The Carnelian Crow

Book Title: The Carnelian Crow

Author: Colleen Gleason

Series: Stoker & Holmes #4

Date Started: July 30th 2018

Date Completed: July 31st 2018

Genres: Adventure, Romance, Historial, Mystery, Fantasy

Quality Rating: Three Stars

Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars

Final Rating: Four stars

Review:

Oh, these books are fun. Every time I race through them and want the next one immediately. Yeah, they're silly and border on absurdity, but I enjoy every second reading them and I appreciate an action and puzzle-solving mystery with female heroines.

Honestly, I ended up skimming the text a bit. Luckily, it's the kind of book where you can miss the odd sentence and still understand what's going on - a lot of internal monologue that has varying degrees of interest. I'm not ultimately here for the inner musings of Mina and Evaline; they tend to be a bit simple and shallow in the grand scheme of things. Their mystery-solving, puzzle skills and action, however, is definitely what's kept me coming back. The interactions between characters, too, but I'll get onto that. But it's satisfying to watch these girls go through deliciously gothic murder mysteries and grand robberies when I'm so used to watching boys in those roles. I don't really care how feasible it is, that's not the point to me.

That being said, I feel like The Carnelian Crow finally shows things starting to fall together and gain proper rhythm. Each novel stands very much on its own as well as holding little details that have clearly been building up to the final chapter, but this was the first time I felt like I could see people's paths intersecting and pointing in the same direction. I'm not sure whether the fifth book in the Stoker and Holmes series is the final one, but we're defintely coming near to the end.

One thing that did bug me a little bit about The Carnelian Crow (there's always one thing that gets me each time) was the way it addressed marriage. Now, I'm ambivalent because I appreciate it being explored in the first place, but I think the way everyone outside of the situation was demonised is slightly counter-intuitive. We get a situation where Evaline is in the predicament of having to marry in order to keep her family finacially secure, and only she feels reluctant to do it. Yes, it was the societal expectation, but you're telling me that not even the other women vaguely understand the pressure? Or, at least, they would notice that she's uncomfortable and reason with her, rather than just acting confused at her hesitation. The only person that vaguely responds understandably is Mina (predictably, because they're the most developed) - and I did like that. She's slightly cold about it, but she gets into an argument about it with Grayling who just can't understand. That bit was great. But having everyone other than the main characters react thoughtlessly just doesn't make sense and taints the argument.

With a warning of mild spoilers (not really it was obvious), the best part of this book is the fact that Mina and Grayling finally get together. It's taken bloody long enough. Dylan, with the greatest affection, is an unnecessary distraction who's purpose I still don't entirely understand in both the characterisation and narrative of our heroines. What we really wanted was for young-detective heroine Mina and the polite-but-respectful Inspector to speak their minds about more than their suspects. (If you want the way to my heart, give me a love interest that values and encourages the intgellience and curiosity of the heroine.)

The only reason I didn't read The Carnelian Crow sooner was because how expensive it was on kindle (£9 on kindle?! Come on!), but after reading Ash and Quill I wanted more fun and caved in. Do I regret it? No. Did I wish it was less expensive, oh yeah. Would I pay the same to get the next book right now? You bet I would.

Ash and Quill

Book Title: Ash and Quill

Author: Rachel Caine

Series: The Great Library #3

Date Started: July 29th 2018

Date Completed: July 30th 2018

Genres: Adventure, Historical, Romance

Quality Rating: Three Stars

Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars

Final Rating: Four stars

Review:

For a history nerd and a book nerd, these books are just a dream. You can tell that Caine is enjoying it just as much as you are, and without making it feel like the reader isn't allowed in on the fun. It might not be high literature but damn if it isn't entertaining to the last word.

With every book in this series we see more of the world the characters live in, more of the reach of the Library, and more of what people are capable of. In an alternate history story this is so important because it gives the reader context for why things are different from what we know; sometimes in these kinds of stories it's hard to fully understand why people do what they do because the line between our reality and this fictional one are so blurred that you forget the differences. The Great Library series has continued to extend its worldbuilding outwards - to new cities, new countries, new communities - to give us this exploration. As the stakes rise for the characters, our understanding of its significance grows alongside it.

To put it simply, I get entirely sucked in by these books, and I have such a good time reading them. They may mostly consist of slightly melodramatic interactions between the ample cast about the growing severity of their situation, but those interactions are fun, and when you get to the action scenes or the climaxes, it's exciting. I argue it a lot, but I think enjoyment is just as valuable as hard 'quality' - and it's not like these books are badly written, at all. They're predictable at times, and dramatised, and there are some questionable behaviour dotted along, but as I write this review I find myself at no loss of things to praise as well.

Case in point: these books are well loved for their diversity, and rightly so. From the hugely diverse nationalities of the cast of protagonists, to the variety of religions, beliefs and schools of thought, and even the various countries scattered across the globe they visit, The Great Library series feels rich and real right from the start. It's a testament for how much diversity gives to a story without even being the main focus.

And The Great Library series is very realtionship driven. Each individual has their own strengths and flaws but it's how those qualities flow or conflict with everyone else that makes the story. As much as there is a story and world behind them, it's those kind of dynamics that create depth and meaning. And, more so, the fact that some of those dynamics aren't just lovers, or friends - they're rivals, and mentors, and estranged family. There's so much, it's just interesting to watch it play out.

The only reason I didn't read this entire book in one day was because I didn't want it to end. Immediately after finishing I went and bought the next one, and just managed to restrain myself from reading it there and then. We've still got to wait a whole year for the final book to come out, and from how high the stakes were left in this book I think I need to pace myself before the conclusion.

