Review: Tithe by Holly Black

Title: Tithe
Author: Holly Black
Publication Date:  April 1st, 2004
Publisher: Margaret McElderry Book Press
Source: Bought it 
Where to find: Goodreads / Amazon / Book Depository

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms - a struggle that could very well mean her death

"If you think on it, I'm sure that you'll admit there's something passing strange about you. A strangeness, not just of manner, but of something else. The scent of it, the spoor of it, warns Ironsiders off, makes the wary and draws them in all the same."- pg. 96

This book gets off to an incredibly slow start. There is a lot of finding out about Kaye and her life and learning a little bit about the Faeries.  Other than that, the part of this book fails to pull you into the story. I love Holly Black and her writing, so I was invested from that standpoint, but I was not feeling this book at first.

What I did appreciate about the beginning of this book is the dark Gothic aspect of the story. Many of Holly Black's books focus more on the happy, good fae then the dark ones of this story. This is definitely a darker and more mature faerie novel. I really appreciated this different side to faeries that we got to see. It showed how fae are not always the charming, cute beings we imagine them to be.

Kaye is one of those characters that make you cringe with their bad choices, she smokes, drinks, does not go to school, and is all around a poor role model. While Kaye is this despicable character, she does have some redeeming qualities that keep you on her side. And she also had definite character growth throughout the novel. 

The other big issue I had with this book was the lack of information, I feel like a lot of new fae words were used but never truly explained. I would have liked to have had more background information on the faeries and why the compact was the way it was during the story. For me the world building was lacking in terms of explaining the fae world. 

While this novel got off to a slow start, it definitely picked up and pulled me into the story. I started to really care about what was happening to the characters and how everything was going to turn out for them. So while a lot of this book was very "meh" for me, it definitely redeemed itself toward the end. I'm now invested in these characters and seeing where the story takes us next in Valiant. Also, I really love the new covers in the box set! While the originals do not have characters on them, in this case I prefer the use of people on the cover.

The Glass Coffin in Fairfold

 

 “There's a monster in our wood. She'll get you if you're not good. Drag you under leaves and sticks. Punish you for all your tricks. A nest of hair and gnawed bone. You are never, ever coming... home.”  

Title: The Darkest Part of the Forest  
Author: Holly Black 
Publication Date: January 13, 2015 
Publisher: Little Brown
Where to find: Goodreads / Amazon








This book focuses on a town called Fairfold. The town is right next to a forest filled with faeries. Within the forest lies a “glass” coffin with a strange horned boy. The coffin has been there since everyone can remember. Our two main characters Hazel and Ben have grown up talking to the coffin and the boy inside falling in love with him along the way. They are knights to his prince. Then one morning the town wakes up to find the coffin broken and the boy gone. We later learn that the boy’s name is Severin.

The characters in this book were amazing. We had Hazel who has never let anyone in and kisses every boy in sight. We have Ben her brother who also happens to be gay. There is Jack, Ben’s best friend and Hazel’s old crush, who also happens to be a changeling. And finally we have the horned boy Severin. You also have the townspeople and the tourists who all play a role in what it means to live Fairfold with the faeries in the forest.

The characters alone were interesting, but what I really liked was the relationships between the characters. A lot of the story focused on the sibling relationship between Ben and Hazel. This was not a simple romance between different characters in the book. It was more about Ben and Hazel and what they were willing to do for each other. And of course it was about saving the town from the faeries and their mischief.

Part of this review needs to focus on the sheer awesomeness of this book. It is just over 300 pages but still has incredible world building and an amazing story. Holly Black’s ability to write a paranormal stand-alone book is astounding. Not only do I love her writing, I also appreciate what she did with this book. It had the faerie lore along with modern culture.

I’ve always loved fairy lore and for me Holly Black is one of the best when it comes to fairy books. I loved this book. It was the right mixture of creepy, dark, and happy. 

♛ ♛ ♛ ♛½

Let me know in the comments if you have read the book or plan to read it!

The Iron Trial by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

So I clearly enjoyed this book since it took me under 4 hours to read. I loved going back to the idea of a school to learn magic, just like how I got to in the Harry Potter series. But the similarities between the two stop there. Call is an interesting character because it seems that no matter how hard he tries to fail, he ends up doing something amazing (even if it is dangerous). But the one thing that makes him special is his determination. Call was determined to fail the Iron Trial, then he was determined to get kicked out of the Magisterium, and finally he is determined to not turn into what he truly is inside (and yes i know that is vague, but I don’t want to spoil anyone).

I loved the trio of apprentices in Call’s group. Aaron, Tamara and Call are all very different characters from various backgrounds that work really well together. While it takes some time for their friendship to develop, I appreciated that it wasn’t an immediate thing. They took the time to mistrust each other and grow closer through their training exercises.


When I met Holly Black and Cassandra Clare they said that they wanted to shock people at the end and I can definitely say I was shocked. I had one theory towards the halfway point of the book. But boy was I completely wrong. I cannot wait for them to finish the next book so I can see what lies ahead for our three characters in their Copper year. But I also know it may be awhile since both authors have a lot they are currently working on.

Overall, I really enjoyed this middle grade fantasy book. The characters were great and I adored the world. Especially how complicated the Magisterium seems. I know I would definitely get lost.

4.5/5 Stars

Meeting Holly Black and Cassandra Clare!!!

So we just got back from the signing. And let me just say the banter between Holly and Cassie is amazing. They have so many great stories to tell.

I also loved hearing about how they wrote the book. The idea of writing 500 words then giving it to the other person is so strange. But yeah they are awesome writers and awesome people.