Book review: The Darkest Part of the Forest

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I started reading this book and fell in love with the writing style immediately. I loved it so much that after reading 20 pages of a library book, I went and purchased my own copy. Because I knew that this book would become one of my favourite reads of this year.

It is a stand alone YA novel based on folklore/fairy tales.  Seeing how tightly the world of fairies is tied to the real world, I am almost tempted to call it magical realism and not fantasy.

It is the very first book I have ever read by Holly Black and, oh boy, did she exceed all of my expectations.

There is a boy and a girl, who live in a small town. There is a forest where fairies live. A girl used to slay monsters, a boy used to tame them with his magical music. There is a horned boy sleeping in a glass coffin. There is a some evil threatening to hurt everyone. And there is someone leaving obscure clues to our characters.

I am bad at summaries but the story is a whimsical action packed narration that gave me everything I could have dreamed of: a strong female lead, lost children trope, magic, one or two broken hearts, lots of monsters, and queer themes.

I wish I could write a more coherent review (the one in which I don't squee and gush and yell at people to read this book).

I am very glad that it is a stand alone novel, as the market right now seems to be oversaturated with book series, but at the same time I wish I could spend more time in the universe.

Can't really talk about the ending as it would a spoiler. But you have to read it! It is wonderful!

Personal rating: 5 stars

Books: January Wrap-Up

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Yes, I am posting a January wrap-up today, on March 1. Yes, I am quite aware of it. I ran in a bit of a "writing reviews" slump. Apologies for that. Book video is up today as well.

I listened to a lot of audiobooks in January. To the point that I have already completed my goal of 10 audiobooks for this year. XD Yes, I am an overachiever, apparently.

I posted all of the reviews (long and short) on GoodReads with the exception of two (linked below), you will have to go to GR to read my reviews. I am sorry, if it is inconvenient.

Here is the full list:

(** - means a re-read)

Print books:

  1. "The Darkest Part of the Forest" by Holly Black (my review is HERE) - 5 stars
  2. "Otherbound" by Corinne Duyvis (my review is HERE) - 4 stars

Audiobooks:

  1. "Welcome to Night Vale" by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor (started as an print book but switched to an audiobook - my review is HERE) - 4 stars
  2. "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, narrated by full cast - 4 stars
  3. "Stories for All Ages" by Oscar Wilde, narrated by Stephen Fry - 4 stars
  4. "Stephen Fry Presents a Selection of Anton Chekhov's Short Stories" - Anton Chekhov, narrated by Stephen Fry - 4 stars
  5. "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, #7)" by Conan Doyle, narrated by full cast - 4 stars
  6. "Click-Clack the Rattlebag" by Neil Gaiman, narrated by Neil Gaiman - 4 stars
  7. "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Poe - 4 stars
  8. "Shoggoth's Old Peculiar" by Neil Gaiman, narrated by Neil Gaiman - 4 stars
  9. "A Vintage Affair" by Josh Lanyon** - story 4 stars, performance 3 stars

Graphic novels:

  1. The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act (The Wicked + The Divine, #1) - 3.5 stars
  2. East of West, Vol. 4: Who Wants War? - 3 stars
  3. The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 2: Fandemonium (The Wicked + The Divine, #2) - 3.5 stars
  4. "Blankets" by Craig Thomson - 3.75 stars (review is HERE)
  5. The Sandman, Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman - 3 stars

E-Books (novels and short stories):

  1. Becoming Elite (Sin City #1) by Tricia Owens - 3 stars
  2. The Concubine Prince: Book One (The Concubine Prince, #1) by Cat Summerfield - 2 stars
  3. The Concubine Prince: Book Two (The Concubine Prince, #2) by Cat Summerfield - 2 stars
  4. The Concubine Prince: Book Three (The Concubine Prince, #3) by Cat Summerfield - 2 stars
  5. "My Dearest Holmes" by Rohase Piercy** - 4 stars
  6. "A Ghost of a Chance" by Josh Lanyon** - 4 stars
  7. "Learning from Isaac (Tarnished Souls, #1)" by Dev Bentham - 3.5 stars
  8. Spice ‘n’ Solace (Galactic Alliance #1) by K.C. Burn - 2 stars
  9. The Horse Mistress: Book 1 by R.A. Steffan - 3.75 stars
  10. "In Plain Sight" by Josh Lanyon** - 4 stars

 

Book review: "Otherbound" by Corinne Duyvis

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img_3506 "Otherbound" is, undoubtedly, a very unique novel. It is a YA fantasy novel, told from two perspectives - one is a disabled boy in our world and another is a disabled girl in a fantasy world. Whenever Nolan blinks, he is not Nolan, but Amara - a mute girl servant who has to protect the cursed princess. Because Nolan can't quite literary close his eyes even for a second, unless Amara is asleep, he is considered to be epileptic, as he is constantly sucked into a different reality.

