renpuspita's reviews
1354 reviews

 

The Bone Maker start with a single, simple premise "what happen after the heroes defeat the enemy and saved the world?". Often we get a fantasy that start with heroes/heroines journey, either to claim their throne or they become the chosen ones and defeat the evil that want to conquer the world. Often we read they achieve their happy ending (or sometimes sad & bittersweet ending) and then, the end. Sarah Beth Durst try another tact, what happen after the end, and deliver the tale of The Heroes of Vos with their fate after the war end. 

The story start 25 years after the Bone War happen. Kreya and her merry band of comrades, five of them, had hailed by citizen of Vos as the heroes after they defeat Eklor, the evil bone makers that want to enslave and destroy everything. But, at a great cost. Kreya lost her husband, Jentt, too soon. They love just blossoming, only to find that Jentt killed by the enemy. After defeating Eklor, Kreya left her friends and become a hermit. Little her friends now that Kreya now dabble in the forbidden magic and try to resurrect Jentt. She's succeed, but to make Jennt's come back alive again for a long time, Kreya must used human bones, and that's totally defied the Bone Guild's rule. Because the guild deemed that the bone workers used only animal bones, and not humans. Kreya that desperate for the chance to get Jentt back, finally reconcile with their friends. But, 25 years have passed. All of them have changed. 

Kreya's close friend, Zera, a bone wizard, now become a successful businesswoman and live in lavish style. She also harbor a grudge to Kreya, because Kreya left her many years ago. Yet, when Kreya admit her mistake and ask for help to gather human bones from the war aftermath, Zera, grudgingly accept even when she know what Kreya did with Jentt's body is totally defied the law. They succeed in gathering the bones, but soon, they found that evil have come back. Its stronger than the first and its hate burn with passion of burning sun. Soon, Kreya and Zera, ask help from the rest of their crew. Marso, their bone reader, now lost to his thought from reading too many bones, broken beyond repair. Stran, their mightiest crew, now live happily with his wive and their three children. And Jentt, now back from the dead, will do anything in his power to never separated from Kreya. 25 years have passed, all of them in their 40-50-ish, try to face their old enemy. But, even in Kreya's wildest dream, she never realized how fare the enemy will spread their malicious intent, and maybe, this time, they are not the heroes they claimed to be.

This book is such a roller coaster to read. In a good way of course. I don't remember the last time I read a fantasy with middle aged characters, since usually they are in their teen phase or early 20-ish. Also this is the first time I read fantasy that dwell with what happen after the heroes save the world. At first, I think Durst maybe want to give this book a trope in how to deal with the grief, especially with the way Kreya that try to bring Jentt back. Then, I realize, the core theme of this book is a second chance. All of the Five are changed. Zera, once a naive girl, become a bossy girl with sarcastic remark to hide her wounded heart after Kreya left her. Yet, she make amends with the past and though she gone soft, Zera found that she one to go to one adventure with her friends. Marso, gone crazy but with the help of Stran's wife, Ammura, he want to read the bones again so he will not fail his friends again. Even Kreya, she learn from her mistakes although she always clouded by her doubts. I think from the Five, Stran have less character development, but I liked that Durst make his wife, Amurra as a part of the Five. As for Jentt, I want to know how his feeling after he come back to live and, Durst deliver it especially after Jentt know what Kreya did to him. 

The world building itself is not that complicated but the magic system regarding to bone using are pretty unique. The art of resurrect dead people remind me of necromancer, so the bone maker that used it (Eklor and Kreya) can be considered as necromancer as well. Yet, Durst stand with her rules, that usage of human bones, even they already dead, is a forbidden acts. So, even Kreya is a heroes, her deeds in resurrect Jentt is of course, debatable. Kreya only want to be happy to be reunited with Jentt, but so did Eklor back then with his family. So this present a dilemma of its own. I liked that Durst also write Kreya, once a commander of the Five, constantly plagued by doubt. I think it's apparent that with the more older the people get, the more worrisome they are. In the end, like her crew, Kreya to changed to be a better person although she aware that what she did to Jentt is unforgivable by her Guild's standard. And with her reconciliation with her friends, she find that she become more solid and believe them. The trope found family are pretty much well executed and I also liked that the ending avoid deus ex machinae usage.

