As I've read most of T. Kingfisher's backlog, I've done it out of order, reading what has come available on Libby. Mostly, it hasn't been a problem. There is an occasional reference that I don't get, but most of her books, even in series, can be read out of sequence. The Clocktaur War duology is the set of books establishing her Paladin universe. Clockwork Boys and The Wonder Engine set up The Saint Steel series as well as Swordheart. Kingfisher's works have a distinctive style and repeating elements. There is reluctant romance, humourous gnoles, hidden backstories to reveal, a road trip, and the forces of evil to defeat. I knew it would all come right in the end, but I didn't know how it would all come right. A forger--Slate; a disgraced paladin--Caliban; an assassin--Brenner; and a monk scientist--Learned Edmund, must work together to defeat what no one else, including the army, has been able to stop, the Clockwork Boys. If they don't or refuse, they will be eaten by their demon tattoos. Well played, Ms. Kingfisher.
🤖🖊️⚔️🔪🦡
The Doll Bones by Holly Black is horror-lite for middle schoolers. Three friends since elementary school, but are now in middle school. Change is inevitable, and it's scary. Black describes the turmoil of having a foot in two boats: who you've been and who you are becoming. Things that defined them as elementary kids are now "babyish." Black demonstrates how the skills from playing pretend and making up stories are still valuable and necessary.
⛵️🏴☠️👑🚍🪦
I love reading books, and the next level up from reading a good book is reading a good book about someone who loves reading good books. Days at Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, translated by Eric Ozawa, is that sort of book. It is a novel about a young woman who suffers a heartbreak and falls into a depression. Her uncle invites her to come live above his bookstore in Jimbocho, the used book district of Tokoyo.
🙀
This is an actual place, and I want to go there: https://booksandbao.com/jimbocho-tokyos-book-town-video-guide/.
The story is about relationships and learning to communicate with those you love. It had a different feel from the fantasy I've been reading lately. I quite enjoyed it.
📚🗾🎑
No comments:
Post a Comment