The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

 The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab  444 pages

Summary from Goodreads:  France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name. 

And here's what I thought: I was SO happy to finally get this book -- I've been on the holds list forever!!!  And this story definitely did not disappoint -- I was sneaking pages here and there, staying up way too late reading . . .   definitely a story that I became immersed in really quickly. I thought the idea of the bargain that Addie makes was really imaginative and I liked the way the story moved back and forth in time, so you understand just how she is able to navigate through years of being alive.  The settings feel historically accurate and the characters are all believable, as well.  I don't know if I'd quite call this book a fantasy story --- more like magical realism mixed with some historical fiction?  I'll be adding this one to the list to add to my home collection.

Wild Country

Wild Country (The World of the Others #2) by Anne Bishop    480 pages

"There are ghost towns in the world—places where the humans were annihilated in retaliation for the slaughter of the shape-shifting Others.

One of those places is Bennett, a town at the northern end of the Elder Hills—a town surrounded by the wild country. Now efforts are being made to resettle Bennett as a community where humans and Others live and work together. A young female police officer has been hired as the deputy to a Wolfgard sheriff. A deadly type of Other wants to run a human-style saloon. And a couple with four foster children—one of whom is a blood prophet—hope to find acceptance.

But as they reopen the stores and the professional offices and start to make lives for themselves, the town of Bennett attracts the attention of other humans looking for profit. And the arrival of the Blackstone Clan, outlaws and gamblers all, will uncover secrets…or bury them"   (summary courtesy of Goodreads)

I used the Goodreads summary because I couldn't figure out a good way to talk about the plot without somehow including a lot of information from the series, in general.  I think this is definitely a book where you need to have read the previous book in this series, as well as least one of the books in The Others series --- because otherwise, a lot of things might not make as much sense.  Or, you'll spend a lot of time trying to figure something out that was covered in a previous story.  

I enjoyed this book as much as the other previous books, although I found parts of it to be a little predictable (although not entirely, which was good).  I like the world that Bishop has created, and that she has taken a series and done a bit of a spin-off, which allows her to keep using that world but concentrate on different characters (who may or may not connect to each other).

Etched in Bone

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop    397 pages

This is the fifth book in Bishop's "Others" series and by this point, if you haven't read the first four books, you could get a bit lost. Bishop doesn't spend a lot of time on character history and this book references people and events from previous books.

In the last book, the Elders, a more primitive and way more dangerous form of the shapeshifters in this world, put down a human uprising and basically flattened several cities. Now, the few cities under human control are few and far between. The Lakeside Courtyard, where Meg Corbyn and Simon Wolfgard live, is working with humans to maintain a fragile peace. However, when Lieutenant Montgomery's brother arrives, it's clear that he brings danger with him.  Because, of course, Montgomery's brother is a nasty, nasty piece of work.  If you're already familiar with the first four books, you know that Meg will have some kind of prophecy come to her and she, Simon and the rest of their group in the Courtyard will be in a dangerous situation.  What adds to this story is the Elders, who have focused their attention on the Courtyard. They don't quite understand the dynamics of the group, and how Montgomery's brother is determined to cause a lot of trouble --- but their involvement could put everyone in harm's way.

I'm still enjoying these books and the world that Bishop has created. There's continued character development from book to book, which I like, and while some elements remain consistent throughout all of the books, the addition this time of the Elders and Montgomery's nasty brother, bumped the story's tension up a few notches.

Written in Red

Written in Red (The Others #1) by Anne Bishop  433 pages 

"As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others. 

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow."

That's the summary from Goodreads --- I tried twice to write a summary that made sense, but it just wasn't working.  In this world created by Anne Bishop, humans are in the minority and the Others are the majority, keeping the destructive humans from wreaking their havoc on the world (yes, it's easy to see humans as annoying and troublesome once you start reading this story). As you can see from the summary, there are shapeshifters, but they aren't the only Others in this story --- there are vampires and Elementals, as well.

I had enjoyed Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy and when this series was recommended, I gave it a try --- and then after I started the book, was kicking myself for taking this long to pick up these books!  Luckily, I had already picked up the second book in the series (and now will check out the rest). I enjoy Bishop's worldbuilding and character development and the pacing here felt just right. 