However, while Kreya and her crews are already middle aged, sometimes I feel like they are written in their 20-30-ish. I don't have a better calculation for their age, but if Kreya and the Five defeat Eklor when they are 17-20, then yes, they are all middle age, lol. I just can't shake the feeling they written in a young way, especially Zera with her sarcastic remarks, although from all the Five, I like her the most. Still, I enjoy The Bone Maker and the last adventure of Kreya, Zera, Marso, Jentt and Stran. All of them are written like your close friends and make you want to know them personally and all their struggle in life. I recommend The Bone Maker if you want to read a standalone fantasy with unique premise, interesting bone magic usage, and found family trope.

A Death in Door County is the first book of Monster Hunter Mystery, featuring Morgan Carter, an eclectic bookstore owner and also cryptozoologist in her own right. I admit I want to read this title because of the cover that feature Loch Ness monster or Nessie. I always fascinated with the existence of cryptid. Especially those that wander in the body of water such as river, lake, sea or ocean. There's a possibility that Nessie exist, and this book, Annelise Ryan bring us to the Door County, Wisconsin, when Morgan get request from local chief, Jon Flanders to investigate the murder that happen in Door Country. Jon deduce that cause of murder was of cryptid's attack and he need Morgan's advice. With the help of her adorable-yet-supportive dog, Newt, Morgan begin her investigation only to find that there's more behind the murder and someone might be target her because they don't want to be exposed.

A Death in Door County is more like classic cozy mysteries, but I like that there's a depth to Morgan's character. She have a trust issues and its come to her difficult past that connected to her parent's death. That's why she hesitate when Jon try to pursue her romantically, although Jon itself have some rough past as well. I liked the description of the Door Country, its connection with the shipwrecks and also cryptids because the size of Lake Michigan as one of the Great Lakes. The explanation of cryptids, shipwreck, etc are pretty fascinating to read although some passage felt like just taken from article. Not only Morgan, but the employer of Odd and Ends bookstore are charming as well, from the kind and motherly Rita to the techno-expert Devon. Not only they are employee, but they offer Morgan some help, directly and indirectly. 

There's some things unbelievable and outlandish moment, like when Morgan got struck by the strange creature in the middle of the lake, but she manage to swim to the shore while the unlucky victims were not or maybe I'm just being jealous because I can't swim, lel. The culprit is not that easily to guess although I can guess the motive in the 2/3 part of the books. I would love to read more about Morgan, with her interaction with her dog, Newt and if maybe she will decide to be romantically involved with Jon Flanders. Also, I wish Ryan will give a hints for any clue behind Morgan parents death as well. 

 Midnight Bayou is one of oldest Nora Roberts title, although written in 2000-ish. It's also already adapted into Lifetime movies, feature Jerry O'Connell that in my opinion while he's an Irish, he's not what in my mind when try to picture the hero, Declan Fitzgerald (funny enough, the movie Declan have Fitzpatrick as his family name). Midnight Bayou is more like paranormal romance, but not that heavy in the paranormal aspect. It's have ghosts, so while it's kinda give me a heebies jeebies, the ghost itself more like memory and didn't appear at all. Only the vibes, and maybe sounds like baby crying, door slammed, music playing. So, if you like your books really haunting, the level of haunting in this book is pretty mild.

I did like the trope "he feel first, she feel harder" that Roberts incorporated and honestly many of her books have trope in which the hero fall in love first or in case of Declan, he fall in love instantly but the heroine is playing hard to get. Although Lena, the heroine, is REALLY playing hard to get. Afraid to fall in love because of her shamed past and constantly guard her heart. I did understand why she behave like that, Lena is prickly af and with good reasons. But honestly when she finally accept that she loved Declan, I just don't feel..the love? I still think that she still guard her heart although less wary than the first.

