Book Review: "DreamHunter" by Elizabeth Knox

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY (MOSTLY)

In the Victorian world where teenage cousins Rose and Laura, live, there is a location called The Place. And a certain set of individuals known as dream hunters can catch dreams located there, then sleep and share them with those sleeping in the same vicinity.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Laura Hame is described as a follower. She admits she follows her cousin and copies her because it's just easier. She is less confident then Rose.

Rose Tiebold is sure of herself and slightly entitled. She sometimes seems to see herself as a victim, even in the beginning of the story before her fate is decided.

Tziga Hame is famous and rather religious. He is very close to his only daughter, perhaps because he is her only parent.

Chorley Tiebold is a dashing and famous man. His sister married Tziga and even though they are not much alike (he's an atheist), they are close friends.

Sandy is a fellow dream hunter. He has a few appearances in the story and ends up an acquaintance of Laura's.

Doran Plasir, Mamie's father (student at same school as the girls) and head of a government agency involved with dreams.

PACING

The story for the most part is not an action story. But there are some parts that build suspense, such as when we see flashs of the events going on with Tziga in the start of the book. Also when Laura goes to the Place alone, there is a great scene where she senses someone watching her and runs away only to be pursued.

THE WORLD

The strongest point of the story is the world detailed within. Lots of thought went into to it and we don't get it all at once. Eventually we learn that The Place has only been in existence for a few decades and that Tziga Hame was the first to catch a dream and discover it. Not only are governmental agencies explained, but government workers play an important role in the story.

We learn of different aspects of dreams and dream hunting like the Penumbra (the area a dream hunter can spread a dream out) as well as amplifiers (which help spread a dream further than another dream hunter but don't have the dream themselves). As well as the Dream Palace, where people go to sleep and dream for entertainment.

UNLIKABLE CHARACTERS?

I can't say I really disliked Rose or Laura, but I have to admit, I often felt indifferent to them. At worst, I found them annoying, but only in small moments.

Both Rose and Laura are annoying to Sandy when they first meet him on the beach, and it doesn't come off as flirting or funny. I was left confused and wondering about their motivation.

Again, Rose is sarcastic to her father after the Try. I expected her to be angry, but then reveal her sadness and disappointment. Maybe her shock. But we never get any other reaction. They are often times sarcastic in strange moments where I found it off putting, like when they go see Plasir for crucial information.

Rose can come off as whiny as she tends to think she is being victimized when its not clear that she is.

Chorley comes off as a jerk once too, when he mocks Christians in an arrogant manner.

UNCLEAR CHARACTERS

For the most part I feel that the characters are the weakest part of the story. I never knew of their personalities. Multiple times Rose and Laura are sarcastic, which makes me think they must be cynical or silly. But I never get that impression fully. Because their sarcasm stands alone and I never get why it occurs.

An example is after the Try (an event to discover who can go into the Place) and a girl discovers she cannot pass through. She immediately runs away, hysterical, and puts herself in danger. Rose urges another boy to help her and together they keep the girl from harm.

I thought, that was brave, so Rose is kind as well as bold. But I never see that kindness manifest any where else. And she doesn't even try to comfort the girl in any real sense. I was left wondering why she even helped.

Does Laura have a sense of humor? I don't know. We get a scene where Rose is embarrassed to see her touching a naked statue and I assumed she was supposed to have been silly. Later she explains why she did it but her character was so unclear that I couldn't make heads or tails of her.

A FRIEND FOR ROSE?-SPOILERS

There is a girl in Rose's class named Mamie. She debates the teacher and makes good points and comes off as very intelligent. I was impressed then surprised when Rose and the Teacher admit they don't like her. Are students supposed to agree with everything their teachers say? Or should they be encouraged to ask questions and think critically?

Apparently Mamie comes off as rude. She is rather plain, perhaps even described as ugly. But Rose ends up talking to her in the library and the two have an entertaining conversation.

