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A review by ljrinaldi
Like a Charm by Elle McNicoll
4.0
Ramya is neurodivergent. She has dyspraxia, which means she has trouble writing by hand, and is a little clumsy in general. If she concentrates, she can manage, but she is also forced to go to “special needs” classes, where they try to get her to learn to write by hand.
But, because she is this way, she finds she has the ability to see things that no one else sees, and she can resist sirens, who charm everyone else into doing their bidding.
Her grandfather recognizes this in her, and wants to teach her to handle her abilities, but her mother wants nothing to do with that. She wants her fit in. She wants her to be “normal”.
I love how the author is also neurodivergent, and knows that being put in a box is not the best solution. That people whose brains work differently just need to adapt in ways that work for them. As someone with dyslexia, I know I had to come up with ways to read that made sense to me.
I do love the descriptions of Edinburgh, Scotland, and what she sees there, including statues that walk and talk to her, that others can not see, including her cousin.
This is one of those books that likes to rip your heart out, as Ramya feels as though she is all alone in the world, and acts that way as well. I also love how she is trying to tell the world that their idea of the fae folk, and other creatures is all wrong, such as the librarian vampire.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book comes out from Random House the 10th of October, 2023. .
But, because she is this way, she finds she has the ability to see things that no one else sees, and she can resist sirens, who charm everyone else into doing their bidding.
Her grandfather recognizes this in her, and wants to teach her to handle her abilities, but her mother wants nothing to do with that. She wants her fit in. She wants her to be “normal”.
I love how the author is also neurodivergent, and knows that being put in a box is not the best solution. That people whose brains work differently just need to adapt in ways that work for them. As someone with dyslexia, I know I had to come up with ways to read that made sense to me.
I do love the descriptions of Edinburgh, Scotland, and what she sees there, including statues that walk and talk to her, that others can not see, including her cousin.
This is one of those books that likes to rip your heart out, as Ramya feels as though she is all alone in the world, and acts that way as well. I also love how she is trying to tell the world that their idea of the fae folk, and other creatures is all wrong, such as the librarian vampire.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book comes out from Random House the 10th of October, 2023. .