Hi bookworms,

This week I want to talk about a book which I still am not entirely sure about.

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer is a YA magical realism novel that follows Jam Gallahue, a teenage girl whose life was so perfect until her boyfriend died a few months ago and left her unsure of what to do anymore. With her family still worried for Jam’s health and confused at how they can help her, their only solution becomes a therapeutic boarding school for teens who have, like her, experienced some emotional trauma. Upon her arrival Jam is selected along with other highly intelligent and damaged teens to be apart of an exclusive and illusive club known as ‘Special Topics in English’. It is here that they are given diaries that with every entry transport the user to a miraculous other world known as Belzhar. This story is a whirlwind of good literature, dazzling mystery and the question of what it means to be young and in love.

My feelings about this book are very mixed and generally very ambivalent in all senses. I will start with the plot because, quite literally, it is the core of every story. Belzhar hooked me in with it’s gorgeous blurb that promised other worlds and beautiful broken teens however, this is simply not the case in the actual book itself. The plot has an interesting premise and a lot of intrigue but it’s execution is it’s greatest downfall. Wolitzer’s handling of events and the chronology of those events simply did not do this book justice. Everything felt rushed, shallow and at times, unnecessary. If this novel was only slightly longer or simply better written then the promising ideas behind it could of been realised so much more impressively. There is a small silver lining to it all, that is, as a whole this book possesses that intangible addictive nature that has become synonymous with the YA sub-genre. To put it simply, yes this is a badly written book but also yes this is an exciting book that I would choose to read again. Think of trashy Wattpad fan fiction you read on a dull Thursday night and you’re almost there.

The superheroes of this book are it’s characters and their back stories. Despite the nature of the plot I would definitely argue that this is a character driven narrative. Wolitzer has weaved a life like cast that each posses a different point of intrigue, all knitted together in vivid and almost natural relationships. Each of the individual back stories of all of the damaged teens are the trophies that give me a reason to even bother giving this book a mention and without the effort the author puts into her character exploration I would say that Belzhar would very quickly become a bland flop.

The question of whether or not I would recommend this book is a difficult one. There are, as you know, two sides to every story and my feelings for Belzhar are true to this. I recommend it to you for the engrossing lives that are lived through this novel. I warn you away from the poor writing style and sometimes empty meaning.

I give this book a 2.7 out of 5 stars.

Keep on reading!

And thanks again Beth

Hey everyone!

Hope you’re all well

This week I’m going to talk about a book I read a very long time ago.

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine is a YA High fantasy novel that follows Lorelai, the Crown princess of Ravenspire who’s throne was stolen from her when her evil step mother, Irina, killed her father, the king and began to poison the land with her terrible magic. In a battle between light and dark Lorelai must use her own magic to defeat the dragon-shifting huntsman the Shadow Queen has sent for her and take back the kingdom that always truly belonged to her. Things get difficult, of course when the princess realises that the half man, half beast chasing her is actually a prince, whose mind is being held captive under the wicked Irina’s spell and maybe might not be such a bad guy after all.

This story is a retelling of the childhood classic Snow White and because of that there are some very obvious parallels to the fairytale. But wait, don’t be put off by this and don’t presume that you already know what is going to happen. Because this book is a rollercoaster.

Right from the beginning we are shoved into a fast-paced plot with vivid language that doesn’t give you a second to breathe. The world-building in this book is one of it’s biggest strengths and I think it all comes down to Redwine’s attention to the history of the land and people. She creates culture, folklore and a backstory- all of which contribute to create a society of people that feel life like. My only qualm about the plot and how it’s played out is that although at the start the author goes into a lot of detail about the world’s past- thats really it. I wanted to know more about the universe that this book was set in and I wanted a more consistent approach to the background of what was going on, instead of it all being at the start.

The characters in The Shadow Queen are the stars of the show that is this story. Gushing with detail and depth, each member of the book’s cast brings something different to the table. Redwine, somehow, makes you love or hate her characters as though they are real people you know. There is a deep sense of immersion that we gain through the author’s skilful use of description. The romance in this book is perfectly salty and sweet too. However there were some footfalls at times regarding Lorelai’s family and her past. Once again Redwine talks a lot about whats going on in the present tense regarding characters but rarely gives us details about their pasts- all of which would help to flush out the elephants in the room that are, at times, very easy to spot in The Shadow Queen.

Perhaps my favourite element of the story is Lorelai. These days too many authors are writing princesses in High Fantasy novels as whiny and unnecessarily cold. Lorelai is different, she shows warmth and leadership but she is also a badass and moves through her world knowing what she wants. Her power as an enchantress and the presentation of magic in this book in general must be noted. Redwine in The Shadow Queen has created a magic system that feels fresh, unique and sometimes even plausible. Instead of being able to just shoot fireballs from your hands and then get tired after cough cough, Throne Of Glass, users of magic in Lorelai’s world must ask the elements or the things they are commanding if they can wielded by the magician. For example, if the princess wants to conjure spears of ice from the river she must ask it first and in a beautiful way it becomes personified- it may refuse or argue back if she asks for too much. There is certainly an elegance to magic that isn’t so infinite or unfeasibly strong.

I would recommend this book if you are really into fantasy novels but if not and your simply thinking of dabbling in the genre there are so many other better options cough, cough ACOTAR.

I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

Keep on reading!

And thanks again Beth