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7:54 PM | 
Posted by
Cindy |
Visit Nova Ren Suma's Official Website Here
OVERVIEW: On the outside, there's Violet, an
eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something
threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement.
On the inside, within the walls of the Aurora Hills juvenile detention center, there's Amber, locked up for so long she can't imagine freedom.
Tying their two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls' darkest mysteries…
What really happened on the night Orianna stepped between Violet and her tormentors? What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they deserve—in this life or in another one?
In prose that sings from line to line, Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and of innocence, and of what happens when one is mistaken for the other.
On the inside, within the walls of the Aurora Hills juvenile detention center, there's Amber, locked up for so long she can't imagine freedom.
Tying their two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls' darkest mysteries…
What really happened on the night Orianna stepped between Violet and her tormentors? What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they deserve—in this life or in another one?
In prose that sings from line to line, Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and of innocence, and of what happens when one is mistaken for the other.
FORMAT: The Walls Around Us is a standalone
YA novel. It is a haunting novel that is a mix of mystery and contemporary
fiction. It is told from the point-of-views of Amber and Violet who have one
common thread – a young woman named Orianna.
The Walls Around Us was published March 24, 2015 by Algonquin
Young Readers.
ANALYSIS: Most of 2015, I struggled to find that one read
that blew me away. Every year, there seems to be that one book that is so good
that it is difficult to put into words, but you know deep inside it was an
awesome read. I just didn't have any luck with finding a book like that, until
I picked up The Walls Around Us.
I was not familiar with any of Nova Ren Suma's work, so I
basically went into this book blind. I had the summary and a basic idea that it
was a raw, emotional read that had a haunting feeling to it. That was all I
knew.
Upon starting The Walls Around Us, I was a bit confused.
The beginning can only be described as rough. The writing style isn't straight
forward, it is very flowery and it almost felt like readers were thrown into a
situation with no explanation. The opening scene involves a bunch of young
girls at a juvenile detention center trying to escape after their doors are
mysteriously opened up. No one knows why the doors opened up, but the girls see
it as their opportunity to run for it.
After the scene with the girls making an escape, it quickly
jumps to a scene involving rising star ballerina Violet as she takes the stage
one last time before heading to the big city to make it big. Readers are given
hints that Violet's rise to fame wasn't natural and something happened to make
her the star she is today, but readers aren't told that at all.
For the rest of the book, readers are shown through a series
of events. The story is told from two points-of-view. There is Amber a young
girl locked up in Aurora Hills Secure Juvenile Detention Center for a horrific
crime. The other point-of-view is Violet, who has always dreamed of being a
world famous ballerina, but has always had to settle for being second best;
that was until a horrific and tragic event caused her to rise quickly to the
top.
The two girls' stories eventually do connect, at the end of
the book. But it takes a long while to get there. Readers are given lots of
backstory and details that seem unrelated at first, but in the end all plays a
part in the story.
This rather disjointed, flowery start to the book almost had
me putting the book down. I was confused and couldn't place what was going on.
That was until about page 100. Right at page 100 everything started to click.
Events and little details slowly, but surely started to fall into place and I
became hooked. Before I knew it the big reveal happened and the book was over. I
was left in a feeling of complete awe of the book and with a desire to re-read
it again to see what happens.
Nova Ren Suma does an amazing job of detailing the
complexities surrounding teen girls' friendships. Readers are pulled into the
story of Violet and Orianna. They see everything from how the friendship formed
to how quickly a best friend will turn on another and betray her for her own
good. It was beautifully written, but had a very sad element to it when you
think of it on a deeper scale.
The friendship between Violet and Orianna isn't the only
thing detailed. All the scenes of Aura Hills Detention Center are absolutely
amazing. I have never been in a detention center, but Nova Ren Suma really
detailed the experience. I felt as if I was actually locked up. There were
moments of feeling claustrophobic. There were moments where I felt like I was
one of the girls just struggling to survive, and there were times where I felt
as if the guards were against me.
The Walls Around Us is by far not an easy read. There is
betrayal and lots of unfair situations that many will find frustrating and at
times a bit uncomfortable. There is also the fact that this book is not
straight forward. There are lots of details and side stories being told that
all string together in the end. Unfortunately, some readers will not enjoy the
pacing and rather confused feeling they have for the first 50 – 100 pages. If
you can get past that or you know things work out in the end, it is well worth
it to try to power through it.
Overall, I absolutely loved The Walls Around Us. It
isn't a book for everyone. It is certainly a dramatic, emotional story about
teen girls and the struggles of peer pressure, the desire to succeed, the need
to maintain friendships, and the complexities surrounding
friendships/success/life.
