The Outsiders

By S. E. Hinton

One of my friends was astonished that I hadn't read or been required to read this book in school. As it was only a few dollars at my local HPB, it was purchased. 

Initially I was frustrated by the youthfulness of the writing. As I read, though, I came to understand that the main character was incredibly young and the writing was purposefully toned to his frame of reference. The story was melancholy and raw- as raw as a young teenage boy is able to communicate. I was surprised at the pace of the plot, but it makes sense, trying to appeal to a younger audience and compressing into only 216 pages. 

I am better for reading The Outsiders. If you have not ventured this text, I suggest trying it.

"Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold..."

A random note, the apostrophes and quotation marks were not customary and it actually affected how I read, physically. Very interesting.

Happy Reading, Bookworms!

Crooked Kingdom

By Leigh Bardugo

Spoilers, for sure.

This text didn't seem to start as slowly as its predecessor, but there were parts where I felt the story dragging. Maybe it had to do with so many side stories and back stories, or maybe it is just Bardugo's writing style, I am not sure. It was fantastic getting to see the characters that I'd come to know and love continue to interact and deepen their bonds (both to me and each other), especially after seeing the Shadow & Bone series on Netflix.

For the finale, each second was perfect. It was good writing to have one member fall. Pulling off the Ice Court heist (mostly) unscathed and all of the mayhem that is Crooked Kingdom without a death would seem a little young. I do not like the death of such character, but in terms of plot development and character arcs, that character was the perfect mark. 

I am in love with Kaz and Inej, separately and together. 

I recommend reading as it completes the arcs set in Six of Crows and is fun.

Happy Reading, Bookworms!

Six of Crows

By Leigh Bardugo

Welcome back to the blog! It has been a few weeks since my last post and I am excited to get back in the swing of things. Without further ado, my thoughts on Six of Crows (sans spoilers):

Right off the bat there are two maps preceding the text. I love that. Give me your settings in relativity to each other, show me the interior of the main prison, help me visualize this so that my imagination can be busy crafting something else! Major points for the inclusion of the two maps.

Beginning this story was difficult for me. Since reading I have learned that I could have read the Shadow & Bone trilogy before the Six of Crows, but it was not necessary. Maybe if I had prior knowledge of the Grishaverse the slow pace would not have bothered me. Or maybe it would have bored me even further because of an existent understanding of the world and some of the characters. I am not sure. The book took over 100 pages to pick up and thus pushed me away from the story. I had heard such wonderful things about this book and everyone on bookstagram was losing their mind over it and it was actually given to me as a gift to be read simultaneously with one of my friends. Safe to say that the hype of the text may have skewed my initial perceptions.

Once the story finally broke through and the action was well and fully underway, the characters were delicious, the twists and turns of the plot were wonderful, and the writing was fun. Upon completion, I was thrilled. I literally zoomed to the closest bookstore not an hour later and bought Crooked Kingdom (book two of this duology). I do recommend this book to most readers, but also assure you to stick with it as the finale is worth the wait. 

Also almost immediately after completing this book, the Netflix series, "Shadow & Bone" came out. It is set in the same universe, the Grishaverse, and actually includes some of the main characters from Six of Crows! When scrolling through the streaming service I saw the cane with the crows head and lost my mind. It had to be Kaz's cane. I do recommend reading at least Six of Crows before watching the show as some of the character development seeps into the show and it is always nice to have your own understanding and imagery of the characters/settings before seeing it on screen. 

To Crooked Kingdom I go!

Happy Reading, Bookworms!

The Lost Apothecary

By Sarah Penner

A gorgeous cover and fantastic reviews were enough to entice me to choose this as one of my birthday presents. 

The story within the beautiful cover was riddled with pains and poisons of women. Women in the 18th century, children from the 18th century, and women from the 21st century are all in the spotlight as we delve into the delicacies of womanly physiology amidst the infidelities of men. 

