The AI Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole

 

Publication date: 3 June 2020
Published by: Amazon Direct Publishing (Kindle)
Genre: Sci-Fi/Romance

 Synopsis

Set in the not-too-distant-future, my guess is around 2050, Trinity Jordan works for a high-tech government agency, called the Hive.  I got the impression that this is a company that has no regard for the well being of it's workers.  We learn that the only reason Trinity works for them is because she was coerced into doing so. 

Trinity was caught up in a major incident at work that caused an explosion.  She does not remember much about the event, but she believes that she must have been thrown on impact, because her knee was badly damaged and, ever since, she has been experiencing headaches, brain fog and (increasingly), memory loss.  Following a period of hospitalisation in the Hive, she has been discharged and is at home convalescing in her apartment, which is controlled by a central AI system called Penny.  Her employers have given her a low maintenance job that she is able to do at a computerised workstation in her apartment.

One day she goes to see her neighbour and Hive co-worker, Dr Zhang, who lives across from her apartment, and, instead of Dr Zhang answering the door, she is confronted with a young man.  Trinity observes that he is tall, muscular and very good looking, and that he is also staring at her in a strange way.   Dr Zhang appears at the door and introduces him as Li Wei, her nephew...

Caution, this review may contain spoilers

My Review
Anyone who is familiar with my blog will know that I am a massive fan of science-fiction.  When I saw that this novel was a sci-fi/romance hybrid I was curious.   

First impressions:
The book title and cover are quite revealing.  It told me that the female character is most likely human and (based on the red light in his left iris) the male character is some kind of cyborg (that is, a being made up of a combination of organic and mechanical material), leading me to come to a conclusion about the kind of ideas and themes that would be explored in the story.  I was sold!

The upside:
What lies at the heart of this story is a romance.  Trinity and Li Wei are drawn to one another from the moment they meet.  Li Wei is a new AI, and at the beginning he is sort of in his infancy, learning about who he is and the world around him.  Dr Zhang tells him that his purpose is to learn about humans, and to decide for himself what his ultimate purpose in life should be.  Trinity becomes his main subject for learning and in doing so, he discovers that being around her seems to activate all kinds of positive emotions in him.  As such, his desire to be in her company increases with time.  

Trinity can tell that there is something odd about Li Wei, but she does not clock that he is not human.  She too enjoys his company and a friendship develops, as well as an increasing mutual attraction. 

It becomes apparent fairly quickly that something untoward is coming, and whatever it is, it's going to be from Hive HQ.  Events that occur in that regard causes the truth to come out.  Trinity realises Li Wei is something other than human and Li Wei decides to trust her.  He reveals that he is in fact a biosynthetic humanoid, created by Dolores Zhang at Hive HQ.  I thought the scene was rather Twilightesque (the way it plays out reminded me of when Bella discovers Edward is something other than human).

As I suspected, the main idea explored in this story is around what it is to be human.  It reminded me of Blade Runner, in that respect.  Like Blade Runner, there are biosynthetic animaloids (for want of a proper word) and humanoids.  From what I can tell, most people are unaware of their existence, and would probably not be able to tell the difference, if they did.  Also like Blade Runner, the AIs show more humanity than some of the humans, demonstrating that being human isn't about being organic (or is it?).      

The conflict raises the tension in the story and takes us to a more 'Terminator' style story.  When the time comes to do battle against the machines, that thing happens in some stories where the male protagonist is made to 'disappear' so that the female protagonist won't be saved by him; instead she does battle and saves the day (because in the interest of gender equality no one wants a damsel in distress type of situation).  This can be tricky to execute and I have been critical about the clumsy way some authors have handled it.  Alyssa Cole provides a master class on how to do it in such a way that does not cause eyebrows to raise.  Fellow writers, read and learn. 

The downside:
There isn't one.

The Verdict:
I absolutely loved this story and I know it is one I will return to in future. I do believe it is my favourite read for 2021.  

