Critique

At first, I didn’t know what to expect from this book. It had gotten mixed reviews for various reasons, especially the ways Kennedy composes sentence structure. However, long, sometimes confusing sentences aside, I feel like the critics were wrong on this one. It’s a wonderfully imaginative book the likes of which we haven’t seen since The Phantom Tollbooth, and in many ways reminds me of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Kennedy not only creates a totally unique world and landscape, but does an excellent job of defining the rules of this world, and describing how everything looks so that you can imagine along with him. My biggest gripe, often, with alternate world fantasy is that the description isn’t enough to really imagine what’s happening.

The characters are endearing, and original in their own right. The Odd Fish are exactly what you think they would be, terribly odd. Odd in everything, in fact, including their topic of study, the way they talk to each other and dress, the house they live in, and even the servants are all giant cockroaches who act like pretentious British butlers. I recommend this to all readers 10+.

Critique

I was thoroughly excited to read this book, just based off of the name and the cover, and although, I would generally not recommend judging a book by its cover, this book proved to be wonderful. The premise is already charming, that there would be need for a governess to oversee children who happen to be raised by wolves. Beyond that, it’s every bit fun that you would expect.

The children adapt and learn quickly, but Wood makes them consistent to their wolfly roots, throwing in squirrel chases and conversations with housedogs. They seem like believable characters, as believable as children raised by wolves can be, I suppose, and all of the other main characters in the story are just as ridiculous but lovable, as any good historical satire of Victorian society would be.

Wood’s writing style reminds me of the dry wit of Roald Dahl, and it’s about time that we had books in that style again. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series as it comes out, and I recommend this to readers 9+, focusing more on 9-12.

Critique

Of the three books so far in the series, this is the one that I have enjoyed the most. The previous two largely take place in the dismal underground worlds controlled by the Styx, but Freefall is a subterranean area completely untouched by these evil humans. Thus, the general mood from the characters feels lighter, and the spirit of adventure is stronger.

(Spoiler alert!) My favorite part, though would have to be once they get to the very center in which is contained a second sun. I couldn’t quite grasp what that would look like as described in the ancient maps that Dr. Burrows references throughout the first and second books, but it makes a lot more sense as the authors describe it. It literally is a sun that formed inside of the earth, and, as such, there is another, smaller world there that is similar to the one we inhabit on the surface.

I didn’t think that anyone could recreate a center of the world fantasy with any originality since Vern’s pretty much covers it, but I think Williams and Gordon have done an excellent job of reopening our imaginations to what may lie beneath our feet. I recommend this fun, entertaining read to readers 12+.

The other books in this series so far are Tunnels (book 1), Deeper (book 2), and Closer (book 4) which has not yet been released.

Critique

Not knowing exactly what to expect in a prequel, I was pleasantly surprised by Fire. Cashore does an excellent job of creating what feels like a very believable world and setting the rules to that world in a tangible way. Ultimately, the best fantasy tells a good story, like any book, and this is a good story. Fire, the main character, is three-dimensional and carries a lot of depth and complexity in her character and conveys a strong arc throughout her journey.

The rest of the elements are also good. There are multiple layers of conflict and subtle plots and themes that weave throughout the larger more obvious ones in a way that makes the story rich. Unlike many of the books in this class, which lack foundation and rely too heavily on fantasy tropes and fast-paced action rather than any level of development, Fire is a tale that speaks to its readers with maturity on topics like self-image and personal responsibility and carries the weight of a story that offers multiple interpretations. I recommend this to all readers 15+.

The other companion novel in this series so far is Graceling (book 1).

Critique

This is a really fun book. Certainly not life changing by any means, but it has all the necessary elements that make up a great spy thriller – action, secret espionage, special technology, likeable heroes, fast-pacing, secret religious societies, a great good versus a terrible evil, pending world destruction, and hints at romance (or just romance in general). The cast of characters is perfect as well, and although they’re a bit stereotypical, it works well for a book like this.

To be honest, this is the first sci-fi/fantasy spy book that I’ve read in a while that I really loved. Not that I’m generally into them, but it could rank among the Dan Brown’s and James Patterson’s, but with a more YA feel. I recommend this to everyone looking for a fun, fast read.

Critique

Kathleen Duey has once again given us one of the darkest books that I’ve ever read in the realm of young adult literature. At some level, I actually mean that as a compliment. There’s a reason Skin Hunger won the awards it did, because it’s brave and complex, and doesn’t just succumb to the typical fantasy tropes that so many bad fantasy writers rely on to make their stories interesting. She writes with a depth that very few fantasy writers are able to accomplish.

For Sacred Scars specifically, I personally liked it a little less than the first. Part of that may be that I’ve already gotten used to what made the first book so unique, but I think it’s mostly that I honestly have a difficult time reading a book that’s so dark and full of minute-to-minute cheek-biting drama. It’s actually kind of exhausting. Not that I mind there being a third on its way, but I was kind of hoping this was a duo instead of a trio because I’m so mired into the story that I want it to end for the sake of my own sanity (of sorts. Certainly it’s not quite that dramatic).

Altogether, another brilliant book from Duey, whose ability to expose the darkness of the human psyche is almost unnerving. I recommend this to older readers looking for something more than the run of the mill fantasy book (or book in general).

The other book in this trilogy so far is Skin Hunger (book 1).

Critique

Steampunk is on the rise, or shall we say, gathering steam? This recent novel by Westerfeld is a perfect example of the kind of possibilities open to this new fantasy genre, and I, for one, am very excited at the prospects before us. Personally, I’m growing a bit tired of wizards, dragons, fairies/elves and vampires, as it seems that almost all of the recent fantasy novels fall into one of those four categories, the only exception being the novels written by Garth Nix, Kate Constable, Elizabeth Knox, or Kristen Cashore.