I liked the past that unravel behind the mansion that Declan try to restore, Manet Hall. It's have Romeo and Juliet vibes, complete with racism and funnily enough a mention of Pride and Prejudice that actually describe the condition of Manet Hall's family. Trigger warning, there's a pretty graphic description of rape and some scenes contain grief that result in suicide by one of the past characters so you might want to read this with caution. Sadly, the ending I feel is just so so.

For romance, it's still worth to read because I really loved to read how Declan try to woo Lena and in process catch Lena's grandmother heart too. But for haunting and chilling factor, then this book is not so much. Still, the book is perfect if you want to read a book with gothic setting and angsty galore. 

 5 stars

PSA: While I read my paperback copy, Brandon Sanderson also post the complete draft of Warbreaker in his website. Complete with his reasons why he published it in the first place and also annotation for each chapter. For me, the highlight of this is not only how generous Sanderson to share his complete work with us reader, but also to know behind his creative process when I read the annotation. You might want to check them in this link:  https://www.brandonsanderson.com/warbreaker-prologue/

It's start very slow for my liking and continue doing so until 2nd part of the book, then it's finally gain momentum. Reading Warbreaker remind me so much of Elantris and also a reminder that I need to resume Mistborn reading, lol (I stop reading book 2 for many years). Just like Sanderson, it can be too confusing to read at first. The world building and magic system is again, unique. And I have a guts that Sanderson don't want to info dumping but that make me feel frustrated to because of so many things that shrouded in mystery. Plus, some of mysteries are still left unsolved in the end. While Warbreaker is a standalone, Sanderson once said that he intend to write the continuation, but the book will wait after Stormlight Archive book 5, Mistborn era 3 and Elantris's sequel. Talk about torture and I'm worried if Sanderson will write it after all. Man is a wonder, he can write faster than some of fantasy writer I know (cough, GRRM and Rothfuss, cough), but with so many of his ongoing projects it will be a miracle when I finally can read Warbreaker's sequel.

Sanderson start this book with a simple yet intriguing premise. Two kingdoms at a cold war, Idris and Hallandren. Idris must send their princess to become Hallandren's God King wife, because of the treaty. Yet, the King of Idris, Dedelin, hesitate to send his oldest daughter, Vivenna. Because Vivenna is apparently his favorite child. So, he send his youngest, the reckless, unimportant princess, Siri. This event will finally set some things in motion because together with Siri's arrival in T'Telir, suddenly talk of war become louder and louder in the Court of God, the God King's palace. Meanwhile, one of the God in the Court of God, Lightsong didn't believe of his divinity and constantly questioning himself why he become a God. In the other side, Vivenna, no longer bear the burden to become God King's wife, decide to go to Hallandren to rescue her sister while her real reason is, she think she now become unimportant and she want to find her purpose again. All of them, unaware of one single determine force, Vasher with his sentient sword, Nightblood currently have his own agenda in Hallandren.

Warbreaker are told from 4 major Point of View. Siri's, Vivenna's, Lightsong's and Vasher's. All of their PoV told separately while some party will interact with each other especially Siri and Lightsong, and then Vivenna with Vasher . With Siri, we get to know she who once a carefree person now being confined in the palace in order to bear the God King, Susebron's heir. With Lightsong, we will amused to read his thought and ramblings that constantly challenge his own godhood while his priest, Llarimar support him patiently. We also got his interaction with a fellow god, a goddess called Blushweaver that seems ambitious and believe that war with Idris is for the good of Hallandren. With Vivenna, we will get a glimpse into her and Idrians religion, Austrim that worship Austre, God of Colors. Austrim seems like a boring and prude religion because they condemn brightful color and they must dress properly with all of their body closed. Why, remind me of some of religion in real life, lel. Vivenna is so gung-ho to save Siri, and she hate Hallandren passionately. A hate that soon will be encourage by a mercenary named Denth with his crews, Tonk Fah, Jewel and a Lifeless named Clod. While Vasher is...Vasher is a mysterious dude and apparently have some unresolved past with Denth.

