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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
I thought this was a really solid book, it kept me interested, the writing was wonderful, and the story line was pretty good. I enjoyed the characters, they were very likable. The only reason I felt the need to give it 3 instead of 4 stars was the way the plot line went. I thought throughout 75% of the book it was so good, but then started going slowly downhill. I loved that it was a super quick and easy read and I will definitely be recommending this book to certain friends and family who I think will enjoy it.
ARC REVIEW
ARC REVIEW
Oh, this was really great. Lots of big ideas wrapped up in a creepy Victorian murder mystery. With a dash of potentially cognizant plant life.
The last time I gave a fiction book 5 Stars was December of last year (2017) I LOVE finding a great book!
Beautiful writing, amazing quotes, interesting historical tidbits, suspense, magic and so much more.
Beautiful writing, amazing quotes, interesting historical tidbits, suspense, magic and so much more.
The story was a bit slow to start, but once we went into the cave I was a goner. :)
The last time I gave a fiction book 5 Stars was December of last year (2017) I LOVE finding a great book!
Beautiful writing, amazing quotes, interesting historical tidbits, suspense, magic and so much more.
Beautiful writing, amazing quotes, interesting historical tidbits, suspense, magic and so much more.
This book is about the lie tree, yes, but it is more about 14 year old Faith who learns some hard truths about human nature. Set in an era where women are meant to be submissive, Faith struggles with her outer “quiet” view of herself and her inner “scientist” self who wants to be clever and smart.
This is the type of book where I want to immediately reread the whole book to catch everything I might have missed the first time around!
P 6-7 “Oh Faith, what a rock you are...you may not be the liveliest company...but at least you never ask questions” “Myrtle was wrong. Faith was full of questions, coiling and writhing like the snake in the crate...there was a hunger in her, and girls were not supposed to be hungry.”
The sentences in this book are just so spot-on real. The kind that gives you chills because of how true they are.
This is the type of book where I want to immediately reread the whole book to catch everything I might have missed the first time around!
P 6-7 “Oh Faith, what a rock you are...you may not be the liveliest company...but at least you never ask questions” “Myrtle was wrong. Faith was full of questions, coiling and writhing like the snake in the crate...there was a hunger in her, and girls were not supposed to be hungry.”
The sentences in this book are just so spot-on real. The kind that gives you chills because of how true they are.
When it comes to tightly woven mysteries and complex female protagonists, Frances Hardinge has yet to disappoint, which is why I return to one of her books at least once a year. I may be speaking from the afterglow here, but this one was incredible, possibly my favorite story of hers yet--possibly even better than Fly By Night and Fly Trap.
Here the theme that I found so provocative and original in the Mosca Mye books--a clever girl fighting to be taken seriously in a patriarchal, religiously-structured society--is addressed even more boldly and satisfyingly. Faith Sunderly struggles against patriarchy and religious oppression, coming to see her own internalized biases and taking control of the part she plays. Every member of her ill-fated family is written convincingly and with multiple dimensions. Hardinge cunningly weaves together historical fiction and dark fantasy, addressing the Victorian-era crisis of expanding time, sexual repression (including a completely unexpected reference to queer romance!! which clinched this book's stealing of my heart) and the conflict between Christianity and Darwinism with chilling Biblical-supernatural elements and images.
In short--this is the first book I've rated 5 stars in a long while, and I do so without reservation. Not only does Hardinge treat so many of the themes and characters closest to my heart, she does it with skill that leaves me in awe.
(Edit: The Victorian-theological vibe is SO strong in this book that along with the trope of loyal-daughter-strives-to-protect-her-father's-secrets-and-ends-up-learning-things-about-him-she-never-wanted, it made me think of The Golden Compass. That is definitely how I would pitch new readers to this book in the future, though there's also something very Hardinge-y about it that can't be described.)
Here the theme that I found so provocative and original in the Mosca Mye books--a clever girl fighting to be taken seriously in a patriarchal, religiously-structured society--is addressed even more boldly and satisfyingly. Faith Sunderly struggles against patriarchy and religious oppression, coming to see her own internalized biases and taking control of the part she plays. Every member of her ill-fated family is written convincingly and with multiple dimensions. Hardinge cunningly weaves together historical fiction and dark fantasy, addressing the Victorian-era crisis of expanding time, sexual repression (including a completely unexpected reference to queer romance!! which clinched this book's stealing of my heart) and the conflict between Christianity and Darwinism with chilling Biblical-supernatural elements and images.
In short--this is the first book I've rated 5 stars in a long while, and I do so without reservation. Not only does Hardinge treat so many of the themes and characters closest to my heart, she does it with skill that leaves me in awe.
(Edit: The Victorian-theological vibe is SO strong in this book that along with the trope of loyal-daughter-strives-to-protect-her-father's-secrets-and-ends-up-learning-things-about-him-she-never-wanted, it made me think of The Golden Compass. That is definitely how I would pitch new readers to this book in the future, though there's also something very Hardinge-y about it that can't be described.)
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Didn't expect to like this because I am not the target audience (age wise) but my 15 year old self clearly knew better than me
I hadn't known anything about this story before reading it, and I must say it got a lot darker than I'd expected! I thought I was in for a historical (Victorian) adventure but actually it roamed through fantasy and sci-fi and mystery and thriller, and was dark, disturbing and violent. But that isn't to say it wasn't good - it was! I liked the main character, I liked the feminist side to the story although just occasionally it was too heavy handed. I liked the plot, and the idea of the story and I wasn't ever sure about what would happen. I was pretty much gripped throughout!
With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the review copy.
With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the review copy.