Book Review: Salvation Day by Kali Wallace
Posted on July 18, 2019 34 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Berkley (July 9, 2019)
Length: 320 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
After reading the description for Salvation Day, I thought I had a good idea of what I was in for: a futuristic sci-fi horror, with an outbreak scenario, maybe even possibly some crossover into zombie territory. I think I was picturing something like Dead Space in my mind. Well, what the book actually turned out to be was something quite different, though the story still ended up being a thrilling and cinematic experience.
Around a decade ago, the space exploration vessel House of Wisdom became abandoned after a deadly infectious virus was released on board, killing everyone on the ship. The sole survivor was a boy, Jaswinder Bhattacharya, the son of a very prominent family in the political and scientific community. Subsequently adopted by his aunt, Jas spent the next ten years pretending he could not remember what happened on the House of Wisdom and has tried to keep a low profile ever since. Meanwhile, the spaceship, which has become massive tomb, is left drifting in space guarded by drone missiles that would destroy anything that dared approach.
Now older, Jas is about to embark on his first journey back into space since the incident, along with a small group of his friends and fellow students. But unbeknownst to him, he is the key to a plan hatched up by a cult who want to use his genetic signature to bypass the security measures guarding House of Wisdom, which they mean to transform into a new home for their people. Zahra is one of the members of this cult, acting upon the orders of their leader Adam. She and her team were supposed to hijack Jas’ shuttle and kidnap the young man, forcing him to help them access the ship. No one was supposed to get hurt, or at least that was Zahra’s original understanding. But not long after they took over of the shuttle, everything started going wrong. Not surprisingly, when they reach the House of Wisdom, they also find bodies. However, what Zahra finds disturbing is not the presence of the dead, but the way that they died, which does not appear consistent with what was reported by the government. She and her team had been inoculated against the virus that supposedly killed everyone, but the threat they are faced with is something else entirely.
The story is told via two main perspectives—Zahra and Jas. Kali Wallace does a fantastic job balancing their POVs, giving readers enough background into her characters’ lives so we can sympathize with them and understand what drives them. Despite them being very different and having conflicting motives, I felt connected to both protagonists. It’s hard to say whose chapters I enjoyed following more, as I thought their lives were equally fascinating to read about. And once Zahra and Jas realized that they would be better off working together to survive, that’s when the character development and relationship dynamics grew even more intriguing.
As I said before, the way the story is presented is also very cinematic, and there were certain scenes that made me feel like I was watching a movie. Periodically, bits and pieces of conversation and reports from the House of Wisdom passengers’ last moments are also injected into the narrative, heightening the tensions and spooky atmosphere aboard the derelict ship. In addition, the world-building helps set Salvation Day apart from other sci-fi offerings that feature similar themes. The politics of this world are complex, involving a complete restructuring of the society following an apocalyptic event. Spawned in the aftermath of the collapse are a number of different government factions, resistance organizations, displaced refugees and other outsider groups like cults and extremist movements. All these opposing forces have created uncertain conditions and unique challenges in people’s lives.
Then there are the more pressing, immediate threats facing our characters once they make it aboard the House of Wisdom. Hidden agendas, betrayals, and secrets help keep the plot engaging, as if the dangers around them and the possibility of being infected with a deadly parasite weren’t enough. I honestly didn’t expect much from this book beyond the virus angle, but as the story gradually expanded in scope, I was drawn into a plot that was way more nuanced than I had originally thought, and I ended up being quite satisfied with the crux and conclusion.
At the end of the day, I would recommend Salvation Day if you enjoy sci-fi thrillers with a touch of horror, and I thought Kali Wallace did an especially good job at the creating an atmosphere of suspense and claustrophobia! Glad I took the chance on this one.
Waiting on Wednesday 07/17/19
Posted on July 17, 2019 19 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Violet by Scott Thomas (October 15, 2019 by Inkshares)
You might recall how much I enjoyed Scott Thomas’ horror novel Kill Creek which was about four horror writers who agree to take part in a publicity stunt by spending a night at a haunted house. I have been waiting for news of next project since, and last week I finally got my answer when a mysterious package arrived from Inkshares and inside was Violet. Needless to say, I wasted no time in looking it up, and it sounds amazing!