From all PoV, I liked Lightsong's PoV the most. He kind of remind me to Kelsier but I liked Lightsong more. His jovial manner, sarcasm, constant question about godhood and religions in particular are pretty interesting to read. In the end, he become a god like what he supposed to be and I found I almost shed a tear reading his part. A true God and heroic to the end. The idea of Lightsong, the Returned (those who died and them comeback to live) is come from how if God and Goddesses really live among human, rather than ambiguous concept like monotheism in which their believer can't see their appearance with their own eyes. A pretty interesting premise, I can said! This god and goddesses actually just like an immortal, yet they constantly worshiped under the religion, Iridescent Tones and they live lavishly with a perfect body and free from disease, just like God in the usual mythology. No wonder Lightsong didn't believe his own divinity. As for his fellow Goddess, Blushweaver the Beautiful, I think like this is how Sanderson want to write a femme fatale character. She's interesting, yes, and become contrast to innocent Siri and uptight Vivenna. Blushweaver also ambitious to the core, despite her flirtatious nature to Lightsong, but I just feel her to be so so, sadly. 

Siri's PoV I found it endearing. I think Sanderson was awkward and clumsy when writing Vin and Elend's sudden romance in Mistborn book 1, but surprisely he do better with Siri's. The God King is not what he seems to be. I really love reading the God King aka Susebron and Siri's interaction despite Susebron's priest manipulation and intrigue behind them. At least I can feel Siri's fear when she must kneeling naked in the front of Susebron while Susebron doing nothing, fear that he might rape her. I'm dreading that time to come, but nope, nope and nope. Susebron is a cinnamon roll, Siri is obviously a better match for him and I understand now why Sanderson choose that option. I can said the romance is pretty well written and this is come from as an avid romance reader. There's also a scene when they finally consummated their marriage, but don't worry it's mostly fade to black. The charm of their relationship is the witty banter between Siri and Susebron and how they come to love for each other

What about Vivenna? I think Vivenna is the character with most development. She's start as a stern and very devout Austre worshipper, constantly condemn the use of Breath (like Awakening) and see with disdain to the colorful clothing of Hallandren citizen and its building. So full of herself despite also doubt of her own usefulness after she doesn't become Susebron's wife. It's easy to hate Vivenna, but Sanderson prove that people can change. Vivenna change because of her circumstances, but she change to be a better version of themselves. With Vivenna, I feel like Sanderson want to challenge his reader, what good of religion if you see people outside your religion with disdain and judge them so? Sanderson give Vivenna (and me as a reader) a shock event to change her perspective. That, not everything is what they seems and people should not that quick to judge others. He also write that while Austrims take their religion seriously, in the end they are quickly to accuse people to be blasphemer while forget their original coda, to be humble. 

As for Vasher, he appear sporadic so we don't get his character development that much. His past and his connection to Denth also just reveal barely in the end. Contrary to Denth that Sanderson once explain that Denth is like a Kelsier, Vasher is anything but. He's grumpy, ragged, but his feelings are genuine. He's one of example in where appearance didn't matter, what matter the most is what he will do to prevent the upcoming war. From Vasher, we will finally get explanation about the magic system in the Warbreaker world, especially about BioChromatic Breath, the concept behind the Returned and how Awakening magic can work. It can be too confusing at first, although the concept itself are pretty simple at the first glance but it become complicated afterward. Because of course try to animating an inorganic object that didn't have soul in the first place will always not easy. 

Warbreaker is one of title that make me glad I always recommend Sanderson's title when people ask for a good fantasy title. Yes, Warbreaker is very slow in the beginning to the middle, but gaining momentum through the end and finally some things make sense while some thread is still loose. Reading Warbreaker (and its wiki) feel like I need to read Stormlight Archive sooner since Warbreaker is part of Cosmere series and apparently Vasher (and Vivenna) will play important role to in the Stormlight Archive. 

NOTE: I don't know why there's rape as minor content warning, because there's no actual rape happen (not implied nor descriptive, to any characters). The "rape" part is just what Siri feel that she fear she will be raped by the God King, but that's not happening. 

