The main character
took his work seriously and kept a low profile, but when he was summoned to a
meeting with "Extremely Upper Management," this book promised something warm
and quirky. It more than delivered.
What I love about this
book is the layers beneath the story. I work with young people and immediately
saw the parallels between school inspections and the safeguarding of vulnerable
children. The "orphans," despite their magical nature, feel very real, with their
boisterous energies, vivid imaginations, fears, and night terrors.
The author
even touched on thoughts like nature vs nurture and how early experiences
shape the rest of our lives. This could easily be a literature text. This book stayed with
me for days after I finished it. I went back and reread sections that moved me.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not…
I love the author's
beautiful, hypnotic writing. The prologue was so alluring I just had to read
on.
Then I fell in love with the book when I read this line in one of the
earlier chapters: In his bitter mind's eye, he saw the little hill town for
what it was, a shabbily self-satisfied knot of shops and houses, peering over
its surrounding wall like a gossip over a fence. I swooned, and when I
recovered, I was hungry for more of her intoxicating words and devoured the
book.
I am in awe of the
author for creating such an enchanting story with layers and underlying themes.
The consequences of our life choices and mental health like PTSD are very
cleverly weaved into this plot. An amazing read!
In a world where anyone can create life-destroying curses, only one person has the power to unravel them. Kellen does not fully understand his talent, but uses it to help those who have been cursed, including his ally and closest friend, Nettle. But Kellen himself is cursed, and unless he and Nettle can release him, he is in danger of unravelling everything - and everyone - around him.
For fans of Leigh Bardugo and Neil Gaiman comes Frances Hardinge's spectacular novel Unraveller. Called her 'best yet' by the Guardian, Hardinge expertly…
This book opened my
eyes. Growing up in Singapore, I was familiar with the Philippines as a neighboring
country, as many Singapore domestic helpers hail from there. However, I
had a very cursory knowledge of the country’s history and culture.
The details and
descriptions in this book whisked me into the wilderness of the Philippines,
giving me a flavor of the tribal lives in the mountains, from superstitions
and rituals to lifestyle and livelihood.
Most of the countries in the region
were under colonial rule, but I only knew Singapore’s history under English
rule. So, I enjoyed learning about the arrival and impact of the Americans to
this part of the world.
The Philippines, 100 years ago. A boy called Samkad wants to become a man. He is desperate to be given his own shield, spear and axe. His best friend, Luki, wants to be a warrior too - but she is a girl and that is forbidden. Then a new boy arrives in the village and everything changes. He brings news that a people called 'Americans' are bringing war right to his home . . .
In rural China, during the New Year celebrations, Kai receives devastating news. A poor harvest spells disaster unless his mother accepts a job in the city caring for a wealthy family.
Abandoned in his mountainous village, Kai is desperate to bring his mother home. He gives in to superstition and unlocks the secrets of the Great Fire Tree. The Great Fire Tree will grant Kai’s wish—for a terrible price. With the help of his new friend Xinying and his trusted piglet, Kai will make a sacrifice to make his family whole.
Justine Laismith weaves together Chinese mystique and rural charm in an enchanting tale of an antidote that kills and an amulet that curses.
