Where do I even start with this one? This was the third book I’ve read this year where I spent the whole time wondering what the hell was going on and where the hell it was all going. AND I LOVED IT OBVIOUSLY.
(The first two, if you like that sort of thing, were Every Heart a Doorway and The Library at Mount Char.)
There’s really no better feeling than reading a book you CAN’T WAIT TO FINISH. Except that you eventually do finish it and then get super sad that it’s over. But that’s OK because there are a lot more books in the world. Like, more than you’ll ever get to read. If anything is going to keep you up at night, let it be that.
(I mean, please don’t think about it too much. That sucks. I’m sorry if you can’t sleep tonight, I feel bad.)
Anyway, this book is bananas. (Do people still say that?) Myfanwy Thomas wakes up in a body she doesn’t recognize, surrounded by corpses. In fact, she doesn’t even know her name is Myfanwy. Which is pronounced like Tiffany with an M but it sounded exactly like it’s spelled when I was reading, no matter how many times I reminded myself about the Tiffany thing. It’s sort of like when I started reading Harry Potter and didn’t know how to pronounce Hermione so in my head it sounded like, “Hermy-own,” and still, to this day, that pops in my head every now and then.
Wow, this a great review. Whatever. I don’t care. I really don’t want to give too much away about this one, because part of the joy of reading this was having no idea what was about to happen. What I can say is that Myfanwy Thomas, when she wakes up with amnesia, learns her name and that someone has taken her memories, but that the first Myfanwy took care of her by leaving instructions on who she is and what her job was. For most people, this would be relatively simple. For instance: I run the volunteer program at an animal shelter. Sure, there would be a learning curve if I woke up with no memory of my previous life, but no one would die (probably) if I messed something up.
Not so for Myfanwy. She discovers that she works for a covert organization that deals with the supernatural. Not only does she work for this organization but she’s high up in the organization, and helps run it. So. Yeah. Big stakes.
At first, though I really enjoyed this book, I wasn’t sure how many stars to give it, because I wasn’t feeling a big emotional connection to any of the characters (as much as I enjoyed them). But, at the end, and I won’t say why, I felt a big punch to the heart because of one of Myfanwy #1’s letters to #2.
If that makes no sense, don’t worry, you’re already on Myfanwy’s level and you’re ready to read this book.
This sounds like right up my kid’s alley…but she’s 12. Strong reader, but what’s the recommended age on this one?
It’s adult fiction, but if she’s got a strong stomach, she could probably handle it. I would have loved it as a child (note: I spent my adolescent years watching X-Files). A bit scary, though, which is why I mention the stomach. (There is also a slight mention of incest, but it’s in a very strange context.)
Bunnybean is 12 and while I was doing my recent re-read, I decided she could take it on. She loves X Files and Doctor Who and Furiosa and Aliens, so I think she’ll be ok here.
Plus, a character with her name! What’s not to like?