Kate Blair

A fascinating mix of want, feelings of loss, friendship, and twisted intentions. Oleander cannot free herself from the guilt of her father's suicide. When this is compounded by the pain and shame inflicted by a manipulative older boyfriend, her answer is to chase rumors of an island that removes memories. However, getting there is highly challenging.
When she disappears, her friend Ajay is devastated. While she told him to stay away and forget her, that's impossible. It's a struggle, but he finds a way to remember the name of the island and attempts to take a small boat there, it's the beginning of a most unusual adventure. Read the book to discover just how unusual it is. I was so impressed that I'm planning to read at least two more of the author's books as soon as I can lay my hands on them.… (mer)

The story of 13-year-old Silva begins with a realistic problem – what to do with her ailing grandfather – then it spins in other directions when Silva discovers the magpie’s library, and its storehouse of books based on the stolen stories/souls of people past and present. From there, the plot veers into fantasy and the supernatural. Around every turn, there was a new problem to solve, one that meshed with the others, and a cast of characters worthy of the challenges the author presented.

I enjoyed the book, especially the final third where the momentum picks up, but there were so many characters and viewpoints that it took some effort to sort them out. Nevertheless, the author brings all the components to a satisfying end, and I liked that Silva solved the mystery in clever ways.

The book is said to be MY but, given its complexities, I think it would take a sophisticated reader to manage the story.
… (mer)