Hello All! Here’s a new installment of LeNoirAuteur Reads where we tackle books with two magical worlds and try to unlock the magic that is acting.
Magonia by Maria Dahavana Headley
What to make of this book. On the one hand, the first third is some amazing writing with an incredible girl at the center (so nice to see a disabled person at the center of a tale). But then our girl gets transported to a magical world in the clouds and while the world itself becomes more interesting, the characters flatten out as needless love triangle elements enter and the narrative tries for some thriller elements. The third act felt extremely rushed.
Grade: C+
Directing Actors by Judith Weston
I’ve been making a better point to try and learn about my craft via books and about one chapter into this book I knew this would be a great text for me to return to time and time again. I put so many note markings in this book and am looking forward to implementing some of these tools in my work.
Grade: A+
A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab
I had heard of this book because OwlCrate had included it in the box before I was able to subscribe and I’m glad I made the move to aquire it cause WHEW, this book was amazing. It’s the story of a guy named Kell who can travel between worlds by virtue of his ancestry and blood magic, and what happens when he comes across a talisman from the forbidden Black London. This book is so rich in visual imagery and the writing just moves along. Plus all of the characters are incredibly compelling and I loved the twist on the concept of magic. This feels like a spiritual cousin to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I’d encourage everyone to check it out for it heart pounding pacing and progressive themes.
Grade: A+