Books of Pellinor II: The Riddle by Alison Croggon

From Goodreads:
Maerad is a girl with a tragic and bitter past, but her powers grow stronger by the day. Now she and her mentor, Cadvan, hunted by both the Light and the Dark, must unravel the Riddle of the Treesong before their fractured kingdom erupts in chaos. The quest leads Maerad over terrifying seas and vast stretches of glacial wilderness, ever closer to the seductive Winterking ally of her most powerful enemy, the Nameless One. Trapped in the Winterking's icy realm, Maerad must confront what she has suspected all along: that she is the greatest riddle of all.

The second book in this quartet picks up exactly where The Naming left off, and once again Alison Croggon continues to create a fantasy world that is both familiar and new at the same time. 

The Riddle takes the characters and the world that we have come to know in The Naming and tests them. In The Riddle we find out what Maerad is capable of, what Cadvan is capable of. While The Naming was an outward-looking novel about uncovering the terrors of war and what is going on within this world to cause strife, this book is more introspective as both the characters and the readers find out what they are capable of and who they see themselves as. There is a lot more strife between characters in this book, as this is the "testing" novel of the quartet above any of the other books in this series. One could argue that the entire series is about various strifes, but The Riddle puts it at the forefront. 

Once again, we see, with greater detail, just how layered and flawed our heroes are, which is a testament to Croggon's writing skills. It adds so much depth to the conflict. If the characters were one-dimensional and bland, you would not care about the conflict that is happening both between characters and within the world they live in. These characters are well-designed, well-realized, and have outdone themselves compared to their previous outing. Croggon takes the foundations that she laid in The Naming and builds upon them, continuing to create an old-yet-new tale with consistency and growth. 

The nice thing about subsequent books in a series is how world-building is not as necessary. This being the second book of four, Croggon has already developed her world in The Riddle, but, much like her character arcs, she continues to have them grow and build off the foundational level as well. We see new lands, new areas, uncharted territories in this book, which adds to the mythos of the world that she has built. The plot flows well, and it was, once again, nearly impossible to put down. 

The Riddle is once again an amazing story that is split between being plot driven and character driven in a happy medium. The characters grow and become more layered, while still remaining realistic and flawed. There is a lot of much-needed strife in this particular outing so as to realize what is truly at stake. In this introspective novel, Alison Croggon builds upon the foundation she set in place in The Naming, and does so with poise and skill. The Riddle, like The Naming, gets a 5/5. 

Books of Pellinor I: The Naming by Alison Croggon

From Goodreads:
Maerad is a slave in a desperate and unforgiving settlement, taken there as a child when her family is destroyed in war. She doesn't yet know she has inherited a powerful gift, one that marks her as a member of the noble School of Pellinor and enables her to see the world as no other can. It is only when she is discovered by Cadvan, one of the great Bards of Lirigon, that her true identity and extraordinary destiny unfold. Now, she and her mysterious teacher must embark on a treacherous, uncertain journey through a time and place where the forces of darkness wield an otherworldly terror. 

I love me some old-school epic fantasy.

This book had everything going for it: great world-building, excellent characters, compelling plot, amazing writing style. It was a joy to read this book and read the beginning of Maerad's story. While there were some cliches that are common to fantasy, Croggon works with them well, integrating them into the story and setting up the sequels.

This book has been compared to J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. I can kind of see the comparison in that they both have unique settings and some similarities in conventions within their respective worlds. They also both have appendices which add to the worlds of each respective story. But for me, that is where the comparison ends. While I adore Lord of the Rings, Croggon takes the typical "chosen one" fantasy trope and runs with it, creating in her wake a compelling and unique world that is realistic and easy to imagine, with characters that are so layered and flawed that it is its own creature entirely.

The plot moves quickly at first to get the action and main story into motion, but it is not always so quick in its pacing, which is a good thing for a novel of this nature. Croggon still has three more books worth of story to tell, so everything must be set up well for a satisfying payoff, and must create a world and cast of characters that does not feel worn out after the first entry. Croggon does this all wonderfully with well-realized and realistic protagonists Maerad and Cadvan. Their relationship and friendship feels earned and not at all forced. 

The action is thrilling and tense. It's wonderful to read and I found myself not wanting to put it down so I could study for my finals even though I really should have (spoiler: I didn't put the book down, I kept reading and still did well on my exams). While the premise is not so different from other fantasy books, Croggon executes hers with so much uniqueness and a great understanding of her characters, that it feels fresh and new, while also making you feel like you're at home. I love how the characters are written like people. They are flawed. They make mistakes. They have layers. This is due in part to Croggon's writing style, which is lush and beautiful, making the narrative feel like an old story that flows seamlessly.