The Bedlam Stacks

The Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley   336 pages

In 1859, ex-East India Company smuggler Merrick Tremayne is trapped at home in Cornwall after sustaining an injury that almost cost him his leg. On the sprawling, crumbling grounds of the old house, something is wrong: a statue moves, his grandfather's pines explode, and his brother accuses him of madness.
When the India Office recruits Merrick for an expedition to fetch quinine--essential for the treatment of malaria--from deep within Peru, he knows it's a terrible idea. Nearly every able-bodied expeditionary who's made the attempt has died, and he can barely walk. But Merrick is desperate to escape everything at home, so he sets off, against his better judgment, for a tiny mission colony on the edge of the Amazon where a salt line on the ground separates town from forest. Anyone who crosses is killed by something that watches from the trees, but somewhere beyond the salt are the quinine woods, and the way around is blocked.
Surrounded by local stories of lost time, cursed woods, and living rock, Merrick must separate truth from fairytale and find out what befell the last expeditions; why the villagers are forbidden to go into the forest; and what is happening to Raphael, the young priest who seems to have known Merrick's grandfather, who visited Peru many decades before. 

This book is written in a style that purposefully holds back information and slowly reveals details, which was confusing and choppy. The premise and the ideas in this story are fascinating, but I could only read little bits here and there, which confused more than entertained, making it hard to enjoy. Overall, although there are historically accurate elements, it is a tale of whimsy and mysticism and ancient secrets in ancient places. I think I will re-read it when I have the luxury of time so that I may appreciate the nuances of the story.

Posted By:   Regina C.

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis              Hardcover: 189 pgs.             

Imagine being transported to another world when you open the door of a wardrobe!  That’s what happens to four English children in this classic juvenile fairy tale, set during World War II.

The title summarizes the book well.  The lion, Aslan, is the Christ-figure of the book.  It is he who saves Narnia, long oppressed by the witch.  He even rescues a traitor, one of the children from our world, though, as with Christ, it costs him his life.  It is by Aslan’s power that the children become kings and queens over Narnia.  The witch is the villain of the story, a cruel tyrant who has made Narnia into a kind of frozen wasteland— a place where it is always winter, but never Christmas.  The wardrobe is the means by which the children in the story get into Narnia from our world.  Narnia, after all, is in a different world and can only be found by entering the armoire (when the magic works, that is).  Though they’re not mentioned in the title, the children— Peter, Edmond, Susan and Lucy— are also important to the story.  Even Santa Claus (or Father Christmas, as he is known in the book) makes an appearance.

George Bernard Shaw comically observed that the British and Americans are separated by their common language.  Lewis was an Englishman, so Americans may find certain words and phrases of the “queen’s English” Lewis uses puzzling.  Those unfamiliar with mythology may have a harder time understanding Lewis’s description of such creatures as centaurs, fauns and satyrs.  Other than these difficulties, it reads easily, as one would expect from a juvenile book, and is a truly wonderful and meaningful story.  The sense of adventure and parallel to the Christian gospel make it one of my favorite books.  As a Christian, I find that it fleshes out, through the character of Aslan, the wisdom, mercy, majesty and greatness of God.  But, as I wrote when reviewing The Magician’s Nephew, you don’t have to be a Christian to appreciate this very well-written adventure story.  Thus, whatever your religion (or age), I highly recommend it!

The Magician’s Nephew

The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis           Hardcover: 202 pgs.             

     I opted for some light reading over the holiday weekend, so I read a few books from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis.  The series may be classified as juvenile fiction, but it has much to teach adults, as well.  The Magician’s Nephew is the first book, chronologically, in the series, but it was actually the sixth book published (older editions list the books in the series in publishing order, while newer editions opt for the chronological order).  This isn’t a big problem for a reader new to The Chronicles— for the most part, this book stands on its own— but there are a few references to The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (published before The Magician’s Nephew) that someone unfamiliar with the former book wouldn’t understand.

Whether you read this book first or sixth in order, it’s a quick read (as you would expect from a juvenile book) and a very engaging prequel to the series.  Lewis tells the fascinating story of how the land of Narnia was created, and how humans in our world discovered and began to rule over it.  Humans also corrupt it by introducing the evil witch that also appears in The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe; indeed, much of the book is about morality, as one might expect in a fairy tale.  What might be surprising for those unfamiliar with Narnia is that a talking lion, Aslan, is a central character.  Aslan is the creator of Narnia and the Christ-figure in the story— and indeed, in the whole series.  I’ve classified it as Christian literature, but no doubt non-Christians will also enjoy it, as its spirituality does not make it inaccessible to unbelievers.  There is a lot of action— in fact, the accidental adventures of Digory and Polly remind me a lot of similar ones in Star Wars: A New Hope and The Phantom Menace.