It makes Rose look good because she seems to be making a genuine effort to befriend a girl who clearly has no friends. But right after we learn that Mamie's father works for the government and Rose doesn't really care about her. But just hopes to glean information.

This was fine, but we seem to see Rose start to care for Mamie, but never learn if this is still an act. I wanted her to admit that she was surprised to gain a friend. But she never does and I was left confused.

THE MAGICAL ROCK

There is a scene on a train where Laura sees a rock and pulls the emergency break. She jumps off and goes to grab a rock. She later explains to Rose that she felt like she put her feelings into that rock and felt relieved afterwards. I was left confused. There wasn't any precedent for such an ability. And it's never fully explained.

GOVERNMENT CONTROL

A theme of the story is the government. How much control should they have, how do they manipulate people and how they use the dreams. Mainly through the talent of coloring (putting specific thoughts about a person or idea into peoples minds before they enter a dream).

MARITAL PROBLEMS?

It's revealed that Grace laid in bed to give her dreams to an audience with two men beside her. We get told about how mad Chorley was, but we never see any discussion about it. I don't quite know why this was revealed at all. I fully expected a scene of drama to take place; an argument. I was left feeling like I wouldn't get to know these characters that well.

THE GRAND PATRIARCH

There is a large church in this world but it doesn't play a huge part in the story. Just mentioned that the church condemns dreams as immoral. Not much detail is gone into as to why this is, which is a shame because I thought it could have been fascinating. After all, we do learn about immoral acts done in dreams that are not a secret such as grafting, when a persons face is put on a character in a dream (often of underage girls). So an argument about sexual perversion could have been had.

ROSE DISPLACED (SPOILERS)

After they Try, Rose discovers that she isn't a dream hunter. I would say this is the first theme of the book, as it goes back and forth between Rose and Laura's point of view. Although Chorely has his own story as well.

Rose goes back to school and has to continue with life as usual. But she wonders why she should be nice and comes off as obnoxious. I think I understand what she was trying to express. She is unhappy with how things have turned out and mad that she just has to suck it up and go back to school. But I never felt like she was ever really nice. Like I said, her motivations are never revealed.

She doesn't' genuinely care about anyone but herself. She actually rants to herself, about what a great person she is, saying she has been an “advocate”. Who talks that way? She sounds like a self righteous politician.

CHORLEY'S STORY

Chorely has a smaller story where he investigates what happened to Tziga. If he is dead, what the government is up to, ect. He goes to meet Marta, an estranged sister who happens to work for a church. I thought their relationship could have been interesting, as there is obvious tension between them. But again, we are just vaguely told about them. So I was left wanting more.

Also Grace ends up wanting Laura's dream hunting license to be put off, so her and Chorley tie to manipulate the government. I felt like some of this was interesting but for the most part, kind of unnecessary. I never really felt like Grace had a personality but she did care for Laura.

LAURA & TZIGA

The relationship between Tziga and his daughter is paramount because it helps motivate Laura to follow his orders. Also Tziga's religious nature and his views on purpose and truth are supposed to have influenced Laura. I say suppose because they get one scene together in the book, a flash back where they are arguing. Tziga is leaving to go the Place and wont' be back in time for Laura's attempt at the Try. He makes her recall a rhyme.

Because of that, I felt I never felt any real relationship between them. Yes, Laura does recite what he dad said about the Place, and his ideas about it having a purpose more than people think. But it all comes second hand. And never feels like Laura believes anything herself, certainly not enough to motivate her to do something dangerous.

LAURA & ROSE-SPOILERS

Laura and Rose's friendship feels flat and lifeless to me. We jump into it slightly before the schism between them but nothing is set up. We are just told that Laura follows Rose's actions.

When Laura passes the Try but her cousin does not, there is no scene between them afterwards. It's as if the author doesn't realize what scenes should be crucial to developing characters and relationships and wants to focus only on the plot.

I never understood why they were close. They are the same age and same sex and go to the same school with dream hunter parents. But they don't feel like they have anything in common. They just feel like teenagers who got on okay and hung out.

