Book Review: "Ragwitch" by Garth Nix

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When Paul's sister Julia is possessed by an evil witch, Paul ends up being sent to another world. There he must find and rescue his sister. But before he can do that he has to seek help.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Paul is reluctant to be a hero. He is confused and scared about what happened to his sister and for a long time, only moves forward because he doesn't know what else to do. Eventually he develops into a brave character.

Julia is horrified at the ragwitch taking over her body as well as what she witnesses. However, she is also quite stubborn and gradually develops into a heroine.

The ragwitch is an evil woman who has no sympathy for her victims. Her goal is ultimate power and she doesn't care who she has to kill to get to it.

Lyssa ends up being a mentor and comforter to Julia. She helps her learn to move through the ragwitch's mind.

Quigin is a young man that was told to assist Paul by master Thruan. He also serves Master Caegel. He has the ability to communicate with animals, which comes in handy. His title is an apprentice to “Friends of Beasts”.

Anhyvar is a woman that Julia is sent to find by Lyssa. She can help defeat the ragwitch.

Tanboule is a mentor character. He is rather stubborn and kind of vague. Eventually he directs Paul to what he needs to defeat the ragwitch and how to do so. Also he reveals some of the ragwitch's past.

PACING

The story's structure is set up going back and forth between the two main characters. This helps the story feel faster, the closer we get to the climax. Also, the story jumps right into things, and we get only a few pages before Paul is confronting the ragwitch, herself.

THE BOND OF SIBLINGS

My one issue is the relationship between Julia and Paul. It essentially drives the story. Paul's love for his sister pushes him to rescue her, even though he is scared and has no real confidence in his abilities.

I mentioned how fast the story jumps into the plot, which can be a positive thing. Unfortunately, I never got to understand the closeness and the dynamics of their relationship.

We see that Julia is bold and wants to explore, while Paul is much more hesitant. But that is all we see. Paul actually says later that he is a follower and needs Julia there with him (just in case you missed this in the beginning).

There is maybe one other scene where he misses her and thinks of her while witnessing the caring behavior of others around him. But it's so far and few in between. I would have liked a longer, more drawn out introduction that revealed their relationship. Or some flashbacks. Maybe even Paul explaining an important moment in his and Julia's relationship.

Were they really so close at all? Maybe they weren't and Paul deeply regrets it, and that's what pushed him forward. Or maybe he realizes he was the older one, and the boy, so it was he who should have had the role of the protector (being that he is more wise, stronger physically, and has an obligation to protect the younger, physically weaker, Julia).

Maybe there were issues regarding their parents and they learned to rely on each other, because they were all each other had. Any mention of their relationship would have been greatly appreciated.

THE WORLD OF MEMORIES

Julia spends her entire time in the Ragwitch's mind. There she meets people who have been her victims, as well as explore her past. I think it was important that the beings there were a real threat to Julia, so as to make her journey as dangerous as her brother's.

THE ELEMENTALS-SPOILERS

Paul has to meet the Masters of Air, Water, Fire and Earth. None of them are friendly, straight forward, or happy to help him. He meets the master of air while up in a balloon with Quiglin. He finds Paul amusing so gives him an item. I thought that was kind of silly, but he was only the first one we met.

Then meets the water Lord down in the depth so the ocean, thanks to a water witch that allows him to swim underwater. The journey is long, but he retrieves the item rather easily. It's the journey back that proves more difficult, when sharks show up.

The Fire Queen asks him to dance on fire coals, and he has to trust her to do so. I thought it was kind of silly that thinks he shouldn't say he will do anything for her, then says it anyway. Regardless he shows bravery and does it.

Lastly, he meets the Earth Lady, who oddly enough, gives him the last item after she finishes harvesting potatoes

Honestly, I didn't find the elementals all that interesting or entertaining. I kind of wish there had been more to the tasks that were required.

SIDE CHARACTERS

A weak point is that many of the side characters are not very distinct in personality. None really have a history. The best ones are probably Tanboule, for it's obvious what his role is (as well as his distinct personality). And Lyssa, who is obviously Julia's guide, while being kind and experienced.

Quigin has a distinct personality, being that he is rather energetic, sometimes pouty, whining about his lack of abilities. But he has no history, no family and no explanation to his motivations.

As for Alyene and Rellan they don't really have personalities. Perhaps its unfair, as many characters get such small roles that there is no time to develop them in any meaningful way. Like the waterwitch, who is barely in the story at all.

CREATURES OF THE WORLD

The magical world of the ragwitch is full of strange creatures. Paul meets strange beings called May Dancers, who are covered with leaves. Then he witnesses a huge creature, summoned, called an Ornware. The glazed beings are those that the Ragwitch has killed and then uses for her own purposes, basically zombies. Some animals are used by elementals as guides, like dolphins, while others are threats, like sharks.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ANHYVAR-SPOILERS

Julia is sent to go find a woman called Anhyvar. But she must go alone. Eventually, it is revealed to her by another just who this woman is. Turns out she is the ragwitch, but a younger version of her, before she was corrupted.

JUST LIKE THE RAGWITCH

Julia has to fight the ragwitch's ability to influence her and eventually absorb her. Lyssa helps her at first by creating a twig-maiden that is taken to be Julia so the real Julia is left alone. And by giving her a wand. She tries to act like the ragwitch in order to protect King Mirran. And she is surprised how much she sounds like her, and even feels like her, yelling orders to her slaves.

Eventually she is attacked directly by the witch, and has to fight her off. I think it would have been interesting if this had happened more gradually.

PAUL'S DECISON-SPOILERS

Eventually Paul is forced to make a decision when the meets the Patchwork King. He can only ask for one spell. At first he asks for a way for him and Julia to go home. But then he thinks what Julia would think if they left without helping.

I thought that was interesting, because he felt held accountable by his sister. He then thinks of the other people he would be leaving behind, but only Julia seems like she convicts him. Which makes sense, I suppose, as he didn't get particularly close with any one person. Though I still wish he had.

It is essentially this moment in the story where he fully evolves, consciously making the decision to stay and risk death, rather then go home.

IDEAS-SPOILERS

There are many different aspects of the book that I thought were interesting and original. For instance, Julia gets told that Lyssa cannot promise her life back, only that they could truly die and no longer be attached to the ragwitch. Most childrens' stories never touch on the idea of failure and of accepting death in any meaningful way.

Also, after their adventure is over, both Julia and Paul get the choice of forgetting everything, but decide that they want to remember. I have read stories where all memories, and even all sacrifices were wiped away, completely destroying any meaning from their story.

Julia completes her character arc by taking over the ragwitch and allowing Paul to kill her. And Paul never really knows if Julia will live, because he doesn't ask the Patchwork King. While Julia never knows what Paul's plan is. I wish this had been acknowledged as it would have deepened their characters. Their was either faith in each other, or perhaps sacrifice on both their parts.

CLIMAX

After receiving a weapon, Paul returns to battle, where he faces the ragwitch. With help from Julia and her friends, she is defeated. He and Julia are reunited.

AFTERMATH

I admit to being disappointed with Paul and Julia's reunion. I kind of wanted Julia to step back, maybe even during the battle and be in awe of how much her brother had changed. She does see him earlier and seem proud. But it's all very rushed and vague.

CONCLUSION

The world that Nix creates is detailed and the characters are likable. They both develop from scared kids to brave heroes. And the ragwitch is creepy, merciless and terrifying.

And yet the story has weak points. Mainly the relationship between the two siblings-they spend the entire book apart. And no real relationship is shown before they are separated.

I liked both Tanboule and Lyssa as mentor characters. Unfortunately, all other side characters were rather lacking in personality as well as any real relationship with the main characters.

There were many original ideas that had great potential. Unfortunately we barely skim the surface and I was left feeling disappointed. Still, it's a worthy read if you love fantasy. I give “Ragwitch” three stars.