Misguided Perceptions by Colleen C. Moore

Publication date: 30 October 2021 (E-book)
Published by: Hyacinth Books
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

First, I would like to thank Hyacinth books who provided me with a free copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review.  

Synopsis
The Prologue provides the 'meet cute'.  Darcie and her brother, Georgie, have been dragged along to a garden exhibition by their dad.  She is separated from them both and, while looking at a flower exhibit, runs into an attractive young distinguished-looking stranger.

The story begins two years later.  Darcie is a high-flying heart surgeon with the ambition of becoming the Head of Cardiac Surgery at the London-based university hospital where she works.

Darcie acquires a house that needs renovating.   Dave Bennet, the building contractor hired to carry out the work, arrives one morning to discuss plans for the project.  He introduces her to his son, Craig, who will assist him, and, to Darcie's horror, she recognises him.

Darcie is an elitist snob who looks down on anyone she considers to be uneducated and uncultured.  To her, the very idea of being romantically involved with a blue-collar worker is unthinkable.  Yet, once the building project is underway, the more encounters she has with Craig Bennet, the more attracted to him she becomes - much to her annoyance.

My Review

First impressions:
To quote myself: When I first heard about this book, I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation.  Pride and Prejudice is a much-loved classic and one of my all time favourite books. I had decided 'not to go there', but curiosity got the better of me in the end.  I didn't expect it to be any good, but I hoped I would be wrong about that.  I was wrong about that.  Apparently, I went in with a prejudiced frame of mind, much like Elizabeth.  This was what I wrote for my review of Eligible (The Austen Project no.4) by Curtis Sittenfeld.  So, when I discovered Misguided Perceptions, I decided to give it a chance and to do so with an open mind.

I like the cover.  It definitely drew me in and raised my expectations. (Oh boy!)  

The upside:
Gosh!  Where do I start?

Eligible is set in the United States and, although has a modern day setting, the male and female protagonists, and the romance, play out much like Austen's original.  Misguided Perceptions is set in the UK and, although in essence the characters are very much the same as Austen's originals, the gender roles have been switched.  

Although I agree that the original story can be set in any country, being British myself, I felt that having this story set in the UK provided the opportunity for the author to explore aspects of the original story with greater authenticity.  Let me explain:

As well as being a great love story, P&P is very much a story about classism and gender inequality, presumably as Austen experienced them in her time.  Britain's history and it's obsession with social class has resulted in a class structure that is different to that of other countries, and one that is very difficult to emulate (although, strangely, some have tried).  For me, MP does a wonderful job of addressing the same British social class issues as the original - but adapting them for the 21st century, suggesting that although times have changed in some ways they haven't.

Darcie comes across very much like a modern female version of the original Mr Darcy.  She experiences the same emotional journey when she meets and gets to know Craig Bennet, that is, mortification, followed by indignation, followed by realisation, followed by acceptance.   I also recognised Elizabeth and Jane Bennet in the Bennet twins, Craig and Dean, and I found that even more interesting, as they both assume what is traditionally the role of 'the female character' of a romance novel - Craig in particular is pursued and sexually objectified in the same way, while female characters doing the pursing are the ones in control of the situation.  He is 'walking in someone else's shoes' and experiencing what it feels like - in this case a woman's shoes.  I found that very refreshing, and not something I have ever come across in a romance novel before.

There is an added bonus for readers who have read and are familiar with P&P, as Moore has done a nice job of adapting the plot for modern times - some of the scenes and dialogue seem to have been lifted from the original.  Very nicely done, indeed!

The downside:
I gather this is the author's debut novel, and like most first novels it isn't perfect.

It contains a lot of dialogue, which I didn't mind, but is not for everyone.  Also, unless you pay attention you may find it difficult to work out who is doing the talking in some scenarios.

I did have to suspend my disbelief because I am not entirely convinced that some aspects of this story are feasible.  In particular, I am not convinced that the British class divide in the 21st century is as stark as is suggested in this novel.  The pyramid is flatter than it once was.  For example: When dining, do people still use different types of cutlery for each course?  Maybe the Queen (?).  I do see that the stark class divide works better for the story, so perhaps it is exaggeration for impact (?).  

