl. Personally I think magic with costs is much more interesting than magic without, and the way Hale handled it here was excellent....more
This series continues to be great, enjoyable light reading; lots of fun action, witty characters, an engaging and entertaining plot. I love Raine - I This series continues to be great, enjoyable light reading; lots of fun action, witty characters, an engaging and entertaining plot. I love Raine - I love everyone, really, but Raine's frankness and courage endear her to me in particular. (Though I do hope that Sora the professor-slash-demon-hunter shows up again in the series - she was awesome.)
The love triangle drama continues to be handled extraordinarily well and maturely by both author and characters. At this point, I'm very cautiously rooting for them to end up in a stable polyamorous triad - it's unlikely, but there's framework for it established here and it would be a really fantastic way to resolve everything.
To Shearin's credit, though, the romantic plotline is a very small part of the book, and Raine has numerous other healthy, important relationships in her life. Honestly, for all that the setting is kind of inherently ridiculous, she's one of the most real-feeling protagonists I've found in fantasy. She's very well-grounded, and that makes her likeable and easy to root for, as well as fun.
I've got the fourth book on my shelf, but I'm honestly not sure when I'll get my hands on five and six - not that I mind re-reading the earlier volumes if it takes too long!...more
The first time I read and reviewed this book three years ago, I focused on the love triangle. On reread I still appreciate it as an aspect of the narrThe first time I read and reviewed this book three years ago, I focused on the love triangle. On reread I still appreciate it as an aspect of the narrative - Raine's relationships with Tam and Mychael are interesting but don't take over the plot, and that makes me much more amenable to them as part of the plot - but in my opinion Raine is still the most outstanding part of the book.
It's just absolutely delightful to see someone who's caught up in incredible events who remains so level-headed. Raine is indisputably heroic, but in a pragmatic, no-nonsense way. Aside from her unusual family background, she feels very much like an ordinary person who's just trying to get out of this extraordinary (and terrifying) narrative she's been caught up in. The thing is that it's done in such a way that it doesn't cast her as a reluctant hero who's constantly ducking the call to adventure, which can be frustrating; it feels more like she's very genre-savvy.
One of the things that makes this series such a brisk, refreshing read is that there's really no melodrama. There are melodramatic individuals, but our protagonists and the plot they advance are straightforward. The series is adventure fiction, basically, with a high fantasy setting and without the sexism and racism of the genre in decades past. It's not heavy on substance, but it is heavy on entertainment, and sometimes that's what you want.
Favorite quote from this one:
"You wearing a thigh sheath?" I linked my arm through Mychael's. "Now what would be the sense of wearing just one? I have two thighs."
Okay, let's get one thing straight: this is not the book/series to reach for if you want something deep and thought-provoking. That's not its purpose,Okay, let's get one thing straight: this is not the book/series to reach for if you want something deep and thought-provoking. That's not its purpose, and there's nothing wrong with that, but I thought we should be clear before moving on.
What this book is is fun. Really fun, in a 'classic fantasy tropes written so solidly you don't care they're tropes' kind of way. Really, the setup here is fairly standard - elves, humans, goblins; everyone's hot and compatible and there's an ancient species rivalry - and honestly the plot isn't exactly groundbreaking, but that's really all part of the book's charm. It doesn't feel like a satire, precisely, but I get the sense that it's supposed to be playing on the fact that the reader knows how all this background stuff should work.
Really, the star of the show here is Raine Benares herself, who absolutely shines. She's a wisecracking elven minor sorceress and from page one it's clear that her primary objectives are 'return to normality' and 'protect friends/family'. One of the first qualities that endeared her to me was the fact that she doesn't want to play a part in a grander story - she's offered power multiple times, always at a cost, and never really has to think about it before refusing. There's something refreshing about a protagonist so comfortable in her principles that she doesn't even angst over the possibilities and the risks. She's also incredibly straightforward about her reactions to the situations she ends up in: "When this is over I'm going to treat myself to a screaming fit. I deserve it, and I'm going to have one."
(it doesn't hurt that her dialogue is hilarious, either - "pointy steel objects that go stab in the night" is my favorite quote from this one.)
I don't know if I'm articulating this very clearly; I just find Raine incredibly refreshing. She's not hugely complex, and that's actually an advantage here; her blunt honesty and absolute convictions run up against the machinations of the antagonists in interesting ways, and above all she's really sympathetic and likable, which is what matters most. (she also gets interesting character growth in the next two books, but that's neither here nor there for this review.)
So yeah - if you're looking for something light, fun, and competently written, I recommend this. ...more
If you asked me to pick a single favorite Redwall book, I'd probably splutter at you a lot and then mutter 'Mariel, if I have to pick just one'; but iIf you asked me to pick a single favorite Redwall book, I'd probably splutter at you a lot and then mutter 'Mariel, if I have to pick just one'; but if you asked me for a list of my top 5, Mossflower would definitely be on it. Early on, before I'd read the rest of the series, it was far-and-away my favorite - for the interwoven quest and siege plots (two of my favorite fantasy structures, tropey as they can be, likely because of Redwall books), for the humor, and for the absolutely glorious takedown at the end. It's just a damn fun read.
One of, if not the, most memorable objects in the Redwall series is Martin's sword, and one of the things I love most about the books is their consistent emphasis on what the sword is and what it means. Nowhere is that more clearly laid out than in this book, wherein the sword is reforged by Boar the Fighter with the warning that "a sword is a force for good only in the paws of an honest warrior". The Redwall series does an excellent job of balancing both the mystical aura it affords to the sword and the message that the sword itself isn't inherently special; and for a series which rests squarely in line with so many fantasy tropes, emphasizing the importance of personal morality above object-linked magic is really important.
Last thing: as with all Redwall books, I strongly recommend the full-cast audio version of Mossflower. It's even more fun when you can hear it come to life....more
I'll admit it: I'm an instant gratification kind of person, and as such e-libraries are perfect for me. Two days ago I got the urge to reread the BookI'll admit it: I'm an instant gratification kind of person, and as such e-libraries are perfect for me. Two days ago I got the urge to reread the Books of Bayern series, and within five minutes I had The Goose Girl downloaded to my Kindle and could start reading that very night. Magical.
It's been... oh, at least four or five years since I last read this series, but very little about my opinions of them have changed on re-read. I still love Shannon Hale's deft, straightforward writing style, and her characters are fabulous. The one thing that's changed in the interval is that this time around I realized I would much rather have seen Ani and Enna as a couple than Ani and Geric, but that says more about me than it does about the book. (view spoiler)[but seriously. they'd be really cute. (hide spoiler)]
One of the things that has made me loyal to Hale as an author is the strength and complexity of her female leads. Ani is a spectacular example of that; her character growth in this book is fantastic, and the way Hale used her magic system to feed into it is even more so. Her growth in confidence feeds directly into her magical abilities, and both aspects are treated as things that were within her all along. Her path to overcoming her insecurities is about accepting what she can't do and honing what she can, and realizing that though she's different from Selia that does not make her less powerful or less valuable.
Shannon Hale writes the kind of magical, compelling, fairytale retellings I think we need more of. (speaking of which - psst, Hollywood, this would make a great movie)...more
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