Book Review: "Hatching Magic" by Ann Downer

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

When her father goes off for work, Theodora is left without any friends. Instead all she has is her obsession with wyerns. But fate has more in store for her when a real wizard crosses over to her world to find a missing creature.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Theodora is a young girl who loves the fantasy creature Wyvern. It's rather an obsession.

Gideon is an important sorcerer in the service of the king. He ends up going after his Wyvern when she disappears.

Merlin is a sorcer in Theodora's world. He is a professor and has a tendency to ramble on.

Mikko works for Theodora's dad cooking and keeping house. She lives with them and ends up being important by introducing her to a woman named Dr. Naga.

Kobold is a sorcerer and a rival to Gideon. He wants to find the wyvern before Gideon.

Febrys is Kobold's servent. She is often verbally abused and rather timid.

PACING

The pacing is rather slow. I think a part of this has to do with the fact that the author, often under the guise of Merlin, has a habit of jumping in and giving details that have nothing to do with the story. Perhaps it was meant to show how much detail was put into the world, but it is never relevant. Nor that interesting. Perhaps if it had been done half as much it wouldn't have slowed the story so much.

WHOSE WORLD?

Throughout the story, we are told that Theodora is obsessed with a magic card game as well as the magical creature called a Wyvern. But it is obvious that in her world, there is no actual magic. There are merely video games, movies and video games about it.

And eighty percent of the story, Theodora and Merlin are not together. I kept wondering if Merlin's world was really Theodora's. After all, Merlin never explains how everything is kept secret. He talks so openly that I got no sense of secrecy. It seemed unclear. It could easily have been an alternative world to Theodora's, and they would have to cross over to hers.

When it turned out they lived in the same world I was confused. I wish it had been explained better. Like maybe Theodora had seen hints of magic being real, or something.

CHARACTER DEPTH

The biggest attempt made at character depth is giving Gideon and Theodora a brief history. Theodora lost her mother a few years ago. Gideon had a rivalry with another wizard and a falling out over a girl.

Mikko is a mystery who is never fully explained. And Merlin has no real history.

WYCCA

We get multiple instances of where the female wyvern wishes to have her baby. I thought it was kind of amusing, but not exactly essential. As she doesn't meet Theodora until she is accidentally summoned. Theodora never meets her where she has her baby.

A TRICK

Kobold hears a phone message from Theodora's dad and comes up with a plan. Theodora eventually figures it out when she recalls out when he phrases something wrong, by saying “would you like to hold?” instead of “wait”. I would have liked various small hints instead of one clue.

FEBRYS' OFFER

After Febrys fails to trick and entrap Theodora, she inquires about a photo. Theodora explains it was her mom who has died. It thought it was kind of unlikely that Febrys would go gazing at photos, or even seek out one. Perhaps she should have almost knocked one over, and Theodora brought attention to it by grabbing it or being upset over its demise. Febrys could be curious about her emotional reaction and then inquire about it.

THEODORA'S MOTHER

There is a mention that Theodora's mother died but not much about it. In one scene, Theodora suddenly recalls a memory of her and instantly becomes depressed. It's framed like she has been trying to suppress these memories to be happy but before that instant, it's never implied. So I was left feeling that the story was demanding an emotional reaction from me it hadn't earned.

CHARACTER ARC-SPOILERS

Theodora is shown to be lacking in confidence. She wants to be accepted by a group of kids and ends up storming off when she is rejected.

She goes off alone to get help about the Wyvern and Mikko, and ends up fighting Kobold. Not physically, but mentally.

This was actually a brilliant idea, because it helped her let go of her mother and reveal her abilities. Unfortunately there are no hints at all about her lineage so its feels shoved in and way too reliant in coincidences. And like I previously stated, we don't really address Theordora's feelings about her mother except for one scene in the book.

CLIMAX

Kobold confronts Theodora. Merlin and Gideon show up and attempt to help. The problem is solved thanks to Theodora's unexpected abilities.

