Review | The Muse by Jessie Burnton

Rating: 1/5 Stars

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: July 26th 2016

Goodreads Summary:

"A picture hides a thousand words . . .

On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. Having struggled to find her place in the city since she arrived from Trinidad five years ago, she has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. But though Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, and unlocks a potential she didn't know she had, she remains a mystery - no more so than when a lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery.

The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come artist and revolutionary Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family, with explosive and devastating consequences . . ."

Review:

I'm sorry to say that I am disappointed by this book. I hyped myself up for it because The Miniaturist was so awesome, but this was so...boring. And that's the worst thing a book can be.

The first half was okay but by the second I was wishing it would just end - I could see what was coming and I desperately did not care. I even scanned the last few pages without really reading them, just so I could close the damn book and say I read the whole thing.

The thing that annoyed me the most: the characters. The character in the 'present day' I guess you would call it, Odelle, was fine. I was interested in her experience as a Carribean woman moving to the UK, about the racism she experienced and how British imperialism affected her worldview. But that story could have easily been applied to a better character. One who had a personality. You could call Odelle an empty vessel - the author used her to push the story along without filling her up with character traits and a distinct voice. 

The characters in the flashbacks were worse. Olive was so incredibly unlikable. The whole Schloss family was. They were just as blank as Odelle. And Isaac. Dear God. What a fucking Gary Stu. He's handsome and the ladies love him. He's edgy and brave and stands up for the poor. And he is as bland as mashed potatoes. Not only that, but he's kind of an asshole. Teresa was the only character I could stand.

The angsty one-sided romance between Isaac and Olive was so sparkless and dull; reading from Olive's point of view made me want to tear my hair out. Oh really? She only found the inspiration to paint gorgeous pictures after she met him? How original! Girl power, amirite?

Whatever mystery the author tried to set up was obvious by the fifth chapter. I rolled my eyes so hard when it was revealed I think I could see my brain. If you want to keep your readers guessing, don't spell it out for them at the very beginning. 

The plot was transparent, the characters sucked, and I nearly fell asleep while reading it; not much else to say about this book.

I still have faith in Jessie Burton though. I think she's a great writer. Let's just see this as a bump in the road in a hopefully successful career.

T5W | Characters You Wouldn't Want To Trade Places With

Top 5 Wednesday was created by gingerreadslainey and is moderated by Sam of Thoughts on Tomes. Here is the Goodreads group if you want to join!

I'm not sure there's any character I would want to trade places with; one of the key parts of the story is usually that there is a conflict, and I have trouble dealing with my own boring life. I don't need more problems added to it. But there are, of course, characters that are much worse off that I am. Here are the ones I wouldn't trade places with for a billion dollars.

1) Winston Smith from 1984

The universe of 1984 was my first exposure to dystopia and the one that's scared me the most. Any show of disloyalty to the country is either met with torture or death. Every single aspect of your life is controlled. It's what I imagine North Korea is like.

2) The Baudelaire children from A Series of Unfortunate Events

Not only are both their parents dead and their house burned to the ground, not only are they ripped from the only life they've ever known and subject to the will of adults who don't seem to know what to do with three orphans; they're also stalked by a crazy man who wants to kill them and steal their inheritance away. To add to the misfortune, any time their luck seems to be looking up or they find a home with a person that treats them well, something inevitably goes wrong and their nice new guardian dies.

The title says it all really; who would want to be the victim of a series of unfortunate events? Not me.

3) Astrid from White Oleander

Besides having a murderess for a mother, Astrid has to experience some truly horrific things at a young age. I'm so glad my mother is not homicidal!

4) Anyone from The Hunger Games

This one doesn't really need an explanation.

5) Ma from Room

Not only was Ma kidnapped at a young age, she was raped for years and years, trapped in a tiny room. She even had to have her baby, by herself, in the microscopic room. Awful.

Review | Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Published: May 19th 2015

Goodreads Summary:

"Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose."

Review:

I've been lucking out lately with the five-star books! First Homegoing, then What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours, and now Uprooted! Thank you benevolent Book Gods.

If you have the same problem that I have, where you are reading or watching something and halfway through you are impatiently waiting for it to be over already God, then you will love Uprooted! I got through this whole book without once wishing it would finish. In fact, it was the opposite; I didn't want it to end at all. I was looking at the growing number of pages I'd read and then at the dwindling number of pages I had left and stressing about how soon it would be before the book was done and I would no longer be immersed in this magnificent, magical world. I was so sad when I got to the last sentence, I think I teared up a little.

Agnieszka was such a good character. I've seen people calling her a Mary Sue and I couldn't care less. The whole 'you don't know you're special/always saves the day' tropes are overdone, of course, and I recognized that she wasn't the most original character ever. However, she always stood up for what was right and fought for what she believed in, plus had this deep connection to the earth, and I relate to that a lot.

The magic system was really fascinating to me; instead of relying on rules and caveats and precision, it focused on more on words and intent, with a witch's abilities being tailored to who they were. This felt unique (at least to me) and reading about the magic was one of my favorite parts.

I liked a lot of the themes Novik explored, like the underlying tensions and unspoken words in relationships, loyalty to the people you love, and the toxicity of anger. They really rang true with me.

I did not like the love interest nor the romance itself (if you could even call it that). The Dragon was an enormous asshole; he was angry all the time. Why? Why was he so endlessly irritated and touchy and insulting? What did Agnieszka see in him? He was insufferable. When the author suddenly had them kissing and ripping at each other's clothes, I was baffled. It's one of my only complaints about the book.

The plot gripped me. I found myself reading for longer and longer stretches whenever I picked the book up. A lot of people seemed to have found the book boring, which confuses me. There was a lot of mystery and suspense I believe, and the villain was actually really scary. A whole forest that was slowly consuming a country, that could make a person turned evil if they even got to close to it? The Wood was a badass antagonist.

I would recommend this book to just about anyone. Including you! Go pick it up!

T5W | Books You Want To See As TV Shows

Top 5 Wednesday was created by gingerreadslainey and is moderated by Sam of Thoughts on Tomes. Here is the Goodreads group if you want to join!

Hey!! I got this one out on Wednesday! Miracle of miracles! It's probably because this one is easier, less thinking required. Anyway, proud of you, me.

This week's topic is to choose which books you would want to see as TV shows. This one is pretty easy. Here are my picks!

1) Goosebumps Series by R. L. Stine

    

Listen, I know this was already a TV show, but imagine an updated version! Better CGI and modern takes on some of the stories? (Also, yes, I know there was a movie but we don't talk about that.)

2) His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman

Okay, this one has already been licensed for a television adaptation, but that was back in late 2015. Where the heck is it? (Another one with a movie that we don't talk about. Sorry, Daniel Craig.) 

3) Harry Potter Series by J. K. Rowling

I'm sure this one has been said a million times, but Harry really does deserve to be on television. There are so many intricacies to the story that the movies missed. It could go into more detail, and be mostly child-friendly (except for all the murder and stuff in the later books).

4) Graceling Series by Kristin Cashore

Graceling is the shiiiit! A TV show would be like, high fantasy, political intrigue epicness. Although I think it would only work if Kristin Cashore was on the writing team. 

5) Cormoran Strike Series by J. K. Rowling

This would a sweet murder-mystery show. All the characters are so likable, and ever though the endings are usually a little predictable, it would still be pretty fun in my opinion.

#DiverseAThon TBR

I'm not sure if you were privy to it, but this week, a discussion has flared up in the booktube/book blogger/bookish whatever community about the importance (or non-importance) of diversity. This discussion began after a twitter argument between author V.E. Schwab and someone who had a bone to pick with her about the majority of the characters in her books being white.

And even though Schwab admitted that maybe she had some reflection to do and that she would try and do better in the future, a booktuber took it upon herself to make a 23-minute video about how she thought diversity is 'the worst word in the English language.'

