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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Have you ever read a book and, part way through, start to wonder why the hell you’re reading it? So much about this book should have irritated me to the point of not finishing it. And yet, I held on all the way through 550 pages to the end. I’m still not sure how to explain that other than to say that Kalix, the eponymous werewolf girl, has something of Lisbeth Salander about her. They’re both terribly damaged girls that you want to help and take care of, that nonetheless can kick your ass if they felt like it...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type.
Only Martin Millar's name on the jacket could have persuaded me to buy a book with 'werewolf' in the title (I'm totally jaded with the whole current vampire/werewolf obsession). I've been a great fan of Millar's novels for about 20 years - which make me feel old though his stories are as fresh as ever. The Good Fairies of New York is up there on my Top Ten list and I think Lonely Werewolf Girl has just joined it. This book is an absolute delight!
Teenage werewolf Kalix MacRinnalch is an amazing character but despite beong the eponymous 'heroine' she's only one of very many equally important and unique characters that populate this book, all of them brought to vivid, crazy, pathetic, laugh-out-loud, dysfunctional life. Even the minor characters are fully drawn with their own quirks and motivations. The plot with all its typical Millaresque convolutions and sprawling subplots zips along to a frenetic (in a good way) denouement that leaves enough loose ends for a plausible sequel.
I've read criticisms of Millar's writing style from some who found it childish, repetitive and clichéd. I personally think his style is perfect for his characters and their stories. It's repetitive in the oral folk tradition kind of way, and his short chapters (some only a page or two long) and point-of-view hopping keep the pace up. I found it a roller-coaster of a book and compulsive reading. And the good thing about coming late to this awesome novel is that the sequel is already out - yay!
Teenage werewolf Kalix MacRinnalch is an amazing character but despite beong the eponymous 'heroine' she's only one of very many equally important and unique characters that populate this book, all of them brought to vivid, crazy, pathetic, laugh-out-loud, dysfunctional life. Even the minor characters are fully drawn with their own quirks and motivations. The plot with all its typical Millaresque convolutions and sprawling subplots zips along to a frenetic (in a good way) denouement that leaves enough loose ends for a plausible sequel.
I've read criticisms of Millar's writing style from some who found it childish, repetitive and clichéd. I personally think his style is perfect for his characters and their stories. It's repetitive in the oral folk tradition kind of way, and his short chapters (some only a page or two long) and point-of-view hopping keep the pace up. I found it a roller-coaster of a book and compulsive reading. And the good thing about coming late to this awesome novel is that the sequel is already out - yay!
I had read the Good Fairies of New York and was suitably impressed to go looking for the Lonely Werewolf Girl and I am glad I did.
The characters are rich, the history is layered, deep and non-intrusive and the story is intriguing. There is also some really light humourous moments in the book that certainly balanced things out.
What was really good about this book was that after the plethora of paranormal romance novels that for me has debased the mythology of these characters. This book brings back some of that wonderful mythology with a really solid backstory that shows a great deal of thought and research.
The story centres around Kalix, a royal werewolf who is in London and really does not care whether she lives or dies. We come into the story after her actions in injuring the Thane and we follow the events and this political stoush to elect a new Thane are played out. While that is the central story what kicks the story along is the introduction of some really great characters, the Fire Elemental Malveria who is totally hooked into fashion, the two humans Daniel and Moonglow, and then there are the supporting werewolf characters, wanna be rock star twins, the two wanna be Thanes and yes there are lot of characters. What surprised me was that I was not overwhelmed by all of them. Each character had a purpose, each character moved the story along and that is good writing.
My only criticism of the novel was that it did slow down just a little past the half way mark. There was a lot happening but we seemed to be almost going over the same territory, it could have been tiresome but Millar had the smarts to kick the book along another notch.
A great read, refreshing treatment of the werewolf myth and I would recommend it to anyone who does not want to be reading paranormal romance novels.
The characters are flawed, the characters are believable and the characters do develop as they go along.
