A trio of world building

I had not been reading much, since school started. I had a slew of books on my TBR list. Some were physically piled up in various rooms from the library, and others were sample chapters waiting for me on my Kindle.

I finally managed to read a few, after I finished the 3rd week of school, which included our BTSN (back to school night).

I was reading The Bone Charmer, slowly, during down time at school, and at the same time I was reading The Institute, slowly at home, when I wasn't planning lessons etc. The third book, Pet, I picked up from the library on Saturday.  All three are incredible, but Pet blew me away.

I finished The Bone Charmer Saturday morning.  It is typical of the fantasy genre, wherein someone discovers their skills, and has choices to make. The world building here was amazing.  Initially I didn't think the author Breanna Shields would be able to pull it off.  The narrators are the same person, who, due to some unusual circumstances, is experiencing life via two parallel worlds.  The author pulls it off beautifully.  There are some wonderful characters you'll root for, as well as evil.  The ending was great; the book could be a stand alone, but I am kind of hoping it is the start of perhaps a trilogy.

I finished The Institute, Saturday evening. Stephen King has been a favorite of mine since I first read Carrie, in HS.  I love how he takes the ordinary, and makes it so extraordinary. In this book, children with special powers are kidnapped, and taken to a facility. A facility well hidden, and supposedly created to save the world. I was nervous through much of the book, as I of course was hoping the victims would find justice, and that all of them would survive.  The world King creates here is all to real; and sadly, the excuses of those doing evil resonates all too well in our world.  It is a great story. Probably one of his top 3 or 5. Hmm, maybe even his best due to the implications it can teach us all.



Wow, so Pet.  It is incredible. You are probably wondering what genre it is.  I want to say Allegorical, but in many ways, despite the incredible world created within, it is realistic fiction, told in a manner that is simply beautiful.  It is heart wrenching, yet hopeful at the same time.  It too, like King's book, is an important book for our current times. It should be read by all.  Truly, it should.  It is short but so extensive, that it takes your breath away.
This book is on the long list for the National Book Award for young people. I believe it will end up on the short list, and expect it will win. emezi is amazing. I am in awe of the skill shown in this book.