The text was girlier than I anticipated. Not that there were frills to each sentence, the writing was good and enjoyable. The content, though, was more about the struggles of women across hundreds of years than the anticipated topic of an apothecary poisoning men who are unfaithful. There was great enjoyment and validation within the text, as so many women go through life without understanding that her peers could be her greatest allies in life. So often women are pitted against each other in competition that it was refreshing to read a story in which the women are smart, clever, strong, and loving (through a tough shell). Maybe that is a common theme in texts that I have either, one, yet to read, or two, not appreciated thus far. 

I give the text 4/5 stars and a strong recommendation to most.

Happy Reading, Bookworms!

Plum Lucky

By Janet Evanovich

This was an adorable and quick read. I really enjoyed how easy the story was to read and digest. The characters were bright and easily lovable. The final scene was right out of a movie. At times I was convinced that Stephanie Plum was a novice to the whole snooping around thing, and that was frustrating. Yes, there were moments where she was an excellent detective following her instincts, but the ending proved that she was still a damsel in distress. I still loved the book and appreciated the light nature of the text. 

Overall, it was just what I needed to jumpstart my reading after a brief beginning of a nonfiction text.

Happy Reading, Bookworms!

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

By Stuart Turton

Favorite is a difficult word for me to utilize unless dripping in sarcasm. I struggle due to the weight that the word carries. 'Favorite,' means choosing one BEST thing. There are infinite situations where what's best varies without the use of parameters. The best attire for a skier is not likely the best attire for a beach-goer. I could list hundreds of examples of how defining what's best is chaotic. So I will set parameters to ease my conscience at the use of such diction. 

This is my favorite book right now.

The craft of writing is exquisite, the plot is never dull (even though we live the same day 8 times), the characters are so interestingly perceived by others, and the settings are fun. I love getting into a book and realizing that it's like an ogre... lots of layers. 

I was impressed that Turton was able to somehow just touch on the Agatha Christie vibes (mansion, butler, fancy party, murder, scandal) without soiling them or feeling trapped in a rut. Truly a fantastic piece of literature that combined the genius of Joseph Heller and Agatha Christie and I cannot offer higher praise. 

________________Spoilers below_________________

Seriously, stop reading if you plan to enjoy this book for the first time.

Plot Map (host jump order)
1st Host: Sebastian Bell
2nd Host: Roger Collins, the butler
3rd Host: Donald Davies
-back to the butler
4th Host: Cecil Ravencourt- our first witness of Evelyn Hardcastle's death
-back to the butler
5th Host: Jonathan Derby- 'stay by the rock,' experience second Evelyn Hardcastle death, the first time the footman kills us
6th Host: Edward Dance- though only briefly and not actually introduced except as Mr. Gold's acquaintance
-back to the butler
-back to Edward Dance
-back to the butler
-back to Edward Dance- the footman kills us and we see Anna's betrayal 
-back to the butler- the footman kills us and we see Anna's secondary betrayal
7th Host: Jim Rashton- see attempt at Evelyn's life with pillow addition, almost solved, footman kills us
-back to Donald Davies- big party in the woods, drowned by Daniel in the lake
8th Host: Gregory Gold
-back to the butler- surprise, not dead, dies from footman attack/exhaustion?
-back to Gregory Gold- completely solved

Character Breakdown 

(Hosts in order, then other characters in order of relative importance)

Hosts

Sebastian Bell: This man is a blank slate. There is almost nothing in terms of memories and I wonder if that is more a conversation of Aiden Bishop's memory sweep at the start of his loop, or of Sebastian Bell's lack of importance within his life. I do not have an answer for that idea, but it's fun to consider Sebastian Bell as our last host. 

