Seraphim with Tenbury Library’s copy of The Hoarder by Jess Kidd.
This is a very gifted writer at her best. Kidd takes on a roller-coaster of a mystery crossed with a ghost story, including clues to the disappearance of two women, and traps for the reader to fall into. The characters are very strong and original in this setting so, even though we are mostly set in the old house, there is so much to explore. The main charters are Maud Drennan an irreverent Irish care worker who has been assigned the unholy task of bringing order to the life of Cathal Flood, a cantankerous old man who lives with his cats in a decrepit house surrounded by piles of rubbish. I really enjoyed the charter of Mr. Flood the way he talks, the mysterious life he had lead, and plays tricks on Maud. he is a giant of a man and his character arc is also giant. A special mention has to go to Maud’s glorious cross- dressing, agoraphobic neighbor, Renata, who is a beloved element to Maud’s life and such a joy in the narrative. The house itself seems to have a character shown in the amazing imagery and description.
the original book series Wind on Fire trilogythe updated covers for the 10th anniversary
Book 1 The Wind Singer
Sera with the Tenbury Library copy of The Wind Singer by William Nicholson
The first in a trilogy, The main characters are twins Kestrel and Bowman Hath, who share a telepathic/empathic connection and include what seems a useless character Mumpo. The children are from a very controlled life and are suddenly chased into an epic, at times strange adventure. On top of Bowman possessing empathic abilities, the group have to overcome completely different lands. In part, it is a children’s book about the horrors of standardized testing. In the city of Aramanth, the lives of its citizens are ruled by a colour-coded caste system of tests. How well one does on the yearly “High Examination” determines what one does for work, where one lives, and even what colour clothing one wears. Yet there is more to the book, the complexity of friendship and challenging the thoughts of aggression as one only form of attack or defence. You are left with many questions about what will happen next (good job, it is a trilogy) and why the world is so different. So if you want an honestly mind-boggling adventure with loads of fun, here is a book for you.
What’s The Next Book?
Book 2 Slaves of the Mastery
picks up the story of twins Kestrel and Bowman five years on from the closing chapter of The Wind Singer. released from the grip of the fearsome Morah the city is new and is therefore not ready to deal with an oncoming attack. This time it is the whole people that are taken from their homes and led on a death march to a new land. with the exception of Kestrel Hath, the Manth people who survive are brought to the Mastery, a beautiful country built up entirely on slave labour. They are branded and given jobs.
This is as dark as the first story but for me, much more clear about its enemy. Every day the Manth people have to deal with life and death choices and Nicholson spares no mercy in how he delivers the test of characters. reading this book I’m reminded of how we have so many choices and how difficult it would be to try and give others hope in such a dark test of time/trust. the whimsy of the first book is gone and I like this telling of characters and situations better. The narrative is cleverly written so young readers can manage the subject matter, evoking vivid imagery but never going so far as to make it too graphic. A much cleaner and more mature narrative with lots of adventure and plenty of emotion put in every step.
Book 3 Firesong
The third and final book in the Wind On Fire Trilogy. The story of the Hath family and the Manth people continues from where book 2 left us. They all go on a long, and harsh journey from their city prison, to their homeland. Led by Hanno and Ira Hath, thirty-two mostly Manth survivors of the fall of the Mastery search for the fabled Homeland. Ira knows that as long as she feels the warmth on her face, despite the wintry conditions, they are heading in the right direction. This part of the story is brilliant at giving children an understanding of long-term illness even death within the family. She grows weaker with every step. Hanno must keep up the spirits of the marchers, Kes and Bowman are different in the way they face their mother’s fight for life.
Kestrel Hath is One of the most active characters throughout the trilogy. A strong-willed girl, telling the authorities exactly what she thinks of the system. She and her twin share a telepathic bond but use this ability less as they get older. At the end of the third book, Kestrel becomes part of the army to permanently destroy the Morah.
Bowman Hath: Kestrel’s twin brother. He is somewhat empathic, and can ‘read’ peoples’ hearts and minds. by the end of this journey, he has experienced the power of both the Morah and the Singers. Sirharasi (Sisi), the beautiful but spoiled and childish princess is in love with Bowman, At the end of book two she rebels and refuses to marry, which throws the whole country of the Mastery into chaos. Here with her scars, she becomes a vessel for fate and faith. it’s not a strong charter but I find her slow and calm undertone really helps the narrative from becoming too dystopian.
This is a powerful and imaginative ending. full of energy and emotional force.
[SPOILER ALERT] Kes dies, However, this is only a physical. Bowman reaches into her mind and they become one. They see through each other’s eyes and think together. This way Kestrel lives on through Bowman and they are always together. I’m not sure this life-after-death moment is as cute as it is spooky. It left me feeling haunted rather than comforted.
Tenbury Library copy of Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver, and my cup of tea. hahaha
A good book for a winter nights. Wakenhyrst is described as “a darkly gothic thriller” gothic it defiantly is which I love. the novel is about murderous obsession and one ladies life long fight to fly free of society and her father’s rule. the narrative follows Maud living the life of a recluse for 50 years in the tiny village of Wakenhyrst in the Suffolk fens.
After Maud’s mother tragically died in childbirth, she was raised by her father, a historian and a controlling man. its a devastating part of life in Maud’s history and you as the read can feel nothing but contempt at how this tragedy is so coldly dealt with. from that moment you know who Maud will be pitted against her whole life. in Maud’s eyes her father is already a murderer but is he guilty of more? Maud is a lonely child who secretly reads her father’s personal journals, he overlooks her as an equal and she is only a possession and disappointment to him. yet we the reader see she is much more.
I found the story to be awesome, but I do not like that so much of the narrative is taken up by the man’s journals and the reading of them. I found myself put off by his annoying scholarly tone and attitudes. However, this annoyance plays right into Paver’s skill as a writer and its only right that I find the man disagreeable. I do love all the folklore references and even the mediaeval influences. A book of Excellent quality.
Seraphim with Tenbury Library’s copy of The Anatomy of a Soldier by Harry Parker
A blinder of a book. I had heard that the book was challenging to some and upsetting to others. So, I approached the reading with my mind open, hesitantly expecting I would not understand. Parker’s writing in this book is phenomenal and nothing is wasted, description or information.
The story is told by the items that surround and orbit the Soldier. As the narrative is told at first this gives a sense of the less human, non-sentimental mind but soon you are enveloped by the British captain’s lost of his leg to an IED, then the other to an infection, and the slow, mind hazy recovery. The first three chapters, for example, are narrated by a tourniquet, a bag of fertiliser, and a boot.
The narrative is jumpy. From the chaos of an [Afghan?] firefight to a Sainsbury’s car park and back again. Yet doesn’t feel all that puzzling thanks to the prose being economical but evocative and at times wincingly graphic. I was soon able to navigate through the ruptured timeline. An amazing debut novel not surprisingly from a former UK soldier. I was astounded at how much I learnt and understood from this book despite having zero military knowledge or much interest in war novels. deeply moving and real. I defiantly recommend this to your bucket list.
Oak Tree and Stars by BlueFalcon1983 