Steampunk, and its sister Madcap (which is more like Victorian fantasy/sci-fi in the same way that Steampunk is Industrial and Scientific Revolution fantasy/sci fi) are widespread enough at this point, as a fantasy genre that there are several people picking up their brushes, instruments, tools, and pens to create Steampunk art in their own artistic field.

For the young adult literature discipline, Leviathan is likely to be an early industry standard for others to follow much like Lord of the Rings is for elf/dwarf fantasy, Interview with the Vampire is for vampire mythology (not including of course Dracula), and Pern is for dragons—yes, it’s that good.

What makes Westerfeld such a talented writer in the fantasy genre is that he’s not solely reliant on the fast-paced action and fantasy tropes that so many in this genre have a tendency to fall into. He integrates all of the elements that make up a good story—social commentary regarding politics, nationalism, gender equality, and the general social unrest caused by scientific advancement, specifically as it pertains to biogenetics and cloning, as well as three-dimensional characters and an overall depth to the story because of the many layers of internal and external conflict encountered by the characters. Even as an alternate version of the history, many of the same elements that caused World War I are explored throughout the text.

My only criticism is that I wish it were a self-contained one off rather than a series, but I suppose I may change my tune when I see the second book. I recommend this to all readers 12+.

Critique

Attention – this review contains spoilers. Typically, I don’t give away the surprises throughout the story, but I have to for this review. If you want things to be a surprise, which I recommend, don’t read this review and read the book based off of my recommendation.

The Maze Runner was exactly what I was hoping it would be. The world that Dashner has created is the perfect type of dystopian society that science fiction books are typically known for. However, what makes it particularly unique, is that this dystopian world is a world within a world.

The world that Thomas wakes up in with his memory lost is a Lord of the Flies type of scenario. The maze world is populated only by teenage boys, and each has particular tasks that they’re in charge of performing in order to make sure that their little world can continue working. The other world is the outside world, that some of them seem to have some faint memories of, and when they go through the Changing, they remember that their world is not a world worth going back to. However, they still hold out hope that there must be something better than what they have now, and so they attempt to solve the maze

What Dashner has cleverly done to avoid the boys fighting amongst each other is given them something to hope for, something to work toward. They channel all of their respective energies into solving the maze and finding freedom rather than fighting against each other. In that way, it’s unique from Lord of the Flies or many of the other dystopian science fiction novels.

There is a good balance between the death of the boys, and the difficult situation they’ve found themselves in, and the hope they retain for discovering freedom, coupled with their intelligent pursuit of that goal. They crack codes, which is an interesting discovery process as well for the reader.

Lastly, the ending is perfect for the way the setting and plot slowly reveals itself to the reader throughout the novel. You don’t know any more than the characters do themselves, and that’s part of the adventure. In addition, the fake murder of the scientists, and the false hope they’ve placed these characters within yet again makes for a tantalizing next novel. Often with follow up books, they are rarely as good as the first because everything has already been revealed, and there is no mystery. I recommend this book to all readers 13+.

Critique

To be honest, I was expecting this to be another poorly written fantasy/romance about a teen girl with powers or who has fallen in love with a boy who has powers and is conflicted between having a normal life and pursuing love at the cost of leaving her previous life behind—the reluctant and conflicted main character…or even worse, narrator, and the highly predictable ending. I know that there are plenty of readers who long for exactly that kind of crap…I mean book…but not me.

All of that said, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Cashore’s debut novel is not that kind of novel at all, but is, instead, the story of a complex character, told in 1st person narrative about the inner struggle between our inner animal and violent instincts and our desire to be civilized and human, or rather, humane. It’s also an interesting commentary on the concept of meekness, which, in truth is not weakness but actually restrained strength. Katsa has to struggle with the ideology that just because one has the power to kill and maim, doesn’t mean that one should.

This applies as well to her thoughts regarding kings, that they should be for the people, not just men who abuse their state in life. Also, there is a parallel between Katsa’s Grace and her ability to tame it, and King Leck’s Grace and his malicious abuse of it that juxtaposes the two sides to the philosophy.

Lastly, Cashore ended the novel in the perfect place, rather than a quick drop from the pinnacle of the climax, where Katsa kills King Leck. She resolves some of the open elements left in the book and continues to create interesting developments with the characters. I recommend this to all readers 15+.

The other companion novel in this series so far is Fire (book 2).

Critique

All to often with fantasy books written within the past 20 years or so, it’s just a rehashing of the exact same ideas and same fantasy tropes and mythological creatures. Child of promise has special powers that enable him or her to take on the great evil presence that has oppressed the entire world. Throw in some elves, dwarves, dragons, vampires, etc and you’ve got yourself a story.

In many respects, that was what I was expecting out of Fablehaven. Even just the name makes it seem like we’re in for the exact same sort of plot structure and fantasy world. However, even though Mull hasn’t created any sort of new fantasy or mythological creatures, his take on how the world has come to be and the rules that have been placed onto it are refreshingly new.

Also, Mull is a good enough writer that he doesn’t just rely on the typical fantasy plot or limited growth in main characters, but instead creates characters who are complex and through their personalities cause many of the issues that they then need to resolve. The story is more about discovery and personal growth, understanding boundaries and the consequences of breaking those boundaries than it is about mythical creatures.

Not quite a rival for a Rowling world, Fablehaven is still engaging, and will captivate readers in a unique way. I recommend this series to readers 10-14.

So far, the other books in the Fablehaven series are Rise of the Evening Star (book 2), Grip of the Shadow Plague (book 3), Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (book 4), and Keys to the Demon Prison (book 5).