The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater | Book Review

Title: The Dream Thieves
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher/Year: Scholastic Press/2013
Series: Yes, The Raven Cycle, Book 2
Source: Purchased 

Goodreads / Author's Website

Summary
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.
Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. 

Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...


Thoughts and Reactions

In writing my review for this novel I realized that I never actually posted, or wrote, my review for The Raven Boys, the first novel of the series. Suffice to say, I loved it. I loved it so much that upon finishing it I pretty much immediately purchased it's sequel. However, that was a year ago and I just finished The Dream Thieves. That has nothing to do with the book and everything to do with my head space at the time. 

I picked up The Dream Thieves time and time again with the intention of reading it, but for whatever reason I could not get passed the first few chapters. I put it down and came back to it about a week ago. I was hooked. It picks up right near where The Raven Boys left off. Adam has recently woken the ley line and nobody's sure how to act around him. Noah is becoming increasingly dim as the line is surging and causing power outages across Henrietta. Everybody now knows that Ronan can take objects from dreams and that's really the focus of this book. 

Ronan is an interesting and complex character; although he wasn’t my favourite going it, he grew on me as I felt like this novel really introduces us to him. He comes across as brash, but only because he cares so much. He has this ability that he doesn’t understand; one that may or may not have had something to do with his father’s death is and he’s still trying to figure himself out. The Dream Thieves really paints him in a more sympathetic light since you really get to see his perspective.

The title essentially sums up the book. Unlike The Raven Boys where the boys and Blue are trying to find a mystical ley line, but it is mostly rooted in reality, The Dream Thieves expands upon this mystical world. Friends are dead but in the land of the living and Ronan can take things from dreams. It’s crazy and thrilling. It didn’t feel like a departure so much as a ramping up of the action and the world’s magical nature.

I’m not sure what else to say about this book as I don’t want to ruin it for anybody who has not already read it, but it thoroughly gripped me. Henrietta is more dangerous now that the line has been woken and more people are out to find it. The characters are dealing with things that they don’t fully understand and it is so exciting for the reader. I love the characterizations and how fully each character is being developed. The relationships forming between them feel real and fractured and I can’t think of a single character who I don’t like. Even the characters who I don’t like, villains like Kapuscinki, have more than one dimension and are compelling.

I am now thoroughly invested in the Raven Cycle and cannot wait to read Blue Lily, Lily Blue. I don’t often read series because I find myself getting bored halfway through, but this is one that I’m more than happy to continue. 

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel by Robin Sloan | Book Review

TITLE: Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel
AUTHOR: Robin Sloan
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Farrar, Straus and Giroux / 2012
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Purchased

Goodreads / Author's Website

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is a book that I've been dying to read since it was first released. I honestly couldn't tell you why I've wanted to read it so badly; I haven't heard much about it, but between the cover and the fact that bookstore is right there in the title I knew I had to give it a shot. I was away for a month and found myself in an English bookstore in France; I knew I had to buy something and I settled on this book. I read it immediately. When I got home I realized I had already purchased a copy, but it was hidden away on my very disorganized bookshelves. Oh well, at least I read it, right? Clearly I can't resist a book about books.

This book kind of defies classification; it's literary fiction, but it's also a mystery, love and coming of age story rolled into one. Does that make any sense at all? Maybe I shouldn't have read the majority of this one on a very long plane ride. Mr. Penumbra's centres on Clay Jannon, a young tech worker who after losing his job to the recession finds himself working as a clerk at Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. It's a musty old store filled with regular customers who never seem to buy anything and are clearly involved in something that goes beyond this one tiny bookstore. They come in late at night, borrowing books that can't be sold only to return them the next time they come in, in exchange for another book. Clay begins to dig into the mystery surrounding his new workplace all while wooing a girl who just happens to work at Google.

If my summary is a little confusing, well it stands to reason. Mr. Penumbra's isn't the easiest book to describe or well, even understand. I enjoyed every second of it, but it has so many twists and turns it can get confusing. The plotting throughout the book was what really made it for me. It was fast paced and I was never totally sure where it was going. I loved the integration of new world technology with the old world style book store and how neither was secondary to the plot. All the elements worked together to forward the mystery. It was tightly woven and the character's were all so hopeful that even though I was skeptical of the big reveal I kept pressing forward. Also, there's a secret society of book lovers; who doesn't love the sound of that?

