Saturday, September 7, 2019

Mini Reviews [32]

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Bestselling adult author of The Bear and the Nightingale makes her middle grade debut with a creepy, spellbinding ghost story destined to become a classic. Now in paperback.

After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie who only finds solace in books discovers a chilling ghost story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who loved her, and a peculiar deal made with "the smiling man"--a sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for the ultimate price.


Captivated by the tale, Ollie begins to wonder if the smiling man might be real when she stumbles upon the graves of the very people she's been reading about on a school trip to a nearby farm. Then, later, when her school bus breaks down on the ride home, the strange bus driver tells Ollie and her classmates: "Best get moving. At nightfall they'll come for the rest of you." Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending when Ollie's previously broken digital wristwatch begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying message: RUN.

Only Ollie and two of her classmates heed these warnings. As the trio head out into the woods--bordered by a field of scarecrows that seem to be watching them--the bus driver has just one final piece of advice for Ollie and her friends: "Avoid large places. Keep to small."

And with that, a deliciously creepy and hair-raising adventure begins.
"You can't, she decided, be super scared for very long before you start just laughing or crying."
I read Small Spaces with my monsters and it was delightfully eerie! I was often tempted to continue reading after the kids fell asleep, but knew my son would likely never forgive me. The girls are still too young to really follow along, but he definitely would've noticed. I read Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale and thoroughly enjoyed her storytelling skills, and Small Spaces was no exception -- wonderfully written!

Ollie is dealing with the loss of her mother, and that pain is evident throughout the book. I enjoyed how realistic her feelings were, and how her emotions impacted her day-to-day life. Ollie is no longer interested in school activities, even those she's really good at, and she chooses not to have any friends. She's isolated herself on purpose, and she doesn't want pity from her teachers or others, even though she does occasionally use it to her advantage.

I thought Ollie was a remarkable character that children will be able to relate to. She's intelligent and compassionate, she likes to think outside of the box, and she's willing to go above an beyond to save people from a horrific thing. I thought she was incredibly brave and enjoyed her interactions with others (especially her unlikely allies).

The story itself was creeptastic and only intensified my dislike of scarecrows.


The Magicians: Alice's Story
by Lilah Sturges, Lev Grossman, 
Steve Morris, Pius Bak, Dan Jackson (Art)
Synopsis (via Goodreads): Alice Quinn is manifestly brilliant, and she’s always known that magic is real. During her years at Brakebills College for Magical Pedagogy, she rises to the top of her class, falls in love with Quentin Coldwater, and witnesses a horrifically magical creature invade their dimension.

It’s not soon after graduation when Alice, Quentin, and their friends set their sights on the idyllic setting of Fillory: a place thought to only live in the pages of their favorite children’s books. A land where magic flows like rivers . . . But in this magical realm nothing is what it seems to be, and something darker lies behind the spellbinding facade. It is in the darkness where Alice will discover her true calling and her life, and those friends, forever changed.

Acclaimed novelist Lev Grossman teams with New York Times bestselling writer Lilah Sturges (Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass), and breakout artist Pius Bak for a new look at the smash hit trilogy The Magicians.

๐‘‹

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I requested The Magicians: Alice's Story even though I'm unfamiliar with Lev Grossman's series and the television show. I know both are popular... but this graphic novel is what finally piqued my interest. I thought it would give me a good feel for the characters and the setting, and I was intrigued by the promise of magic and a mythical world.

Unfortunately, the story felt long and was unexciting. We see what Alice was like as a child, observe her relationship with her parents, watch her obsess over an unresolved issue with a sibling, and then witness her time spent at school. Things picked up when the group went to Fillory, but it was also unimpressive. I felt like certain aspects of this story could've been left out to make this a quicker read, but the details started to feel tedious after awhile. I'm sure it was an interesting story for people familiar with the series, since they're already acquainted with the characters and the setting, but I would not recommend this for someone just starting out.

If you are familiar with this series, did you expect the ending? I thought it was rubbish and unnecessary. It made me angry. I did enjoy how everything eventually connected, but I felt like a lot of bad had to happen before something good came out of it. 

An interesting story, a peculiar setting, and unique characters make up The Magicians: Alice's Story. I may try the series at some point in the future, and that might make me like this one more. As it stands, it was mostly enjoyable but ultimately unremarkable.

31 comments:

  1. Wow, Small Spaces was kind of freaking me out just with the synopsis! ๐Ÿคฃ It sounds good though and I'll keep it in kind for a MG read. I'm not familiar with The Magicians at all but I have been interested in it on some level as it's something that I've heard about so much. Sorry this one didn't work for you.

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    1. I've read MG books in the past, but I've started reading them more now that I have children. Right now I read to them before bed, but I'm also trying to build a collection for when they start reading solo. Most of my current books are... inappropriate for small children. ;)

      People seem to really love The Magicians! I wonder if it'll be like ACOTAR and I'll kick myself for waiting so long to start it? The graphic novel wasn't bad! The story itself was interesting, but it would probably be more enjoyable for people familiar with the series.

