MAGIC STUDY

Review of MAGIC STUDY by MARIA V. SNYDER

(second in the STUDY trilogy)

After being banished from her homeland (kind of; we’ll get to that) for having magical powers, Yelena sets off to learn how to control her magic before it takes control of her. Along the way, she reunites with her birth family. Kidnapped as a young girl and raised in another country, Yelena had her early memories magically erased by her kidnapper. So this overjoyed, welcoming family nevertheless feels composed of strangers. Not to mention that her brother hardly seems pleased about her return, going so far as to accuse her of impersonating his long lost sister. Then someone starts preying on young girls in a way all too familiar to Yelena. Her past experiences and particular skills make her the obvious choice for tracking down this sociopath, but she’s far from ready for a challenge of this magnitude.

Snyder does an incredible job “filling” every corner of her story. Many books lag in the middle, and many trilogies have an entire middle book less interesting than the first and last books. Not Snyder. From the every day details of Yelena’s lifestyle to her developing relationships to the higher action and drama, Snyder makes every page worth reading.

This trilogy may be one of the few cases where I actually like the books more upon a second read. From my first read, I recall enjoying the series with some harsh criticisms, but upon a second read those criticisms seem much exaggerated in my memory. I’ve written about how expectations affect our final opinion and in this case I suppose knowing already what I consider the book’s drawbacks allowed me to simply enjoy the story to the fullest. And with a weaving, layered plot lush with interesting characters, there’s plenty to enjoy.

My main remaining criticism is that Yelena presents as a typical Mary Sue trope. Power beyond what anyone knew possible. Defies traditional rules, without the traditional consequences. Perfect in many people’s eyes, either the love of their life or the greatest friend they ever expect to have. Pursued by multiple of this world’s most intriguing bachelors. Detested by the villains to the point of single-minded obsession. As one particular example of her greater-than-thou qualities, there are several instances in the book where Yelena meets someone and has a very strong first impression of whether they are a good or bad person. Now based on the interaction alone, I as the reader cannot understand why she has this impression. However, she’s always right, eventually and at least partially. This makes me feel a little left out as the reader, because her ability to anticipate people’s true trustworthiness seems more like some all powerful magical sense than anything logical I too can detect from subtle descriptive clues.

I forgot, though, how much Snyder’s books suck me into the story. I cannot wait to re-read the last in this trilogy. I cannot recall at all how she wraps everything up, but I trust she will make every page along the way a good read.

PRINCESSES BEHAVING BADLY

Review of PRINCESSES BEHAVING BADLY: REAL STORIES FROM HISTORY - WITHOUT THE FAIRY-TALE ENDINGS by LINDA RODRIGUEZ MCROBBIE

(based on a review copy)

I love my remarkable women fiction, but how about some nonfiction? This book features not a few but dozens and dozens of incredible accounts from different points in history and around the globe of unforgettable princesses.

The stories start becoming a little repetitive but I don’t even mean that as the criticism it sounds. The similarities between the stories add to a resounding theme of brave/bold/smart/manipulative/strategic/vicious/carefree/permiscuous women. The book sorts these dynamic figures as best as possible into the following categories: warriors, usurpers, schemers, survivors, partners, floozies, and madwomen. Each chapter focuses on a specific woman, but the author nevertheless sneaks in even more stories by making brief mention of similar tales at the end of some chapters. 

I hold nonfiction authors in high regard for the amount of research required for their work, especially those who document their sources and biases well. Rodriguez McRobbie makes mention whenever accounts vary or are unclear, as well as acknowledges what comments fall under speculation.

To be honest, this book is so overflowing with badly behaved princesses, I don’t know where to start picking examples. I genuinely think every single story is worth reading. I will say I laughed aloud at several points in the section on women who pretended to be princesses, mostly unsuccessfully with some surprise success stories in the mix.

In general, this is a book full of tales of women who made their own story. Some are most definitely not stories I would want for myself, but nevertheless I enjoyed all the accounts of women defying expectations and social limits. Some use their power for good...and some don’t, but each of the many tales in here deserves its place on the page.

BRIGHT SMOKE, COLD FIRE

Review of BRIGHT SMOKE, COLD FIRE by ROSAMUND HODGE

(first in the BRIGHT SMOKE, COLD FIRE series)

In this Romeo and Juliet twist, Juliet is more of a rank or role than any one person. Through dark arts she is given the power to detect if anyone has killed a member of her family and then she will be compelled to execute that person immediately. She is raised for this specific purpose, trained and groomed for it. Her mind will also be linked with another’s and this person, known as her Guardian, granted the power to command her against her will. Through this shared mental connection, the Guardian can both protect and control the Juliet.