COINCIDENCE-SPOILERS

The main reason that Theodora's gets involved with the main plot (Gideon and Merlin) is when she accidentally summons a Wyvern. She basically just makes up a spell, asking that a Wyvern be brought to her. I don't know who or what would bring it. How could Theodora summon one?

Well, after the climax Gideon and Merlin discuss it, saying that Theodora's is a descendant of Gideon's lost love. This is the first major example of coincidence. They don't tell her, by the way.

The second major example is that Theodora is obsessed with a card game. She only needs one card to finish her collection. Also Gideon has a set of cards he uses, and has one of a wyvern. Which he happens to lose. And Theodora happens to find.

I don't mind in coincidence if it is rarely used, and characters end up being in the same place at close times because important events bring them together. Like puzzle pieces. Unfortunately, that wasn't how it was used in this story.

CONCLUSION

I found Theodora, Mikko and Febrys likable and sympathetic. Unfortunately, they didn't have much depth to them.

While the other characters seemed rather boring and lifeless. Merlin has no past, no family, no friends. He seems to exist mainly for the story and have evaporated out of thin air. With vague description of him being a knowledgeable professor. Gideon and Merlins' pasts seem unimportant, until its revealed and becomes crucial to the plot. And yet it feels inserted without much time spent on it.

The story relies too much on coincidence for my liking. It's not a well put together puzzle, its a convenience.

My favorite part was the climax. The idea was good, unfortunately because I knew so little about Theodora's relationship with her mother (nor had any hints about her lineage been made) it had less of an emotional impact then I would have liked.

I give “Hatching Magic” two stars.

Book Review: "The Supernaturalist" by Eoin Colfer

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Cosmo lives in a dystopian world called Satellite City. There he meets a group of kids who explain it's their mission to save the city, and it turns out that Cosmo has a special ability that can help.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Cosmo is a young orphan who only dreams of being free. He is socially awkward but brave.

Stefan is the leader of a group of kids. He is the oldest and the most passionate about his job, to the point of being obsessive.

Mona is a young Hispanic girl who loves working on cars.

Ditto is a bartoli baby, a being who was experimented on and resembles a small child, even though he is actually much older. He is usually sarcastic and rarely lets down his guard.

PACING

The pacing is decent. The story jumps straight into action with a short introduction to Cosmo and his world. We learn different things about the world as we go along.

MONA & COSMO

Cosmo ends up saving Mona's life early on, so she admits she owes him. This also causes her to defend him to Ditto and say that he's different. Although I felt this was kind of forced, as they had only spent a short time together.

COSMO & STEFAN

Cosmo admires Stefan, realizing he has to make tough decisions. As well as wanting his approval. And yet I never felt that Stefan was any sort of mentor figure, not even a big brother.

Not to mention that Stefan admits he doesn't want to be responsible for Cosmo, so he doesn't quite feel like a leader.

To be fair, it's not as if Cosmo goes along full heartedly with what Stefan wants. He wonders if hunting parasites is really what he wants to do. Stefan does eventually confide in Cosmo, but I feel as though its because we were getting closer to the climax, not because they had grown any closer.

MONA'S HESITATION

There is a scene where Mona asks if they should try to prevent a disaster. The parasites show up only where trouble is. I thought it was strange that Mona was asking this as if they had never hunted before.

THE WORLD

Cosmo's world is one full of overpopulation, pollution and most other catastrophe claims that we have all heard made over and over through the decades. We learn some over time, but most of it is summarized by Faustino when she explains what she is doing in trying to save the world.

POINT OF VIEW

For the most part, Cosmo tells the story and we stay in his head. But there a few scenes completely told by other characters. Ditto, for example, explains his past to the reader. And we also jump inside Stefan's head a few times. Mona gets a short time.

I think the point was to share with the reader about the characters. We learn that Mona hasn't felt pretty for a long time. I just think I would have preferred hints, like Cosmo saying she was pretty and Mona being surprised.

SPELL IT OUT-SPOILERS

It turns out that Stefan used to work for the police but after his mother died in an accident, he quit. He blames himself and the parasites for her death. We don't learn these specific details until later.