Fantasy Book Critic is pleased to welcome Farah Oohmerbhoy as she continues to make her way through her blog tour. Farah is the author of The Last of the Firedrakes, the first novel in the Avalonia Chronicles.
About The Last of the Firedrakes:
A
fantastic adventure story that will transport you to a dazzling world of myth
and magic.
16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
Farah has provided us with a wonderful
insight into fantasy writing in India. There is also a chance to enter into a
giveaway for a copy of The Last of the Firedrakes and an excerpt.
Please give a warm welcome to Farah
Oohmerbhoy.
***********************************************************
Fantasy Writing in India by Farah Oomerbhoy
India is a land rich in mythology and folklore. The ancient stories of gods and heroes, passed down through generations, have become the cornerstone of Indian fantasy literature.
The epic scope of Indian mythology is vast and has been revisited and explored in countless different and innovative ways, retelling these fantastic ancient stories time and time again. From
the epic quest of lord Ram in Valmiki’s Ramayana, and the fantastic magic wielded by the gods and Maharishis of the Mahabharata, to the glorious battles of the royal Pandava princes. Elements of the fantastic have always been a vital element in the epic stories that have shaped literature in our country through the ages.
Over the years, authors have played with a variety of concepts of Indian myths and legends as the basis for creating their own fantasy worlds. Samit Basu’s Gameworld trilogy is a wonderful example of ways in which an author can play with and incorporate ancient Indian myths into stories that appeal to modern readers. Amish Tripati’s Shiva trilogy has taken over the Indian fantasy market becoming a national bestseller and paving the way for a new era of fantasy authors in India.
Over the years publishers have run with this theme in Indian fantasy, realizing the importance of having stories and characters that readers are familiar with, created in settings that have been imbedded into the collective consciousness of the Indian people. But the face of fantasy writing in India is changing, moving out of the confines of Indian mythology and into a brave new world of modern storytelling.
So far most of the non-mythological fantasy books that dominate the Indian market are all from abroad. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series, Susan Collins’ Hunger Games series, and Christopher Paolini’s Eragon, to name a few are all very popular in India, but within the young adult fantasy category there are no Indian authors that stand out and compete with these books on an international scale, until now.
As a fantasy author myself, I can see the change coming. Fantasy writing in India is expanding, becoming more universal, more modern in its outlook and in its varied forms of storytelling.
My own book The Last of the Firedrakes, book 1 of a planned trilogy called The Avalonia Chronicles, is what I would refer to as a universal fantasy. Where civilizations collide and magic and myth are woven together in a fluid web that incorporates diverse aspects of world cultures and ancient mythology. I believe that all fantasy should be universal and inclusive, encompassing stories that transcend boundaries, while taking you on an adventure through the human predicament, in a world where anything is possible.
About the Author:
For Farah Oomerbhoy, writing is a passion and reading her solace. She is a firm believer in the fantastic and magical, and often dreams of living in Narnia, Neverland, or the Enchanted Forest.
Farah lives with her husband and three children in their family home in Mumbai, India. She has a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Mumbai. Her first novel is The Last of the Firedrakes, Book 1 of the Avalonia Chronicles.
Purchase:
Add on Goodreads
Read a Chapter from The Last of the Firedrakes
Chapter 7
The Midnight Market
Later that night, after I had eaten well and rested, we set out for the midnight market. I followed Kalen along the small path, from Pixie Bush into the very heart of Goldleaf Forest.
>>>><<<<
It seemed to me that we had been walking for quite a while when I could suddenly hear voices and noises quite clearly in the quiet forest. We came to a large clearing, and the delightful sight left me spellbound. The forest was alive, radiant and subtly lit by pretty, different-colored lanterns hanging from the towering trees. Beautifully decorated stalls and multicolored tents had sprung up all over the place. Some were nestled between the tall trees, and some were haphazardly placed around the edge of the clearing, forming a slightly wonky circle. Fae of all sizes, shapes and colors wandered around, having a marvelous time. There were dryads, naiads, brownies, and little pixies with wings who flitted about the place in groups, laughing and eating at the food stalls.
We came to a stall, which was manned by a small, funny-looking fae with a pointy nose and long ears. Kalen identified him as a gnome. He was selling some strangely colored liquid in glass bottles and was haggling unashamedly about prices with two old ladies, whom I thought were very sweet.
As we walked through the market, Kalen chattered on.
“Although some of the larger towns have shops that sell magical ingredients for potions,” Kalen was saying, “this is the only place you can find some of the really rare items.”