On paper, this book shouldn’t work for me but it did. It has too many aspects that, thematically speaking, I generally dislike. Though an ardent Shakespeare fan, I consider Romeo and Juliet one of my least favorites, much overhyped and greatly misunderstood, and I usually dislike any twists on this play, especially when they underplay the family feud element. Along those lines I grow frustrated with stories too fixated on romance alone, especially if I don’t care much for the specific romance in the first place and it’s the centerpiece. Last, the dark arts I mentioned in this book involve a lot of necromancy and 9 times out of 10 if it has anything undead in it I don’t enjoy the story.

So why did this story work for me? Probably because it breaks the overdone tropes of these themes. The Juliet and Romeo do fall in love, but that takes place off stage and more as a precursor to our main story. In fact, this Romeo and Juliet twist is shockingly slim on the romance emphasis, much to my personal satisfaction. Instead Romeo and the Juliet find themselves each stuck cooperating with a once rival. The enemy of my enemy is my friend and all that, which does, of course, play up the feud and the ripple effect it has in this community. Last, for me at least, the undead in this book simply felt like tools for telling a good story rather than a focal point in which I can’t personally invest much.

My one complaint is that that a character is revealed to be trans and then the writing switches from using that chacter's preferred pronouns of the gender everyone assumed they are to the pronouns of the gender in which the character was born. Courtesy is to use a person's preferred pronouns rather than projecting how you see them onto them and I like seeing that reflected in modern fiction, too. 

I did not know this is the first in a series and fortunately happened to run into the author at a conference who warned me of as much when I mentioned I was almost done with her book. However, this is one of those cases where I find myself pleased the story isn’t wrapping up yet, because there’s so much left to explore within the world, the characters, the plot. Sign me up for the next journey!

Favorite Books Read in 2017

For those who have been following my blog throughout the year, the books on this list won’t come as a surprise. I write long reviews, though, so below you can find much shorter descriptions of my favorite books from 2017. All the books I reviewed are linked to the original post.

Note that these are books I read in 2017, not necessarily books published in 2017.

1.     FUSE by JULIANNA BAGGOTT

The second book in the PURE trilogy picks up with Partridge finally outside the Dome that has sheltered him and the other elite from the post-apocalyptic world they abandoned. The cast of intriguing characters in this series make it stand out in a market brimming with post-apocalyptic novels.

2.     THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST by HOLLY BLACK

Hazel and her brother Ben grew up in a creepy, mysterious town that sits right at the edge of fey territory. They spent their childhood hunting down some of these vicious creatures and daydreaming about the fey prince trapped in an eternal slumber in the middle of the woods. When the prince wakes and the fey turn more violent and unpredictable, Hazel and Ben go on another dangerous adventure.

3.     ABARAT by CLIVE BARKER

This over-the-top-weird fantasy book is an acquired taste for sure, but if it appeals to your palate it’s sure to be a lifelong favorite. Candy detests her small town life until the day a sea sweeps into a field and carries her off to a magical world where each bizarre island represents a different hour of the day. Did I mention this book is weird?

4.     TEXAS GOTHIC by ROSEMARY CLEMENT-MOORE

“The goat was in the tree again.” Thus opens a hilarious and heart-warming ghost story more in the vein of Brigit Jones than the darker, grimmer tales from the horror genre. Strong willed farm-girl Amy investigates a possible haunting while verbally sparring with the skeptical (though admittedly sexy) guy-next-door.

5.     COURT OF FIVES by KATE ELLIOTT

In a world ruled by class and privilege all Jessamy wants is to compete in her society’s popular obstacle course known as the Fives, but doing so could undermine everything for which her father has worked so hard.

6.     NOBODY’S PRIZE by ESTHER FRIESNER

Helen returns for more adventure in this sequel. She disguises herself as a boy and sets sail on the Argo. I love Friesner’s more resourceful portrayal of this iconic figure, as a determined woman who sees herself differently than the way the world sees her.

7.     INKHEART by CORNELIA FUNKE

Though both Meggie and father adore books, her father refuses to read aloud to her. Then one night a mysterious stranger delivers a warning to her father that sets in motion an adventure beyond anything Meggie ever imagined for herself.

