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A review by ksophialydia
The Reader by Traci Chee
5.0
Full review:
This is a book, and a book is a world...
Traci Chee's The Reader is one of the most fascinating books I've ever had the privilege to read. Scattered throughout the novel are words that link together to make a poem, and careful reading will reveal another instance in which a key phrase is revealed letter by letter amid the text over a few pages. But the magic in the text doesn't end there, and remembering what you've read the further you go on is especially important as the story comes full circle.
When I first heard about this book months and months ago my interest was solidly piqued. I love books about books. In addition to their own narratives, they tend to feel (to me) like you're having a conversation with an equally avid reader about the power of stories. From [b:The Thirteenth Tale|40440|The Thirteenth Tale|Diane Setterfield|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1346267826s/40440.jpg|849453] to [b:The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1390053681s/19063.jpg|878368] and so many other titles in-between, writers who write about books simply get it - that mercurial Thing that draws us readers to books. Traci Chee joins the ranks of authors whose love for the written word inspires yet more in her own readers.
The first real book, not a picture book or a leveled for phonics story, that I ever read was Little House in the Big Woods. When I was little, my mother would read to me before bed. I remember quite vividly that one night when I was in the first grade, after waiting what seemed forever for her I decided she was taking too long to come into my room so I picked up the book and started reading. I got lost in the story, I couldn't tell you how much time had passed, but I know I read several pages before she came in and asked me what I was doing. I told her, "reading, I got tired of waiting". From then on I read on my own every night before bedtime, and any time in between.
I share that anecdote because the magic I felt reading Little House was the same exact magic I felt while reading The Reader. I've fallen in love with books plenty of times, been transported by them. But this was the first time I ever felt how I did that night. Reading it literally made me recall that night. If that isn't a sign of masterful writing, I don't know what is.
Traci Chee's world building is top-notch. From the very first page - a poem with a hidden message - I was drawn in, like a swimmer sucked down by an rip current (but far less deadly). The story revolves around three different sets of characters and each of their locales is believable, rich in detail, and atmospheric. Language and slang varies between the sets of characters, but it never feels out of place in the context it's used.
Quest plots are tricky things, they can either be too easily solved, leading to boredom of the reader, or they can be overly complicated, twisting on itself in an effort to appear more than it is. Traci Chee struck the balance perfectly. While this is a middle grade (something I wasn't aware of going in), it does not skirt around on heavier topics. Violence, loss, love, betrayal, friendship, and hope are all woven together with a dash of magic by a deft hand. I did manage to predict two events before they happened, but I was so glad that they did that I have no complaints. If anything, their having occurred makes me even more excited for what the rest of this series has in store.
The whole cast of characters was likeable - excepting the cannibals perhaps, who were strangely heart-breaking, from the determined Sefia to the silent Archer, the outlaws to the Guard. Relationships grew gradually and that horrid trope of communication breakdowns was nowhere to be seen. Characters never did anything that screamed bad idea, which made for a truly enjoyable change from most books I've read lately.
As an aside, this book also reminds me heavily of the [b:In the Night Garden|202769|In the Night Garden (The Orphan's Tales, #1)|Catherynne M. Valente|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1320548374s/202769.jpg|196179] duology, but less difficult to follow because The Reader is linear compared to Orphan's nested story plot.
So yes. The Reader is pure magic. I didn't want it to end, but I had trouble putting it down. Pick up a copy when it's published. You won't regret it.
Original review:
Actual review tomorrow when I have time to sit and write about how utterly brilliant this book is but for now I will leave you with some vulgar language.
Holy shit, this book is amazing.
This is a book, and a book is a world...
Traci Chee's The Reader is one of the most fascinating books I've ever had the privilege to read. Scattered throughout the novel are words that link together to make a poem, and careful reading will reveal another instance in which a key phrase is revealed letter by letter amid the text over a few pages. But the magic in the text doesn't end there, and remembering what you've read the further you go on is especially important as the story comes full circle.
When I first heard about this book months and months ago my interest was solidly piqued. I love books about books. In addition to their own narratives, they tend to feel (to me) like you're having a conversation with an equally avid reader about the power of stories. From [b:The Thirteenth Tale|40440|The Thirteenth Tale|Diane Setterfield|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1346267826s/40440.jpg|849453] to [b:The Book Thief|19063|The Book Thief|Markus Zusak|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1390053681s/19063.jpg|878368] and so many other titles in-between, writers who write about books simply get it - that mercurial Thing that draws us readers to books. Traci Chee joins the ranks of authors whose love for the written word inspires yet more in her own readers.
The first real book, not a picture book or a leveled for phonics story, that I ever read was Little House in the Big Woods. When I was little, my mother would read to me before bed. I remember quite vividly that one night when I was in the first grade, after waiting what seemed forever for her I decided she was taking too long to come into my room so I picked up the book and started reading. I got lost in the story, I couldn't tell you how much time had passed, but I know I read several pages before she came in and asked me what I was doing. I told her, "reading, I got tired of waiting". From then on I read on my own every night before bedtime, and any time in between.
I share that anecdote because the magic I felt reading Little House was the same exact magic I felt while reading The Reader. I've fallen in love with books plenty of times, been transported by them. But this was the first time I ever felt how I did that night. Reading it literally made me recall that night. If that isn't a sign of masterful writing, I don't know what is.
Traci Chee's world building is top-notch. From the very first page - a poem with a hidden message - I was drawn in, like a swimmer sucked down by an rip current (but far less deadly). The story revolves around three different sets of characters and each of their locales is believable, rich in detail, and atmospheric. Language and slang varies between the sets of characters, but it never feels out of place in the context it's used.
Quest plots are tricky things, they can either be too easily solved, leading to boredom of the reader, or they can be overly complicated, twisting on itself in an effort to appear more than it is. Traci Chee struck the balance perfectly. While this is a middle grade (something I wasn't aware of going in), it does not skirt around on heavier topics. Violence, loss, love, betrayal, friendship, and hope are all woven together with a dash of magic by a deft hand. I did manage to predict two events before they happened, but I was so glad that they did that I have no complaints. If anything, their having occurred makes me even more excited for what the rest of this series has in store.
The whole cast of characters was likeable - excepting the cannibals perhaps, who were strangely heart-breaking, from the determined Sefia to the silent Archer, the outlaws to the Guard. Relationships grew gradually and that horrid trope of communication breakdowns was nowhere to be seen. Characters never did anything that screamed bad idea, which made for a truly enjoyable change from most books I've read lately.
As an aside, this book also reminds me heavily of the [b:In the Night Garden|202769|In the Night Garden (The Orphan's Tales, #1)|Catherynne M. Valente|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1320548374s/202769.jpg|196179] duology, but less difficult to follow because The Reader is linear compared to Orphan's nested story plot.
So yes. The Reader is pure magic. I didn't want it to end, but I had trouble putting it down. Pick up a copy when it's published. You won't regret it.
Original review:
Actual review tomorrow when I have time to sit and write about how utterly brilliant this book is but for now I will leave you with some vulgar language.
Holy shit, this book is amazing.