Malice by Chris Wooding
I took one look at the cover of this book (it protrudes) and knew it would be an easy sell to middle-grade readers but I also immediately underestimated its content, writing it off as all show and no substance. I was delightfully proven wrong.
The opening grabs the reader immediately, with an urban legend scenario. First, a black feather. Second, a twig. Third, a knot of cat fur… The fourth ingredient was a tear (p 7).
When Luke performs the ritual, completed with the words “Tall Jake, take me away,” he is shortly taken away by the cover boy to the land of Malice. The terrors of Malice make it to our world in the form of a comic book. When Seth and Kady, Luke’s best friends, track down the elusive comic, they learn of Luke fate.
Seth longs for an unexplored world. According to Seth:
It was as if there were two worlds for adults, divided by an invisible barrier: the world of the Living and the world of the Dead, The Living dressed up and looked good, and they went out and did things like go to the theater and eat in restaurants. They laughed and sparkled. The Dead drifted back from their jobs every day and sat in front of the TV, and every day they got a bit pudgier and duller, and they only bought cheap, functional clothes because there was no point looking good when you never went out.
Seth looked at his parents, and he was afraid. He was afraid that he was a child of the Dead, and nothing he could do would stop him from turning into one of them (p 37).
Angered by Luke’s end and mesmerized by the possibilities of Malice, he soon summons Tall Jake. It is part prose, part comic book (though the art was the weakest part of the book), this would be an easy sell to Wimpy Kid readers.
This is more than just a good horror (if you liked The Devouring, you’ll love Malice). It is a layered story. Jake only comes for those who believe, those who think they are ready. Some make it out alive. Some die. Some don’t want to leave. I’m already clamoring for the sequel, Havoc.
Soulstice: The Devouring (Book 2)
This follow up to The Devouring did not disappoint. I’m only surprised that more teens at my library aren’t checking it out. I just love the cover art!
Reggie is an anomaly. With her ability to enter fearscapes and free tortured souls from Vours, she becomes a target of both the Vours and the Hunters (of which Eden is a member). It ends on a chilling note and I’m very interested to see where Holt takes the series.
I found that I didn’t recall some of the details from book one (it’s been over a year) but I found that it didn’t really matter. I got the gist and this book is about the fear, the terror. I like that Holt brought the story into the realm of science. It made it more believable.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth is populated by the Unconsecrated, a zombie-like vampiric race created by an unknown virus a la Steven King’s The Stand meets 28 Days Later meets Resident Evil.
Within the fence, a community of humans survive under the strict rules of the Sisterhood and protected by the Sisterhood’s right hand, the Guardians.
When the fence is breached, Mary’s world collapses. She is forced to leave the village and seek out a new life using a network of fenced out trails.
My issues with this book are numerous.
**SPOILER ALERT**
First, I found Mary to be insipid. She is presented as curious, questioning, passionate and vivacious. So why is it she becomes a simpering/crazy stone figure when the action gets going? Thank goodness Harry, the man who loves her but that she doesn’t love, comes along to save her.
She is driven by a desire to see the ocean, a mythical land of water her mother has told her about, but at the first opportunity, she becomes complacent, satisfying her Travis-lust. It isn’t until the Unconsecrated are on her heals that she and the rest of her party are stirred into action.
For a people living under constant threat of some pretty freakin scary zombies, they really don’t know how to prepare. In this, they are like the Eloi, sacrifices instead of active participants in their own destiny.
Secondly, the Sisterhood has secrets and an unknown agenda. We never really find out what the heck is going on there. They feed an Outsider, a young girl, to the undead to see how long she lasts? “To better understand her?” What?
Are they trying to find a cure? How are these undead remaining reanimated for so long if they burn out? They are numerous even though many years have gone by…
We never really find out about the Guardians either. Mary can’t seem to understand her own mind… It was all to random for me.
Other horror books/movies offer some explanation. In 28 Days Later, the undead eventually starve. I am Legend digs deeper, offering a new breed of humanity, a chilling end.
I compare this to Resident Evil, a piece of fluff, purely-for-the-horror kind of work. There were lulls and explosive moments (all of which conveniently end in our heroine being saved in the nick of time), some nicely written scenes and some duds.
Other reviews at: Fantasy Book Critic, Karin’s Book Nook, A Chair, a Fireplace and a Teacozy.
Update (9-07-09): Another popular title nominated for the Printz and one of the least deserving. Ug.
My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgwick
Set in Eastern Europe during the 17th century, My Swordhand is Singing is a gritty vampire myth reinvented. It is a bloody and visceral tale that follows Peter and his father, Tomas; two nomadic woodcutters. They have just put down roots outside the village of Chust when two inhabitants are found mutilated and dead. Talk of a Shadow Queen, an evil force responsible for the deaths, begins to circulate. Tomas calls it nonsense but Peter learns better after a horrific encounter with the undead. Soon, a group of Gypsies come looking for Tomas and a way to save the village. It is up to Peter to stir his drunken father to action.
For a walk on the morbid side of the vamp wave, this one fits the bill. Well-researched (rakia is a popular local drink in Bulgaria today – though the Bulgarian spelling of Peter is should be Petar) and a very quick read. I recommend this to readers who enjoyed Simon Holt’s The Devouring.
The Devouring Sorry Night by Simon Holt
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November Reads
Obviously, a lot of children’s books this month. These are only a sampling of my favs.
I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean: Kevin Sherry – I completely agree with the glowing review by Pixie Stix Kids Pix. It was the favorite during my story time this morning.
There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly: Simms Taback – This was well known by some of the kids but they loved it anyway. I thought they might be distressed by the conclusion but nope. They thought it was funny and teased, “Never eat a horse!”
I Love my Pirate Papa: Laura Leuck – Another good rhyming story. The kids liked the graphics and finding buried treasure. An easy story for them to place themselves in.
I saw an Ant on the Railroad Track: Joshua Prince – A delightful story. The kids love ants (search me) and the tension mounts as the train clickety-clacks toward the ant walking tickety-tack. I often wish I didn’t have to hold the book up so that I would be free to make noises and movements with my hand. I am not yet deft at handling the books.
There Once was a Puffin: Florence Page Jaques – I didn’t get a chance to read this but I like the bold graphics and simple story. I hope to use it next week!
The Bartimaues Trilogy: The Amulet of Smarkand: Johnathan Stroud – Ah, fantasy! My comfort. My companion. My precious. I immediately compared this story to Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell. And it has the same magical sensibilities.
I am Legend: Richard Matheson – I read this short story in anticipation of the Will Smith movie. If I know what’s coming, I figure, I won’t be as scared. I hate being scared. Interesting premise. Now I know where Scott Westerfeld got his take on Peeps.