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  2. Small spaces sounds good. I love the cover for it too.

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    1. Same! The colors are amazing. Have you seen the cover for the second book? Dead Voices? It's fantastic! I feel like I need these books for their stories and their pretty covers. ;)

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  3. Wow, just from the synopsis I would not have guessed that Small Spaces was middle grade! Ollie sounds very cool!

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    1. It was surprising! It definitely reads like a MG book, but the creepy vibes were strong! I think it might give some kids nightmares, or at least a healthy aversion to scarecrows -- ugh. Ollie was a marvelous character. :)

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  4. Love the cover of Small Spaces. The synopsis sounds super creepy and had me surprised that it was MG. It sounds so atmospheric... perfect for Halloween. :)

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    1. It was atmospheric! It's on my wishlist, but I might buy it to re-read with kids once October rolls around. The second book comes out soon... this month, I think.

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    2. Wrong! The second book (Dead Voices) came out late last month! ;)

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  5. Scarecrows are creepy AF lol but Small Spaces looks awesome for Halloween! :)

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    1. I have never liked scarecrows! Are they really an effective way to scare off crows? I feel like I always see birds perched on them like it's no big deal. I recommend this one for younger readers and adults! I'm really looking forward to the second book.

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    2. Right? When birds are effing PERCHED on them, I'd say they're ineffective lol. Like the owl thing I put out to deter birds who were being a pest... and they ignored it.

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    3. Yes! It's crazy ineffective!

      My son selected not one, but two scarecrow books from the library today! Why?? What is happening? Do I have to read them, or can I get away with discreetly burning them in the fire pit? ;)

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  6. I love that you have a continuing read along with your babies! I miss those days. Sigh.

    Have a great week, Lindsi!

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    1. I'm trying to enjoy every moment! I know they won't want me to read to them forever, but I will always treasure these years. <3

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  7. Small Spaces sounds delightfully creepy Linds and I love that you wanted to keep reading after the kids had fallen asleep. I haven't read anything by Katherine Arden before but have really wanted to grab her Winternight Trilogy as well. Lovely reviews Linds, going to hunt down a copy shortly.

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    1. I've read The Bear and the Nightingale, but I really need to finish the series! I've heard it gets better and better. The audio was a little slow for me, so I might read a physical copy of the next one. I hope you enjoy it!

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  8. I am curious about the Arden one :D
    Maybe, just maybe

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  9. That graphic novel has caught my attention as well but I've not read the series or seen the show either. I just saw there is a sequel to the Arden book out? Have you picked it up as well?

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    1. I haven't! It's on my Fall TBR! If it's anything like the first book, it will be perfect for October reading. :) The graphic novel was good, but not remarkable.

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  10. I really enjoyed Small Spaces and can't wait to read the next one in the series. I am first in line at the library for Dead Voices when they get their copy in. I am so glad you enjoyed it and it is fun that you were able to read it with your kids.

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    1. Lucky you! I had to talk my library into buying it. I was like, "You already have the first book, so it totally makes sense to buy the second..." ;) I love, love, love reading with my monsters. I'm going to be sad when they no longer want/need me to. However, it will mean they're older and I can introduce them to MORE BOOKS. <3

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  11. Small Spaces sounds so good. I love Katherine Arden's writing anyway so I may have to pick up a copy of this for myself.

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    1. It was! Have you read the Winternight Trilogy? I've only read the first book, and her writing was lovely. The book was a little slow for my liking, but I enjoyed the setting and the lore. I've been told the next book has a quicker pace, since we're not waiting for her to grow up this time.

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  12. I don't read middle grade, but Small Spaces sounds creepy and fantastic! Nice that your son is into the story too! Sorry to hear the graphic book didn't pan out.

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    1. I've always enjoyed the occasional Middle Grade book, but I've started reading more of them now that I have kiddos! It's fun to find stories they're interested in! My son enjoyed this one so much, he borrowed several scarecrow books from the library today.

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  13. Small Spaces sounds really good!! I'm not sure why so many of these middle grade books are about grief though. If I were a kid I would get sick of that especially if my mom and dad were alive and well. Still the whole deal with the watch is super scary and yet deliciously intriguing. ❤

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    1. I've noticed a lot of MG and YA books are that way. A lot of the main characters come from broken families, or someone dies during the story. I understand that cookie cutter households really aren't that common these days, but it seems that the characters have very similar issues because of it.

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  14. The synopsis for Small Spaces freaked me out! This is a KIDS book?! ๐Ÿ˜ฑ I don't think I'm brave enough to even try to read it, lol.

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    1. YES! It's MG. It's also TERRIFYING. I'm an adult and this book freaked me out. I don't think I'll ever be able to stand next to a scarecrow again. ;)

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless