A prequel to the marvelous The Blacktongue Thief, one of my favorite books in recent memory, and it doesn't disappoint. In that prior book, Galva dom A prequel to the marvelous The Blacktongue Thief, one of my favorite books in recent memory, and it doesn't disappoint. In that prior book, Galva dom Braga is an elder companion to young Kinch Na Shannack as he tells the story of his adventures. In this, Galva tells her own story, that of her initial war campaign as a young soldier seeing battle and death for the first time.
Galva is a very different person than Kinch and, fittingly, tells her story quite differently. Much less gallows humor, much more warfare: tactics and gore and politics--though equally entertaining in its way. It is uniquely Galva's story, adding layers and depth and dimensions to this world that Buehlman has created. And now I want to read The Blacktongue Thief again while I wait hopefully for another installment....more
A beautiful creation myth of sorts. The creation of community. The first joining of the people beyond isolated family units spread across the land.
ButA beautiful creation myth of sorts. The creation of community. The first joining of the people beyond isolated family units spread across the land.
But it is not told in mythical style. No, this is an intimate story about a boy, a boy helping his parents survive after his two older brothers have gone missing. Pina finds himself kidnapped by a god-like eagle elder, taken to the eagle home in the far mountains. There he is told he must learn the lessons they teach or be killed as his brothers were.
This story takes place in the cold northern tundra, and the story reflects it. The eagles are similarly harsh and bleak and minimal in their interactions with Pina. Their instruction the same. Hopson's language is also unadorned and direct. A unity of style, conveying the content of the tale and culture of the people. Yet taking Pina's perspective, sharing the story through his thoughts and emotions, his struggles and doubts, makes it a warm and personable experience. Relatable. Resonant.
Amazing, beautiful illustrations convey action, personality, and atmosphere. They immerse readers in a bleak story of desperate survival.
Some apocalypAmazing, beautiful illustrations convey action, personality, and atmosphere. They immerse readers in a bleak story of desperate survival.
Some apocalypse has wiped out the humans and most of the food, and has left the remaining animals wondering what to do in a world of ruins and overlong grey winter. Two young mice are trying to help their colony find new ways of making do even as their community splinters from in-fighting. Some of the other animals out in the wider world can be friendly, but many are deadly. Wix and Pict each get sucked into more adventure than desired: journeys to new places, encounters with new creatures, different cultures, civilizations, politics, and myths.
A wonderfully complicated group of teens trying to figure out the mess of their emotions and identities, relationships with each other, and places in A wonderfully complicated group of teens trying to figure out the mess of their emotions and identities, relationships with each other, and places in society--who have the added complication of being reincarnations of warring gods from another reality with a long, bloody, and twisty history. Magic, love, passion, and danger abound....more
I haven't read the novel this is based on so don't know how it compares--but can say I really enjoyed this. The art style worked well for the content,I haven't read the novel this is based on so don't know how it compares--but can say I really enjoyed this. The art style worked well for the content, which I can't get out of my head. I wish the rest of the story was published so I could keep reading to find out what happens next....more
The illustrations didn't really click for me and I often felt like I was missing a lot of the information that was meant to be conveyed--especially siThe illustrations didn't really click for me and I often felt like I was missing a lot of the information that was meant to be conveyed--especially since many of the panels, pages, and spreads are wordless ones where the artwork carries the story. Nevertheless, it's a lovely story, and I can only think those who understand it better than I will only enjoy it more....more
A beautifully rendered and told tale of a boy, in a fantastical version of middle America, struggling to escape a generational cycle of violence and aA beautifully rendered and told tale of a boy, in a fantastical version of middle America, struggling to escape a generational cycle of violence and abuse. To not become his father, who became his father before him. And of the people he finds on his journey who help him break free and become someone else. Wonderfully imagined world-building, strong characters, and a moving story. Excellent....more
A little bit Frankenstein's monster--if the monster was a Jewish golem created in Nazi occupied Lithuania during World War II. Vera is built from clayA little bit Frankenstein's monster--if the monster was a Jewish golem created in Nazi occupied Lithuania during World War II. Vera is built from clay and parts of a resistance fighter for the purpose of enacting vengeance on those who killed her, yet she feels there must be more to life than becoming a tool for death and destruction. Her creator disappears unexpectedly and she finds herself on the run and the wintry woods, having to figure everything out for herself. It's an intriguing and engaging story....more
A beautifully illustrated story about girl with mythical powers caught between competing interests that would use her, struggling to figure out who toA beautifully illustrated story about girl with mythical powers caught between competing interests that would use her, struggling to figure out who to side with and who to hurt. Gripping and satisfying....more
This is a book about tiny fairies trapped in a world of declining magic with hostile earwigs, beetles, newts, pill bugs, ants, centipedes, and worms, This is a book about tiny fairies trapped in a world of declining magic with hostile earwigs, beetles, newts, pill bugs, ants, centipedes, and worms, a world being overrun by mold that is killing them all.
This is a book about ancient secrets, declining magic, myths, legends, heroes, grudges, lies, and feuds, and about family, heartbreak, scars, and personal secrets.
This is a book about a world on the brink of ecological collapse and species extinction, an ever-present, foreboding sense of doom.
This is a book about adventure, bravery, love, and what it takes to make a difference.
When Ainsley and Tobin's family buy the house of a long-missing movie maker, they discover his uber-popular fantasy series is more interactive than thWhen Ainsley and Tobin's family buy the house of a long-missing movie maker, they discover his uber-popular fantasy series is more interactive than they ever imagined. Much more interactive. They find themselves traveling into the world of the films--and followed back out of it. It makes for an exciting adventure story....more
Intriguing, but the narrative voice didn't work for me and the story didn't engage me.Intriguing, but the narrative voice didn't work for me and the story didn't engage me....more
An engaging fantasy romance. Intriguing characters and world building. Good writing. I would have liked a little more action, a little less plotting aAn engaging fantasy romance. Intriguing characters and world building. Good writing. I would have liked a little more action, a little less plotting and politics and a romantic arc that wasn't quite so cliche, but I definitely enjoyed it....more
"Let me state one thing up front: I wasn't trying to start a cult."
That's about as intriguing and promising a start I can imagine. While not technical"Let me state one thing up front: I wasn't trying to start a cult."
That's about as intriguing and promising a start I can imagine. While not technically the first words of the book, they are the first sentence of the first chapter, so in my mind that counts. I love a great opening sentence(s), and this one is stellar.
Everything that follows (and, briefly, precedes) is just as good. Intrigue, romance, depth, supernatural entities, interpersonal conflict; all of it realistically complex and engaging. This story is satisfying and fun....more
A wonderful conjunction of folk tales, folklore, espionage, grit, danger, and adventure at the crossroads of New York during the building of the BrookA wonderful conjunction of folk tales, folklore, espionage, grit, danger, and adventure at the crossroads of New York during the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. Highly enjoyable....more
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