Please Note: I received an advance audio copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
In a tour-de-force that
is both an homage to an immortal work of literature and a modern
masterpiece about the quest for love and family, Booker Prize-winning,
internationally bestselling author Salman Rushdie has created a dazzling
Don Quixote for the modern age.
Inspired by the Cervantes
classic, Sam DuChamp, mediocre writer of spy thrillers, creates
Quichotte, a courtly, addled salesman obsessed with television, who
falls in impossible love with a TV star. Together with his (imaginary)
son Sancho, Quichotte sets off on a picaresque quest across America to
prove worthy of her hand, gallantly braving the tragicomic perils of an
age where “Anything-Can-Happen”. Meanwhile his creator, in a midlife
crisis, has equally urgent challenges of his own.
Just as
Cervantes wrote Don Quixote to satirise the culture of his time, Rushdie
takes the reader on a wild ride through a country on the verge of moral
and spiritual collapse. And with the kind of storytelling magic that is
the hallmark of his work, the fully realised lives of DuChamp and
Quichotte intertwine in a profoundly human quest for love and a wickedly
entertaining portrait of an age in which fact is so often indiscernible
from fiction.
Review:
When I think of Salman Rushdie's writing, words such as sweeping and epic already come to mind. Is it no surprise that his latest work, Quichotte, is loosely based on Don Quixote? With Cervantes' classic as a canvas, Rushdie brings together magical realism, pop culture, politics, and the opioid crisis to paint a picture of the ultimate road trip. With a variety of unusual characters, and a layered story, the author puts forth themes of isolation, regret, and our inherent need to connect with others. Prepare yourself for an exciting ride.
What I Liked:
Narrator:
The narrator, Vikas Adam, does a wonderful job voicing all the characters. Whether it's the jaded author Sam, the slightly manic Quichotte, or the contemptuous Sancho, each character is distinct. This makes for a highly entertaining listening experience.
Story Structure:
The structure of the tale, a novel within a larger narrative, is complicated. It takes a while for the reader to catch on that some of the story is the novel that Sam is writing. But this layering helps us to accept the magical realism aspects of the book. We come to care about both stories equally.
Characters:
The main character in the novel, Quichotte, is a dreamer. Working as a traveling salesman for his cousin, his life revolves around staying in cheap hotel rooms and watching reality television. He becomes obsessed with a beautiful talk-show host (who reminds me once again of Rushdie's ex-wife Padma Lakshmi), and begins writing her increasingly romantic, stalker-like letters. This is a commentary of how delusional some men are about how their behavior should be received by women. They simply refuse to acknowledge that they are doing anything wrong.
Sam, the author, has a lifetime of regrets over a rift with his sister, who is dying of cancer. It is very moving that he looks back on his life and can see how small decisions actually add up to make a huge impact on his relationships.
Story:
I loved both the reality-based story and the novel Sam is writing. Sam's story is compelling because his reflections are so heart-wrenching.
Quichotte's journey is far more fantastical. He literally creates a son, meets people who turn into giant woolly mammoth, and deals with the end of the world. On top of this, his cousin, a pharmaceutical tycoon, is really running an elaborate opioid drug ring. All of the seemingly disparate points come together for the ultimate strange American road-trip.
Themes:
The book uses many different references to myths and novels to comment on how Americans use celebrity obsession, consumerism, and pharmaceuticals to distract themselves from reality. There is Sancho, a Pinocchio-like character who bitterly knows he's not real. His quest to become a real boy is punctuated with conversations with a talking cricket, and a blue fairy. Quichotte's own quest is often likened to Ahab seeking the white whale, always wanting things he can't have.
This is a book that was nominated for the 2019 Booker prize. It lost to two novels, The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood, and Girl, Woman, Other, by Bernadine Evaristo. I have read (and will review) The Testaments. While I also enjoyed that book, I think Quichotte is certainly more timely for today's culture. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Release Date: September 3rd, 2019
Author: Salman Rushdie
Audio Publisher: Random House Audio
Audio Length: 16 hours, 3 min
Narrator: Vikas Adam
Print Publisher: Random House
Page Length: 396 pages
Source: Random House Audio
Format: Audio Book
Recommendation: This is a highly entertaining book that speaks to how Americans use pop culture, and drugs to distract them from harsh reality.
