4 Stars for FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven is a child of William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies and The Walking Dead's Negan episodes. Lord of the Flies because of the deeper psychological element that makes us question the darker side of ourselves and that of others. Lord of the Flies is also loaded with symbolism representing intellect, unbridled violence, and leadership. All of these characteristics are found in humanity. They are also represented in the tribe leaders, intellects and violent acts of the Pirates and Warthogs in the book, FantasticLand. 

The underlying question of this book is why did a group of teenagers turn so quickly to gruesome acts of violence? In quick summary: FantasticLand is about a little over 200 teenagers who find themselves stranded in an amusement park for several weeks. They begin killing each other in less than a week. Why? I feel the answer to this question lies within our human psyche and the small percentage of real psychos out there that can (leadership) manipulate others who are weakened by tragedy, thus the hurricane that stranded the teens. 

As mentioned, this also reminded me of the Walking Dead Negan episodes because the bad Pirate group in the story used fear tactics much like Negan and his men. That scared me worse than the blood shed. Scarier than the Pirates was the Warthogs. The chapter on the Warthogs was the best chapter. I understand there is a sequel here. I definitely want to get my hands on it. This leads me to why I gave this book 4 stars rather than 5. That rating came from the Warthog chapter. After reading that chapter every other chapter fell short. The warthog chapter found the magic of suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The rest of the book intrigued me, but nothing like that one. 

That said: Bockoven wove together a clever book with a dynamic premise. FantasticLand was told in several interviews piecing together the massacre. Bockoven's ability to create very distinct voices throughout brought a real human element to the monsters of FantasticLand. In the end, you may question what group you fall into: Pirates, Shop Girls, Deadpools, Fairies. You notice I didn't include the Warthogs. Hopefully, you don't either.

Five Stars for Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford

Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford is a rollercoaster-in-outer-space. Each chapter ends on the precipice of downhill fun. Bransford understands the mind of twelve-year-old boys and he even throws in one sassy, sardonic girl to big bang things amuck. Sarah, a fan of Betty Friedan, might have been my favorite character. I figure Friedan is close enough to Margaret Atwood and I'm a girl who is a big fan of Atwood's. So, even though this seems like a book for boys, Bransford found a way to be all inclusive. Girls and boys would love this book. This book is not just about having fun, getting lost in space, and having to find your way back to Earth. This book is about the kind of friendships formed between friends before they become more than friends. It's innocent and sweet and it reminds me of cotton candy, and apples drenched in caramel. It also reminds me of how important it is to be honest and loyal to your friends. Sometimes as adults we forget the important stuff. So I would say on this level this is also a book for adults who sometimes forget what it is like being a kid. Maybe we all need a little Wonder to remind us. I highly recommend this book.

4 Stars for A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie

 

This book takes a while to get into, but once you start to build some lovely love and hate relationships with the characters, you find yourself wanting to see how they turn out. Abercrombie fleshes out his characters with an underbelly of raw truth that is sometimes vulgar, but that is countered with humor. The character of Rikke made me laugh out loud several times. Rikke is not a girl to bite back how she really feels and she feels with a big dumb heart that leads her about with her nose ring. She's also witty and can dish out an insult as much as she can laugh one off. Other characters that stood out to me: Savine (I haven't decided to like her yet. She still needs to go through more dramatic change to humble her.) Leo, memorable, but I'm indifferent to him. The wolf, because I love to hate him. I also really liked Orso, because he deserved more of my sympathy than any of the characters. Beneath his wild prowess he wants to love and do right by the people. His promise means something. I recommend this book, but know it is a slow read in the beginning, but it gets better, much better. Further, if you are a Game of Thrones fan - A Little Hatred just may be your jam.

