If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Amy       
Lynnie    

young adult

In If I Stay by Gayle Forman, Mia and her family are in a tragic accident at the beginning of the novel.  The rest of the novel is Mia's backstory and her inner debate about whether or not to "stay".

Amy's Review

This was an interesting premise but the novel fell flat for me. The events that took place in real time were the most engaging while the flashbacks were mostly ho-hum—pretty much normal teenage stuff and minimal drama.  There was no mystery about the “big decision” Mia would make—of course she’ll stay because what sort of a message would the book deliver otherwise?  So, I’m a little confused about the acclaim for this one.  I suppose its target audience is teenagers and that the story is probably better appreciated by that demographic.  The tragedy of Mia’s situation and her seemingly idyllic life before the accident are probably more wondrous to someone younger than I am. 

The audio book narrator, Kirsten Potter, is a good voice actor but she sounds too old to be 17 year old Mia.  She’s not the right narrator for this novel. Therefore, I have to give her a B which isn’t her fault for being poorly cast. I’m sure I’d have given her an A for a more appropriate novel.

Lynnie's Review

Obviously, I'm heartless. 

This book just didn't inspire the strong emotional reaction from me that it did in the people who recommended I read it (or its many fans). I thought, actually, that it was sort of cliche--the actual car wreck you can't turn away from. I didn't even find the characters interesting most of the time and never felt invested in any of them. Sorry.

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje

Amy   

historical fiction

I became aware of Michael Ondaatje's Warlight when the narrator of the audiobook, Steve West (aka my favorite ear candy), posted that this audiobook made the list of Audiofile Magazine's Top Five 2018 Fiction Audiobooks. 

Sadly, this book didn’t do it for me.  It’s the story of a young man who was abandoned by his parents (and, later, his sister), raised by strangers, and became obsessed with figuring out his mother’s actions while she had been away. His life was not content. He was largely alone. The story was depressing. There was no big mystery or overall story arc. Rather, it was more like a series of short stories about individuals in Nathaniel’s and/or his mother’s life. The stories were out of order as the novel jumped around to various different time periods.  The big reveal at the end was not a surprise.  And it didn’t even answer Nathaniel’s questions about his mother. 

Steve’s narration was amazing, as always.  I thought his voice acting was superb and I credit Steve with getting me through the novel. The story itself was directionless.  There were interesting sections but the overall novel never went anywhere. While a few of the characters were quirky enough to make an impression, none of them were particularly likable.  

Lynnie's Favorite Books of 2018

I read fewer books in 2018 and I'm blaming it on grad school. However, I still managed to read 45 books (and the year's not over yet), and only three of those 45 were rated less than three stars on Goodreads- pretty impressive if I do say so myself. Two of those books were unfinished but you can't win the reading lottery all the time.  I gave five stars to four books, but one was a textbook for school (seriously, it was fascinating!) and one was my re-read of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling, which I won't include on this list as it's been a favorite for many years.  

Listed below are my favorite books of the year in no particular order (for full reviews, click on the book titles which will take you to the blog post for the book).  If you need something to read in 2018, I recommend any of them. 

Favorite Books for Grownups:

Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley
(The Checquy Files #2)

Full disclosure, I read this during the final week of 2017, but that was too late to include it on last year's list so I'm including it now.  The first book in The Checquy Files, The Rook was on both Amy's and my list of favorites in 2017 and the sequel did not disappoint! Creative, exciting, and full of non-stop action I can't recommend this series enough. (And bonus, I believe they are turning it into a tv series so read it before they do!)




Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

A fascinating sci-fi adventure that had me on the edge of my seat and stayed in my thoughts long after I finished reading. Because it's so well-paced there are no dull moments in the book and it reads quickly because it's hard to put it down.  The characters are interesting, even when you hate them, and the ending is messy and a little mind-boggling but also entirely appropriate and satisfying.  


Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Also on Amy's favorite's list this year, I listened to the audiobook of this novel and it was gripping.  The narration was spot on and the story itself had me riveted from beginning to end. The book was often difficult to listen to and managed to be both terrifying and full of hope. Like most of my favorite books it gave me a lot to think about after I finished it.  




The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Getting to know Evelyn Hugo and everyone in her life was an unexpected pleasure that really transported me and captured my attention while reading it.  I loved everything about this novel- the characters, plot, setting... Evelyn's story was a joy.



Favorite Books for Young Adults


The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

THUG was on Amy's favorites list from 2017 but I was a little late to the bandwagon; I wish I'd read it sooner.  This timely novel is an emotional roller coaster and the vulnerability and bravery of the characters moved me beyond words.  Read this. Get your kids to read it and the adults you know as well.  It's an important story and Thomas tells it with compassion.  



Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor
(Strange the Dreamer #2)

I am an unabashed Laini Taylor fan.  I love the worlds she creates and shares with us.  The first book in this series, Strange the Dreamer, was on both of our favorites lists last year and this year we share our love of Muse of Nightmares.  Reading Taylor's books is like reading through a dream and hoping you don't wake up. I can't wait to see what she creates next!



Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Adeyemi's debut novel had me from the beginning.  This book has creativity, characters to love (and hate!), and a fascinating mythology that both kept me informed and wanting to know more at the same times.  In my original review I mentioned that the world building reminds me of a Laini Taylor novel because of it's rich detail and the excellent pacing. I can't wait to see what comes next in this story.  




Honorable Mentions

Sourdough by Robin Sloan- I love Sloan's writing; his writing has just the touch of magic and whimsy that brings a smile to my face while I read.  This book amused me to no end. 

Still Me by JoJo Moyes- If, like me, you were disappointed by After You, Still Me reunites us with the Louisa Clark we fell in love with in Me Before You.  I had my doubts, but I'm so glad Moyes decided to write this book; I loved every minute of it. 

Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff- This is really a recommendation of the entire Illuminae Files series.  An engaging and interesting series throughout, but Obsidio really wrapped it up well in a style that kept me engaged.  


In case you're curious and looking for more reading ideas, here's a link to my favorites lists from 2015, 2016, and 2017. Also don't forget to check out Amy's Favorite Books of 2018 too. 

Amy's Favorite Books of 2018

Here are the best books I read in 2018. (These are not books that were necessarily released in 2018.) I read 56 books (so far) this year and chose not to finish another 5 books. I found it a difficult year for narrowing down all of my favorites to just the Top Ten.  I ended up removing most of the sequels (with a few exceptions below for the reasons stated) as a way to scratch out a few favorites. Nine of the ten books were written by new authors for me. 

My 2018 favorites, in order, were:

    1. Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor (young
    adult fantasy)

    2. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (fiction)

    3. Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan (historical fiction)

    4. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate (historical fiction)

    5. Eldest and Inheritance (Inheritance #2 and #4) by Christopher Paolini
    (young adult fantasy)

    6. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (young adult fantasy)

    7. The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle (mystery)

    8. City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson (young adult mystery)

    9. What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism by Dan Rather (nonfiction)

    10. All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin (women’s fiction)

Below are some details about these books, listed in alphabetical order. (For full reviews, click on the book titles above which will take you to the blog post for the book.):

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin (women’s fiction)  

In an expensive, private Nashville high school, a compromising photo of one student is posted by another student. As a result, the lives of several families get pulled into difficult situations due to the fallout and likely consequences.  The situation was so believable. I was able to step right into the story. The characters were interesting and made me want to keep reading to find out what happened to them. The topics of sexual assault, boys doing bad things in high school/college, and privileged people thinking they can buy their way out of troubles are all timely and current, as is the posting of inappropriate photos. This novel made me think deeply about these issues and consider how I might handle similar situations.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate (historical fiction)  

Told from two viewpoints, one an older woman looking back on her life and one a younger woman discovering the truth about her grandmother's life, it tells the amazing fictional story of Rill Foss and her family, victims of the real-life Memphis-based Tennessee Children's Home Society during the 1930s and 1940s. After it going going, I was completely sucked into Rill's story and had to find out what happened to her and her siblings. Her narrative was full of ups and downs
--harrowing, horrifying, and heartwarming.  She was a girl who was strong in the face of adversity of all sorts and braver than anyone could have expected. I loved the way Lisa Wingate crafted the story. I enjoyed both points of view and they never felt disjointed or placed at inopportune intervals, which can sometimes happen with multiple viewpoints.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (fiction) 

Bel Canto tells the tale of a group of people who find themselves in a hostage situation. A large group of people remain in a house, both terrorists and hostages, and learn to live in their new reality while ongoing negotiations take place. I was captured by this story and it caught me by surprise. The atmosphere in the house is almost like a situation where a group of strangers are stranded on an island. They are separated from their lives suddenly and unexpectedly and must attempt to make the best of the situation in order to carry on. It was a fascinating study of people, psychology, sociology, and the kidnapper/victim dynamic. I adored getting to know all of the characters and seeing how relationships changed over time. The language barrier aspect was intriguing. The anticipation about wondering how this would end was fantastic. I enjoyed the ride.

Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan (historical fiction) 

What a story! This novel details two years during WWII in which Pino Lella, an Italian teenager in Milan, helps Italian Jews escape to Switzerland, enlists in the war, and serves as a spy against the Germans aiding the partisan efforts in Italy. This is a fiction based on Pino's real story. He had an amazing experience. The novel also covers the highlights of all the characters' lives after the war and into current day so that the reader is able to learn what became of everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of this heroic, brave, strong, loyal, romantic, adventurous, devout, amiable, and smart young man. Mark T. Sullivan did a fantastic job bringing Pino and all the other characters to life. The story ran smoothly with just the right amount of background information, detail, and intrigue. There were such highs and such lows, the most shining moments and the darkest moments, and it is all written so realistically and clearly. 

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (young adult fantasy) 

A great read! Eleven years earlier, the evil king of Orisha killed all of the adult maji in his attempt to rid the country of the magic-wielding population, thereby ensuring his power over the people. However, he did not realize that magic might be returned to the people. A young woman named Zelie finds herself in a situation where she may be able to bring the magic back. I loved the characters and the mystical world containing fantastical animals. The novel got better and better as it went along. It was very difficult to read at times due to tragedies. However, it was also difficult to put down and was quite hopeful. It was extremely gripping, particularly, near the end. And some of the characters surprised me which is always nice even though some of them surprised me in a bad way. I'll look forward to the sequel.

City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson (young adult mystery)  

This is a fast-paced, suspenseful novel. I ate it up. Tina is a thief in a busy city in Africa. She has had to learn to survive after her mother was murdered. She joins a gang and learns to be a thief. Then, when she's so close to finally getting revenge on the man she suspects of murdering her mother, she is caught in the act. I was hooked and enjoyed every opportunity to read these pages. The characters seemed genuine, the settings were well-described, and the action was terrific. I can definitely see this one being made into a movie. I enjoyed reading about the African cities and villages and lifestyles, as depressing as much of it was. I appreciated the view into a new part of the world about which I don't know very much.

Eldest and Inheritance (The Inheritance Cycle #2 and #4) by Christopher Paolini (young adult fantasy) 

I read all four books in the series this year but these two novels, in particular, stood out.  I recommend the entire series for those of you who love epic fantasy. Eragon is a young man who unknowingly finds a dragon egg while out hunting and his life is turned inside out as a result. The story, characters, and adventures are all very engaging.  The characters and settings are all well-drawn.  Eragon travels far and wide and makes wonderful discoveries, allies, and enemies.  It’s a charming tale and all the more amazing that it was written by a very young author.

The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle (mystery) 

I couldn't put it down! Iris is stunned when notified that her husband, Will, was killed in a plane crash of a flight on which he was not supposed to be a passenger. He had told Iris he was flying to Orlando, but the flight that crashed was headed to Seattle. While grieving, she is driven to learn why her husband had lied to her about his flight plans. The characters were all interesting, the setting of Atlanta was full of fun local references of my home city, and the storyline kept me fully engaged. I was as determined as Iris to get to the bottom of the mystery. The fact that Iris was a psychologist gave the reader some important insights.

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor (young adult

fantasy) 

Even though this is a sequel, it was my favorite novel of the year so I could not exclude it.  The first novel in the series, Strange the Dreamer, made last year’s list. I LOVED this novel! This is only a 2-book series and it was terrific. Laini Taylor's creativity is simply the best--she wins!  Her ability to weave an engaging tale full of lovable characters in a dream world that is both scary and spectacular has been proven over and over with her novels. She's magical. This novel was like the most delicious dessert you could ever read! (And narrator Steve West's voice was the icing!) I had to know what was happening next. The story-crafting was superb. 