The characters themselves weren't my favourite part of the book which is surprising for me considering I am normally so focused on the protagonist. Clay was an okay character. I kind of liked his ambition and his every man kind of attitude; he was also a pretty loyal guy, but he just didn't draw me in like my favourites do. However, the relationships Sloan built throughout the story made it all okay. The interactions between characters sold the story. Clay's friends were fantastic, equal parts supportive and selfish and their interactions were at times hilarious, but could also be touching or infuriating, just like in life.

I mean really, if you're looking for a book about books this is definitely the book for you. It might not be as fast paced as other adventure type stories and the romance is secondary to other plot points, but Mr. Penumbra's had a certain charm that pulled me in. Sloan's obvious affection for books shone through the Google veneer without denigrating modern technology. I for one appreciated the approach.

The Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger

TITLE: The Catcher in the Rye
AUTHOR: J D Salinger
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Little, Brown, and Company/1991 (originally 1951)
SOURCE: Purchased
SERIES: No

Goodreads

You ever have those books that you really want to love, but just don't? The Catcher in the Rye is like that for me. I've read it a few times now and every time I open it up convinced that this is the time I'm going to fall for Holden. He's a disaffected youth, angry at the world, angry with himself. He's just struggling to get by and doesn't know what he wants or stands for. This is kind of a theme I love in rock songs, apparently in literature not so much for whatever reason. Although, maybe I can appreciate it now that I'm a little older?

So brief summary, Holden Caulfield has just been expelled from yet another prep school. He's surrounded by phonies. He's angry at the world. He doesn't want to face his parents so he takes the little money he has and runs away to New York for a few days until his school is set to go on winter break. He runs into pimps and prostitutes, questions the morality of modern life and tries to buy drinks before eventually getting sucked into his perpetual downward spiral.

Intellectually I enjoy this book. The themes are rich and it left me really wanting to write an essay to further explore its meanings. Holden is just such a confused character caught in a tragic cycle. Salinger really captures that trapped feeling that so many teenagers (at least in my experience) face. Holden doesn't know what he wants, but he knows what he doesn't want. He hates what he sees in the world, but can't change it. He's caught at this difficult time period between adulthood and childhood innocence. He doesn't want to lose his innocence and the way he views the world, but he feels everything slipping away from him quickly. It's a fascinating and heartbreaking character study really. 

And I mean this really was a groundbreaking book. It was published in 1951. This was an era when juvenile delinquency was a hot topic. Think Rebel Without a Cause here. It was post war, a generation kids had grown up without any stability after the depression and war and people were freaking out. For Salinger to write this book featuring a clearly troubled youth, that was something. It deals with some very difficult, but real topics that young people actually face. I do think Salinger accurately captured the era's feel, from the adults on the periphery through to Holden.

So those are the reasons that I really want to like the book. I respect the book. But I just don't like it. It's not a book that I find easy to read if that makes any sense. There are difficult books that can draw you in, but this was a book that I was alienated from throughout the entire reading process. I couldn't engage with Holden and the story is told from his perspective. I didn't like it on a gut level. I like getting so sucked into a book I can't put it down and that just isn't this particular book. 

That's okay. I still love exploring the ideas presented in the book and I've always liked the idea of it being covertly passed from teenager to teenager. Okay, so that probably doesn't happen frequently anymore, but it's kind of a romantic idea no? Basically I totally get why this book is a classic and now I'm trying to track down some scholarly papers on the book and Salinger to try to put it into context (I'm super nerdy, sue me). It definitely captured my attention intellectually; it's just never going to be my go to read for a rainy day. 

Bloody London by Reggie Nadelson

TITLE: Bloody London
AUTHOR: Reggie Nadelson
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Arrow/2006
SERIES: Yes
SOURCE: Purchased

Goodreads / Author's Website

Bloody London is one of those books that I bought years ago that I never got around to reading. I'm trying to get through the massive pile that's been sitting next to my bed for literally years now and this was my start. Bloody London didn't peak my interest from the beginning, but it got better as I got further into the story. 

Artie Cohen is an ex New York cop and current private eye. He drinks a little, smokes a lot and runs on a steady diet of cynicism. Artie doesn't want any trouble, but when Tommy Pascoe, a rich New York socialite and philanthropist, is murdered Artie's on the case. Russian's are clearly involved and this former Soviet citizen unintentionally gets mixed up with the wrong group of thugs as old world money, new world ambition and the veneer of philanthropy collide.

It definitely took me awhile to get into this book. I think part of the problem was that this was the third book in the series; characters had already been established and I had no idea what was going on. There was a lot of back story that I just wasn't aware of. That having been said this was a pretty good noir-ish crime story. 

