Not going to rate this. I see what the author was trying to do but frankly the film, In the Company of Wolves, explored these ideas with more nuance aNot going to rate this. I see what the author was trying to do but frankly the film, In the Company of Wolves, explored these ideas with more nuance and in a more entertaining and balanced way. I guess if you're not a folklorist or haven't spent a lot of time studying biology/ zoology or thinking about cultural issues, this might be for you? Personally I wanted less sentiment and more reason....more
ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I can absolutely see why this book - why any of Blake's books - are not for everyone. She writes veARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I can absolutely see why this book - why any of Blake's books - are not for everyone. She writes very densely layered prose which is structured, beautiful and very cerebral. Instead of giving you a clear narrative in the characters' inner monologues, we are treated to a very poetical (and occasionally pretentious) look at every single doubt fear and thrill even when one thought contradicts another. In many ways, this book reminds of the difference between love songs and songs with love in them. In folk terms a love song never has a happy ending. In fact chances are there will be a tragic close. Whereas a song with love in it, might end happily but is perceived as being lighter and having less depth. This is a love song in prose format not a romance (which by genre conventions should have a HEA).
And this book is not just about two people meeting and making an unlikely couple. This is about the mess each whole person brings to a relationship; about the difference between sex and intimacy; about how need can become confused with desire or love. There's a deep spiritual element to this which does not express itself in religion because the other person is god and guess what, god can leave you. It leaves nothing to the imagination. Every mean and magnificent thought is explored in ruthless detail. Every aspect of a relationship is laid bare. Except joy, Having read almost all of Blake's books now and being newly surprised by how much I love each one, I can honestly say that she writes amazing love stories which somehow excise the simple aspect of joy from the equation. For Blake, love is burning and suffering and screwing up and being locked in as much by flaws as by perfections. It's intense and it never turns that intensity down. It's always an interesting thought experiment. The characters are always complex and interesting. And it's always cathartic and just slightly exhausting. I wasn't sure about this one initially but once again the author worked her magic an I was enthralled. I read the book in a day. ...more
I think this might be the best spin on Romeo and Juliet I've ever read. It takes several themes from the play (and some of the mischief from A MidsummI think this might be the best spin on Romeo and Juliet I've ever read. It takes several themes from the play (and some of the mischief from A Midsummer Night's Dream) and dives deep, which most attempts at a retelling don't do, focusing instead entirely on the starcrossed romance. In short you get the sense that Blaje really understood the play before she decided to mess with it, while most retellers half read it for GCSE and it went over their heads.
Not that this is merely a R&J retelling. It's very definitely its own thing as well, documenting the feud between two powerful criminal families of witches, and delving into the subjects of legacy, establishing yourself when you're 2nd gen immigrants, desire vs love and familial loyalty. It has a large cast and several sub plots tangle through the main weave. Structurally it was perfect for me - I need more than a linear plot to get excited about. I can see how readers picking this up and expecting a straight forward dark romance would be disappointed. Similarly if you don't want a book that asks you to keep up then it's probably not for you.
However, I loved every second of it. Blake writes such interesting, complex characters capable of both great and dispicable acts. Her prose is intricate and rich, more literary than genre. I've read several of her books now and I'm always newly surprised and delighted. This is in my opinion her best one so far. Highly recommend....more
Not really dark academia as it's been pitched. This was an interesting look at power plays within friendships and it went to some fairly dark places. Not really dark academia as it's been pitched. This was an interesting look at power plays within friendships and it went to some fairly dark places. I kind of liked the MC even though she was objectively an awful person. Mostly enjoyed it but something just didn't quite land for me. ...more