But we do get a scene right off the bat, where Stefan goes to his mother's grave and imagines her telling him that whenever he saves someone from a parasite, he's saving her.

I thought this was kind of on the nose, and would rather it had been hinted at, and perhaps Cosmo has to investigate, or earn Stefan's trust. And then the reader would be rewarded.

WELFARE FOR ALL

In the beginning of the story, when we see the orphanage that Cosmo is at, there is a brief mention that it has to run by its own money, not others. It gets no welfare from the government. I thought it was odd to mention, as if getting the government involved would magically make it better. When in reality it would most likely be run by bureaucrats who would just throw money at the problem.

Later on, welfare is mentioned again, and its put center stage when we meet Ella Faustino. It's so strange, because the center of the story is about the parasites, the corrupt cops and the corrupt corporation. And yet the solution to the messed up city is...welfare. It's just so random and illogical.

It's political and feels shoved in. Same with the idea that nuclear power is the greatest evil, has caused the most harm and must be destroyed. Kind of just thrown in near the climax.

THE ADULTS' FAULT

There is one scene where Stefan points out that the adults have screwed things up (so a stranger can trust them). And apparently...it's the fact that they are adult that makes them bad? Not greed. Not narcissism. Just being adult. Luckily children are immune to such things.

It came across as childish and naive.

In another scene, Stefan thinks that a character could not want him killed, because they are a scientist. Not for any any actual reason, like being longtime friends and a mentor. It was just another example of stupidity.

COSMO'S IDEA-SPOILERS

Stefan make a huge decision, telling everyone they have to quit hunting parasites. And then two seconds later changes his mind. I get its because Cosmo has to contribute something important to the plot. He is crucial, but it just makes Stefan look weak willed. And he was anything but, before this.

Later on, Cosmo ends up being important. He realizes that he is the only one who can go on a mission because of the size of a uniform. Not to mention he helps them find a maintenance hatch to get in. In that way, he is important twice. I don't actually think we needed the first part, since we had the second.

OUR CARTOON VILLAIN-SPOILERS

It turns out that Ella has always been working for Myishi, and was simply pretending to work for the Police academy, when she knew Stefan. She ends up making a speech about not caring about anyone and just wanting money (after she has been exposed).

But the thing was, she already made a speech before this. A better one, where her intention was clearly to save the world, even if she had to give herself way too much power to do so.

If Ellen had been shown to believe what she was doing was right and if that had stayed that way, she would have been a convincing villain. Instead she comes off as silly stereotype of the greedy corporation owner.

THE TRUTH ABOUT PARASITES-SPOILERS

Blue beetle looking creatures that only some can see, appear whenever people are injured and close to death. They cling to those and seem to kill them faster.

There is a twist, where Stefan finds out he was wrong about them. And then he finds out both he and Faustino were wrong. I actually would have liked if there hadn't been a second twist, and Stefan had indeed been manipulated to do Faustino's dirty work. And had been helping the parasites grow. To live with that would be tough.

THE TRUTH ABOUT DITTO-SPOILERS

It is eventually revealed that Ditto has the power to heal and knows the truth about the parasites. When Mona finds out, Stefan does too. And he is furious at being lied to. I felt bad for Ditto but never felt any real closeness between him and Stefan. Both never got beyond their masks, Ditto with his sarcasm and Stefan with his obsession.

Also, I thought that Stefan was overreacting. After all, it was not as if Ditto ever put any of them in danger. And I just didn't feel like this added anything to the story. I know the others had to learn the truth about Ditto, I just didn't care for how it was done.

MAIN CHARACTER

Cosmo wonders about his parents and who they were, but for the most part, he has no past. And he has no real goals, other than to be free. Because of this, I found Stefan the most interesting character and also the character that pushed all of the other characters.

Also, I found that events that were the most important, didn't have a strong emotional effect on me. Like when we reveal the truth about Stefan's mom. I would almost have had the story start with him as a cop then flash forward then back to the accident with his mom. Or flash back to a much longer scene about it. Either way, just make him the focus.

