Challenge #17 ~ “A book published in the past three years that had a lot of buzz.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
My opinion in three sentences:
It’s a weird plot and an odd premise, but Stiefvater seems to do justice (and more) to such ideas in her writing. Packed with vivid imagery and absolutely breathtaking use of language, All the Crooked Saints is probably a read best chosen for its character explorations, as the pacing and momentum of the plot is not the strongest of elements. That being said, despite loveable characters and a good deal of intrigue, there by and large lacks a strong connection between reader and characters, which can lead to dry chapters and an easily put-down-able novel.
(Without spoiling anything) the best bit:
Have I mentioned how awesome Stiefvater’s use of language is? The characters, the landscape, the slightly fantastical elements of the storyline – they’re all brought to life by such vivid descriptions, gorgeous imagery and phrasing that perfectly captures the sensations and sentiments in even the most complex of scenarios. Furthermore, Stiefvater’s imagination goes above and beyond in this book to craft the bizarre premise into a solid reality and really capture a reader’s attention.
A warning for the book:
As novels go, it’s not the most polished. Whilst beautifully described, the fantasy world Stiefvater conjures is a little rough around the edges, with a plot that is a tad rushed at the end and characters that are lovable but not soul-stealers. It still gets four stars, so clearly these critiques aren’t serious enough to ruin the book, but a brush up here and there could have elevated it further into a novel fully worthy of grand proclamation.
Recommended for fans of:
- The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
- Saint Death by Marcus Sedgwick
- Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Dreaming With Your Eyes Wide Open 