So, the plan for today was originally a review. A review for Gayle Forman's new book, 'I Was Here.' But I've been working a lot more than I'd anticipated, and when I haven't been working, I've been stressing about finding a place to live, and filling out rental application form after rental application form, and when I haven't been stressing, I've been sleeping. So, my time to write and schedule posts has been zero. Nil. Nada.
Instead, you're going to have to get by with a simple, 'hi-de-ho update post.' I hope that doesn't bore you too much.
My life for the past week and a half has consisted of moving from roommate to roommate (because apparently nobody wants to live with me ever), and then, when that miracle finally occurred, trying to find the perfect place to live. Which is difficult. Much more difficult than I'd assumed. It's especially difficult when your to-be-roommate is living in another city and not able to come to inspections with you.
I didn't realise any of this. Perhaps I've been naive towards it all, but I thought the process was pretty clear cut. In case you're a first time renter: It is not clear cut.
I mean, the week in general has just been pretty shit.
I hope everyone in France is keeping safe. It sucks so much that you guys had this happen to you. Australia is giving you all our love. We understand what you're going through. It's still pretty fresh in our minds. The shock doesn't go away overnight.
I'm sorry. This blog has turned into a rant and, when not angry, it is unacceptably sad. Let's talk about other things, like daisies and rain and the possibility of a new tomorrow.
Who am I kidding? I don't really have time to.
I hope you lovely people are enjoying my blogging everyday so far - what have you been your favourite posts?
Hopefully my posts will return to their usual selves tomorrow.
Showing posts with label bedj. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bedj. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 January 2015
Sunday, 4 January 2015
BEDJ #4 | The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon.
As Scion turns its all-seeing eye on Paige, the mime-lords and mime-queens of the city's gangs are invited to a rare meeting of the Unnatural Assembly. Jaxon Hall and his Seven Seals prepare to take centre stage, but there are bitter fault lines running through the clairvoyant community and dark secrets around every corner.
The the Rephaim begin crawling out from the shadows. But where is Warden? Paige must keep moving, from Seven Dials to Grub Street to the secret catacombs of Camden, until the fate of the underworld can be decided. Will Paige know who to trust? The hunt for the Dreamwalker is on." (synopsis and picture from (x)
From the get-go I knew this book would take a different direction to the first one - in fact this seems to be Shannon's favourite thing to do: change the direction of the whole story at the very end. But it worked, and I really liked it.
Paige has escaped Sheol I. Her, along with a small number of other clairvoyants have made it back to London. But things don't go back to normal. No, instead Scion puts every effort into ensuring Paige is found. And she herself can't go back to the normality of the gangs. People need to be warned about the Rephaim. And she's the only one who can do anything about it.
Like I mentioned before, I didn't really know where this book would go. It worried me initially, but I think Shannon successfully pulled off progression of both the story, and the characters.
This is seen primarily in Paige herself. After spending time in the harsh conditions of Sheol I, she doesn't know how she fits back into the general scheme of things. Instead of becoming a wallflower and passive, she really comes into her own. She is a character that shouldn't be reckoned with. While she has a few stumbles along the way, she knows what's right and pushes herself to ensure it remains that way. I love Paige as a main character. In this book, we see a new side to her - a more ruthless side. It's fantastic.
The dynamics of Paige's relationship with Warden also change. In the first book, there is a clear line they shouldn't cross. In The Mime Order, that's not necessarily a thing anymore. The tension is at an all time high. I won't lie, there was a few moments of furious blushing on my part.
Shannon also did a wonderful job at rebuilding the world of Scion London. Unfortunately, we don't see a lot of it in the first book. As a result, the author has to remind us what it's all about, and then develop it more. She does a fantastic job at it. The descriptions of London are vivid and the little details she brings to the city make it all the more realistic.
The writing has also improved. My reservations from the first book have disappeared in this one. I really liked and appreciated it.
My only problem with The Mime Order is the pacing. For the most part, it's good. There is a little bit of inconsistency though. Understandably, the novel takes a while to gain momentum. New settings always do this. Once it does, however, it's like nothing can stop it. I felt compelled to continue reading.
This book is a bit of an oddball because it feels like not a lot happens, but a lot actually does. It's just not of the action-battle variety. Instead, it's quiet and creeps up on you. It's incredible because the author has all these little threads of side-plots that you don't think much of, but Shannon then turns around and makes it into a much bigger, more important thing later on. It's fantastic.
Overall, a great follow-up to The Bone Season. If you weren't sure about continuing the series, I think this book is proof that a lot is going to happen, and you really should. I'm very happily going to go along for the ride. 4 stars.
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Australia
Publication Date: 27th January 2015
Want to buy this book? You can get it here:
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury providing me with an e-ARC.
This review will also appear on Book Nerd Reviews
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