What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism by Dan Rather (nonfiction)

Part memoir, part history lesson, part political statement, this is a wonderful book written by an educated, observant, lifelong newsman. Each chapter has several sections which read like essays or news segments. Dan Rather is so rational and measured and brings out the facts in order to support and explain his statements. His humble childhood and natural curiosity, combined with good fortune in his career, have provided him with a perfect platform for weighing information and knowing the important points to make. He understands firsthand how impressions can change with exposure to situations, gaining new information, and meeting people. His message, while dire at times, is overall one of hope and confidence. I learned several things about historical events and national transitions and movements. 

If you’re hungry for more, here are my favorites from 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.  Also, don’t miss Lynnie’s favorites of 2018! (Three of the books above also made her list--Before We Were Yours, Muse of Nightmares, and Children of Blood and Bone!)

--Amy

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Lynnie

Amy    
  
fiction

Lynnie's Review

What an unexpected pleasure to spend some time getting to know Evelyn Hugo and the people who orbited around her life. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo alternates between Evelyn's evolution from her Cuban, New York upbringing to becoming a darling of the studio system and Hollywood beyond, and a current view of Evelyn's life as she tells her life story to a hand-picked biographer. All of the characters were interesting, even when they were being horrible and maybe even more so when they were being horrible. If you've ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in a celebrity lifestyle (even a fictional one), you will really enjoy Evelyn's tale. The only thing that kept me from giving the book a full 5 stars is that some of the conversations in the book were eye-rollingly self-aware as a few characters in particular sounded like they were having conversations they had rehearsed with their therapists before hand; it got a little heavy-handed with the life lessons sometimes for sure.

Still, this was a fun, easy read that captured my imagination while I was reading it. It's the first book I've read by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but I hope not the last. 

Amy's Review

This novel was captivating despite the fact that I really don’t get into all the Hollywood movie star drama and, if anything, this novel validated all the reasons that the movie industry has never left me star-struck. In fact, the industry was painted even worse than I imagined it through Evelyn Hugo’s experiences.  It’s a cut-throat, political business with many terrible people who use each other to make it to the top.  Despite this, the characters were engaging (even though I did not like Evelyn Hugo despite softening toward her at the end), the telling of the story was well done, and the mystery about why Evelyn Hugo had selected Monique Grant to write her life story was compelling.  I wanted to keep listening to the audio book to see how things turned out.

The three narrators all did wonderful jobs. I have heard Julia Whelan and Robin Miles in previous audio books and was introduced to Alma Cuervo in this one.  I give them all As.  They weren’t perfect, but they added to my enjoyment of the novel and were great voice actors.

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand

Amy 

mystery, women's fiction

The maid of honor is found floating in the water, dead, on the day of the wedding.  

The Perfect Couple is a murder mystery that was surprisingly enjoyable.  I don’t typically like murder mysteries.  Had I known this would be one, I probably never would have started it.  And the only reason I did start this novel is because I needed an audio book, this was available at the library, and Elin Hilderbrand had been recommended to me a while ago.  Browsing some of her other novels, it appears that this was a rare venture into the murder mystery genre for her.

Anyway, the story line grabbed me from the start and held my attention, unlike most murder mysteries.  The characters were realistic and relatable and the scenarios were interesting.  It got a little bogged down with too many secondary characters in sections but it was clearly written and engaging overall.  Sadly, it got depressing because most of the characters turned out to be faking their way through life, lying, and unhappy. So, by the end, I wasn’t as thrilled with it.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Erin Bennett.  I thought she did a fantastic job with different voices and accents. She also did a fine job voice acting.  She gets an A+!

 

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Amy    

fiction

Commonwealth tells the story of two families, or one blended family, over the course of several decades.  However, it is not told in chronological order or from one point of view. Rather, it is told in pieces that each focus on different characters, from various points in time.

