Title: Among Others
Edited By: Jo Walton
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: January 18, 2011
IBSN: 978-0765321534
Pages: 302
Raised by a half-mad mother who dabbled in magic, Morwenna Phelps found refuge in two worlds. As a child growing up in Wales, she played among the spirits who made their homes in industrial ruins. But her mind found freedom and promise in the science fiction novels that were her closest companions. Then her mother tried to bend the spirits to dark ends, and Mori was forced to confront her in a magical battle that left her crippled--and her twin sister dead.Fleeing to her father whom she barely knew, Mori was sent to boarding school in England–a place all but devoid of true magic. There, outcast and alone, she tempted fate by doing magic herself, in an attempt to find a circle of like-minded friends. But her magic also drew the attention of her mother, bringing about a reckoning that could no longer be put off…
After reading Among Others I had to sit back for a moment and decide if I really liked it. I thoroughly enjoy a book that makes you wonder. In all fairness, at the end of the first diary entry we are told that this isn’t a nice story or an easy story…I have to say, she proved that to be true.
The tragedy in the story is downplayed by Mori who you only love little by little. After my moment of reflection, I decided this story was brilliant mostly because you are supposed to love Mori little by little. She is candid and earthy and damaged more than just physically. She understands her physical damage but not her emotional damage. I think the magic was a beautiful distraction to the emotional healing that was going on.
I could say this is a magical coming of age story but that would be wrong [in my opinion]. It’s a story of coping, healing and magic. It’s a story about life and no matter the tragedy even something as simple as reading can hold you to it long enough for time and friendships and love to make you want to hold onto it. It is a fairy story. It isn’t nice or easy but it is thought provoking.
I would definitely recommend Among Others.
~Bobbi~
Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received Among Others at no cost for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
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