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Please Note: I received an advance audio copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
It is twenty years since the events of La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust Volume One unfolded and saw the baby Lyra Belacqua begin her life-changing journey.
It
is seven years since readers left Lyra and the love of her young life,
Will Parry, on a park bench in Oxford's Botanic Gardens at the end of
the ground-breaking, bestselling His Dark Materials sequence.
Now, in The Secret Commonwealth, we meet Lyra Silvertongue. And she is no longer a child . . .
The
second volume of Sir Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust sees Lyra, now
twenty years old, and her daemon Pantalaimon, forced to navigate their
relationship in a way they could never have imagined, and drawn into the
complex and dangerous factions of a world that they had no idea
existed.
Pulled along on his own journey too is Malcolm; once a
boy with a boat and a mission to save a baby from the flood, now a man
with a strong sense of duty and a desire to do what is right.
Theirs
is a world at once familiar and extraordinary, and they must travel far
beyond the edges of Oxford, across Europe and into Asia, in search for
what is lost - a city haunted by daemons, a secret at the heart of a
desert, and the mystery of the elusive Dust.
Review:
Phillip Pullman has dedicated his career to the fascinating world of people with talking daemon animals, beginning with The Golden Compass. Each novel adds more layers to this amazing world. With his newest book in The Book of Dust trilogy, The Secret Commonwealth, brings us up to date on beloved characters such as Lyra, Pantalaimon and Malcolm, and takes them on an adventure that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
What I Liked:
Narration:
Michael Sheen is, in my opinion, the most accomplished narrator working today. He fully acts out each piece of dialogue giving every character their own unique voice. Finding the most dramatic moments and conveying that excitement to the listener is what makes Sheen a master storyteller.
Setting:
The book takes us back into the alternate reality world of Phillip Pullman's Dark Materials. People have daemons (who are like one's inner conscience), each in the shape of an animal. They can speak to each other and are a crucial aspect of each person.
The setting is timeless with no internet or cell phones. The Magisterium, an oppressive organization who seek to control every aspect of life, is searching for Lyra. There are political plots and maneuverings which make this book feel like a spy novel. I loved all the adventure and danger.
Characters:
It's been eight years since the events in The Amber Spyglass. Lyra is now a young college student of twenty. Although college is going well, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, are having a difficult time. The argue constantly about matters big and small. Pan is worried that Lyra is being too influenced by a philosopher who stresses reason rather than spirituality.
Malcolm was eleven years old in The Book of Dust, where he helped save Lyra. It is wonderful to see how Malcolm has grown into a formidable secret agent.
Story:
The story has several aspects. There is the intimate story of Lyra and Pan's relationship. This is a powerful look at the balance between logic and faith. Then there is a larger narrative about oppressive governments. When the Magisterium starts to consolidate power, civil rights are stripped away, causing bravery in some and emboldening others to take advantage and seize power.
Adventure:
There is plenty of adventure and danger as Lyra hides from the Magisterium, and looks for something she has lost. The excitement made me binge on the audiobook. I could not stop listening.
What I Was Mixed About:
I have two small issues with this novel.
Violent Scene:
One is that there is an extremely violent scene that was shocking. If you have triggers for sexual assault, be warned.
Cliffhanger:
The other issue I have with this book is that, much like the endings of some of his other books, The Secret Commonwealth ends on a massive cliffhanger. While cliffhangers are fine, I want at least some of the issues in a book to be resolved. This book ends almost in the middle of a scene! I can't wait over a year for a resolution. Totally unfair to the reader!