Nadelson keeps the pace snappy and the dialogue quick, although in typical noir style the character tends to have fairly drawn out internal monologues. The tone is dark, the plot filled with intrigue. Here's the thing, it was just a bit too cynical for my taste. I don't think that has anything to do with the author; it's my issue. It was just very, the rich are terrible,the poor are terrible, the middle class is bored and the world might as drown. 

I also had some issues following the plot. There's a huge cast of characters with a rich history, each character has a rich back story and while those are all positives; I just couldn't keep up. Combined with the previously mentioned snappy pace I was lost at parts. I think I finally pieced things together at the end and it would probably be a lot easier to follow if you've read the first two books. 

I liked the book, I did. It was well written and paced. The plot was interesting with conspiracy following conspiracy. I would read another Nadelson book and although I'm not in a huge rush, I might pick up the first book in the series if I come across it. 

Season of Storms by Susanna Kearsley

TITLE: Season of Storms
AUTHOR: Susanna Kearsley
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Allison & Busby LTD/2001
GENRE: Romance
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Local Library

Goodreads / Author's Website

Guys, I love Susanna Kearsley. I do. Love. It's like her books have this pull over me and I have to read them all and I get sucked along this whirlwind ride. That's why I picked up Season of Storms when I saw it at my library despite having a pile of books I need to get through. Unfortunately, this particular novel didn't grab me the way Kearsley's books normally do.

Season of Storms follows burgeoning actress Celia Sands as she takes on her first major role. In the early twentieth century, playwright Galeazzo D'Ascanio takes on the original actress, Celia Sands, as his mistress. He adores her. He writes a play for her. Of course, the play has a curse that puts Mackers to shame, it's unstageable. Enter Celia Sands the second and a troop of theatre people that go to D'Ascanio's Italian villa to put on this play. There's romance, there's mystery (whatever did happen to Celia the First), what's not to love?

As it turns out, quite a bit. Full disclosure, you all know how obsessed I am with theatre. It's my livelihood, my life's passion etc. etc. I'm a littttllle bit picky about how it's portrayed in books, on t.v., in movies, in theatre about theatre. Basically, if it's too inaccurate it drives me up the wall. This book drove me up the wall. Okay, so Celia is a great character. She's down to earth, she thinks through her actions, she's got a few insecurities and complexes, but she's relatable. She's supposed to be an actress. Don't get me wrong, actors are great people. I love them to death. Down to earth they are not; I mean really, anybody in the theatre has a to be a little bit crazy, you work long hours for no money. Celia on the other hand is just so normal. I think the part that made me step back was when she didn't join the others for post rehearsal drinks, not even once. I have never in my career seen that happen.

The stage manager also drove me batty. He was flirtatious and indiscreet. He lied about having the floor plans. He asked the director to get him a cup of coffee. Seriously? The stage manager just wouldn't! The stage manager is the calming force in the theatre; s/he stays calm in the face of adversity and yes, stage managers do make coffee. That was lesson number on at school. It was just an inappropriate portrayal of what a stage manager does.

Other than that, I had some issues with the book itself. There are these flashbacks to Celia the First, but I'm not really sure why they were there. Sure the reader gets a look into the past and what led to the the first incarnation of this play never opening, but I'm not sure what the point of it all was. It doesn't give us any insight into the characters that we actually care about.

I usually love Kearsley's blend of romance, mystery and the paranormal, but this time it didn't really pan out. The paranormal aspect came out to play in a few sections, but it didn't have a huge impact on the plot or its outcome. I would have loved to see a little more of it or at least for the characters to interact more with the paranormal happenings in their lives. As it was I found myself thinking, this is an unnecessary waste of pages. This was definitely more a romance than anything else. The mystery wasn't that mysterious, nor intriguing and like I said, the paranormal was pretty useless.

I hate to say that I didn't love this book, but I didn't. I love so many of her other books though, so if you're looking for a good romance with a paranormal/historical twist try Mariana or even the more mystery bent Every Secret Thing (my personal favourite).

My Little Blue Dress by Bruno Maddox

TITLE: My Little Blue Dress
AUTHOR: Bruno Maddox
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Viking Penguin/2001
GENRE: Adult Contemporary Fiction (I Guess? Satire?)
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Local Library


Goodreads / Author's Website


You know those books that you really want to like? You read them and they're not really holding your attention, but they held such promise that you keep going, telling yourself no, I SHOULD like this book; it WILL get better. This was one of those books. I picked it up at the library because I loved the premise. It's supposedly a memoir written by a hundred year old woman who was born on the first day of the last century, but slowly you come to realize that she is, in fact, not writing it at all as the author doesn't seem to know much about history or life as a woman. It sounded like a brilliant satire of memoirs. Not so much. 