Roger Collins, the butler: We are supposed to hate being in this body. I wish there was more fun in the butler's body, but I guess that trope is satisfied with Cunningham. It really surprised me how many times we returned to this body throughout the text. The "Day Two" chapter titles became synonymous with a brief palate cleanse. As craft, the brief peering into day two allotted a mini pause button for the other arcs and timelines. If I hadn't kept a notepad, I would have been a little bit lost with all of the back and forth between characters.

Donald Davies: Davies as a host was hilarious at first. The rainbow outfit really sold this young lad as rambunctious. Yes, the soul is Aiden Bishop trying to escape this loop, but the clothes are of Davies wardrobe. When Davies comes back, though, Aiden is ready to win this battle. He has already been killed by the footman, we have seen Evelyn's attempted 'suicide,' we know that Daniel is an enemy, and we are almost completely aware of the loop's timeline. Davies return yields a great symphony of characters in the woods to defeat Daniel in a moment yielding feelings similar to that of all of the Marvel universe coming to defeat Thanos together in Avengers Endgame. 

Cecil Ravencourt: While the body is disgusting, the mind is fruitful and quick. Ravencourt is an excellent host in the seat of 4th host. The Plague Doctor's understanding of when what hosts are most helpful is enjoyable. The scene with both Cunningham and Cecil sitting together and without pause Cecil instructs Cunningham to reach under his seat to procure a sealed envelope full of damning evidence is really the first time we see Aiden come into trust his hosts and trust himself.

Jonathan Derby: This foul creature doesn't deserve a conversation. Aiden Bishop within Jonathan Derby's body can earn a few sentences, though. Aiden Bishop as Derby is an interesting situation. When reading this chapter, or day, we experience one of our first big plot altering moments. We are told to stand right next to the rock, thus altering Michael's path to 'Evelyn' immediately after her 'suicide.' Also, this is the first time that we are killed by the footman, or at all!

Edward Dance: Dance is an elite host. He is able to be cold and calculating and calm in the midst of this hell. His age and memories restrict Aiden slightly, but ultimately the sharpness of the mind is the more important feature.

Jim Rashton: This police officer does wonders with Aiden's soul inside. I was quite pleased to read the day 7 chapter. Without the keen eye for inspection and details and clues, Aiden Bishop might not have succeeded quite so grandly in unraveling the plot against Evelyn Hardcastle's life. The strongest evidence to support this claim is the fact that even in the midst of uncovering the murderer, Michael, he knows that there is more to be solved. The whole plot has yet to be seen (which is good because we still have an entire host and 60ish pages). Thanks to the Plague Doctor, we have two hosts back to back that are able to witness and unearth a lot of scandalous material. We love the craft.

Gregory Gold: Ah, yes, the final man. It was surprising to me that an artist was chosen as the final host, the man to put all puzzle pieces together. I wonder if the Plague Doctor had tried the final host as Rashton or Dance. The odds are in favor of that having happened as this loop has repeated thousands of times, but still. It's curious the artist is the best fit to untangle all of the details. It seems as though maybe the artist is the best fit for the final host as he must see the whole story and artists have an eye for such things. Understanding the details and minutia enough to paint an intricate and grandiose scene.

Non-Host Characters

Clifford Herrington: I remember nothing of this man except for when he sat next to Ravencourt at the dinner table and was an absolute dread.

Christopher Pettigrew: Oily little man that's just in the middle of the pack.

Philip Sutcliffe: Originally believed to be the Plague Doctor, otherwise, like Pettigrew.

Mrs. Drudge: I wish there was more to her story shared. Cooks generally know all of the important details of the past and I feel like she could have been a more instrumental character.

Grace Davies: Apparently a beauty, I enjoyed her appearance with the shotgun to support her brother and company against Daniel/SilverTear.

Lucy Harper: The scandal involved aided Lucy Harper's placement on this list. She was elevated to higher importance due to her father, Ted Stanwin's plan to ultimately help her leave Blackheath.

Alf Miller: Stable master is quite easily bullied and while that is not always the right thing to do, it was enjoyable to read a seasoned lawyer squeeze the truth out of this feeble man. 