This book has two very diverse protagonists who have to deal with a lot of hardships in their lives. They are connected in some inconceivable way, which is very disruptive for their lives. They want nothing more but to be rid of this link. But when they try to do it, something goes wrong.

I don't want to say much about the plot as I might give something away.

I liked the book although the jerky narrative sometimes made it a bit difficult for me to get into. I really tried to like Amara, but she seemed too volitive and unpredictable for me. I liked Nolan way better, and I found his perspective to be more engaging, even though I did love Amara's world and their system of magic. I disliked Nolan's parents though, even though they were trying really hard.

I can't say much about the princess as I tried liking her and failed. But the plot line surrounding her is really well done.

Overall, it was a very pleasurable read. Not something that I would like to read again, but definitely a book that deserves attention. I had a bit of an issue with the way the plot was wrapped up at the end, but I want to give the author kudos for keeping me on my toes till the very end.

Personal rating: 4 stars

Book review: Welcome to Night Vale (a novel)

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Let me start with saying that I am a fan of the podcast (even though I keep getting behind with episodes all the time). I have been to 2 live shows (The Librarian and The Investigators). I had a WTNV iPhone case designed for me by my talented friend. I even made a fan art once.

So, naturally, I got really excited about the book. I pre-ordered it and set on reading it before going to the book signing in November. Sadly, I got sick and couldn't go to the book signing, so I set the book away for some time.

When I started reading it, I was a bit confused by the narrative, which read exactly like a script of a podcast episode. The chapters were too short. I couldn't get into the reading mood, and after a couple of pages I put it back on the shelf, horrified at the fact that I am on my way to disliking the novel.

And then I read on Twitter (or, maybe, it was the podcast website) that there was an audiobook coming out.

This news confused me both by the fact that there is an audiobook of a novel based on a podcast (a weird recursion) AND that I didn't think there would be one (which in retrospect seems pretty obvious). So, of course I immediately purchased it on Audible.

I started reading the audiobook in bits - on the way to and from work, which is not really much of a commute. It was not until I went on a trip to QC when I really got into the book. Listening to WTNV novel read masterfully by Cecil on a train was the best thing possible. It allowed me to really get into the novel. I also listened to it while walking around QC and in my hotel.

I finished listening to it on my way back (I listened straight through the remaining 5 hours).  And I loved it.

I gave the plot 4 solid stars and 5 stars to Cecil for performance.

According to Audible website, the book is unabridged and narrated by Cecil Baldwin, Dylan Marron, Retta, Therese Plummer and Dan Bittner. But it is not exactly true. If you look at the audiobook cover, it states that Cecil is the narrator and others are guest stars. It is actually a big difference, as it is not a full cast audiobook. It is narrated only by Cecil.

And here is the fun part. The novel is written in third point of view, except for the chapters that are titled "The Voice of Night Vale" and are basically transcripts of the radio show (as part of the novel). Those chapters are read by Cecil Baldwin as Cecil and not the narrator (and he does a great job at this distinction) and only ONE of those chapters includes other characters and thus guest stars.

I just wanted to point it out because I expected the audiobook to be the full cast but it was not.

The plot itself involves both old and new characters with the focus on the characters that we knew nothing or very little about. It has all the wonderfully obscene and ridiculous aspects of the show. (I think Joseph Fink said on Twitter that someone "complained" about the book having only or mostly queer characters, and it is both wonderful and absolutely true! I couldn't find the exact comment, so I am citing by memory.)

Describing the plot is not an easy endeavour. It involves a 19 year old antique shop owner (who has been 19 for many years now), her estranged mother; another woman who is trying to reconnect with her teenaged son (who takes any shape he wants or likes); and a mysterious King City.

I don't think this book can be appreciated by someone who knows nothing about WTNV. You really don't need to know anything per se, but if you are not used to the style of the podcast, the book might shock or disappoint you. (My problem getting into the style of a written book was exactly that - I am too used to listening to it being narrated.) Otherwise, give it a go. Once I got the hang of the plot, which develops rather slowly and in too many directions at once, it seems, it all started working out for me.

Highly recommended for fans. I feel like listening to it again soon.

New Year Resolutions

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I'm quite aware it is February ;) I wrote those down a month ago, but never got to share them.