I followed Kalen, who was entering a green tent, where the sign outside read: “Buy a plant for your home and garden.” That sounded quite interesting. Maybe I could buy a plant for Kalen’s mom—she had really helped me, after all—but I remembered I didn’t have any money.
The tent was not what I expected at all. The inside was bewitched to look like a large green house; like the forest, it was much larger inside than it appeared from the outside. The moonlight shone through the glass ceiling, and rows of plants and flowers lined the sides of the tent. We decided to explore.
I walked through the rows of plants, looking at the labels that were written next to them. There were strawberry plants in a small tray, growing wonderful, juicy strawberries, each one of which had a dollop of cream on the top. The sign near it said: “Grow your own strawberries and cream.”
“Try one,” said Kalen. “No one is watching.”
I couldn’t resist; I loved strawberries and cream. I popped the whole strawberry into my mouth. It was delicious and the cream was thick, fresh, and sweet. It was wonderful.
“Lovely, yes?” said Kalen.
“I nodded, since my mouth was full.
“Ms. Herbchild is wonderful at growing things. These strawberry plants with cream are one of her new inventions, but you can only grow them on trays inside the house, or the gnomes lick off all the cream.”
I made a face at the thought of eating a strawberry that had been licked by a gnome.”
****************************************************************
GIVEAWAY - Please note, giveaway is hosted by the blog tour company and not by Fantasy Book Critic.
Giveaway Details:
- One Amazon Gift Voucher worth 1000INR
- One Amazon Gift Voucher worth 500INR
- 3 Signed Copies of The Last of the Firedrakes
AUTHOR INFORMATION: Matthew Kressel is a multiple Nebula Award-nominated writer and World Fantasy Award-nominated editor living in New York City. His short fiction has appeared in such magazines as Lightspeed, Nightmare, Clarkesworld, io9.com, Beneath Ceaseless Skies, as well as other markets. He is the co-host of the Fantastic Fiction at KGB reading series in Manhattan and a long-time member of the Altered Fluid writing group. Kressel is an IT consultant by trade and a student of the Yiddish language. King of Shards is his debut novel.
OVERVIEW: Across the ineffable expanse of the Great Deep float billions of shattered universes: the Shards. Populated with vengeful demons and tormented humans, the Shards need Earth to survive just as plants need water. Earth itself is kept alive by 36 righteous people, 36 hidden saints known as the Lamed Vav. Kill but a few of the Lamed Vav and the Earth will shatter, and all the Shards that rely upon it will die in a horrible cataclysm.
When Daniel Fisher is abducted on his wedding day by the demon king, Ashmedai, he learns he is a Lamed Vav, one of the hidden righteous upholding the world. The demon Mashit has usurped the throne of demonkind from Ashmedai and has been systematically murdering the Lamed Vav. On a desert-covered Shard teeming with strange creatures, pursued by a fearsome demon army, Daniel and Ashmedai, saint and demon, must join forces to stop Mashit before she destroys all of existence. Daniel's survival means he must ally with evil Ashmedai. Yet who but a saint—a Lamed Vav—can save the world?
FORMAT: King of Shards, Matthew Kressel’s debut novel and the first installment in The Worldmender Trilogy, is a portal fantasy rooted in Jewish mythology. It was published by Arche Press on October 13, 2015 and is available as a paperback, e-book, and audio book.
ANALYSIS: It isn’t often that one finds a portal fantasy based on Jewish teachings and mythology, so when I discovered that Matthew Kressel had written one, I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately, the book’s unique premise is possibly King of Shards’s single redeeming quality.
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I have always felt that a poor cover is usually an accurate indicator of what lies inside. As such, I was wary of King of Shards from the moment it arrived in the mail, as the book has the appearance of being either self-published or an advance reader’s copy, with bright white paper, an atrocious cover font and layout, and too many lines of text per page. I feel it's never a good sign when the first printing is in paperback, especially when it’s from a publisher I have never heard of before: Arche Press. I should have heeded the warnings.
From the very start, the narrative is clunky and awkward. In fact, the opening paragraph, instead of engaging my interest as opening paragraphs should, is one of the most tedious I have ever read. It is far too long and consists of random details and facts strung together like a stream of consciousness with no clear connection between one sentence and the next. Other than that they all in some way pertain to a protagonist that readers are not even given a chance to become interested in. From there, the book’s writing remains consistently poor, making it feel more like a first draft that an edited novel. The dialogue is often laughable, feeling forced and cliché, and weird metaphors and comparisons are common throughout.
