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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
3.5
A lone figure ambles its way up the twisted ruins of road to find itself unbidden on the steps of a solitary farmhouse. Is the stranger friend or foe? God or man? For 16 year old Hallie, the questions, and the threat, are all too real. In the desolate ruins of civilization, Hallie and her much older sister Marthe have been clinging to their farm, their world, and trying to hold on to each other, but are failing at both.
I really enjoyed this book; more, actually, than I have any book in almost two months (I’ve been in a really terrible slump). It has the isolated, post-apocalyptic farm vibe of The Hallowed Ones, with a touch of The Stand, and more than a touch of The Subtle Knife. Leah Bobet crafts this book out of simply gorgeous prose that is never overwrought. This is a sparse, ruined world and Bobet’s words fit the eerie, desperate tone of it perfectly. A strange and unknown war happened in the south between the Wicked God and mortal men. At last the Wicked God fell, but his Twisted Things, creatures so close to animals from our world but not, have been tearing across the land burning in their path. And now they’re on Hallie’s and Marthe’s farm.
Find the full review atThe Midnight Garden
A lone figure ambles its way up the twisted ruins of road to find itself unbidden on the steps of a solitary farmhouse. Is the stranger friend or foe? God or man? For 16 year old Hallie, the questions, and the threat, are all too real. In the desolate ruins of civilization, Hallie and her much older sister Marthe have been clinging to their farm, their world, and trying to hold on to each other, but are failing at both.
I really enjoyed this book; more, actually, than I have any book in almost two months (I’ve been in a really terrible slump). It has the isolated, post-apocalyptic farm vibe of The Hallowed Ones, with a touch of The Stand, and more than a touch of The Subtle Knife. Leah Bobet crafts this book out of simply gorgeous prose that is never overwrought. This is a sparse, ruined world and Bobet’s words fit the eerie, desperate tone of it perfectly. A strange and unknown war happened in the south between the Wicked God and mortal men. At last the Wicked God fell, but his Twisted Things, creatures so close to animals from our world but not, have been tearing across the land burning in their path. And now they’re on Hallie’s and Marthe’s farm.
Find the full review atThe Midnight Garden
If you like the idea of reading a science fictiony/fantasy-y novel that feels a little like Daughter of Smoke and Bone written by the band The Decemberists, this is the book for you.
Post-apocalyptic, with creepy monsters, and told the story of a pair of sisters who were just trying to make the farm that their late father left them work in his absence. The eldest sister's husband went off to war a few months back, and they were waiting anxiously for his return. But when they hire a veteran to help with the harvest, strange monsters begin to appear and circle the farm. . It was quiet and verged on YA, but riveting; I found it extra interesting because there were a series of place names that sounded... juuuust... familiar..... enough.... to the point where I looked up what place this was actually set in, and was gratified to find I was right.
I was quite pleased to have received this book from the Goodreads Giveaways! Normally, this wouldn't be the type of book I would pick up -- I mean, farming and fantasy? That's . . . different. But I'm glad that I got this book, because I was pleasantly surprised.
Some people have said that they think the pacing was slow. I admit, that to some it may have been -- but I thought it was fine. I didn't mind the lack of action; I always thought there was plenty of conflict and drama to keep the story afloat. Of course, it might've served the story better to have higher stakes in the beginning as well, not just the ending. But I didn't think it was too bad.
Other than the pacing, I really enjoyed the plot. It kept me invested the whole time -- from the first chapter to the last. I didn't want to stop to sleep, actually . . . And the small revelations at the end, though not completely shocking, were still surprising. Overall, I thought the plot was pretty good.
That aside, I'll focus on the characters next. Hallie, our protagonist, I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, I found certain facets of her personality annoying -- her wanting to handle things herself, but then I found other parts of her admirable, like not turning Heron away and stuff. But, in the end, I suppose she's a pretty good protagonist. She has faults, but if you can get me to admire her, that's pretty good.
And I have to admit, Bobet did a pretty fantastic job with the rest of the characters. Each of them had a unique personality and I could understand most of their motivations -- from Heron and his sweet, platonic relationship with our protagonist and own internal conflict and struggle; to Marthe, Hallie's sister, who seems gruff but just doesn't really know how to handle things (do we ever); to Tyler, with his war-torn mind (and eyes) and hope for the future; and Nat, his sister who's trying to keep everything together; and even Asphodel Jones, a character we aren't even really introduced to until later is quite memorable. There are plenty of other memorable minor characters as well! Although I never quite understood Pitts . . . what was with him and the farm?
I'd like to mention two relationships while we're on the characters topic. First, Hallie and Marthe's: I didn't really like or dislike it. I thought it was understandable, realistic. I thought both could do better, but both were under pressure, and humans often make mistakes. It was perfectly reasonable for them to act the ways they did, so I didn't really have any problems with it.
Second, the romance between Hallie and Tyler. GAHH. SO CUTE. I love best-friend-turned-crush-turned-love relationships, and Bobet totally rocked this one. Tyler was adorable and unsure and sweet, and Hallie's dynamic with him was perfect. Loved it.
