Review: Born to the Blade created by Michael R. Underwood

Posted on July 9, 2018 17 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Born to the Blade by Michael R. Underwood, Marie Brennan, Cassandra Khaw, Malka Older

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of Born to the Blade

Publisher: Serial Box (July 27, 2018)

Length: 552 pages

The complete Season One of Born to the Blade is the latest omnibus to arrive from Serial Box, and I was especially excited about this one because of the high fantasy setting. Readers are introduced to a world in the sky, where the many floating nations are constantly vying for dominance. For centuries, the Warders’ Circle on the neutral islands of Twaa-Fei have served as the key factor for keeping the peace, settling disputes through formal magical duels. However, with the threat of invasion by the Mertikan Empire looming, the Circle finds that its influence is waning amidst too many tensions on the islands. Furthermore, dire news from trade nation of Quloo comes as it is revealed that the aerstones in foundation are being diminished, causing them to sink.

Young and ambitious, Kris Denn has come to Twaa-Fei in the hopes of winning a seat for Rumika in the Warder’s Circle. To do so, a contender will have to face all six warders in the dueling circle and triumph, or alternatively, gain their support through earning their respect. Meanwhile, Kris has been forging a strong bond with Warder Odo Kante, who knows his nation of Quloo will need Rumika’s help and precious supply of aerstones in order to stay afloat. Readers are also introduced to Michiko, another new arrival whose nation was recently conquered. Her mission to serve her country and empire hits an unexpected snag, however, when she discovers a secret link between herself and a recently executed prisoner, causing her to question everything she knows about her past.

While I ended up enjoying Born to the Blade, I feel it suffers from a lot of the same problems that plague serials. Namely, the format lends itself to unbalanced pacing, and it’s true that some episodes are better than others. A series is also heavily reliant on the first few episodes to catch the reader’s interest, ensuring they will return for more, and in this sense, they work very much like a season of a TV show. The authors were clearly aware of this, because the first four episodes (from “Arrivals” to “The Gauntlet”) were intensely packed with action, using fighting scenes and other violent conflict to draw the reader in. However, in terms of actual plot, these early sections felt somewhat lacking.

There was also an obvious push to cram as much character development into these first few episodes, but the execution itself was disorganized, likely due to having multiple authors on the same project. The result was an atmosphere of chaos and confusion which made it difficult for me to connect with the early parts of the story, and inconsistencies in the way several of the characters were portrayed certainly didn’t help. Further muddying up the waters, each author also had a different style and approach to the narrative so that some episodes would focus heavily on developing the characters but spend little time on progressing the plot, and consequently we would end up with episodes that were straight-up filler (“Baby Shower” immediately comes to mind.)

To be completely honest, I don’t think I would have continued with Born to the Blade based on my feelings on the first few episodes, which is why I always prefer a serial to be complete so I can binge read the entire season and experience it as a whole. Despite the potential in the intro and incredible world-building, the first four episodes were arguably some of the weakest. For me, the story did not pick up until the fifth episode “Trade Deal”, in which a real conflict was finally introduced. This was a turning point for the series in more ways than one, because not only did this episode raise the stakes, the writing also smoothed out once the plot got rolling, no doubt a result of the authors falling into a comfortable rhythm as they adapted to each other’s styles. Things only improved from here on out, with later episodes feeling a lot more integrated and having better flow.

If I had to rate each episode individually, many in the first half would probably receive 2-3 stars while most in the second half would receive solid 4s. Born to the Blade is simply that kind of story, a slow-burning narrative that requires time to grow. While this process might not work as well for the serial format, the end result is the same in that patience and determination to stick it out will eventually pay off for the reader. Despite some early stumbles, I enjoyed myself, and chances are really good that I’ll continue with the second season.