The characters are also severely underdeveloped and flat, the protagonist, Daniel Fisher, taking the cake on this one. He is supposed to be a saint, one of the lamed vav tzadikim, a purely righteous person; but the author does not pull this off well. In his defense, it’s a difficult thing to attempt, given that a purely righteous person doesn’t have much room for complexity; yet Fisher is just plain boring. The secondary character, Rana, is at least somewhat interesting, with an incredible magical ability she never knew she possessed. It’s no wonder the story focuses more on her than on Fisher.
While the writing itself was a defining factor in my inability to enjoy the book, the story itself is fairly intriguing, though not nearly as complex as I had thought and hoped it would be. The use of the lamed vav tzadikim and the inclusion of various demons and angels from Jewish lore, such as Ashmedai, the king of the demons, made for an interesting fantasy story, and there were times when I found myself curious as to what would happen next. If one could ignore the writing, the dialogue, and the characters, the story actually has a lot of potential, and I might even recommend it. I myself am curious to know what happens next in the trilogy, though not so curious enough to continue reading it.
OVERVIEW: Across the ineffable expanse of the Great Deep float billions of shattered universes: the Shards. Populated with vengeful demons and tormented humans, the Shards need Earth to survive just as plants need water. Earth itself is kept alive by 36 righteous people, 36 hidden saints known as the Lamed Vav. Kill but a few of the Lamed Vav and the Earth will shatter, and all the Shards that rely upon it will die in a horrible cataclysm.
When Daniel Fisher is abducted on his wedding day by the demon king, Ashmedai, he learns he is a Lamed Vav, one of the hidden righteous upholding the world. The demon Mashit has usurped the throne of demonkind from Ashmedai and has been systematically murdering the Lamed Vav. On a desert-covered Shard teeming with strange creatures, pursued by a fearsome demon army, Daniel and Ashmedai, saint and demon, must join forces to stop Mashit before she destroys all of existence. Daniel's survival means he must ally with evil Ashmedai. Yet who but a saint—a Lamed Vav—can save the world?
FORMAT: King of Shards, Matthew Kressel’s debut novel and the first installment in The Worldmender Trilogy, is a portal fantasy rooted in Jewish mythology. It was published by Arche Press on October 13, 2015 and is available as a paperback, e-book, and audio book.
ANALYSIS: It isn’t often that one finds a portal fantasy based on Jewish teachings and mythology, so when I discovered that Matthew Kressel had written one, I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately, the book’s unique premise is possibly King of Shards’s single redeeming quality.
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I have always felt that a poor cover is usually an accurate indicator of what lies inside. As such, I was wary of King of Shards from the moment it arrived in the mail, as the book has the appearance of being either self-published or an advance reader’s copy, with bright white paper, an atrocious cover font and layout, and too many lines of text per page. I feel it's never a good sign when the first printing is in paperback, especially when it’s from a publisher I have never heard of before: Arche Press. I should have heeded the warnings.
From the very start, the narrative is clunky and awkward. In fact, the opening paragraph, instead of engaging my interest as opening paragraphs should, is one of the most tedious I have ever read. It is far too long and consists of random details and facts strung together like a stream of consciousness with no clear connection between one sentence and the next. Other than that they all in some way pertain to a protagonist that readers are not even given a chance to become interested in. From there, the book’s writing remains consistently poor, making it feel more like a first draft that an edited novel. The dialogue is often laughable, feeling forced and cliché, and weird metaphors and comparisons are common throughout.
The characters are also severely underdeveloped and flat, the protagonist, Daniel Fisher, taking the cake on this one. He is supposed to be a saint, one of the lamed vav tzadikim, a purely righteous person; but the author does not pull this off well. In his defense, it’s a difficult thing to attempt, given that a purely righteous person doesn’t have much room for complexity; yet Fisher is just plain boring. The secondary character, Rana, is at least somewhat interesting, with an incredible magical ability she never knew she possessed. It’s no wonder the story focuses more on her than on Fisher.
While the writing itself was a defining factor in my inability to enjoy the book, the story itself is fairly intriguing, though not nearly as complex as I had thought and hoped it would be. The use of the lamed vav tzadikim and the inclusion of various demons and angels from Jewish lore, such as Ashmedai, the king of the demons, made for an interesting fantasy story, and there were times when I found myself curious as to what would happen next. If one could ignore the writing, the dialogue, and the characters, the story actually has a lot of potential, and I might even recommend it. I myself am curious to know what happens next in the trilogy, though not so curious enough to continue reading it.
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