Book Review: "Montmorency" by Eleanor Updale

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

After he almost died, thief Montmorency was put back together by a genius surgeon while in prison. Years later, he has hatched a plan to gain wealth from all of the knowledge he has gained from his times being the subject of scientific lectures. He'll use the sewer system of London to get around. He needs an accomplice but has no one he trusts. Suddenly he has an alter ego and finds himself split into two lives: one as the wealthy Montmorency, and the other as the thief, Scarper.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Montmorency is underestimated and is believed to be just a dumb criminal. But he is smart and takes in everything around him, as well as a skilled actor who acquires the ability to imitate others. He desires to eventually live his life as a gentleman and leave his life of crime behind.

Scarper is Montmorency's other persona. The servant to Montmorency and the thief who stockpiles stolen items in a shoddy little apartment. Unlike Montmorency, Scarper likes to steal merely for the challenge in it.

George Fox-Selwyn is a gentleman that Montmorency saves. He invites him to a gentleman's club and the two eventually spend a lot of time together.

Doctor Farcett is the man who operated on Montmorency in prison and saved his life. Eventually he becomes a threat to Montmorency and his secret identity.

Cissie is the daughter of the man who owns the hotel that Montmorency stays at. She is obnoxiously childlike, hounding him and trying to get his attention.

PACING

The story is one more of a suspense than action. It isn't even until chapter nine that Montmorency gets to leave prison. Although one never feels the time is wasted, as we get to see, step by step, how Montmorency plans on how to become both Scarper and Montmorency. And sometimes the suspense is forgotten, as I enjoyed watching Montmorency learn to be a gentleman, it never really felt like a threat was there.

JUST MONTMORENCY

There are a few side characters, but no one who is consistently in the story. And Montmorency never gains any confidantes. I desperately wished for someone to learn about his double life, or to at least suspect it.

On the positive side, Montmorency is really charming. From the beginning, it's easy to sympathize for him, as he is a victim of abuse from fellow prisoners and those that absorb him in scientific lectures. But he shows himself to be intelligent and hardworking, not to mention the childlike innocence and eagerness he reveals in learning how to be a gentleman.

JEKYLL & HYDE

I thought it was an interesting aspect of the book that Montmorency decided to create two individuals: Montmorency the gentleman and Scarper the thief. We never learn his real name, and eventually I started to believe he was mostly Montmorency. But it seems like Montmorency is his future and Scarper is his past.

Eventually he wishes to stop stealing and just stay Montmorency, but Scarper and his old habits won't go away. I thought it was very reminiscent of the classic novel, “Jekyll & Hyde.” I fully expected Scarper to be his undoing, and although he does cause Montmorency some trouble when he is injured, he wasn't the detriment that Hyde was to Jekyll.

I did want a happily ever after, so in that way I was pleased with the ending, I just felt Scarper wasn't nearly the threat that Montmorency made him out to be. Also, it's never spelled out that Scarper is almost like another personality. There was just a few vague references that made me pause and take note.

STRUCTURE

The book is set up into a few portions. The first is Montmorency's life in prison. From there he makes plans on what he intends to do, and how to do it. From then on he starts preparing for his life as Montomroncy, by his thefts. When he becomes Montmorency, he goes back and forth between the worlds, eventually wanting to let go of Scarper completely.

WHOSE THE THREAT?-SPOILERS

At first there seems two threats to Montmorency: the cops finding out about him, and Doctor Farcett.

But the cops never really feel like a threat. The Farcett problem is eventually resolved, and when another prisoner takes the blame for Montmorency's crime, I started to wonder if anyone was a threat to him. Farcett reappears, and it seems like Updale was setting him up to finally be a real threat. When this flopped, I wondered what could possibly happen to Montmorency now.

That is the main problem I had with this book. I wish there were one cop we had met and got to see him investigate and eventually come to suspect Montmorency. I think this would have made the story so much better. There is one scene where it goes back and forth between Montmorency and the cops as an article about the thefts is read. It felt awkward, as we never get to see the characters who are the police, ever again.

It would have been better to have had various threats to Montmorency, and eventually when one would peter out, a new one would come along. That way our main character was never in the clear and the reader got the feeling that we could get caught anytime.

THE WORLD

As London is one of my favorite places for stories to take place (I love the Victorian time period as well) I was pleased to find the story gave a detailed, sometimes dark, and sometimes charming world. We see the prison system and the abuse the prisoners suffer at the hands of it, as well as a flawed legal system. We saw the beauty of the opera, the oddity of the gentleman's club and the progress of the city with it's sewers.