As this is one of my favorite books of all time, this classic work of fiction gets two thumbs way up from me!

Beneath the Sugar Sky

Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children #3) by Seanan McGuire      174 pages

In this third book in the series, we returned to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children.  When a girl falls from the sky into the pond behind the home, that's not too unusual. However, this girl, Rini, claims she is the daughter of Sumi, a girl who died years before this Rini could be born.  Rini was born anyway, living life up until now in the realm of Confection. However, she has to find her mother and bring her back from a world without magic, in order to continue existing. Considering she's already starting to lose parts of herself, time is of the essence.

I absolutely love this series.  I've read other books by Seanan McGuire, and it feels like in these stories, she lets loose with her imagination.  The stories flow, pulling together unforgettable characters and fascinating worlds. I appreciate, however, that she also takes an opportunity to inject some seriousness. For example, in this book, you have the realm of Confection (which is just as weird as you'd think). However, for all of the nonsensical nature of Confection, what's at stake for Rini is deadly serious.  I also appreciate that there's a bit of social commentary in this book, brought by the character of Cora, who is overweight.  I really liked Cora.

McGuire includes a lot of detail, although it's never overwhelming; your mind and imagination fill in a lot of things. There's a good sense of adventure in this story, as well as some thought-provoking things about friendship, patience, and rising to meet challenges.  Yes, all in 174 pages.

I had been waiting for this book this year, and wasn't disappointed. I'm just hoping there are more to come in this series!

Down Among the Sticks and Bones

Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2) by Seanan McGuire.   189 pages

If you've read the first book, Every Heart a Doorway, then you know twin sisters Jack and Jill, who were packed off to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children when they found their way back home at the age of seventeen.   This is the story of what happened first.

Their parents thought children would be the perfect addition to their perfect life. Jacqueline was her mother's perfect daughter, dressed like a princess and always quiet and polite. Jillian was her father's perfect daughter, thrill-seeking and adventurous. He would have preferred a son, but he worked with what he had.  When the girls were five, they learned that grown-ups can't be trusted. When they were twelve, they discovered the impossible staircase at the bottom of a trunk in the attic and found that their life up until then could never be enough to prepare them for land filled with danger and magic.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and actually, if you read this book first and then read the other book, it still makes sense. I enjoyed how the author narrates the story so that you get insight and perspective from the two girls, but you also get an outside view of their life and their parents. One of the points that is made in the story is that even if people (like parents) try to force children into roles, their inner, natural self will come out at some point. Until Jack and Jill discover the staircase, they aren't happy in the strict roles their parents have forced them into since birth, but they haven't been able to break free of them. When they go down the steep, winding stairs into a different land, they can at last be their real selves . . . although that means being apart, and placing each other in danger.  This story is an interesting way to explore relationships, sense of self, and has some dark undertones to it, which I really enjoyed.

The Book of Life

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness              Audio Book: 23 hours, 52 minutes       Paperback:  576 pages               

Excellent book.   I didn’t realize it was part of a series, but, trust me, it stands alone as a great story.   Powerful (Spell) Weaver Witch, Diana Bishop and Vampire Matthew Clairmont fall in love and marry against the wishes of the Council of Witches, Daemons and Vampires, and honestly against the recommendation of their families and friends.   It seems in magical society it has been thought down through time that each species, witch, daemon, vampire must keep their blood lines pure and marry only others like themselves.    But as Blaise Pascal said, “La coeur a ses raison que la raisnon nes connait pas.”  (The heart has reasons that reason doesn’t understand.)   A perfect match these two each loves the other completely.    After getting around all the nay sayers, turns out not only do they make a lovely married couple, they also make a couple of lovely babies – twins!   This is unheard of!  How can two different species/creatures procreate?   None of the magical set can figure that one out but apparently mother nature has reasons that reason doesn’t understand or can’t calculate the DNA on.   The mystery of how this becomes possible is revealed in the book as are many other mysteries.   There are very graphically brutal scenes described during battles and kidnappings so be warned.     There are monsters in this realm that are of the raging serial killer variety causing an intense climax.    The story will keep you guessing as to who the informant might be.   So many possibilities.      Really good reading here for vampire, witch, demon fans and gothic novel fans.   I would love to see this book made into a film or a t.v. series.   Enjoy, I did.

