Tag: genre: fiction

• Book Review: “Longbourn” by Jo Baker (ARC)

  Posted at 10:00 am by Laura, on September 4, 2013

  Longbourn by Jo Baker 

  Publisher: Random House
  Publishing Date: October 8, 2013
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780345813602
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★

  A brilliantly imagined, irresistible below-stairs answer to Pride and Prejudice: a story of the romance, intrigue and drama among the servants of the Bennet household, a triumphant tale of defying society’s expectations, and an illuminating glimpse of working-class lives in Regency England.

  Our heroine is Sarah, an orphaned housemaid beginning to chafe against the boundaries of her class. When the militia marches into town, a new footman arrives under mysterious circumstances, and Sarah finds herself the object of the attentions of an ambitious young former slave working at neighboring Netherfield Hall, the carefully choreographed world downstairs at Longbourn threatens to be completely, perhaps irrevocably, up-ended. From the stern but soft-hearted housekeeper to the starry-eyed kitchen maid, these new characters come vividly to life in this already beloved world.

  Orphaned housemaid Sarah mends, washes, cleans, and cooks for the Bennet household, with the help of little Polly, Mrs Hill, and Mr Hill. Life is simply a never-ending list of chores for Sarah till a mysterious new footman catches her attention. Occupied with thoughts of his origins and distracted by Bingley’s servant, Sarah and the rest of the downstairs household is turned upside down as each Bennet daughter is exposed to society’s forms of acceptable love.

  I never knew I needed to read the downstairs version of Pride & Prejudice till I read this book. It’s an absolutely fascinating account of what life was truly like in Regency England for the lower classes. How a pig not only provides meat but also soap. How the chamber pots must be taken out daily, the ways people bathed and cleaned laundry and interacted with one another. Though Sarah is only a maid, she too must abide by society’s rules and uphold the Bennet family honor. She cannot fool around or behave mischievously; it would reflect poorly on the family.

  The reader is not only given a glimpse of Sarah, but also of Mrs Hill, Mrs Bennet’s maid. We learn her history and her connections to Mr Bennet and the new footman James. Mr Collins is explored outside of Elizabeth’s painful judgment, and James’s history with the militia gives the reader further clues to Wickham’s misdemeanors. The reader is exposed to life before, during, and after the original book, and I loved reading the decisions the characters make and their motivations for their actions. Downstairs intermingles with upstairs so fluidly it was as if I was still reading the original classic.

  Thank you, Random House, for providing this book for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 2 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: classics, genre: fiction, genre: history, review

• Book Review: “Broken Harbor” by Tana French

  Posted at 11:56 am by Laura, on July 12, 2013

  Broken Harbor by Tana French 

  Publisher: Penguin
  Published: April 2013
  Genre: fiction, mystery
  ISBN: 9780143123309
  Goodreads: 3.93
  Rating: ★★★

  Mick “Scorcher” Kennedy always brings in the killer. Always. That’s why he’s landed this high-profile triple homicide. At first, he thinks it’s going to be simple, but the murder scene holds terrifying memories for Scorcher. Memories of something that happened there back when he was a boy.

  Mick Kennedy always solves his cases and solves them efficiently. When O’Kelly gives him a case to work on with rookie partner Richie, Mick races to work. But this triple homicide of a family out in Brianstown, the old Broken Harbor, brings back memories of his own childhood vacations — one in particular he believes mangled his youngest sister’s sanity.

  This is the fourth in Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad series. Kennedy appeared in the last, Faithful Place, following the trend of featuring the previous book’s side character as the new protagonist. Also typical of French’s style is the psychological twist within each case. Rather than spanning several weeks or months, this book spans less than a week, and it is packed full of clues, twists, and wild circumstances.

  I loved the dynamics of Kennedy’s partnership with rookie Richie. He teaches, he scolds, he praises. He does not belittle Richie like the rest of the department, but instead wants him to learn from his mistakes and observe others in action.