At first, I was not enjoying it very much because I was reading it immediately following Ann Patchett’s novel Bel Canto which I had enjoyed immensely.  In comparison, I felt that the Commonwealth characters were not good, likable people. I don’t know if all of her other novels are similar to these two in that Patchett puts a group of characters together and sees how they interact. But, I felt that the setting, overarching story arc, and interactions were much more enjoyable in Bel Canto.  As I continued to read Commonwealth, I did not change my mind about these assessments but I did come to appreciate Commonwealth on its own merits.  I really liked the way Patchett crafted this novel in disjointed segments.  The biggest shock fell with the beginning of Chapter 2 but it was fun finding out how all the various lives played out over time and how the intersections took place in each story segment.

I had not intended to read two Patchett novels in a row, but I was in need of an audio book and this second one was immediately available. I am now going to take a break from Patchett but I will certainly read more of her books in the future.  The audio book was narrated by Hope Davis and I thought she did a great job.  She gave the characters individual voices, for the most part, and I thought her voice acting was appropriate. I give her an A.

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2) by Laini Taylor

Amy     

Lynnie  

young adult, fantasy

Muse of Nightmares begins exactly where Strange the Dreamer left off.  From Goodreads: "In the wake of tragedy, neither Lazlo nor Sarai are who they were before. One a god, the other a ghost, they struggle to grasp the new boundaries of their selves as dark-minded Minya holds them hostage, intent on vengeance against Weep."

Amy's Review

WOW! WOW! WOW!  I LOVED this novel! And I’m thrilled that there isn’t a third novel in this series.  Thank you, Laini Taylor, for not forcefully inflating the story arc in order to squeeze a third novel out of this series as many other authors would have done.  Of course, you did leave the door open for another sequel (which I would gladly read!) but you satisfactorily closed this one so perfectly!

Did I mention that I loved it?  I gave the first novel, Strange the Dreamer, four stars. I’m giving this one five stars.  Taylor’s creativity is simply the best—she wins!  Her ability to weave an engaging tale full of lovable characters in a dream world that is both scary and spectacular has been proven over and over with her novels. She’s magical. This novel was like the most delicious dessert you could ever read!  I had to know what was happening next. The story-crafting was superb.  I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next. 

Adding to the beauty of the novel, Steve West does the narration of the audio book with his velvet voice. I adore him.  Laini Taylor’s books + Steve West’s voice = pure awesomeness!  I will be missing these characters and Steve’s voice in my ear for a while.  West Withdrawal is a real thing for me!  And, of course, I give him an A+ for his fabulous voice acting.

Lynnie's Review

This sequel to Strange the Dreamer picks up right where that book leaves off; I found myself thrilled to send my imagination back to the Citadel and the Weep and all of the residents of both. It’s hard to say too much without spoiling the plot, but I can tell you that once you get to the 70% mark in the book, only read it if you have time to stay awake and finish. I kept thinking I would put the book down after the next chapter but it was so full of action and excitement I couldn’t drag myself away.

I am firmly in the Laini Taylor fan club. The worlds she creates are so engaging and while completely magical and unrealistic they also seem somehow plausible. Her world-building continues to blow me away. There is a nice reference within the story to Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, making it very clear that these worlds are related. I would not be surprised if her next book brings the two worlds together.

If you enjoyed Strange the Dreamer, this sequel will not disappoint you.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Amy   

fiction

Bel Canto tells the tale of a group of people in a hostage situation.  A large group of people remain in a house for an extended period of time, both terrorists and hostages, and learn to live in their new reality while ongoing negotiations take place.

What a joy this novel was! I really was captured by this story and it caught me by surprise. I did not know the story line before I read it. I just knew it was a beloved novel and that a movie had been made about it. I knew there was an opera singer but that’s all. This is the first Ann Patchett book I’ve read. I really cannot think of a single reason to withhold any stars so I’m giving it 5 stars—a rarity for me, as you know if you follow my reviews!

The atmosphere in the house is almost like a situation where a group of strangers are stranded on an island. They are separated from their normal lives suddenly and unexpectedly and must attempt to make the best of the situation in order to carry on. It was a fascinating study of people, psychology, sociology, and the kidnapper/victim dynamic. I adored getting to know all of the characters and seeing how relationships changed over time. The language barrier aspect was intriguing. The anticipation about how this would end was fantastic. Yes, perhaps some of the situations were pushing reality and just a little too convenient at times, but it was all plausible and Patchett’s writing made it believable and kept pulling me back for more. The only major flaw I could find was that one of the characters develops conjunctivitis yet no one else in the house catches this very contagious condition—even the characters who played chess with him!  But that is not worth withholding a star.