The Bane Chronicles

The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare,  Sarah Rees Brennan and Maureen Johnson              Audio Book: 13 Hours, 8 minutes     Hardback Book:   507 pages         

I read once that reincarnation could explain why people are attracted to whom they are, why people sometimes feel trapped in the body they are because they feel the call of a different person inside them.     Magnus Bane has lived for centuries and had various lovers over the course of his life both male and female.    Immortals tend to have that ethereal quality to their personalities they are not limited by mere mortal constraints as to who they bestow their love upon.  Immortality seems to loosen the inhibitions.    Magnus Bane, a warlock is also a fixer.    Magnus can magically alleviate problems, be they historical and epic (think French Revolution) or more mundane (think black outs, bar fights).    He is a true connoisseur  of the good things in life and how to truly give pleasure and love another person.     Magnus is witty and funny sometimes you will laugh out loud while enjoying his tales and believe me in his long life there are many stories and views of historical events that the author will take you right there to the moment where you will feel you are an actual observer and at times almost a voyeur!  J    A fun read and a brilliant introduction to a many faceted character.    After sharing his experiences during Prohibition you will want a Mimosa to toast him with or at the very least a nice fizzy phosphate.    Great character development of all the folks you will meet in this story, lovely history lessons giving you a peek at what it must have been like to be there.    Good stories, great fun and hilarious dialogue whenever Magnus is involved.

A Dance with Dragons

A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin    Audio Book:  49 hours 3mins   Hardback Book:  1,040 pages       

He’s back!   You can feel the love in this book that felt lost in the last one.   I was afraid the pressure to produce might have gotten to him, but, no not at all.   A great book here to be savored by all of us, George R. R. Martin’’s fans.   Excellent continuance of the story with meaty parts about all the characters and several mysteries revealed.   The reader will do a couple of, “Oh, so that’s it!” while getting juicy bits of new information on some of the things that have been going on in the seven kingdoms.    More background, more fleshing out of some things that have been mentioned but never explained – WOW!!!   I want so much to share what I have learned but I also do not want to spoil this most excellent read for anyone who is addicted to this series as I am.   Some bonds are broken some new bonds are formed.    And some characters are creatures not quite human.   Read it!   Read it!   It is glorious and awesome.   I will be so sad when this wonderful tale comes to an end.    Like a board game everyone is drawing near to facing off to be the one true winner and no one is a safe bet there is so much going on here.   Truly anything can happen and it will be so satisfying to find out when it all does occur.    Wonderful George R.R. Martin.    I am giving you a standing ovation for the sheer beauty of your work.   Great book.   Most excellent series.   More!  More!

The Talisman

The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub.   652 pages.

A twelve year-old boy stands on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, near a silent amusement park and a a near-empty ocean resort called the Alhambra.  His father is gone, his mother seems to be dying, and the world makes no sense.  However, everything is about to change, as he discovers that he has been chosen to make a journey to save his mother.  The twist is that this journey will not only take him across America, but into another realm entirely.  

This is a quest story, but also a story about friendship and loyalty, filled with wonderful people, and terrifying monsters, and epic landscapes.  Jack, the main character, is faced with danger at every turn, and is mostly on his own to figure out if he can make it through his journey alive.

This is one of the books I picked up instead of continuing to slog through "Be Frank with Me."  I think it's my tenth or eleventh re-read of the book, although this was only the second time I've cracked it in hardcover (I wore out my original paperback to the point where chunks were coming out).  I enjoy many of Stephen King's books (although not really his earlier books) and also like Peter Struab, so when I discovered this book years ago, I had high hopes.  I feel like the two authors brought their strongest storytelling to this book, which has an even pace which steadily increases as the story continues.  There are wonderful characters here, and not just the main character, but many of the supporting characters.  It's easy to envision these people, and the settings, even when you're in the realm of the Territories.

So, a bit of a spoiler here, but this may help explain a little more about what this book is about.  In this story, we have the world we know, but there is also an alternate world, called the Territories.  It's not as large as our world, and there are some similarities, but there's also more magic, and creatures that don't exist in our own world.  Most people exist in our world, and some also exist in the Territories (and that person in the Territories is called a Twinner).  However, Jack is unique because there is only one Jack.  In this world and in the Territories.  Jack also has some special connections, and a special purpose.  So, when he's on his journey to save his mother, he's also on a journey to save someone in the Territories (and basically, save the world).