  The insanity bits begin to take hold when Kennedy’s sister Dina enters the scene. Her dialogue is fantastic — run-on sentences, incomplete phrases, scattered breaths and punctuation, ideas not quite stringing together. That sort of dialogue continues into Patrick’s character, and later Jenny’s, as you begin to see their worlds crumble around them. This is such an effective way of recognizing the deteriorating mind without it being the mind of the protagonist.

  What prevented me from giving this four or five stars is due to the length. There were many passages I felt were unnecessary — whole chapters, even. As much as I enjoyed Dina’s character, I think we could have done without this side story. There was something about it that felt unresolved, or that if it was going to be explored at all then it should be done in depth rather than in the back of the mind or whenever it was convenient.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 3 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fiction, genre: mystery, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “A Spy in the House” by Y.S. Lee

  Posted at 3:52 pm by Laura, on June 28, 2013

  A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee 

  Publisher: Candlewick Press
  Publishing Date: April 2009
  Genre: young adult, mystery, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780763652890
  Goodreads: 3.79
  Rating: ★★★

  Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there?

  Mary Lang is sentenced to death at age 12 for thievery when a young lady saves her and offers her a place at Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. Eager to start a new life, Mary accepts and changes her name to Quinn. By the time she’s 17, she is asked to become a member of an undercover all-female detective agency. She is placed in a prominent household as a companion to a spoiled daughter, and is supposed to uncover the truth about a series of shipwrecks pertaining to smuggled artifacts. But what she finds out, and who she works with, is the biggest surprise of all.

  For diving into the book knowing absolutely nothing about it, I really enjoyed it. It was a quick read, and Lee certainly knows her Victorian history and culture. I was happy to see all aspects of Victorian London in the 1850s addressed: the snobbery of the upper class, the poor on the streets in filth, the Great Stink from the Thames, opium use, the influx of Asian sailors, and the oppression of women. Apart from Dickens, authors rarely remark upon the hushed-up or negative aspects of life of that time. If anything, these are mentioned in passing while the upper class characters go about their country holiday. This was, ironically, refreshing!

  Mary is an exception in Victorian culture. She is part Chinese and part Irish, but her features both help and hinder her navigation through society. Porcelain white English women know she looks different and assume she has black Irish, Spanish, or French ancestors, and Chinese women consider her too white to be a part of their culture. Not only is her race enough to make her an outcast, but her orphaned life, childhood crimes, and headstrong will sets her apart as well. She has “ideas” and “notions” and likes to be independent. It makes her job in the Agency easy. She’s already tough for a woman, and no one will pay attention to her in the household because of her outcast status, so snooping should be easy.

  Another aspect that I found refreshing in this mystery was the love interest — or lack thereof. James Easton is a charming man and thoroughly believes in Mary’s capabilities to be an independent woman. Mary stayed true to her character throughout the book and wouldn’t toss all responsibilities aside, though, and I’m grateful for that.

  What prevented me from giving this book five stars was the lack of urgency on her assignment. It sounded, from the very beginning, like another agent already had most of the work done and Mary would only be in the way. And as Mary continued to search for clues, three or four different plots spun in different directions, to the point where I’d forgotten what Mary’s original assignment was. Thankfully they all linked together in a cohesive manner, but it almost felt as if Mary wasn’t needed in the first place.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: mystery, genre: young adult, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Snobs” by Julian Fellowes

  Posted at 2:45 pm by Laura, on March 11, 2013

  Snobs by Julian Fellowes 

  Publisher: St Martin’s
  Publishing Date: 2004
  Genre: fiction
  ISBN: 9781250020369
  Goodreads: 3.35
  Rating: ★★

  Edith Lavery, an English blonde with large eyes and nice manners, is the daughter of an accountant and his social-climbing wife. When Charles, the Earl of Broughton, proposes marriage to her, she accepts. But is she in love with Charles, or with his wealth, his position, and all that goes along with them? When a television company, complete with a gorgeous leading man, descends on Broughton Hall to film a period drama, Edith must take the true measure of Charles, herself, and the aristocratic world she thought she was so eager to join.

  Edith, a beautiful and kind English young woman, is introduced to the Earl of Broughton after touring Broughton Hall. Although not a social-climber herself, she is drawn to his lifestyle and the ways of his class. She agrees to marry him, but suddenly finds life dull. One day, when actors and a camera crew arrive on her doorstep, she is swept off her feet and begins to question her decisions.