8.     THE CONSTANT PRINCESS by PHILIPPA GREGORY

Katherine of Aragon is often a background player in either Henry VIII’s or Anne Boleyn’s story, the first wife ousted from her position. In this gorgeously told historical novel, Gregory gives Katherine the voice she deserves, a voice of admirable determination and patience.

9.     CATSKIN by ARTEMIS GREY

When Ansel finds a strange, mute, injured girl in his parent’s barn, he takes her into his home...not realizing he’ll soon be taking her into his family and his heart as well. This heart warmer of a story is about discovering your place with your found family. 

10.  THE PRINCESS CURSE by MERRIE HASKELL

This twist on The Twelve Dancing Princesses starts along a familiar path and then swerves in exciting, unexpected directions as the author interweaves another of my favorite fairy tales. Reveka is a heroine worthy of her role, determined to find agency even in situations that seem hopeless.

11.  BOY MEETS BOY by DAVID LEVITHAN

If I trimmed down my yearly favorites to all time favorites, this one would still be on that list. The title tells you exactly what to expect and this twist on the traditional romance formula comes wrapped in an eclectic high school many readers will wish had been their high school.

12.  THE ORIGINAL GINNY MOON by BENJAMIN LUDWIG

Ginny is a foster teenager, whose rough experiences and lack of emotional support have left her with some...quirks. Her new foster parents want to do everything they can for her, but she’s so difficult to understand and possibly a danger to their own unborn baby. Ginny’s first person narration in her powerful and determined, if misguided, voice makes this a breathtaking novel.

13.  TRULY MADLY GUILTY by LIANE MORIARTY

This novel switches quickly back and forth between the present and an ill-fated barbeque that changed everything for three couples. Moriarty crafts unique, layered characters and convincing dynamics between them all. This fascinating character-centric story is a particularly great book group choice as there’s ample worthy of in-depth discussion. 

14.  THE NANNY by MELISSA NATHAN

In this cute chick lit novel, small town girl Jo takes a nanny job in London and it becomes immediately clear why previous nannies never lasted long. She’s up to the challenge, though...at least until the kids’ adult (and handsome and annoying) brother moves home into the room right next to Jo’s.

15.  SABRIEL by GARTH NIX

When Sabriel receives word that her powerful father has died, she must take his place as Abhorsen, responsible for keeping dead things dead. Her first task is to discover whatever killed her father, for anything that could do that must be a terrible threat indeed.

16.  UPROOTED by NAOMI NOVIK

This novel feels like a modern fairy tale, not exactly a retelling but pulling from familiar elements and tropes with a more feminist spin. In Agnieszka’s village a powerful magician known as the Dragon takes one young woman every ten years into his service and in return keeps the sinister Wood from spreading any farther.

17.  THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN FLORENCE: A TALE OF BOTTICELLO by ALYSSA PALOMBO

In this historical novel, we meet Palombo’s fictionalized interpretation of Simonetta Cattaneo, reputed to be Boticelli’s muse for his famous The Birth of Venus painting. These bewitching characters come alive on the page with timeless and heart-wrenching problems of seeking their true happiness.

18.  LUCY AND LINH by ALICE PUNG

Hard-working Lucy won herself a scholarship to a prestigious prep school, but finds herself fixating on memories of Linh from her old, less privileged life. Linh told things straight (if brutal) while these prep school girls craft complex, devious psychological manipulations. Delivered as though Lucy is recounting a long story to Linh, this book packs an emotional twist near the end.

19.  PAW AND ORDER by SPENCER QUINN

In the seventh Chet and Bernie mystery, private investigator Bernie takes his dog and partner in crime (solving) Chet to visit Bernie’s girlfriend. The visit turns awkward when they bump into another man leaving her place. Then that same man turns up dead and the cops suspect Bernie.

20.  BEWARE THAT GIRL by TERESA TOTEN

This novel jumps between the stories of two teenage girls: Kate, a hardened manipulator conning her way into a prestigious prep school, and Olivia, the school’s rich and glamorous queen bee who dropped away for an entire school year without any explanation. This dark psychological thriller kept me glued to the page.

21.  THE STREET OF A THOUSAND BLOSSOMS by GAIL TSUKIYAMA

Young orphans Hiroshi and Kenji are raised by their grandparents and in each brother burns a different passion. Hiroshi wants to become a sumotori while Kenji idolizes the artistic skill of local mask maker. Their life stories intertwine with those of two girls, who also suffered the loss of a parent.