 Setelah baca ketiga buku Donna Jo Napoli yang lain, yaitu Mitologi Yunani, Mitologi Norse dan  Kisah 1001 Malam , akhirnya gue mengakhiri binge read dengan buku keempat, Mitologi Mesir. Masih sama - sama dihiasi ilustrasi Christina Balit dan juga masih diceritakan dengan narasi Napoli yang sangat mendramatisir. Tentunya efek drama ini supaya ceritanya ga kering - kering banget, lol. Struktur buku Mitologi Mesir sendiri sama dengan buku Mitologi Yunani. Dimana dewa - dewi diceritakan per bagian. Tentunya juga tak lupa ada bagian Penciptaan, yang mana Penciptaan ini ya sama di semua mitologi. All start from nothing.

Dari buku ini, gue baru tahu kalau selama ini nama Dewa - Dewi Mesir yang dikenal itu sebenarnya adalah penamaan versi Yunani. Sama seperti Ramses yang menjadi Ozymandias, nama - nama seperti Osiris, Isis, Horus, Thoth, Hathor, Horus, Anubis, Nepthys, Set, Bast dll itu sebenarnya adalah alih bahasa dari bahasa Mesir Kuno menjadi Yunani. Di buku ini hanya ada segelintir nama dewa/dewi dalam aksara Mesir Kuno yang dikenal alih2 versi Yunaninya, seperti misalnya Ra, Sobek dan Sekhmet. Jadi kalau kamu tahu nama dewa - dewi Mesir dari Kane Chroniclesnya Rick Riordan, maka ketahuilah kalau Osiris, Isis, Set etc itu bukan nama Mesir, tapi diambil dari versi Yunani Kuno. Napoli sendiri juga menambahkan di catatan, kalau mitologi Mesir itu tidak serapi Mitologi Yunani Kuno. Dimana kalau Yunani Kuno punya Hesiod, Homer, Plato dan Apollodorus, maka mitologi Mesir seperti berserakan. Bisa jadi antara mitologi Mesir dan Yunani itu saling mempengaruhi.

Gue pun baru tahu, terlepas dari kisah Osiris dan Isis beserta anak mereka yaitu Horus serta pertempuran Horus dan Set untuk merebut tahta dewa Mesir, plus selama ini gue tahunya Anubis itu putranya Set, ternyata ada kebenaran yang lain. Jadi memang banyak versi mitologi Mesir ini. Selain itu, tiap daerah itu punya dewa - dewi lokal, jadi bisa aja satu nama dewa bisa jadi nama dewa lainnya. Bisa aja nama dewa Ra di Thebes jadi Ptah atau Khnum di kota lain. Makanya, gue cukup respek juga sama Napoli yang berusaha merangkum mitologi Mesir yang sangat kompleks itu menjadi narasi per bagian yang bisa dipahami oleh orang awam. Apalagi di buku ini, ilustrasi Christina Balit melengkapi kisah - kisah di dalamnya. Kita juga diajak mengenali dewa - dewi lain yang mungkin kurang familiar seperti dewi Thefnut dan dewi Nit. 

Karena judul buku ini juga menyebut monster dan manusia, maka tidak lengkap tanpa kehadiran monster, yaitu Apep si ular yang menjadi musuh abadi Ra. Apalagi beberapa dewa - dewi juga penampilannya adalah campuran manusia dan hewan, seperti yang terlihat pada Sekhmet, Taweret atau Sobek. Untuk manusia sendiri, Napoli memasukkan Imhotep, sebagai orang yang tergolong maju untuk jamannya. Dimana Imhotep ini adalah orang Mesir yang menemukan konsep bangunan Piramida. Makanya, jadi agak sedih juga ya lihat Imhotep di film The Mummy :'). Karena sebenarnya Imhotep adalah manusia yang sangat pintar, sehingga ribuan setelah akhir hidupnya dia dianggap sebagai dewa juga.