Rating:
Release Date: October 3rd, 2019
Genre: Magical Realism
Author: Phillip Pullman
Print Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Page Length: 784 Pages
Audio Publisher: Listening Library
Audio Length: 19 hours, 44 minutes
Narrator: Michael Sheen
Source: Listening Library
Review Format: Audiobook
Recommendation: This is a situation where I think the audiobook experience adds so much to the novel that you MUST listen to this book!
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Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.
She
(plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where
Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted
cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower,
but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy
underground Catacombs.
When Cass accidentally awakens a
frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills
as a ghosthunter -- and turn to friends both old and new to help her
unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only
growing stronger.
And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever.
Review:
It might seem strange for a grown woman to be excited for a middle grade novel. But Victoria Schwab's Cassidy Blake series is truly wonderful. It has just the right mix of thrills and spooky fun (along with a surprising amount of serious angst about how brief life can be) that readers of all ages will enjoy this page-turner.
What I Liked:
Setting:
Who doesn't like a ghost story set in Paris? Cassidy's parents are ghosthunters who are filming a television series in various locations around the world! The last book, City of Bones, was set in Edinburgh, Scotland. So it is only fitting that this book is set in a city as famous for its cemeteries and catacombs, as it is for the Eiffel Tower.
I loved how the author used various locations around the city to weave in different ghost stories. This created an atmosphere of excitement... and dread.
Characters:
Cassidy is a twelve-year old girl who can see ghosts. While her parents are ghosthunters, it's really all for show. They don't seem to actually believe in spirits. So Cassidy cannot confide in them that ever since she had a near death experience, she can see and hear ghosts. Even her best friend, Jacob is one.
Throughout the novel, Cassidy has to tow a fine line between lying to her parents and maintaining a loving relationship with them. I liked that so much. She really does love and respect them. I think she only wishes that she knew for sure that if she opened up to them about her abilities that she would be believed.
Jacob (the ghost) is also a very poignant character. He is often sarcastic and snarky, almost like Cassidy's inner voice. But he is also clinging to the last of his humanity. He really doesn't want to "move on". One can tell that he just doesn't want to believe that his life, which had only just begun, is suddenly over. This heart-breaking sentiment is what elevates this book to so much more than a "cute" middle-grade novel.
Story:
The story begins in Paris where Cassidy finds a powerful ghost (a poltergeist) has been stirred up by her presence. This spirit has the very real possibility of hurting not only Cassidy, but her parents as well. But in order for her to help send the ghost on its way, she has to find out he was so she can help him remember.
This was a fun puzzle for the reader. With only small clues to go by, Cassidy must discover the life (and death) of this person. Along the way, she has help from her friend (via text), and different Parisians. I loved how she overcame her obstacles to solve the mystery.
Rating:
Release Date: September 3rd, 2019
Author: Victoria Schwab
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Middle-grade mystery
Page Length: 304 pages
Source: Public Library
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A great read for Halloween. Perfect for middle grade readers (fourth grade and up), but adults will find it enjoyable as well.
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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston’s The Little Shop of Found Things was called “a page-turner that will no doubt leave readers eager for future series installments” (Publishers Weekly). Now, Brackston returns to the Found Things series with its sequel, Secrets of the Chocolate House.
After
her adventures in the seventeenth century, Xanthe does her best to
settle back into the rhythm of life in Marlborough. She tells herself
she must forget about Samuel and leave him in the past where he belongs.
With the help of her new friends, she does her best to move on,
focusing instead on the success of her and Flora’s antique shop.
But
there are still things waiting to be found, still injustices needing to
be put right, still voices whispering to Xanthe from long ago about
secrets wanting to be shared.
While looking for new stock for the
shop, Xanthe hears the song of a copper chocolate pot. Soon after, she
has an upsetting vision of Samuel in great danger, compelling her to
make another journey to the past.
This time she'll meet her most
dangerous adversary. This time her ability to travel to the past will be
tested. This time she will discover her true destiny. Will that destiny
allow her to return home? And will she be able to save Samuel when his
own fate seems to be sealed?