And when we meet Faustino, I wanted to be shocked. I wanted to have known Faustino and seen how close she had been with Stefan and his mother. Instead I felt detached because I watched it from Cosmo's view point. Seeing them hug and assuming they had been close. Though I knew nothing about it.

And when Stefan gets a revelation and has his world turned upside down, I felt as though he was supposed to be the most important character.

THE STEEL PLATE

In the beginning, after being rescued, Cosmo gets plate put in his head. This ends up playing into the climax. I like how it became important, like a puzzle piece put in last.

CLIMAX

The group decides to have one last mission, but not to harm the parasites, to strike a blow against the Myishi corporation. Things end up backfiring when they get caught and have to form another plan. Stefan makes a dramatic decision.

AN AFTERLIFE-SPOILERS

Ditto eventually reveals that there is an after \life and that he has seen it. I thought this was strange and just thrown in. Also, it kind of gave Stefan an out so he could get killed and not really care. It wasn't done out of bravery. It was done because he knew he could go see his mom.

PROBLEMS IN THE CITY-SPOILERS

The city moves around like a huge puzzle, and lately its been screwing up. Pieces going in the wrong place. This is important to the plot as its later revealed. Although it's not really solved.

In fact after the finale it feels like things just go back to normal. We get a scene where Ellen Faustino has survived, which doesn't make much sense. If she survived, then wouldn't Stefan have survived too?

She gets a scolding from her corporate overlord and the mayor (who is corrupt, but hopefully we'll still get welfare) and is sent away. But those in power don't seem threatened but what happened. They are still going forward with building another reactor.

CONCLUSION

The story idea was interesting. I liked the idea of the parasites being a confusing subject. And the pacing was good. Also there was some good use of humor throughout.

But I felt like Stefan should have been the main character, not Cosmo. Perhaps he originally was, but when the author decided on the ending he switched it to Cosmo.

Also the relationships seemed lacking. Stefan saved Mona, but he never comes off as a caring person, and I had a hard time understanding why he and his friends ended up together.

Also there were moments where the characters come off as stupid, which I don't think was intentional.

I give “The Supernaturalist” two and half stars.

Book Review: "Dreamquake" by Elizabeth Knox

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Laura remains estranged from her family, even after explaining her suspicions about the government. Meanwhile she clings to Nown and Sand and even the return of a lost loved one does not fix things. Although Rose decides to investigate the matter herself.

PACING

Pacing is a problem for me. There are plenty of action scenes in the story, a big one being a fire that a main character is trapped in. I felt no real sense of urgency and no insight into the character involved.

Rose doesn't think, “no, I am going to die.” Or “I can't do this, I can't jump off a building. This is crazy!”

She never panics, hesitates, doubts herself or anything. She felt completely unrealistic. I felt like a disconnected third party, watching from afar and knowing nothing. As if I were watching a video posted on the internet, as opposed to being in a story.

WHY AUNT MARTA?

We met Chorely's estranged sister in the first book. I thought since Laura barely knew her it was strange for her to run to her aunt. Perhaps it would have been wise to reveal some sort of relationship between them that still existed or had at least once existed.

We get a view from Laura that looks down upon the Patriarch and the religion that Marta has faith in. Which is kind of odd, because Laura is more like her father, believing in a God. And the Patriarch kind of has a point about the Dream Palace being a place to experience second hand pleasures where there actions have no consequences. After all, we already know its being abused by the sexually perverse. But Laura seems not to realize this.

FATHER ISSUES?

Laura treats Nown like a loyal pet. Both Rose and Tziga are appalled by this. It's obvious that Rose believes him to be an unnatural creature, therefore her sisters' relationship is viewed as unnatural as well. While I think Tziga views it badly because Laura views Nown much different then her father viewed him as: a tool to be used. And there is a vague reference to Laura thinking Nown replaced her dad.

Rose never quite gets over this as this string is just left dangling. I can forgive that, but Tziga's view is quite important as his relationship to Laura is what spurred her on in the first book.