The characters are rich, the history is layered, deep and non-intrusive and the story is intriguing. There is also some really light humourous moments in the book that certainly balanced things out.
What was really good about this book was that after the plethora of paranormal romance novels that for me has debased the mythology of these characters. This book brings back some of that wonderful mythology with a really solid backstory that shows a great deal of thought and research.
The story centres around Kalix, a royal werewolf who is in London and really does not care whether she lives or dies. We come into the story after her actions in injuring the Thane and we follow the events and this political stoush to elect a new Thane are played out. While that is the central story what kicks the story along is the introduction of some really great characters, the Fire Elemental Malveria who is totally hooked into fashion, the two humans Daniel and Moonglow, and then there are the supporting werewolf characters, wanna be rock star twins, the two wanna be Thanes and yes there are lot of characters. What surprised me was that I was not overwhelmed by all of them. Each character had a purpose, each character moved the story along and that is good writing.
My only criticism of the novel was that it did slow down just a little past the half way mark. There was a lot happening but we seemed to be almost going over the same territory, it could have been tiresome but Millar had the smarts to kick the book along another notch.
A great read, refreshing treatment of the werewolf myth and I would recommend it to anyone who does not want to be reading paranormal romance novels.
The characters are flawed, the characters are believable and the characters do develop as they go along.
The story takes place in contemporary United Kingdom, between London and Scotland where the MacRinnalch family has its origins. The MacRinnalch are considered werewolf royalty among the race, where the chief is called a Thane. Not only do the MacRinnalch rule the werewolves, but they have far greater abilities since they don't need the full moon to change in werewolves and have incredible power, making them unbeatable.
The youngest of the MacRinnalch, Kalix, was born in werewolf shape when her mother Verasa was herself in werewolf form a night of full moon. This most unique circumstance makes Kalix one of the strongest werewolf that ever existed. But it doesn't make her popular. On the contrary, as the youngest of many decades, Kalix is ignored if not taunted by the various members of her family, earning the nickname of Lonely Werewolf Girl.
At the beginning of the story, Kalix has fled Scotland and is hiding in London after attacking her father violently. She never forgot how her family banished her lover Gawain. As the story unfolds, Kalix meets two very curious and friendly humans, Daniel and Moonglow, who will help her when everyone else wants to kill her. When Kalix's father finally dies of his injuries, another matter will arise: a clan politics struggle for the Thaneship begins with Kalix's two older brothers, the brute Sarapen and the cross-dressing Markus, both resorting to murders, bribes and manipulation. Only Kalix and her older sister Thrix, a powerful werewolf Enchantress who runs a fashion house and befriends Elementals like the Fire Queen, don't want any part in this conflict. But will the others let them in peace if they represent swing votes in the Great Council ?
I most entirely and whole-heartedly love this book. There is no other word for it.
Martin Millar's story-telling is so incredible that your mind gets snatched from your body at the first page, it gets shaken, squeezed, teary, tickled, blown away and given back to you, at the very last page, with the most exquisite feeling ever.
The characters are all so unique, captivating and funny that you can't imagine them never existing before. There are so many characters in this story and all of them are awesome, and you meet new ones all along the story, which makes you love the book even more !
The plot in itself is so sophisticated that I personally feel that everything is true and no I am not crazy, though technically, I probably wouldn't admit it if I was. Martin Millar is a genius for inventing all of this. It is just entirely brilliant and perfect. He is very descriptive of where the action is taking place, so you travel around London thinking you might bump into Kalix or Moonglow anyday (when you live in London yourself that is).
The mythology in fantasy books is very important to me. I like reading about logical (in their imaginary way) myths and well developed creatures. And here, it is so incredible and the fantasy part isn't even the centre of the story. It isn't really about being a werewolf as it is about those people, who are werewolves, interacting with those people who happen to be humans or elementals.
The female characters are all kick-ass women: from the manipulative Verasa, to the vain Fire Queen Malveria and the equally vain Thrix who can cry their heart out over fashion but kill people in a nanosecond without the slightest remorse, and Kalix who becomes unstoppable in battle but whines when there is no more Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Spongebob Squarepants on TV.
