19
Dec
Around here—and I hope you already know that—we love Christmas. But we don’t only love it for the vibes and the food and the presents and the celebrations, there is something else. Time. Around Christmas, we usually have more idle time. Especially around that rather eerie period between the 25th and the 31st, when there appears to be some kind of a temporal loop. Everything slows down and speeds up at the same time. One doesn’t know what day it is and what hour the clock shows, they just know of the yummy leftovers from Christmas, the laughter of the people around us, and the myriad of possibilities.
That is why, in today’s post, we will explore one of our preferred possibilities, reading. But not just reading and not just any book. We are talking wintery reads. Not springy self-help books, summery romances, or autumnal cozy literature. During winter, we want insanely good writing, because what else can take away the blues better than quality wording?
Moreover, we want action and drama and crazy-inventive storylines! I am aware we have quite a few needs, but we are proud to announce they have been all met by certain books. So we consider ourselves capable of passing on the knowledge.
In the next few minutes, I will present to you my perspective, praise, and critique on three series that I think are perfect for this uncanny valley time of the year. I chose series because, let’s be honest, just one book of this kind of mastermind plot and storytelling style would not suffice. Out of the three, one was also read by the Moon, who adored it, naming it one of her favorite fantasy books of all time!
Here we go:
1. The Shepherd King Series – Rachel Gillig
I wanna start off by saying, I am not that good at summing stuff up. I tend to lose the red thread and go off on side paths and metaphor choices and confuse everyone, including myself. Due to this, I will extend myself the present of not doing that. Instead, I will let my imagination run wild and tell you all the information I think you should possess in order to decide whether you want this series to be your under-the-tree read.
Firstly, the main idea behind the story of this book is mind-blowing. Without giving away too much, the fictional place of Blunder is choked by a magical mist that keeps growing and growing. People get lost in it and never return, as they are being claimed by the Spirit of the Wood. Magic seeps through every page of this book, as each character is shown manipulating or being manipulated by Providence Cards (their meaning and abilities are so beautifully explained throughout the two volumes, I won’t even try to touch that).
Secondly, the writing is so unique and stunning. The descriptions are at that ideal intensity that they truly pull you into the world without overwhelming or boring you. Moreover, the dialogues are witty, realistic in style and pace, while also fitting each character’s persona. Regarding characters, I must say I was left with a sort of blandness at the end of the first book. I felt as if some of them were quite generic or had no underlying depth. However, that issue was rapidly resolved in the next publication, so I can’t even complain about that one anymore!
All jokes aside, we both think this is a piece of art. Personally, the energy of the first book either freaked me out a tiny bit or didn’t match my own, but I didn’t seem to have the same problem with the second one. Maybe it was until I got used to the misty Universe with all its political transactions and cruel disregard of a human life.
In the end, this creation tackles the question of when your humanity ends in a deliciously wicked way. We do hope you end up reading it so you understand why we’ll end this section with be good, be clever and be wary.
2. Villains – V. E. Schwab
Schwab is, in my humble opinion, a truly incredible author. She really understands how to create organic characters. What I mean by the statement is that one can clearly see how they change with the development of the plot. They react and they adapt, as if she just shoved miniature versions of people inside the pages. It goes further than just the protagonists, everything seems so alive. Even if the concepts are supernatural, they are integrated so seamlessly that, in the end, they just make sense. It makes you doubt the real world, and what more can you ask of a story?
All that she writes is so unique and distinctive, I don’t even understand how she comes up with some subjects. For example, another one of her gems, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, got me out of a pretty ugly reading slump back in 2020. I even used it as an example in my literature final exam at the end of high school.
And, exactly as I suspected… I went on a tangent. Let’s draw our attention back to Villains. Its two books Vicious and Vengeful are playing around with maliciously attractive subjects, such as antagonists as the main guys. How curiosity and power might just turn you into an echo of who you used to be. A very gritty and sarcastic one.
I am quite sensitive to literary craftsmanship. I can’t physically enjoy a badly written book, no matter how fun it is. It irks me. Nonetheless, this is precisely the opposite. The way Schwab plays with words and feelings melts into your brain in such a satisfying way. The only thing I would have to say against this book is the fact that the characters annoy me. That is obviously not bad, she probably wanted it that way. They are all stubborn, stuck in their ways, and overall irritating. I usually like to have a protagonist or antagonist to root for, but here, I couldn’t really hang on to any.
Nonetheless, this series breathes and walks on its own. If anything can be said about the author is that she doesn’t just tell, she shows.
3. Emily Wilde – Heather Fawcett
Let us start this last section with a moment of honesty: I haven’t read all 3 parts of this trilogy. More precisely, I keep waiting for the right moment to read the last one, because this series came into my life in such a fragile moment, and it has made a huge improvement in my mental health. Alas, I am also aware of the fact that I have to create that right moment. And I will… after I finish my current read.
Besides my thinking errors, I have one more thing to confess. I have no idea whether the facts in this book about faeries are made up or not. That is just how incredibly scientifically accurate Fawcett’s writing sounds. Everything just seems sooo true. Sometimes, it reads like a science article (believe me, I have read quite a few in the last years because of my degree). But, keep in mind, it is a science article about magical creatures! They are misunderstood meanies that toy with you and bargain everything away for a piece of chocolate.
The books are so much more than that. They are extremely funny in a subtle way. I mean, even the main plot: a very serious and very academic scholar journeying to different locations to study faeries. Kinda makes you wanna puff out a laugh. She also owns a giant, fluffy beast of a dog and an innate ability to make people avoid her.
I have never seen before such an intricate way to write a fantasy book. It is a literary chimera: part belletristic, part academic paper, part journal. My only critique is that, sometimes, the plot is a little slow. Action is not the main goal of the story, although there is plenty of it. I, personally, don’t mind it, I enjoy breaks to take in the inky view. It is quite a magnificent one.
It’s really difficult to not talk a lot about books. I was afraid of that. There is never enough space when you wanna fill it with thoughts and opinions. Quick promise: this won’t be the last bookish post. No no, this is just the beginning. So, until next time, cuddle up underneath a fuzzy blanket and place yourself next to the fireplace (or a very warm-blooded loved one) and choose your yearly time loop read.
Kurtiboo
What a cute collection!<3 I hope I’m not too late to dive in (New Year’s already came and went-time at home should really be studied:')), but this review made me seriously crave some Fawcett—pun very much intended (iykyk). And since we’re here, happy New Year! Sending hugs to the Celestials, and please keep them coming (the book reviews)!:*
The Cozy Sisters
Happy New Year🫶 I am currently reading the last book from the trilogy and I can assure you, it is worth it!!!
Kurtiboo
Then I will get to it! Thank youuu!<3