All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

5 out of 5 stars

Finch and Violet meet at the top of the school bell tower - each intending to jump. Rather than leaping to their deaths, however, they walk away. Depressed after the death of her sister, Violet broke into the bell tower in a moment of weakness. Now all she wants to do is forget the incident ever happened. Finch, wild, unpredictable, vibrant Finch, however, has other ideas. After the two are thrown together on a school project, Violet starts to warm up to this unpredictable boy and an unlikely friendship begins which soon turns into something more. But Finch has a secret he's hiding, he doesn't know how long he has until one of his dark moods drags him back under and these precious moments of clarity, of being awake, disappear. 

 The publisher describes this book as a "heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die." 

That sounds pretty powerful, doesn't it? It is, but it also fails to encompass everything this book is about. I've read too many reviews comparing All The Bright Places to John Green's The Fault In Our Stars, an understandable comparison considering the publisher is one of the ones making it. However, I think comparing the books is a disservice to AtBP. 

Niven tackles the issues of mental illness, suicide, first love, grief, loss and finding ourselves with such grace and beauty that she deserves to stand on her own merits.  This book is a gorgeous narrative, an invitation to talk about something we rarely want to face: how pervasive and insidious mental illness can be. Finch is more than likely bi-polar, although he is never clinically diagnosed because, like many teens and adults, he refuses to admit he has a mental illness and won't visit a psychiatrist. Violet is almost certainly clinically depressed when the book opens. 

What is amazing about AtBP is that this book is both heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. It's both hopeful and stark. There are no punches pulled and it's easy to get lost in the pages and the characters. This is a book that lingers in your mind and stays with you long after the final page has been turned. It's a book you can't help falling in love with, even as its tearing your heart out.

Favorite quote: "We do not remember days, we remember moments."

Recommended for fans of Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. 

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The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey

5 stars out of 5

The only reality ten-year-old Melanie knows is the four walls of her tiny cell and the classroom where she and two dozen other children are taught each day. Every morning the children are strapped into their chairs, muzzled and restrained and then the lessons begin. Because these are not normal children and this is not a normal classroom. Melanie and her friends are high functioning hungries, little kid zombies who can think and feel and have a taste for human flesh.

In the future a zombie plague has all but wiped out humanity. On a secure base in England one of the last scientists, Dr. Caldwell, is studying Melanie and her classmates, trying to find a cure for the zombie pathogen. When the base is attacked, Melanie, her favorite teacher, two soldiers and Dr. Caldwell are forced to flee together. Dr. Caldwell wants to dissect Melanie. Miss Justineau wants to save the kid and the soldiers just want to stay the hell away from the little zombie freak. Melanie just wants to discover this new world unfolding around her.

Sometimes there are books that don’t quite fit in any one genre, but seem to span several at once. The Girl With All The Gifts definitely qualifies. One part dystopian, one part zombie fiction, and one part general lit, I’m betting booksellers are flummoxed about where to shelve this novel. Despite its genre spilt-personality, Carey’s novel is an enthralling read.

The book’s title refers to the greek legend of Pandora and it’s easy to see all the similarities between Melanie and her greek counter-part. There’s a thread of mythology running under this story that adds an extra depth to it. I really love the language and the intersecting stories. Carey has done a fantastic job creating relatable, flawed characters and no one in this novel is perfect, not even Melanie. I was riveted throughout and spent many late nights feverishly turning pages and holding my breath to see what happened next. The narrative is distant and yet intimate. The characters are utterly unforgettable and the ending perfect.

I'm normally not a fan of zombie fiction, but this book is the exception to the rule. And for good reason. Beaufitully plotted, gorgeous writing and a story that will stay with you long after the last page is turned, this book is not to be missed. As a side note, the novel is an extension of a short story Carey wrote, Iphigenia in Aulis, that was included in the Charlaine Harris anthology, An Apple For the Creature.

Favorite quote: "This gauntlet, flung down by a bullying, contemptuous universe that allowed human beings to grope their way to sentience just so it could put them in their place that bit more painfully."

