review
I was perusing a used book store months ago, and I found the middle book of the Faeriewalker Novel series by Jenna Black. I bought it and the third book, and ordered a used copy of the first book online so that I'd have all three, knowing I'd devour them all quickly since they are YA.
Things did not go as planned.
I really wanted to like this book. I knew it was YA and so I didn't expect perfection. But? I just. couldn't. even.
I know that in many stories the protagonist should be easy to imprint onto the reader, so that they can put themselves in the hero's place and relate easier. This character wasn't easy to relate to- she had no personality. She basically complained about her mother being an alcoholic, and spent inner dialogue time convincing us all that she wasn't like other girls.
"I'm not like other girls" is still a thing? This book was published in 2010. Why are we still telling 13 year old's that they need to hate their gender and be "cool" to be worthy of boys? It came up a few times, as well as some strange "he hits me because he loves me"- but is supposed to be bdsm light- that didn't quite hit its mark.
I know this is a harsh one, but I really couldn't find much redeemable in this story. Even the world itself wasn't given enough fanfare to want to know more. You just want Dana to go home and grow up.
Louise Pentland is one of my favorite YouTube personalities and whom I've followed for many years. I was so excited when she came out with a novel and pre-ordered.
There are many ways in which you can tell this is a first time novel and something heavily edited by a team. There are some paragraphs that feel too succinct and like someone said "tweens are reading this too, so sum it up." She can't help that she has a younger demographic than she may be writing to, and I can forgive that minor thing.
What I really enjoyed was the vulnerability of the main character Robin, and the way that she described her depression and negative self-talk. Most Bridget Jones-esque "every woman" books mention sadness, but in a different way. They talk about pounds gained or a drunken escapade- a sliver out of an otherwise pain-free mental life. Anyone who has experienced depression and self-doubt will tell you that it is an every day struggle and I loved how Louise not only had her character dealing with it, but in no way shamed that character for it. It was a part of her that didn't need to be eradicated, simply worked on.
Robin falls for a jerk and the moment she realizes it and tells him off is very satisfying! The other people in her inner circle seem great, I would love more from her best friends and the flower shop and more from her mommy friends at school. I think Louise has the potential to write some really powerful stuff if she's allowed, and I'd love Robin to have a different path than Louise's so we can really see where her imagination can go.
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