CLIMAX

One of my main critiques is that there isn't really a climax. Scarper sneaks into an embassy on a bet, to gather information and attain proof that he was there. There isn't really much danger, after all, if he gets found out, no one will know he was responsible for all of those other thefts.

CONCLUSION

I found Montmorency charming and fell in love with him. I fully wanted him to succeed and create a new life. The world of London was interesting and I loved watching Montmorency learn about the life of a gentleman. But eventually I started to realize there wasn't any real chance that he would be caught, as the police seemed of little consequence. I give “Montmorency” three stars.

Book Review: Fablehaven Series Overview

OVERVIEW

What I did and didn't like about the series as a whole. More spoilers, and less vague criticisms (so if you haven't read the whole series yet then skip this). What I wished would have been different. I tried to start out with what I liked first, then what I didn't like, although it kind of got all mixed up.

CHARACTER LIKABILITY

Both Soren and Kendra and likable and distinct. They were a good contrast to each other. Seth was goofy, sarcastic, naive and reckless. Kendra was patient, hesitant, serious and studious.

It was easier to like Kendra than Seth many times, mainly because Seth kept ignoring everyone, somehow forgetting that he could get himself and others killed. The scene where he saw a baby on the roof in book one was so bad.

Kendra manages to stay out of the Mary Sue trope because she constantly doubts herself and hesitates. Although it would have been nice if she had made a big mistake, so as to even her and Seth out a bit. Although I don't think she should have been able to wield Vasilis like Seth did.

THE WORLD OF FABLEHAVEN

The world is essentially my favorite aspect. It is the main reason I like the series. I forgave the lack of growth and personality in so many characters, because of it.

I loved the pond of naiads and the boardwalk. I loved the stubborn pride of the centaurs (which I wish developed by the way). And I loved the arrogance and beauty of the dragons.

Ephira was one big disappointment of mine, as I really wanted to know more about her, maybe even see her redeemed.

The revenant was on of the creepiest monsters I have ever read. That and the scene with Seth and all of the undead were two of my favorites. I also loved the wall of totem poles and the giant frog. The scene in book two at the mortuary is also on my favorites.

HUMOR

Another area where Mul shines is his sense of humor. Seth has more one liners that I can count. The two satrys are often great comic relief. Even Hugo can be unintentionally funny. When Seth tries to make excuses for the fact that he actually read a book, I found it hilarious.

LENA & PATTON-SPOILERS

The romantic relationship between these two was one of my favorite aspects of the series. Not that was super deep, but it was sweet. It showed how sacrifices had to be made for relationships, like how Lena had to watch Patton age and die while she still lived. As well as Lena sacrificing herself and Patton knowing about it, yet still having to go back in time to live out the rest of their relationship.

GOOD AND EVIL

I liked how Mul tried to explain how magical creatures are different than humans in book three. I found it very original and I wish there had been more discussion about it. Specifically the disagreement between Grandpa Sorenson and Coulter regarding if they had real free will. It showed hints of depth that was never fulfilled.

CHARACTER GROWTH-SPOILERS

The problem when it comes to Seth is simply that he never develops. He keeps making huge mistakes that involve ignoring warnings and rules. And the constant push that it's not his fault, so that he never faces any real consequences, gets maddening. It's as if the only way to move the story along and face new problems, was for him to be stupid. One real part where he shines though is when he thinks that Kendra is dead, but it's just her stingbulb that died. I wish there were more scenes that like, and I wish it had effected him longer.

Perhaps if the story had taken places with months or years in between each book, instead of a matter of weeks as it usually did. But even without time to help him grow, how many near death experiences does it take for one kid to grow up?

When it comes to Kendra, I suppose she does grow, but I felt she had less things to overcome. She felt the most vulnerable in the first book to me. Even when she finds out the truth about Gavin being a liar, her reaction is more amusing than moving. I would have preferred a horrified and broken spirit, like she had in the first book when Mendigo was chasing her. And although there was a supposed affect to Gavin lying to her, basically that she no longer trusts people, it's only mentioned in the beginning of the last book. So it doesn't feel important. After all, she falls head over heels for Bracken almost instantly.

TOO MANY CHARACTERS?

I found it odd that Kendra and Seth both had such strong personalities, and yet everyone else is basically a cardboard cut-out of a character. At first this didn't bother me, mainly for two reasons. The first, the world was so detailed and unique. The second was that in the first two books, there just isn't that many side characters. It didn't bother me that Tanu, Coulter and Dale didn't much have personality, because it was just the three of them. After all, Vanessa has a strong personality. And so did the Sphinx. They kind of made up for it. Not to mention Patton and Lena.