Book Review: The Oddling Prince by Nancy Springer

Posted on July 8, 2018 22 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Oddling Prince by Nancy Springer

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Tachyon Publications (May 15, 2018)

Length: 288 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Long ago in the highlands of Northern Scotland there lived a kind and just king. However, one day he returned home from a hunting trip with his son Prince Aric and found that a cursed ring had suddenly appeared on his finger. With no way of removing it, the ring quickly caused the king to sicken until he was close to death. But just as his father was about to slip away, Prince Aric noticed a mysterious young man riding hard for the castle. Using his magic, this newcomer was able to remove the ring just in time to save the king’s life. He then introduced himself as Prince Albaric from the Faerie realm, revealing that he was also Prince Aric’s half-brother, conceived when the Fae queen seduced the king and transported him to the otherworld. His story also explained how the enchanted ring first came to be on the king’s finger.

But rather than feel grateful towards Albaric, the king refused to even acknowledge him as his son. Worse, as Aric and Albaric grew closer, their brotherly bond only caused their father’s hostility to worsen. No longer good and just, the king became bitter, paranoid, and angry. Concerned for his father and troubled by the changes wrought on the kingdom, Aric also started to worry for his half-brother. Exiled from the land of the Fae and with no home to return to, Albaric’s only hope was to be accepted by his mortal father, but sadly, the king’s mind would not be easily swayed.

In order to save the kingdom, Aric must somehow find a way to help Albaric make peace with their father before the king’s resentment can bring ruin upon them all. In essence, this familial conflict serves as the backbone of The Oddling Prince. A fantasy inspired by folklore and mythology, the novel lends itself to be compared to stories of Arthurian legend, as it is written in a style that evokes that same kind of quaintness and sentimentality. Much of this is due to the book’s somewhat archaic tone and language, which was elegant and lyrical but also served to bog down the prose. As a result, it took me quite a while to get into the flow of the story, for the same elements used to impart an old-fashioned flavor also made it very awkward and slow to read.

Tales of this type are also often heavy in metaphor and deep in meaning, but lighter in terms of character and story development. So even though I found The Oddling Prince to be a sweet and charming little book, I was not surprised to feel little to no connection to the characters. Like a Disney movie, you just knew deep in your heart everything would work out fine, despite all the seemingly insurmountable challenges thrown in the protagonists’ way. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say this novel was completely devoid of surprises, there were simply no genuine threats or high stakes to make you feel any real concern. There was also this thick layer of idealism in the depiction of Aric and Albaric’s relationship—which was intentional, I am sure, given the sentimental nature of this story. But again, this just made them feel like cardboard heroes out of a fairy tale, not real enough to relate to.

Still, there were a lot of aspects I really liked. Despite the book’s fanciful tones, there were some powerful tensions between Aric and his father. I wouldn’t say this story had a real antagonist, but with the king being such a huge jerk, I would say he came the closest. In the face of his irrational fury and jealousies though, Aric remained steadfastly on Albaric’s side, refusing to be cowed. This loyalty to his brother was heartwarming and beautiful, and ended up being the highlight of this book. And even though she was a rather late introduction, I also loved the character of Marissa. The portrayal of her relationship with Aric may have left a lot to be desired, but her personality was so lovable that she immediately became a favorite.

In the end, I thought The Oddling Prince was an enjoyable read, though at times it felt a little too light and lacking in substance. However, if you like reading fantasy stories that are heavily inspired by fae-related folktales or mythological influences, this one might be worth checking out. The underlying wistfulness and dated feel of the writing may take some getting used to, but all the same, these elements might prove to be the novel’s biggest selling point for those seeking an evocative tale told in an old-timey, sentimental style.

Audiobook Review: The Singularity Trap by Dennis E. Taylor

Posted on July 7, 2018 18 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Singularity Trap by Dennis E. Taylor

Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Science Fiction

Series: Book 1/Stand Alone

Publisher: Audible Studios (June 5, 2018)

Length:11 hrs and 22 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrator: Ray Porter

After completing his Bobiverse trilogy, Dennis E. Taylor tries his hand at something a little deeper and more serious in The Singularity Trap. Despite the slight drop in humorous moments and the pacing being a little uneven in places, it was still a very entertaining read complete with an old-school sci-fi feel and plenty of nods to hard science.

