A review by mrtvavrana
Zázraky padlých svätých by Maggie Stiefvater

challenging emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 

I have read this book in Slovak.

I am still fairly new to magical realism, and I have not yet figured out exactly what I like.

This book was… unexpected. It took quite long to get going, and I felt like not finishing it and putting it away for almost the whole first half. Then, thankfully, the pace and story kind of picked up, and by the end I have to say I was quite enjoying it.

As it was my first Maggie Stiefvater book, I had no idea what to expect, and unfortunately I was a bit disappointed. I think that is my own fault, though. I haven't properly researched what I was getting myself into.

I absolutely adored the idea behind this book. And to a certain extent I also enjoyed the execution of it. The entire plot of this novel is about saints performing miracles on pilgrims, making their darkness take physical form. The pilgrims then have to perform the second miracle themselves, to make the darkness disappear. The saints, unfortunately, cannot help as they will be thrown into a battle with their own, much more intense, darkness. This would also affect the people around them. I definitely did not like that the saints could not directly help the pilgrims.

I must say I really liked the characters. Despite how short All The Crooked Saints was, we definitely get to see a pretty deep look at all the main and some side characters. I loved how they were written and how their storylines all connected.

I honestly cannot wait to read more of Maggie Stiefvater's books.