Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice's life on the road, always a step ahead of the strange bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice's grandmother, the reclusive author of a book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate - the Hazel Wood - Alice learns how bad her luck can really get. Her mother is stolen away - by a figure who claims to come from the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: STAY AWAY FROM THE HAZEL WOOD.
To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began . . .
Honestly speaking, this was one of the most beautifully written books I've read. But I've come to realize that sometimes the prettiest of words can't quite salvage a book when the plot goes haywire.
But I have to say I quite enjoyed the book for like the first two-thirds of it and here's why -
1. The writing gets all the stars from me. It was just so beautiful and the imagery was on point. I really loved how the writing pulled me in and made sure I couldn't put down the book. Melissa Albert really brings in the creepy and creates quite an atmospheric setting with her words.
2. The story is so creepy. This is the kind of creepiness i enjoy. I'm a wuss when it comes to horror but that dark-fantasy-evil-in-the-forest creepy? I LOVE it. It's the kind of story that when you're reading makes you think of dark forests, gloomy rainy days and gothic architecture. The story started off really great and I was so edge-of-the-seat intrigued!
3. The story flows so well. I read the book at college, in one sitting. That's like a huge achievement guys. But this is such an easy read and what with the immersive writing, it's the kind of book to take with you on the plane or while commuting. Basically a fast read.
So I know you're thinking SO WHY DIDN'T SHE LIKE IT?
So here's why despite the aforementioned awesomeness, I had issues with this book -
1. The characters fell flat. They weren't cardboard cutouts or anything, but I really couldn't connect with them. There are two main characters, Alice and Finch. While I did like Finch, I really didn't like Alice at all. At first I felt bad for her because she keeps moving around with her mom with no stability in their lives. And now her mother's gone! I wanted to sympathize with her but it's really hard to do so because she's not so likeable. She's rude, calls people names, has terrible temper issues and I just couldn't find it in me to root for her.
2. I saw the plot twists coming. There are a couple of 'twists' that are so cliched and trope-y that I couldn't NOT see them coming! plot-wise, this kind of dulled my enthusiasm to know more.
3. That ending. I still don't know exactly what went down towards the end and I feel like the book needs a sequel or at least a #1.5 novella to explain a couple of things. For one thing, the ending was rushed. The story doesn't really pick up pace for more that half the novel and afterwards, it's just so rushed. And it's also very confusing and left me dissatisfied. Most of the problems I had with the book had to with that ending. I can't say more without spoiling the story for you but yeah, not a good ending.
***
Have you read this book? Do you like open endings in a standalone novel? Tell me in the comments below!
Comments
Post a Comment