Doll Bones - Book Review

Doll Bones
by Holly Black, with illustrations by Eliza Wheeler

What is it about:
Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But disaster strikes when, without warning, Zach’s father throws out all his toys, declaring he’s too old for them. Zach is furious, confused and embarrassed, deciding that the only way to cope is to stop playing... and stop being friends with Poppy and Alice.

But one night the girls pay Zach a visit, and tell him about a series of mysterious occurrences. Poppy swears that she is now being haunted by a china doll – who claims that it is made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it. Otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity...

What did I think of it:
Yes, I know. I still haven't read the last book in the Modern Faerie Tales trilogy. But once again an author was unjustly hated on by people, so I bought one of her books as my way to support her. And the beautiful cover illustration drew me into picking it up right away.

In my opinion this story is less spooky tale than it is a story about friendship and growing up.

Zach is at that awkward age where you still want to play with your toys, but the outside world is starting to try to push you into growing up. When his father throws his toys out he is convinced he has to stop playing. His two best friends Poppy and Alice want his help with dealing with a haunted doll however.

The journey they make is one that is wonderful, and full of danger and adventure, as well as being a journey both in the physical and psychological sense. I rooted for them to find a way to conclude their adventure in a way that would make it possible for them to move forward together while still holding on to the good things of their childhood.

The haunted doll is a beautiful paranormal touch to this otherwise contemporary tale of friendship and finding your place. A lot of the things the three of them struggle with were familiar and reminded me of myself when I was that age. This book is definitely a keeper.

Why should you read it:
It's a touching story about friendship and growing up with a hint of the Paranormal


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Teaser Tuesdays - Gideon the Ninth

As they went through, exclaiming at the smell, the pale twin paused. She did not follow them. She looked straight into the darkness instead, the deep shadows around the stairwell.

(page 100, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir)


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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you sh"are doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Near Witch - Book Review

The Near Witch
by Victoria Schwab
The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.

These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.

But when an actual stranger-a boy who seems to fade like smoke-appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.

The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.

As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi's need to know-about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.

What did I think of it:
This is one of those books I put on my wishlist when it first released in 2011. Then when I finally wanted to buy it, it was out of print. So when it was rereleased this year I decided I wouldn't miss out again and got hold of it.

And this book is so good!

Schwab is a master at creating the perfect atmosphere for a spooky story. I could easily picture the moors and the small town of Near. I was drawn in by the writing and the story right from the start.

Lexi is a strong and wonderful heroine, I was totally rooting for her to solve the disappearances and to live her life as she wanted, instead of having to conform to what people expected. I also loved her mother. She seemed like a submissive person, but under her meek exterior she hid a spine of steel.

Once I started on this book I couldn't put it down and read into the night to finish it. What a wonderful and gripping read. My edition included a prequel novella at the end of the book, but I will confess I didn't read it. Some things don't have to be explained, but can stay as mysterious as they are.

You bet I'll get my trotters on all of Schwab's books in time.

Why should you read it:
It's an atmospheric and beautiful YA read.


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Gamechanger - Book Review

Gamechanger
by L.X. Beckett

What is it about:
First there was the Setback. Then came the Clawback. Now humanity thrives.

Rubi Whiting is a member of the Bounceback Generation. The first to be raised free of the troubles of the late twenty-first century. Now she works as a public defender to help troubled individuals with anti-social behavior. That’s how she met Luciano Pox.

Luce is a firebrand and has made a name for himself as a naysayer. But there’s more to him than being a lightning rod for controversy. Rubi has to find out why the governments of the world want to bring Luce into custody, and why Luce is hell bent on stopping the recovery of the planet.

What did I think of it:
This book takes you on a wild emotional ride while challenging your views on what humanity actually is.

The prologue of this book alone was so gripping that I wouldn't have minded if that particular story had been continued, but then the story switched to 40 years later and it drew me in all over again.

The future Beckett describes isn't a happy one. Large parts of earth have been destroyed and to spare resources and space people spend most of their time online in a virtual world. You can get strikes and strokes for your behavior and a good social standing is everything if you don't want to watch a gazilion ads before you're allowed to do anything.

I must say parts of this world felt frighteningly close.

Where a Black Mirror episode would turn this bleak world even bleaker by the end of the episode, Beckett gives hope in their story. Ruby for one believes humanity can be and do better. Her work on Luce's case lands her in hot water though, and soon she is discovering things, and following leads that show her things she never knew about.

Next to Ruby there are several other viewpoint characters, all with their own agenda and emotions. As the story unfolds their paths intertwine and some of them need to make difficult decisions, or decide what they stand for. I had my favorites of course, Ruby and Gimlet Barnes (her online rival) contending for the number one spot.

This isn't a fast read. The switching viewpoints, the complex world, and the interlinking events make that you really need to pay attention to everything that's going on, but it's so worth it to take the time to let this story get hold of you. It's thought provoking, emotional, and beautiful.

All in all an amazing read. You bet I'll be keeping an eye out for more books by Beckett.

Why should you read it:
It's a wonderful and emotional SF read.


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Brimstone and Marmalade - Halloween Read

Brimstone and Marmalade
by Aaron Corwin

What is it about:
All Mathilde wanted for her birthday was a pony. Instead, she got a demon. Sometimes growing up means learning that what you think you want is not always what you need.

What did I think of it:
This is a fun and bittersweet short story about a girl who gets a demon for her birthday instead of a pony. If you're looking for a Halloween read that's not about the horror and gore, but about growing up and friendship, this is the read for you.


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Blood Doctrine - Book Review

Blood Doctrine: Re Education is in Order (Blood Saga #1)
by Maquel A. Jacob

What is it about:
The new generation of vampires has their elders disgusted with their ignorance and lack of social grace. Re-education is in order so they ship the blood thirsty ingrates to boarding school in hopes they catch some common sense. And the young ones don’t like one bit.

Chase Ambrook deems himself a social butterfly living the carefree life. Princess Adelia only sees humans as playthings for her sadistic games. Falson Sapienti spends his days engaging in carnal escapades.

War is coming.

As successors to take over their covens they must buck up and act responsible for once in their lives. Losing the battle means extinction but it may be too much of a burden for this group of spoiled blood suckers.

What did I think of it:
I picked up this book at Worldcon, wanting to try a new to me author.

And this book is... weird.

Parts of it were very entertaining, some disturbing, and others just plain weird.

I liked the overall worldbuilding, and the start of this book was very entertaining, but the behavior of the main characters really put me off of them. They each have a servant/bodyguard and at least two seem to think it's perfectly normal to demand a sexual relationship with that servant whether they want to or not.

I don't like relationships where one of the two parties has no way to refuse and stays in this position with no promise of a change in the lopsided state of the relationship. So with no one to really root for I did wonder at times if I should keep reading.

I was curious enough how things would turn out and if the main characters would grow up, so that kept me reading until a new development drove the story into the bizarre. From there on out I kind of stayed in WTF mode until the end.

All in all this book had promise, but certain aspects and events made it not the right book for me. I might investigate what other books Jacob has written and if they're more to my taste.

Why should you read it:
It's an interesting take on vampires.


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Teaser Tuesdays - The Bone Houses

It was said that in these fruitful times, the people of Colbren grew forgetful. With full bellies and heavy purses, they did not think to send the yearly offerings into the forest.

(page 40, The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones)


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---------

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: - Grab your current read - Open to a random page - Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you sh"are doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) - Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!