The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd./ originally Candlewick Press

Date/Year that it was Published: October 2nd 2014/ orginally March 13th 2014

Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism

Best for Boys/Girls: Girls

Format: Paperback/ Hardback

This has to be one of the greatest books that i have read over 2014 - which has now been and gone sadly. It was a truly different and entricate way of writing that i have never seen before in a book. I think now, since i have read this i want to seek out more of this type of style that Ms Walton has. It has literally changed my life - along with making me think about the most important things in life.

The plot itself is very different to what i have read in the past, as it literally deals with what has happened in the past for certain characters and how it will affect their future. It identifies three women within the same family and how 'love makes them such fools', as it is mainly about their tragic love lives. First of all there is Emilienne who moved to America, but she originally came from France. She is the most important character at the start of the book, as she is one who sets off later events in the book. She eventually meets her husband one day and therefore she becomes pregnant - with the next major character - Viviane. Viviane also has a tragic life with love and falls in love with a man who eventually marries somebody else. She has two children by this man without him knowing who were twins and are called Henry and Ava. Ava is special as she is born with wings which ressembles her quite easily to an angel. This is how towards the end she suffers quite a lot from an ignorant man, believing that she is there for giving him a message from God and obsesses over her. Henry is born more or less mute but is receptive to things around him - but he is good at drawing detailed maps!

Essentially the book is a saga of the Lavender families tragic love lives and how they are able to get over it all. The book itself is set in the early 20th century, starting from Emilenne. It also has a bit of back story to what the residents were before them, and how it all ties in with the entire novel. I found this in a way quite daunting and freaky, as the house they live in is pretty much haunted. But really it is the characters perceptive eye to what is around them. The ending itself is very much unexpected, but I am sure that many do not agree with this. This is because of how Ava does not do a particular thing (trust me it is hard to tell you what it is without letting it out what happened!).

I think the book itself is a cracking read. I cannot wait til the next time I am going to pick up this book on a rainy day. Yes, it is different as it focuses more on the family than Ava herself, but I think it is a fluid way to get the whole plot across to the reader. Also it gives a bit more understanding to what the characters have all been through. As well as a sort of closeness that the reader and the character would not be able to experience, unless we were to know a bit more about their own personal background. If Ms Walton was to do another book herself - even if it is not connected to Ava Lavender I would still read it. As she has a style of writing which is much like an art. Then again isn't the English Language an art in its own right? Although it is more like a game to me.

My overall rating would be :

4 Stars

Kiki

Next week I will be reviewing the book 'When She Smiled' which is a book on the Kindle.

Comments

SEPTEMBER TBR!

Another month ended and school is slowly creeping back on us. Well, so much for the holidays! I have to admit that when it comes to this time in the year i get so depressed. Not only the fact of school dawning once again, but the fact there will be no more lie ins! Tough luck! But it is also because i won't have as much time to talk to you guys (mental cry). Meaning being able to keep up to daily reading... Wah wah! So what have I just received in my box of goodies for this month?... Well, it has to be the entire series of Dan Brown 's Robert Langdon, as well as other novels written by him. Including Deception Point and Digital Fortress. Yay! Pages and pages of new books to read!! I must admit that I may have already started Deception Point before letting you guys know what is happening. Total betrayal I know... Yeah, so in effect it is only 5 out of the six books received are actually TBR. But never mind. Seriously, who could pass on an incredible bestseller-...

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Publisher: David Fickling Books Date of Publish: January 1st 2015 Suitable for which gender: Unisex The book consists of two protagonists who are both suffering from two big secrets. There is David Piper; who wants to be a girl and Leo Denton; someone who just wants to be invisible. Somehow both of these two individuals come together and become very good friends in the process. It is really interesting as there is not much regarding the subject of the transgender community in modern YA fiction, in a way Ms Williamson has got some guts to base story around this topic. Not because it is wrong, but rather misunderstood. It has heartache and pain, as well as joy and happiness, which not only they experience, but you as well. I think that the time that it has come out is perfect, as it is an ever changing world, which has shown to become more aware of people around us and accepting everyone for who they are. We must always think about these issues like, imagine if you felt...

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

SYNOPSIS Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it. The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other. Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta...

Blog Tour: The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign by Christer Lende

REVIEW So we are back in the world of the Beast Hunters for a sophomore instalment where we see Ara, Khendric and Topper back on another adventure. But this time with a difference. Instead of the world building from the previous book, we get to delve into a mystery with darkness starting to make pace in the background. We meet new characters, some good and some not so much. Not only do we have the overarching themes of beasts but also political intrigue and secretive plots. It is far more intricate than the previous instalment where the characters are making decisive and confident choices. Especially for our fave apprentice, Ara. If you want to get away from the current world affairs, this book will serve as an escape from reality. What these last two books do remind me of however, is a tv show. Why I say this is because it felt kind of episodic but they both have reinvented themselves with different themes. I found this to be quite good actually. This is because it feels l...

June TBR

As it is the first of the month, I realised that I haven't actually given you any updates on the latest and greatest new books that I have recently bought. And trust me there is quite a few! I'll give you the Sun by Jandy Nelson: I love the colour of the book jacket. When first discovering this treasure I was probably more interested in how all of the pages have been spray-painted in my favourite colour, yellow. But when looking at the blurb on the reverse, I became very intrigued. As by many people, I prefer a blurb that tells me quite a bit about what is the story, although, with this book it is very vague and is summed up in as few as two to three sentences. The mystery of what might happen is very exciting! The Heir by Kiera Cass: ...