The verdict:
If you are a fan of P&P I would recommend you read this book.  Even if you aren't familiar with the original, it's novelty alone makes it an interesting read.  Misguided Perceptions is a treasure that I hope will not remain hidden.

FROM THE TREASURE CHEST: The Shadow of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

From the treasure chest features books that both stand out and stand the test of time. 

Publication date: 27 May 2004 (first published in 2001)
Published by: Penguin Books
Genre: Adult Fiction

Synopsis
The story begins in 1945 with bookseller, Mr Sempere, walking down the street with his 10-year-old son, Daniel.  He tells him that he cannot tell anyone about the place he is about take him.  They arrive inside a majestic building and Daniel learns that it is a secret place known as the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, and that when someone visits the place for the first time, they are allowed to choose one book.  It is then their responsibility to protect it and keep it safe.

Daniel choses a novel called The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax.  When he gets the book home he begins to read it and is so taken by the story and the characters that he stays up all night reading it.  When he finishes it, he wants to read more by the author and seeks out more of his works.  He discovers that not only are there no other books available in print, but that he has the last copy of The Shadow of the Wind, and that all other copies of the author's works have been destroyed.  He discovers that someone, who calls himself Lain Coubert, is tracking down the books and burning them.  Curiously, Lain Coubert is a character in Carax' novel who represents the devil.  Daniel is determined to find out about the author and why someone wants to burn all his books.  He begins investigating and in doing so digs up aspects of the past that many would rather were left buried... 

My Review:
The Shadow of the Wind is the first in a serious called The Cemetery of Forgotten Books.  I first read it about 10 years ago and was blow away.  It is an international best seller, and is said to be one of the best selling novels of all time - and no wonder.

The upside
I was captured by this story from the very beginning.  There is much in it that is heart-warming.  For example, in the opening scene when Daniel is 10 and his father tells him he must not tell anyone about The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, he asks if he has to keep it from his mother and his father replies, "Of course you can tell her, we have no secrets from her."  We then learn that Daniel's mother died several years previously.

In this story we get to see both the very best and the worst of humanity.  

The author, Carlos Ruiz Zafon said in an interview about the book that he wanted to create a story that would incorporate a mixture of genres: fantasy, mystery, historical fiction, etc.  This novel is all of these and the writing is superb.

The downside
I would like to say there is none, but, to be truthful, I was somewhat irked by the portrayal of female characters in the story.  I understand that it was set in the 1940s/50s, a different time (when the grip of the patriarchy was tight) and so for authenticity this can be justified, but the female characters reminded me of actresses in old movies (made around the same time this story is set).  For example, there is a lot of 'tearing up' for slightest of reasons, as if women in the past were more prone to crying than they are now (??).

The verdict
This is a great novel and one I recommend to all.  I truly believe it has something for everyone.  I daresay there are people who have read it and didn't enjoy it, but they are very rare creatures indeed!

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

 

Publication date:  13th June 2017
Published by:  Salaam Reads
Genre: YA Contemporary

*This review may contain spoilers*

Synopsis

Jana Yusuf is a 15-year-old Muslim girl whose parents are divorced.  She lives with her mother and her father is remarried and lives with his new family.  She has an older brother who arranges to move back home, forcing Jana to give up her bedroom and share with her mother - much to her dismay.  

Jana is an A grade student who enjoys spending time with her friends and taking pictures with her camera.  She has also developed strong feelings for a (non-Muslim) boy, Jeremy, at school.  The feelings are mutual, but she is torn, knowing they are from different worlds. 

At a party, she has a horrible experience that she feels she cannot share with anyone.  Staying silent does not make the problem go away, and failure to take action could ruin her well being and peace of mind. 

My Review

First impressions:

I spotted this book on Goodreads. The synopsis got me interested and I marked it 'to read', after which, I received quite a lot of likes for doing so - suggesting it is popular and well-liked.