  While I found the social commentary amusing, intellectual, and informative, I had no invested interest in any of the characters. In fact, the commentary was more interesting than the plot. Fellowes, known for Gosford Park and Downton Abbey, is a brilliant story-teller, so I was taken aback when I found myself bored. Part of it could be Edith’s bland character, the nameless narrator’s creepily informed knowledge base, the double-meanings from the aristocrats, and Charles passionless expressions.

  A neat insight on the English social class with a lackluster plot.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fiction, goodreads, review

• Book Review: “Shadow on the Crown” by Patricia Bracewell

  Posted at 2:07 pm by Laura, on March 5, 2013

  Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell 

  Publisher: Viking
  Publishing Date: February 2013
  Genre: historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780670026395
  Goodreads: 4.01
  Rating: ★★★★★

  In 1002, fifteen­-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

  Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

  Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.

  Emma, sister of Duke Richard of Normandy, is sent to become England’s queen and wife of King Æthelred II — otherwise known as Æthelred the Unready. Hoping this marriage would bring about peace and trust between Normandy and England, and an allied front against the Vikings, Emma quickly forges alliances with nobles and clergy to solidify respect and honor due her. As months and years pass, and the threat of Danish ships striking England with each passing season, Emma begins to feel her power over Æthelred and England rise and fall.

  The first of a well-researched and excellently crafted trilogy, Bracewell sheds light on the first queen of England that shaped the history we know today. She is the aunt of William the Conqueror and mother of Edward the Confessor. While the names and events are taken directly from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Bracewell took liberties with theories floating around in historical debates and fictionalizes the missing pieces. In her author’s note, she states which bits are heavily fictionalized — affairs, character personalities — and which have some bits of truth that needed to be fleshed out. For anyone interested in English history, this is the novel to read.

  The language is steeped in historical accuracy. Old English names, such as Æthelstan, Ælfgifu, Wulfhilde, and Ælfric, as well as Old English words, like wyrd, ætheling, cyrtel, and skald, help to shape the culture and place the reader deep in the early 1000s, when kings were chosen by God, prayers and Christian strength could change the turn of events, and pagan prophecies and curses loomed around every corner. The portions of the book I found difficult to read but understood its historical accuracy dealt with rape and the mistreatment of women. I had to remind myself that women were considered property, sometimes even less than property. Men could rape, hit, throw, and threaten women to get their way, even if the woman was a queen, a lady, a servant, or even a sister or daughter. But I must say, these women knew the power they could have over men, and used it to their advantage. They were angered about their mistreatment (and yes, accepted it, as was true of the times), but always rose up and became stronger from it. Even Emma, after her first experience in the hands of rage, went through a period of self-hate before forming a steel-hard shield around her emotions.

  Moving on.

  I thought Bracewell’s use of perspective was fantastic, as well. Although the story is about Emma, we also peek into Æthelred’s tortured mind — his mistrust of everyone, the hauntings of his past, his twisted logic — and his son Æthelstan’s torn heart — his love for Emma, his desire to take the throne due to his father’s ill-management of the country. We also peek into Elgiva’s mind, the daughter of the ealdorman of Northumbria, and watch as she tries to make her presence known in the royal court. History has something far different for her in store, and the reader can only assume its her father’s doing. These different perspectives, including Emma’s, allow the reader to see the corruption in royal courts. No one directly states what they are thinking. Every word spoken is masked with hidden meanings, and thus all actions and interpretations are misconstrued. It was interesting to see how twisted Æthelred would misunderstand Emma’s good intentions, or how Emma would misread Æthelstan’s desires.