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PB365 Round Up - Days 1-10

Day 1
	NOT IN THIS HOUSE by Kevin Lewis  An adventurous little boy is fascinated by creepy crawlies, but when he brings them into the house his mother immediately puts the kibosh on his plans. If he can't have bugs in the house, maybe something bigger will do. The little boy brings home an increasingly ludicrous assortment of creatures, from an elephant to a whale and more, and each is kicked out by his mom. Will he ever find something his mom is okay with? Amazon >>
Day 2
	DOGGONE DOGS! by Karen Beaumont A sleepy owner is dragged out of bed by his ten energetic, mischievous dogs and forced to chase them through town as the dogs run amok. From hanging out in a stinkweed field to crashing an obedience school and getting tossed in the pound, these ten pups are off on quite an adventure. Told in clever, sing-song rhyme and accompanied by hillarious illustrations, this book is a fun, doggone great read. Amazon >>
Day 3
	THIS BOOK JUST ATE MY DOG! by Richard Byrne  A little girl is minding her own business, walking her dog from one page to the next, when something strange happens. The middle fold of the book seems to have eaten her dog! Calling for help doesn't work as emergency vehicles and people get lost in the book fold as well. Only the reader can fix this catastrophe by lending a hand, giving the book a shake and dislodging the stuck characters. Super cute illustrations, clever writing and reader participation make this book a definite kid favorite in our house. Amazon >>
Day 4
	BLIZZARD by John Rocco One day in 1978 the snow doesn't stop for several days and when it's over, everyone is snowed in. For one young boy and his family, at first it's an adventure. But the kids quickly get bored and supplies are running out fast. The little boy straps tennis rackets to his feet as makeshift snow shoes and treks out to the market, taking requests from his neighbors along the way, in order to save the day. The story is based on the author's own experiences as a young boy and document actual events. Bright illustrations bring the story to life. Amazon >>
Day 5
	SPARKY! by Jenny Offil  When a little girl begs her mom for a pet she's informed she can have one as long as it doesn't have to be fed, walked or bathed. Undaunted the girl finds the perfect solution - a sloth! After ordering a sloth online she's thrilled when her new pet arrives. Sparky is interesting, but he doesn't do much other than lay in his tree and sleep. When a neighborhood girl insists Sparky's a lame pet, Sparky's owner decides to teach her sloth some tricks so everyone can see what a wonderful pet he is. But can a sloth learn tricks and will her big sloth showcase be a hit or a complete disaster? Adorable illustrations bring this charming story to life. Amazon >>
Day 6
	HUG MACHINE by Scott Campbell Meet the hug machine - a little boy prepared to hug anyone and everything! He's on a mission to hug everything around. From porcupines to whales, nothing daunts this super hugger. But after a long day of hugging everything in sight, will the hug machine have any hugs left for his mom? Simple, adorable illustrations and fun prose make this book a keeper. Amazon >>
Day 7
	CREEPY MONSTERS, SLEEPY MONSTERS by Jane Yolen  At the end of a long day at monster school these energetic monsters make their way home, go through their evening routine and get ready for bed. But even little monsters have trouble settling down and going to sleep in this cute monster-filled lullaby tale. Sparse, sing-song prose and lush, fun pictures will keep little ones begging for this cute tale to be read again and again before they turn out the lights. Amazon >>
Day 8
	IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE by A.H. Benjamin  Little mouse is having a terrible day! Everything goes wrong, from injuring his tail to sitting on thistles. But what little mouse doesn't realize is that each mishap is actually a blessing in disguise. Falling into a hole, for example, saves mouse from a hungry falcon even if it leaves his bottom bruised.  Each full page illustration shows what could have happened in lush color and perfectly conveys little mouse's consternation. Amazon >>
Day 9
	THE NO-NOTHINGS AND THEIR BABY by Anne Mazer  This book is basically Amelia Bedelia for the under-five crowd.  The story follows two utterly ridiculous parents who are dumb as rocks. When the two have a baby it turns out little Betty has all the brains in the family. From Betty's birth to her first trip in a stoller the story is filled with silly antics and goofy illustrations. My kids loved finding all the silly things in each picture and giggling over just how ridiculous the No-Nothings really are. Amazon >>
Day 10
	HOW TO BAKE A BOOK by Ella Burfoot This quirky book follows a little girl as she cooks up the perfect recipe for a fun picture book. From cutting out characters to adding just the right words to her bowl and pressing it all together, whimsy reigns supreme. Fun, bright illustrations bring the story to life and there are so many wonderful little details in each picture. This is the perfect read for any book lover, young or old and is sure to make you smile. Amazon >>

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PB365 Round Up - Days 1-10

Anatomy of a Misfit by Andrea Portes

5 stars out of 5

The story begins with the main character Anika pedaling as fast as possible toward some ominous, unnamed disaster. Throughout the narrative, peppered every now and then, come these chapters with Anika getting closer and closer to whatever disaster has her freaking out. It adds narrative tension and an element of mystery that the novel would otherwise lack. It makes for an action packed first chapter, but I think the story would be just as strong without it.

