My Five Word TL:DR Review: Fascinating world with ‘real’ myths

I haven’t read all of Stephanie Garber’s books, although I have enjoyed the ones that I have read, probably this boils down to the fact that I’ve moved away from YA stories over the last few years as I quite often feel I have more questions than answers.  So, I confess, I was very intrigued to pick this up as it’s marketed as her first adult novel.  Did it work for me.  Yes.  I enjoyed the writing.  I loved the world, the old Hollywood references and this whole other ‘magical’ world living alongside the everyday mundane.  Did it really feel like an adult story, I’m going to say not really, it still felt YA to me, particularly in terms of certain aspects such as dubious decision making by the MC, but, regardless, I did enjoy this.

As the story begins we meet Holland (St James), she’s on a date which is about to take a mysterious turn (not necessarily a turn for the better).  From here we quickly learn that Holland believes in magic and so it’s no surprise to learn that she’s a student on the ‘professor’s’ Folklore 517 course, local legends and urban myths.  Not gonna lie – I would probably love a course like this.  Anyway, this is where the students learn that all those urban legends and myths are grounded in reality, another world existing alongside ours with mysterious people such as the Watch Man who can tell you exactly when you’re going to die (although why anyone would wish to know this remains a mystery to me).  Pretty quickly Holland’s world spirals into chaos and she finds herself on a hunt for a mysterious object, and the clock is ticking.

Now, to be fair, I’m not going to give away any more of the plot so the rest will be my thoughts and feelings whilst reading.

I really enjoyed the writing.  Garber certainly has a vivid imagination and some great writing chops.  This has a whimsical feel.  It combines the golden age of Hollywood with the glamorous art deco feel of the period and brings to us a mystery that takes place in a world that puts you in mind of looking glasses, rabbit holes, rainbows and wardrobes.  This is a world sprinkled with clues and danger where nobody is what they first appear to be.  And I do mean nobody.

To be honest it’s the kind of story I love reading and I quite easily let myself become fully absorbed.  I wouldn’t particularly say this is fast paced, which feels almost like a contradiction in terms given that the period covered is little more than two days, but it was addictive and compelling.

Characters.  Well, we focus on Holland who is literally pulled from pillar to post by (mainly) two men, both who seem to have a vested interest in her well being and the object she seeks to find.  Both claim to have been sent by Holland’s twin sister and both cause her to make some questionable decisions.  This is one of the elements that did give me pause for thought.  Both of these characters briefly spend time as an almost ‘romantic’ interest.  They’re both charismatic, slightly dangerous and dangerously easy on the eye.  Frankly, I could have done without the ‘almost love interest’ element and that’s perhaps where my YA feelings came into the picture because there’s this expectation that whenever a man and woman are thrown together for one reason or another of course they’ll become involved – because why?  Anyway, that’s a minor quibble to be honest.

The world building was my favourite aspect – and the mystery of it all of course.  I loved all the little references, the secret hotels, the big conglomerate style bank that is simultaneously incredibly ‘correct’ but also gives off a dangerous vibe.  The myth that the devil will give you his business card in exchange for a cocktail.  And it’s all so twisted.  I really had no notion of how things would unfold and I really didn’t see that ending coming at all.

I do feel that there’s a contemplative feel to this.  It doesn’t feel like a story you should rush and perhaps I should have mulled over certain aspects a little longer – although I still don’t think I would have second guessed the ending.

Overall, tiny issues aside I had a good time with this.  I like the author’s style and the magical and whimsical feel to the story.  I’ve read that this is the start of a series although it felt complete and I can’t see any mention of this being a first book – but I would definitely continue to read if more books are written.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4 of 5 mysterious stars