Membaca buku Mitologi Mesir ini tentunya menambah banyak pengetahuan tentang dewa - dewi Mesir, apalagi konsep tritunggal dan 9 dewa yang disebut Pesedjet Agung (atau Ennead). Gue juga baru tahu kalau Horus ternyata ada dua, yang pertama adalah Horus anak Ra sendiri (jadi sodaranya Osiris, Isis, Set dan Nepthys) dan yang kedua adalah Horus yang banyak dikenal sebagai putra Osiris dan Isis. Tak lupa juga ada daftar referensi di beberapa halaman belakang buku yang bisa dicrosscheck atau untuk menambah referensi bacaan. Tentunya narasi Napoli masih kadang lebay, tapi jadi enak dibaca juga karena Napoli menyelipkan beberapa dialog jadi seperti membaca para dewa - dewi berinteraksi.

Dari semua buku - buku mitologi yang dirilis Napoli, gue rekomen buku ini dan juga buku 1001 Malam, karena presentasi bukunya cukup oke baik dari segi deskripsi tiap dewa-dewi dan juga ilustrasi yang menyertai. Yang jelas kalau suka mitologi, buku2nya Napoli itu wajib banget dikoleksi deh! 

 Masih dalam rangka baca buku - buku keluaran Donna Jo Napoli yang juga diterbitkan di bawah lininya National Geographic. Setelah berturut - turut baca tentang mitologi terus, yang pertama Yunani dan kedua Norse, gue memutuskan untuk baca Kisah 1001 Malam dulu, berdasarkan urutan terbitnya. Jadi Mitologi Mesir akan gue baca terakhir. Lagian, biar ga bosan juga, hehe. Nyatanya, baru di buku inilah cara Napoli bercerita itu benar - benar enak dibaca. Gue merasa, baik di Mitologi Yunani dan Norse (dan mungkin nanti yang Mesir juga), tulisannya agak kering dibaca meskipun emang sudah diceritakan ulang dengan gaya bercerita Napoli yang cukup khas. Kisah 1001 Malam sendiri ketika diceritakan ulang oleh Napoli, membuat gue malah jadi ga bisa berhenti baca. Persis seperti Syah Razar dan Dinarzad yang terus meminta Shahrazad (atau Scheherazade) untuk bercerita sampai 1001 malam lamanya.

Kisah 1001 Malam, atau Arabian Nights atau Alf Layla Wa Laylah, seperti yang Napoli jabarkan di akhir buku berasal dari Manuskrip Suriah. Tidak semua cerita tentunya diceritakan, karena bakal tebal banget bukunya (dan membuat harganya semakin mahal, uhuk), jadi Napoli hanya menceritakan beberapa saja. Malam - malam pertama tentunya diceritakan, sebelum ceritanya lalu melompat-lompat tiap malam. Cerita di 1001 Malam sendiri ternyata bercabang. Jadi ga cuma MLM yang bercabang, karena cerita Shahrazad itu ada cerita di dalamnya, lalu ada cerita lagi. Makanya bisa berkembang sampai hampir 3 tahun. Karena gue emang belum familiar sama 1001 Malam, kecuali cerita yang terkenal seperti Aladin, Alibaba dan Sinbad, baca buku ini bikin gue terkesima dan jadi pengen baca kisah 1001 Malam secara keseluruhan. Pun, gue juga baru tahu kalau kisah Aladdin, Alibaba dan Sinbad itu aslinya ga ada di Kisah 1001 Malam yang awal dan baru ditambahkan di abad 1500-1800an. Uniknya, kisah - kisah itu juga yang paling banyak dikenal orang, mungkin karena banyak versi adaptasinya.

