The Hazel Wood, Melissa Albert
It took me a while to get a handle on where this would fall exactly in terms of genre and audience; part of it really strongly reminded me of Joanne Harris’ Chocolat, though I think it’s more intended for the YA market than that book was. Once I got into it, I really enjoyed it: some lovely writing, some very creepy scenes, and lovely use of fairytale tropes — the original sort of brutal, horrible fairytales, not the sanitised versions. I think the pacing was a bit jerky at times. Given the fairytale setting, I don’t think I can really complain about some of the rules not seeming clear/consistent at times… Fairytales are like that, and it spills into the book as a whole.
I enjoyed the fact that the ending didn’t go with anything too easy… though I’ve learnt that this is a series, or at least that there’s going to be another book. I’m somewhat reluctant to read it, actually, in case it changes Finch’s ending — that just seemed so apropos after what we see through the rest of the book.
Rating: 4/5
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I also am reluctant to read the next book because I though the ending was kind of appropriate in terms of the feeling of the overall story. Nice review.
x The Captain
The Captain recently posted…The Captain’s Log – akata witch (Nnedi Okorafor)
Exactly. I guess I’ll see when I read the blurb!
Yes I shall wait for the blurb and if that sounds good then I might check out some crew members reviews to see how they rate it first. Though I may change me mind in the future. Never know what me mood might be. Arrr!
x The Captain
The Captain recently posted…On the Horizon – one way (S.J. Morden)
I loved this one too, though I was also torn on the ending. I’m really glad there’s a sequel because how book two turns out might go a long way in resolving things.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Book Review: Blood of the Four by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon
It might, or it could spoil some of the stuff I like! I don’t know…