I kept waiting for Gavin to progress but he never did. Because of this, the relationship between him and Kendra never felt like an actual relationship. Just a slight crush.

In the end, I think there should have been less mentor-like characters (who were never really mentors) and more characters that were equals to Seth and Kendra. I would have loved to see Kendra in a friendship with someone of her own sex. She is obvious kinda geeky and it would be nice to see how she would react to a girly girl. We get a small hint of that with Vanessa, but only at the first meeting.

And to see Seth with a friend his age would be nice as well. Even an older, big brother figure. Vanessa almost played that for Kendra (but not really). I wish Warren had played some sort of big brother role, but it just wasn't there.

DEATHS

I liked how Mul wasn't afraid to show there were consequences in this world and that it was dangerous (unless you were Seth, I mean). Lots of characters die. My only problem was I never felt much simply because I barely knew the character, or the character had spent enough time around, I just didn't care about them. Again, the other problem was that Seth never seemed to grasp this, even if the reader did. So his constant recklessness contradicted everything else the author was trying to tell us about the world.

WORTH READING?

In the end, I do think the whole series is worth reading. The last two books are not so bad as to make you wish you never read the series.

What I liked: Seth and Kendra were distinct characters, the world and creatures of Fablehaven's originality, the use of humor and Lena and Patton's relationship.

What I disliked: Seth never developing or facing real consequences for his actions and too many characters that I didn't care about (no personalities).

I give the Fablehaven series three stars.

Book Review: "Keys to the Demon Prison" by Brandon Mul

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

The gate to the demon prison Zyzyxx is about to be opened. Seth and Kendra both are trying to stop it but they can't do it alone. They need the help of old allies and new friends.

CHARACTER GROWTH

Kendra is not sure she can trust anyone since what happened in the last book. Although she suddenly changes her mind when she meets Bracken. She seems more confident as the book goes on, making sure she is not left out of anything.

Seth's finally development involves him rectifying a massive mistake he makes. It happens pretty fast in the story, and a part of me was rooting for him to be right for once. But he wasn't, which is consistent with all the other books and Grandpa Sorenson's view on evil.

I encountered another familiar problem. When Seth makes the biggest mistake he has made yet, he is again, reassured that it wasn't his fault. No really. Coulter says he is a good boy and was just showing mercy (and ignoring the advice of everyone around him). While Patton says he would have done the same because apparently he's an idiot too. I was so frustrated to see nothing has changed.

NEW CHARACTERS

Bracken is a prisoner that the Sphinx keeps at his secret lair. He becomes an ally to Seth and eventually becomes close to Kendra. He is thousands of years old but appears to be in his late teens.

Nagi Luna is a demon who the Sphinx has teamed up with. But she seems to have no loyalties to him.

Vince is a new character that helps in the first mission of the book. He isn't in the story long enough to develop any personality.

PACING

Pacing is decent. We get a small chapter in the beginning before getting straight to the mission. From there there is plenty of action that eventually slows down and then speeds up again. Eventually the story splits off with the perspectives of Seth and Kendra, each on their own. This helps keep the story moving.

DEATHS OF SIDE CHARACTERS

There are a few new characters that are introduced. One is barely in the book before she leaves and then is revealed to have died. I wanted to feel awful for what could have been an amazing character but I just didn't care.

When a second new characters dies, he was in the book slightly longer, and the way he died was tragic. The affect of it horrified me...but I still didn't know the character enough to care about him personally. It was more the way he died that got a reaction out of me.

Two other characters die that we don't really know. I didn't really care.

FORGOTTEN CHARACTERS

There are plenty of characters that have been introduced throughout the series: Mara, Dale, Coulter, Trask, Warren, Elise, Tanu, ect. Some characters I felt initially had importance, and even personalities. Other didn't even have personalities to begin with. Mara, Trask and Elise come to mind. But I feel like all of them were abandoned.

THE PHILOSOPHY OF EVIL

If you remember previously, I discussed Grandpa Sorenson's view on demons and other dark creatures. He thought their nature was to be evil and they had no real free will of their own to decide to be good. I never quite liked this view because it meant the villains of the story were not really bad, they were just following their instincts.

The idea that they had no free will didn't appeal to me, especially since they are clearly smarter than animals. I shouldn't have been surprised when this idea was consistent but a part of me wanted him to rethink the whole thing. It would have made the story less predictable and Seth seem less stupid.