“For many children, the summer of 1988 was filled with sunshine and laughter. But for ten-year-old Kris Barlow, it was her chance to say goodbye to her dying mother.
Three decades later, loss returns—her husband killed in a car accident. And so, Kris goes home to the place where she first knew pain—to that summer house overlooking the crystal waters of Lost Lake. It’s there that Kris and her eight-year-old daughter will make a stand against grief.
But a shadow has fallen over the quiet lake town of Pacington, Kansas. Beneath its surface, an evil has grown—and inside that home where Kris Barlow last saw her mother, an old friend awaits her return.”
Top Ten Tuesday: Auto-Buy Authors
Posted on July 16, 2019 37 Comments
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish, a weekly meme that now resides at That Artsy Reader Girl. The meme first came about because of a love of lists. Who doesn’t love lists? The original creators also wanted their lists to be shared with fellow book lovers and to ask that we in turn share ours with them and connect with other book bloggers. To learn more about participating, stop by their page dedicated to it and dive in!
This week’s topic: Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors
This week’s topic is all about my auto-buy authors. Not surprisingly, some of my favorite authors are on here, but this list isn’t static. Some names have dropped off while others have been added over the years as my tastes have changed or I discover new books.
Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson’s been on my must-buy list for years, and I don’t just stop at reading his books, I collect them too – special editions, signed editions, anything I can get my hands on. The man is a writing machine too, so it feels like there’s always something on the horizon to look forward to.
Jacqueline Carey
I read Kushiel’s Dart for the first time when I was in college, and from then on I was hooked! I’ve read every novel Carey has written since, including her urban fantasy.
Juliet Marillier
Marillier is an author who’s a somewhat new discovery for me, so I’m still gradually working through her back list. But every time I find out about a new book of hers, it goes immediately on the list.
Jim Butcher
Butcher’s been pretty quiet lately while The Dresden Files series is still stalled and we’re waiting on news about his next Cinder Spires book. The fact that he’s remained on my auto-buy list despite that tells you just how much I love his work, and my interest hasn’t cooled even a little bit.
Ben Aaronovitch
I know I really shouldn’t count series, but whatever. I just love Rivers of London, okay?
Sarah Pinborough
Sarah Pinborough has always been awesome in my books, but I feel like she’s really hit her stride with her last few novels delivering punchy, enthralling reads each time. That kind of reliability is always key to an author earning a spot on my must-buy list.
RJ Barker
Speaking of which, RJ Barker is another relative newcomer to this list, but when you pull off a phenomenal series like The Wounded Kingdom trilogy, you’re damn right I’m going to sit up and pay attention to everything you write from now on.
Mark Lawrence
I have followed and enjoyed Mark Lawrence’s work since the beginning, I have read all his novels, and I’m not about to stop now.
Sebastien de Castell
I was already a big fan of Sebastien de Castell after the Greatcoats series. After checking out his Spellslinger series, that just sealed the deal.
Kelley Armstrong
Granted, I’m still relatively new to Kelley Armstrong’s work (she’s written a lot books and I’ve barely begun to scratch the surface) but I’m 100% sold on her thrillers and at this point I’m also completely open to trying everything else she writes!
Book Review: Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep
Posted on July 15, 2019 23 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Crown of Shards
Publisher: Harper Voyager (July 2, 2019)
Length: 448 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Last year’s Kill the Queen was my first book I ever read by Jennifer Estep and it had me hooked! I was pleased to be back into this world with Protect the Prince and was looking forward to seeing where she will take the characters and story next. If you haven’t caught up to this point yet, be aware as this review may contain spoilers for the first book.