4 Stars for Night Film by Marisha Pessl

 

Night Film by Marisha Pessl wavered between a 3 and 4 start review and not because it overflowed with a fantastic supernatural edge, a wry humor found only in particular older folk's generational timeline, and last, a romantic psychological love that crosses boundaries of class and superstition. This book contained all of these; however, I found it too long. The plot-line dragged and in the end I wanted to reap a better reward for making it to the finish line. Further, McGrath, the main character did not make a dynamic change and he really needed to make that change from a self-absorbed butt head to a better dad and a better listener. Still, this is a book I highly recommend because it dives into what of the what that makes us live to the fullest. It makes you question what makes you tear through life or makes you stand still while live tears through you. Cordova, "the monstrous antagonist" ended up being my favorite character maybe because he hid in the dark and I could shape him the way I wanted to in the end. This is a book is not a coin toss. There is not a good guy or a bad one only your choice to walk along razors edge and make what's on the other side of it - yours. 

4 Stars for Alice in Wonderland

 Lewis Carrol's book, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is about growing up and finding meaning in the trivial and larger scope of what we do as adults. The line from the king, "If there's no meaning in it," said the King, "that saves a world of trouble, you know, as we didn't need to try and find any." Alice realizes soon after this statement that without meaning, truth and logic are irrelevant. Soon after she awakes to reality rather than the fantasy of Wonderland. I reread this story because I felt I missed some epiphany that the rest of society seemed to get with phrases like: "Off with your head", and "Down the rabbit hole." After this second read, I am still am at a loss for the Zen of Alice in Wonderland, but I did find her journey into adulthood a bit more fascinating and philosophical. For example, "What does happen to the flame of a candle?" Do you go out all together. This is is a child's first grabble at morality, but also one that often stumps all of humanity. I also found it interesting that time ran backwards and you could run as fast as you can but you only stay in one place and you run twice as fast to get anywhere else. This brings in explorative ideas of parallel universes as explored by researchers and of course, Phillip K. Dick. Madness is another question in this story as The Mad Hatter points out by not knowing the answer to his own riddle and asking if he is mad. It is a curious story that could be analyzed to death, but in the end we all grow up but hopefully we all get our moments to run backwards to chase a rabbit in a world where we can drink something and hold onto the magic of the imagination of our childhood. Alice in Wonderland is a classic and a story to help us hold onto our dreams. 

5 Stars for The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde complex look at youth corrupted by its own debauchery. Influence, and youth itself only add to the fallen angel - Dorian Gray. Gray seems to be at the center of the ideas of two men in the book that act as absolute foils. One, Basil believes in love, beauty and the reputation. Lord Henry, well he could be considered the devil, he certainly plays the part and his wit and obscene ideas unfortunately kept me intrigued throughout the book. I dare say, he was my favorite character. Despite, Henry's ideas he seemed to balance his own actions between dark and light keeping his own reputation intact. It is unfortunate Gray did not follow. No spoilers, but I loved the ending of this story. I had cooked up an entirely different one before this one came into play. I also loved the supernatural element in this. This book pleasantly surprised me. I am wild about Wilde and will have to read more.

5 Stars for The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is a great novel. The basic premise is about young 13-year-old Theo Decker, who loses his mother and the journey he takes to discover some semblance of happiness, but this book is so much more. Thematically it weaves fate, coincidence, choice and grief into a message of light and hope found in a painting: The Goldfinch. Stolen and trapped in darkness, this painting in need of so much light is very similar to Theo's sadness and very dismal view of the world. Theo seems to always walk through certain half deserted streets, but he he's certain to make choices that appear to have insidious intent ending in murder both physically and psychological. This is Theo's love song written in Tartt's clear but poetic voice leaving the reader feeling every cut and bruise felt by Theo, but we also totally feel when Theo finds shimmers of happiness on his off days when he's not being totally self-destructive. You see it in his friendship with Borris, a terribly flawed friend who offers him compassion when he needs it most. You see it his friendship with Hobbie, a man of honor and respect and something Theo's own father seems very absent of. You see it in the father-son relationship when Theo absolutely hates his dad contrasting his absolute love of his mom. You see in his love of Pippa. You see it finally in Theo, a boy who journeyed to manhood though the dark hand of fate and the consequences of his impulsive actions. This is a book that will rip your soul out chaining it right next to the Goldfinch in the painting until the very end. This makes you question coincidence alongside the possibilities of choice. Theo's friend, Borris does an excellent job of explaining the short lived possibilities of life and how important it is to hold on to a single light from a chained up bird. I highly recommend this book. If you've never loved, you will after reading this book.