I loved the setting. Like I said above, it wouldn't normally be my type, but I found it really unique and interesting. The descriptions were beautiful and vivid. And the idea of the world Bobet created was fresh, original. Her writing's so good.
So what did I think of this story overall? Well, I think it really surpassed my expectations. And I'm super glad I won the giveaway, because I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. The characters, the romance, and vivid world -- all pieces that fit together to create a unique story.
Some people have said that they think the pacing was slow. I admit, that to some it may have been -- but I thought it was fine. I didn't mind the lack of action; I always thought there was plenty of conflict and drama to keep the story afloat. Of course, it might've served the story better to have higher stakes in the beginning as well, not just the ending. But I didn't think it was too bad.
Other than the pacing, I really enjoyed the plot. It kept me invested the whole time -- from the first chapter to the last. I didn't want to stop to sleep, actually . . . And the small revelations at the end, though not completely shocking, were still surprising. Overall, I thought the plot was pretty good.
That aside, I'll focus on the characters next. Hallie, our protagonist, I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, I found certain facets of her personality annoying -- her wanting to handle things herself, but then I found other parts of her admirable, like not turning Heron away and stuff. But, in the end, I suppose she's a pretty good protagonist. She has faults, but if you can get me to admire her, that's pretty good.
And I have to admit, Bobet did a pretty fantastic job with the rest of the characters. Each of them had a unique personality and I could understand most of their motivations -- from Heron and his sweet, platonic relationship with our protagonist and own internal conflict and struggle; to Marthe, Hallie's sister, who seems gruff but just doesn't really know how to handle things (do we ever); to Tyler, with his war-torn mind (and eyes) and hope for the future; and Nat, his sister who's trying to keep everything together; and even Asphodel Jones, a character we aren't even really introduced to until later is quite memorable. There are plenty of other memorable minor characters as well! Although I never quite understood Pitts . . . what was with him and the farm?
I'd like to mention two relationships while we're on the characters topic. First, Hallie and Marthe's: I didn't really like or dislike it. I thought it was understandable, realistic. I thought both could do better, but both were under pressure, and humans often make mistakes. It was perfectly reasonable for them to act the ways they did, so I didn't really have any problems with it.
Second, the romance between Hallie and Tyler. GAHH. SO CUTE. I love best-friend-turned-crush-turned-love relationships, and Bobet totally rocked this one. Tyler was adorable and unsure and sweet, and Hallie's dynamic with him was perfect. Loved it.
I loved the setting. Like I said above, it wouldn't normally be my type, but I found it really unique and interesting. The descriptions were beautiful and vivid. And the idea of the world Bobet created was fresh, original. Her writing's so good.
So what did I think of this story overall? Well, I think it really surpassed my expectations. And I'm super glad I won the giveaway, because I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. The characters, the romance, and vivid world -- all pieces that fit together to create a unique story.
Holy hell. This'll run your heart through a dull cheese grater and then shove it back together with your tears for glue.
I enjoyed the story and character building throughout. The sister relationship, romantic developments, and overall treatment of abuse and psychological development were thoughtful, mature, and realistic and I liked all of it. There were a lot of pieces, however, that I felt like could have been tweaked or better developed-- the language was heavy-handed and sometimes her use of metaphor and idiom didn't make sense. I also felt like the resolution was a little too easy, and when I realized it was set in post-apocalyltic America, I was startled--it came up pretty late, and I'd already formed an idea of the world as something completely independent. Overall, though, an enjoyable read.
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
A pretty good read with a good silent conclusion
Not sure what to say. Most books are about a war taking place, but we hardly ever get a look at what happens when the war is over but the land is still war-torn. This was unique and different and I enjoyed it except for the fact that some parts, for me, were rushed and under explained and some parts were overly drawn out, but still a good story.
This book was so bleak and grim, and moves at a rather slow pace, so it was not an easy read. Once you are in the mood for it (get ready to get the cheer sucked out of you!), it is a very interesting premise, with a well constructed world and fantasy elements that seamlessly blend in. The Twisted Things seemed like something you would find in a Neil Gaiman story. The characters are fleshed out, and you do feel involved with them. I felt like yelling at Marthe and Hallie to stop being dumb a couple times, but hey, if you have siblings, you have probably acted that level of dumb at some point. OK, come on, stop being silly! Fortunately, once other characters like Nat and the Chandlers get introduced, it is not all self deprecation, disappointment and fear. I appreciated the subtle romance in the story; it didn't distract from the plot, and fit right in with the characters.
I felt sad about the Twisted Things, causing destruction without intending to, just scared animals caught on the wrong side of a hole.
Now, I should go do my chores.
Spoiler
The disappointment over the pointless war which was not a real war. Was there ever a war that was not pointless, that did not make up for the loss of life and desolation in its aftermath?I felt sad about the Twisted Things, causing destruction without intending to, just scared animals caught on the wrong side of a hole.
Now, I should go do my chores.
I finished this book weeks ago and I still don't know what to so.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.