The story begins on the mining ship Mad Astra where readers are introduced to protagonist Ivan Pritchard, the most recent addition to the crew. With no other options left for him on Earth, Ivan has risked everything he has left on this venture in the hopes of providing a future for his wife and kids. But the asteroid mining business can be risky too, and if the Mad Astra can’t pull off a successful run this time, Ivan will be even worse off than when he first started.

Against all odds though, the miners wind up hitting pay dirt, finding an asteroid loaded up with all kind of valuable materials…among other things. While investigating an anomaly on the rock, Ivan unwittingly triggers an extraterrestrial booby trap which releases an unidentifiable substance onto his arm. Despite the crew’s best efforts to cut off the contaminated parts of his suit before returning him to the Mad Astra, the next morning Ivan wakes up to a shocking sight. The affected arm has been transformed completely into living metal—and it doesn’t seem to be stopping there. Even amputation is no use, as it is discovered that alien nanites have infected Ivan’s bloodstream, and they would simply strip the ship for resources to rebuild the missing limb.

Little by little, Ivan becomes replaced by the new alien technology. Soon, he even begins hearing a voice in his head, the one belonging to the artificial intelligence that has taken over his body. It reveals it mission: to convert and upload all life it encounters for its masters—and unfortunately for humanity, it’s next on the list.

If you enjoyed the Bobiverse books, the good news is that The Singularity Trap will scratch a lot of the same itches. It’s another unique premise offering a few twists on some classic ideas, and it also presents hard sci-fi concepts in an fun and accessible package.

However, it’s also clearly meant to be a more serious endeavor. For one, it’s not as light as the Bobiverse books, with less action and humor. There’s also a lot more exposition as the author waxes on about technological and scientific concepts. All this is interesting stuff, though admittedly not as engaging when it’s constantly hampering the flow of the plot. The book suffers pacing issues near the beginning, taking a long time for the story to get started, and then again in the middle as the parties involved in determining Ivan’s fate are locked in tireless discussion over what to do with this nanite-infested self. I won’t lie; staying focused was a struggle at times, and Ivan as a character was nowhere near as likeable or endearing as any of the Bobs. He didn’t seem to do much either, playing a relatively passive role for much of the book until the very end.

Still, despite my gripes, I suppose The Singularity Trap was enjoyable enough. The ending was satisfying, even if the climax was not as intense as it could have been. I think I had expected something a bit more from Taylor, after seeing what he was capable of in his previous trilogy, but overall I had fun.

Audiobook Comments: I was really happy to see Ray Porter on this project, because anyone else narrating a Dennis E. Taylor book would be a travesty. His reading was brilliant as always, adding an extra layer of immersion to the story. Sound effects were also a pleasant surprise and a nice touch!

Friday Face-Off: Windswept

Posted on July 6, 2018 23 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:

“The north wind doth blow, and we shall have snow.”
~ a cover that is WINDSWEPT

Mogsy’s Pick:
Windwitch by Susan Dennard

Windwitch is the sequel to Truthwitch, following “threadsisters” Safi and Iseult as they each struggle to survive their own journeys after being separated after the events from the previous novel. Their friend Prince Merik is dead, or so the world is led to believe after his ship was destroyed in a fiery explosion. But in truth, the prince has survived, returning to the capital a scarred, broken, and bitter man who believes his sister betrayed him. Hungry for revenge, he begins to rally the tired and starving refugees of the city under the guise of the Fury, a legendary freedom fighter and hero of the oppressed.

Meanwhile, Iseult is busy dodging bounty hunters and winds up teaming up with the bloodwitch Aeduan, convincing him to help her track down her best friend. Safi finds herself stranded in the pirate-infested wilderness after her shipwreck, with none other than the Empress of Marstok in tow. Alone with no defenses, the two young women will need to rely on their wits and each other to survive dangers like bloodthirsty outlaws and roaming mercenaries–and that’s only if they don’t die of thirst and starvation first.

This book didn’t exactly blow me away (pun intended, and yes, I’m lame) but the covers are pretty nice at least:

From left to right:
Tor Teen (2017) – Tor UK (2017) – Tor Paperback (2018)
Romanian Edition(2017) – German Edition (2018) – Serbian Edition (2018)

Winner:

I’m seeing a common theme in a lot of these covers–a hooded figure, cloak billowing in the wind, standing in a swirl of blowing leaves. I think the prettiest one of these is the Tor Teen cover though, with the added effects of the city in the background, rain, and lightning, so I’m going with that as my winner.

But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?

Book Review: Starless by Jacqueline Carey

Posted on July 5, 2018 36 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Starless by Jacqueline Carey

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Tor (June 12, 2018)

Length: 592 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

I’m a huge fan of Jacqueline Carey and will read anything she writes no matter the genre or subject, but I do believe she is in her element whenever she tackles epic fantasy because the format lends itself well to her style. Hence, I was so excited when I found out about Starless. Carey is a master worldbuilder who has also written some of my favorite characters of all time, and I feel that opportunities like these are when she can really let loose and show off the full scope of her incredible talent.

Steeped in rich history and mythology, the world was Starless was a delight to discover and experience. The book’s title refers to the skies above Zarkhoum, which are completely devoid of celestial bodies save for the sun, Zar, and his three companion moons. They were the parents of the many stars whose light used to fill the night skies, until the children grew rebellious, causing Zar to cast them all down to the earth, where their punishment bound them in exile forever more. But while they could not return to the heavens, the stars lived among mortals as gods, and some of them even took to the task of protecting the land and its inhabitants. Pahrkun the Scouring Wind was one such god. Deep in the desert, there lives a brotherhood of warrior-priests who dedicate themselves to his service, and it is here that we find our protagonist, Khai.

There is much more to Khai than meets the eye, however. On the rare occasion that a member of Zarkhoum’s royal family is born during an eclipse, it is said that the child’s shadow, or soul’s twin, is also born at the same time. Thus, all babies born during the eclipse are gathered for a test to find the one destined to be the new royal child’s protector, which is how, when the Princess Zariya was born, the infant Khai was identified as her shadow. But being chosen by their god also meant that Khai was entrusted to the Brotherhood of Pahrkun to raise and train as a warrior—and there was just one major complication. While the solution ultimately presented itself in the form of an age-old desert tradition, it meant that Khai had to grow up without knowing an important truth.

Split into several parts, the story first begins in the desert, where readers get to catch a glimpse of Khai’s early years growing up within the Brotherhood. Hands down, I think this was my favorite part of the book. I’ve always had a fondness for fantasy stories that involve a training school component of some sort, and Carey has once again managed to come up with a very imaginative scenario. This will probably come as no surprise, but one of my favorite books ever, her novel Kushiel’s Dart, also started in a similar manner, following a protagonist who comes of age as an apprentice training for their life’s calling.

In the case of Starless, Khai trains in preparation to become Princess Zariya’s shadow and future bodyguard. It’s also interesting to note how the Brotherhood of Pahrkun gains some of its members. Any man convicted of a crime deserving of execution can instead choose to be judged by the Trial of Pahrkun, which involves fighting three of the Brotherhood’s members in the Hall of Proving. If the supplicant can best them all, his sins are wiped away, and he joins the Brotherhood, enriching their ranks with his new skills and knowledge. This was how Khai ended up with some of the best and most interesting mentors, including Brother Merik, Brother Saan, and of course, the unforgettable Brother Yarit. Without a doubt, the characters were the key element that made this opening section of the book stand out. I loved the different personalities and the fascinating interactions between all of them.