While the premise is nothing new, what Croggon does in the first Book of Pellinor is endlessly unique and wonderful. With rich writing and world-building, and well-thought out, layered characters, The Naming is an excellent start to an outstanding quartet. I fully enjoyed this book and I'm giving it a 5/5. 

A Pleasure and a Calling by Phil Hogan

From Goodreads:
You won't remember Mr. Heming. He was the estate agent who showed you around your comfortable home, suggested a financial package, negotiated a price with the owner, and called you with the good news. The less good news is that, all these years later, he still has the key. That's absurd, you laugh. Of all the many hundreds of houses he has sold, why would he still have the key to mine? The answer is; he has the keys to them all. 

William Heming's most at home in a stranger's private things. He makes it his business to know all their secrets, and how they arrange their lives. His every pleasure is in his leafy community. He loves and knows every inch of it, feels nurtured by it, and would defend it - perhaps not with his life but if it came to it, with yours. Things begin to change when Mr. Hemings' obsession shifts from many people to one, and then a dead body winds up in someone's garden. For a man who is used to going unremarked, Mr. Heming's finds his natural routine becomes uncomfortably interrupted.

The best way I can describe A Pleasure and a Calling is unsettling. Phil Hogan does a good job at not only creating a ... what can only be described as voyeuristic main character in Mr. Heming, but also giving reasons and backstory for why he is the way that he is and how he came to be a real estate agent. It's such a clever idea to make him be a real estate agent. Who else besides you and a select number of people such as family and friends would at one point have access to your home? A real estate agent. From the beginning, the story and character of Mr. Heming is unhinged, but it only increases as the plot weaves on and we both a) find out more about his backstory, and b) find out what he is truly capable of doing. 

While there are a few boring moments in the narrative, Phil Hogan does an excellent job at making this a creepy and unnerving story that demands your full and uninterrupted attention until the very end. The narration style is so slick and so smooth. It almost sounds as if he's speaking to a trusted confidante or giving a confessional interview. I could believe either scenario. This man is a high-functioning sociopath who is good at what he's doing, so it makes sense that his narration style would be in this way. It's supposed to be skewed in his favour and completely narcissistic as it is. Hogan does a very good job at creating this sociopathic character that you can't help but feel sympathy for in a few scenes. 

A sign that Phil Hogan has done his job right is that you feel uncomfortable reading about Mr. Heming's escapades, but you also feel uncomfortable with yourself for feeling something for him in certain scenes. There is a great amount of sarcastic and self-referential humour in here that fits the narrative well and makes Heming slightly less aloof than he is when he is being serious. It adds an extra dimension to the novel as a whole. It also taps into his ever-growing descent into complete madness and chaos. 

This book reminds you why you should change your locks upon buying and moving into a new home. A Pleasure and a Calling is creepy, unhinged, and surprisingly insightful. It's funny and has a great main character and narrator in Heming, who demands that the reader pay attention to the story from beginning to end. While it was mostly an enjoyable, atmospheric, and unsettling read, there were a few parts that were dull and dragged the tension down slightly. Besides that, I enjoyed this book immensely and am going to give it a 4/5. 

Black Mad Wheel by Josh Malerman

From Goodreads:
The Danes—the band known as the “Darlings of Detroit”—are washed up and desperate for inspiration, eager to once again have a number one hit. That is, until an agent from the US Army approaches them. Will they travel to an African desert and track down the source of a mysterious and malevolent sound? Under the guidance of their front man, Philip Tonka, the Danes embark on a harrowing journey through the scorching desert—a trip that takes Tonka into the heart of an ominous and twisted conspiracy.

Meanwhile, in a nondescript Midwestern hospital, a nurse named Ellen tends to a patient recovering from a near-fatal accident. The circumstances that led to his injuries are mysterious—and his body heals at a remarkable rate. Ellen will do the impossible for this enigmatic patient, who reveals more about his accident with each passing day.

As you know, I loved Josh Malerman's debut novel Bird Box, so when I saw that he had published another book, I knew I had to read it. And when I saw this one be compared to Lost, one of my all-time favourite TV shows? DOUBLE excited. When I read this in the car on the way to Easter dinner I could not put it down. I was so engaged in what was going on. 

Josh Malerman once again shows his writing chops in Black Mad Wheel. If I didn't know that this was his sophomore novel, I would say he's a seasoned author with many publications to his name. His writing style is so unique and engaging, never once letting up the suspense and tension, deftly weaving back and forth between the two intertwining narratives of the desert and the hospital. He has this way of writing tension that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up and makes you think twice about things. He's excellent at creating tension, setting, tone, and atmosphere that pays off well in the conclusion of the novel. 