Keith Parker: I am adding this character as a subunit of Alf Miller, as he is Miller's son. Also, his -gone-missing- moment is an impetus for the snowball effect that is murder, explained at the end.

Millicent Derby: This is the woman that sees Evelyn Hardcastle, truly, and for that, she is murdered beautifully. The murderer frames Dickie so subtly that only he would know and as he is giving the diagnosis, can easily cover his own corrupt rear. There was no mourning from me at her death.

Dr. Richard Acker "Dickie": This man is dirty. He has been dirty for so long that he doesn't know how to be clean. Any words from his mouth drip with lies and he's not even aware anymore. "That's the beauty of corrupt men, you can always rely on them to be corrupt" (page 448).

Ted Stanwin: The man at the middle of (almost) every scheme, every scandal, earning him the nickname by our main character's soul, 'the blackmailer.' I did not mourn his character, though appreciated his calculations when we met him the 'next' morning.

Daniel Coleridge: A scoundrel of the highest order. As I read, I took rough notes on which host I was in and what order and what number. When we got to Jim Rashton as host 7, I paused. In previous pages there was discussion of Gregory Gold being a future host. The dread of having to be tied up by the wrists and experience such pain is quite memorable. There was also quite frequent discussion of Daniel Coleridge being the last host. So if we have already inhabited 7 hosts, and we know there are only 8 total, the math does not add up that I can be both Daniel and Gold. 

Then, roughly two pages later, my main character's soul realizes the same things and it tastes so sweet. Also, when he shot Ted Stanwin on the hunt and Edward Dance was so immensely distraught by the act, there was suspicion that the main character's soul could ever alter that deeply. I appreciated the depth and craft at which the lies were delivered. 

Charles Cunningham: He is likely my favorite character of the whole book. Plague Doctor gives him a run for his money, but Cunningham comes out on top as he is more so a true character in the play that is this day. I kept remembering the quote from when he was speaking to Ravencourt where there was a statement said in jest by Ravencourt about Cunningham maybe being the murderer, and Cunningham responding with something like, "how would you know it's not me?" A deeply developed character that remains in the forefront of this readers mind.

Peter Hardcastle: I had high hopes for this party host. Dance understood so clearly that all there was to this man was greed, plain and simple. As he is the father of the woman murdered, and is murdered himself by said woman, he earned this place of importance on my list.

Helena Hardcastle: Did not see her death coming. It did not shock me, but I was a little surprised she wasn't somehow more involved in the grand scheme. 

Michael Hardcastle: Yikes. Loved this character until I really didn't. The moment he pulled that pillow out (to silence the only woman who could have foiled the grand scheme)... Even with the ending revelations where we learn the blond woman's true identity, killing her to solve your cashflow problems is unacceptable. 

Thomas Hardcastle: Boy is long dead, but I included him in the character list because he is integral to the events transpiring in this book. The backstory was interesting and if I were in this story as a child, I would likely fall into Thomas' predicament, too.

Charlie Carver: Oof. This guy. Cunningham's daddio (and the true father of all 'Hardcastle' children) really really loved his lady...

Evelyn Hardcastle: For sake of clarity, this paragraph is dedicated to the woman we all thought was Evelyn Hardcastle for all but the last 20 or so pages. Evelyn Hardcastle has sharp lines, blond hair, and excellent stature. She is fiercely beautiful, though most of the hosts experience her callousness or even rudeness. As a reader, I am saddened by her death and hope my main character can save her while identifying her killer. I became fond of this woman, similarly to the main character, likely because of how much the world seemed to twist around her, fate (or really other people) swallowing every hope. 

Felicity Maddox: Genuine concern consumed my puzzling mind as we were less than 20 pages from the end and Felicity Maddox was only briefly mentioned twice. She played her part exquisitely, and left justified. Her ending felt complete and vindicating. The Evelyn we had come to know and adore, killing the real Evelyn without remorse or hesitation. What a fun end to the night.