Some society themes are also introduced very cleverly in the book (parent/child relationship, drugs, ambition, sexuality...) and I just love the ending (which I can't talk about for obvious reasons).
I don't want to say too much (not that I can anyway without giving spoilers) because you really do need to discover this book by yourself and, hopefully, take as much pleasure as I did reading it.
The youngest of the MacRinnalch, Kalix, was born in werewolf shape when her mother Verasa was herself in werewolf form a night of full moon. This most unique circumstance makes Kalix one of the strongest werewolf that ever existed. But it doesn't make her popular. On the contrary, as the youngest of many decades, Kalix is ignored if not taunted by the various members of her family, earning the nickname of Lonely Werewolf Girl.
At the beginning of the story, Kalix has fled Scotland and is hiding in London after attacking her father violently. She never forgot how her family banished her lover Gawain. As the story unfolds, Kalix meets two very curious and friendly humans, Daniel and Moonglow, who will help her when everyone else wants to kill her. When Kalix's father finally dies of his injuries, another matter will arise: a clan politics struggle for the Thaneship begins with Kalix's two older brothers, the brute Sarapen and the cross-dressing Markus, both resorting to murders, bribes and manipulation. Only Kalix and her older sister Thrix, a powerful werewolf Enchantress who runs a fashion house and befriends Elementals like the Fire Queen, don't want any part in this conflict. But will the others let them in peace if they represent swing votes in the Great Council ?
I most entirely and whole-heartedly love this book. There is no other word for it.
Martin Millar's story-telling is so incredible that your mind gets snatched from your body at the first page, it gets shaken, squeezed, teary, tickled, blown away and given back to you, at the very last page, with the most exquisite feeling ever.
The characters are all so unique, captivating and funny that you can't imagine them never existing before. There are so many characters in this story and all of them are awesome, and you meet new ones all along the story, which makes you love the book even more !
The plot in itself is so sophisticated that I personally feel that everything is true and no I am not crazy, though technically, I probably wouldn't admit it if I was. Martin Millar is a genius for inventing all of this. It is just entirely brilliant and perfect. He is very descriptive of where the action is taking place, so you travel around London thinking you might bump into Kalix or Moonglow anyday (when you live in London yourself that is).
The mythology in fantasy books is very important to me. I like reading about logical (in their imaginary way) myths and well developed creatures. And here, it is so incredible and the fantasy part isn't even the centre of the story. It isn't really about being a werewolf as it is about those people, who are werewolves, interacting with those people who happen to be humans or elementals.
The female characters are all kick-ass women: from the manipulative Verasa, to the vain Fire Queen Malveria and the equally vain Thrix who can cry their heart out over fashion but kill people in a nanosecond without the slightest remorse, and Kalix who becomes unstoppable in battle but whines when there is no more Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Spongebob Squarepants on TV.
Some society themes are also introduced very cleverly in the book (parent/child relationship, drugs, ambition, sexuality...) and I just love the ending (which I can't talk about for obvious reasons).
I don't want to say too much (not that I can anyway without giving spoilers) because you really do need to discover this book by yourself and, hopefully, take as much pleasure as I did reading it.
Much like a SpaghettiOs and balogna sandwich, this book is a hot mess. But I love it and it's so much fun. This is my second time reading it and I still love Beauty and Delicious, even though they're minor characters. Even on a second read, I was laughing out loud at parts. I would totally go see Yum Yum Sugary Snacks live. Millar is so good with character and world-building, even if this book doesn't pass technical muster. This is one of those rare instances where I can get beyond the little things that bug me in other books because this is just so much damn fun.
Thank God, it's over. Finishing this was a nightmare; I made it through eventually but not without heavily exercising my eye rolling abilities. Either I fail to recognise the literary value or this book is completely mental. There are so many aspects that drove me crazy that I don’t even know where to begin. It was almost unbearable to read, especially since I knew from the very first page on that I would have issues with this novel.
