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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
I read this book for my book club at school. The blurb sounded interesting and the cover design was cool. At first the book was a bit slow until finally some drama happened. There are a unique set of characters but only some of them had a wrapped up ending with both remedie and mix's fates untold of. I liked the mix of fantasy into realistic events. It was believable and not totally unrealistic like other fantasy novels. I loved the fact that there was a homunculus because I have come across them In 4 other books and the description of them is always related to alchemy but also totally different in terms of looks. This book portrayed Tillinghast as a straw man which I found interesting as others books have said that homunculi are made of clay, human souls or are lab creatures etc.. I think the author did a good job of having the sad ending be sad but then happy even though the main objective failed. I would like the open endings to be tied up though and then this book would be 4 stars.
I really, really wanted to love this book, the comparisons to some of my favourite authors had me clapping my hands with glee, but sadly there were bits of it that just didn't work for me. It is in parts beautifully written, the use of language is utterly lovely but somewhere in the telling the story just gets lost. Too many characters, too many different points of view and too much flitting from scene to scene leaves the reader bemused and a little lost as to where we are supposed to be.
There was, however, enough in this book to keep me reading and towards the end I did find myself enjoying things a lot more, until the point when half the characters suddenly disappear (room for a sequel perhaps?). I do believe though that Mr Stewart has great potential and I will watch what comes next from his pen with interest.
There was, however, enough in this book to keep me reading and towards the end I did find myself enjoying things a lot more, until the point when half the characters suddenly disappear (room for a sequel perhaps?). I do believe though that Mr Stewart has great potential and I will watch what comes next from his pen with interest.
"Think, my boy, think of these people with whom you connected. We all want to help one another, yes? Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness--not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. The way of life can be free and beautiful, Tillinghast, and you have the love of humanity in your heart. Don't turn your back on other people, my son. Only the unloved hate; you have always been loved in this house and you have found love now for yourself in the world. It is the rarest of treasures, that moment when people, strangers, reach out to one another--and worth fighting for. Stay tonight, won't you, and then be gone again, living your life and finding love!"
I tried to read this back when it came out and had a hard time with the written dialect, but listening to the audiobook was an absolutely heart-shaking experience. James Cosmo brings these characters to life so vividly, and Stewart's prose is so intricately crafted. There were several moments where I had to pause to catch my breath and wipe away tears, which I never expected (but should have) in a supernatural horror book.
I tried to read this back when it came out and had a hard time with the written dialect, but listening to the audiobook was an absolutely heart-shaking experience. James Cosmo brings these characters to life so vividly, and Stewart's prose is so intricately crafted. There were several moments where I had to pause to catch my breath and wipe away tears, which I never expected (but should have) in a supernatural horror book.
Creepier than I thought it would be. A lot of corpses pulled from the river. Also expected it to read younger, but is more of a teen than a mg read.
I did not like this book at first. The first several chapters were dreary and I had trouble connecting with Wull and the world. All this changed as he embarked on his journey to capture the mormorach and save his father. As more and more misfits joined his quest including the mysterious Mix, profane Tillinghast, and devoted Remedie with her wooden child, Bonn, I grew to appreciate Wull more and more. He was the quintessential good guy who would do anything to save his father but would not allow that quest to prevent him from helping others. It was a sometimes terrifying but ultimately satisfying story. I hope that there will be more to come. There are too many unanswered questions. I received this book through Penguin's First to Read program.
Abandoned. It's a slow start that never picked up enough to hook me. I found myself rereading portions because my mind kept wandering
In this fantasy novel we are taking on a twisty adventure to help find a cure for Wull's father. This book was a very interesting read. I feel like it would be better played out in a video form because there is so much that you could do with it. I enjoyed the story and the plot, but would think it would come alive in that format. If you like books about magic this may be the book for you!
H.P. Lovecraft meets Wizard of Oz. Two thumbs up.
Main characters name is Wulliam. The beginning was confusing and I couldn't stay interested.
DNF'd at 124 pages in. There were too many random characters with seemingly no plot relation to one another. The jump between perspectives was frequently abrupt and continually took me out of the story.