The Reader

tws: death, graphic violence, body mutilation

if u rated this book less than a 4 star i don't trust u anymore

WOW. the amount of planning, of world-building, and word-crafting here was phenomenal and absolutely mind blowing. it took me a bit to get into it but once i noticed the words at the bottom of the page i knew i had to read it quickly, and soon enough i was HOOKED. so many stories that weave together beautifully and kept my mind sharp as i tried to put the pieces together. wowowow!!!!

super shout out to mori for nagging me to read this!!!

I've read a lot of YA speculative fiction. A lot. Trust me on this: The Reader is very-good YA speculative fiction.

Sefia has, over the years, had mother, father, and aunt taken from her, and now she has decided to take action. She sets off in search of her aunt, carrying with her the odd rectangular object her father once so prized, an object she gradually learns is a book. Sefia takes on a stranger in her quest, who she names Archer, and the adventure is on. There are knife fights, pirates, islands, outlaws, and amid it all, Sefia learns to make sense of text.

This is just book one, so lots of the story is presumably set up for two and three, but you can see there is much more adventure to come.

And, c'mon, when have you read a story in which a book is a prized object along with outlaws and pirates?

A little slow to start but once I got immersed in the world and spent more time with The Book I got really into it. I love the meta-ness of the plot and the circular nature (spoiler? who knows?). The story does curl around itself like the pages of a book in the wind, I assume is intentional. I can't wait for the next book to come out!