The second part of the book opens up the world a bit more, introducing readers to the court of the royal family. Khai also finally gets to meet Princess Zariya for the first time, making a shift from a monastery full of men to close quarters dominated by women. Without revealing too much, I thought gender roles were explored very well in these chapters. As an issue, gender is important in this novel, though the author handles the topic with such subtlety and finesse, it simply integrates itself seamlessly into the story’s larger themes. As always, Carey’s emphasis is on character development and backstory, so that a character’s identity choices end up coming across as natural and as much a part of them as any of their other thoughts, actions, and emotions.

Then, the story shifts gears almost completely in the final part of the book, throwing readers headfirst into a more traditional fantasy quest narrative which puts more emphasis on action and adventure. Khai and Zariya find themselves joining up with a ragtag crew of “prophecy seekers”, embarking on a swashbuckling journey on the high seas to prevent the fallen god Miasmus from rising again. Even though I enjoyed these ocean-bound sections just slightly less than the desert chapters at the beginning, I have to say the overall energy found here was very addictive. I loved getting to travel with our characters to all these exciting new places, encountering fantastical creatures and meeting interesting people. There’s also the easy friendships among this diverse cast, creating a lively atmosphere that made this book just plain fun to read.

The truth is, I hadn’t wanted to hype myself too much for Starless. Despite Jacqueline Carey’s return to the epic fantasy doorstopper genre, somewhere in the back of my mind I knew it would be foolish and a little unfair to compare it to her past work, or to expect this book to sweep me completely off my feet like Kushiel’s Dart. But damn, after finishing this one, I gotta say—it sure came wickedly close. This is one breathtakingly rich and evocative novel. Even more impressive is that Carey was able to pull off this powerful tale in one single volume. I maintain that she is one of the fantasy genre’s most brilliant and precious talents, and a book like Starless only strengthens that belief.

Waiting on Wednesday 07/04/18

Posted on July 4, 2018 14 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

Murder on Millionaires’ Row by Erin Lindsey (October 2nd, 2018 by Minotaur Books)

Not my usual type of read, I know, but then I’m a huge fan of Erin Lindsey from her epic fantasy Bloodbound trilogy and I was thrilled to discover she’ll be delving into the mystery genre. I’ve also just gotten an ARC so I’m super excited!

Erin Lindsey takes readers on a chase through Gilded Age Manhattan, filled with wonderful historical details, ghosts, romance, and Pinkerton detectives in Murder on Millionaires’ Row, a delightfully charming debut mystery.

Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears. Rose is certain Mr. Wiltshire is in trouble, but the police treat his disappearance as nothing more than the whims of a rich young man behaving badly. Meanwhile, the friend who reported him missing is suspiciously unhelpful. With nowhere left to turn, Rose takes it upon herself to find her handsome young employer.

The investigation takes her from the marble palaces of Fifth Avenue to the sordid streets of Five Points. When a ghostly apparition accosts her on the street, Rose begins to realize that the world around her isn’t at all as it seems―and her place in it is about to change forever.

#FearlessWomen: The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal Spotlight & Exclusive Excerpt

Posted on July 3, 2018 4 Comments

Women are shining in every genre of speculative fiction, and it is no longer enough to say “Women arehere.” Instead, #FearlessWomen everywhere are taking a stand to say “Women will thrive here.”

Highlighting major titles from bestselling authors V.E. Schwab, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jacqueline Carey as well as titles from acclaimed and debut authors such as Mary Robinette Kowal, Tessa Gratton, Sam Hawke, and Robyn Bennis, #FearlessWomen will be a coordinated social media celebration encouraging fans to start a dialogue about women in publishing, their worlds, their voices, and their unique stories.

The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process.

Elma York’s experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition’s attempts to put man on the moon, as a calculator. But with so many skilled and experienced women pilots and scientists involved with the program, it doesn’t take long before Elma begins to wonder why they can’t go into space, too.

Elma’s drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions of society may not stand a chance against her.

Exclusive Excerpt

When the week of shiva passed, I called every mechanic in the phone book. None of them had the parts or time to repair my plane. But I had to do something.

I had survived, and there must be some reason for that. Some purpose or meaning or . . . something. I took to going to the hospital with Mrs. Lindholm every day to roll bandages, clean bed pans, and serve soup to plane after plane after plane of refugees.

They kept coming. I called the mechanics again. And then again.

About the Author

Mary Robinette Kowal is the author of the historical fantasy novels Ghost Talkers and the five books in The Glamourist Histories series. She is also a multiple Hugo Award winner. Her short fiction has appeared in Uncanny, Tor.com, and Asimov’s. Mary, a professional puppeteer, lives in Chicago with her husband Robert and over a dozen manual typewriters.

Join the Conversation

Tor Books’ handles across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@torbooks) will be using the hashtags #FearlessWomen (and #FearlessFantasy and #FearlessSF) to promote excerpts, exclusive content, quizzes and giveaways beginning in May. There will also be exclusive giveaways at BookCon, San Diego Comic-Con, and New York Comic Con. Follow Tor Books online, join the conversation – and get reading!

Be sure to also check out the other blogs on the #FearlessWomen tour to read more exclusive content and reviews!

#FearlessWomen: City of Lies by Sam Hawke Spotlight & Exclusive Excerpt

Posted on July 3, 2018 2 Comments

City of Lies by Sam Hawke

Poison. Treachery. Ancient spirits. Sieges. The Poison Wars begin now, with City of Lies, a fabulous epic fantasy debut by Sam Hawke

I was seven years old the first time my uncle poisoned me…

Outwardly, Jovan is the lifelong friend of the Chancellor’s charming, irresponsible Heir. Quiet. Forgettable. In secret, he’s a master of poisons and chemicals, trained to protect the Chancellor’s family from treachery. When the Chancellor succumbs to an unknown poison and an army lays siege to the city, Jovan and his sister Kalina must protect the Heir and save their city-state.

But treachery lurks in every corner, and the ancient spirits of the land are rising…and angry.

Exclusive Excerpt

By the time I headed back to our apartments I was exhausted. The road seemed endless. I had let myself go too far past my energy limits, and now the way home felt like an arduous trek. Worse, one of the crowd of petitioners lined up along the street outside the Manor caught sight of me, and the disheveled woman peeled off to follow me as I tried to walk away.

“Credola! Credola!” she panted, hobbling after me. She walked with an obvious limp and apparent pain. Guilt made me slow down, though I knew I couldn’t help.

“I’m sorry, but I’m really not able to take petitions,” I told her. “You can report matters to the Order Guard in charge of your sector, or you can leave your issue with the clerk at the Manor at the end of the week. Please—”

Though she moved slowly, when her hand snaked out and grasped my elbow the grip was firm. Too firm, in fact. I tried to pull it back but it was as if she couldn’t even feel it. “You must help me.”

About the Author

A black belt in jujitsu, Sam Hawke lives with her husband and children in Australia. CITY OF LIES is her first novel.

Join the Conversation

Be sure to also check out the other blogs on the #FearlessWomen tour to read more exclusive content and reviews!

Book Review: The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

Posted on July 2, 2018 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.

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: William Morrow (June 26, 2018)

Length: 288 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

I was a huge fan of Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full of Ghosts. But his next novel Disappearance at Devil’s Rock? Not so much. Which is why I was curious when I found out about The Cabin at the End of World, because I wondered just how it would stack up. And as it turned out, I think it fell somewhere in between. Still, one thing is certain—this one feels very different from the author’s previous work.

The story opens on a remote cabin by a lake in New Hampshire, where seven-year-old Wen is on vacation with her parents, Eric and Andrew. On a quiet afternoon, while Wen catches grasshoppers in the front yard, a very tall young man suddenly appears out of nowhere and asks to speak to her. He tells her his name is Leonard, and that he would very much like to be her friend. Although she knows it is wrong to talk to strangers, Wen falls into a comfortable conversation with him, until three more people come walking out from the woods towards them, each dressed like Leonard in jeans and a buttoned-up shirt while brandishing scary improvised weapons. Despite Leonard telling Wen that these newcomers are no friends of is, he is clearly on familiar terms with them, and together they are adamant that they must be allowed into the cabin to speak to her parents.

Terrified, Wen runs inside to alert Eric and Andrew, who are alarmed at the appearance of these four menacing strangers. However, Leonard continues to swear that they mean no harm, that they only want to have a heart-to-heart talk—so if they would just please open up the door and let them in. He claims that what they must discuss concerns the fate of the entire world. But if Leonard and his companions are as harmless as they claim, then why did they cut the phone lines, their only means of communication in these isolated woods with no cellular reception, where their closest neighbors are miles away in all directions? Why are they still on their front porch clutching their strange makeshift weapons, refusing to go away?

It appears the response is split when it comes to this novel. A couple of my blogger friends loved it, though I know just as many people who had the complete opposite reaction, with one even claiming that the book was a complete waste of their time. After finishing it myself, I think I can better understand now why the reviews have been all over the place. The Cabin at the End of the World is definitely not a book for everyone, and personally, I would not recommend this to readers who prefer stories that tie up neatly with no ambiguity. I would also caution those who are sensitive to violence and horror to stay away. Bad things happen in this book, but not really the sort that would fill you with revulsion or terror. No, in some ways, it’s even worse. This is more like the kind of horror that breaks your heart and hollows you out. Indeed, there’s not much happiness or hope in this story, just a sense of anxiety and despair that keeps your mind teetering constantly on a knife’s edge. If you enjoy heady, atmospheric psychological thrillers, then the tension and dread you’ll find here will make you feel right at home.

That said though, I can also see where some of the criticisms are coming from. Apart from not answering any questions, this story also often made me feel as though not much was happening. For one thing, the plot became very repetitive after a while, with half the book consisting of the same conversation presented in multiple ways. At first, Leonard’s emphatic promises that they weren’t out to hurt anyone paired with his disclination to actually reveal any information was an effective device to ratchet up the suspense. I mean, small wonder that Eric and Andrew would refuse to have anything to do with this apparent bunch of crazies. However, after pages of this same exchange going absolutely nowhere, it started to become tedious. One wonders why Leonard and his pals didn’t just leave their weapons in the woods and approach the house pretending to be a family in need of some help after their car broke down, as it would have spared us all this pointless time-wasting and back-and-forth.

In some ways, I feel The Cabin at the End of the World would have probably made for a better short story. The ideas here were good, but there just wasn’t enough material to sustain a full-length novel. And while I usually have nothing against open endings, I did sort of wish there had been something a little more to this one. Most ambiguous endings still offer a bit of closure, presenting a point to which you can anchor your imagination and let it take care of the rest. But this book felt like it ended in the middle of a longer scene, as if the author himself had no idea how to bring it to a conclusion, so he simply decided not to finish writing it.

In truth, despite some of the issues I was having with the novel, I overlooked a lot of them due to the story’s incredible tension and atmosphere. However, the disappointment I felt at the ending hit me so hard that it probably dragged my final rating down by a full star. Had the final chapter wowed me as much as the first one did, The Cabin at the End of the World might have easily become my favorite Tremblay book. As it is though, I can only recommend this one cautiously. Like I said, it is certainly not for everyone. Keep in mind it’s a book in which horrible things happen to good and bad people alike, and you might not like the way things play out. Definitely not a light read, but it does have the potential to generate a lot of pondering and speculation.

