Reviews

Airy Nothing by Clarissa Pattern

traumbooks's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I would've loved to have a book like this around as a younger person! (Though while it's YA, I believe any age can enjoy it...!) The setting is Shakespearean England; John is a boy ridiculed for his ability to see between the worlds, and for his feminine appearance. He runs away from home and soon meets Jack, a resourceful pickpocket who is so many things John can only hope to be-- As John discovers the world of Shakespearean theatre, and starts to grow into his own self, Jack must reconcile his own feelings and fears of losing his best friend (and more). One thing I really enjoy about this story is that while something is always happening and there is plenty of plot tension, the boys are very supportive of each other. So I personally find this a comforting, warm read. The theme of chosen family (the world of the actors and the cutpurses),  and all the wonderful Shakespeare tidbits woven in (and the explanations in the endnotes!) were the icing on top. 

This is for someone looking for something smart, sweet, different-- a different world and mood. 

james123's review

5.0

I bought this book a few days ago. The cover art caught my eye and the story sounded really cool. It is set in Queen Elizabeth the First’s time when Shakespeare is treading the boards in London. John, a country boy is driven from his home and runs away to London. It is a slightly fantasy world because he can see fairies, one of which accompanies him on his journey.

Thinking that London is this amazing place what he finds is a dirty, dangerous place which threatens to consume him until he meets Jack, a charismatic pick-pocket and all-round wise guy who takes him in. There is a cool tension where you are not sure whether they are going to become friends or whether Jack is going to use John in his nefarious plans.

After a botched burglary in which they meet this pretty scary guy called the Butcher they meet with William Shakespeare’s, slightly rubbish brother, Edmund, whom I love!! They are apprenticed and it looks like they are going to appear at the Globe theatre before the seedy, criminal life that Jack has led threatens to drag them down.

I really enjoyed the book. It was written in fairly large font so it felt really easy to read. I loved the setting and really felt like I could imagine the smells and sights of Elizabethan London. Which in general are pretty grimy

clari's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

This novel transports us to Elizabethan London through the eyes of two characters; John who has runaway to the big city in search of acceptance, and Black Jack who is a streetwise thief. There is magic, theatre and friendship in this enchanting story.