Last week I read MAGONIA by Maria Dahvana Headley. I have mixed feelings about this book. When I finished it, and went to rate it on Goodreads, I went back and forth between giving it 3 stars and 4. Even now I'm not quite sure how I feel about it.
Here's what I loved: the premise, the world, the setting. I've said before that a book is something I haven't read before, but this one was truly UNIQUE. I loved the alternate world in the sky, I loved the bird people, I loved the fantasy of it all mixed with the world as we know it. I also loved the main characters, Aza, and Jason especially. Even Aza's family were interesting and well developed. There were chapters where I was feverishly turning the pages, chapters where I cried, and chapters that had just beautiful writing.
Here's what I didn't love: the first few chapters. I had a really hard time with them. It wasn't Aza's voice- I was fine with that- I just felt like she was telling the reader backstory almost the entire time. That's all it was- Aza talking at me and I got sick of it. I wanted things to happen. Which they did. But if I was a less patient reader, I might have DNF'd it after the first chapter or two. Also, once she made it to Magonia, again a lot didn't happen. She trained. She missed her family. She learned stuff. Great. I think she could have done all that with more stuff actually going on. And the end. Again, it felt a little... small. SPOILER COMING. Even though it was technically the end of the world, I didn't get the intensity of it. I wasn't scared or worried for her or Jason or anything. I missed those emotions in the end.
I ended up giving the book 4 stars because it really was a beautiful read, and I'm sure I'll pick up the next one because I'm interested to see what happens with Aza next. I've heard of a couple of people who DNF'd it, but for the most part people LOVE this book, so definitely check it out if you haven't already.
Right now I'm reading DANGEROUS by Shannon Hale- a fast-paced and funny sci-fi. What are you reading this week?
Hmm, this one is on my TBR list. Good to know it's worth sticking with it through the first few chapters. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
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