I enjoyed the ride and I’m surprised how much I enjoyed this moderately-paced tale that included no real adventure or suspense. It just had such lovable characters with interesting motivations and backgrounds and it was those personalities and interactions that kept me engaged.

The narrator of the audio book, Anna Fields, was delightful. I loved her voice, her accents (of which many were required in this story full of global characters), her voice acting, and her clarity of tone. I give her an A+! She definitely added to my enjoyment of the story. Sadly, I found out that she died tragically a few years ago in a freak flood.

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

Lynnie

contemporary fiction

Like most people, I knew of Hank Green because of the vlog that he and his brother John share. For a debut novel, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing was a lot of fun but unfortunately I didn't really love it. Also be warned, it's entirely possible there will be a sequel because the ending is...not quite an ending.

Anyway, the story was interesting and fast-moving; I thought the Carls were a fascinating idea and was eager to see what would happen. Most of the characters were quite charming EXCEPT for the main character who, I'm sad to say, I hated. The more I read about her, the more I disliked her, which really made it difficult to enjoy the book. I don't think the writing style did her any favors and the nonstop pop culture references reminded me of reading a P.C. Cast novel, which didn't help endear me to the book. I found myself often wondering how this book will hold up in 5 or 10 years when all of those references become outdated.

That said, it is a fun story. I think it will be hit or miss with most people though.

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Amy          Unfinished = no rating        

Lynnie    

fiction

This is the story of a family with five boys--the individual histories, the interactions, the heartbreaks, and the injustices.

Amy's Review

I am quitting Bridge of Clay after making it 65% of the way through. I REALLY was looking forward to Markus Zusak’s long-awaited new novel. But it’s so boring and frustrating to read. Zusak has written the entire novel in a roundabout style full of poetry, metaphors, allusions, and innuendo. I’m sure there are some English Lit majors out there who will eat this up. I do appreciate the artistry. I do. But the story line is simply not interesting enough for me to keep making the effort to get through all the artistry. When the writing itself is such a hurdle for the reading process, that is not fun for me. To say something positive, I did like all the short chapters. It allowed me to read in little chunks and take lots of breaks. The problem was that it was then hard for me to get motivated to pick up the book again.

The story itself was sometimes too vague and directionless. Unusual things and behaviors were stated as givens but no background was provided as to why those things had to be the way they were. I chalked it up to a family of quirky people who danced to the beat of their own family drum. And some of it was made clear later in the book. But, it added to the frustration on my part and did not pull me in.

There was no suspense, no big mystery (except for wondering whether the story would ever get interesting), and we were not made to feel close enough to any of the characters to understand who they were or develop any love for them. They were all just odd or ill-behaved.

I’m really sad to give up on this novel by the same author as the incredible novel The Book Thief. But, I suffered through The CasualVacancy by JK Rowling after figuring it HAD to get better because of the author. I won’t do that again. Authors cannot write amazing hits every time.

Lynnie's Review

This is a tough review for me because I love Markus Zusak’s writing. I have read all of his books—The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger, and his Wolfe Brothers series.

But, here’s the thing—Bridge of Clay is essentially the Wolfe Brothers if it was narrated by The Book Thief’s Death. Sure, the number of brothers is different and obviously the story is not exact, but there are enough similarities that Bridge of Clay always felt like something I’d read before. In fact, looking back at my old review of Fighting Ruben Wolfe (the second Wolfe Brothers book), I wrote, “The Wolfes are messed up, unemployed, delinquent, and loyal to the core.” Exchange “Wolfes” for “Dunbars” in that quote and you have Bridge of Clay. The difference is the style of narration, the poetry of which worked beautifully in The Book Thief but just annoyed me to no end in Bridge of Clay. Several times I thought about not finishing it but I plowed through. You might have more patience for it if you have not read the Wolfe Brothers books (which most people haven’t from what I can tell), but for me there was too much déjà vu.

The most interesting parts of the book for me were when it focused in on the Dunbar parents—because those parts felt new—but there wasn’t enough of them to make me enjoy the story.

So, it breaks my heart to do this, but I have to say 2-1/2 stars.