Review: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore

Title: Blanca and Roja Written by: Anna-Marie McLemore Published: October 9, 2018 by Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: The biggest lie of all is the story you think you already know.  The del Cisne girls have never just been sisters; they’re also rivals, Blanca as obedient and graceful as Roja is vicious and manipulative. They know that, because of a generations-old spell, their family is bound to a bevy of swans deep in the woods. They know that, one day, the swans will pull them into a dangerous game that will leave one of them a girl, and trap the other in the body of a swan.  But when two local boys become drawn into the game, the swans’ spell intertwines with the strange and unpredictable magic lacing the woods, and all four of their fates depend on facing truths that could either save or destroy them. Blanca & Roja is the captivating story of sisters, friendship, love, hatred, and the price we pay to protect our hearts.

I have read and loved every one of Anna-Marie MacLemore's books. I was really excited to learn that she was writing a book based on Snow White and Rose Red, a fairy tale I always loved as a girl. This book was beautiful, and heart-breaking, and enthralling, and amazing.

First and foremost this was an amazing retelling. As I said, I loved the story of Snow White and Rose Red as a kid. I was really impressed with the way that McLemore interpreted and modernized the story. She gave even more magic and wonder with the story and still made it feel very current with an LGBTQIA character and making it about identity. But the retelling also went deeper with elements from The Six Swans and the Ugly Duckling. You would think with all these fairy tales working together it would be confusing and muddled but instead it made for something different and unique.

I think it all worked together because of the plot of this book. It's one of those books that I would call a modern fairy tale. It feels like a classic story but is something new and all it's own. I wouldn't say that the stakes are particularly high in this book but you are still invested in the stakes. McLemore draws you in and before you even realize you are terrified by what will happen to the characters and when bad things do happen you are heartbroken and still so entertained.

What really drew me in however is the characters. This one of those books with multiple perspectives which added a lot to the story. The main two perspectives of course are the titular characters of Blanca and Roja. The character I initially connected with Roja. She's the fiery and independent sister who is tough and emotional. But I also really enjoyed Blanca. She's the sweet and caring sister, but just as tough. Throughout the book the sisters are exploring the idea of who they are versus who other people want them to be, a theme I really enjoy. The sisters are very empathetic not because of who they are independently, but who they are together. The heart of this story is the love that the sisters have for each other. They would do anything for the other person and because they are in conflict it adds to misunderstanding and some really emotional moments.

But that is just the beginning for the characters. Interspersed with their perspectives were their love interests, Yearling and Page. Both of them are just as complex and are dealing with just as many struggles with their identity as the girls. This is the most noticeable with Page, a non-binary trans person. McLemore always does a great job with LGBTQIA rep and this book was no exception. I liked the way she changed pronouns when characters were referring to Page and thought it did a great job with exploring their identity.

But I think what I liked most about this book was the magic. McLemore is a master of Magical Realism. I have read all four of her books and they each have such different and such engaging magical worlds. First you had the curse of the del Cisne girls which in and of itself would have interesting enough but then you had the magic of the forest and how it affected Yearling and Page. I usually like my magic to go big or go home but here it was subtle and it worked so well. it drew you into the world and it made it feel more magical and fantastical like anything was possible. It raised the stakes and drew the reader into the story.

On the whole, I think this really was an amazing book. It has stuck with me long after finishing it and has proven just how good Anna-Marie McLemore is at writing Magical Realism and diverse characters. I think this may have just become my favorite book by her and that is saying something.

I give Blanca and Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. Definitely pick up this book. It's beautifully written full of magic, great characters, and an enthralling plot which is a great retelling. If you like Magical Realism or fairy tale retellings then check this out.