The upside:
I very much enjoyed the writing style of this book. It is a coming of age story that felt very real to me.    Jana is a teenage girl facing typical teenage girl problems (and some). She is going through the challenges of growing up in a society that has little understanding of what it means to be Muslim.  She is not perfect, she can be uncharitable (especially about her brother's girlfriend, who she calls Saint Sarah) and she makes mistakes - the kind I remember making at 15.  Her infallibility was endearing to me.

Spoiler alert!

The story covers the topic of sexual assault and does it in a way that is well pitched.  Sadly, Jana feels she has to keep her bad experience a secret, and, in doing so, preserves the reputation of someone (undeservedly) respected inside her community.  Although Jana has both a Muslim (Fizz) and a non-Muslim (Tatts) best friend, she doesn't feel she can tell either of them what happened to her for different reasons.  Fizz is related to and admires the perpetrator - so she can't tell her.  She fears by telling Tatts, doing so would reinforce negative stereotypes about a community that she feels she needs to protect - so she doesn't tell her.  Fortunately, the opportunity to talk to someone does present itself.  (It is true that it can be easier to reveal personal things to a total stranger - under the right circumstances and in the right environment).

Saints and Misfits offers some insight into a community many know nothing about (including me).  I got from it that this is a close community where people band together and support each other.  It was interesting to read about the relationship that Jana formed with her elderly neighbour, Mr Ram, who she often would wheel (in his wheelchair) to the local community centre so he could meet his friends.  They share a love of books and poetry and get along very well.  Mr Ram is a wise man and Jana learns interesting things from him.  I got to thinking how uncommon this is in societies such of the US and UK - i.e., young people connecting with older people in that way and the mutual benefit that can result.  She also helps out her uncle, the Imam, whose role involves being a kind of 'agony uncle' to people in the community.  They email him their problems and seek his council.  Before he sends back his replies, he sends them to Jana to edit, and so the reader gets to see the types of problems and the (compassionate and insightful) way her uncle responds to them.  

There is a sweet romance that begins to blossom - with Jeremy - but I found myself more interested in the relationship that seemed to be developing between Jana and Nuah (who is the hero in the story for me).

The downside:

For me there isn't one.

  

The verdict.

Saints and Misfits is a really good read.   As well as providing the enjoyment of a good contemporary YA story, this book may help to dispel stereotypes.      

How To Stop Time, by Matt Haig (Audio version narrated by Mark Meadows)

Publication date: 6 July 2017

Published by: Cannongate Books

Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy

Synopsis

The story begins with the protagonist, Tom Hazard, telling us, first and foremost that, although he looks about 40, he is very old.  Tom has a rare 'condition' that severely slows down the aging process, so that he ages by about 1 year for every ordinary person's 10.  

Tom has lived for over 400 years.  He spent his teens in Elizabethan England and his twenties in 1920s Paris.  After that he continued to move around the world throughout the centuries, changing his identity and reinventing himself so as to avoid raising suspicion.

In present day, Tom wants nothing but to live an 'ordinary' life among 'ordinary' people.  He takes a job as a history teacher at a secondary school in London, where he hopes to be able to make a difference, educating and influencing young minds in a positive way. That he was actually present for the events he teaches brings the subject to life for his students.

Tom knows he must not get too attached to ordinary people, and most importantly, he must never fall in love.    

My Review

I used to listen to audiobooks quite a lot, but stopped some time ago.  I decided it was time to get back into them, since I have so many in my library waiting to be listened to.  I chose to start with How to Stop Time.  I was aware that this was a popular story but I had no idea what it was about.

First impressions:

I did not read the synopsis and not knowing the story made it a pleasant surprise for me.  I also found that I got into it immediately.  More often than not, I have to read (or listen to) a few chapters before I can normally do so, but this one got me hooked from the beginning.  

The upside:

I have read stories where the protagonist is immortal before, but this is the first time as a reader I really gained an insight into what it would be like to exist for hundreds of years.  Tom's outlook on life is very different to mortals.   He is carrying so many memories, and often the slightest thing can trigger a memory that can take him back centuries.   It is exhausting and often both emotionally and physically painful for him (headache inducing).  I got the sense that time is no longer linear for him, and we experience it by having the events of his life revealed in a jumbled way.  Nothing surprises him anymore, because he's seen it all before.  It is only the mystery that is his existence and certain unanswered questions about his personal life that give him the will to keep living.

I am not going to delve into the story.  Suffice to say, I really enjoyed it.  This kind of fiction appeals to me.  It is sci-fi/fantasy, but only just - there is a strange phenomenon at play, but the story is very much steeped in reality.  I would liken it to Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveller's Wife.   It is quite philosophical and holds a mirror up to humanity - particularly demonstrating how human beings continue to make the same mistakes over and over again throughout the centuries - history repeating itself.

The downside:

The conflict in the story takes place too late, almost nearing the end, and the resolution is rushed.

The Verdict:
I would say the story has a melancholic undertone running through it, but it is also hopeful.  

The narrator, Mark Meadows, did an excellent job of bringing the story and characters to life for me.  (I am sometimes put off audiobooks because the narration is so bad.)   

The story has made me interested in Matt Haig's work and I will definitely be reading (or listening to) more by him in future.  

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

 

Publication date: 1839
Published by: Burton's Gentleman's Magazine
Genre: Gothic Fiction (Classic Horror)

 

Synopsis

The story is told by an unnamed narrator.  It begins with him arriving at the House of Usher, which belongs to a childhood friend, Roderick Usher, having been summoned by him in a letter.   As he approaches the house he describes the view.  The house and its surroundings look drab and uncared for.  He gets an uneasy feeling as he looks at it.

Inside the house he is reacquainted with his old friend, Roderick, and is shocked by how altered he is, remembering how pleasing to the eye he was when they were younger.  Roderick now looks sickly, thinner and much older than his years.  It is clear to his friend that he is very unwell.  

Soon after, he catches a glimpse of Roderick's sister, Madeline, who is also very sick.  Roderick tells his friend that she is dying and does not have long.  Madeline takes to her bed and remains out of sight.  He does his best to keep Roderick occupied and entertained, which works initially, but fails to as time goes on.  Roderick tells him that he believes the house is a sentient being whose life source comes from the old stones and the surrounding plant life.  As time goes by, Roderick's behaviour becomes increasingly unstable and the narrator becomes increasingly concerned about his mental state.

My Review

First impressions:

I first read The Fall of the House of Usher about 8 years ago, so this is a re-visit.  I had only read gothic romance before that (namely Jane Eyre and Rebecca) - which I prefer.  

The upside:

I enjoyed the writing, from the way the narrator describes The House when he first arrives, to the events that occur while he is in it.  I found it aided my imagination, helped me picture the scenes. 

I was interested in the way the story draws comparisons between the deteriorating condition of the house and its occupants (Roderick and Madeline).  We learn that they are the last of the Ushers - there are no others left to carry on the family name, so when they die, so does the family line. 

As the story reaches its peak it becomes an increasingly thrilling read.  I was gripped, eager to know where it was going and how it would end.   

The downside:

This is a classic gothic story, so for fans of modern horror I suspect that the story may score low on 'thrill factor'.   

The Verdict:

A great read for lovers of classic lit, especially gothic fiction.  Then again, if that's you, you've probably read it already.

It is short and therefore a quick read - just the thing for Halloween.

Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell (Author) & Faith Erin Hicks (Illustrator)

 

Publication date: 5 September, 2019
Published by: Macmillian Children's Books
Genre: Contemporary YA

Publisher's Synopsis

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they've worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world (not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is). They say goodbye every Halloween, and they're reunited every September.

But this Halloween is different - Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last goodbye.

Josiah's ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn't ready to let him. She's got a plan: what if instead of moping, they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he's been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

My Review

First Impressions:  I had high hopes for this book.  It kept getting recommended to me as something I would enjoy and the cover also drew me in.  