  • read 70 books*
  • listen to 10 audiobooks
  • see 10 theatre plays
  • watch 50 movies
  • start art journal again
  • write more
  • blog regularly (once a day)
  • take more photos and share them
  • consistently write book reviews
  • write plays/events reviews
  • take care of my health
  • start going to the gym again
  • travel to new places
  • meet new people
  • smile every day

*I set my goal at GoodReads for 70 books as well, but it is not the same. On GoodReads I keep track of both books and audiobooks, but in my journal I keep them separate. Which means that I will hit my GoodReads goal before my personal one.

I must say that my book reading challenge is going quite nicely AND I have already listened to 10 audiobooks, so that is quite encouraging :D

I also started a new art journal. I hope to keep doing that throughout the year.

I still suck at writing and posting reviews right after the events/plays/reading books. But I am working on it!

Books: December Wrap-Up

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Okay, I have dwindled my thumbs enough - time to sit down and be done with it. Here is what I read in December - not as much as in November by any account, but still enough. I was pretty busy in December and I couldn't devote a lot of time to reading, so I ended up reading a lot of ebooks, which were generally shorter.

All of the ebooks I read in December are MM romance - I posted almost all of the reviews on GoodReads, and won't repost them here.

The two paperbacks that I read are very different. Adam Silvera's novel was terrific, but Illuminae left me confused about why everyone is so obsessed with it. See my reviews linked below.

I got lucky with graphic novels that month - all of them were terrific reads.

Books:

  1. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera (my full review is here) - 5 stars
  2. Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1) by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman (my full review is here) - 3 stars

Graphic Novel/Picture Book:

  1. The Pied Piper of Hamelin (Russell Brand’s Trickster Tales, #1) by Russel Brand - 5 stars
  2. The Less than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal Volume 2: Wanderlust Kings by E.K. Weaver - 5 stars
  3. The Less Than Epic Adventures of TJ and Amal Volume 3: Ten Days of Perfect Tunes by E.K. Weaver - 5 stars
  4. Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola - 5 stars

Ebooks:

  1. Alien Christmas (The Traveler #1) by Max Walker - 3 stars
  2. Spring Mates (Pack Mates #1.5) by Lynn Tyler - 3 stars
  3. Seven Thousand Minutes: A #Not Safe For Work story (Tagged Book 0) by Ingela Bohm - 3 stars
  4. Marked (Northern Shifters #1) by Joely Skye (**) - 3.5 stars
  5. Called to Mate (Pack Mates #1) by Lynn Tyler - 3 stars
  6. Bleeding Heart (Mi Corazón Sangrante #1) by Melissa Graves - 3 stars
  7. Most Wonderful by  Hollis Shiloh - 3 stars
  8. Feral (Northern Shifters, #2) by Joely Skye (**) - 3.25 stars
  9. The Mark of an Alpha (Pack Discipline #1) by Kim Dare (**) - 3.75 stars
  10. The Strength of a Gamma (Pack Discipline #2) by Kim Dare (**) - 3.5 stars
  11. The Duty of a Beta (Pack Discipline #3) by Kim Dare (**) - 3 stars
  12. Without Reservations (With or Without #1) by J.L. Langley (**) - 4 stars
  13. With Caution (With or Without, #2) by J.L. Langley (**) - 4 stars
  14. Building Bonds (Kiss of Leather, #1) by Morticia Knight - 4 stars

(** - these books were re-reads)

Total: 2 books, 4 graphic novels, 14 ebooks (some of those were novellas, but it is hard to tell number of pages with ebooks)

I plan to make a wrap up video too. Will be posted shortly.

My Year in Books - 2015

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goodreads2015 Here is my reading year at GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2015/3155103

I started my reading challenge in July and set a goal of 20 books. But I went far and beyond and finished the year at 70 books and 18,158 pages! Wow! I do hope that 2016 will be as good! I set up the goal of 70 books since this is what I already attained once.

My bro and I have been challenging each other as to who would read more books every year. And every year during that past 7-8 years, he always won.

Well, in 2015 I finally won! For the very first time! :) Even though I came very close once or twice ;) Need to mention that he used to read way more than me (150-200 books a year) but now he has no time with his job, and I managed to beat him :)

I am excited about all the books I plan to read in 2016!

Books: Black Friday BookOutlet Haul/Unboxing

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[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wIjXsbB6vo[/embed] I know it is late December now but I am still slow with editing videos and December has been crazy.

This is an actual video, and not a stop motion this time. I am learning new tricks in iMovie ;)