Book #6 - Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg (336 pages)

 

“What do you call it when a straight person comes out? A conversation.” This brilliant line from Bill Konigsberg’s novel sums up my reaction when I saw Openly Straight on the shelf. Sabri Deniz Kizil’s quirky cover art indicates something unexpected and yet it is plain enough not to give anything away, which meant I was forced to take the book in my hands in order to satisfy my curiosity. Was it a conservative commentary on our culture’s increased acceptance of homosexuality? Or maybe Konigsberg was on the same line of logic as me, how does someone come out as straight? As it turns out, the answer is far from black-and-white.

Rafe, the narrator of Openly Straight, is a junior in high school who has been out since he was 14. Growing up in the progressive environment of Boulder, Colorado means that he never experienced hatred and ostracism, which affects so many teens in other areas. Rafe’s parents threw him a party, his classmates were all supportive, even the local news station highlighted his experience. Sounds like a paradise, doesn’t it? The difficulty is that Rafe feels trapped within his sexuality; being defined as “the gay kid” prevents him from trying on different identities and pursuing other interests independently of his orientation. This type of exploration is critical to healthy development, if one subscribes to Erikson’s stage of Identity vs. Role Confusion. In order to escape these perceived limitations Rafe transfers to an all-boys’ school in Natick, Massachusetts.

Rafe’s plan is to be quiet about his sexuality while in Natick and not speak about it unless someone asks; he doesn’t consider himself to be back in the closet, simply more private about life. The only catch is that his uber-supportive parents and friends have no idea what Rafe is planning to do, his first lie. At school Rafe quickly finds himself welcomed by the soccer team, participating in flag football games, and engaging in a bit of underage drinking with the guys, activities that many people associate with the “average” teenage male. Rafe’s roommate, Albie, is a little unusual (so is Albie’s friend Toby, who happens to be gay) but what’s a guy going to do? Things like that happen. Then one day Toby asks Rafe is gay, and when Rafe is forced to answer a direct question he can’t bring himself to be honest; the second lie. Before long Rafe has invented an ex-girlfriend (his best friend back home, Claire Olivia), fallen in love with his new—and straight—best friend (Ben, who is developing strange feelings of his own), and the lies continue to pile up, placing Rafe in a state of constant strain and tension. Inevitably his stories fail to add up and the lies begin to collide, forcing Rafe to confront the inner demons that are the true source of his insecurity.

Thanks to Openly Straight, author Bill Konigsberg has placed himself among such prominent teen writers as John Green, Ned Vizzini, and Lauren Myracle; while most authors talk down to teens when tackling difficult situations, Konigsberg and crew speak to the intelligence that their readers possess. The concept of hiding without being closeted is one that I have often heard from gay teens and young adults but seems unexpected for a novel, yet Konigsberg tackles it effortlessly. The author alternates between Rafe’s first-person narrative and his journal entries for English class, followed by pointers from his teacher (Mr. Scarborough); the benefit of this format is that the reader experiences the raw emotions of Rafe’s perspective as well as the formal side that he puts on for others, while Mr. Scarborough offers a commentary on both the literary and personal flaws in Rafe’s thinking, indirectly speaking to the reader by pointing out these common mistakes. The journal entries also provide a nice break from the main storyline, allowing the reader to breathe when things grow too tense.

Openly Straight is like a delicious salad, many of the components work both individually and as part of the greater whole. The most prominent struggle is the labeling process that teenagers experience, and this theme works beyond the issue of orientation. What teen hasn’t felt defined as just a jock, the brainiac, the perky cheerleader, etc.? What adult hasn’t let go of dreams and interests in pursuit of the 9-to-5? Konigsberg reminds the reader to avoid putting those labels onto others and to celebrate everything they are. Through the voice of Mr. Scarborough, he also discusses the innate flaws of the popular terms “tolerance” and “acceptance” in a way that is simple yet challenging. Tolerance essentially states that something is wrong but people choose to ignore it; likewise, the practice of acceptance indicates that there is a negative or abnormal trait that needs to be accepted. The students are confused, what is left when these two buzzwords are taken out of the picture? Konigsberg’s answer is celebration, a practice in which one experiences joy through seeing the beauty in others.

