ARC Review: The Screaming Statue

Curiosity House: The Screaming Statue | Lauren Oliver & H. C. Chester

Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books, May 3rd 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy, Historical

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Harper Collins Children's Books, via Edelweiss

In this second book in the exceptional Curiosity House series by bestselling author Lauren Oliver and shadowy recluse H. C. Chester, four extraordinary children must avenge their friend’s death, try to save their home, and unravel the secrets of their past . . . before their past unravels them.

Pippa, Sam, Thomas, and Max are happy to be out of harm’s way now that the notorious villain Nicholas Rattigan is halfway across the country in Chicago. But unfortunately their home, Dumfreys’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders, is in danger of closing its doors forever.

But their troubles only get worse. The four friends are shocked when their beloved friend, famous sculptor Siegfried Eckleberger, is murdered. As they investigate, they find clues that his death may be tied to the murder of a rich and powerful New York heiress, as well as to their own pasts.

This is the second book in the series and so boasts many wondrous and mysterious things inside, such as:

·       Howie, the “Human Owl,” whose head turns just about all the way around

·       A mean but important house cat

·       Some perfectly ghastly wax sculptures

·       A very thin boy named Chubby

·       An awful mechanical leg

It continues not to have:

·       A cautionary tale about running with scissors

·       A list of time-consuming chores

·       Nutritious and decidedly not delicious vegetables

·       A perfectly sweet bedtime story about a wayward bunny

·       Two wet kisses on the cheek from your aunt Mildred

Just as exciting and endearing as the first book.

I really enjoy the characters of this series - they make every book come to life. Sam is my favourite because he's so cute (despite his super strength and breaking things) but every character, even minor, has something that makes them stand out. No character blends into the background.

The murder mystery of this was fun - and kept me guessing. I did not see the murderer coming, although it seems pretty obvious now. The continued suspicion and mystery around Rattigan and the kids' creation added another level of suspense too. I enjoyed the story - it's not too dark, not too lighthearted, and it's thoroughly memorable.

Mystery, adventure, and characters you can't help but love. Another great installment.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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The Shrunken Head (ARC Review)

Curiosity House: The Shrunken Head | Lauren Oliver

Published by: Harper Collins Children's Books, September 29th 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy, Historical (pretty sure?)

Pages: 368

Format: Ebook

Source: Harper Collins Children's Books, via Edelweiss

What you will find in this book:

– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders 
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities 
– A quite loquacious talking bird

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-
thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts. 

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich 
knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester. 

What you will NOT find in this book:

– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.

The Shrunken Head is cute and fun and lively, and if you're looking of a lighthearted book with a lot of heart, you need to read it. Not only does it have a cool historical feel, an engaging mystery plot, and a fascinating cast of characters, it's fast paced.

The first thing I liked was the story telling - I love the way it's written. I really felt like I was witnessing a dime museum. I also really like the four main characters, even though I do think it wouldn't have been so difficult to have a main character of colour among the four kids. The way they interacted, and how their relationships built as the book went along felt really authentic. (Plus Sam and Max were total cuties.) The story, too, is exciting - murders and curious objects and one cad of a reporter. I really enjoyed everything.

My only gripe, beside the overly white cast, is the ableism throughout, although that's mostly to be expected with the subject matter (i.e. freak show) and it is time appropriate (to when it's set, not really when it's written.) 

Still, it's pretty darn great and I recommend it.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★★☆

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Monstrous (ARC Review)

Monstrous | MarcyKate Connolly

Published by: HarperCollins Children's Books, February 10th 2015

Genre: MG, Fantasy

Pages: 432

Format: Ebook

Source: HarperCollins, via Edelweiss

The city of Bryre suffers under the magic of an evil wizard. Because of his curse, girls sicken and disappear without a trace, and Bryre’s inhabitants live in fear. No one is allowed outside after dark.

Yet night is the only time that Kymera can enter this dangerous city, for she must not be seen by humans. Her father says they would not understand her wings, the bolts in her neck, or her spiky tail—they would kill her. They would not understand that she was created for a purpose: to rescue the girls of Bryre.

Despite her caution, a boy named Ren sees Kym and begins to leave a perfect red rose for her every evening. As they become friends, Kym learns that Ren knows about the missing girls, the wizard, and the evil magic that haunts Bryre. 

And what he knows will change Kym’s life. 

Reminiscent of Frankenstein and the tales of the Brothers Grimm, this debut novel by MarcyKate Connolly stands out as a compelling, original story that has the feel of a classic.

Monstrous is a story of self-discovery, friendship, and monsters. It tells of Kymera, a young girl who has been brought back from the dead by her scientist father, with the parts and weapons of animals - wings, tail, etc. - with a purpose, to save all the young girls of her city that were killed in the same way she was.

I liked that the overall message of this book was monsters are people, too, and that not all monsters are bad. Some are unaware of their bad deeds, some strive to be good, but others are plain irredeemable. Other elements of this story I enjoyed were: Kymera saving herself, as ladies should always be able to, Kymera being a very capable and smart girl, the friendship between Ren and Kymera, and I especially loved the bond between Kymera and Batu (curse that ending!)

I would have rated this book a half star higher had the final, lasting message of Monstrous not been that monsters don't get happily ever afters, even when they have given everything they have to being good people, even when socially acceptable girls (sideyes Delia here) get to be happy and live without doing half as much in the way of good. But I suppose that is how life goes.

Overall: a great book with heartfelt relationships and an underlying message that even monsters are capable of being good - just a kinda crappy ending.

Characters ★★★☆☆

Setting/world building ★★★☆☆

Writing ★★★☆☆

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