Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (review by Amelia H. '19)

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Crooked Kingdom picks up the story where Six of Crows left off. The fight between the heroes and villains of Six of Crows finally culminates in an explosive finale. A fast-paced plot full of twists takes the reader on a whirlwind of a ride, moving at a breathless speed that makes every action and line of dialogue seem as if it’s happening in that moment for the first time. So much is packed in that the reader might feel daunted at the end of the first section, but everything links together into one cohesive narrative that ties up every loose thread it creates. The ending is as unforeseeable as it is thrilling, keeping the fast pace up till the last. This book was a perfect wrap-up to the Six of Crows duology. - Amelia H. '19

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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (review by Amelia H. '19)

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Six of Crows is a fantasy heist story, with a cast of characters who practically spring off the page into real life and a world fleshed out to the tiniest detail. Bardugo’s gift for writing scenes and characters leaves readers feeling as if they themselves have followed the characters on their journeys step by step. Although the author spent considerable time setting up the main plot initially, after finishing the book, I could think of no unnecessary scenes or chapters. Everything came together in the final chapters of the book, which offered just enough closure to satisfy the reader but left enough unsolved that the reader has continue on to the sequel. If you like to immerse yourself in richly detailed fantasy worlds and carefully planned heists, this book is for you. Perfect for fans of The Lies of Locke Lamora. - Amelia H. '19

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Into the Valley by Ruth Galm (review by Jacqueline H. '18)

Into the Valley by Ruth Galm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Into the Valley is a debut novel by Ruth Galm that chronicles the adventure of B., a thirty year old woman who wanders through 1970s California, trying to assuage a "carsickness" that plagues her thoughts. B. is unable to cope with the coarseness of the present world, yet rejects the traditional binds of the past. This tension is an interesting dichotomy throughout the novel, although it is never resolved at the end. The ending was surprising, but it left me hanging. Into the Valley reminds me more of a collection of individual narratives than a cohesive plot. Nevertheless, the novel was beautifully written and I found it hard to put down. The characterization of B. is excellent - the author represents her as an eccentric and neuroatypical itinerant. Written in raw, haunting prose, Galm's exceptional use of unreliable narration and stunning portrayal of California in the 1970s leaves an indelible mark in the reader's mind. I would recommend this book to anyone craving a dreamy, existential read.

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Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer (review by Andrew R. '17)

Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

When a millionaire pulls off an elaborate scheme to steal money from other millionaires, it’s up to the conned millionaires to chase the criminal millionaire around to all his high-society haunts so that they can surreptitiously extract their fortunes from him and become millionaires once more. As a non-millionaire, it’s hard to sympathize with all these fabulously wealthy characters whose most important traits are their holdings in African gold and their prize-winning orchid collections. Archer is wedded to elaborate scene descriptions, from the exact years of every expensive bottle of wine the characters enjoy to the brand and tailor of each of their suits. To provide these details, Archer often draws a little too far on his narrative omniscience. By the fifth chapter, he’s revealed all but one plot twist in the entire novel, leaving the reader to tag along on the protagonists’ journeys to Wimbledon and Monte Carlo without caring too much who will succeed and who will fail. Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less is a good fit for readers who share the author’s penchant for finances, but at 300 pages, the novel isn't prepared to offer much else. - Andrew R. '17

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The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (review by Elisabeth S. '16)

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Lies of Locke Lamora involves author Scott Lynch taking the classic fantasy tropes of rugged thief and medieval Venice and going for a joyride. The protagonist and antihero, Locke Lamora, delights in totally robbing members of the Venice-like Camorr's noble class, assisted by his companions and best friends. He participates as part of the city's mafia, yet he doesn't steal to get rich -- he steals because it's "heaps of [...] fun!" One day, he gets in way, way over his head. The voices Scott Lynch has crafted for each of his characters are so unique that they linger on and make dialogue tags almost unnecessary. The book was snarky, smart, and written with a skilled hand, yet remained surprisingly poignant and touching at key points. This book is highly recommended to fans of fantasy, or anyone who is looking for a fun read. (If you are not comfortable with strong language, this book is not for you.) – Elisabeth S. ‘16

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