Last time we saw Everleigh “Evie” Blair, she had just saved the kingdom from a usurper and now finds herself ruling as Bellona’s new queen. But even though she was never meant for the role, Evie isn’t stupid; she has spent her whole life in the halls of the palace, watching and learning the ways of the royal court even as the other nobles went about their lives ignoring her. Now they want her off the throne, but so far Evie has succeeded in holding her own.
But apparently Evie has underestimated how badly her enemies want her gone, even going as far as to send an assassin after her. Still, Evie will not be cowed. Despite the increased threat levels, she decides to go ahead with a scheduled diplomatic visit to the neighboring kingdom of Andvari, with whom she hopes to secure a new alliance. But the Andvarian king, still angry and demanding retribution for what happened during the Seven Spire massacre, is a tough nut to crack.
Then there’s the situation with Lucas Sullivan. The sexual tension is thicker than ever between them, but they’re unable to act upon it. In spite of everything, he is still a bastard prince, and now that Evie is queen, she will be expected to marry someone approved by the nobility and produce an heir—and that someone is definitely not Sullivan. Evie is forced to make some tough decisions, going against her true desires. Initially concerned about how much romance would feature in this sequel, I was actually relieved to find that it is well balanced with the rest of the story. What I enjoyed most about Kill the Queen was the its crossover appeal, hitting that sweet spot between romance and epic fantasy, and Protect the Prince continues this trend.
And yes, while I missed some of the gladiator action from the first book, I think the courtly intrigues and the developing political conflicts in and around Bellona made up for some of the slower pacing. There’s less intensity in the plot, but there’s still a lot going on—poor Evie can’t seem to stay out of trouble, but it’s not always her fault. Between working on figuring out who wants to kill her and trying not to start a diplomatic incident with Andvari, she’s got her work cut out for her. With all these different threads, Protect the Prince still managed to move at a fast clip and ended up being a highly entertaining read.
Then there’s the magic! I wanted more detail about the magic system in the first book (which was somewhat light on the world-building) and I got my wish here. We get a closer look at Evie’s particular powers, and I love how she uses them to her advantage against her enemies and the smug nobility who think they can pull the wool over her eyes.
Speaking of Evie, I’m also enjoying her character development. She’s strong, independent, and prefers to solve her own problems even if it means turning down help freely given, or it could get her killed. As a protagonist, she’s very likeable and her charisma helps carry the story. I like that she’s no pushover and can stand up for herself even against pretty much the entire court. She has a long memory and remembers who was kind to her, who was cruel, and what everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are—all very good things to know, now that she’s queen.
The series so far is still littered with all kinds of fantasy tropes, but surprisingly, I don’t have a problem with it. The truth is, it gives these books a certain kind of charm, and I love being able to kick back with something light and fun. I also have a feeling Estep is working on the bigger picture, building towards something even better. I look forward to reading the next book.
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of Kill the Queen (Book 1)
2019 Rewind Challenge
Posted on July 14, 2019 30 Comments
I saw this challenge created by Tammy at Books, Bones and Buffy the other day, and as someone who is perpetually finding amazing books to read and trying to make a better effort at catching up on releases, I knew I had to get in on this. Basically, the 2019 Rewind Challenge involves tackling the books you might have missed out on when they first came out, but that you are still determined and desperate to read, and the goal is to read them by the end of the year.
You can choose as many books as you’d like, but I’ve decided not to go nuts and try for six – one for each month until the end of the year isn’t too unreasonable, is it? Completely doable!
I literally have dozens of books I need/want/have to read, but these are some that are high on my priority list that I really should have gotten to a while ago. A few of these also have sequels coming out this summer, and of course that has lit a fire under me. As well, my NetGalley TBR is starting to get out of hand and I want to knock a couple off that pile to bring my stats back up a bit.
But wait! I also want to add a second part to this challenge as motivation to help me read some early 2019 books released in the first three months of the year that I’m still very passionate about, but for whatever reason I just haven’t gotten to them yet. I’m already planning to read these, but tying them to this challenge will be a good reminder not to neglect them and also to push me to get them read and reviewed before December 31, 2019.
