A Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge

A Face Like Glass is an astonishing and imaginative novel from the Costa Award winning author of The Lie Tree, Frances Hardinge. In the underground city of Caverna the world's most skilled craftsmen toil in the darkness to create delicacies beyond compare – wines that can remove memories, cheeses that can make you hallucinate and perfumes that convince you to trust the wearer, even as they slit your throat. The people of Caverna are more ordinary, but for one thing: their faces are as blank as untouched snow. Expressions must be learned, and only the famous Facesmiths can teach a person to show joy, despair or fear – at a price. Into this dark and distrustful world comes Neverfell, a little girl with no memory of her past and a face so terrifying to those around her that she must wear a mask at all times. For Neverfell's emotions are as obvious on her face as those of the most skilled Facesmiths, though entirely genuine. And that makes her very dangerous indeed . . . 'Everyone should read Frances Hardinge. Everyone. Right now.' - Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls.

Another fine tale of adventure and conspiracy from Ms. Hardinge.

Nearly 500 pages and I don't feel like I read anything. This is one of those times where I wish I didn't feel the need to finish a book I've started and actually came close to giving up around the 300 page mark.

Another book I would have never picked up if it wasn't for my LJ book club.

This book was a very interesting concept and came with heaps of praise. While it was very interesting, there were parts that were very boring and slow. The first 1/4 of the book was VERY slow. I guess I didn't realize just how long these “fantasy for children” books can get.

There are lots of twists and turns though and the plot doesn't always go how you would expect. If I could give this 3.5 stars, I would.

I think if you're a BIG fan of fantasy, you will like this book. If you're just a casual fantasy fan (like I am), you may get frustrated with the slow plot.

Pros: fascinating world-building, interesting characters, twisting plot

Cons:

Neverfell was found around the age of five in the tunnels of Cheesemaster Grandible. Seven years later, a series of errors has her emerging into the wider world of Caverna and the mysterious Court that rules it. For in a world where Faces must be learned and lying is a fact of life, Neverfell's face can change expression with her emotions, and lying is beyond her skill.

The world of Caverna is fascinating. You're introduced to it - and all of its various workings - slowly, through Neverfell's eyes and experiences. While she's told early on that everyone lies and manipulates, her own trusting and trustworthy natures make it hard for her to protect herself from the plots of others. As the book progresses, you learn more about the world and the darknesses it's based on.

The plot takes a lot of turns I wasn't expecting, which was a real joy. Neverfell's a great character and her constant curiosity has her acting in unpredictable ways. She starts off hopelessly naive, but over the course of the book learns what society is like, and that not everyone she meets has her best interests in mind. The Kleptomancer is really fun, and I'd have loved seeing more of him and of the brilliantly insane cryptomancers.

This is a fun book, one that briefly touches on numerous discussion points, so it would make a great book club novel.