The Winner’s Curse – Marie Rutkoski (Book Review)

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is the first in the Winner’s Trilogy, a young adult romance series set in a fantasy world. This book is about a city which was conquered by the war-loving Valorians ten years before and the natural people, the Herrani, enslaved. Our main characters are Kestrel, daughter of the Valorian general, and the Herrani slave she buys on a somewhat foolish impulse, Arin.

I had struggles with aspects of the story right from the beginning. In general I could see Arin’s “secret” plainly from the onset (though it does get addressed early enough that this didn’t ruin the whole story), especially because the auction was just so weird. I actually kept expecting to find out there was magic involved because it was very odd, especially knowing Kestrel’s emotions at the time, and having finished the book knowing what the intention was it still felt forced. There was just such a disconnect that I couldn’t believe she hadn’t been compelled somehow, and yet it appears to be a world without any magic. It seemed too easy and meant that from the beginning I was already having problems suspending my belief.

I also had problems with Kestrel in the beginning, her confidence too arrogant in a way that didn’t seem to suit her character later in the book, almost like she was a paper cut out of herself before finally becoming a fully fleshed character. I found it impossible to like her initially due to this stiffness, though I grew to like her more when I came to understand her cunning better and was glad to finally be given an explanation for why she was hesitant to join the military since strategy seemed to be something she both excelled in and enjoyed. I was however frustrated that it took such a huge percentage of the book before we got that explanation.

As for Arin, I was fairly neutral on his character, able to understand his motives from beginning to end, including any self-doubt or inner conflict he could be feeling. I neither liked nor disliked him, but I understood why he behaved as he did throughout the novel, and I appreciated that he was a believable character given his circumstances. I never found his actions forced, not that I necessarily agreed with everything he did, but it all felt consistent. If anything I wish I had been more invested in him as a character.

I did find the book a very quick read that I only put down a couple of times. However, the pace was sometimes jarring because it seemed to literally jump scene to scene even mid chapter. I also found that if I was putting down the book it was because there would be points where the story felt like it was entering a whole other plot. Though still related, it almost felt like it could have been broken into easily distinguished parts or even separate books that could have had a bit more filler so as to not be as jarring. It was a strange contrast to me, to be rushed along only to need to stop because it was suddenly something very different. This is no judgement on the writing itself, which in fact did a good job of describing things so I could clearly visualize them; my struggles were more with the structure of the story.

All that being said, the ending was such a perfect and perfectly frustrating cliff hanger that I feel almost forced to read the next book to see what happens. I also appreciated that the author has put both characters into situations that are simultaneously beneficial and terrible as opposed to solving everything in a way that is either “perfect” or predictable. Overall I think I want to love this book more than I do, finding that I like aspects of it on paper, such as the world building and the history, but I didn’t necessarily feel any kind of invested connection to the story itself. I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t love it, but if seems like something you might enjoy you should give it a go. It is a quick read and there are certainly elements that are enjoyable. Unfortunately there was just something about it that didn’t quite work for me as a reader.

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

★★★☆☆

(Goodreads rating rounded up from 2.5/5)

The Elfstones of Shannara – Terry Brooks (Review)

Having read The Elfstones of Shannara years and years ago, I still remember a lot of the major plot points, so the usual desperate need to know what will happen next wasn’t necessarily there in the beginning. That accompanied with a bit of a reading slump means I didn’t really get into the book until about 50 pages in, also because those initial pages require a lot of set up and introduction.

That being said, once I picked it up I found that lots of interesting things would happen very quickly, and I was really intrigued once more by the depth of history and lore that Brooks creates within the Four Lands. While this history was sometimes lengthy in explanation I could appreciate the intricate details and thought put into everything surrounding the history of the elves and Ellcrys.

The high note in the middle is when all the things start to happen to everyone at once, though I do wish there had been a bit more balance between perspectives earlier on. Even so, I found that I remembered a lot less than I’d originally thought, and while I definitely knew how the story was going to end there was lot in the latter half that was like new to me, and I was very interested to see how it would get to the ending.