  I am really looking forward to the second and third books. This novel sparked far more interest in English history than I ever thought possible, and now that I know what will happen soon to Emma — and after glimpsing some of those historical people pop up in the book as characters — I want to see how Bracewell weaves history and fiction together to create a beautiful new chronicle of Emma’s life. I highly recommend this book. A wonderful read.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fiction, genre: history, goodreads, review

• ARC Book Review: “Children of Liberty” by Paullina Simons

  Posted at 6:45 pm by Laura, on February 3, 2013

  Children of Liberty by Paullina Simons 

  Publisher: William Morrow, HarperCollins
  Publishing Date: February 26, 2013
  Genre: fiction, history, romance, politics
  ISBN: —
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★

  At the turn of the century and the dawning of the modern world, Gina from Belpasso comes to Boston’s Freedom Docks to find a new and better life, and meets Harry Barrington, who is searching for his.

  The fates of the Barringtons and Attavianos become entwined, on a collision course between the old and new, between what is expected and what is desired, what is chosen and what is bestowed, what is given and what is taken away.

  As America races headlong into the future, much will be lost and much will be gained for Gina and Harry, whose ill-fated love story will break your heart.

  Gina, a young Italian girl on the brink of womanhood, steps onto the Boston shores excited for the future of opportunity ahead of her. The first American she meets, and whose story forever entangles her own, is Harry Barrington, son of the wealthy Herman Barrington and leader of the Barrington town just outside of Boston’s city limits. Her eagerness to learn everything and headstrong, forward-thinking personality, mixed with Harry’s studious and philosophical endeavors, bring these two together. Thus begins a whirlwind romance and a daring adventure in the uncertain, politically unrest future.

  Although it was a great opportunity to read about the interesting view points and backstory for what brought Alexander Barrington‘s parents together, this book felt a bit unnecessary. In The Bronze Horseman, the first of the Alexander and Tatiana epic romance trilogy, the reader discovers Alexander’s true American identity, that his parents were Italian and American, that they fled America for Russia due to their political beliefs, and that nothing turned out the way they expected. While it was fascinating reading this prequel to the trilogy — who wouldn’t be curious about how the parents of favorite beloved characters met and fell in love? — it felt long and indulgent.

  “Long” is really saying something, too. The Bronze Horseman and the other two books are tomes, really fitting the Russian stereotypes for epic romances. This book, however, was rather thin, and I still felt lulled to sleep. I’m sure if I brushed up on my American history, or cared more about politics, I could find some enjoyment from this novel. Unfortunately, the characters felt flat. I did not love them like I loved Alexander and Tatiana. I did not feel the love and connection between Gina and Harry. It was heartrendingly disappointing.

  I believe what Simons gave the reader in The Bronze Horseman was enough of a story for Gina and Harry and should have been left at that.

  Thank you William Morrow / HarperCollins for providing this book for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: romance, goodreads, review

• Book Haul!

  Posted at 5:06 pm by Laura, on January 9, 2013

  GUYS.

  Guys…

  I bought books. I know I said in my Bookish Resolutions that I would hold off on buying books before reading them and instead use the library more. Hopefully these exceptions have validity in your eyes for purchasing and breaking that resolution.

  

  Snobs by Julian Fellowes — After a heartbreaking third season (sorry, America, you’re in for a real tear-jerker. Be wary with each episode.), I needed something by Fellowes (because let’s face it, he’s a great story-teller and really knows his history) that would hopefully have a much happier outcome. Full of drama we all know and love, I expect to really enjoy this book. Frankly, I’d been eyeing it for some time and after the Christmas episode I threw up my hands and went on impulse.

  Possession by A.S. Byatt — If I weren’t in grad school for publishing, I would be in grad school (at Durham University, cough cough) working towards a PhD in Victorian and Romantic Literature (if you couldn’t tell from my favorites list). Two people are to blame for my obsession with the Romantics, Victorians, and the Gothic: my sophomore honors English teacher in high school, and my Victorian professor in college. Both of them highly recommended I read “Possession” — this book followed me for years. And then, on the plane back from the holidays, I sat next to a very nice gentleman who loved talking about books, and he suggested I read this too. Well, geez. If a total stranger says this is the book for me, as well as my two favorite English teachers, then maybe I really should buy it!

  But wait! There’s more!

  

  Requiem by Lauren Oliver — Harper Teen hosted a Deliria Slogan contest on Twitter and I was one of the winners to receive an ARC of the third and final installment to the Delirium trilogy! Thank you very much, Harper Teen!