Yes, sometimes they confide in each other but I never felt it was anything personal but more to show that they had some sort of semblance of a friendship. So later on Rose could be shocked to find her friend kept a secret from her.

VERITY-SPOILERS

Tziga lost his wife to illness. We eventually learn that he went to get her a dream that would comfort her only to come back to find her already dead. I thought it was interesting, sad and helped set up that Tziga would have lots of mental health issues to deal with.

However, I thought it was odd that Laura didn't resent him for leaving or if not, wonder how awful he felt about missing her last moments. Also, Tziga ends up saying some strange things about how his love for Verity was unhealthy. I was left confused. Marta ends up saying similar weird and vague things.

SANDMAN-SPOILERS

In the beginning of the story we get a prologue where we meet Tziga and learn of his predicament. It is all very vague and was intended to add suspense to the story. I just ended up thinking it was silly that Tziga referred to the evils done by “adults” as if children ran the world, this wouldn't have happened. Are children somehow immune from greed or stupidity and not easily manipulated by adults?

Early on, we get a small chapter about a ranger following Tziga (they work for the government) who ends up getting killed by some sort of sand creature. This helped add suspense.

Later on, Laura herself meets the monster. The rhyme helps her add a letter to make him become her servant. The word is never used, but he is a golem.

She turns NOW to NOWN on his body. Which isn't actually a word but pronounced like Noun. The rhyme didn't make much sense to me as I am not good with such things so it didn't strike me as clever. I stupidly thought that it should have been “know” because it is knowledge that is powerful and helped Tziga and Laura. Perhaps I misunderstood it.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?

Laura sees Sandy at the beach, and then again after the Try. Finally she sees him a third time and they really talk. Laura is sarcastic (which seems to be her and her cousins only trait) and Sandy feel she is hard to talk to. But apparently he likes her, although I don't know why.

When she sees him one last time near the climax of the book, she is rightly horrified that he is there because she knows what she is about to release. But it feels so melodramatic, because she touches him like a lover when she barely knows him, and him her. The relationship feels forced.

Also on a strange note, when Laura meets Sandy and has her first real conversation she says something that could be misconstrued as a sexual perversion. I had no idea why it was put in and just made the whole scene feel strange. Maybe it was supposed to be funny.

CLIMAX

Laura manages to follow her father's directions and obtain what she needs. She does as she is told, revealing a truth to a large crowd. And the story ends in a cliff hanger.

CONCLUSION

The world is incredibly detailed and it's obvious a lot of thought went into it. The story itself tries to deal with heavy themes but never quite grasps them fully.

The characters themselves dont feel real. I never understood their motivations nor their personalities. They are clearly secondary to the story when in reality they should be the most important part. After all, Tziga essentially creates the predicament and Laura makes a conscious decision to push it forward.

The relationships never felt very deep either. As for Chorley and Tziga, we never see their relationship, only hear of it. Apparently they are close, even though they are opposites. Rose and Laura are another important relationship that leaves something to be desired as well.

It's disappointing because I felt there was so much to work with and the author has such creativity.

I give “DreamHunter” two stars.

Book Review: "Cybele's Secret" by Juliet Marillier

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Paula travels with her father to help with his business, she ends up helping look for an ancient pagan relic, of the goddess Cybele.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Paula is now the main character. The younger sister is eager to learn, but not overly critical of the society she is in.

Stoyan is stoic and rather guarded. He eventually reveals insecurities and is a good contrast to Paula.

Irene is a married woman who has a large library. She is honest about how the citizens treat women but is rather mysterious.

Duarte is a charming, handsome pirate.

Tati returns but she only has a small role.

Story and character issues

SUSPENSE

There are different elements of suspense. Duarte doesn't let his interest in Cybele make clear his intentions. Irene is mysterious. But I do felt she could have been used better.

