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.

I feel very 'meh' about Oscars this year

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Not only I am not impressed by Oscars being "oh so white" but also none of the movies that I watched and liked at TIFF (with the exception of The Danish Girl) are nominated this year. I mean, in big categories. For the past few years, as a TIFF member, I had an opportunity to watch Oscars live at Bell Lightbox among other movie lovers. For free. That was the members perk.

This year they are charging everyone $100+ and I just don't feel it. I don't think it is reasonable to spend that much money for an opportunity to watch the ceremony celebrating the movies I do not care about.

(I did watch The Martian and I really enjoyed it but I feel that it is still inferior to the book AND does not really deserve an Oscar nomination. The fact that Black Mass was not nominated for the best picture is something I won't forgive the Academy. Not to mention nominations for Tom Hardy or Johnny Depo.)

I haven't seen The Revenant but I am pretty sure it will score the award as well as Leo. (Whom I have disliked for years and even though I do see his talent, I have no desire to watch the movies with him. Titanic has ruined this actor for me. *shudder*)

Seeing as I have no favourites in this race (except for, perhaps, Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, and Tom Hardy), I may not even watch it at home. This is the first time in years my excitement for Oscars is this low.

Is anyone watching it tonight?