Have you read Blanca & Roja? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore

Title: Wild Beauty Written by: Anna-Marie McLemor Published: October 3, 2017 by Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Love grows such strange things. For nearly a century, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds of La Pradera, the lush estate gardens that enchant guests from around the world. They’ve also hidden a tragic legacy: if they fall in love too deeply, their lovers vanish. But then, after generations of vanishings, a strange boy appears in the gardens. The boy is a mystery to Estrella, the Nomeolvides girl who finds him, and to her family, but he’s even more a mystery to himself; he knows nothing more about who he is or where he came from than his first name. As Estrella tries to help Fel piece together his unknown past, La Pradera leads them to secrets as dangerous as they are magical in this stunning exploration of love, loss, and family.

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. *****

I have been really enjoying Magical Realism lately and thoroughly enjoyed both of Anna-Maria McLemore's previous books so I was really excited to read her next ones. And while this was not my favorite of her books but it was still a really good read.

One thing I loved about this book was the world. Magical Realism is so interesting because it has this great subtle magic to it, typically tied to the land or the family and their culture. This was a little bit of both. I loved seeing magic at work. First of all the stuff with flowers was really cool. Watching the Nomeolvides girls use their powers was really fascinating. So much so that I wanted more. But the magic of this series was more than just the flower magic. I don't want to give too much away because it's tied more to the plot of the book.

Speaking of the plot, that was one of the points that I wish would have been a little more complex. The synopsis of this book led me to believe that this had a pretty interesting mystery and it really didn't. There was a twist and reveal later in the book but it really was not the focus of this book. I wish it had been. A lot more of the plot revolved around the romance for my taste and I wanted more mystery. I'm such a plot driven reader that I just really need a super engaging plot and unfortunately I didn't find that here.

Either that or the pacing was slow. It definitely took me awhile to get into this book. This may have just been because it is a really busy time for me and I haven't had much of an opportunity to read, but it could also be this book. Much of what is explained in the synopsis doesn't even happen until much later in the book. It's one of those books that slowly develops into an exciting ending but it's also one of those books that really takes its time to get there. I wish the beginning had been a little more engaging but I am glad it got there in the end.

But much of this book was redeemed by the characters. The real heart of this book was the story of family. First of all we had the Nomeolvides girls. Despite being cousins they had this really great sisters feel to it. I love books about sisters and I really enjoyed the relationship between the characters. Most of them were a Amal part of the book but the main character was Estrella. She was definitely sympathetic and likable. The best thing about this book is the fact that there are so many diverse characters. Anna-Marie does these characters so well. There was great use of LGBTQ characters and I enjoyed them and how diverse this book was.

All in all this was a good read but not totally amazing. It had a fantastic and engaging world, and likable and complex characters but the plot wasn't as complex as I hoped and the pacing was pretty slow.

I give Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore 8 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Borrow. If you are a fan of magical realism, especially YA magical realism definitely check this book out, or this author on the whole. She's got some great reads. And if you do like Anna-Marie's work and haven't read this one then definitely check it out.

Have you read Wild Beauty? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: Wild Beauty Author: Anna-Marie McLemore Published: October 3, 2017 by Macmillan (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Love grows such strange things.  For nearly a century, the Nomeolvides women have tended the grounds of La Pradera, the lush estate gardens that enchant guests from around the world. They’ve also hidden a tragic legacy: if they fall in love too deeply, their lovers vanish. But then, after generations of vanishings, a strange boy appears in the gardens. The boy is a mystery to Estrella, the Nomeolvides girl who finds him, and to her family, but he’s even more a mystery to himself; he knows nothing more about who he is or where he came from than his first name. As Estrella tries to help Fel piece together his unknown past, La Pradera leads them to secrets as dangerous as they are magical in this stunning exploration of love, loss, and family.

Why I'm Waiting:

Can we talk about how gorgeous this book cover is? Because it is seriously gorgeous. I love how bright and colorful it is and how beautiful the flowers. Anna-Marie has had some seriously amazing covers but I think this one is my favorite. Even now knowing anything about this book I would absolutely pick it up based on that cover.

