Category Archives: Magical Realism

May 14, 2014 · 6:29 am

Neil Gaiman Mini-Reviews

Neil Gaiman2Title: Neil Gaiman at Syracuse OnCenter
Rating: ★★★★★

I’ve been hearing fantastic things about Neil Gaiman’s books since I started blogging, so I’m excited to have finally gotten to reading some of his books and to have gotten to hear him speak. I thought it would be nice to open with a brief review of his talk since it made me want to read and listen to more of his books, even more so than the books of his which I’ve read. Looking at a list of Gaiman’s published works and hearing him speak solidified my impression that he is an author who writes at least as eclectically as I read. His talk was very thought-provoking and often hilarious and I felt as though every word was chosen with care. His dynamic readings convinced me that I should read some his books as audiobooks and his mastery of language convinced me that I should read more of his books in general. If you get a chance to see him talk, I’d highly recommend it Continue reading →

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Filed under Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Thriller, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Tagged as , American Gods, , , , Gaiman, Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman,

April 22, 2014 · 6:41 am

When the Cypress Whispers

18090103Title: When the Cypress Whispers
Author: Yvette Manessis Corporon
Source: from publisher for TLC Book Tour
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Review Summary: I wanted to love this book, with its great insight into Greek culture, beautiful setting, and decent writing, but I couldn’t understand the main character and disliked both the ending and the message I felt this book was promoting.

After the death of her husband and her parents, Daphne forgets about happiness and about her Greek heritage. However, she eventually gets engaged again and returns to Erikousa to visit her Yia-yia (grandmother) before getting married. While there she learns about her surprising family history and is inspired by her grandmother’s strength. She also realizes how much family and her Greek heritage mean to her. Continue reading →

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Filed under Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Women's Fiction

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March 17, 2014 · 8:38 pm

Lost Lake

13481275Title: Lost Lake
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Source: from publisher for She Reads book club
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: This book was perfect for me; it’s a very beautifully written, happy story about people helping each other find happiness with just a dash of magic.

Since her husband Matt died, Kate has been a bit lost. When she suddenly realizes that she’s let her controlling mother-in-law take over her daughter’s life, Katie decides she needs to do something. A bit of time away at her Aunt Eby’s summer camp, Lost Lake, may be just what she needs. Unfortunately, her Aunt Eby is about to be forced to sell the place unless Kate and the other people who depend on their visits to Lost Lake are able to do something to help. Continue reading →

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January 9, 2014 · 6:43 am

Witch Finder

18039069Title: Witch Finder
Author: Ruth Warburton
Source: from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review Summary: This was a fun, light, action-packed adventure but the anticlimactic ending and two-dimensional villain left me wanting something more.

London. 1880. In the slums of Spitalfields apprentice blacksmith Luke is facing initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum, the fearsome brotherhood dedicated to hunting and killing witches. Luke’s final test is to pick a name at random from the Book of Witches, a name he must track down and kill within a month, or face death himself. Luke knows that tonight will change his life forever. But when he picks out sixteen-year-old Rosa Greenwood, Luke has no idea that his task will be harder than he could ever imagine. (Source) Continue reading →

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Filed under Fantasy, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism

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November 15, 2013 · 8:20 pm

The Dream Thieves

17347389Title: The Dream Thieves
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Source: bought at Oblong Books/from publisher for review
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: Amazing! Included everything I love about Maggie’s writing- well-rounded characters; believable relationship development; writing that can be beautiful or hilarious; and an epic ending.

The Dream Thieves is the sequel to The Raven Boys. It continues the story of Blue and the boy who is her true love, but who will die if she kisses him. The focus of the book, however, is on one of the other boys. Ronan is a complete punk at first glance, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Not only can he be nicer than you might expect, he also the ability to dream things into reality. And some very bad people would love to make use of that ability if they find out who he is… Continue reading →

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Filed under Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Young Adult

Tagged as , , , , , Maggie Stiefvater, , myth, sequels, ,

July 27, 2013 · 8:47 am

Bookends About Brida

2817201Title: Brida
Author: Paulo Coelho
Source: library
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Summary: A beautiful, thoughtful musing on the nature of life and love.

On the surface, the is the story of Brida and her quest to learn magic. I’m sure there are as many interpretations of this book as there are readers, but I read it as the story of a young woman trying to find love and her place in the world. Along the way she has to make some tough decisions about who she loves and what place love has in her life as it becomes filled with her focus on magic. Continue reading →

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Filed under Fiction, Magical Realism, Translated Fiction

Tagged as , , , brida, magical realism, paulo coelho,