How’s that even possible, you might ask. Well, I was told the hair length of Kalix, the so-called protagonist, twice on the very first page. I shuddered but generously tried to overlook this faux pas. However, my goodwill was smashed to pieces shortly afterwards when I had to learn that pointless repetition was the rhetorical device. I lost count on how often I was told a certain detail such as hair colour, degree of family relations, state of mind, (enter information of your choice) at least twice. Thankfully, repetitions seemed to be reduced in the second half, but maybe I was too apathetic to care anymore. I really dislike a writing style that assumes that I either am stupid or have no memory at all. At some point, I started wondering whether the narration was impersonating someone who isn’t all there aka drunk or stoned. All the repetitions and the restlessness of the narration that jumped randomly between the characters reminded me so much of drunken people talking.
The second aspect that bothered me was the characters. Basically, every person that has a name gets at least a few sentences of point of view narration – and I can tell you, there are a lot of names in here. This would have been ok, if they had actually had something interesting to say. However, these tertiary characters are just giving details of the plot, which was clear already. As if that weren’t enough, everyone came across one-dimensional and there was almost no character development at all. Even worse, some of their actions were totally out of character (yes, I’m looking at you, Moonglow). In the following, I’m going to give my two cents on the more important characters. This might be slightly spoilerish, so be warned.
Kalix is our bulimic, laudanum addicted, illiterate, simple-minded, unsocial werewolf outcast of a protagonist. I never came to like her; in fact, she is probably the most annoying character in the whole novel. Most of the time, she feels sorry for herself, whines and acts accordingly.
Then there is her extended family and relations that take much of the point of view spaces: her scheming mother Verasa; her drunkard wannabe rockstar cousins Beauty and Delicious (whose names I thought stupid until I found out that their real names are Butix and Delix) and their band Yum Yum Sugary Snacks; her ice-cold cousin Dominil, who ends up as the manager of the twins, favourably dubbed evil white-haired slut or vile werewolf whore (and who was one of the more interesting characters); her werewolf sorceress sister and fashion designer Thrix, who was mostly bearablebut I still don’t get why she had to start an affair with Gawain, especially since she said about a hundred times that this is stupid, etc.?! ; her oldest brother Sarapen, who wants to be the next leader and would like nothing more than to kill her, plus followers; her older brother Markus, who’s slightly nicer but wants to kill Kalix anyway, plus followers; and Gawain, the love of her life, who comes back to stir up some more chaos.
Furthermore, we have the two human students Daniel and Moonglow (her parents must be celebrities. No normal person would give a poor child such a name), who share a flat and have some romantic tension going on between them. They accidentally stumble across Kalix and decide to take her in and protect her from her big bad wolf brothers et al.
And last but certainly not least, there are the two fire elementals, the queen Malveria, Thrix’s best customer and one party of a never-ending fashion battle, and her hyper not yet adopted niece Vex. Malveria is almost as annoying as Kalix yet she and Vex are the most entertaining, but they got on my nerves after a while. They were able to cause some major chaos and the few scenes I liked had at least one of them involved.
I expected some badass werewolf clan feud with lots of scheming and fighting. In the beginning, that seemed to be the case although I didn’t like that Kalix stumbles from one attack to the next without having a storyline. And then, out of nowhere, the reader is introduced to Thrix and Malveria and their fashion drama which takes up centre stage in the novel. Naturally, there is still the scheming and bitching and hunting down of family members (favourably but not limited to Kalix) in order to blackmail votes in the election of a new leader. Naturally, there are some pointless and powerless werewolf hunters. But everyone and everything is somehow connected to Thrix and Malveria, especially since Malveria’s fight with Kabachetka is bringing the whole werewolf feud to a new level. Unfortunately, that’s fashion. Therefore, the novel reminded me of a gigantic soap opera à la Verliebt in Berlin (which is the German equivalent of Ugly Betty but with a different plot). A lot of fashion and family drama and everything takes a million detours and misunderstandings and liaisons and heartbreak – not to forget all the intrigues.