  Children of Liberty by Paullina Simons — As a bookseller, you can receive ARCs as one of the perks. Some publishers have deals with bookstores to send ARCs so that the bookseller can give an honest review as well as prepare for questions from customers about the book upon publication. This is a prequel to the Tatiana and Alexander trilogy, which I thoroughly enjoyed winter 2011. Thank you, William Morrow!

  In short, HarperCollins rocked the ARC giveaways today.

  Posted in books, Update Post | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: dystopian, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, publishing

• Book Review: “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens

  Posted at 10:00 am by Laura, on January 5, 2013

  A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

  Publisher: (of this particular edition) Harper Press
  Publishing Date: (original) 1859, (of this particular edition) 2010
  Genre: historical fiction, Victorian, gothic
  ISBN: 9780007350896
  Goodreads: 3.69
  Rating: ★★★

  “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” With these famous words, Charles Dickens plunges the reader into one of history’s most explosive eras — the French Revolution. From the storming of the Bastille to the relentless drop of the guillotine, Dickens vividly captures the terror and upheaval of that tumultuous period. At the center is the novel’s hero, Sydney Carton, a lazy, alcoholic attorney who, inspired by a woman, makes the supreme sacrifice on the bloodstained streets of Paris.

  One of Dickens’s most exciting novels, A Tale of Two Cities is a stirring classic of love, revenge, and resurrection.

  From the moment Dr Manette is released from prison, a decade-long plot begins to unfurl surrounding English lawyer Sydney Carton, French aristocrat Charles Darnay, and Lucie Manette. The two men fight for the love of Dr Manette’s daughter Lucie, but outside circumstances with the French Revolution begin to interfere. Only Lady Guillotine, the icon of the Republic, can solve end the battle.

  Admittedly, I began this book thinking it would be all about love and heartbreak. It is referred to several times in other favorite books of mine. However, this is Dickens, and Dickens is so much more than a simple love story author. I have learned from my Victorian literature classes that, to read Dickens and fully appreciate his work, one must read slowly and split it with another book. His work was read serially, just like TV episodes today are aired. I practiced this method again (breaking up every few chapters with a chapter of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — vastly different genre) and it certainly helped me enjoy the novel. But Two Cities was nothing like I’d imagined.

  I was most interested in all the scenes containing Darnay, Carton, and Lucie, of course. The error in paying close attention to those scenes meant lots of confusion towards the end when the complicated plot began to unravel and reveal itself in the final chapters. I did not pay close attention to Mr Lorry — “only a man of business” — or Madame DeFarge — always knitting, knitting, knitting — nor do I know enough about the French Revolution. Because of my personal flaws, I could not enjoy the novel as much as I should have.

  Dickens is a master with characters, though. He makes everyone incredibly memorable, even archetypal. We know, as a reader, that every time DeFarge appears, she’ll be knitting. She’s grouchy and revengeful. We know that when Mr Lorry appears, he wants to do the right thing by man but wants to keep his hands clean, so he will only do what his business will allow him to do. We know Darnay to be a kind and gentle person, easy to fall in love with and difficult to hate. Carton knows this, and although a drunkard, he is a good man at heart. This makes the love triangle heartbreaking to watch — neither man wants to fight the other, they have mutual respect in their love for Lucie, and it’s all so personal, raw, and human. It makes Carton’s sacrifice unbearable.

  After I spend some time researching the French Revolution, I will come back to this book and try again. I truly think that if I understood my history and pay closer attention to the outside plots that later converge, I could love this book.

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 0 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: classics, genre: fiction, genre: history, review

• Top 5 Books of 2012

  Posted at 10:26 am by Laura, on December 24, 2012

  It was very difficult to narrow down which books I wanted in the top five. Cassandra Clare’s second in the Infernal Devices series, Clockwork Prince, and Kate Morton’s The Secret Keeper had to be cut. To see a full list of what I read in this year’s challenge, feel free to browse here.

  2012 was a mix of contemporary and dystopian young adult with Victorian gothic literature. I read my absolute favorite genre of all time and explored a new and booming genre with relish. Here are my top five books of 2012, in no particular order!