KENDRA'S STORY-SPOILERS

Eventually Kendra goes on a mission with a few others to protect the last of the Eternals, people who can live forever and are important to the Demon Prison. But honestly, I had to wonder why this was important to the plot. Both attempts fail so nothing is really gained in this venture. Was it so Kendra could get to know Bracken better?

Seth, in contrast actually accomplishes quite a lot, getting a new sword and finding out how to get to the demon prison. Not to mention bringing along three people as allies that otherwise would not have been there.

BRACKEN & KENDRA

Throughout the book it is hinted at that Kendra has a crush on Bracken. I get it, she had that whole thing with Gavin last time, and we want her to have a happy relationship. But Bracken is supposed to be thousands of years old. I know he is supposed to be around her age in his years, but I never quite believed he was old as he was.

There is one scene where he rallies the troops where he seems quite wise, but other than that, not so much. If he has seen centuries of life and witnessed how culture and people have changed, I would think he would have a much more detached air about him (or at least different ideas about modern culture). But he jokes and talks like an actual teenager from the same time period as everyone else.

And in the last pages, Kendra reveals her thoughts for becoming an eternal so she can be with him forever. I wanted to laugh it was so absurd. She has only known him for a few weeks.

THE SPHINX

There is a scene where we learn the Sphinx's history and where he tries to convince Seth he is not evil. I found it interesting, although his arguments for opening the prison were not very convincing to me. I don't quite care for the scene where the villain tries to convince the hero to join him. There is never any chance the hero will and the reader never buys it if the character even considers it.

I liked learning about the Sphinx, so I found it puzzling that later on he is a mere side character, even in the climax. And I didn't find his fate quite believable. I get it, this is a kids book, but it just came off as naive and stupid to me.

AMAZING PLACES

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the originality of the many places that Seth and Kendra visit. The various parts of the Dreamstone were interesting and unique. The giant wall of totem poles was a cool concept. The room of zombies was creepy.

In one scene, when Kendra has to go through an area with dangerous fruit that tempts her, the rationalizations she uses are actually convincing. I had to wonder if she was really going to give in.

We get to see new creatures as well, like leprechauns and harpies. There are things I really enjoyed.

LOOSE ENDS

Some loose ends are tied, such as who sent Kendra the knapsack and the stingbulb when she was kidnapped by the Sphinx. But a lot of things feel awkward. It's randomly mentioned that Vanessa and Warren have a relationship now. No mention of when or how that happened. Or even why. It's just thrown in there. Newel and Doren's constant joking is funny, until we get to the climax when it just makes the gravity of the situation disappear.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

It all accumulates in an all out battle as the demons pour out of zyzyxx. I felt that Seth defeated his opponent far too fast and the discussion they had beforehand was shallow and short. Also, it bothered me that Kendra was able to wield his sword. I know she needed to have her own role, but I felt that being fairy kind should have given her some abilities. Did she need to fight too? Maybe her role should have been something other than a warrior.

The twist at the end was interesting, as no one but Bracken and the fairy queen were in on it.

CONCLUSION

I love Mul's humor and I was smiling so many times throughout this book. The places we visit and the missions are often rather unique. But Seth refuses to develop, and others still make excuses for him. Kendra's mission felt like a waste of time and her relationship with Bracken felt unreal to me. Not to mention new characters and old ones alike seem to have no importance or presence at all. I give “Keys to the Demon Prison” three stars.

Book Review: "Sign of the Dove" by Susan Fletcher

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

The sequel to “Dragon's Milk” follows Lyf, Kaeldra's younger sister. When Kaeldra saved her sister by giving her dragon's milk, she also gave her green eyes and the ability to communicate with birds. When the Queen's soldiers come and threaten Lyf's safety she must go stay with her big sister, her husband and their son. That is, until they get separated and Lyf finds some young draclings who need protecting.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Lyf is only eleven years old, quite younger than the heroines of the other books. Subjectively speaking, I would have preferred it if she had been older. But objectively speaking, Fletcher does a good job developing her, just like she did to Kaeldra and Kara. From the beginning she has the desire to protect Owyn, which endears her to the reader, even if it becomes obvious she is much more selfish than her predecessors.

Spens is the son of a woman who helps rescue Kara and tend to her. He eventually leads her safely out of the swamp and spends the remainder of Lyf's journey with her. He is slightly shy but also brave.

Owyn is the red-haired son of Kaeldra and Jeorg. He is bold, persistent and stubborn. But he is also a loving and happy child. Lyf notes that he seems to have a special relationship with the draclings.

LOTS OF SIDE CHARACTERS

One thing to note is that besides Owyn, there are really no other main characters. There are plenty of side characters, like Jeorg, Kaeldra's husband. Nysian; Miryiam's husband; Alys the innkeeper and Yanil's wife. Not to mention Kymo the harpist and Yanil himself. Most characters act as guides for Lyf and don't stick around very long.

This perhaps is not very different from the previous book, where the girls mainly develop relationships with animals. Although Kaeldra had three draclings and Kara only had Skava the bird. It's quite a contrast to Lyf's thirteen draclings.

And while Kara had Corwyn, Rath and eventually Kazan as friends, Lyf has no real relationships.

THE DRACLINGS

There are thirteen draclings, which might hinder the closeness Lyf feels to them, as opposed to Kaeldra and her three draclings. But they prove to be amusing and charming, just as they have before. And they do help her grow.

An important part is when a dragon egg hatches and Lyf realizes it needs a dragon's milk to survive. Perhaps for the first time, getting the dracling to a mother becomes more important than reuniting with Kaeldra.

LYF'S DEVELOPMENT

Lyf starts out as as fearful and rather pampered, just wanting to return Owyn to to his mother. And even when the draclings enter the picture she just wants it all to be over. She doesn't care for them at first, eventually learning to love them against her will.

There are multiple moments of introspection. Once where she realizes she is expected to keep the draclings and head north with them. She only wants to be free of the burden, and instead be taken cared of. In her immaturity, she resents Kaeldra, knowing she is not brave like her older sister.

Another time, a character may have died to protect the draclings, and Lyf realizes she would not be risking her life for them if she had the choice.

Lastly, a conversation she has with Spens helps her realize she is changing. She says she admires how he is trying to help her when he doesn't have to, and he says she is doing the same thing for the draclings when she could give them up.

THE DEATH OF A SIDE CHARACTER

When one character vanishes, Lyf wonders if that character has drowned. Once again, she is on her own. This is rather important for her, as she is forced to grow and once again be the sole protector of both Owyn and the draclings.

But I didn't like that we actually don't witness the character's death. We could have easily seen her go under the water or be swept away. Instead it is merely mentioned near the end of the book. I understand she was just a side character, but I still felt it was a disservice not to see her moments before her death. Perhaps Fletcher felt it would have been too much for an already fragile Lyf to handle.

SIDE STORY

There is a side story that explains what happened to Kaeldra and Jeorg. It's important to the story but I just didn't care for the way it was done. It changes the story from happening in the present to suddenly being told by someone else. I just found it an awkward format. Perhaps Fletcher felt this way we would be reminded that Lyf was still the main character. But the interludes where almost never more than a page long, so it would be hard to forget that.

It presented a villain who betrays them, but he is never actually confronted. Since we learn he was the betrayer right off the bat, I expected Lyf to develop to the point where she would confront him. But he was pushed to the side, and instead it's the Queen's soldiers who are the real threat. But seeing how the book ended, I can see why the change was made. It's vaguely mentioned that he disappeared.

PACING

The pacing is decent. This is not an action packed story, as much of it involves Lyf traveling, hiding or running. So there are a few good chase scenes. There are more moments of suspense then direct action. One of the best scenes is one where Lyf has to sneak draclings out right under the enemies noses'.

FORESHADOWING

There is a small moment in the beginning where Owyn bangs on a metal cup. This later comes back in the climax. It was such a short moment, I wonder if it was on purpose.

Lyf kens with a bird at the beginning of the book (goes into it's mind and merges with it) then does so again more than halfway through the book. This comes back in the climax.

CLIMAX-VAGUE SPOILERS

Lyf intends to reunite with Kaeldra, tell her about the betrayer and be free from the draclings. But instead she ends up protecting the draclings and urging them to leave her. It's as if Lyf herself doesn't realize how much she has come to care for them until the end of the book. Her character development is complete, from selfish to selfless as she risks her life. I also appreciated she had one other character with her she had actually started to know, Spens.

EXPLICIT CONTENT-SPOILERS

Two of the draclings die, but we don't witness it. A side character dies, but we don't get to see this either.

CONCLUSION

Fletcher creates another original story with a likable heroine who develops from a scared, selfish child into a brave girl who sacrifices for others. With both bounty hunters and the Queen's soldiers on her tail, the story is well paced. Although I don't care for how the side story is presented, it's really a minor qualm. If the story is inferior to its predecessors, it's only slightly. I give “Sign of the Dove” four stars.