So if you are a drunken soap opera addict you’re going to love this novel. If that’s not so much the case, then I would recommend looking elsewhere for entertainment.
How’s that even possible, you might ask. Well, I was told the hair length of Kalix, the so-called protagonist, twice on the very first page. I shuddered but generously tried to overlook this faux pas. However, my goodwill was smashed to pieces shortly afterwards when I had to learn that pointless repetition was the rhetorical device. I lost count on how often I was told a certain detail such as hair colour, degree of family relations, state of mind, (enter information of your choice) at least twice. Thankfully, repetitions seemed to be reduced in the second half, but maybe I was too apathetic to care anymore. I really dislike a writing style that assumes that I either am stupid or have no memory at all. At some point, I started wondering whether the narration was impersonating someone who isn’t all there aka drunk or stoned. All the repetitions and the restlessness of the narration that jumped randomly between the characters reminded me so much of drunken people talking.
The second aspect that bothered me was the characters. Basically, every person that has a name gets at least a few sentences of point of view narration – and I can tell you, there are a lot of names in here. This would have been ok, if they had actually had something interesting to say. However, these tertiary characters are just giving details of the plot, which was clear already. As if that weren’t enough, everyone came across one-dimensional and there was almost no character development at all. Even worse, some of their actions were totally out of character (yes, I’m looking at you, Moonglow). In the following, I’m going to give my two cents on the more important characters. This might be slightly spoilerish, so be warned.
Kalix is our bulimic, laudanum addicted, illiterate, simple-minded, unsocial werewolf outcast of a protagonist. I never came to like her; in fact, she is probably the most annoying character in the whole novel. Most of the time, she feels sorry for herself, whines and acts accordingly.
Then there is her extended family and relations that take much of the point of view spaces: her scheming mother Verasa; her drunkard wannabe rockstar cousins Beauty and Delicious (whose names I thought stupid until I found out that their real names are Butix and Delix) and their band Yum Yum Sugary Snacks; her ice-cold cousin Dominil, who ends up as the manager of the twins, favourably dubbed evil white-haired slut or vile werewolf whore (and who was one of the more interesting characters); her werewolf sorceress sister and fashion designer Thrix, who was mostly bearable
Furthermore, we have the two human students Daniel and Moonglow (her parents must be celebrities. No normal person would give a poor child such a name), who share a flat and have some romantic tension going on between them. They accidentally stumble across Kalix and decide to take her in and protect her from her big bad wolf brothers et al.
And last but certainly not least, there are the two fire elementals, the queen Malveria, Thrix’s best customer and one party of a never-ending fashion battle, and her hyper not yet adopted niece Vex. Malveria is almost as annoying as Kalix yet she and Vex are the most entertaining, but they got on my nerves after a while. They were able to cause some major chaos and the few scenes I liked had at least one of them involved.
I expected some badass werewolf clan feud with lots of scheming and fighting. In the beginning, that seemed to be the case although I didn’t like that Kalix stumbles from one attack to the next without having a storyline. And then, out of nowhere, the reader is introduced to Thrix and Malveria and their fashion drama which takes up centre stage in the novel. Naturally, there is still the scheming and bitching and hunting down of family members (favourably but not limited to Kalix) in order to blackmail votes in the election of a new leader. Naturally, there are some pointless and powerless werewolf hunters. But everyone and everything is somehow connected to Thrix and Malveria, especially since Malveria’s fight with Kabachetka is bringing the whole werewolf feud to a new level. Unfortunately, that’s fashion. Therefore, the novel reminded me of a gigantic soap opera à la Verliebt in Berlin (which is the German equivalent of Ugly Betty but with a different plot). A lot of fashion and family drama and everything takes a million detours and misunderstandings and liaisons and heartbreak – not to forget all the intrigues.
So if you are a drunken soap opera addict you’re going to love this novel. If that’s not so much the case, then I would recommend looking elsewhere for entertainment.
adventurous
mysterious