Review:
Like the first book in the series, The Little Shop of Found Things, Secrets of the Chocolate House has many charming qualities. In the present day, it has a small village setting filled with interesting characters. The section set in the 18th century has many details of life at that time. And along with time travel, there is a heart-wrenching tale of impossible love. With much to recommend this book, I must say that I did have some issues with the time travel aspect of the book. But overall, this was an enjoyable adventure.
What I Liked:
Small Village Setting:
I adore books set in small towns (or in the case of this British novel, small villages). The sense of community, the various neighbors, shop owners, and tourists create a setting that I wish were real so I could visit!
18th Century Life:
When Xanthe travels back to the 18th century, the author gives us so many small details of food, clothing, eating, and manners, that I felt as though I had made the journey with the character. This attention to detail is one of the reasons I love reading historical fiction.
Romance:
This isn't a conventional romantic book. While Xanthe has several men vying for her attention, she is pining away for Samuel, the man who she connected with so strongly in the 18th century. The author created a realistic portrait of how one would behave (with all the social constraints imposed on people of that era) when one's heart wants someone they can't have.
What I Was Mixed About:
Time Travel:
Of course, when one is reading a book about time travel, one has to have a willing suspension of disbelief in order to accept it. But when the reader buys into that fantasy they still know that there are rules that must be followed. Usually, they are spelled out, and we can understand how this universe works. But in the case of Secrets of the Chocolate House, the rules kept changing to suit the plot. The explanation given is that every time traveler ("Spinner") works differently. Some need a specific object to Spin, other can use multiple objects, or none at all. This was confusing. Plus some of the time travel that Xanthe does towards the end of the book don't even follow Xanthe's time-traveling parameters. It would have been easier to accept all of this if the rules were more consistent.
Rating:
Release Date: October 22nd, 2019
Author: Paula Brackston
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Genre: Historical/Fantasy Fiction
Page Length: 320 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: Despite some inconsistent logic, this was a fun time-travel adventure. I will look forward to the next installment.
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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Miss Ada Quicksilver, a
student of London's Lovelace Academy for Promising Young Women, is
spending her holiday in Ireland to pursue her anthropological study of
fairies. She visits Dublin's absinthe bars to investigate a supposed
association between the bittersweet spirit and fairy sightings.
One
night a handsome Irishman approaches her, introducing himself as Edward
Donoghue. Edward takes absinthe to relieve his sleepwalking, and she is
eager to hear whether he has experience with fairies. Instead, she
discovers that he's the earl of Meath, and that he will soon visit a
mysterious ruin at Newgrange on the orders of his cousin, the beautiful,
half-mad Queen Isolde. On learning about Ada's area of study, he
invites her to accompany him.
Ada is torn between a sensible fear
of becoming entangled with the clearly troubled gentleman and her
compelling desire to ease his suffering. Finally she accepts his
invitation, and they arrive in time for the winter solstice. That night,
the secret of Edward's affliction is revealed: he is, in fact, a lord
in two worlds and can no longer suppress his shadow self.
Little
does either of them realize that their blossoming friendship and slowly
kindling passion will lead to discoveries that wrench open a door sealed
for centuries, throwing them into a war that will change Ireland
forever.
Review:
Having been to Ireland in the past year, the premise for this book really drew me in. Irish lords, the Fey, some romance... I was really hoping for a fun faerie story set in Ireland. But, I should have guessed by the cover that this was more of a hunky Lord bodice-ripper (i.e. erotic fiction) than fantasy historical fiction. That being said, this was a fun little romp in the hay.
What I Liked:
Irish Folklore:
I really enjoyed the use of all the Irish myths and folklore. The author must have spent considerable time researching this to incorporate these legends into the faerie characters. Each plays an important role in the war between the Fomorians (ancient foes of the Fey) and the Irish.
Characters:
I liked all of the Irish characters, particularly the Irish Queen, Isolde. She is a totally made-up character (as the last king of Ireland ruled in the late twelfth-century), but so fun and fearless, that I wanted to believe she was a real person. But all the Irish characters reminded me of why I loved visiting the Emerald Isle. They were all friendly, open people. No wonder Ada felt so at ease there.