As mentioned, I've read this book many times.  Even though I know the story, and know what's going to happen, I still love revisiting it, and I still have an emotional reaction to parts in the book.  To me, that's what makes a great story.

The Fate of the Tearling

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen.  497 pages.

This is the conclusion to the Tearling trilogy, a book which I have been waiting for for months.  And, it was totally worth the wait, and has convinced me that I will now be buying the three books (which is a big thing for me, since I usually don't buy many books).

This book continues where the 2nd book left off, where Kelsea Glynn has transformed from a plain teenager into a powerful monarch, and now faces off against the Red Queen, who has imprisoned Kelsea.  Faced with impossible choices, and with the Mace serving as Regent in her place, Kelsea needs to figure out how to save herself, and her people.

If you haven't read the previous two books, then my summary (and this book) won't make much sense.  It's a definitely timeline-dependent story, which flows from one book to another.  I appreciated that the author put so much effort into the worldbuilding and the storylines.  It was easy for me to pick up the story and follow it through, and I found I was just as caught up in this book as I had been in the previous books.  One of the things I really enjoy about this trilogy is that when you start the first book, it seems like a typical fantasy-esque book . . . and then as the story continues, it turns into something much more, with timelines that reveal things you wouldn't expect at all.  While I was a bit sad that the trilogy has ended (and actually got a bit choked up at the end), the author did a nice job of tying things up so there's a good resolution to things.

The Weaver by Emmi Itäranta

The Weaver by Emmi Itäranta.  304 pages.   published November, 2016, will be on order for the library - I read an e-galley courtesy of Edelweiss.

A weaver in the prestigious House of Webs, Eliana is a model citizen.  However, she hides the dangerous fact that she can dream, an ability forbidden by her island's council of elders.  Despite her secret, life is smooth, until a young girl is found lying outside the House of Webs. The only clue to the girl's identity is a word tattooed in invisible ink across the girl's palm; a tattoo which is Eliana's name.  Curious to know why her name is tied to this girl, Eliana soon discovers a deep corruption at the heart of the island, putting herself, and those she loves, in great danger.

This is an absolutely beautifully written book.  I found myself turning sentences and phrases over in my mind, just enjoying them.  The imagery is clear, and it's easy to imagine the surroundings and the people.  In this world, women aren't allowed to know how to read or write, so communication between the House of Webs is limited.  Eliana, in addition to being a dreamer, can also read and write, so even if she wasn't a dreamer, she has dangerous knowledge.  The characters in this story are primarily female, and are fighting against several factors, including ignorance, and the system they live under, as well.  I'd give this to readers who liked The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, as well as readers who like some of Sheri Tepper's books.

Here's an example of the writing, from p. 91, "Winter-chilled stars shine like silver coins sinking into the sea, sprinkling their faint light on the streets and canals." Also, p. 115 "I imagine her writing down in her remedy notebook everything she has discovered, lifting the spread with small, knife-sharp letters that have the power to cut open the surface of the world."  

The Invisible Library

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman.  329 pages.

Secret agents, forbidden societies, stolen books . . . and mechanized alligators!   Okay, the alligators aren't integral to the story, but they do show up.  Irene is a professional spy for the Library, which has their members go and retrieve (well, steal) books from different realities.  Irene is sent with a new assistant, Kai, to fetch a dangerous book from an alternative London.  However, they soon discover the book has already been stolen and there are factions who are prepared to fight to the death to get the book.

In addition to these elements of the story, there are also supernatural elements,  Because this alternate version of London is chaos-infested, it makes it possible for there to be vampires, and fae, etc.  One of the more interesting things in the story for me was the Language that the Library's agents can use. The Language has elements of power to it, so Irene is able to open locks, etc. by speaking very specifically.

As a librarian and a devoted reader, I found a lot to enjoy in this book.  It's a great mix of the magical and the mundane, with an interesting main character, and an imaginative world.  The book has a steady pace, and the author's descriptive writing style really brings the whole story to life.  Admittedly, I felt like I wanted something a bit more from the book.  It was good, to be sure, but it's like having a premium ice cream sundae and then leaving off the sprinkles and whipped cream.