So in all I loved it as much as I had when I first read it, though sometimes for different reasons, and came away thinking about humanity and all that social commentary that Brooks somehow snuck by me the first time, hidden behind fantasy and lore as it is. There were certainly some slow parts that I would perhaps skim over, but for the most part it was really interesting and I was deeply invested in what happened to the characters and the world of the story.

The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks

★★★★☆

 

More than Craft: A Review of On Writing by Stephen King

Image from Goodreads

The trouble with a book on writing, even one by a prominent author, is that it flirts with the possibility of being too analytical, or forcing grammar and formula down the reader’s throat and drowning them in all those little rules about what makes “good” writing. Many promise to make you one of those “good writers” if you heed their warnings and follow their rules, learning from their own mistakes and doing exactly as they do. It makes for a lot of poorly written books on how to write. The irony is rich in this genre, it would seem.

That being said, Stephen King does not fall into this category. On the contrary, while insisting you should in fact know about the rules of grammar (and he’s not wrong; readers aren’t likely to understand someone who can’t form a sentence), King emphasizes that this is what works for him and even he breaks his own rules sometimes. Because the rules aren’t hard and fast. More like guidelines, they are there to help you get through the writing process, to survive the first draft and then the rewrites. And you don’t have to agree with him. In fact, he has no problem joking at your expense if you ignore him, and will joke at his own expense in the same breath. Though he has no problem saying that there are some things that actually need to be done, and if you aren’t willing to do it then you’re in the wrong profession, proving that while he can be witty he has no problem being honest about what you as a writer may need to hear.

In addition to these guidelines, King tells his own life story, mixing autobiography (again laughing at himself while doing so) with lesson. Even when he focuses on the foundations of how to write, he draws you into his story and peppers everything with personal experience. In sum, he makes the whole experience enjoyable and entertaining. And if not that, he keeps it real, being totally honest about his struggles, both professional and personal. He brings you into the moment, and teaches you not just about writing but about life.

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

★★★★☆

[Review also posted on Observing the Scenery]

Knowledge is Power: Review of Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Image from Goodreads.

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine is the first novel in The Great Library series. The world is one in which knowledge, specifically that which is written, is the property of the Library, which is the global governing force. They control military, education, and even technology by way of alchemy. People are raised to understand this control and reside within it or risk losing everything, even their lives.

Jess Brightwell is raised as one of those that works around the system, as owning books is not legal without permission, and owning an original is unforgivable. This means people from smugglers to black markets sellers exist, as do the rebel faction of “Burners” who protest everything the Library stands for. But as Jess, a reluctant smuggler, enters the system and learns more about the Library and those within it, he starts to see just how deeply flawed it is, and realizes that what was once a system of sharing knowledge has become a system of power and control.

Perhaps my favourite concept in the book was that of journaling. When someone is born they are provided with a journal from the Library, and everyone is taught to write in it their whole lives. Upon their death the journal is added to the Library as a continuing record of humanity, and until then it is seen as the most crass invasion if someone tries to read it. This concept plays into the ideas of one’s identity, privacy, and legacy within the story, and has definitely caused me, as a journal writer, to question my own perspective on the idea.

In a cleverly constructed plot, Caine calls into question aspects of shared knowledge, governance, loyalty, and privacy in a world where one’s relation to the written world can make or break you in an instant. While I primarily struggled to get into it, the thought-provoking ideas and wonderfully deep characters eventually hooked me and I cannot wait to read more in this wonderful series.

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

★★★★☆

---

[Review also post on Observing the Scenery]

Truly Miraculous: Review of The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

Image from Goodreads.

Set in a well-developed world steeped in history, The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold is a fantastic venture of love, duty, and honour.

Following one Castillar dy Cazaril, we are taken immediately into a world of magic and religion, providing a background through humble means that draws you in (and makes sure you know what’s going on in an interesting way). As Cazaril stumbles back into Chalion’s world, it expands rapidly, bringing with it curses, saints, black magic, corruption, and one man just trying to do right by those he loves and guards.

Most exhilarating is how Bujold keeps Cazari and readers on their toes. With a story that seemingly follows on path, midway Bujold throws in a rather problematic twist, raising the stakes as the true curse of Chalion is revealed. From chapter to chapter, she takes us by surprise in unexpected ways, all through the eyes of a truly heroic character. A brilliant novel, The Curse of Chalion is one book you can read again and again, and still love, always finding new things to love while continuously adoring the old.

Masterfully written with a superb array of characters to love and hate, The Curse of Chalion is a definite recommendation to all readers.

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

★★★★★

Bitter Sweet Feelings: A Review of Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

It’s possible that after years of hearing I should read this book I had higher expectations for Blood and Chocolate than could be fulfilled. That being said, I didn’t hate it. I did, however, hate the main character. And that was probably the biggest problem. A teenage werewolf with no friends, Vivian was probably the most arrogant character I’ve ever come across in the protagonist’s perspective. Even when the arrogance takes a backseat to heartache and other drama (within and outside of the pack), I couldn’t relate to her; the damage had been done, and I don’t have the patience for that kind of thing anymore.

My other issues were few, but enough that I couldn’t enjoy the book due to its extremely brisk nature. I could figure out what was coming long before it happened and the book took way too much time setting up for the very short section that seemed to be the actual crux of the plot. I also couldn’t keep all the minor characters straight (pack and non-pack groups being very large), I struggled with how this handling of the werewolf pack mentality was laid out, and the quickness with which character’s feelings and perspectives changed didn’t feel realistic; they didn’t seem to develop, they just altered depending on the situation.

That all being said, I really liked Gabriel. I would have liked more of him, and wish that he had been more involved in the story overall. This made the very quick ending all the more frustrating, because it was just what I had been waiting for (not just more Gabriel, but some vulnerability from Vivian) and it lasted just a few pages.

So while there are certainly readers out there that I’m positive would enjoy this novel, I am sad to say that I was not one of them.

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

★★☆☆☆

Beautiful Balance: A Review of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

In Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Lisa See blends tradition and culture with a tale of friendship in an almost flawless act of balancing. She honours the specifics of cultural endeavours, such as foot-binding, match making, or social hierarchy, showing with honest depictions the brutality that could impact every person’s life in 19^th century rural China, especially that of the “worthless” women. You feel the pressure to please your parents, your husband, your in-laws; to bare a son; to commit to the traditions that those before you followed, no matter how painful or terrifying.

Then, in a beautifully articulated story, See ties all of this in with the rarer tradition of the lao tong, or “old same”, in which two young girls are matched for life, like soul mate pen-pals, who utilize the women’s writing of nu shu to maintain their precious connection. Through Lily’s side of the story we see how she and Snow Flower meet, fall in love (as friends do), and grow up in very different situations while dealing with so many different things, together and apart. See illustrates poignantly the need for a confidante and just how quickly a simple misunderstanding could tear it all apart.

What was most surprising for me is that despite the detailed and often lengthy narration given by an older Lily, it almost never felt needlessly wordy or overdone with explication. Every word was weighed and played a part of the delicate balance of tradition and of friendship. It felt as if Lily herself is sitting there painting her word story for you right in your living room. There were a couple of times that I found myself ready to move on, but the rest of the time I drank up every individual word greedily. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a beautiful tale that will teach you so much, whether it be about tradition, culture, or the deeper aspects of friendship.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

★★★★☆

Rosie Feelings on The Rosie Project: A Book Review

I fell in love with this book from the first page. Following along in the mind of Don Tillman, a man who, as he puts it, “has his brain wired differently”, we experience a unique view of the world through his eyes. We see daily interactions, missed social cues, and a failure to pick up on sarcasm in a way that enlightens us to how much of daily life is a learned behaviour through someone who struggles to understand those behaviours.

In establishing a system to find himself a life partner, which he imagines to be beyond his reach, we come to understand the struggles that are not necessarily unique to him as someone who is socially awkward and likes order, but also see how he can excel in situations where the rest of us might fail, such as serving at a large cocktail function (which we might imagine beforehand would be a disaster for him). We see Don grow, learn, and realize that it’s okay to be wired a little differently, and that if he tries he can fit in but still be the person he was made to be.