Faerie Story:
The story centers around how each of the central Irish characters has an alter-ego historical Fey spirit who inhabits them. I loved the concept of their ancestors taking over their bodies to replay ancient rivalries and passions.
What I Was Mixed About:
There was something that really bothered me about the story. I wish the author had made it clear earlier in the novel that this is an alternate reality Ireland. I was wondering why there was no mention of British oppression or even the terrible Irish potato famine of the mid-eighteen hundreds. Then, about a third of the way in, it became apparent that this Ireland had seen none of those hardships. While this served the story well, it also took away some of the core elements of what has shaped the Irish spirit.
What I Didn't Like:
Generally speaking, I am not a fan of erotic fiction. I just think it doesn't add much to the story to include a blow by blow of who touched whom where. But in the case of this historical fiction, it seemed completely implausible to have Ada, a young, orphaned student, fall into bed with a relative stranger. Even in an alternate reality, she would be labeled a wanton woman. And that would be not just scandalous, but disastrous for a single woman at that time.
FYI: Explicit sex scenes
Rating:
Release Date: October 15th, 2019
Author: Sharon Lynn Fisher
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance
Page Length: 288 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: If you enjoy erotic fiction with plenty of fantasy and alternate Irish history, this is a fun book.
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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Once upon a time, a princess slept in a magical tower cloaked in thorns and roses.
When
she woke, she found no Prince Charming, only a surfeit of hair and
grotesquely long fingernails--which was, honestly, better than some
creep who acted without consent. She cut off her long braids and used
them to escape. But she kept the beard because it made a great disguise.
This is not a story about finding true love's kiss--it's a story about finding yourself. On a pirate ship. Where you belong.
But these are no ordinary pirates aboard The Puffy Peach,
serving under Filthy Lucre, the one-eyed parrot pirate captain. First
there's Vic, a swole and misogynistic centaur on a mission to expunge
himself of the magic that causes him to conjure tea and dainty cupcakes
in response to stress. Then there's Tempest, who's determined to become
the first dryad lawyer--preferably before she takes her ultimate form as
a man-eating tree. They're joined by Alobartalus, an awkward and
unelfly elf who longs to meet his hero, the Sn'archivist who is said to
take dictation directly from the gods of Pell. Throw in some mystery
meat and a dastardly capitalist plot, and you've got one Pell of an
adventure on the high seas!
In this new escapade set in the
magical land of Pell, Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne lovingly skewer
the tropes of fairy tales and create a new kind of fantasy: generous,
gently humorous, and inclusive. There might also be otters.
Review:
Do you enjoy books with a ridiculous amount of puns? Parodies of beloved movies and fairy tales? Humor that is only slightly offensive? Well, The Princess Beard, by Delilah S. Dawson, and Kevin Hearne, will certainly provide all of those things and more. The third, and final, installment in the series is even more entertaining than the previous books, with fun characters, and send ups of pop culture that will keep you laughing.
What I Liked:
Characters:
Each of the main characters are trying to figure out who they are beyond what society expects of them. There is Morgan, the runaway princess who would much rather be a pirate, Al, the elf who hates that his kind are tricksters, Tempest, a dryad who dreads becoming a man-eating tree, and Vic, the Centaur who is drowning in toxic masculinity. Each character is richly drawn and has a journey that I thoroughly enjoyed following.
Story:
I appreciated each character's story and that the authors gave equal weight to all. The pirate princess's story was just as important as Vic's. And each story told a different tale of how we need to stop trying to conform to stereotypes and forge our own path.
Along the way, there were very funny parodies of Harry Potter, fast-food chains, food politics, toxic masculinity, and corporate culture.
Series Ending:
As I looked at the ratings I gave the previous books, my enthusiasm (and star rating) has increased with each novel. What started out as a series of silly puns loosely strung together into a story has become a world of richly drawn societies and characters.