  

  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

  The first and only novel by John Green written from the point of view of a teenage girl in the midst of heartbreaking cancer is full of life, wonder, and awe. The characters are charming and a joy to read, and as a previous Indianapolis resident I was so happy to watch all their adventures across my home city.

  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

  Every person on this planet needs to read this book. I convinced my mother to read it — and it sparked hours-long discussions on Soviet history, her old Latvian friends, and the state of the Baltics today. I convinced history buffs to read it — and they are discussing untouched topics with their history professors. I convinced a friend who never reads nonfiction or YA, and she was moved to tears. This book, true accounts of Soviet Russia’s mass slaughter of the Baltics during and after WWII wrapped up in a fictional character, is beyond words. It is a must-read.

  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

  Enchanting and riveting, this masterpiece is set in the late Victorian age as two magicians compete in a fierce challenge within a spell-binding circus. The characters, the setting, the dream-like qualities, and the love are so moving, you’ll never want to leave Le Cirque des Reves.

  A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

  Diana is supposed to be an American professor in Oxford, nothing more. But her magic draws attention to other creatures only heard about in myths, including the very predatory Matthew cannot seem to stay away. This is not the ordinary academic professor romance, nor are the witches and vampires sweet and kind. History, magic, alchemical texts, Oxford, Massachusetts, genetics, and chemistry merge together in this great, intelligent romance.

  Delirium by Lauren Oliver

  Hunger Games brought me back into the YA genre, and Delirium kept me in. I’m a hopeless romantic, so a story about forbidden love will always draw me in. However, Oliver does not make this dystopian cheesy or cheap. Love is forbidden because love is a disease. Love clouds judgement, causes unnecessary illness like fevers, sweat, lack of appetite. This concept is so beautifully written, and the characters so well-developed and intuitive, I could not put this down.

  Posted in books, Update Post | 3 Comments | Tagged 50 book challenge, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: contemporary, genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads

• Book Review: “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern

  Posted at 9:32 am by Laura, on December 24, 2012

  The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

  Publisher: Anchor
  Publishing Date: September 2011
  Genre: fantasy, gothic, historical fiction
  ISBN: 9780307744432
  Goodreads: 3.99
  Rating: ★★★★★

  The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

  But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

  Two magical schools of philosophy are at war: the alchemical, charming, scholarly side versus the natural, inborn talent. If put in a competition with only one competitor left standing, which school of thought would win? Two magicians, Prospero and Alexander, pluck two young children, Celia and Marco, to battle. But everything changes once the venue is created for them: Le Cirque des Reves. The circus is not simply a place to compete; it becomes a part of Celia and Marco, another half of their beings, another limb, a soul itself. When Celia and Marco fall in love, the consequences for everyone involved could be disastrous.

  I have never come across a book that has left me as enchanted as this. The whole experience was a dream. The luxurious language, the confectionery sweets, the lush descriptions, the stark contrast of black and white with splashes of red, the vibrancy of the characters, the fierce competition, the free-falling into the unknown. It was nothing short of magical.

  Morgenstern incorporates fantasy with reality, turns a battle of the mind into action, gothic essence into a deeply timeless story. This is more than love. This is more than magic. It’s about all the lives in-between. She allows the reader to jump across countries and oceans, from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, from one perspective to another. We’re in the minds of Widget and Poppet, the mysterious and talented circus twins; of Chandresh, the planner and financial backing to the circus; of Isobel, a tarot-reader in love with Marco and in control of the perfect balance of the circus; of Tsukiko, the contortionist who subtly points out the mysterious idiosyncrasies of the environment. We experience each and every tent with Bailey and Friedrick, attendees and reveurs, and gaze at the still human statue Snow Queen, wander the Ice Garden, sit in awe watching the illusionist. And, of course, the heart-wrenching and exhilarating journey Marco and Celia take to overcome the rules of the challenge and find a way to be together.

  An absolutely enchanting piece of work that I will read time and time again!

  Edit: I wrote this a few weeks ago and apparently it never published! So here you go!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2012 | 2 Comments | Tagged book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fantasy, genre: fiction, genre: gothic, genre: history, goodreads, review

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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