Midori Snyder

Wow... Just WOW.
5 strong solid stars.
Is this my new favorite book? I mean, I already want to read it again.

I am for once, blown away. I was left speechless for 24 hours after finishing this book because my brain needed time to absorb and relish this delicious meal of a story.
I loved this book so much, that now I am actually taking a break from everything in the world, Because I am in mourning....

::throws self to the floor::
AYY MADDDDOONNNNAAA MIAAA
::puts both palms to face::
"what am I show more supposed to do with myself now??? Ohhhh the Drama that is this cruel life!!!"
::spits twice into palm and holds to the sky::
"Uncurse me God!! allow me to read another story as good as this in my lifetime!!"

This is an epic tale that includes beautiful unique characters that have different paths and intertwine at the center of the Labyrinth. It is chock full of suspense, drama, romance, humor, and mythological references. There is not ONE boring section to this story.

This book captures what it is really like to be an italian. I think we are just naturally dramatic and over the top. This Labyrinth world is so surreal, and mysterious and full of superstition. As an Italian American woman, I am fully satisfied with what the author did with these characters and the construction of this story.
I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I was truly touched, and most of all it made me even more PROUD to be an Italian. This is TRUE literature in its finest form!
ENCORE!!!!!!!!!! ENCORE!!!!! show less

Sometimes books written by dual authors can be terrible due to clashing writing styles, but this one was actually quite readable. I presume that Yolen and Snyder wrote this by each taking the perspective of one of the protagonist sisters (who end up getting separated quite quickly in the plotline), so each sister could have a unique voice, but still have a unified story.

I also quite liked how full they packed the story with many different mythologies, often to quite comical effect. Baba show more Yaga (or Baba Yaga-type characters) is one of my favourites, so I found the her reinvention quite entertaining. This Baba Yaga occupies a world of her own between the Seelie and Unseelie courts so she holds a unique type of power that moderates intense situations. I was less fond of the graphic descriptions of her gnashing up a horse with her iron teeth, but the iron teeth serve their purpose as a signal that she is more of the mortal realm than the traditional Faerie courts. Some African or Native American power characters are also introduced as power players, but we didn't really get enough information about them to make a final decision. They're physically described as black-skinned women, but their crow alter-egos could belong to either set of myths. Regardless, they're pretty awesome! show less

A multiple re-read for me, going all the way back to the late 80's/early 90's, this book has stood the test of time. It takes place in Oran's capital city, Beldan, and mostly in that city's slums. For two centuries, children with certain elemental powers to earth, air, fire, and water face a certain death. So they take to hiding among the various Flocks or submit to the noddy noose.

Ruling over this land is Oran's Fire Queen, Zorah, who appears to be immortal. She is under the political show more influence of the Sileans who have promised their guardianship with promises of peace, prosperity, and longevity for her. But not necessarily for her people.

The story takes place from many different viewpoints: Jobber, a smith's apprentice; Alwir, a member of a Silean noble family; the Firstwatch, led by a woman whose job is to maintain control of the Silean guards; and the Flocks made up of street urchins. We also meet some of the leaders of these flocks, especially Kai who cares for her Waterlings.

The backdrop of the action is Fire Faire and all of Oran's folk arriving in Beldan. Yet when several street children are killed and Kai follows the killer through Beldan's streets, secret identities are revealed and Zorah knows that her throne is in jeopardy. The action is fast-paced and unrelenting, like life for many in this city, and it does not let up until the book ends. Which makes a great opportunity for the sequel! show less

I really enjoyed this book.
I actually liked the multitude of characters in the first half of the book. It meant that it wasn't too obvious who was going to emerge as the main protagonist or even if there was going to be one.
All the names were different enough to keep track of who was who - something I often have trouble doing at the start of a new book.

I didn't see the main twist coming at all, nor did I pick the hidden identity of one of the villains.
I think this was very deftly handled for show more what would otherwise be a fairly standard plotline (and yes, I know that all fantasy novels only really share half a dozen plotlines at most)

Nicely set up for an interesting rest of the series. show less