At this point some major spoilers are going to come up, so if you wish to remain unaware of the book’s ending please stop reading. I also recommend that you purchase Openly Straight and read it for yourself because the final events provide a crucial lesson not only for gay teens but for people everywhere. Moving on, when Rafe’s secret finally comes to light it has repercussions that extend beyond ignorance and rejection. Throughout the novel Rafe and Ben’s budding bromance has pushed the traditional boundaries of friendship, Konigsberg aptly describes it as the innate overlap between agape and eros. This culminates with the two engaging in a night of sexual exploration that turns Ben’s world upside down and when he admits to Rafe that he could never pursue a relationship with another guy, it prompts Rafe to admit the truth. The result is not what Rafe hoped for. Ben feels betrayed and hurt, ends their friendship, and the reader is left with the impression that the two do not speak again. This speaks to a dream that is very common among gay teens: “turning” the straight friend. Personally, I have always perceived this as an unhealthy fantasy and Konigsberg does a beautiful job of illustrating why that is: you can never expect someone to be something they are not, nor can you push them to be more than they are ready for. Am I saying that it’s impossible for a heterosexual male to fall in love with another male? No, but it is highly unlikely for two reasons: he is either straight, or not ready to embrace who he is.

Rather than sugar-coating the truth Konigsberg demonstrates the realistic consequences of such fantasy, a rude awakening that many people need to see and one that is applicable beyond sexuality: an alcoholic girlfriend is not going to change until she is ready to accept her problem, a friend who takes advantage of those around him may never see the problem until it is in front of him. This doesn’t mean that they will never change but the only way they will change is if it comes from within, your expectations are not going to inspire change unless someone already has the spark of change within them. That being said, Rafe leaves the reader with sweetness to match the bitter. He finds the courage to celebrate everything that makes him “Rafe” and begins a new life in which he will encourage others to join the party.

Rating: 9/10

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/openly-straight-bill-konigsberg/1113367900?ean=9780545509893

Book #5 - Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book Three by Bill Willingham (232 pages)

From the moment I began reading on my own I have been obsessed with stories that put an innovative spin on traditional fairytales. Perhaps this is because it gives me a new way to experience a familiar world, or because it allows me to cheat by using preexisting mental constructs, or even because I’m an uber-nerd, but to this day I remain enchanted by these tales. The first time I picked up an issue of Bill Willingham’s comic series Fables, I knew I was in for a treat. Fairytale characters exiled from their homelands by an unknown Adversary and forced to survive in modern society? How could it get any better? I devoured two magical volumes in less than a day and was eager to purchase more but unfortunately this was around the time I went back to school, and my nerdy habits were forced to take a hiatus until I graduated at which point I returned to these beloved characters like the prodigal son returning to his father. Thankfully they welcomed me with open arms.

The deluxe edition of Book Three, titled “March of the Wooden Soldiers,” picks up immediately following the events of the first two books. Fabletown’s community is finally on the mend following the murder of one of their own, an uprising at the home for non-human Fables (known as The Farm), and an assassination attempt aimed at their second-in-command (Snow White) and Sheriff (the Big Bad Wolf, or Bigby). Things start to look up when Red Riding Hood suddenly appears on the steps of Fabletown, almost a century after the last Fable escaped the Homelands. This unexpected miracle is exactly what the citizens need for a quick morale boost, but Little Boy Blue (Red’s former lover) and Bigby are both skeptical about her mysterious appearance after she had been presumed dead for so many years. Old King Cole, the Mayor of Fabletown, insists that the citizens shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth and quickly welcomes Red into their community.

Unfortunately, it turns out that Blue’s and Bigby’s suspicions were correct and Red is not all that she seems. To further complicate matters, an envoy of wooden soldiers appears in the mundane world and wreaks havoc before giving an ultimatum to the Fables: accept the Adversary’s dominion over the new “colony” of Fabletown in exchange for amnesty, or be subject to rule by force. Understandably, this confrontation throws the community into a panic over fear of falling subject to the Adversary’s cruel reign but one Fable in particular feels the tension more than the rest. For Pinocchio, the existence of these wooden soldiers is proof that his father is still alive, trapped somewhere in the Homelands. As the battle for Fabletown draws near loyalties are tested, lives placed in jeopardy, and the fate of their happily ever after hangs in jeopardy.

This type of storyline is something I have been waiting for ever since I began the series; although I enjoyed the previous volumes my mind has never left the Adversary and the inevitable clash between two worlds. In “March of the Wooden Soldiers,” Willingham provides more action for the Fables and hints at what may come without slacking off on character development. With mainstays such as Snow, Rose, and Bigby already well-established, flashbacks and glimpses behind the scenes serve to flesh out characters who appeared two-dimensional at first. Giving these Fables a voice of their own is essential to helping the battle sequences transition beyond mindless violence because it gives the reader a reason to invest in the timeless characters.