I’m pretty confident I can do this, and I’ve already packed a few of these books to go on vacation with me this week because I’m excited to get started right away. What are your thoughts on mid-year challenges, and could your TBR benefit from some type of “Rewind” challenge?
YA Weekend: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Posted on July 13, 2019 20 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Series: Book 1 of The Blood of Stars
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (July 9, 2019)
Length: 416 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim was pitched as Project Runway meets Mulan and believe it or not, for once we have a YA blurb that is completely accurate! Or at least, it perfectly described the first half of the novel. However, I was just pleased to discover that this was a story that evolved as it progressed, transitioning from a seemingly insurmountable challenge for our protagonist to a thrilling adventure that takes her on the road, complete with an extraordinary quest and a sweet romance.
Split into several distinct parts, the book first introduces readers to Maia Tamarin, the only daughter in a family of tailors who had to take on duties of taking care of her family after her mother died and her father grew weak and old. The situation only worsened with the Emperor’s war, in which her two older brothers were killed, while her youngest brother returned home alive but broken. Soon after peace was reached, a messenger from the palace arrives at their doorstep with orders for their family to send a representative to work for the emperor, but of course neither Maia’s father nor her brother are in any condition to do so. Problem is, Maia knows she’s perfectly capable doing the job, being quite the accomplished dressmaker and seamstress herself, but of course girls are forbidden to fill the role. Instead, she takes matters into her own hands, disguising herself as a boy to travel to the palace, posing as her injured brother.
Once there, however, Maia realizes how she had been misled. The invitation extended to her family was not for a position to work for the emperor, but for a competition to choose the best candidate for the role of palace tailor, judged by none other than the emperor’s bride-to-be, Lady Sarnai. Together with eleven other contestants, Maia must take on multiple challenges, creating the best clothes for her using what limited time and materials they have. The future empress is also a shrewd manipulator who likes to play games, bringing unwanted attention to Maia when all our protagonist wants is to keep a low profile. Aside from the fact she is a girl, Maia is also hiding a pair of magical scissors given to her by her father, and both secrets could get her killed if discovered. Worse, as the final challenge, Lady Sarnai has demanded three magical gowns made from the laughter of the sun, tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. To accomplish this task, Maia must put her trust in Edan, the court’s enigmatic magician who is the only one to figure out her true identity.
Readers who enjoy seeing a bit of everything in their YA are sure to be in for a treat. Court intrigue and palace politics are rife in the first half of Spin the Dawn, while the second half of the novel follows more of a quest narrative, focusing on Maia and Edan’s journey to fulfill Lady Sarnai’s wishes. I wish I had been better prepared for this drastic shift because the two parts are so dissimilar that they may as well be two different books, and I’m not going to lie, I think I was having way too much fun with the “Project Runway” aspect of the story! Even after finishing this novel and enjoying it overall, I still think the first half was my favorite part of the book.
Still, once the transition took place and we were well under way with Maia and Edan’s road trip, I was quickly won over by the beautiful dynamic between the two of them. Theirs is probably the most well written and healthiest romance in a YA novel that I’ve read in a while, starting with the fact that Edan is such a likeable romantic interest free of all the toxic bad boy stereotypes and lame hang-ups. I also love a good girl-disguised-as-a-boy story, and I thought the author did a fantastic job with the trope. Maia was brave, smart, and deeply devoted to those she cares about, and her personality created a lovely chemistry with Edan’s. Despite a slight slowdown in the middle, I was still pleased with the general pacing of the story and the fact that the premise expanded in interesting ways with every major plot development.
But of course, what drew me to this book was the world. And by that, I don’t mean so much the world-building or the culture and mythology of the setting, though those elements were quite impressive as well. What truly captured my imagination was Lim’s descriptions of the fabrics, materials, and techniques involved in clothes making, and the fact that this entire novel had its basis in a competition that didn’t involve the contestants forced to kill each other brutally Hunger Games-style, yet still managed to provide a high level of suspense and excitement. A sewing contest is not something you get to see every day, and I was pleasantly surprised how well the concept worked with some light magic thrown in.