The main story is about Anika trying to figure out her life and her place in the school pecking order. Anika is #3 on the social rung, a place she's lucky to occupy and that is precarious at best. Anika hates mean girl Becky, social position #1, but doesn't dare cross her. Anika's best friend is an airhead who sleeps around and occupies social position #2. Just as Anika's beginning to consider challenging Becky's evil plots, uber nerd Logan rolls back to school on a moped, looking really hot and determined to win Anika's heart. If Anika admits she likes Logan, Becky will eviscerate her. Suddenly Anika has to decide whether to choose her heart or social acceptance.

These days, as a writer and YA reader, it's impossible not be knocked over the head with people talking about voice. It's that elusive quality that no one can quite define, all the publishers want and that can make or break an otherwise decent novel. This book has enough voice to fuel the entire YA genre for a year. It's the perfect example of how voice makes a story. Edgy, raw, sarcastic, deprecating, honest and authentic. Every aspiring YA writer should read this book for the voice alone. Added to that amazing voice, however, is a genuinely great story. There are plenty of books out there that deal with kids trying to navigate the rocky waters of the high school social scene, however very few of them do it this well. There's just something that drags you into the story and makes you want to keep reading, makes you care about the characters.

None of Portes' characters are perfect and their flaws and virtues makes each of them real, brings them to life. I also appreciate that Portes resists the urge to wrap her ending up in a pretty neat bow. I won't give away what the disaster hinted at throughout the book is but it's compelling and authentic to the story line. It fits and in the end is more than just a gimmick. The ending is raw and genuine, but still satisfying. It brings the story full circle to the issues that were introduced at the beginning of the narrative.

This is going on my shelf of favorite reads for the year and I hope you'll take the time to check it out. Fans of contemporary YA will not be disappointed.

Anatomy of a Misfit will appeal to fans of Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira and It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.

Favorite quote: "Let's just call it like it is, no need to pretty it up. I care what other people think of me. I'm not Jesus Christ. I'm just a girl in the world."

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Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

5 stars out of 5

Afterworlds is two stories told in alternating chapters. In the first story, Darcy Patel just graduated high school and she's managed to land a literary agent, a huge book deal from a New York publishing house and enough life changes to make anyone's head spin. Determined to be a 'real' writer, Darcy moves to New York, leaps into the literary scene and struggles to figure out who she is as a person and a writer. The second story is Darcy's soon-to-be-published novel, Afterworlds, in which 17-year-old Lizzie survives a terrorist attack by playing dead so convincingly that she falls into the afterlife and meets a hot Vedic death god. When Lizzie returns to the world of the living she discovers that she can see ghosts and that everything about her life has changed. Torn between her mom & friends on one side and her hot Vedic death god on the other, Lizzie tries to get her life in order.

This book is a perfect example of meta-fiction (fiction ABOUT fiction). It's basically a very long and tongue-in-cheek ode to the YA writing community, the book publishing industry, the YA reading community and life as a young adult living in New York for the first time. It's one part satire, one part love note to an industry Westerfeld has been entrenched in for years and one part literary romp. I loved it, but then I'm a bit biased as I love most of Westerfeld's books.

I was equally enthralled by Darcy's story and Lizzie's as well. Lizzie's story is your typical paranormal romance with the foibles and pitfalls therein. But the characters really came to life for me and I fell in love with all of them. Darcy's story on the other hand made me want to run away to New York and discover a new city for the first time. It made me long for YA Heaven and hanging out with other authors at YA drinks night. Little details like Imogen's collection of matchbooks fascinated me and brought the characters to life. This was a very long book and yet I flew through it and in the end it wasn't long enough because I would have kept reading quite happily.

Westerfeld is at the top of his craft and a master at bringing a scene to life. Take these two lines for example, describing a kiss: "Their lips met, and she breathed in the scent of the sun-heated tar beneath them and the salt of Imogen’s skin. She felt the rumble of the traffic below traveling up through the building and into her spine, her fingertips, her tongue." In just that tiny space Westerfeld vividly brings a kiss to life with scent, taste and tactile description and it's so beautifully done. Afterworlds is filled with scenes like this that leap off the page and feel so achingly real.