The Rosie Project is lovely, funny, enlightening, and hits you right in the feels. It will change your perspective on how you view many things in life, from the people to interactions, to how you organize your shopping list and schedule. And it shows that no matter how “different” your wiring may be, you can find love, happiness, and, most of all, acceptance. Graeme Simsion is most definitely the master of story, dialogue, and character building, and I can’t wait to read the next book. Highly recommend to anyone and everyone!

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

★★★★★

[This review also posted to Observing the Scenery]

Catherine the Not Quite Great: A Review of The Winter Palace

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

Eva Stachniak’s The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great is a story combining rich history with a fictional narrator. Varvara starts out in a lowly household, then moves into the Winter Palace, eventually becoming a spy whose allegiances seem to change with her whims. While I can commend Stachniak’s efforts and creativity in using a fictional character to tell a complex story, there were some aspects that worked better than others in this regard, especially in the times when Varvara’s own story took her away from the palace itself. I personally found there to be several long passages full of explication and extensive details while the passages that I was most interested in seemed to fly by in a couple of paragraphs, such as some of the aspects of the spy underworld that Varvara supposedly works within.

There were some characters that peaked my curiosity, and as with most historical fiction I found myself wondering just how much of it was based in fact when it came to aspects such as Catherine’s lovers and her ever-changing relationship with Empress Elizabeth. However, I would be more interested in the next novel, which sounds like it would be more from Catherine’s point of view and provide a more interesting plot of her time in power given she doesn’t come to that power until just near the end of The Winter Palace. That being said, the writing was fine but there were some sections where the story just didn’t seem to work, at least not for me.

The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak

★★★☆☆

[This review also posted to Observing the Scenery]

Working His Magic: A Review of “Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life” by Terry Brooks

Having read Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life many years ago, I already knew that I loved it, and much of the wisdom and stories still lingered with me when I read it again recently. In that sense it was like coming back to an old friend. But it was long enough ago that some of it still felt new. And in that time, I had also changed. I had written more, discovered more about who I was, not just as a writer but as a person. I had experienced a great number of things, good and bad or even just mundane. In that sense so much of what Brooks had to say about writers and the act of being a writer really hit home this time around.

The way Brooks tries to describe what it’s like, living in two worlds at any one moment, is the most accurate description I’ve happened upon. It’s a chapter that could be read by the relations or friends of writers who don’t quite understand, to know that we aren’t ignoring you, there are just so many lives being lived in this one conversation, in my head, that sometimes it’s hard to maintain complete focus. Sometimes there are characters yelling at me, demanding my attention right now, and there’s nothing predictable about it. It just can’t be switched off! Some times are easier than others, but I’ll most likely always have a small portion of my mind dedicated elsewhere, and I honestly just can’t help it. Brooks explains this and more, illuminating the mind of a writer with magnificent precision.

By writing this book he takes readers through the experience of crossing over into writing (while always living in that world since childhood), of remembering how important it is to allow for the impossible, to imagine, to keep an open mind. He talks about the importance of connecting with fans, of outlining, of the business side as well as the creative side. Perhaps most importantly, he talks about the importance of understanding that in both writing and publishing, sometimes the magic works, and sometimes it doesn’t; sometimes you need to keep pushing, and sometimes you need to take a step back and evaluate what you’re doing, and maybe start over.

Sometimes the Magic Works is a comprehensive behind the scenes look at the literary world from the experience of a lawyer turned New York Times Bestselling Author. And in case you aren’t interested in writing yourself, there are quite a few life lessons packed in there as well that will tell you exactly what you need to hear, coinciding with some pretty good anecdotes. It’s really hard for me to put into words what this book meant, both now and all those years ago, to express why it touched me so as a writer, but trust me when I say it’s more than worth it to pick it up. It’s also a reminder of why Terry Brooks is my favourite author for so many reasons. A good read for anyone, and a must read for everyone taking on the literary journey themselves.

Sometimes the Magic Works: Stories From a Writing Life by Terry Brooks

★★★★★

[This review also posted on Observing the Scenery]