For me, one point of curiosity is Willingham’s constant reference to the Homelands and the Adversary. This is most likely a simple way of setting up a black-and-white conflict where good and evil are clearly defined, and yet it makes me wonder if the author holds pro-Israeli views that are subtly spilling out into his writing. Leaving aside the politics of such opinions, it makes me excited that the readers may witness Fabletown’s retaliation against the Adversary in an attempt to reclaim their rightful territories. After all, the Fables have had centuries to build up their strength and develop knowledge of both the magical and mundane, and this time the forces of evil will not be able to take them by surprise. All of that is speculation on my part but I am excited to continue the journey with these Fables, they have worked their way into my heart.

Rating: 8.5/10

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fables-bill-willingham/1103588477?ean=9781401230975

Book #4 - The Apothecary by Maile Meloy (384 pages)

As a former educator, I have always had an appreciation for children’s literature. Okay, I can’t honestly claim that as my defense. I am a wildly imaginative person who loves world of outlandish fantasy and adventure; children’s literature speaks to me because no idea is too absurd or silly, and as I passed through my teenage years into young adulthood I continued to read children’s fantasy. Maile Meloy’s (pronounced My-lee Meloy) first novel for young readers, The Apothecary, has interested me since the first time I saw it on my store’s shelves but for some reason I always put off reading it. When The Apothecary appeared on the strip shelf, I felt compelled to save the poor novel from the horrible fate of being recycled. I am so happy that I did.

Set in the Cold War era, The Apothecary follows a fourteen year-old named Janie Scott, a typical American girl who stresses over her algebra problems and practices walking like Katharine Hepburn. When Janie’s parents are accused of being Communists they flee from Los Angeles to London, where she meets an apothecary and his rebellious son, Benjamin. Intrigued by his defiance towards authority, Janie strikes up a friendship with Benjamin and his curiosity quickly draws them into a dangerous plot that has roots in all levels of government and across nations. At the center of it all is the apothecary’s mysterious book, the Pharmacopoeia, which contains secrets that can either save the world or destroy it. When Benjamin’s father is kidnapped, he and Janie embark on a desperate quest to master the Pharmacopoeia’s secrets and rescue the apothecary before their enemies catch up to them and all is lost.

Meloy’s portrayal of 1950’s London quickly draws the reader in with its fantastical charms while the details she includes make it realistic and believable. In the aftermath of World War II, London was still the grand city we know today but she was also scarred and recovering from the horrors of war. Meloy includes references to the hardships of the times such as rationed food and clothing, coin-operated heating units, and bomb drills in school. Her Londoners are friendly and warm at heart but this warmth is buried under Communist fear, suspicion and distrust prevent people from growing close to one another.

At the same time, Meloy’s whimsy manages to captivate in a way that rivals the world of—wait for it—Harry Potter. The Apothecary is littered with moments that are clearly inspired by Rowling’s series but have charms of their own, such as a scene where the children are using an invisibility potion. In order for it to work they must shed their clothes and bathe in the solution, and even after the invisibility has set in the children continue to panic any time one of them is looking at another; the innocence captured in moments such as this is the book’s greatest asset. I can’t wait to read the sequel. I would recommend The Apothecary to readers who enjoyed the Harry Potter series, P.B. Kerr’s Children of the Lamp series, or Colin Meloy’s Wildwood.

Rating: 7.5/10

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/apothecary-maile-meloy/1101075441?ean=9780142422069

Book #3 - The Darkling Thrush by Josh Lanyon (208 pages)

My experience with queer literature is very limited but I feel that it is very important to support members of the LGBTQ community in their endeavors, so during a particularly slow day at work I got online and perused the titles that could be ordered into my store. Josh Lanyon's name kept appearing and it seems that he is one of the most prominent queer authors on the scene, eventually I stumbled across a novella of his called The Darkling Thrush. What I read in the description made me eager to order the book: devilishly handsome gay man named Colin, works as a rare book hunter for the Imperial Arcane Library, accepts quest to find magical tome of great power. Lanyon had essentially written a book about my daydreams and I knew I had to have it. And so began my journey with Colin Bliss.

