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A review by adamantly_andrea
Silver Hollow by Jennifer Silverwood
4.0
Silver Hollow is definitely in a world of its own. Both in terms of the book itself and the world out story takes place in. This is a world where, according to Silverwood, is filled with "faeries and unicorns and gremlins" and more.
The writing is very detailed and full of amazing descriptive language and scenes. I could picture myself there as Silverwood described each scene and I could feel Amie's confusion as she experienced this completely different world.
I say confusion because the characters who are a part of Wenderdowne speak in something akin to Shakespearean language. At time I had to re-read what they said to try to grasp what they were saying. A lot of them spoke in riddles, too. After a while I got used to it, but it was very frustrating in the beginning. However, at the same time, it allowed me to connect with Amie because she had no idea what they were trying to say either. At least I had the ability to take a few moments and figure out what they were saying/trying to say.
The plot itself was detailed, but vague and mysterious enough that I had to keep reading. I always thought I had it figured out and then nope, I was wrong. What I thought was, wasn't. What I thought wasn't, was. When she was told "trust no one," she really couldn't trust anyone. I liked that I had to keep guessing, too. Made it really interesting that I never saw the twists coming.
At the same time, it wasn't necessarily an easy read - but I mean that in a good way. With Silver Hollow you have to sit down and focus on the book and really immerse yourself in the world/plot. It's not really a book that you can read with distractions (i.e. your boyfriend watching TV in the same room as you). I did think the first part of the novel was pretty difficult to get through, but I'm really glad I stuck with it.
But that's the tricky part when you're creating a whole new world. (And now Aladdin is stuck in my head.) Even though this world exists in the author's head and makes complete sense to them, as a reader we know nothing about this world. It does help however that our main character is in the exact same position so it doesn't seem odd when other characters have to explain things for the benefit of the reader, as they're really explaining it for Amie. When they weren't talking in riddles and cryptic phrases, that is.
The writing is very detailed and full of amazing descriptive language and scenes. I could picture myself there as Silverwood described each scene and I could feel Amie's confusion as she experienced this completely different world.
I say confusion because the characters who are a part of Wenderdowne speak in something akin to Shakespearean language. At time I had to re-read what they said to try to grasp what they were saying. A lot of them spoke in riddles, too. After a while I got used to it, but it was very frustrating in the beginning. However, at the same time, it allowed me to connect with Amie because she had no idea what they were trying to say either. At least I had the ability to take a few moments and figure out what they were saying/trying to say.
The plot itself was detailed, but vague and mysterious enough that I had to keep reading. I always thought I had it figured out and then nope, I was wrong. What I thought was, wasn't. What I thought wasn't, was. When she was told "trust no one," she really couldn't trust anyone. I liked that I had to keep guessing, too. Made it really interesting that I never saw the twists coming.
At the same time, it wasn't necessarily an easy read - but I mean that in a good way. With Silver Hollow you have to sit down and focus on the book and really immerse yourself in the world/plot. It's not really a book that you can read with distractions (i.e. your boyfriend watching TV in the same room as you). I did think the first part of the novel was pretty difficult to get through, but I'm really glad I stuck with it.
But that's the tricky part when you're creating a whole new world. (And now Aladdin is stuck in my head.) Even though this world exists in the author's head and makes complete sense to them, as a reader we know nothing about this world. It does help however that our main character is in the exact same position so it doesn't seem odd when other characters have to explain things for the benefit of the reader, as they're really explaining it for Amie. When they weren't talking in riddles and cryptic phrases, that is.