Book Review: Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater

 

Book Review: Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater

I really loved the animated film Brave and when I heard on social media Maggie Stiefvater was given the opportunity to write the sequel to Merida's story, I was elated. And then I felt truly blessed when I was able to secure an ARC from NetGalley. 

My enthusiasm was well-met with Bravely, a story about growth and change, something people always seem to have a problem accepting or realizing the necessity of. 

Steeped in Celtic mythology, beautifully and poignantly written, Stiefvater fills out the dimensions of all characters within Merida's world, creating empathy and understanding where animosity would threaten to take over. The magical elements of the story make sense in the way that the mysterious does, and the ending steers clear of cliche and is entirely, complexly, and unexpectedly satisfying. 

I have already spread the word about this new story to my students, who I think will love it as much as I do, and plan on using it as a book club feature book perhaps as early as next semester. 

Book Review: A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons by Kate Khavari

 

A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons

by Kate Khavari

I read this as an ARC from NetGalley.

Saffron Everleigh, who has a name I absolutely LOVE, is a botanist at University College in London in 1923. At a party hosted by wealthy philanthropists for the college, the wife of one of the professors falls comatose after drinking apparently tainted champagne. When Saffron's beloved mentor Dr. Maxwell is arrested under suspicion of attempted murder, Saffron plunges headlong into an adventurous quest to find the would-be-murderer and clear her mentor's name.

I am a sucker for both beautiful book covers and stories set in England, and this book drew me in for both those reasons. Saffron's story coupled with the remnants of war tainting family and friends' lives and her own dauntless spirit in pushing boundaries in a male-dominated world that blocks off women of intelligence and ability all combine to create an interesting and fun read. Khavari has a wonderful sense of humor, even in moments that would otherwise be heavy, and yet this doesn't negatively impact the tension build-up. 

I especially enjoyed the scientific jargon and references, which all serve to showcase Saffron's ability despite the lecherous and dismissive men abounding at the college. And her lapses of logic, though a bit off-putting for a scientist, seem to highlight her youth, inexperience, and enthusiasm and willingness to learn from her mistakes.

I really enjoyed reading this novel and am curious if sequels are planned as it seems it might have been set up for them. I can see a place in YA readers' bookshelves for more Saffron Everleigh escapades, especially as she will be studying phytotoxicology.

Book Review: Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

Within These Wicked Walls

by Lauren Blackwood

I received an ARC of Within These Wicked Walls from NetGalley .

Andromeda is an interesting and flawed character, with a mysterious past and complicated relationships with the men in her life. From her adopted father who purportedly bought her from her parents to apprentice her as a debtera, to her employer Magnus Rochester who hires her to cleanse his home of the Evil Eye, to her biological father who (along with her mother) attempted to sell her into child prostitution, Andromeda has plenty of reasons not to trust men. She is a talented and skilled exorcist, but because of a falling out with her trainer, finds herself unlicensed and without a patron. So when an opportunity to cleanse a wealthy chocolate baron’s home arises, Andromeda commits to the job, despite the fact that so many previous debtera have failed.

This is a love story, but it also isn’t. This is really a story about redemption, about the triumph of the human spirit in the midst of spiritual warfare, about finding purpose and capitalizing on talent. There is a lot of gore when the Evil Eye battles with Andromeda and the other tenants, but the storytelling in this particular area is original and well done.

Though this book is being marketed as an updated Jane Eyre, ​I didn't see so much of this reference in the story. I enjoyed the foray into Ethiopian culture, especially the idea of exorcists (debtera). In fact, I wish the story had more about the Ethiopian culture and practices at the core of the book because the little bits of it in the story left me wanting more. Developing this part of the story would help readers see this as a story that is Ethiopian in flavor where it sometimes feels like a story that could have happened anywhere. In fact, this is really the only detracting point I can find.

I really enjoyed the Within These Wicked Walls and recommend it for fans of books like Mexican Gothic.