The Darkling Thrush picks up at the end of an affair between Colin, an American on work exchange at London's Imperial Arcane Library, and Antony, his new boss. As a result of the affair's end Colin finds himself stuck with meaningless desk work despite his successes in the field. Unfortunately Antony's brother Basil also works for the library and his disapproval of the affair creates a cold and hostile environment for Colin, whose frustration with these tasks makes him the perfect recruit for a mission from the Museum of the Literary Occult. Colin accepts a meeting with the mysterious Mr. Anstruther, who explains that his contacts have a lead on the Faileas a' Chlaidheimh (The Sword's Shadow), an ancient and legendary tome so powerful that the Imperial Arcane Library would rather destroy it than allow risk it falling into the wrong hands.

Despite the warnings of Septimus Marx (the Imperial Magister), Colin packs his bags and heads to the Western Isles which are the last known location of the grimoire. The brash, young bookhunter believes that he can handle whatever perils the quest may entail but Colin quickly learns that he is not the only one with an interest in the Faileas. There is the mysterious adventuress Irania Briggs, whose enemies often meet an unfortunate end, and a mysterious faery woman who says little but often appears on the trail. Further complicating matters is the fact that Septimus insists on travelling with Colin but it is unclear if his interests are professional or personal. As Colin draws closer to the grimoire he learns more about the horrible fate of its previous owner and the reasons why the Library wants it to remain hidden.

Lanyon begins with a good concept and an intriguing cast of characters but the quality stops there and the plot fails to reach its full potential. His writing gets hung up on particular concepts which the protagonist constantly repeats, such as the power and mystery surrounding the grimoire, while failing to explain why these concepts are important to the story or developing the supporting plot lines. Characters are introduced in such a way as to hint at their profound importance or strong role in the plot only to disappear and reappear in a disjointed fashion, and the reader never gets a glimpse of their personalities aside from simplistic themes: the dangerous adventuress, the seductive Magister, etc. This makes it difficult to become invested in the cast and their respective fates.

Then there's the sex. Perhaps I'm different from the average person (or abnormally prudish) but I certainly don't have as much sex as Colin Bliss, and the descriptions of his encounters are so far beyond romance novel cheesiness that they sound like something a junior high student would write in his journal. I can read sex scenes without getting uncomfortable but every time the pants came off I was eager for things to be over. Lanyon's book also has pacing issues, things develop so slowly that I paused 20 pages from the end and thought there was no way he could possibly resolve the various plot lines in time. Well he did, but everything converges so abruptly that the conclusion makes little sense and is unsatisfying. While it is important to support queer literature this particular author has a long way to go if he wants to match the skill and storytelling mastery of mainstream authors.

Rating: 5/10

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-darkling-thrush-josh-lanyon/1023664094?ean=9781937909123

Book #2 - The Snow Queen's Shadow by Jim C. Hines (412 pages)

Well then, it’s certainly been a while since I posted here! My reading list for 2013 has grown substantially but unfortunately something got in the way, a rather pesky thing known as college. Thankfully I graduated and due to the poor economy I have plenty of free time on my hands. A few weeks ago my local Barnes and Noble held a signing for author Jim C. Hines, and after a little deliberation I picked up two of his books. I have previously read one of his books and was left with mixed feelings but nothing lures me in like the prospect of having an authentic signature on my bookshelf and thus, my adventure with The Snow Queen’s Shadow began.

Unbeknownst to me, The Snow Queen’s Shadow is the fourth and final installment of a series about the fairy tale princesses we are all familiar with: Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. However, Hines carefully explains every reference to previous events and this (combined with the familiarity surrounding his heroines) allowed me to jump in without feeling like I was missing anything. The story begins innocently enough with Snow and Talia (Sleeping Beauty) on a mission for the Queen of Lorindar, who happens to be Danielle’s (Cinderella) mother in-law. With their mission completed, the two action princesses return to the castle only to learn that the Queen is on her deathbed. Leaving Talia and Danielle at the Queen’s side, Snow hurries to her magic mirror and attempts to hold the Queen’s spirit within its frame; what Snow doesn’t know is that years ago her mother had trapped a demon in the mirror, giving the glass its magical properties. Snow’s actions push the mirror beyond its capabilities and the glass shatters, severely injuring Snow. At this point the plot begins to take form.

The demon is still trapped within the glass but with the mirror in thousands of pieces it now has multiple outlets through which it can infect and possess unfortunate souls and Snow is the first victim, having been in direct contact as the mirror broke. Using Snow’s magical abilities, the demon kidnaps Danielle’s son and begins to infect citizens left and right with the goal of reaching Snow’s homeland of Allesandria and using the land’s magical energies to destroy all life. Naturally, stopping this demon is a job for the remaining two princesses and they quickly set out on Snow’s trail. Along the way they cross paths with witches, dryads, fairies, trolls, and even a mysterious woman who claims to be Snow White’s sister. Throughout the journey, Danielle and Talia wrestle with the possibility that they may have to kill their friend in order to stop the evil inside of her. Shadow ends with enough resolution to provide a satisfying conclusion to the series while leaving enough questions unanswered to allow for a potential sequel.