STOYAN'S BROTHER

Stoyan eventually opens up and reveals his brother was taken away to serve royalty. I thought it was odd that he painted it in such a positive light, saying that his brother probably doesn't want to be found. Because being forced into service and becoming a eunich is a privilege. I get that he feels inferior about his lack of studies, but Paula should have least added the idea that his brother might have some misgivings about being kidnapped. Even if he learned to read and has a job in a high position.

STOYAN & PAULA

Stoyan is street smart, physically strong and a skilled fighter. Paula is book smart, naive, and eager to prove herself. There are more than a few moments where Paula makes mistakes and has to own up to them.

And what she values most, intelligence and studies, end up being what Stoyan lacks. And yet she learns he has other qualities that are just as admirable. Mainly his role as a protector, a role only he was made to fulfill.

PAULA-SPOILERS

The main reason Paula is likable where Jena wasn't is because Paula makes mistakes, and has to learn. While Jena makes mistakes...but doesn't really have to learn anything. Unless you count learning that she has to let Tati go (which just came across as frustrating because Tati never has to learn anything).

Paula gets mad at Stoyan but realizes she over reacted, and was naive; She accuses Duarte of a horrible crime only to realize she was wrong, emotional and thanks to her, both her and Duarte get trapped on a ship.

She is more complex, saying she doesn't think beauty is important, while admitting to herself she wants beautiful clothes. She almost seems to think these qualities are bad, perhaps because she feels she doesn't have them.

She even realizes she can't change the city, when Irene reveals she has slaves. Instead of feeling offended and running off, which I feel Jena would do (which would be in keeping with her constant victimization) Paula realizes that Irene lives in a different world than her.

Although there are some modern viewpoints that are shoved into the story that are reminiscent of Jena, but these are thrown in only a few times. And they feel out of place.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?-SPOILERS

Duarte isn't just handsome and charming, not to mention dangerous, turns out he and Paula have tons in common. He loves to read and learn as much as she does. He kind of comes off as perfect. I think this was meant to make him a rival to Stoyan. Like, he's not just a pretty face, but he is tailor made for Paula.

Also, turns out he has an interest in the relic of Cybele. I would have got it if he was greedy, but when they threw in he also had a heart of gold, I was kind of annoyed. Like, he just wants to restore a rare relic to a village? Out of the goodness of his pirate, heart?

THE RETURN OF TATI

We see Tati a few times, and she seems haggard and upset. Perhaps running away with a man she barely knew wasn't such a great idea? But we never here her admit maybe she was foolish and that she regrets what she did. Or that she simply has to deal with her choices. As such, she remains two dimensional.

CONFIDING IN STOYAN-SPOILERS

Paula eventually decides to confide in Stoyan and reveal that she and her sisters have been to the Other Kingdom. I fully expected this to cause a huge gap between them, as the story is rather far-fetched and they don't exactly know each other well.

Instead, he just believes her. Turns out he has some experience with supernatural things from his mother, who cast spells and lived in the mountains. I just thought this was an odd choice, perhaps to make some bond between them. But I think it would have been better if he hadn't trusted her and she had to prove it to him.

A QUEST

Eventually Paula realizes that her, Stoyan and Tati all have to go on a quest because the Other Kingdom has some role to play. Unfortunately, just like Jena, Paula never sees her and the others as pawns but instead faithfully trusts that the quest should happen. Stoyan does, and seems upset that he is being used. He asks if gods manipulate them. Paula says she cannot answer that, but the answer seems obvious: they do.

It was all very vague and didn't do much to help the story or convince me that the Other Kingdom should be meddling in the affairs of man.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Near the climax, Stoyan get's mistaken for someone else and this allows Paula, him and Duarte to continue on to find the relic. This is supposed to point to where Stoyan can later go look for his brother. But it just felt too crucial of a part of the story to rely on a coincidence.