I enjoy graphic novels so much.  They have a unique way of storytelling - they convey pictorially as much as they do with text and you often get a story on two levels - what is happening on the surface and what is in the subtext.  

The Upside: I liked the illustrations.  The setting was good.  There is a map of the pumpkin patch so you get a feel for the place.  

One of two ways to interpret this novel is that it is subtle - very subtle.  There is not much happening on the surface and you only get a glimpse of what could be going on from the subtext.  

What I found in the subtext:
Deja has an unhealthy relationship with junk food and is in denial about it.  I am not judging her.  I would have been interested to know what's her story.

Josiah is so shy he can't speak to a co-worker that he has had a crush on for 3 years.  He has never spoken to her.  Not once!  What's that about?  I would have been interested to know what's his story.

Deja and Josiah are close but they only interact with each other 3 months in the year.  What's that about?  Is it a race thing? I would have been... (You get my drift.)

The Downside: The other way to interpret it is that the story is simply dull.  I kept hoping it would get more interesting, but it never did.  So I created my own, a horror story [The pumpkin patch is a perfect setting.] where my protagonist arrives in Omaha, Nebraska, enters its idyllic pumpkin patch and at first experiences a perfect family attraction, until said protagonist realises that something strange and disturbing has happened to the people who work there.  My protagonist would meet Josiah and Deja, who are afflicted characters trapped in a nightmare: They have been brain washed into believing that the best thing in life is working in a pumpkin patch!  Josiah, who is obsessed with the place, is so convinced of this that he does not ever want to leave and is terrified of what life has to offer outside of Omaha.  My protagonist is determined to discover what happened to the people in this town and (hopefully) save them from death by banality.   [There is something of  The Stepford Wives about it]. 

Sadly, my protagonist doesn't show up, the horror is never revealed and, instead the story continues to focus on these two boring teenagers. Deja at least is more forward thinking than Josiah, and she convinces him to embrace rebellion and 'live a little'.  But, all the plot reveals is that they both have a pitiful idea of what it means to have an adventure.  

The Verdict:
An unremarkable time waster.  My advice is skip it and read This One Summer, instead.

Granta 123 - Best of Young British Novelists 4

 

Publication date: 16 April 2013
Published by: Granta (The magazine of new writing)

This is a collection of short stories written by young authors at the time of publication, who were considered to be the most promising. 

Granta published it's first Best of Young British Authors in 1983, and have been identifying and championing young authors ever since, most of whom have gone on to become very successful are highly acclaimed. The back of the publication includes a list of them.

My Review

First Impression: I was drawn in by the cover design.  The image tells you everything you need to know.

I had read some editions of Granta in the past and have always enjoyed the quality of writing.  I purchased this edition at the time of publication and had been meaning to read it since.  Being stuck in lockdown provided the time and opportunity.

The upside: Generally, I prefer complete novels to collections of short stories, because I often finish a short story dissatisfied, that is, left wanting more.  I did not experience this with any of the stories I read in this collection and I was fully engaged by most of them.  The two that stayed with me most were:

Naomi Alderman's Soon and in Our Days, which is a beautiful and witty tale about a contemporary Jewish family who are visited by the Prophet Elijah during Passover. 

Ross Raisin's Submersion, a melancholic story about two siblings who discover their town has been flooded on seeing the news report on a TV in a bar while on holiday. 

That said, the entire collection is beautifully written.  

I did not read them in sequence, rather I randomly selected ones as I went along.  I also read them at my leisure, dipping in and out as I chose. 

The downside: There isn't one.

The verdict:  It is one of your five-a-day in that the quality of work is nourishment for the soul.

The Haunted Purse by Kimberly Baer

 

Publication date: 17 August, 2020
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: YA Paranormal (Ghost story)

Publisher's Synopsis

That old denim purse Libby Dawson bought at the thrift store isn't your run-of-the-mill teenage tote. It's a bag of secrets, imbued with supernatural powers. Strange items keep turning up inside, clues to a decades-old mystery only Libby can solve.

