The Reader

tws: death, graphic violence, body mutilation

if u rated this book less than a 4 star i don't trust u anymore

WOW. the amount of planning, of world-building, and word-crafting here was phenomenal and absolutely mind blowing. it took me a bit to get into it but once i noticed the words at the bottom of the page i knew i had to read it quickly, and soon enough i was HOOKED. so many stories that weave together beautifully and kept my mind sharp as i tried to put the pieces together. wowowow!!!!

super shout out to mori for nagging me to read this!!!

This one seemed a little disjointed and introduced a lot of new story elements late in the book. The style and language are lovely but I won't be continuing with the series.

The writing style was nice, but I just couldn't get into the story. I gave it a solid try, but by almost the midpoint of the book the plot hadn't grabbed me.

A little slow to start but once I got immersed in the world and spent more time with The Book I got really into it. I love the meta-ness of the plot and the circular nature (spoiler? who knows?). The story does curl around itself like the pages of a book in the wind, I assume is intentional. I can't wait for the next book to come out!

I've read a lot of YA speculative fiction. A lot. Trust me on this: The Reader is very-good YA speculative fiction.

Sefia has, over the years, had mother, father, and aunt taken from her, and now she has decided to take action. She sets off in search of her aunt, carrying with her the odd rectangular object her father once so prized, an object she gradually learns is a book. Sefia takes on a stranger in her quest, who she names Archer, and the adventure is on. There are knife fights, pirates, islands, outlaws, and amid it all, Sefia learns to make sense of text.

This is just book one, so lots of the story is presumably set up for two and three, but you can see there is much more adventure to come.

And, c'mon, when have you read a story in which a book is a prized object along with outlaws and pirates?

Full review on The Bent Bookworm

This is one of those books that grabs you and just doesn't let go. I finished it four days ago and I still find myself thinking about the characters and wondering about them. It ended not so much on a cliffhanger exactly, as just leaving us with SO MANY QUESTIONS. Not only of the “what happens next” variety, but of the “why did they do that” and “how did THAT happen” sort.

The story is set in a world where reading is prohibited and books are unknown.

Well, that was certainly MY reaction to that idea, but these people quite literally don't know what they're missing. It's just the way their world is, and no one remembers (or perhaps never knew) anything different.

Two curves for her parents, a curve for Nin. The straight line for herself. The circle for what she had to do.

In Kelanna, when you die, they don't say prayers for you, for they have no heaven and no gods to pray to. There is no reincarnation; you will not return. Without a body, ou are nothing anymore, except for a story.

WHERE IS THE SEQUEL? I need it.