Really, what I have to say about the video is: this lady is mad. Why you so mad, though? Why are you so threatened by the desire of people who are different than you to see themselves in the literature they read? It isn't like there will ever be a shortage of white/straight/able-bodied protagonists for you to intellectually masturbate to. At one point, she even says, 'I don't give a rat's ass about diversity.' Well, obviously you do, if it makes you so upset.

I mean, this lady seems to imply that segregation is a good thing put in place to protect culture and that diversity destroys different viewpoints (???) and that people who want diversity actually want to exterminate white people or something along those absolutely absurd lines. What the fuck? For real, what the fuck.

Anyway, the marvelous response to this was a Diverse-A-Thon by hosts Monica of shemightbemonica, Joce of squibblesreads, Whitney of whittynovels, and Christina Marie a.k.a. LCMarie19. The challenge of this read-a-thon is basically to seek out books that are more diverse than what you would usually read; there's no rules about how many books you need to read or anything like that, it's pretty chill. The group book for the challenge is Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, which is optional. Diverse-A-Thon lasts from 9/12 to 9/19.

I've already read Homegoing, so I chose the diverse books I know I have in my possession and I'm armed and ready for this challenge. Here's my TBR:

 In Order To Live by Yeonmi Park. This is the story of a young North Korean girl's struggle to find freedom. I saw a video of her describing her and her mother's escape across the border into China and my heart broke. I know this read will deal with heavy topics, but I also know it will be worth it.

Ash by Malinda Lo. A gay Cinderella retelling? Hell yeah!!

 Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown. This is about a girl who's out of the closet who suddenly has to go back in when her priest father moves her family to a small town. She enjoys the way people treat her as a faux-straight girl until she meets a girl who makes her gay little heart race. 

I'm hoping to go to the library soon and get some more but that's all I have for now. 

I really appreciate this challenge, as a lesbian who struggles with mental health issues. I hope a lot of people participate and learn new things!

Review | What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Short Stories

Published: March 8th 2016

Goodreads Summary:

"The key to a house, the key to a heart, the key to a secret—Oyeyemi’s keys not only unlock elements of her characters’ lives, they promise further labyrinths on the other side. In “Books and Roses” one special key opens a library, a garden, and clues to at least two lovers’ fates. In “Is Your Blood as Red as This?” an unlikely key opens the heart of a student at a puppeteering school. “‘Sorry’ Doesn’t Sweeten Her Tea” involves a “house of locks,” where doors can be closed only with a key—with surprising, unobservable developments. And in “If a Book Is Locked There’s Probably a Good Reason for That Don't You Think,” a key keeps a mystical diary locked (for good reason). 

Oyeyemi’s tales span multiple times and landscapes as they tease boundaries between coexisting realities. Is a key a gate, a gift, or an invitation?"

I was pleased to go back and find out that this was on my 16 Most Anticipated Books of 2016 list. I hadn't even remembered that I had read the description for this when I picked it up by coincidence at the library. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love short story anthologies. There is so much potential for storytelling if they are done right. And What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours is done so right! Starting each new story felt like opening a present. Each is unique, and although all of the stories are connected, they felt like their own little strange universes. I would definitely classify What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours as magical realism, but it ventured beyond that and took on a level of absurdity that was so entertaining to read.

One of the most surprising things about the book is the effortless diversity in each story. Oyeyemi integrates everyone into her book and I couldn't help feeling happy that so many people might find reflections of themselves inside.

I think the best way to review this book is by reviewing each story, so here goes:

Books and Roses might be my least favorite. Although the setting is creative and I cared about the characters, it didn't feel like it had a solid resolution. It might just be that I missed The Point, but it felt like it ended abruptly without answering some of the most important questions.

Sorry Doesn't Sweeten Her Tea might be my favorite. It's so grounded in reality - the fangirl disappointed by her erring idol - but it has this mounting feeling of magic like you're waiting for something extraordinary to happen. I was much happier with the ending of this one.

Is Your Blood As Red As This? gets a little confusing at times; it switches perspectives and the relationships between the characters are kind of unclear, although that might just be a reflection of real life. I did like the element of puppetry and the unique way that the puppeteers...puppetted? It was a fun read.

Drownings, I wasn't really fond of. It felt different from the other stories, kind of detached like it was from a different world. I guess it was set in some medieval time, which felt wrong and incompatible with every other story. I feel like it could've been taken out and the book would be the same or maybe even better.

Presence was sad. It made me really sad and I don't know why. Marriage and children are minefields and Oyeyemi definitely portrayed them well. I did enjoy it, though.

A Brief History of the Homely Wench Society was short, a little like Romeo and Juliet, but it was cute and the message was sweet.

Dornicka and the St. Martin's Day Goose was an inventive Little Red Riding Hood retelling and one of the stories that really blew me away. I'm not even sure why; it was just so well-written and fantastical, but with an earthy feel.

Freddie Barradov Checks...In? I don't really remember; in fact, I barely remember reading it, which means it must not be very remarkable.

If A Book Is Locked There's Probably A Good Reason For That Don't You Think (what a long-winded title) is the last one, and it wasn't the best story, but it was good. The mysterious character of Eva was intriguing and her weird demonic book even more so. I wish I knew what was up with that thing... It was a nice way to end the collection.

Phew, that was a lot of stories. I hope at least one of them interests you because I seriously recommend this book!!!!

Review | Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Historical Fiction

Published: June 7th 2016

Goodreads Summary:

"Two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born into different villages in eighteenth-century Ghana. Effia is married off to an Englishman and lives in comfort in the palatial rooms of Cape Coast Castle. Unbeknownst to Effia, her sister, Esi, is imprisoned beneath her in the castle’s dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast’s booming slave trade, and shipped off to America, where her children and grandchildren will be raised in slavery. One thread of Homegoing follows Effia’s descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana, as the Fante and Asante nations wrestle with the slave trade and British colonization. The other thread follows Esi and her children into America. From the plantations of the South to the Civil War and the Great Migration, from the coal mines of Pratt City, Alabama, to the jazz clubs and dope houses of twentieth-century Harlem, right up through the present day, Homegoing makes history visceral, and captures, with singular and stunning immediacy, how the memory of captivity came to be inscribed in the soul of a nation. 

Generation after generation, Yaa Gyasi’s magisterial first novel sets the fate of the individual against the obliterating movements of time, delivering unforgettable characters whose lives were shaped by historical forces beyond their control.Homegoing is a tremendous reading experience, not to be missed, by an astonishingly gifted young writer."

Review:

I first heard about this book from shemightbemonica and the premise really grabbed me; I'm grateful to her because without her channel I would never have picked up this fantastic book!

I was so moved by this book. I don't even know how to accurately describe it; this book is just so much. So much history and pain, but also love and healing and family. 

At the beginning of the book, there is a little genealogy chart that shows you all of the generations that will be followed throughout the book. The book starts with Effia and Esi, two sisters who never meet, and from there, Yaa Gyasi dives deep into the movings of the two branches of this family. I felt like I was personally getting to know each of the descendants, even though each chapter only gives a brief glance into their lives. It was an almost surreal feeling, reading each relative's chapter and finding the hints of their parents and grandparents in their lives, and flashing forward to read about their children. 

And each character was so alive, so nuanced, with their own hurts and desires; I almost felt like a peeping tom, intruding on something I shouldn't have. I half-expected the characters to jump from the page and start breathing and speaking in front of me. 

As the book is about the dual histories of one family in Ghana and the States, of course this book deals with racism and its effects on both lines of the family. I learned so much by reading this book, parts of American history I'd never heard mentioned before, like the arresting of free black men post-slavery so they could be sent to labor camps (which is just slavery under a different name) and the diffusion of drugs throughout Harlem in the 60's. I also learned a lot about Ghana and the wars with the British. The whole book is so informative!

Yaa Gyasi's writing is no joke. I wish I had the book in front of me so I could give some examples but instead, I'll just say how gorgeous it is. It's lush and has this crispness to it, a naturalness like she was born to put words down on paper. Even as I'm writing this, I know I'm not doing it justice. You need to read it firsthand to understand the beauty of it.

So long story short: read Homegoing! Like, for real! Go get it right now right this minute right now go!