The Story Traveler by Max Candee

 

3 out of 5 stars

I received this book free from NetGalley.

Haley Spade is a 15 year old who, after her parents die and her grandparents take her in, is shipped off to an exclusive boarding school in Connecticut. Several students believe that the angry ghosts of six students who committed suicide decades ago still haunt its halls. Haley doesn’t believe in ghosts, so on a dare, she spends the night wandering through the “haunted” building to prove they don’t exist. What she doesn’t realize is that someone has convinced Oliver, a fellow classmate, to sneak into the building as well to scare her. She figures it out pretty quickly and she and Oliver decide to investigate together. Unfortunately they end up taking a wrong turn and next thing you know they are on an adventure where secret doors take you into stories within stories and worlds within worlds. They encounter magical creatures like the King of the Cats, a shapeshifting crow, elves—and a menace far more terrifying than any ghost.

A young adult fantasy novel, this book started off really well and sucked me right in. It continued to hold my interest until the last half of the book. Although I still enjoyed it, the second part wasn’t as thrilling as the first part and I felt myself not quite as captured by it as before. There was quite a bit of action and enough magical creatures to satisfy one’s fantasy thirst however. There were moments though when I would have to go back and re-read paragraphs just because there are so many twists and turns that at times I would become a little confused on how it all tied into one another, but the story was an enjoyable one and I would definitely recommend it.

Available on Amazon at the link below:

The Story Traveler

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

5 out of 5 stars.

At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. Mr. Norrell is reclusive and guarded, Jonathan Strange is more open and drawn the to wilder forms of magic. Eventually their partnership becomes strained. Jonathan Strange becomes more daring in his magic and risks losing everything he holds dear. 

This book follows the lives of two magicians, Mr. Norrell and his student, Jonathan Strange. At an eye popping 1006 pages (paperback), this book pretty much gives every last detail of their journey both together and separately. Included in the story is a long list of characters that add to it and make it one of the best books I have read in a long time. Sounds good right? Of course! But here’s the thing; would I recommend this book? Well, that depends. Since it reads more like an historical fiction with footnotes included (yes, there are footnotes…..lots of them), I cannot say I would recommend it to just anyone. So I’ll put it this way…..If you are looking for a quick read (see 1006 pages above) with some magic included, a few laughs, and think this would be just like reading Harry Potter (which I love btw), this is not the novel for you. If you like books that take its time telling its story, plays on all your emotions, has that dry British humor that not all people get, and has a Dickens like feel to them, then you might want to give this one a shot. I’m glad I did.

Available on Amazon at the link below:
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell