498 Pages (I thought I would include this little tidbit of information because I always wonder how many pages a book has and sometimes take that into consideration when picking which book I want to read next.)
Overall Grade: B (Since I can't give a book stars or anything I'll do letter grades.)
This was a very interesting book and I enjoyed it very much. It reads like a Bronte or Austen novel, which I like, and includes many of the same features in those beloved books. The main character, Ivy, has a family that resembles Ms. Elizabeth Bennet's but smaller, and her life experiences mimic a few other Austen characters as well as Jane Eyre. The largest difference is the element of magic. Magic is everywhere: in the foreboding Wyrdwood, to the Illusion shows in the seedier parts of town, and it is even studied in the universities although in the time frame of the book it is no longer taken as seriously as it once was.
It's a fun and interesting alternate universe to be in. For the most part it resembles 19th century England with just a few subtle tweaks and some new jargon. Honestly the hardest part for me to wrap my mind around was that she used different words for day and night. And it was strange that the length of the days and nights weren't the same as ours. Sometimes nights were seemingly 13 hours long because they had time to sleep and then started working while it was still really dark. It made me think of Alaska or something. I've never read another book that was like that but once I got used to that it made the whole "Altania" experience that much more real and enjoyable.
As for the plot, you follow Ivy through a year or two in her life as she seeks to discover the meaning to a riddle her father has left her in a book. In keeping with the narrative style of Austen and Bronte's work sometimes it can feel a little dry. Lots of discussions and meetings and general scurrying about by the characters happens and the plot moves along at a slower than modern pace. But that is one of the reasons why I like this style so much. You feel like you linger with the characters rather than run with them through the adventure. The characters are endearing and maybe it is just me, but Ivy is a character that is very relateable. You're rooting for her the minute her story begins.
The one thing about this book however is that it is the first in a series. Copyrighted in 2008 the second book might be completed but honestly I haven't checked. If and when I find it however I do plan on reading it to continue Ivy's journey and see how everything works out. And isn't that a good reccomendation in itself, that I'd bother to read the next book? I think so. So if you like Austen or Bronte, if you like magic, and if you like a good mystery this really is a neat book to pick up and read.
FYI: I will try in the future to not make every book I read a part of a series but this was the last book I read before returning to a beloved series that I will write something about later.
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."
- Frederick Douglass
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