Needless to say, I was quite enchanted by Spin the Dawn, a delightful and unique YA fantasy written in an evocative, flowing style by the talented Elizabeth Lim. It makes me very excited for the next book, which will hopefully continue many of the positive trends.
Friday Face-Off: A Wrap-Around Cover
Posted on July 12, 2019 22 Comments
Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.
This week’s theme is:
“~ a WRAP-AROUND COVER
Mogsy’s Pick:
The Memoirs of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan
Today I’m doing something a little different by comparing the covers of all the books in a single series – and what a great series this is! The Memoirs of Lady Trent is one of my all-time favorites, and each volume is graced with a wrap-around book jacket featuring the gorgeous dragon artwork of fantasy artist Todd Lockwood.
Let’s take a look at them now:
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan (2013)
The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan (2014)
The Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan (2015)
In the Labyrinth of Drakes by Marie Brennan (2016)
Within the Sanctuary of Wings by Marie Brennan (2017)
Winner:
Almost impossible to choose a favorite considering how they’re all so beautiful, though I confess to being somewhat partial to anything to do with the ocean and maritime fantasy. So it’s The Voyage of the Basilisk for me!
But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?
Book Review: Three Laws Lethal by David Walton
Posted on July 11, 2019 25 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Three Laws Lethal by David Walton
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Pyr (June 11, 2019)
Length: 392 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I’m a big fan of David Walton, having greatly enjoyed his books like Superposition and The Genius Plague, but Three Laws Lethal has elevated my admiration for his talents and storytelling skills to new heights. It never ceases to amaze me how he can run with an idea and turn it into an entertainingly wild and engaging techno-thriller, and yet still deliver a high level of realism with sympathetic, relatable characters to make the premise feel entirely and all too disconcertingly plausible.
Case in point, Three Laws Lethal is something of a cautionary tale against artificial intelligence, using the concept of autonomous self-driving vehicles as inspiration. That said, I doubt the concept of the AI entity in this story is anything like you’d imagine, as it’s pretty unusual. As well, this is a very human story, focusing on the lives of four friends who bonded over a love of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship while in college. Their dream was to start a taxi service company using a fleet of self-driving cars, and between them, they had the money, brains, and ambition to make it all happen.
But then everything changes following a horrific tragedy involving the death of one of their own. Devastated by the loss of his girlfriend Abby, the project leader, Brandon, blames his best friend and programmer Tyler for causing the fatal error that got her killed. Naomi, Abby’s sister, retreated into her own world and threw herself into her research. After graduation, the three went their separate ways, their dreams now in tatters. However, Brandon is not ready to give up. Full of rage and determination, he is a changed man as he uses his hefty inheritance to start a self-driving car business, just as he’d always wanted. After convincing Naomi to join him, they end up being extremely successful, all thanks to a cutting-edge prediction technology she has developed. But no one besides Naomi knows the secret behind the seemingly miraculous algorithm that allows their cars to know exactly where they need to be and when, and she hates to think about how her research could be abused should anyone find out. And when it all comes crashing down, her old friend Tyler is the only one who can help her.
For me, the most compelling sci-fi novels are the ones that can entertain me and teach me something new at the same time. This describes all of Walton’s books. The man clearly puts in a ton of time and effort into research, and readers are rewarded with an experience that is both fun and educational. As you can probably tell from its title, Three Laws Lethal is inspired by Isaac Asimov, and his Three Laws of Robotics are given a modern twist using the idea of self-driving cars. With the number of people concerned about the advent of autonomous vehicles, as well as recent headlines about the threat of hacking or the intricate moral dilemmas involved in AI decision making, a book like this couldn’t be any more relevant. Walton explores these issues from multiple vantage points yet manages to keep the narrative smooth and fast-paced without bogging it down with complicated and lengthy explanations.
And rare for me when it comes to hard sci-fi novels, it was the characters I really enjoyed. Granted, we’re not talking about in depth personality studies here, and Walton has a tendency to gloss over important events in the characters’ lives and not dwell too long on emotions. To his credit, he knows what kind of story he wants to tell, and his no-nonsense writing style is well-suited to the techno-thriller genre. It also didn’t hurt my enjoyment at all, as I found the dynamics between Brandon, Tyler, and Naomi to be utterly fascinating. Brandon is a terrifying psychopath because of how convincing his motivations were despite his delusions of grandeur. His rivalry with Tyler was the stuff of legendary corporate politics. But I especially loved Naomi, who is so brilliant and adorkable and just plain awesome.
Above all, reading Three Laws Lethal simply gave me a deep sense of satisfaction. I love sci-fi novels that are exciting and smart. I also love being surprised. There are twists aplenty in the plot, several that had me gaping in shock. It kept me turning the pages, eager to find out what would happen next. It’s an energetic, non-stop thrill ride from start to finish.
In sum, I highly recommend Three Laws Lethal if you’re a sci-fi fan, especially if you’re keen on interesting and even weird perspectives on artificial intelligence. Even if you’re not big on the genre I think you’ll find this novel surprisingly accessible and easy to get into. Finding true gems like this is what I love about being a book reviewer, and David Walton has now earned his place on my list of must-read authors.
Waiting on Wednesday 07/10/19
Posted on July 10, 2019 20 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick
Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik (October 1, 2019 by Harper Voyager)
I’ve been feeling in the mood for some Romance Fantasy/Sci-fi, which might be why this sequel to Polaris Rising has been on my mind lately!
“Bianca von Hasenberg did her duty for High House von Hasenberg and ended up trapped in a terrible marriage. When her husband dies unexpectedly and leaves her a happy widow, she vows never to marry again. Instead, she uses her connections to save other young women. Information is power and Bianca has a network that would be the envy of the ’verse—if anyone knew about it.
After an attack, Bianca’s oldest brother, the House von Hasenberg heir, disappears from Earth without a trace. Determined to find him, Bianca leaves against orders. When she refuses to return, her father sends Ian Bishop, the director of House von Hasenberg security, to haul her home like a recalcitrant child.
Bianca leads Ian on a merry chase across the universe, but when their paths finally collide, she persuades him that they would be far more successful at finding her brother if they worked together. She will do anything to save her sibling, even if it means spending time alone on a small ship with the handsome, infuriating man who once broke her heart.
As clues lead them deep into rival House Rockhurst territory, Bianca must decide if she can trust Ian with the one piece of information that could destroy her completely. . .”
Book Review and GIVEAWAY: The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson
Posted on July 9, 2019 18 Comments
***The giveaway is now over, thanks to everyone who entered!***
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Coming of Age, Contemporary
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Penguin Books (July 9, 2019)
Length: 240 pages
Author Information: Website
The Saturday Night Ghost Club was pitched to me as a coming-of-age story in a similar vein as Stranger Things, and after reading it I can see why. And yet, it is so much more than that. Craig Davidson, the author of a couple of horror novels I’ve read under his pen name Nick Cutter, delivers a haunting, evocative and curious little tale that can’t really be neatly pigeonholed into any one category. With its themes of growing up, making new friends, and waking up to the realities of life, I also believe that the story’s lessons and ideas are universal enough to be well received by both YA and adult readers.
Most of this story takes place in 1980s Niagara Falls, told in flashback by protagonist Jake Baker, a successful but somewhat melancholic neurosurgeon looking back at how his childhood shaped many aspects of his adult life. As a kid, he was aloof but friendly, somewhat timid but curious. Many of his best memories as a youth involved his eccentric uncle Calvin, an enthusiast of wild conspiracy theories and anything to do with the paranormal and occult. Uncle C owned an amazing shop of curious and other bizarre treasures, and he often helped young Jake get over his fears and anxieties by spinning fanciful yarns of adventure or coming up with fun, exciting games and activities.