The characters in Black Mad Wheel are well-realized and -defined. You know what makes each of these characters tick. They all have ideals and morals and each have their own reasons for doing this mission. Main characters Philip and Ellen  work so well and you can tell that they each have something haunting them. Additionally, all the characters play off of each other so well. Malerman really knows what makes his characters tick. Nothing ever feels forced with these characters, they are believable and relatable, and work really well for this story.

Once again the psychological horror showcased in this book, like his previous novel, builds gradually until it reaches a climax that is so meticulously planned out. Each of the two narratives has a psychological horror that again is intertwined. You can tell that Malerman put a lot of time and effort into intertwining these two horrors that ultimately end up feeding off each other in their own way, and it really paid off. 

Guys, this is another home run for Josh Malerman. He has proven himself once again as being an adept writer, creating an atmospheric and tense novel from start to finish. While I enjoyed Bird Box just a tiny bit more, this is still a stunning novel, not one I'll soon forget. It's well-written, has great characters and character development, and isn't cliche in the slightest in the execution of the twists. I have to give Black Mad Wheel a 5/5. It was such an intense ride that didn't let up for a second. All around a terrific novel. 

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

From Goodreads:
Remember, it’s only a game…

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

The first book I read following my self-imposed book exile (I was simply too busy to read during the mania of essays and assigned readings. Fourth year is like a void), I've heard mixed things about Caraval, but mostly good things, but also some negative things (most memorably a gripe from Samantha/Thoughts on Tomes). Bearing all this in mind, I went in with an open mind and got a mixed bag, with some great things, and some not so great things. 

Caraval is excellent at setting up the world. I loved reading about the various parts of the performances and various things that happen in this world. I think it's a very unique world and it has a lot of potential to be this dark, two-faced performance, where you don't know if the people there can be trusted or not. The world-building for this book was on point and it was perhaps the best part about Caraval for me. I think the plot was set up very well and there were many unique concepts and good attempts at world-building as well, but it was bogged down by other factors of the novel.

The writing style is kind of all over the place. It's attempting to be very metaphorical and personification-al, but is presented as being purple prose, with MANY nonsensical, forced metaphors. Without giving anything away, Scarlett uses colour a lot to describe feelings and emotions, but it doesn't go anywhere. How cool would it be if she were magic and being able to see emotion as colour was her own unique skill? Sam at Thoughts on Tomes describes it in her own gripe video for this book but it's something that I noticed as well. I understand what is being attempted here, it's trying to be lyrical, but it comes off 99% of the time as being purple prose.

The characters frustrated me as well. The characters and the readers are told time and again that all the events are a game and nothing is to be trusted ... yet most everything is taken at face value and is taken to be gospel truth. The characters are one-dimensional and contrived, very undefined and generic. Scarlett and Tella are supposed to have this strong sisterly bond ... where was it? The villain was mostly forgettable, again with no defining character traits. There was so much naivety and lack of critical thinking from the main characters, which was disappointing. There was very little substance in favour of an overabundance of tropes and cliches for all of the characters.

Caraval was kind of a mess in my opinion. While it had some redeeming factors in the plot and the world-building, it was bogged down by the writing style and purple prose which did not add an iota of relevance to the story. Additionally, the characters were super-frustrating as well, which detracted from the great plot and world building. I so desperately wanted to and tried to enjoy this book, but it just didn't do it for me. The good thing about Caraval is that while it is frustrating, it is a quick read. I think it only took me a day or so to finish it. I'm going to give Caraval 2/5 - the plot setup and worldbuilding were good, but nothing else quite worked for me.

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

From Goodreads:
Time flies when you're plundering history.

Farway Gaius McCarthy was born outside of time. The son of a time-traveling Recorder from 2354 AD and a gladiator living in Rome in 95 AD, Far's birth defies the laws of nature. Exploring history himself is all he's ever wanted, and after failing his final time-traveling exam, Far takes a position commanding a ship with a crew of his friends as part of a black market operation to steal valuables from the past. 

But during a heist on the sinking Titanic, Far meets a mysterious girl who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Armed with knowledge that will bring Far's very existence into question, she will lead Far and his team on a race through time to discover a frightening truth: History is not as steady as it seems.

Guess who's back, back again. 

I'm officially done my undergrad degree, and in the interim between the end of exams and now, I've read a plethora of books, all of which need reviewing. Following The Uninvited by Cat Winters, which I read in January, this was the first book I read, once all my final papers and assignments had calmed the eff down for a minute before my exams started. I got this book for Christmas because I love time travel stories and this is most definitely a time-travel novel. 