Unsurprisingly, the book has drawn some harsh reviews and some pissed off people. I figure those people probably haven't spent much time in YA land wallowing amid the books, following authors on Twitter, YouTube, at conferences and book signings. Their loss. For anyone who has, you will recognize aspects of your favorite YA authors in these pages and get a fascinating glimpse at one aspect of the publishing industry.

That isn't to say this book is perfect. A few reviewers are howling about how unrealistic Darcy's story is, in regard to her publishing experience. That is a legitimate gripe. I attended a book talk by Westerfeld just after Afterworlds came out and he said that he and his friends know young authors like this who get fabulous book deals. He also told another attendee that it's not that hard to get a literary agent. Here's the thing guys, Westerfeld and his friends, at this point, are like YA royalty. They're part of a group of highly successful authors and they've been publishing for years. The book market today is light years different than it was just five years ago even. I am certain that the young authors Westerfeld meets, and therefor those he partially based his book on, do get fabulous crazy deals, but he's meeting them because they are the outliers and not the typical debut author.

The hard truth is, getting a literary agent is tough and it takes luck, talent and persistence. Six figure book deals use to be, if not common, then at least not scarcer than hen's teeth for a debut author. These days, however, most authors have day jobs and don't earn enough from their writing to write full time. A $15,000 advance is far more realistic than a $300,000 advance. However, as I said, their are always exceptions and Darcy is one of those - she gets lucky, basically. It still happens, even in today's publishing world, so those critics howling at Westerfeld should perhaps calm down and read the book again because it's a fantastic piece of fiction that deserves to be read several times.

I think that Afterworlds may encourage a lot of young writers and that's never a bad thing. In the end, this book is fiction after all and as far as I'm concerned it accomplished its main goal: it entertained, enthralled and dragged me into another world. Two of them as a matter of fact. I'm not complaining about the journey.

Afterworlds will appeal to fans of John Green, Maureen Johnson, Gail Forman and YA books in general. There's something here for most YA readers.

Favorite line(s): "Mindy had explained that a lot of things had ghosts, not just people. Animals, machines, even things as vast as a paved-over forest or as humble as the smell of good cooking could leave traces of themselves behind. The world was haunted by the past."

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Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins

4 stars out of 5

Harper Price has the perfect life: she's homecoming queen, class president, top of the social scene and standing at the head of the line for cotillion. All of that goes to hell, however, when she encounters a dying man in the bathroom on homecoming night. The fatally wounded janitor grabs Harper and kisses her passing on his role as a Paladin - a supernatural and ancient warrior/protector. Mr. Janitor, however, dies without telling Harper who she's supposed to protect. That's okay though because two seconds later her history teacher bursts into the bathroom and tries to turn Harper into a shish-kabob. Harper fights back with her new-found fighting skills and kills the evil history teacher with her pointy high heel. And so begins Harper's mad, crazy, hilarious and oddly appealing story. This book is like Legally Blonde meets Buffy, The Vampire Slayer with a dose of Gone With the Wind thrown in.

Southern Belles kicking ass doesn't get much better as a plot summary, but it fits. I was giggling so many times throughout this book. It's not a heavy, weighty read. But it's irresistible none-the-less, a pleasant cotton-candy read to while away a rainy afternoon and make you smile. Rachel Hawkins writes engaging, memorable characters and has a turn of phrase that makes me envious as a writer.

There is, of course, the inevitable love triangle. Can a YA book that involves any amount of romance be published today WITHOUT a love triangle? Sometimes it doesn't seem like it. The love triangle was my least favorite part of the novel alas. Ryan, Harper's long-time boyfriend, is the school golden boy and Mr. Perfect. On the other side of the ring we've got David Stark - editor of the school newspaper, muckraker, general social misfit and Harper's arch nemesis since the were in diapers. At least David isn't your typical bad-boy - he falls into the same over-achiever mold as Harper. It's nice having two protagonists that are total type-A's and obsessed with school. David is the boy Harper has to protect as a Paladin, whether she wants to or not. And because of that and having to be around him so much, she suddenly discovers he's fascinating and she has feelings for him. Poor Ryan, he gets tossed aside like a used tissue.

The shining star in this book is Harper and her narration. They really make the book despite the love/hate and love triangle tropes. The pace if the novel is fast and furious with the occasional slow-down for a sweet little aside. So many lush details and funny bits and even though I want to smack Harper and David's heads together far too frequently, I still really enjoyed the book overall and will read the sequel. This is the first in a series.

