A review by lemurdance
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Apparently I read this one 10 years ago and hated it? But I have no recollection of either, so I'll chalk it up to reading it at the wrong time.
David, at age 12, has endured the death of his beloved mother, his father's remarriage and subsequent move to a new house, and now a new baby brother. After he begins to hear the whispers of books everywhere around him, he eventually finds himself drawn into another world--and must fight his way through an entire world of fairytales made real to get home.
With clear homage to both Narnia and Oz, Connolly also gives twisted fairy tales (for which I personally have a weakness) an excellent home in this fantasy world. Though not as dark as, say, Melissa Albert's Hazelwood series, there is plenty of death and corruption in these "true" versions of familiar tales. I'm excited to dive into the newly-released sequel soon!
David, at age 12, has endured the death of his beloved mother, his father's remarriage and subsequent move to a new house, and now a new baby brother. After he begins to hear the whispers of books everywhere around him, he eventually finds himself drawn into another world--and must fight his way through an entire world of fairytales made real to get home.
With clear homage to both Narnia and Oz, Connolly also gives twisted fairy tales (for which I personally have a weakness) an excellent home in this fantasy world. Though not as dark as, say, Melissa Albert's Hazelwood series, there is plenty of death and corruption in these "true" versions of familiar tales. I'm excited to dive into the newly-released sequel soon!