Filled with apprehension and yet intrigued by the mounting pile of evidence, Libby digs for the truth. And eventually finds it. But the story of the purse is darker than she imagined—and its next horrific chapter is going to be all about her.

My review

First Impression: Looking at the book cover didn't make me think - Wow! there's a story I want to read.  It is underwhelming, which is a pity. However, I don't judge a book by it's cover.  The title, on the other hand, did.  I was intrigued by the idea of it.  How can a purse (a handbag to us Brits) be haunted?  

Libby is a teenager with absentee parents, doing her best to live a 'normal' life under very difficult circumstances.  She is a smart teenager, mature for her years (she has to be).  When she discovers the purse in a thrift store (a shop that sells second-hand items) and purchases it, it's former (deceased) owner finds a way to communicate with her. 

The upside: I enjoyed this story; it was not like anything I've read before: part ghost story, part crime mystery and part contemporary YA fiction. 

I liked Libby as a character and found her friendship with her best friend, Toni, enjoyable to read - it felt genuine and realistic.

I found the character development of this book, in general, to be particularly well executed.  Libby is from a deprived neighbourhood.  She is an achiever who is focused on doing well at school.  She believes education is her ticket out, but, inevitably, the people around her have other ideas about who she is and what her place in life should be.  All the while, strange things keep happening that cause her to carry out an investigation in her town, and this leads to a dark discovery. 

The downside: The genres I mentioned above did compete for dominance, which threw the story off balance a little.

The ending should have been more concise.  There was a high concentration of background info supplied with the aim of filling in gaps for the reader.  I get the idea but the execution is problematic.  (Crudely, it would be described as 'info dump', a term I hate!) 

The verdict:  Overall, it's a good read.  I would be interested to read more by this author.  I can see the potential. 😉

  

The Song Rising by Samantha Shannon

Publication date: 7th March 2017

Published by: Bloomsbury
Genre: Sci-fi/Dystopia (YA)

Publisher's Synopsis

Following a bloody battle against foes on every side, Paige Mahoney has risen to the dangerous position of Underqueen, ruling over London's criminal population.

But, having turned her back on Jaxon Hall and with vengeful enemies still at large, the task of stabilising the fractured underworld has never seemed so challenging.

Little does Paige know that her reign may be cut short by the introduction of Senshield, a deadly technology that spells doom for the clairvoyant community and the world as they know it…

I started writing this review in 2017 and have edited it before posting in 2021.  

I am a huge fan of this series and I did my best to contain my excitement when this one came out (to avoid disappointment).  It didn't work.  I ordered my copy in advance and started reading it the day it came out! Was it as good as I had hoped?  

So far, all three installments have read quite differently than the previous one.  In my review of book 1, The Bone Season, I had commented on how complex the story was and quite a reading challenge.  In my review of book 2, The Mime Order, the longest one so far, I mentioned that it was quite descriptive with Paige explaining the history and backstory to us.  This one is shorter than the first two and reads much like its contemporaries (i.e. other well known YA Fantasy).  In that sense I would say that The Song Rising is the most 'reader-friendly' of the series so far.  Personally, I enjoyed the first one best because I liked the challenge and got the most out of that reading experience.

The upside: I would say this one focuses on 'holding up a mirror' [to humanity], as I was more aware of the parallels with history.  For example, the drive to take over Scion by the Raphaim, with Nashira as their leader, mirrors the creation of the British Empire.  They use the same tactics to achieve this, such as 'divide and conquer' to colonise nations. The Scion invasion of Ireland mirrors that country's true experience (and many others who were invaded by countries such as Britain, France and Spain). The grey market mirrors the slave trade.  The fear of clairvoyants by 'amaurotics' and their discrimination towards them mirrors the treatment of people in Britain who came to settle there from the colonies, and  people seeking asylum in richer & safer countries than their own. - Brilliant!

