Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This has not influenced the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
After suffering a tragic
loss, eleven-year-old Ollie only finds solace in books. So when she
happens upon a crazed woman at the river threatening to throw a book
into the water, Ollie doesn't think--she just acts, stealing the book
and running away. As she begins to read the slender volume, Ollie
discovers a chilling story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who
both loved her, and a peculiar deal made with "the smiling man," a
sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for
the ultimate price.
Ollie is captivated by the tale until her
school trip the next day to Smoke Hollow, a local farm with a haunting
history all its own. There she stumbles upon the graves of the very
people she's been reading about. Could it be the story about the smiling
man is true? Ollie doesn't have too long to think about the answer to
that. On the way home, the school bus breaks down, sending their teacher
back to the farm for help. But the strange bus driver has some advice
for the kids left behind in his care: "Best get moving. At nightfall
they'll come for the rest of you." Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending
when Ollie's previously broken digital wristwatch, a keepsake reminder
of better times, begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying
message: RUN.
Only Ollie and two of her classmates heed the bus
driver's warning. As the trio head out into the woods--bordered by a
field of scarecrows that seem to be watching them--the bus driver has
just one final piece of advice for Ollie and her friends: "Avoid large
places. Keep to small."
And with that, a deliciously creepy and hair-raising adventure begins.
Review:
I have read several of Katherine Arden's books. They are full of beautiful imagery, strong characters, and creative stories. Small Spaces, her newest middle-grade novel, continues with these high standards. This was a fun, creepy story that younger readers will love.
What I Liked:
Setting:
An eerie little town in Autumn, a school trip to a farm (with a haunted past), a strange encounter with a woman muttering about a book. All of these work to create a sense of foreboding that is compelling and scary. Not to mention, the scarecrows...
via GIPHY
Characters:
Ollie, the main character, will be a kid others will identify with. Ollie is a girl who's mother has died. She tries to remain under the radar, as she can't stand the sympathetic tone of teachers, and her fellow students. She even lashes out against her father when he tries to tell her to move on. No one seems to truly acknowledge her right to her own feelings.
I also liked Brian and Coco, who's characters went beyond stereotypes and showed Ollie not to judge others. I liked that the novel took the time to really develop these characters and make them an important part of the story.
The Book:
Although it is not a person, the book that Ollie steals is practically a living character. We get to read portions of it as the story progresses, which gives the backstory of the farm and the "smiling man". As Ollie and her friends try to find their way, they meet various people who might be connected to the book's story. It all make for a chilling tale.
Story:
This is a creepy story, but one that is not too scary for middle-grade readers (ten and up). I will never look at scarecrows or school trips the same way again! The sense of dread permeates the story, which makes for a page-turning, exciting story. I hope you don't mind if I am being vague, but I really don't want to give away spoilers.
I will say that this is a perfect book to read as Halloween approaches. It is fun, exciting, and scary.
Rating:
Release Date: July 9th, 2019 (in paperback). Original release was September 25th, 2018
Author: Katherine Arden
Publisher: Puffin Books
Genre: Middle-grade fantasy
Page Length: 216 pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation:
This is a perfect book to read as Halloween approaches. It is fun, exciting, and scary. Middle-grade readers, and adults will love it.
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Please Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.
Synopsis (From Goodreads):
In the stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, following The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya returns to save Russia and the spirit realm, battling enemies both mortal and magic.
Review:
The Winter of The Witch, by Katherine Arden, encompasses everything I love about fantasy novels: imaginative world-building, strong characters, storytelling that uses elements of folktales, and plenty of action sequences to keep those pages turning.
What I Liked:
World-Building:
A good story begins with a rich universe. The Winter of The Witch continues to build on the world the author created in the first two books of the series. On top of the setting of medieval Russia, there many fantastical spirits such as Ded Grib (a mushroom spirit), Lady Midday (a spirit who wanders hayfields causing heatstroke), and Pozhar (a firebird).
One of the most creative aspects of this universe is when Vasya travels on The Midnight Road. This is a never-ending land of all the midnights the world has ever known, spanning locations, climates, and time itself. I loved this!!!
Themes:
One of the central themes of this series is the conflict between old and new religions. As the Christian church is rising in power, people are discouraged from offering tributes to the Chyerti (various spirits found in Russian folklore). This is causing the Chyerti to fade. But the Chyerti play a vital role in protecting those who believe in them.
Vasya believes in both Christianity and the Chyerti. Her task is to find a way to create acceptance between the two belief systems.
Fully Formed Characters:
Vasya, the main character, is a strong female who bristles against the tight constraints that women are subjected to in her society. As the series begins, Vasya's choices are to be married off to make babies, or to join a nunnery. Neither hold any appeal.
Vasya also has the "Sight". She can see Chyerti and makes regular offerings to them. In exchange, she gains protection and learns of dangers to her and her family ahead of time.
I love Vasya because she is so NOT perfect. As she is drawn into an ancient conflict between The Bear (the king of Chaos) and Morozko (the king of death), she doesn't always make the right choices. She also starts to understand that as she uses magic, the power she wields will drive her insane. Can she do what is needed to save Russia and protect her family?
There are no cartoonishly evil or saintly people in this novel.
via GIPHY
As the book progressed, I found myself having empathy for characters such as Father Konstantin (who I originally loathed), and even The Bear. Both characters do truly dispicable things, yet the author gets inside their heads to show the reader how they became who they are. To paraphrase Vasya, "I've done good things, and evil things. But I am neither." That is what makes these characters so complex.
Russian History & Folklore:
I was delighted to read at the end of the book that many of the plot points in The Winter of the Witch are drawn from actual historical events! Russian folklore is also woven into the story to include characters such as Baba Yaga, and Lady Midnight. I loved that the author shows the rich cultural traditions of Russia.
Tension:
This book is definitely a page-turner! Just when you think Vasya is out of danger, another problem pops up (she just can't get a break!). Vasya is either running for her life, fighting her way out of a corner, or fighting her urge to go mad with magical power. There is also tension of the sexual kind as Vasya tries to resist her feelings for The Winter King...
via GIPHY
What I Was Mixed About:
Lack Of A Recap:
This is a pet peeve of mine. When I read a series, I like it when there is a small recap of who the people are with a quick synopsis of what has happened earlier. I often had to work hard at the beginning of this book to remember who everyone was. That said, I would highly recommend re-reading the first two books (The Bear and the Nightingale, and The Girl in the Tower), in order to be able to fully enjoy this book.
Rating:
Release Date: January 9th, 2019
Author: Katherine Arden
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Length: 384 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A worthy finish to a wildly creative series. But read the first two books first.
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