YA Weekend: Damselfly by Chandra Prasad

Posted on July 1, 2018 19 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Damselfly by Chandra Prasad

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Young Adult, Adventure

Series: Book 1

Publisher: Scholastic Press (March 27, 2018)

Length: 240 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Aptly described as a modern Lord of the Flies, Chandra Prasad’s Damselfly follows a group of prep school teens as they try to survive after the private jet carrying their fencing team crashes onto a deserted tropical island. The story is told through the eyes of Samantha Mishra, an unassuming and unassertive girl who often finds herself overshadowed by her more confident and socially extroverted classmates. Sam doesn’t always feel accepted by the others, and in fact, she only has one real friend, the eccentric but extraordinarily gifted Mel Sharpe, who is in many ways as much of an outcast as our protagonist.

After surviving the crash, Sam manages to locate Mel in the jungle, and the two of them quickly set out to gather up as many of the others who made it out alive. The group then decides to establish a base camp near a fresh source of water, and Mel, applying her vast knowledge and experience, begins directing everyone on how to gather food, construct a shelter, and provide protection while waiting for help. But then days go by with no sign of rescue. Worse, strange and unexplainable things start happening around the island, leading our survivors to think they might not be as alone as they first thought. As fears and pressures continue to mount, bitter rivalries and disagreements begin tearing the group apart. Before long, Sam finds herself caught in the middle of a dangerous power struggle, torn between loyalty to her best friend and a desire to fit in.

Not unlike William Golding’s classic that no doubt provided a bulk of the inspiration, Damselfly takes a look at survival and the effects of it on the basic state of human nature. Namely, when Sam and her classmates find themselves marooned on deserted island with no adults and no rules, a new form of tribalism eventually emerges to fill that void. Over time, the cutthroat dynamics at their elite high school also becomes adopted as the status quo on the island, with rich, beautiful, and popular Rithika heading up her own little circle of supporters, while Mel winds up being the de facto leader to a second group of outcasts consisting of Sam and all the others. In a way, this makes the novel’s perspective all the more cynical and disturbing, because it speaks to the inevitability of how people acting from fear will always end up creating the very reality they fear the most. Ultimately, this group of modern teens—privileged, well-educated, diverse, and made up of both boys and girls—still failed to prevent themselves from devolving into society of cruelty and savagery.

In fact, the modern setting somehow makes this situation even worse. Teens today face a myriad of issues including body image, peer and family pressure, relationships, and social acceptance. Damselfly explores many of these themes, further speculating on how they might play out in this deserted island scenario. Another factor that adds a layer to this situation is racism. I really appreciated how the author tackled this subject candidly and doesn’t gloss over the fact that it is a universal problem. Racial division is one of the first methods Rithika uses in an attempt to sway Sam to her side, using their shared Indian heritage to try and convince her that non-whites (the “Golds”) are superior to whites (the “Pales”). Our protagonist is obviously appalled by this, though later on, she also reflects upon how society has a way of fetishizing race and minorities, thinking back to her school admissions interview and how the administrators reacted with glee to her mixed-race heritage, seeing her only as a way to increase their diversity quotas. Rarely do you see topics like these addressed in such an open and unflinching manner, and I loved that about this book.

There’s also something deliciously creepy about the story. While it contains no overt fantasy element, plenty of bizarre occurrences take place to make you think there might be some weird shenanigans afoot, such as the large prints left in the sand by some unidentifiable bipedal creature, or the presence of birds on the island that are thought to be extinct. In fact, what bothered me the most about this book was the lack of answers, and I was also extremely unhappy with the ending, which left things hanging on a pretty big and annoying cliffhanger.

That said though, I wouldn’t hesitate to read the sequel if given the opportunity. I like all the groundwork that has been established here, and I’m enjoying the characters a lot. There’s so much more room for Sam to grow, and I’m curious to see how she and Mel will fare on the next stage of their journey and what that would mean for their war with Rithika. Despite the frustrating ending, I also can’t deny that I really, really, desperately want to find out what happens next. I’m crossing my fingers that the next book will bring some clarity and resolutions to all the mystery.