Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

1/5 stars

How’d I find it? With much anticipation, I picked up my copy at Atomic Books on publication day.

Why not 3 or more stars? I know. I eviscerated Fourth Wing like a clubtail. Don’t expect much different from Iron Flame. Xaden’s jaw is ticking, Violet is lifting her chin, and Ridoc is clapping people on the back. Repetition of key plot points, characters’ states of mind, and personality traits ensure quick consumption of this book’s 622 pages, with twists served up so gently and obviously that you feel like a genius for having guessed them. I give this five stars for entertainment value and anxiously await the third installment.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

1/5 stars

How’d I find it? After watching readers at Solid State Books clamor for weeks over the store’s trickle of copies, I had to see what all the fuss was about.

Why not 3 or more stars? Jaws can clench, tense, drop, and harden; they can be thrust or jutted or set. But can they tick? Seriously, I am asking. This is one of many (many) linguistic hurdles of Fourth Wing, the first installment of the highly entertaining dragon-riding series by Rebecca Yarros. I inhaled this book gleefully but required frequent breaks because (and I’m going to use Yarros’ darling ellipsis here)…the writing. Some pauses were giggle fits brought on by the narrative billboards that were characters’ names (The love interests? Xaden and Dain.) or by our protagonist’s vagina being described as her “entrance.” Others were little mind puzzles, like ticking jaws (maybe it’s part of this world’s language?) and a wild reveal that you will nevertheless see coming after 450 pages of passive-aggressive flirting and chin cupping. While I recognized some nods to empowerment and identity acceptance that felt fresh, I also noted that Yarros carefully skirts race and oppression in a book run through with classism.

In a society where remakes and products of mass appeal comprise much of our cultural diet, Fourth Wing demands nothing from the consumer, and it’s no surprise. Disappointing, yes, but no surprise. What can I say? I can’t wait to read Iron Flame.

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

4/5 stars

What's it about? In the riveting conclusion to His Dark Materials, Philip Pullman reveals what happens after Mrs. Coulter kidnaps Lyra and Will meets his father. The fate of the universe is resolved in this satisfying page-turner. It would be unfair to say much else about the plot. Read it!

How’d I find it? A dearly loved friend gave me a set of His Dark Materials books as a thank you for participating in her wedding. Yeah, she’s the best.

Who will enjoy this book? I mean, if you enjoyed the first two books...

What stood out? Mary Malone's storyline was my favorite, mainly because of the mulefa's charm. This book contains some real nail-biters: the Battle on the Plain, the fight with Metatron, and the excursion to the land of the dead. While I wept several times towards the end of the book, I found the evolution of Lyra and Will's relationship rushed and a bit corny, but this is a small complaint given the series' excellence and its emphasis on love and kindness. I tip my hat to you, Mr. Pullman.

Which line made me feel something? The angel Xaphania on imagination as travel: "...that does not mean making things up. It is a form of seeing."