LAURA & ROSE

Rose reveals to her father that she is upset that Laura lied to her. She is also rather awkward around Nown when she meets him. When Rose finally confronts Laura, she tries to explain why she did what she did. She is rather impassioned about it but after that one argument never really tries to resolve anything.

Their whole relationship takes a back seat after that. Her priorities seem all screwed up and never resolved (caring more about Nown than Tziga and Rose).

LAURA & SANDY

The main problem I have is that the relationship is far too rushed. Sandy is upset that Laura never told him about what she was going to do at the dream palace. And yet he barely knew her. He tries to deny his crush, saying that he is only infatuated with her because of her famous family. But again, he barely knew her.

When he gets a letter from her he gets an impression that she is in a relationship with an unknown man and is furious. But why? He and Laura were merely acquaintances and neither revealed a desire for one another. It felt just so melodramatic.

WEIRD INFORMATION

At the boarding house where Sandy stays, there are two girls who are always flirting with him. He ignores them until he gets Laura's letter. Then he kisses one.

Later on, he recalls to the reader that he let that same girl put her hand down his pants. That he didn't want it but hadn't complained at the time. Basically he had been harassed and hadn't known what to do. This paints him as a victim and rather weak willed. It also felt completley random and unnecessary. This brings me to my next point.

LOVE OR LUST?-SPOILERS

Sandy and Laura barely know each other, but upon Laura's return, Sandy is chosen to work with her. So apparently they spend a lot of time together. I say apparently because we don't see them getting to know each other and their feelings developing. We merely see them at a table together, where Laura is being overly affectionate and Sandy is looking uncomfortable.

If that isn't bad enough, they go on a trip together (for work) and the moment they are alone, Laura manipulates him into sleeping with her. I say manipulate because Sandy is clearly uncomfortable. He says he wants to marry her and asks if he does. But Laura just seems annoyed that he won't just take his pants off and sleep with her on the dirt. Hardly the greatest love story of our time. He is actually described as almost being in tears.

Now, I do think Laura is supposed to be slightly confused because of her relationship with Nown (in her letter to him she seems overly attached to him). But it is all so vague and never expounded upon so that I never found Laura sympathetic in the least. She just seemed overpowering.

If the positions had been reversed I feel that readers would have called out Sandy's character for being an abuser. Example: a girl asks a man if he wants to marry her after her asks to sleep with her, but he ignores her, she starts crying and demands to know that he loves her. Then he tells her to lay down and shut up.

Yes, there are some instances where its revealed that dreamhunters like Laura seem to have no boundaries and can do whatever they want. But Laura never realizes this, herself. So I can't say it's obvious that the writer was trying to portray their relationship as unhealthy.

VICTORIAN MORALS?-SPOILERS

The story is supposed to take place in an alternative timeline in a Victorian world. All girls wear skirts, women have coming out balls and are expected to marry and have children. It wouldn't be too much to think that fornication and other sexual practices that have been normalized since the sexual revolution would be frowned upon.

And yet not only does Laura casually have relations with him, she gets pregnant and doesn't seem phased in the bit. So she comes off as rather arrogant and not the least bit regrets her actions. As for her family, well they don't seem that upset either. It's as if twenty-first century values are forced on this Victorian world out of the blue.

Although there is a point earlier where Chorley admits to himself that he almost expected them to have been intimate. He seems appalled at this, even though there is no evidence that Sandy would do such a thing, but perhaps Chorley thinks his niece is foolish and naive.

CONFIDING IN GRACE

After he gets upset about Laura's letter, Sandy ends up confiding in Grace. It's important to the story for Grace to find out about an unknown man but it makes no sense. Laura was an acquaintance and Grace was a complete stranger. And yet Sandy reveals very personal information. This seems to go against his character as he is supposedly defensive and in denial about his crush.

THE RETURN OF TZIGA

Tziga is alive. But the interactions between him and Chorely do not show any great chemistry or explain why two people so different are friends. I had hoped that would have been the case, since he was vacant from the first book.

