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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
I felt that the ending was a bit rushed (compared to book 1), but all in all, a very enjoyable follow-up!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Susan, Merlin, and Vivian adventure again; this time against one foe that looks like a statue of a Crone/giant killer snail- something Nix manages to make genuinely creepy sounding. This is on me- but I was reading along, minding my own business, then THINGS happened and I got really excited for what I thought could be the sequel... then things DIDN'T happen and now this doesn't need a sequel.
Things I liked: the idea of translocating maps- cool. Susan and Merlin having realistic relationship problems (but also that we didn't have to dwell in them). Christmas season in bookstores really getting in the way of saving the world. Susan with powers!
Things I didn't like: The ending, which isn't what I wanted but I guess is FINE.
Things I liked: the idea of translocating maps- cool. Susan and Merlin having realistic relationship problems (but also that we didn't have to dwell in them). Christmas season in bookstores really getting in the way of saving the world. Susan with powers!
Things I didn't like: The ending, which isn't what I wanted but I guess is FINE.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall good, I thought it got bogged down a bit with some of the logistics discussions
I found this sequel to The Left-handed Booksellers of London just as enjoyable as its predecessor. In a 1980s Great Britain that's been tilted slightly askew, a hidden world of magic lies just beneath our own—a classic kind of fantasy story in the vein of Susan Cooper, but with an older set of characters and thus appealing to an older audience. This installment shows a more serious side of some of the more irreverent characters, but it's still an awful lot of fun.
When I reviewed my notes on the first book in this series, I was reminded that Susan, the protagonist, discovers her supernatural powers, and seems unfazed by the idea that her father is a powerful spirit of the earth. She sort of tumbles into the action of the story without really questioning the reality of the situation. Which, of course, is a hallmark of fantasy and especially urban fantasy. In this outing, Susan spends most of the story resisting (indeed, continuing to resist, as we learn she has been doing in the intervening period between stories) her newfound power. But, she is drawn in when a series of murders, perpetrated by another supernatural being, is discovered, and the booksellers jump in to put a stop to it -- especially when Susan's particular part in the whole situation is uncovered. This is a well-paced story, with enough fantastical elements to get the mind whirring, and enough reality (it is set in the '80s, just after the original Royal Wedding, long before cell phones and email) to keep it grounded. It feels like there is much more story to tell here, as Susan gets drawn into her new life.
In the Sinister Booksellers of Bath, we return to a mythical London, where magical beings from the Old World of England attempt to intrude on the modern world. The booksellers Vivien and Merlin, along with Susan Arkshaw, a demi-human, uncover a serial killer that has been murdering over the last hundred years, and must stop them before their next victim. This book is perfect if you enjoy A Darker Shades of Magic or the Elemental Masters series from Mercedes Lackey. Magic plus Sherlock Holmes vibes is one of my favorite genres!
I was so excited to return to this series. The magic of the booksellers is so intricate and well-crafted, and the setting adds to the feeling of mystery, which feels so at home in London. We learned so much more about how the booksellers work as a whole, and it was interesting to see the interactions with some of the other Old Gods in this book. I enjoyed getting to see more of the other booksellers besides Vivien and Merlin. Susan was introduced in the first novel, and after learning her true identity and her powers, and seeing the growth over the course of the novel, I am so interested to see what happens next.
I was so excited to return to this series. The magic of the booksellers is so intricate and well-crafted, and the setting adds to the feeling of mystery, which feels so at home in London. We learned so much more about how the booksellers work as a whole, and it was interesting to see the interactions with some of the other Old Gods in this book. I enjoyed getting to see more of the other booksellers besides Vivien and Merlin. Susan was introduced in the first novel, and after learning her true identity and her powers, and seeing the growth over the course of the novel, I am so interested to see what happens next.
Someone once said that teen and young adult novels are just books that are good to read, and this latest from Garth Nix is no exception. The left- (and right-) handed booksellers are in Bath sorting through some old books when Merlin gets trapped by a mystical map. The ensuing rescue brings to light a previously unknown supernatural serial killer, and begins to waken Susan's latent powers. Read this in a day, it was that fun to read!
Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.
Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ahoy there mateys! I thought the first book was a standalone but I was excited enough by a new Garth Nix book to immediately read this in one sitting. This book was so much better than the first one. This tale involves a magic map that inadvertently sucks Merlin inside of it. His sister Vivian must rescue him but to do so, she needs Susan. Susan wants nothing more than to be normal and put the events of the previous book behind her. Of course, she cannot leave Merlin in danger so she is drawn into the plot to chase down a serial killer.
I rather loved this one. It is a rather straightforward story but the mystery of how and why there was a serial killer was engaging. I loved watching Susan come to terms with her past and future. I still find Merlin (and his clothing choices) to be fun. I loved the setting of Bath and the Old One who lives there. The idea of the Booksellers and their work is happy. This book ends somewhat predictably but satisfactorily. If there is another in the series, I will happily read it. Arrr!
I rather loved this one. It is a rather straightforward story but the mystery of how and why there was a serial killer was engaging. I loved watching Susan come to terms with her past and future. I still find Merlin (and his clothing choices) to be fun. I loved the setting of Bath and the Old One who lives there. The idea of the Booksellers and their work is happy. This book ends somewhat predictably but satisfactorily. If there is another in the series, I will happily read it. Arrr!