Hines’s writing is much better in this book than it was in his other works. The action scenes flow naturally from the narrative without it feeling as though Hines has thrown them in for the casual reader, and this can be difficult to achieve. Our heroines have distinct personalities of their own which differ from the traditional Disney princesses though at times they come across as one-dimensional, but I can’t fault Hines for this because it might be due to the fact that I jumped into an established series and did not witness the initial character development. The Snow Queen’s Shadow is a good read for anyone who is a fan of alternate “happy endings” to fairy tales, but the dark tone that Hines takes is better suited towards fans of the Fables comic series or the TV series Grimm than for followers of Once Upon A Time and more upbeat fare. I would definitely recommend this to a fantasy reader and look forward to reading more of his works.

Rating: 7/10

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-queens-shadow-jim-c-hines/1031433743?ean=9780756406745

Book #1 - Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes (412 pages)

Falling Kingdoms tells the story of the three kingdoms of Mytica, a continent that was once filled with magic and wonder until the two goddesses destroyed one another and that magic was lost for good. The citizens of this continent relied on that magic to provide for their needs and maintain a high quality of life. As the magic continues to fade and the centuries pass by, the fight to survive becomes more desperate and difficult. The relationship between these three kingdoms—and their unequal access to power and resources—is what drives the narrative of the book, as seen through the lives of various characters: Cleo, the pampered princess named after an ancient goddess; Jonas, the fiery rebel seeking to put an end to injustice; Lucia, the royal daughter, raised in ignorance of her true nature; and Magnus, the crown prince with a sharp tongue and a cold heart.

Paelsia, the middle kingdom, was once known for its fertile soil and fine wine but years of over-farming have ruined the land and left the citizens impoverished and suffering under the rule of a barbarian king who supposedly possesses magical abilities—though no one has ever seen proof of this. In the northern kingdom of Limeros citizens have enough food to get by but a vicious king has created a world devoid of any passion, banning all forms of art due to its extravagance and prizing academics above all else. Auranos, the fair southern kingdom, has seen decades of good harvest and is ruled by a king who is adored but amidst this prosperity not everything is as it seems and when a cocky Auranian noble murders a Paelsian peasant it unleashes a political storm that has been brewing for years. Tensions boil over, alliances are formed, and kingdoms fall.

Rhodes uses four main characters to tell her story, along with a wide cast of supporting figures. Predictably, each kingdom produces at least one of the central characters but given the novel’s premise this distribution is essential to giving the nations an identity and culture of their own, and she does a fantastic job of merging these storylines in a way that is natural rather than forcing events. Rhodes has a wonderful grasp of human nature which enables her to give characters the basic foundation of a personality and allows that persona to grow and bloom in a way that is organic. Most importantly, she gives her characters free rein to behave in the manner that their personality dictates and this brings them to life. As a reader I felt their emotions, I became invested in their desires, and I became attached to (or hated) them just as I would with my own friends and enemies.

The narrative is fast-paced, with chapters ending on the cliffhangers and “I can’t believe that just happened” moments that are typical of teen fiction. In a world of instant gratification and electronic saturation those moments are necessary to keep the average reader’s attention, and the story itself is strong enough to withstand the occasional rush. Some critics have compared the novel’s tone to that of George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series but I disagree. There are many points in SOIAF where it seems that blood is shed for no reason and the violence comes across as shock value rather that gritty and realistic. In Rhode’s world characters take the risks and choose the paths that come naturally to them, and (spoiler!!!) occasionally those actions have fatal consequences. This is not a criticism of Martin’s work but simply a stylistic difference, I felt that this novel portrayed the harsh reality of conflict without making me too distraught and afraid to turn the page.

Overall, this novel is a great success. I’m a big fantasy fan but sometimes the writing quality is sacrificed in order to focus on the concept; Rhodes manages to tell a unique story with prose that is better than the average fare, even if it isn’t brilliant. I would recommend it for anyone who enjoyed the aforementioned Song of Ice and Fire, Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series, or even fans of historical fiction in the vein of Bernard Cornwell.

Rating: 8/10

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-kingdoms-morgan-rhodes/1108930601?ean=9781595145840