One thing I have always found lacking in most of the sci-fi/fantasy fiction I have read is that the stories tend to be very insular.  There is very little (and sometimes no) reference to a world beyond the bubble in the story.  Samantha Shannon has considered a world beyond Scion's Great Britain and Ireland.  From the very beginning (book 1) there has been reference to the rest of the world - 'the free world'.  I was thrilled that in The Song Rising the story stretches and expands geographically - Fantastic!

The downside:  Despite how dismissive many are about romance in fiction, it is not easy to write [well].  The difficulty is the level of sentiment: a sickly sweet romance can leave the reader nauseous, while one completely lacking in emotion can leave the reader disengaged.  It is not obligatory to have a love story in YA fantasy, but if you are going to, it has to be done with commitment and conviction.  I have been critical of the relationship between Paige and Warden in previous reviews of the series.  My view was reinforced when an event occurs in this book that should have triggered an emotional response from me, but did not because I am not emotionally engaged enough.  That said, there is greater effort to show intimacy and romance between them - an improvement! 

The verdict: The Song Rising was worth the wait.  I loved it!

The Bone Season series truly is shaping into something very special.  The literary world, as a place for both entertainment and intellectual stimulation, is certainly a better one since their publication.  My copies are prized possessions.

The Mask Falling, book 4, came out in January this year.  To be reviewed in the not too distant future.

More Reviews on The Bone Season Series 

The Bone Season (Book 1)

The Mime Order (Book 2)

The Pale Dreamer (Book 0.5)

 


 

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

Publication date: 4th Feb 2020

Published by: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Fiction (Rom-Com)

Publisher's synopsis

A wedding planner left at the altar. Yeah, the irony isn’t lost on Carolina Santos, either. But despite that embarrassing blip from her past, Lina’s managed to make other people’s dreams come true as a top-tier wedding coordinator in DC. After impressing an influential guest, she’s offered an opportunity that could change her life. There’s just one hitch… she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst) man from her own failed nuptials.

Tired of living in his older brother’s shadow, marketing expert Max Hartley is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client looking to expand its brand. Then he learns he’ll be working with his brother’s whip-smart, stunning —absolutely off-limits — ex-fiancée. And she loathes him.

If they can survive the next few weeks and nail their presentation without killing each other, they’ll both come out ahead. Except Max has been public enemy number one ever since he encouraged his brother to jilt the bride, and Lina’s ready to dish out a little payback of her own.

But even the best laid plans can go awry, and soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between them. Still, this star-crossed couple can never be more than temporary playmates because Lina isn’t interested in falling in love and Max refuses to play runner-up to his brother ever again...

My Review

First impression: The cover screams nauseating chick lit to me, which would usually put me off, instantly.  However, as it turns out, it was refreshing to read this romantic comedy that has a female character of Brazilian heritage.  The reader is given a taste of Brazilian culture, which I found informative and interesting. 

The upside: There is a lot of good stuff in this book, especially the development of both characters, which I found insightful.  The observations on human behaviour are very good, particularly, how both Max and Lina react to the negative experiences they have had to face, the impact those experiences have had on them (their personal demons), the conflict that results, and how they navigate through it.  

I also liked the way the reader is given an insight into both Lina’s and Max’s professional roles, and how they worked together.  The author really did her homework!  You can see how they managed to achieve the outcome they did.  I enjoyed that aspect more than the romance!

There were laugh out loud moments.

I am always happy to discover a book which has a main character that is under-represented in fiction. This one is absent of annoying stereotypes (Praise the Lord! 🙌). 

The downside: I was not keen on the style of writing: in particular, the romance was too sweet for my taste - sickly sweet, in parts, and their sexual exploits made me cringe.  

It took too long to reach the conflict (about 80% into the story), and the resolution was rushed and lacked Wow! factor.

The verdict: I liked it.  Okay, it may not be a great work of fiction, but it is good escapism, which is welcome during a global pandemic. 

SoozBookReviews is coming back!

Bi-monthly reviews from Friday 7th May, 2021  

Yay!