I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but I know that I expected to laugh more than I did. I was definitely hoping for a clever satire, but honestly I found the whole thing kind of dull. I didn't feel engaged throughout the story. It was really difficult to get into. The young girl narrator wasn't believable, but it also didn't strike me as particularly entertaining, just kind of annoying. 


It did pick up as the book went along. My favourite parts were when the "author" would put in notes to self along the way and forget to delete them. However, that did not happen nearly enough. Don't get me wrong, there were enjoyable sections of the book. The insane plot turns, like spending all of the war in a secret facility that didn't allow newspapers was genius and twentysomething author reflecting on his own life started out as amusing. I mean, the pieces of memoir interspersed with reflections on the modern era were marginally funny, but something about it just didn't grab me. 


The satire itself wasn't exactly biting. There is experimental content and the form is intriguing and there are twists that made me smile. Not everything about this book was painful. It definitely got better as it went along, with little bits of the truth filtering out. I enjoyed watching the author's slow descent into madness (and by author of course I mean the fictional author of the fictional memoir who also just happens to be named Bruno Maddox). I enjoyed the tongue in cheek meta-ness of plot lines (spoiler: such as the fictional Bruno Maddox naming a character in HIS book Bruno Maddox). I'm a sucker for all things meta, what can I say? It's why I picked it up in the first place. But other than that, there just wasn't that much that intrigued me. 


I'm glad I stuck through this book. I really hate putting books down once I've started, but it definitely wasn't my favourite. Not feeling for Bruno didn't help the matter. This review is all over the place which is actually kind of fitting for this particular book. I don't know how to describe this book other than saying that it's oddly experimental; I don't think there's much more that I can say.

So Much Pretty by Cara Hoffman

TITLE: So Much Pretty
AUTHOR: Cara Hoffman
PUBLISHER/YEAR: Simon & Schuster/2011
GENRE: Mystery 
SERIES: No
SOURCE: Goodreads First Reads 


Goodreads / Author's Website


Summary From Goodreads
A beautiful and chilling exploration of violence, vengeance, and the loss of innocence that would drive someone to commit an unthinkable crime.


Okay, so I originally posted a short review of So Much Pretty on goodreads and loved it. I raved. I had just finished reading it and was absolutely floored by the novel. I've had a few days reflection on it now and I'm not so sure. I still liked the book and it definitely stuck with me which is a positive sign, but I'm not sure that I'm still raving about it. 


From the beginning we know that local small town girl Wendy White has been found dead in the forest and we know that Alice Piper is in some sort of trouble which may or may not be connected to the White case. Other than that we don't know much. Details are given to the reader sparingly. The story is told from multiple perspectives and jumps around in time. It's an interesting concept that annoyed me at first, but it's one of the things that I think really worked. It just took some time to get into. I think that less could be given away with police reports though; those were the only things that struck me as a kind of literary crutch.

Hoffman's writing is haunting and poetic, another thing I loved about this book. The writing is just so beautiful that even though the story is a slow one, it works. Yes, the story's slow. It followed a sort of lilting pace that seemed to connect to the locale; it is set in a town that's barely a town after all. It really didn't bother me. The writing itself was one of the major draws for me. 

The subject matter itself is difficult. It deals with violence. Lots of violence. Violence against women is particularly focused on. Originally, I thought that the subject matter was dealt with brilliantly. I still think that it was handled with great delicacy. I like that Hoffman doesn't focus on the gruesome details of the crimes and instead the causes behind them and the societal attitudes that can lead to horrific events. I just don't know if the way she wrote about attitudes was as nuanced as I originally thought. 

Hoffman attempts to show a difference in outlooks between the rural inhabitants of Haedon, New York, the small town where the book is set and the Pipers, relatively recent arrivals from the city. It's a difference in politics, reading material, attitudes towards commerce, just everything really. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that I'm not sure what conclusion I was supposed to draw from these difference. I'm not sure I fully understood the point behind it; I didn't get the correlation between these particular attitudes and the actual conclusion. Sections that focused on Wendy White were clear and I thought they worked so well. That's what made me love the book in the first place. The Alice Piper story line on the other hand, lost me a bit. 

I still think it's a good book. It tells an important story and should not be ignored. I just don't love it as much as I once did. 

Favourite Quote: "A man can only take so much pretty walking back and forth in front of him."