The Kate Daniels series, books 1 to 6

Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Mourns, Magic Bleeds, and Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, (6 books - 1669 pages)

The Kate Daniels series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that has, and is constantly ravaged by magic. Now this isn’t the fun kind of magic that you see in books like Harry Potter, this is wild magic. Magic that washes over the world in waves without any warning. Magic that stops technology, kills electricity and erodes buildings. With this apocalyptic onslaught comes various monsters, vampires, shapeshifters, and psychotic magic users. Kate’s job is to make sure the world doesn’t spiral further down the drain.

These books and this series, have quickly become favorites of mine. Not only do they feature a lot of action, some elements of steampunk, and well developed fantasy world, they also have a completely believable lead character. One that doesn’t have to survive by luck or rely on her friends, one that is willing to get the job done, sometimes in very gruesome ways.

I would highly recommend this series to everyone that has read anything fantasy by Kenyon, and want something with more action than lust.

This Census-Taker by China Mieville

This Census-Taker by China Mieville.  206 pages (in the edition I read, which was a galley).

This is Mieville's newest book, a novella-length story about a boy who is left alone with his father, an angry (and perhaps demented) man.  The book begins, "A boy ran down a hill path screaming.  The boy was I.  He held his hands up and out in front of him as if he'd dipped them in pain and was coming to make a picture, to press them down to paper, but all there was on him was dirt.  There was no blood on his palms."   The boy has witnessed a traumatic event, but is confused about the details. Has his father killed his mother?  And when a stranger knocks on his door, is he friend of foe?

This book has been blowing up on the Internet lately, and I've been finding it everywhere from NPR to The Huffington Post, Slate, and beyond.  NPR calls it "A Quiet Book With A Murderous Heart."   Definitely read that article on NPR if you have time; it's a bit of a love letter.  

This story is like a mystery wrapped in a fairy tale wrapped in the kind of story you just can't classify.  Does that make sense?  You never get a clear sense of place, although you have bits and pieces.  There is a town.  The boy and his parents live on a hill.  Things have a post-apocalyptic tinge to them, but that's not the point of it all.  The thing is:  you are left to puzzle out if there has been a killing or a leaving, and then who it really is who knocks on the door.

Typical of this author, many things are never explained.  There are shadowy hints, and there's a bit of magic (the keys the boy's father makes, for example, which don't unlock doors, but instead make things happen).   Seeing things through the eyes of this boy, you can't always be sure of what's true, or what's real; it has to be enough that it is real and true to him.

Really, the NPR article written by Jason Sheehan puts it more beautifully than I ever could.  "This Census Taker is a small, quiet and gentle book with murder at its center. It's a beautiful chocolate that you bite into and find filled with blood. It is Miéville at his most sparse, his most controlled and restrained — giving us a world defined by a broken carburetor, the sound of a walk being swept, a pantry full of mushrooms and spiders, the distant flickering of neon. And while the blind spots of the boy at its heart — the things he does not know, the questions he does not ask — may drive you crazy, the questions that Miéville leaves itching in your brain at the turn of the final page are almost as interesting as the (few) truths that have been uncovered."

Beautifully written, this book takes the reader into a place that I found to be uncomfortable and strangely appealing.  I am a huge fan of this author, and that is what I enjoy about many of his books (the ones I have read over and over again, and savor each time).  I like that things aren't explained and the worlds aren't comfortable, and the story can be a bit sinister or unnerving, and I love how the author's writing and use of language transports me as I turn the pages.

The mechanical

The Mechanical by Ian Tregillis
471 Pages


"In an early 20th century where history took a decidedly different turn, the world is divided in two: the realm of the Dutch and their mechanical servitors in the empire ruled by the Brassworks Throne and the battered and pathetic remnants of France living in exile in the New World. Jax is a Clakker, a mechanical man built to obey the will of the humans who used alchemy to set him in motion. When a quirk of chance frees him from the geas ("alchemical binding") that usually controls all Clakkers absolutely, he will do anything to retain his free will. Meanwhile, in New France, Berenice is the spymaster charged with finding a way to defeat the Dutch, but she overreaches when she tries to capture a Clakker."

An interesting start to what might be a new series.  Tregillis not only creates a fascinating alternate world but explores free will and self-awareness.

Uprooted

Uprooted by Naomi Novik
438 Pages

"Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life. Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood. The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows-- everyone knows--that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn't, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her. But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose."

 An excellent fantasy novel,  I strongly recommend this title.