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scribblesbysammy 's review for:
The Summer War
by Naomi Novik
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Young Celia, reeling from the revelation that she cares about her eldest brother far more than he cares for her, uncovers her magic by cursing him to become an incredible knight but never find a man who will love him. Working to fix this accident, Celia builds relationships with her other brother and works to deal with the political implications of her newly revealed power in a nation still recovering from annual battles with the summerlings.
A short but well-formed story of a teenager working with her resources to better the circumstances of her family and country, aware that her magic is finite, and that family is frail. Celia balances honour, responsibility, and devotion as she navigates unsettling situations in a high-stakes bildungsroman.
Enjoyable to read a very self-aware character who recognises and respects soft/social power and works to wield her own without it feeling forced. The descriptions really set the scene, and the characters' emotions were clear and respected even when not necessarily rational. This novella leans towards Novik's fairytale-esque stories, continuing the idea of a tradition as a starting point while developing beyond a simple retelling. Brief but memorable.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for an eARC of this to review.
A short but well-formed story of a teenager working with her resources to better the circumstances of her family and country, aware that her magic is finite, and that family is frail. Celia balances honour, responsibility, and devotion as she navigates unsettling situations in a high-stakes bildungsroman.
Enjoyable to read a very self-aware character who recognises and respects soft/social power and works to wield her own without it feeling forced. The descriptions really set the scene, and the characters' emotions were clear and respected even when not necessarily rational. This novella leans towards Novik's fairytale-esque stories, continuing the idea of a tradition as a starting point while developing beyond a simple retelling. Brief but memorable.
Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for an eARC of this to review.