But I don't even feel that I got to know Tziga as a character. He is very dramatic and obviously feels like he must be a savior, even though Grace is furious at him for it. Even his relationship with Laura seems lacking.

ROSE & MAMIE

It's never made clear about Rose and her relationship to Mamie. It really feels like she is her friend, and yet she also wants to make use of the fact that Mamie lives where she wants to investigate. I wish she had simply clarified that she truly made a friend, even though that was never her intention.

MAMIE'S BROTHER

While staying at Mamie's house, Rose ends up getting harassed by Mamie's brother. I don't know what the purpose was, except to perhaps to show that both father and son were corrupt.

Perhaps it was to victimize Rose so she could complain about having to always be sensible. I felt bad for her for being harassed, and yet I don't think she came out looking great. She actually seemed obnoxious. After all, instead of standing up for herself, she plays it down, and then complains about having to be sensible.

THE GOVERNMENT'S SECRET-SPOILERS

Laura ends up exploring and finding out about a secret facility where certain people are kept. In this prison they are constantly given a dream called Contentment. Like a drug, it keeps them dumb and happy so they don't try to escape.

RANDOM RELIGION-SPOILERS

There are a few instances where Laura makes religious comparisons between her actions and those of the Bible. They always came across as weird, as though the author wanted her readers to see religious themes but didn't trust them to figure it out. So Laura, being the religious character must spell it out.

Making Nown is like God making humanity and the planet. And her work was good, like his was. As a girl who seemed to have little interest in the Bible or church, I thought it strange that she make such comparisons.

There is also a philosophy discussion between Chorely and another about the purpose of the Place and the purpose of life. I found it interesting but disconnected from the story itself.

Also, I feel religious emotions are just shoved in half-hazardly, like when Laura decides now that Sandy is not dead, that her baby is a gift from God. She didn't seem to think of it that way before, in fact, she barely seemed to think at all about God, or the baby.

INSIGHTFUL LAURA

When Laura is faced with the man running the secret prison she suddenly seems overly perceptive. She describes his motives and how evil he is. The whole scene feels weird and out of the blue. This is a minor character, I don't need a psychological evaluation.

OUT OF THE PICTURE-SPOILERS

At the coming out ball, Sandy is targeted for being a nuisance. We are left for the rest of the book thinking that he is dead. I didn't see how he was any threat to the government but I didn't really care that wasn't in the rest of the story as he didn't really add anything. It all felt kind of silly, like, Laura's true love must be put in danger for dramatic effect.

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PLACE-SPOILERS

We eventually learn that the Place is actually the future. The woman we thought of as Verity is actually an older Laura. I thought this was a great idea and I was very interested. One of the tortured prisoners is actually Laura's future son.

The way it is revealed, with Grace is shocking. But unfortunately, when Laura admits she knew it all along, its underwhelming. Not to mention the way it is used, as a tool to show how clever the author is.

Time travel is tricky, because so often the author comes off as pretentious. And in order for it to work, pieces must fit together perfectly like a puzzle.

It's okay if it's slightly confusing at first, but if you think about it over and over and it still doesn't make any sense, I think it's acceptable to assume the story is bad and not that the reader is just too stupid to understand the genius of the plot.

It's all so vague and confusing, especially when we get insight into how apparently Laura and Rose stay estranged in the future. Instead of puzzle pieces fitting together I felt like they were tossed aside and lost. The story ends seeming to be continued.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Laura goes to the Place to dig up a still living man and bring him back. The place disappear and a vague description of why it has happened is given.

CONCLUSION

I found aspects of the story interesting, like when Laura goes exploring and gets taken captive. And then has to find a way to escape. And the revelation about the truth about the place was quite interesting as well.

However the characters and the relationships between them are lacking. I never really believe the romantic relationship between Laura and Sandy. And Tziga feeling replaced by Nown is never addressed.

As for the ending, it feels like its trying desperately to be clever, but by then I was too confused and bored, just wanting it to be over with.

I give “Dreamquake” one and half stars.