The plot grabbed my attention almost instantly, with Graudin creating an interesting world and compelling characters. It's a fast-paced novel, that is propelled more by plot than character, which is not uncommon for time-travel stories. The historical parts were very interesting to see as well, which helped propel the plot forward. The world-building, additionally, was very well done and I got through this book quickly because it was paced well and I continued to want to know what was coming next.

However ...

While the world-building, plot setup, and settings were all very well-done, I felt as though the characters were not very well-developed or thought out. There is a relationship in this novel, but there is never any set-up or any scenes that truly portray why they are an item. In not having relatable characters, Invictus did not have stakes that were high enough for me to really care about what happened. While the world-building and setting pulled me in, the lack of character development and lack of any tangible stakes or consequences of their actions (in a believable way) dragged me out of the story Graudin is telling in this book. 

Because of the lack of character development and significance of their actions and decisions (some of which are really dumb and unrealistic) the book gets slowed down in parts that are supposed to be significant and meaningful, which was a detractor and, as such, I had to take away from my rating. 

In conclusion, Invictus had a mostly good plot that was accompanied by good pacing and a unique setting created by Ryan Graudin. That being said, however, this book does not have any real moments of significance due to a lack of character development and unrealistic portrayals in certain scenes, which slows down the book. For these reasons, it was difficult to give a rating for this book, but have decided to give it a 3/5 - the plot and world-building is well-done, and it boasts an incredible writing style, but it's dragged down by underdeveloped and unrealistic characters that fall flat. If you are into novels driven by plot over character with science fiction, you will enjoy this book.

The Uninvited by Cat Winters

From Goodreads:
Twenty-five year old Ivy Rowan rises from her bed after being struck by the flu, only to discover the world has been torn apart in just a few short days.

But Ivy’s life-long gift—or curse—remains. For she sees the uninvited ones—ghosts of loved ones who appear to her, unasked, unwelcomed, for they always herald impending death. On that October evening in 1918 she sees the spirit of her grandmother, rocking in her mother’s chair. An hour later, she learns her younger brother and father have killed a young German out of retaliation for the death of Ivy’s older brother Billy in the Great War.

Horrified, she leaves home, to discover the flu has caused utter panic and the rules governing society have broken down. Ivy is drawn into this new world of jazz, passion, and freedom, where people live for the day, because they could be stricken by nightfall. But as her ‘uninvited guests’ begin to appear to her more often, she knows her life will be torn apart once more, but Ivy has no inkling of the other-worldly revelations about to unfold.

First book of 2018! I read this in literally hours on January 1. I could not put this book down, it was so well-done. Like Beyond the Wild River by Sarah Maine, and Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder, The Uninvited caught me completely off-guard with its insight and emotion. 

This book pulls you in almost instantly. Interwoven with the narrative are newspaper clippings and medical journals discussing the influenza's impact on the town the book takes place in, which adds impact to that story thread. 

This book is the perfect blend of historical truth with the supernatural which made for a very interesting read. Cat Winters did her research about the climate towards Germans and German sympathizers during World War I, as well as doing extensive research about the influenza that took so many people's lives near the end of the War (which killed more people than the War itself did). What Winters does so well here is showcase the paranoia and xenophobia of the time. It was an eye-opening read in that sense. 

The two lead characters are very well-developed, as are the supporting players. Ivy's "gift" did not feel forced was an important part of the climax of the novel (I will leave it there so I won't spoil the excellent twist). Ivy and Daniel, the brother of the German man Ivy's father and brother murdered were both so well-realized that I thought about them while I wasn't reading the book, wondering what would happen to them, if their burgeoning relationship would be discovered, if they could find redemption in each other. These characters are heartbreaking and wonderful and all the kudos goes to Cat Winters for developing them so well.

The writing style is excellent. I was completely pulled in and engrossed by Cat Winters' excellent descriptions in less than a page. I loved how she described simple things, and how she portrayed the charcters through her words. She eloquently portrays the anti-German climate of 1918 and how it, along with a crippling, deadly disease can tear people apart and end relationships and ruin lives forever. It's amazing how words can move and impact you; by the end of this book I had the box of kleenex next to me because emotions. Her final twist was not one that I saw coming but made total sense. There is a moment near the climax of the novel where something felt not right and I was thinking "How is she going to explain this?" It's so well-done and in hindsight, is obvious from the beginning. 

The Uninvited has definitely been added to the ranks of being one of my favourite books. From beginning to end, I was completely enthralled and could not put it down. It was so well developed, well-researched, and was heartbreakingly beautiful with the characters of Ivy and Daniel. I loved everything about this book. It was wonderful and beautiful and sad and uplifting. It's unconventional and doesn't candy coat the psychology of suspicion, panic, and hatred that came out of World War I and the flu epidemic. It's a well-realized book and I absolutely have to give it a 5/5.