Deathless

This is not a particularly pleasant book, but it is a pleasure to read. It's dark twists and turns are lit by excellent writing – probably the best I've encountered so far this year. While it spins heavily into fairy tale styling at times, and follows recognizable forms (many things happen in threes), Valente's prose is lovely, and also like banging your funny bone – sharp and surprising and kind of deliciously painful. The characters are deftly embroidered but not perfect, and Marya is especially complex. I disliked her and yet loved her. The entire thing is almost like a fever dream – it left me dizzy and restless, and I was relieved when it was over. But I LIKE that about a book – I want stories that I need to kick off like a blanket on a hot night, and yet draw up to my chin a few hours later. This was such a one, for which I am grateful.

For the rest of my review check out my blog:http://tuulenhaiven.com/2013/06/25/deathless/