Madeline Aubert: This character deserves names I dare not speak/type on such a public platform. Aside from my distaste of her actions, her plans were incredibly well crafted. She made every single situation unfold how she desired (except for, of course, Michael... yikes).

Characters outside Blackheath's realm

Silver Tear: Did not expect this character until the Plague Doctor denied having met with Daniel. At that point I considered there was another person running around in the costume to mess with Aiden, but even then, I did not consider that the Plague Doctor would have colleagues. Her actions annoyed me, which was the desired effect.

the Superiors: I included the Superiors in this list of characters because even though we do not meet them, their decisions and rules play a large part in the shaping of this situation. I wonder if the Superiors are human- probably. Probably something like Supreme Court justices but over the whole world.

Plague Doctor: As discussed earlier, he is one of my favorite characters. I like his seemingly omnipresent behaviors and knowledge. He is the spiritual guide that helps with what is needed instead of what you want. His acceptance, in the end, of the justification that Annabelle was dead, really pushed him to the edge of achieving such high remarks in my mind. The value of justice and correction and rehabilitation over obsolete rules will always be important to me.

Anna/ Annabelle Caulker: Wow. The writing of this text really send me through similar feelings as Aiden Bishop's soul. I was generally suspicious of Anna, but she grew on me, and then I was cautious because of how much I liked her, and then we learn she's a prisoner on purpose, for some of the worst crimes around the globe... this was a whirlwind to say the least. Her character arc is a rollercoaster with no brakes. I felt her ending was fair and complete.

Aiden Bishop: My main man. My leading lady. (He's never a lady, I just enjoy the phrase.) The main soul in discussion. I am quite fond of this soul as I experienced it. Had this text been of the first or second, or third loop, I would likely have a different paragraph (for each host but especially) here. This final loop proved that he, like Annabelle, has come a long way and his arc has been satisfied. He is, like Anna, a new soul. Where there once was torment and pain, there is now forgiveness and a new sense of self.

Layers of Reality

1. Sarah Reading the book

2. the Superiors and their society casting judgement upon Annabelle Caulker, Aiden Bishop and his sister Juliette exist here

3. Blackheath, prison for the damned (Plague Doctor 'works' here)

4. each of Aiden's hosts, arguably

Title Discussion

The title is throwing me off. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Where is the half? Which Evelyn's deaths count? It's not the total deaths in the book because that number is North of 12. We only see Evelyn die three times total; twice as Felicity as Evelyn and once as the true Evelyn is shot repeatedly. Are we to just assume that each host (minus the last) lays claim to a time that Evelyn (Felicity) dies? Does that then mean that the real Evelyn's death is only worth a 1/2 claim to the death toll? I have so many questions that I will likely remain inside of this world for the next few days. 

This post was written before reading the Reading Group Guide and Conversation with the Author. I recommend reading those as well for a better grasp at Stuart Turton and his genius.

Happy Reading, Bookworms!

Game Changer

 By Neal Shusterman

I love how Shusterman writes and this book was no exception. 

There was much difficulty in classifying this text by genre. Most of the content was realistic fiction, up to date and current events included. But there were a few sections related to the structural components of the book that leaned science fiction more than anything. A few of Shusterman's other books have hints of science fiction and I am a fan. 

I was greatly surprised by the contents of this book. Anticipated was a story of concussions and the difficult world of high school and college football. The result was almost anything but. There was real world discussion of politics, social and economical issues, and civil rights completely realistic for the current day and age.

The skaters were some of my favorite characters for the majority of the book. In the end I had high hopes for them being almost all-knowing. Imagine the three witches of A Wrinkle in Time. 

Out of five, I would rate the book at a three point five. I enjoyed it and recommend reading, but it was not my favorite, and that's okay!

Happy Reading, Bookworms!