Speaking of Anna-Marie's other books, I am such a fan of them. I have read both of her previous books and I loved them both. She is a really amazing writer. She does a great job in establishing an atmosphere that brilliantly combines mystery and fantasy. One of the reasons I became really into Magical Realism last year is because of how much I love The Weight of Feathers. It made me want to read more of those books. It also made me want to read more books but Anna-Marie.

But even if this wasn't a book by an author I love, I still would have wanted to read this book because it sounds amazing! I always really like when a character doesn't remember who they are because it always makes for a lot of mystery and drama. And I am sure there will be an amazing magical realism here and great diverse characters because that's what all Anna-Marie's books have,

I am so excited about this book and I am absolutely planning on getting myselfg a copy at ALA this weekend and meeting Anna-Marie. It is one of my must get books.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on Wild Beauty along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

When the Moon Was Ours Blog Tour: Interview with Anna-Marie McLemore

Hi Everyone,
I'm really excited to be a part of the blog tour for When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore. I reviewed the book on Monday and in case you missed it, spoiler alert, I loved it. And because this review and interview came right at the end I thought I would ask Anna-Marie a few questions about magical realism in addition to learning a bit more about the book.

About the Author: 

ANNA-MARIE MCLEMORE was born in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and grew up in a Mexican-American family. She attended University of Southern California on a Trustee Scholarship. A Lambda Literary Fellow, she has had work featured by the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West, CRATE Literary Magazine’s cratelit, Camera Obscura’s Bridge the Gap Series, and The Portland Review.

About the Book:

Anna-Marie McLemore’s debut novel The Weight of Feathers was heavily praised by critics, received a YALSA Morris Award nomination, and was a book club pick for Las Comadres & Friends National Latino Book Club. Her sophomore young adult novel, WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS (Thomas Dunne Books; October 4, 2016), a love story tinged with magical realism and filled with gorgeous prose, has already garnered three starred trade reviews praising the novel as “lovely, necessary, and true” (Booklist). McLemore’s newest novel grapples with tough questions of identity and cultural differences in a small town. Within the pages lies a story of a girl hiding the truth, a boy with secrets from his past, and four sisters who could ruin them both.

To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel’s wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town. But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches. Now they want the roses that grow from Miel’s skin, convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. And they’re willing to use every secret Miel has fought to protect to make sure she gives them up.

Embedded in the love story, Sam faces how to claim his identity as a transgender boy, and Miel and Sam struggle with how to define their love, both to themselves and their community. McLemore tackles this relevant issue thoughtfully, coming from her own experience in her relationship with her husband, who is transgender. McLemore’s recently told Publisher’s Weekly, “at the heart of this book is my belief that transgender characters, queer characters, characters of color, deserve fairy tales”, and WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS conquers timely topics like race and gender while delivering an unforgettable, timeless love story.

Filled with roses, glass pumpkins, and magical moons, WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS will sweep you away with its fairy tale feel. Following her fantastic debut novel, WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS will thrill readers of McLemore’s debut novel and establish a whole new group of admirers for this immensely talented young writer.

The Interview:

1. I'm so excited to be able to ask you a few questions Anna-Marie. I loved your debut The Weight of Feathers and I can't wait to read When the Moon Was Ours. Can you explain the book in ten words? 

Anna-Marie: Thank you so much for having me! I’d say my best ten words for Moon would be: Trans*boy who paints moons loves girl whose wrist grows roses. 

Sounds amazing!

 2. I'm doing a magical realism theme this month on my blog and you do a fantastic job at writing magical realism. Can you explain what magical realism is to those who might not be familiar?

Anna-Marie: My short answer is: Magical realism is a literary culture and tradition born out of histories of oppression, in which those histories influence how elements of magic are portrayed and received. But with your permission, I’ll also link here to my longer answer: 
http://www.diversityinya.com/2015/09/where-our-magic-lives-a-queer-latina-on-magical-realism. I was thrilled to get to write about this for Diversity in YA. 

Oh, thanks. I know I have a hard time saying whether or not something is low fantasy or magical realism. This is really helpful. And yes, everyone go check out the longer answer and blog post from Anna-Marie.

3. What are some of your favorite magical realism books and/or authors? I'd love any recommendations.

Anna-Marie:Isabel Allende, Gioconda Belli, and if you’re a YA lover, I’d say start with Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate, which isn’t technically YA, but has some of the themes I most love about YA. Also in YA: both Laura Ruby and Nova Ren Suma often label their own books as something other than magical realism (I love Laura’s description of Bone Gap as a Midwestern fairy tale), but there are elements of magical realism in their stories, and I adore their work, so I have to mention it. I’m also a fan of how the sisters in Guadalupe Garcia McCall’s Summer of the Mariposas interact with la llorona; it’s one of my favorite MR moments in YA. 

I totally second Nova Ren Suma. I loved The Walls Around Us. It was an amazing mysteries and had great subtle magical elements. I need to read more of her books. And thanks for the recs. I just added a ton of books to my TBR.

4. Can you tell us about the world of this book? Without giving anything away, what magical elements can we expect?

The magic is this story is sometimes romantic and sometimes terrifying. It often appears when the characters least expect it or are prepared for it. And so much of it comes from the secrets they’re trying to hide. 

Having read the book I can totally attest to this. There are so many secrets that come from the magic and I loved that. Thanks for the little sneak peek.

5. Can you explain your process of world building? Do you start with the setting, the characters, or the plot?

It’s some combination of setting and characters. The characters always have a close, complicated relationship with the setting. The plot often comes out of that relationship. 

Thanks! I always like knowing what comes first in the process. And learning a little more about magical realism from you, that totally makes sense that the plot would come from the characters and the setting interacting.

6. And finally a fun question, if you were trapped on a desserted island, what dessert would your island be made out of?

Haha, I love this question! I’m vegan and I just discovered the best vegan cheesecake, so can it be made out of that?

Oh man! I am a huge fan of cheesecake. And I have actually been surprised by how good vegan baked goods can be. I kind of want to try this now.

Awesome! Thank you again for answering my questions Anna-Marie. And if you all have not checked out When the Moon Was Ours, you absolutely should. It's a beautifully-written coming of age story with subtle magic and complex characters. It is on sale now so go buy it! And if you need more encouragement, here is my full review.

Thanks for stopping and I hope you enjoyed learning more about Anna-Marie and When the Moon Was Ours. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

Title: When the Moon Was Ours Written by: Anna-Marie McLemore Published: October 4, 2016 by St. Martin's Press (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: When the Moon Was Ours follows two characters through a story that has multicultural elements and magical realism, but also has central LGBT themes—a transgender boy, the best friend he’s falling in love with, and both of them deciding how they want to define themselves.  To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel’s wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees, and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town.  But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches. Now they want the roses that grow from Miel’s skin, convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. And they’re willing to use every secret Miel has fought to protect to make sure she gives them up.

*** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgallet widget in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ***

I loved Anna-Marie's debut and so I was so excited to have a chance to read an advance copy of her next book. And once again, Anna-Marie has written an absolutely gorgeous read full of magic and great characters.

This book is magical realism at its finest. Despite the fact that I typically prefer my magic to be more overt, I love this kind of magic. The kind of magic that is subtle and interesting in a way that adds depth and mystery to the world. The magic hear does just that, creates a setting that feels beautiful and interesting with unexpected magic. Plus the magic is tied to the characters in a way that pulls you in to them.

And these are some really fantastic characters too. You can't help but empathize with both Miel and Sam throughout this book and their struggles. This very much feels like a character-driven as we alternate between the two characters and seem them navigate in the world and the magic they have. You feel their fear and uncertainty at the same time you sense their confidence. They're interestingly complex which is always a good thing. You also get the feeling that they care so much for each other. Throughout the book their relationship, their friendship developing into more, is a part of the book and their development. And while it didn't take away from the book for me, it wasn't a something that I loved. But you know me and my romancephobic tendencies.

The great thing about these characters and this book though is that it's a subtle coming-of-age story. There is usually some aspect of that in YA but here it was a big part of the plot and themes of the book. This is a book about acceptance. It's about being comfortable with who you are even if it's not typical and portraying that to the world. This made for not only a compelling story but also a deep connection to the characters.

Plus if you have read Anna-Marie's debut you know that her writing is absolutely beautiful. She has this lyrical style that pulls you into the world and the plot of the book in a way that is totally immersive. It takes a little while to get used to but when you are into it, you are loving he beauty of the worlds and where they are taking you. It took me longer to read than I expected because this is one of those books that forces you to slow down and take in all the words.

On the whole I really liked this book. It's a book with great characters with good development and an interesting coming-of-age story; its gorgeous writing will have you falling into a world of magic.

I give When the Moon Was Ours by Anna--Marie McLemore 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy/Borrow. If you enjoyed this authors debut or are looking for a lyrical read or something with magical realism than check this one out. Or if you are a fan of contemporary coming-of-age stories with diverse characters and/or want to read some more fantasy pick this one up. Anna-Marie's books are perfect for contemp fans who don't read a lot of fantasy. Not to mention it's a beautiful read.

Have you read When the Moon Was Ours? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

P.S. Be sure to check back later in the week! I'll have more on this book and an interview with the author for my stop on the blog tour.

Waiting on Wednesday: When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Title: When the Moon Was Ours Author: Anna-Marie McLemore Published: October 4, 2016 by Thomas Dunne/St. Martin's Press (Macmillan) (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: When the Moon Was Ours follows two characters through a story that has multicultural elements and magical realism, but also has central LGBT themes—a transgender boy, the best friend he’s falling in love with, and both of them deciding how they want to define themselves. To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel’s wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees, and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town. But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches. Now they want the roses that grow from Miel’s skin, convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. And they’re willing to use every secret Miel has fought to protect to make sure she gives them up.

Why I'm Waiting 

I loved The Weight of Feathers, Anna-Marie's debut, when I read it last year. So naturally I would have already been excited about a second book from her. But then I learned more about this one and I'm even more excited. For one thing, I have really been loving magical realism lately and The Weight of Feathers is one of the first books within that subgenre that made me want to read more. Plus I am really intrigued by the magical elements here, witch books have also been working for me lately and so that aspect of the story has me interested. Plus the romance, I want to read more LGBT romances and so this is a good book for that as well.

So naturally this book is a highly anticipated release for the fall. I was lucky enough to get a copy of the book from the publisher (thanks St. Martins!) and I am so excited to read it. I even decided to craft my monthly theme around this book. SO in September I will be doing a magical realism theme and reading this book.

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on When the Moon Was Ours along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore

Title: The Weight of Feathers Author: Anna-Marie McLemore Published: September 15, 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: For twenty years, the Palomas and the Corbeaus have been rivals and enemies, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. Both families make their living as traveling performers in competing shows—the Palomas swimming in mermaid exhibitions, the Corbeaus, former tightrope walkers, performing in the tallest trees they can find.  Lace Paloma may be new to her family’s show, but she knows as well as anyone that the Corbeaus are pure magia negra, black magic from the devil himself. Simply touching one could mean death, and she's been taught from birth to keep away. But when disaster strikes the small town where both families are performing, it’s a Corbeau boy, Cluck, who saves Lace’s life. And his touch immerses her in the world of the Corbeaus, where falling for him could turn his own family against him, and one misstep can be just as dangerous on the ground as it is in the trees.  Beautifully written, and richly imaginative, The Weight of Feathers is an utterly captivating young adult novel by a talented new voice.

**** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This fact has not changed my opinion. ****

The Weight of Feathers is a subtle kind of story. It's the kind of book that works it's way into your heart and mind long before you even realize that it's there. I'm usually a very plot-driven reader. I like my books to take me on an adventure. I like a clear and succinct plot development. The Weight of Feathers doesn't have that and yet I never felt like I wan uninterested.  It slowly built until an interesting conclusion with some unexpected twists and was thoroughly entertaining. The author's gorgeous and lyrical writing was atmospheric and an immersive reading experience. The general plot of this book is the Romeo and Juliet-like story. It's about two feuding families and the young lovers caught between them. It's an all too familiar concept but McLemore writes it in a way that felt creative and interesting.

A lot of the creativity that came into the book was with the world. These families are not your average people. First of all they are traveling performers. I had just listened to a podcast (Stuff You Should Know) that talked about Circus Families so that context was fresh in my mind. I liked seeing them practice and perform their acts, both the Paloma's mermaid shows and the Corbeau's high-wire fairy shows. It wasn't a big part of the story but it added a lot of color. We also got to spend part of the book learning about the history and culture of both families, which really added to the world. They each had their own way of life, even speaking Spanish or French from time to to time which helped immerse you in their world and culture. But that was just the beginning. The Weight of Feathers also has really great and subtle fantastical elements. The Palomas had their scales and the Corbeaus their feathers. And as strange as that sounds, it was handled in such a way that it felt natural and I would forget about them until they were referenced. It was just part of the world, part of the characters, which made them and the book so interesting. 

And it's a good thing too that the characters were so interesting because with the slower plot they had to take a lot of the focus. I particularly enjoyed our two main characters, Lace and Cluck.  They both felt like old souls. The sort of people that you could tell had been through a lot and had lived not the easiest life, Cluck especially. They find a lot of solace in one another. Lace with her sense of justice and fairness comes to Cluck's aid while he gives her support and kindness when she needs it most. I wasn't entirely sure I connected to the romantic aspect of their relationship but I did find them completely adorable and I loved them together. They just seemed to understand one another on such a deep level and that made it easier for me to connect with them both. In the end I wanted them to be together because they made each other better. But the book was also full of a large cast of characters from both families. Some of them were sympathetic, others were odious at best. But every character was interesting and added to the creation of an engaging and immersive reading experience.

But when the book was all over I wasn't as satisfied with it as I expected to be, especially based on this review. It is a standalone but I didn't feel like there was a strong and clear resolution. There were just a few elements that I felt were left unresolved or unexplained. A lot of those elements kind of had to do with the mystery of the book. With mystery elements I always like there to be an "aha moment" where it all comes together. But everything about this was subtle and almost simplistic. There is definitely something to be said about that but for me I felt like I was missing something.  But that may have just been me. I was waiting for a big reveal or explanation and when a smaller one happened I figured that can't be all. Maybe that's because it comes after reading Queen of Shadows and The Dead House which are crazy intricate. But The Weight of Feathers is a short read that you'll probably finish before you even realize. In fact that may have been what didn't work for me. I wanted more. 

On the whole The Weight of Feathers was a beautiful story. To me The Weight of Feathers felt like a modern fairy tale. It was new and creative but there was something familiar and fantastical about it all. It was like I was reading a long lost story from the Grimms Brothers. It had so many elements that have stood the test of time with classic fairy tales, including an atmospheric tone and subtle magic and romance. It wasn't full of action and mystery but it was a lovely and engaging story.

I give The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore 9 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy. It seems weird for me to write this review and not give it a higher rating. I liked it, it just didn't blow me away. There were lots of really great elements that will appeal to all different kinds of readers. It's a subtle character-driven story with a fascinating world and great characters. Fans of fairy tales and magical realism should pick this up. 

Have you read The Weight of Feathers? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping  by and HAPPY READING!