THE PROPOSAL-SPOILERS

After a misunderstanding with Stoyan, Duarte declares his love and proposes. I get the idea, that Paula has to make a choice between two men but it's so cliché. And there was never a chance of Paula ending up with Duarte, as she revealed her feelings in the climax. I feel it boosts Paula unnecessarily, showing that she is so desirable that Duarte can't just kiss her, he has to marry her.

IRENE'S SECRET LOVE

In the end of the climax, it's revealed that Irene was secretly in love with one of her servants. When he dies she is distraught. I think this was mean to humanize Irene, but I didn't feel it was necessary. Maybe it was added to reveal she doesn't hate all men? Even if her marriage to her husband was loveless.

USEFUL STOYAN-SPOILERS

In order to play a role, Stoyan ends up taming a dangerous dog. Then he uses it to free Tati. I get that the idea that he loved dogs was planted, be we never actually see his skills. So this feels forced. How do you train a dog you just met?

THE STORY THAT WONT END

Unfortunately, this is the same problem in the first book. The romance is stretched out beyond what's necessary. The main plot is over, and yet we still have another misunderstanding between Paula and Stoyan. But the climax should have been enough to bring them together and realize their feelings for each other. If this was the end and there was another book, I would understand.

REWRITE-SPOILERS

When it comes to Duarte, I would have preferred he reject Paula, or that Paula make a foolish mistake regarding him, learning to grow from it. Or better yet, that he be the one to turn on her. I felt like she was attracted to him and their relationship seemed more probable than hers and Irene's. And his betrayal would have had a stronger effect on her.

PHILOSPHICAL ISSUES

IRENE-SPOILERS

Irene is presented as someone that Paula has a great deal in common with. When they first meet, Paula realizes that she spoke to her like a sister. She seems to care for Paula, as she advises against any romantic relationship with Duarte as well as getting close to Stoyan. She does this more than once. But, even so, I never really get the feeling that they become friends. More like allies with similar interests. So when she betrays Paula, I didn't feel upset. I would have preferred it that I had felt they had grown close.

What's odd is that Irene is presented with views similar to Jena. She says that all woman can be wives and mothers, but only special woman can do amazing things. Because raising the next generation and giving birth is something anyone can do.

A MELTING POT?

The middle eastern city that Paula resides in is described rather idealistically. It's called a “melting pot” which is kind of silly. The middle eastern city is not a place where people can mingle freely with one another. Women are not allowed in many places, and must be escorted by men at all times.

The idea of Islam's treatment of other religions and women is handled with kid gloves. They're called tolerant of Christians and Jews, and no mention of the non-Muslim tax is mentioned nor is there any mention of mistreatment. Paula's father says they allow non-Muslims to worship. How nice of them.

I actually would have liked if Paula had been indignant at the injustices (something that would have been called for). But instead it's played down, which is odd. It's as if the author recognizes this is tricky territory, and she could only attack society as sexist and bigoted when it was among Europeans.

CYBELE & FEMALE EMPOWERMENT-SPOILERS

Paula doesn't think too seriously about the goddess, except realizing she is real. But instead of throwing her own life upside down, she suddenly becomes very modern. Cybele is wild and free, not bad. Even if her male followers castrated themselves and dressed up as women (which she doesn't feel comfortable sharing with her father or Stoyan for some reason).

When Irene seeks the relic but reveals she doesn't believe in it (I guess she just wants to keep leading the cult for power purposes) instead of condemning her for her deception and murder, Paula gives a speech; She says that Irene is evil for not believing in the goddess. So if she believed it all, her behavior would be okay? Is sincerity the most important matter?

If anything, Paula should have had to be won over and hesitant about the goddess. But she is far too eager to believe the best of her.

No young woman in Paula's time would think positively about idolatry and paganism. Especially not after being taught by a Christian Priest in a Christian society, like Paula was. Going to the other Kingdom wouldn't have changed that. It's as not if she learned about gods and goddesses. In fact it's made clear she never learned that at all. If she had been so enlightened, she wouldn't have been confused at all if Cybele was real.

And when Paula says her belief in woman's freedom is how she lives her life, it draws too much on Jena. Paula isn't nearly so preoccupied with the idea that all woman are oppressed.

Not to mention her idealized version of paganism comes off as silly when she says men and women seem equal when they worship Cybele (so Irene's cult was only bad because she didn't let in any men but one eunuch). And when her father points out the rituals were originally bloody she says maybe they used to be, but they weren't in the village where she saw people worshiping the goddess. Wouldn't that just mean they watered the original teachings down?

CLIMAX

Irene and Stoyan go with Duarte to find the relic. Unexpected guests show up but they manage to retrieve the relic.

CONCLUSION

The story is an improvement from the last one, thanks to Paula, who is much more likable. She isn't a victim everywhere she goes, nor is every other character portrayed as evil or stupid. Stoyan compliments her perfectly, drawing out change and admissions of her own biases.

Duarte however wasn't only handsome but just as studious as Paula felt like laying it on too thick. Not to mention that he was willing to risk his life for something he never seemed to show value for before.

There are some modern messages thrown in, but they are sparse in comparison to the first, which shoved them down your throat. In my subjective view, they harm the story because they come across as preachy and out of place.

But the story was almost always interesting and exciting, except after the climax.

I give “Cybele's Relic” two and half stars.

Book Review: "Wildwood Dancing" by Juliet Marillier

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Inspired by the fairy tale “The Twelve Dancing Princesses”, Jena and her sisters secretly visit the Other Kingdom once a month. But when her father goes away on a business trip and she is left in charge, she finds herself dealing with more issues she can handle. From a cousin who thinks he is more capable then Jena to a lovesick sister who doesn't seem to understand the dangers of her actions.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Jena is the second oldest daughter. She is described as rather plain but capable. Her father has educated her and her sisters so she is used to being independent. Also she feels responsible for taking care of her sisters.

Tati is the oldest sister. She is pretty, willful and naive.

Gogu is Jena's frog. They can communicate telepathically.

Cezar is Jena's cousan. He used to be close to Jena when he was a child, but he went off for his education and when he came back was completely different.

Sorrow is a dour and mysterious young man who lusts after Tati.

PACING

Although not an action story the pacing isn't bad. If the story is slow at the start it's only because we must learn important information and set the scene. Everything we learn is important (people are rather superstitious; father goes against custom and educates his daughters, ect).

SAFE OR DANGEROUS?

It's revealed that both Tati and Jena set up strict rules for them and their sisters in the Other Kingdom. No leaving the glade. No eating the food. Basically they don't trust anyone and yet they supposedly friendly.

I was left confused. Jena comes across as rather smart. Is this place dangerous or not? If those they dance with are friendly, why don't they explain anything? Wouldn't they explain the rules for their safety? I never quite understood anything about the Other Kingdom. And instead of finding it mysterious I found it lacking.

SUPERSTITIOUS?-SPOILERS

Right off the bat, Cezar mentions that people do foolish and dangerous things because of superstitions, implying that there are no magical creatures. And yet right after he says the woods are full of “dangerous presences”. There is never any acknowledgment of this contradiction.

Eventually, the story evolves to where a girl dies by a bite on her neck and a dwarf is caught and killed. He is never questioned, because everyone seems to lack common sense.

MODERN WOMAN-SPOILERS

The first introduction we get to the Jena's incongruous views is that her father married for love. But Jena doubts her and her sisters will be so lucky.

When she talks to her Aunt (Cezar's mother) about not marrying, about having a career, she is told respectable women don't do that sort of thing.

A part of the reason Jena feels so unrealistic are these views. And the reason she eventually becomes unlikable is her victim status, which starts to overwhelm the reader.

There isn't one person in the story that has any logical reason why Jena could be wrong. Everyone is just sexist, backwards, evil or stupid. Never once does Jena seem to realize her father would never force her into anything she didn't want.

But this isn't good enough for her. When she is told she will most likely to be left alone to care for her father (whom she supposedly loves) she takes this as an insult.

THE NIGHT PEOPLE-EVIL OR NOT?

The Night people arrive in the first visit to the the Dancing Glade. Jena is nervous because she has heard nothing good about them, but is reassured that they will cause no trouble while the Queen is there (implying they would harm them otherwise).

Jena is told by a friend not to believe all the rumors she has heard because she heard rumors about everyone (that aren't true). This would have made the story interesting.

Unfortunately we later see them torturing innocent people. So they really are just evil. No making excuses about it. And then Jena says later she wishes she had learned more about them. It's as if that scene had never occured and the writer forgot what they had previously wrote.

TADEUSZ OF THE NIGHT PEOPLE-SPOILERS

When Jena meets Tadeusz I actually found him interesting. He flirts with Jena and implies she is jealous of her prettier sister. For the first time we realize that Jena is woman, and might want to be desired by a man, instead of simply wanting to have a career. Their short conversation is the best in the story as it is the most insightful as well as mysterious. I kept wondering if we could really trust him.

Unfortunately, he is barely in the story. Only appearing a second time to reveal he is a two dimensional villain who simply wanted Sorrow to see him with Tati.

I feel like he could have been so much more. In fact the Night People could have been so much more. Jena could have realized her desire for control was a detriment to her and she could have tried to control Tadeusz, perhaps to serious consequences. Maybe she could have sacrificed herself for her family and have had to realize she can't save everyone (like her foolish sister). A character like Tadeusz would have been perfect for that purpose.

Instead in her minds eye, he mocks her, saying she will have to marry and have children, which would be an awful fate.

THE TROUBLE WITH MEN

All men besides Jena's father and Gogu are portrayed as stupid, evil, or sexist.

When they have a dance, all the men that Jena dances with are unbearable.

When Cezar brings some men with him, Jena describes them as slow and supercilious. They like hunting, drinking and bragging about themselves.

And afterwards when the girls speak of true love, Jena reminds them there are only boring men (if they're not evil and sexist of course). Basically, kind, caring men don't exist.

The only good men are those who support Jena's view of women (Gogu and her father). Although one man does stand in front of a girl, preventing her from being hit by Cezar. Not that that changes Jena's mind about men as a whole.

CEZAR, OPPRESSOR OF WOMEN

Cezar is our main villain. He is overbearing, controlling, arrogant, sexist, bigoted, and basically a cartoon character villain.

Even when his own father dies we don't get to see a vulnerable side to him. I couldn't hate him because he didn't feel like an actual person. One of his whoppers was: “Woman lack the resilience to deal with such losses and move one.”

And he was talking about his mother. His mother. He can't even be portrayed as being kind to her. God forbid he have any redeeming qualities. He never does anything that is not evil.

He sends away the village priest because he taught Paula history. Apparently he was too stupid to realize this would affect the entire village.

Once or twice he feigns concern for Jena but it never comes across as genuine in the least. Paternal sexism might actual be understandable (because Jena comes off as so desperate to have control over everything).

It's ironic that the only two people who have any insights into Jena are both men. Tadeusz, and Cezar when he notes that a woman who wishes to control everyone will have a lonely future. Unfortunately, Jena never really learns to let things go.

SUDDENLY EVIL?-SPOILERS

We get a dramatic reveal about a childhood encounter with a witch. And Cezar is described as suddenly becoming evil. Little to no thought went into his character development.

How on earth could Cezar know that the witch meant to kill his brother? She was speaking in riddles. If he had met the witch before and maybe learned about her, or made some deal perhaps it would have made sense.

Instead, he just became evil that play date on the lake, because he was selfish. And selfish kids kill their brothers.

THE FROG AND HIS SECRET-SPOILERS

There are many hints that make it obvious to the reader that Gogu is Jena's cousin, Costi. But I don't care about that.

There are two problems I have with him. When he turns back into a man, naked and speechless, Jena just abandons him because he doesn't answer her questions. Later on we learn that there was a spell that kept him from speaking. But that's no excuse for Jena's behavior. She still believes the things she saw in the Mirror (even though she knows the Night People are evil). And instead of questioning him, of being furious about his lies, or curious about who he really is, she just runs off like an idiot.

And even when he appears again, looking pathetic and miserable, she still won't talk to him. I felt like everything was done for the sake of the plot.

THE MIRROR

Jena gets tempted into looking into a mirror that the Night People claim will show her the future and help her get rid of Cezar. But she comes off as an idiot believing that they are telling the truth. Everything she has seen has told her not to trust them. So then why does she? So much feels like it's done for the sake of the plot and not because it makes sense.

TATI AND SORROW

From the beginning it is obvious Tati is sheltered and naive. Sorrow is handsome, mysterious, and seems to be a tragic victim (even though Tati has no actual evidence of it, and even admits as much). She wants to be his savior, run off with him and live happily ever after. She thinks nothing of those she leaves behind, who will never be able to see her ever again. She gives away her dead mother's necklace with no thought to the feelings of her siblings. And when Jena explains she will get old and die while Sorrow stays young she seems too dumb to understand this.

One of her lovely lines is when she says she wishes she was known for more than being pretty. She could start with not being a selfish idiot.

The problem with Tati being right is that she never has to learn anything, which means she doesn't have an arc. Which makes her just another two dimensional character whose only aspect of her is her victimhood.

And Sorrow is so dumb that he gets into a fight to be Tati's boat driver, and then shows up at Jena's party, even when Cezar and his men have killed a dwarf.

THE WITCH-SPOILERS

Jena ends up finding out that the witch has manipulated her and her cousins' lives. Not only ending ones existence, but enabling one to basically end another's life.

It was quite obvious to me that she was real villain of the story. Jena is intimidated by her and yet never seems to think she is evil for manipulating her and her cousins as small children. She only thinks her evil when she first sees Gogu transform. And then later, learning who he is, is merely intimidated by the witch, but certainly not seized with hatred.

Also the power she has is confusing and unclear. Paula says that perhaps the witch can perhaps change all the rules. How? And why? She certainly doesn't care about anyone.

I REMEMBER

When Jena meets the witch again she is coaxed into remembering the truth about Costi's death. I just thought it was convenient. All it takes is being reminded that Cezar told her what to say, and she never saw Costi die, herself?

I wish there had been hints beforehand. Had Jena really never thought about it? It just felt really deus ex machina. The witch says remember, so she does.

CEZAR'S FATE-SPOILERS

Cezar just runs away and we never see him again. It feels rushed and as if no thought when into it. Like, well, he's really evil and there's no hope for him anyway. So he's just going to run away.

And Costi forgives his brother although he gives him a stern talking to. Did I mention how dull Costi is?

CLIMAX

Costi confronts his brother in an anticlimatic argument.

Jena mopes about Costi not loving or forgiving her until they finally get together. But Jena won't be oppressed, because she will help run the family business. And maybe some other people will take care of the children.

The trouble with Sorrow and Tati comes to a head.

CONCLUSION

I have hardly read a story so full of details and clearly so much effort put into it, only for the story to be so abysmally bad.

The story suffers from many different ailments. Firstly, the characters are all stereotypes. Jena is the plain, dependable type who sees well beyond her time and is well aware that all men are the oppressors of women. Tati is pretty but stupid, thinking through nothing she does and refusing to believe she could ever be wrong. Cezar is a sexist, bigoted, arrogant and evil. Just because.

Attempts at depth in characters fail. The Night People being the most obvious example. Jena never realizing she can't have everything she wants, being another.

Characters seem inconsistent at times, suddenly illogical. Like how Jena should know her father would never force her to marry against her will. Or that she believes the Night People (whom she believes are completely evil) even after witnessing them torture innocent victims.

Either the plot controls the characters or the characters are dumb for the sake of the plot. Everything feels manipulated by the author.

I give “Wildwood Dancing” one star.