Rebel Belle will appeal to fans of Beauty Queens by Libba Bray and Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan.

Favorite line: "Bruce Wayne's parents get killed and he goes to Tibet or whatever, and Superman is an alien, and Spiderman had that radioactive spider. Me? I kissed a janitor in the school bathroom."

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It's both a blessing and a curse that the world is filled with so many books. Walk into any bookstore and you'll find yourself overwhelmed with the vast selection. The popular books, much like the popular kids in high school, are the ones that get noticed, go on lots of book dates and get talked about. There are other, completely fantastic books that go relatively unnoticed. As time goes on, as years pass, those other books are too often forgotten.

Every few weeks I'll feature a lost book here on my blog. The sort of book I keep extras of to push onto unsuspecting friends and neighbors. The sort of book that didn't get the fanfare it deserved, may not be as well known, and is quite often lost on overcrowded bookshelves.

First up is May Bird And The Ever After by Jodi Lynn Anderson.

When 10-year-old May Bird stumbles through a portal hidden in the swamp, she finds herself in the Ever After, a strange world filled with ghosts. May is quickly followed through the portal by her one friend - her sour-faced, hairless cat, Somber Kitty. In this strange new world, the living are forbidden and cats are public enemy number one. May needs to get home fast, before the bogey man catches her and Evil Bo Cleevil, the despotic tyrant who runs the Ever After,  uses his power to turn her to nothing.

This is one of my favorite series in the history of ever. It's a middle grade reader with fantastic world building, lots of humor, adventure and unforgettable characters. May is a strong, gutsy little girl who stands up for what she believes. Somber Kitty is the original Grumpy Cat, written long before GC was a tiny kitten. In fact, I think GC may owe Somber Kitty some royalties.

Anderson manages to make Somber Kitty a central character to the story, imbuing him with personality and life, and never once resorting to the talking animal trope which is common in Middle Grade fiction. This is an animal companion done right.

Joining May & Somber Kitty on their adventure is a bumbling house ghost named Pumpkin. He's a well-meaning pudding head who sucks his fingers when he's nervous and thinks of May as his best friend, even if she's only just realized he exists.

There is so much to cheer on in this book. May rescues herself, no boys needed. The world building is phenomenal. There are so many lush little details, gorgeous descriptions, blocks of text that make me want to sink into this book and never come out. I laughed at the idea of Soul Cakes, the primary food used in the Ever After, and the Egyptian ghosts who hunt Somber Kitty, determined to capture this living creature and anoint him as their god, and then entomb him in a pyramid as Egyptians will do.

Every little thing in the Ever After has it's own unique, funny name and they're all so perfect. The locations. The characters. I become incoherent trying to describe it all. Let us simply say that if you love a good adventure and you can still find your inner-child, I think you'll love this book.

The publisher has recently released the first book in the series again with a new cover so you should be able to find this book at your local bookstore or library. Pick it up and give it a try. You just may fall in love with characters as much as I have. Fair warning, this is a trilogy and you will want to read the other two books, both of which are just as wonderful.

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Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

4 stars out of 5

Today is Leonard Peacock's 18th birthday. Today he will go to school, deliver 4 presents to the people he cares about most, and then murder the boy who's been torturing him for years and kill himself.

This book is filled with vivid images and great writing--words that hit like hammers and resonate long after you've moved to the next page. There are so many lines that I want to underline or highlight and read again because they have a kind of awful truth in them. But of course, I'd never deface a book, even for lines that I love.

I love that Quick isn't afraid to write about gritty things. So much of the story is told deep in Leonard's POV with long blocks of exposition. Normally that sort of book is slow and plodding, but this one drags you along and makes you want to keep reading. There's such amazing character voice throughout. I can still hear Leonard talking in my mind, the inflection of his words, his desperation, his hope, his insights and fears. All of them combine to make a unique story that is so hard to read and so beautiful at the same time. Because this book is filled with awful, terrible things. From page one Leonard tells us he's going to kill one of his classmates and then kill himself. But it's as much a book about hope as it is about darkness.

I particularly loved the "Letters From The Future" idea. What a fantastic way to get teens to focus on thinking about the good things that are waiting for them beyond high school.

Finally, there's a trend in YA books today to promote greater diversity in characters. It's a fantastic movement and an admirable goal. But the consequence of that trend is too many books with token LGBT or differently-abled secondary characters - ones that feel tacked onto the story just so the author can give a nod to having a diverse character. Quick didn't go that route. His characters FIT the story and their sexual orientation is part of their character and not just a convenient story point. This book is diversity done right.