I loved that the ending of The Princess Beard brought back some story lines from the previous books to tie together all the various characters and themes.
Rating:
Release Date: October 8th, 2019
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Authors: Delilah S. Dawson & Kevin Hearne
Genre: Fantasy Parody
Page Length: 384 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A fun light-hearted book with spot on commentary on modern issues. An enjoyable read full of silly humor.
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Please note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Survive the year.
No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.
In
Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men
from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their
very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a
girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why they’re banished for their
sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return
purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home
alive.
Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life—a
society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman,
but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not
just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in
the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in
order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may
very well be each other.
With sharp prose and gritty realism, The Grace Year
examines the complex and sometimes twisted relationships between girls,
the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make
in-between.
Review:
With the renewed interest in books such as The Handmaid's Tale, The Grace Year is an interesting mix of the Margaret Atwood classic and William Golding's Lord of the Flies. This book started out strong, with a setting that was immediately interesting, strong characters, and a story that kept me guessing. But the ending of this book didn't quite deliver.
What I Liked:
Setting:
I found the society that the book was set in to be intriguing and scary. Men are so afraid of women having any power, they control every aspect of their lives. They are constantly told they are full of evil magic, and are temptresses out to do harm to men. There are rigid rules to follow, public punishments, and arranged marriages. And there is a rage that is only between women (after they've gone through the Grace year), that we will understand as the story progresses.
Characters:
Tierney has never wanted to be married and has worked hard to make herself as unappealing to men as possible. She has planned out her life to be placed as a field worker, rather than a wife. But she soon learns that she, like all women in the book, cannot control her own destiny.
Although I thought Tierney was entirely too self-aware, I did like how she tried to take action so all the Grace Year girls would be better off. She was a leader.
There were an assortment of other girls who were equally interesting, especially Gertie and Kiersten. Gertie, is the one almost always a target of bullying. She is meek, and shy, and doesn't protest when she is relentlessly taunted by her former best friend, Kiersten. This book show an unfortunate side of human nature. Bullies will rise, if not challenged. Kiersten is the ultimate queen bee. She has a charismatic personality that the other girls are drawn to. But she uses her popularity to consolidate power, not to be a force of good. Isn't it inevitable that Kiersten and Tierney will be mortal enemies?
Plot:
I loved the story. What happens when teen girls are left isolated and must survive on their own? Do the girls really possess magic or are they in an elaborate psychological experiment? These were really fascinating to see played out in the story.
What I was Mixed About:
Narrative:
Based on the society that Tierney lived in, I just don't think she would have had the self-awareness to be bothered by the oppression of the female characters. As a reader in 2019, of course I was horrified by how the women were treated. But I think Tierney would never had been such a trailblazer. Or at least there would have been many other girls who had the same anger as she.
This all boils down to the old saying, "show, not tell" that writers are given. It is much more effective to show the oppression, and how it affects the characters, than it is to have Tierney give a running commentary about how wrong this all is.
Action Sequences:
There are several action sequences where Tierney is being chased by people. This was exciting, but also confusing. It was difficult to follow what was happening, as some reality was mixed with hallucinations (at least that is what seemed to be going on?). I was even confused as to if certain people died or not. I wish these scenes would have been more straight forward.
What I didn't Like:
Ending:
The ending left me very confused as to what actually happened. As the girls are finally taken back to the village, there is a revelation that I didn't see coming (it would have helped if this had been more explicitly hinted at earlier in the book). This revelation changes the trajectory of the main character and puts into doubt any actual changes that might happen due to Tierney's actions. What was it all for?
Remember when I complained that the author should show, not tell what is going on? Well, she apparently got the message at the very end. The ending was so ambiguous, I really didn't understand what became of Tierney. And that is a frustrating way to end a book.
Rating:
Release Date: October 8th, 2019
Author: Kim Liggett
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Genre: YA Dystopian Thriller
Page Length: 416 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: If you liked Lord of the Flies, or other books exploring social experiments, you will find this book to be fascinating. Even with the messy ending, I found this book to be compelling.
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