The summer of his twelfth birthday, Jake also befriends a pair of siblings named Billy and Dove Yellowbird, and so came about the birth of the “Saturday Night Ghost Club”. Together, the three children fought off bullies, hung out at Uncle C’s shop, and visited the interesting nooks and crannies around town, learning of their colorful and sometimes eerie histories. Gradually coming out of his shell, Jake takes the first steps to becoming a stronger and more confident teenager while learning the value of friendship and family ties.
For anyone who has experienced being an outsider growing up or was always more of the quiet and introspective kid, they will see a lot of themselves in Jake Baker. Told in a style similar to a memoir, our protagonist describes his childhood as one characterized by a loving and supportive family, but his school days were troubled by loneliness relentless bullying. Then Billy and Dove came along, opening doors to a whole new world of possibilities. At twelve years old, Jake hovers at the cusp of adolescence, giving him a distinctive perspective. Despite his troubles, he is passionate, optimistic and still full of imagination—a unique point-of-view which gives this novel a lot of its quirky personality and charm.
Speaking of which, The Saturday Night Ghost Club is a bit of an oddity, much like a lot of its characters. In the story, Jake’s uncle Calvin is literally referred to as an “odd duck”, though he sounds like so much fun to be around, it kinda makes you wish you had an Uncle C in your own life. To be sure, he fits right in with the rest of the cast as well as the setting. As someone who spent many of my formative years growing up in the suburbs of Toronto, Niagara Falls was a frequent summer destination and reading about it in this book provided plenty of nostalgia. In some ways, it is a place of contradictions, and I felt Davidson did a good job capturing its atmosphere and peculiarities. On the one hand, you have the natural beauty of the falls, but drive a little ways and you’ll soon hit the seedier parts. A good chunk of the place is also dominated by tacky tourist attractions, while the rest of it is pretty much your typical sleepy, down-to-earth Canadian town. It’s a city wrapped up romantic, magical notions but for Jake and his friends who live there, it is also the gritty reality. It’s the perfect setting for a story that hovers between the extraordinary and the mundane.
In some ways, it does make this novel hard to classify. The narrative speaks of ghosts and haunted places, but I wouldn’t call it horror. Likewise, there’s plenty of speculation into the occult and paranormal, but I also wouldn’t call it fantasy. The book predominantly follows three tweens, but some of the themes are mature enough to be appreciated by an adult audience so I would also hesitate to label this one strictly YA. That said, the protagonist’s 12-year-old perspective is very convincing, and I can easily imagine the adult Jake reminiscing about his past and thinking about how his experiences with Uncle C, Billy, and Dove have influenced him as a husband, father, and a neurosurgeon.
More so than anything else, The Saturday Night Ghost Club is a precious, artistically written novel about nostalgia and memory. It is at once heartwarming and heartbreaking, looking back at the passage of time and its effects on love, friendship, and family ties. Of course, no child’s life is completely idyllic, but adulthood comes with a whole new set of problems and responsibilities, and the themes in this book touch upon some of these ideas, exploring how one becomes aware of the scary realities of life, wishing for simpler times and the innocence and carefreeness of youth. Like most stories about letting go of the magic of childhood, it is a very touching read a times, and a little sad too, so don’t be alarmed if you find yourself reading the final pages with tears in your eyes. Craig Davidson should be extremely proud of himself for writing such an outstanding and heartfelt masterpiece.
The Saturday Night Ghost Club Giveaway
And now time for the giveaway! With thanks to Penguin Books, the BiblioSanctum is pleased to be hosting a giveaway for one paperback copy of The Saturday Night Ghost Club. With apologies to our international readers, as per the publisher’s terms, the giveaway is open to residents of the US only. To enter, all you have to do is send an email to bibliosanctum@gmail.com with your Name and valid Mailing Address using the subject line “SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB” by 11:59pm Eastern time on Friday, July 19, 2019 and we’ll take care of all the rest.
Only one entry per household, please. The winner will be randomly selected when the giveaway ends and then be notified by email. All information will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winner and sending them their prize. Once the giveaway ends all entry emails will be deleted.
So what are you waiting for? Enter to win! Good luck!
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