Fire From Heaven

Book Title: Fire From Heaven

Author: Mary Renault

Series: Alexander the Great #1

Date Started: July 2nd 2018

Date Completed: July 28th 2018

Genres: Historical

Quality Rating: Four Stars

Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars

Final Rating: Four stars

Review:

Fire From Heaven is just pure, classical joy. I can't believe I've never read a Mary Renault book until now, she's like the Margaret Atwood of historical antiquity. And I really enjoyed this book, even if it did take me an age to read.

Something I've always loved about texts from or about antiquity is that they're mostly constructed of moments in time. It's like the stories were told in mosaics that gradually came together over time without a necessary order - and I guess they were. When you think about the history of oral storytelling and the fact that everything was spoken where you might miss parts in the middle, the stories are often designed to be able to be picked up from wherever. As long as the character is known to you, you can enjoy it. Which of course adds to the dreaminess; how you can make grumsome slaughter poetic as well as grim I don't know, but it amazes me.

Alexander the Great is one of the more lacking areas of ancient history in my knowledge. I've studied Classics, but Alexander and his campaigns weren't included, so the only information I really had going in was that this man conquers the entirety of the Persian empire and doesn't stop there. And I think I might have enjoyed it more because I didn't know the original story. It felt a lot more like a well-constructed storyline even though it's based on reality (well, as much of reality as we can get from highly biased and old records).

This was one of the most accesible retellings of classical history/myth I've read, actually. Even if the little nuances are lost without prior education/awareness, Renault manages to get across the politics, the religion and the social dynamics through his characters and theie experiences alone. I was aware of the Persian wars and Xerxes, I recognised the Herodotus references and I knew what they were talking about when they quoted Homer, but I'm sure the Athenian politics and Aristotle's philosophy was lost on me - but that didn't actually matter. I didn't feel patronised but I also wasn't overwhelmed by all the new information I was being given.

If you need an in-point for this series, it has very strong Songo of Achilles vibes. In fact the relationship between Alexander and his closest friend is likened to that of Achilles and Patroclus about a hundred times. If you haven't read any retellings of classical mythology/history, this is maybe a little dense to start with. But once you have even a basic knowledge and interest in ancient history, I would strongly recommend getting around to Mary Renault.

Spinning Silver

Book Title: Spinning Silver

Author: Naomi Novik

Date Started: June 25th 2018

Date Completed: July 1st 2018

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure

Quality Rating: Four Stars

Enjoyment Rating: Four Stars

Final Rating: Four stars

Review:

◆ Thanks to NetGalley for this ebook for review ◆

Do you need a book to help your Katherine Arden cravings while you're waiting for the Winter of the Witch? (As much as I hate to compare books to directly, in this case it's just too perfect.) Do you want to stay inside when it's way too hot outside and read about the winter weather that's just as dramatic as this heat wave? Well, I've got the book for you, and you'll end up not being able to put it down even though the heat kind of breaks the imersion, but hey.

There's something about fairytale-style prose that is just enchanting. Haha, yeah, maybe not the more original choice of words, but that classical modesty about fantastical objects and happenings just gets me. Somehow, the lack of surprise at magic makes it seem all the more wonderous; it's almost commonplace. It's especially striking in a book like this, where we seem a historical setting just non-specific enough to feel timeless. It echoes through history, it's everywhere. However, it might be said that the objectivity this kind of narration brings can sometimes create anticlimaxes; the 'final stand' felt a bit... well, flat. Because the prose is almost nonchalant about it. It didn't ruin the book, but the climax felt like it was designed for a little more drama than the writing style allowed.

I assume there are three loose retellings running through this novel, with three protagonists spearheading each. I make a guess there because they're so well weaved together, and their paths cross so subtly that I can't tell. It feels like each story is being given its due in running its course - bringing it to a new audience, let's say - but they're elevated into something more by being combined with each other. Sometimes these kinds of multiple retellings can feel like a short story collection that's had its chapters mixed up, but Spinning Silver takes the themes and characters from each and places them neatly into a little world, letting them run their destinies into one another - presumably smiling at the chaos that ensues.

I'd like to think that a great deal of the books I come into contact with will have good female characters these days - or at least the ones I choose to read - but Spinning Silver caught me off guard. Because they weren't just good, they were proper characters. Let me clarify: to be good, they have to have a purpose, not be there as a decorative or to make a snappy comment every few pages; think of it like a literary Bechdel test. But to have proper characters, they have to have motivations, relationships, complicated personalities and developed backstories - which is hard for any character regardless of gender, it just happens to be seen more in male than female characters. Spinning Silver is led by three strong, varied women that all make (quite disasterous) mistakes, but won't take shit by the end. And what I especially loved was that we got to see them grow into those roles. Maybe one was born a bit of a rebel, one kindhearted, one inquisitive, but they learn to be more than their original persona, which I appreciate. They also learn through different experiences, and learn to be different things: I don't want to break it down to 'the cunning one', 'the brave one' and 'the bold one' because that would be simplifying their characters, but the point is that they aren't all the same by the end. To juggle that along with the other characters and storylines and have it pay off and be involved with the story is damn hard, but Novik does it and she does it well.

I really enjoyed Spinning Silver - it was a lot more classical than I expected it to be, but I say that with pleasant surprise. It's makes me happy that there are fantasy books that are coming out that keep the old European fairytale style alive. As mentioned, if you liked The Bear and the Nightingale, this'll be right up your street. I'm excited to go back to Uprooted by Novik (that's I've had for like three years, oh dear), and I look forward to more in this vein in the future.