"Dangerous Remedy" by Kat Dunn

☆☆☆☆.5 stars

introduction:

I received an Advanced Reading Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Well, April was not a good month for me in terms of reading. There wasn't much that was grabbing my interest, and I ended up finishing half as many books as March. I was starting to get into a slump, and then I began reading "Dangerous Remedy".

summary:

Camille, a revolutionary's daughter, leads a band of outcasts – a runaway girl, a deserter, an aristocrat in hiding. As the Battalion des Morts they cheat death, saving those about to meet a bloody end at the blade of Madame La Guillotine. But their latest rescue is not what she seems. The girl's no aristocrat, but her dark and disturbing powers means both the Royalists and the Revolutionaries want her. But who and what is she?

In a fast and furious story full of the glamour and excesses, intrigue and deception of these dangerous days, no one can be trusted, everyone is to be feared. As Camille learns the truth, she's forced to choose between loyalty to those she loves and the future.

review:

I don't know how this book isn't being talked about more! A strong, dynamic squad of characters, heists, LGBT and POC rep, and on top of that it is set during the French Revolution!

I really liked the characters, they were not overdone, and not caricatures which often happens when a book surrounds a large cast of characters. They were complex in their relationships with one another and quite realistic. I really liked Camille and Ada's difficult friendship and romance, from completely different backgrounds, they were so similar and so different from one another at the same time. I really look forward to how they grow in the next book. 

I really enjoyed the plot twists and the flaws to their plans, that were really well handled, better than "Six of Crows" which people often try to compare it to. In my opinion, I thought this book was stronger and it doesn't really seem fair that they are compared, because in many ways "Dangerous Remedy" is so completely different from "Six of Crows". I thought the characters were far more realistic. The only parallels you can draw between each of the books, are the "squad" and the heists, that's where the similarities end.

I loved learning more about the history of the French Revolution, which is probably one of my favourite historical events that has happened in Europe. So granted, I loved the setting and the historical context this book had. I also really liked the integration of perspectives of people who've come over from the French colonies, I felt like it certainly added to the scope of the narrative. 

The prose was crisp, but not overly simple. It was accessible, and easy to follow while also having a lovely balance of more flowery language mixed in. It never distracts or takes away from the pacing either, which I have to say was very strong. This story was really well-balanced in many ways, but I have to say I think was most-impressed by the pacing. It was constantly moving forward, even as we had time to sit around with the characters and get to know them better, there was always something happening big or small, there was never really a dull moment. From a debut author, this balance was extraordinarily impressive. 

The only thing that stops me from giving this a 5-star review, is just that I felt like I wish I had gotten to know some of the other members of the "battalion des morts", or the story's squad, just a bit better. I really wish there had been flashbacks of their childhood and the things that helped developed their characters into who they are when the story begins. I feel that would have made me a bit more connected to the characters. Which isn't to say that I wasn't connected to the characters, I think they all have very good bones. I would just like to see more growth in the next book. I really hope this book ends up getting three or four books, because I really like the direction this book took at the very end. 

While people compare it "Six of Crows", I would say this book is more "Frankenstein" meets "The Diviners".

Overall, a debut novel that exceeded all of my expectations. Kat Dunn is an author to watch.

I would like add that "Dangerous Remedy" was due to be out today in print, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately print publication had to be delayed until August, I believe. Today, 7 May 2020, still remains it's book-birthday, as it is being released as an e-book. Please, if you can afford to treat yourself today, please consider purchasing an e-book copy of "Dangerous Remedy". These are difficult times for everyone, and creators and artists are certainly struggling. During this time, debut authors especially are finding it difficult to find a voice. If you do give "Dangerous Remedy" a go, let me know what you thought. I really hope you enjoy it.

Note: The copy of "Dangerous Remedy" in my photo is the exclusive Illumicrate edition, found in their April "Squad Goals" box.

Preorder "Dangerous Remedy" on Waterstones

Buy "Dangerous Remedy" ebook on Amazon.co.uk

"A Darker Shade of Magic" by V. E. Schwab

☆☆☆☆☆ stars

"Kell wore a very peculiar coat. It had neither one side, which would be conventional, nor two, which would be unexpected, but several, which was, of course, impossible."

Twice, I have had the pleasure in reading this masterpiece of a work.

To say that V.E. Schwab is an extraordinary storyteller is a bit of an understatement. I, personally, find her work nothing short of exceptional.

"Lila Bard lived by a simple rule: if a thing was worth having, it was worth taking."

summary:

The story takes place between parallel magical Londons. There is Red London (the London, to which Kell, our MC, belongs to), Grey London (our London, however set hundreds of years in the past), White London (a London brimming with Magic) and Black London (or "dead" London).

The primary MC, Kell, is an adopted prince of the royals of Red London. He is one of a rare breed of magic users that possess the ability to travel between each of the Londons (red, white and gray) like traveling through doors. The door to Black London, however has been closed for years after they went crazy with magic. The story takes a turn though when Kell meets Lila Bard a resident of Grey London (and a Pirate), and the walls that separate the parallel Londons begin to become increasingly thinner.

“'I apologize for anything I might have done. I was not myself.'
'I apologize for shooting you in the leg.' said Lila. 'I was myself entirely.'”

review:

Granted, I really simplified the story. It is far more complex than I made it seem. I think it is the complexity that adds to the intrigue, you never really know where exactly the story is headed. Which makes it so much more compelling and magical. V.E. Schwab is such a masterful world-builder. She makes you believe fantasy to be reality. I find solid world-building to be lacking from the majority of recently published fantasy books.

In terms of writing, voice and character development Ms. Schwab definitely met all of my expectations and then some. "A Darker Shade of Magic" was my first toe-dip into the world of V.E. Schwab and quickly turned me into a massive fan. I am in love with her writing style, it is both direct and descriptive. It's flawless, I aspire to be able to write as well as she does.

Character development wise, I particularly enjoyed Lila and Rhy's characters. If I could fault anything in the book it would be that I didn't find Kell to be particularly strong as a character. BUT I have yet to read books 2 & 3 so I don't have much of a voice on the matter.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to just about everyone, especially those who grew up reading Harry Potter. Granted "A Darker Shade of Magic" is significantly darker in terms of content, it did provide me with a sort of nostalgia of the world of Harry Potter while being completely original. It shares almost nothing in common with the Harry Potter books, but it does make you think that England is a magical place. And for that I love it.

I would not recommend the audiobook to anyone interested, I listened to the audiobook on my first read-through of the book. The audiobook doesn't contribute to the magic of the story and thus, I would suggest reading a hard-copy or an ebook over the audiobook edition.