Forgive Me, Leonard  Peacock will appeal to fans of It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini and Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford.

Favorite line: "Because you start a revolution one decision at a time, with each breath you take."

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Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

4 stars out of 5

When Georges' family moves to a new apartment in Brooklyn he sees an intriguing note tacked in the basement - "Spy Meeting Today." Enter Safer, a home-schooled, paranoid, spy-busting boy around Georges' age and Safer's little sister Candy. Plagued by troubles at school and home, Georges eagerly dives into Safer's world of spy hunting, on the lookout for the mysterious Mr. X - a sinister figure always dressed in black who takes a suspicious number of suitcases into and out of his apartment. But while life is just getting interesting it's getting more complicated too. Georges dad lost his job, hence their move, his mom is never home because she has to work extra hours at the hospital, and thanks to the Science Unit of Destiny at school Georges may end up labeled a loser and geek for the rest of his life if things don't change soon.

I really loved Stead's first novel, When You Reach Me, and was looking forward to reading her newest work. Stead has a flair for characterization I can't help but admire. It's easy to picture the cast of characters that fill this book and each is distinct and memorable. She's also a genius at description, bringing a scene to life with vivid, unique detail. I appreciate the language and turns of phrase in Liar & Spy more than anything. The plot, however, was a bit slow for my tastes. I was fully prepared to give this novel a 3 star rating as I enjoyed it but didn't fall in love with it overall. The last few chapters bumped that rating up to a 4 however thanks to an unexpected twist. Stead molded it so seamlessly into the novel that I felt like banging my head against a wall at the reveal and screaming "Of course! How did I miss that?" Always a good thing.

This is a fun, quick read and utterly perfect for middle grade readers who'll be able to relate to Georges struggles. I think it'll have equal appeal with girls and boys. As an adult reader I enjoyed the characterization but other than that didn't find any deep meaning or greater appeal for me in the book. I'm glad I read it, still a fan of Stead's work, but I enjoyed When You Reach Me more.

This book will appeal to fans of the Origami Yoda series by Tom Angleberger and The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman. This is a middle grade reader and you'll find it shelved with the middle grade and YA books.

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Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey

4 stars out of 5

Lost in the beginning stages of dementia, Maude struggles to hold onto her thoughts. One thought in particular keeps her worrying - her friend Elizabeth is missing. No one will listen and no one will help her find Elizabeth. Maude knows that something awful may have happened to her friend and she's determined to find out the truth. Seventy years before, Maude's sister, Susan, went missing as well and Maude never found out her sister's fate. As Maude's dementia progresses, the past and the present begin to mingle in her mind as she tries to unravel dual mysteries.

This is a heartbreaking book. I sympathized with Maude and at times cheered her on, at times felt only pity and occasionally squirmed with discomfort at her shenanigans. Emma Healey presents a brilliant and convincing portrait of advanced dementia, evoking sympathy not only for Maude but for her family and their struggles to take care of her. The language is beautiful with lovely unique descriptions that bring the story to life.

I felt that the story dragged on a bit in the middle and perhaps a third of it could have been edited down or cut. The pacing overall suffered from that mid-book slump and there was a repetitive feel to many chapters. I realize that is largely because Maude, herself, is stuck in a continuous loop, but that could have been conveyed without drawing things out so much. The mystery of what happened to Elizabeth and Susan is an interesting plot device used throughout the story. Unfortunately it's one of the areas that failed for me because in the mystery depart there was no twist offered at all. The answer to both questions was patently obvious from mid-way through the book and there were no real surprises, except the connection between the two mysteries.

In most stories there's a character arc where the main character progresses, in this novel, due to the nature of its protagonist, that's the exact opposite - her character devolves. The ending fit the story and fit Maude's character. I appreciate that, for the most part, Healey didn't feel the need to wrap things up in a pretty little bow. That wouldn't have fit her story or characters. Part of the tragedy of the story is that due to her dementia, though Maude ultimately solves both mysteries, she can't remember that fact. For her there is never any resolution, because there can't be. I applaud Healey for remaining true to her characters and story.

This book is likely to appeal to fans of Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, Still Alice by Lisa Genova and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. It's an adult contemporary novel and you'll find it shelved in the general literature section or with cozy mysteries.

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