Yang lebih menarik dari buku ini, selain kisah 1001 Malam, adalah keputusan Napoli untuk memberikan interaksi antara Shahrazad dan Syah Razar. Interaksi - interaksi ini berlangsung setiap awal dan akhir cerita. Disini kita bisa lihat, bagaimana kegelisahan Shahrazad, ketakutannya apakah dia masih bisa hidup satu malam lagi, karena Syah Razar yang dikhianati istri pertamanya, berubah jadi bengis dengan membunuh setiap istri barunya setelah 1 malam. Pembaca diajak merasakan perasaan Shahrazad dan berempati padanya. Tapi ga cuma Sharazad, karena pembaca juga melihat bagaian Syah Razar sedikit demi sedikit berubah, menjadi raja yang lebih baik dan seperti kita tahu, akhirnya dia membiarkan istrinya hidup apalagi setelah diberi 3 anak. Walau begitu, MVP buku ini ya Dinarzad, adik Shahrazad yang winged-woman sejati hahaha. Dinarzad yang selalu antusias buat menanyakan cerita baru pada Shahrazad, yang mendukung kakaknya supaya tetap hidup sampe akhir. Beberapa bagian yang cukup unik adalah bagaimana Syah Razar dan Dinarzad kadang menganalisa beberapa cerita Shahrazad seperti bagaimana ending cerita, moral cerita dll. Hehehe, bener - bener kayak pembaca yang abis baca buku lalu didiskusikan ya

Kalau gue memperhatikan, memang cerita - cerita yang diambil Napoli di buku ini endingnya kebanyakan bahagia, walau perjuangan untuk mencapai kebahagiaan itu cukup berliku. Tiap cerita emang dibagi beberapa bab, yang berakhir dengan cliffhanger. Ini tentunya bukan tanpa sebab, karena kan Shahrazad memang mengulur - ngulur waktu untuk menyelamatkan nyawanya. Tiap cerita bakal bikin kamu sedih, senang, harap - harap cemas, sembari juga berpikir, apakah Shahrazad akan selamat, walau ya sebagian besar dari pembaca sebenarnya sudah tahu jawabannya. Inilah kenapa buku ini emang lebih enak dibaca ketimbang buku - buku yang mitologi apalagi kalau kamu emang banyakan baca fiksi. Emosinya dapet, rasa puasnya dapet. Pun, ilustrasi Christina Balit jauh lebih menarik dan sangat cocok dengan nuansa tiap cerita di Kisah 1001 Malam ini, kalau dibandingkan dengan ilustrasinya di buku - buku yang mitologi.

Buku yang sangat recommended sekali buat dikoleksi, apalagi kalau kamu suka kisah rakyat atau dongeng. 1001 Malam ini selain ada cerita dengan karakter fiksi, ada juga karakter nyata seperti Kalifah Harun Al-Rasyid. Baca buku ini juga bikin nostalgia dan teringat manga Magi karya Shinobu Ohtaka yang memang sangat terinspirasi dari 1001 Malam, terutama tokoh - tokohnya yang dinamakan sama, yaitu Aladdin, Alibaba, Morgiana, Yunan, etc. Pun, gue juga bisa melihat pengaruh 1001 Malam di salah satu buku favorit gue tahun ini, trilogy Daevabad. Tentunya, berbeda dengan para djin di Daevabad yang punya kesadaran penuh, djin di 1001 Malam apalagi yang jin cincin dan lampu sangat pasrah sama keinginan tuannya, hehehe XD. 

 Nora Roberts prove that she know best when it comes to writing a romantic suspense set in small town with its tight-knit community and that evil comes in many forms, especially those who seems as harmless at first. This book is first written in 1992 (wow, 31 years ago!) and feature murder spree by a Satanism cult. Make me want to check if in 90's there's a movement of Satan worship. There's no supernatural element, but the deeds that the cult do in favor of their perversion of worship chilled me to the bone. Divine Evil have SO MANY trigger & content warning that I believe will appalled today reader's sensibilities so proceed to read this one with cause. This book, so far is one of the darkest NR books that I've read and much darker than her JD Robb ones.

As for the characters, I liked that both Clare and Cameron written as jaded version of themselves, but still manage to overcome their pasts to become a better person. Clare that struggle with her grief over her father death and also alcoholism. The way NR describe Clare's grief is well written, she can capture its nuance and how Clare still processing with her grief and trauma since it's her who found her father's corpse. Cam that want to forget his partner's death, also struggle to not succumb to alcoholism. Also his relationship with his mother is strained and you can't help to feel disgust but also pity for Cam's mother because she is like one of those housewives that become dependent because of her situation. Clare and Cam romance is just a so so, thought, although the conflicts are pretty much just Clare didn't like to be bossed around and Cam itself try to respect her boundaries. I liked that both are mature so there's no prolonged drama. Another characters also well written, but the amount of characters are plenty, so maybe not that much development. The villains are slowly revealed and NR shows that power, indeed, corrupt. It's corrupt a rather calm and serene small town into murders that shocked their very foundation. On the other side, I liked how NR describe Emittsboro and its citizen. She detailed some of the town history, the citizen dynamics and events, also didn't shy away to point their conservatism views, especially toward stranger. What feel weird maybe the way Nora write the book in omniscient views, but somehow it didn't written smoothly

The ending also left open, if not tad bit rushed. There's no further explanation for any consequences that the cult face because of their crime. Some things left unexplained, some of victims fate also left unknown. I really want to know what happen to Emmitsboro after the villain and their cult got caught, but what I got is another thread that still loose. Still, Dark Evil is one of Nora Robert's title that not to be missed, although with plenty of trigger warning and since this book written roughly 30 years ago, there's many moral values that seems outdated. 

 Tidak seperti Mitologi Yunani yang orang lebih familiar apalagi didukung dengan banyaknya retelling versi feminis etc untuk tokoh2 mitologi Yunani (mungkin untuk mengimbangi mitologi aslinya yang emang sangat patriarki), tidak terlalu banyak yang ngebahas Mitologi Norse. Orang awam hanya tahunya dari film Thor saja. Padahal kalau jeli, sebenarnya Lord of The Ring sedikitnya dipengaruhi Mitologi Norse walau cenderung dari cerita Nibelungenlied, tapi Gandalf sendiri diambil dari sosok Woden, atau Odin. American Gods karya Neil Gaiman itu core mythnya adalah Norse, sampai yang bersangkutan juga nulis buku khusus Mitologi Nordik. Gue belum sempat baca dan malah baca buku ini dulu yang sebenarnya bisa dibilang versi lebih simpelnya dengan tetap dihiasi ilustrasi unik karya Christina Balit.

Tidak seperti Mitologi Yunani (karena gue bacanya juga back to back), tidak ada penjelasan khusus tentang dewa dewi karena mungkin dewa dewi Norse ga sebanyak itu. Fokus utama narasi Napoli lebih ke kisah Odin mencari kebijakan, Loki yang iseng dan licik (Loki versi Marvel ga ada seujung kukunya Loki yg asli 🤣) dan Thor yang tamak nan bodoh (Thor versi Marvel jelas dipake yang bagus2 saja walau sempat ada momen depresi). Karena gue juga ga terlalu familiar sama mitologi Norse, baca buku ini lumayan dapat insight lebih. Seperti Heimdall yang punya 9 ibu (jangan ditanya yg hamil semua atau salah satu aja) tapi ternyata juga mirip2 Zeus, hobi tebar benih di kaum manusia, cuma jauh lebih beradab tanpa kelihatan nafsu kayak Zeus. Dari Heimdall inilah tercipta 3 kasta di masyarakat Skandinavia, thrall (budak), karl (petani) dan jarl (kepala suku/bangsawan). Istilah thrall mungkin dah banyak yang tahu, tapi kalau Jarl gue tahu dari romansa viking. Hahaha, jadi ada gunanya juga kan baca romans?

Tentunya dewa dewi lain juga diceritakan, termasuk Frey dan kembarannya Freya. Mereka mungkin kayak Apollo tapi alih2 Artemis, malah Aprodite. Plus si Freya ini punya kalung Brisingamen persis seperti sabuknya Aprodite. Disini bisa dilihat kalau mitologi memang sedikit banyak saling mempengaruhi. Ada juga kisah Baldr yg sayang ga terlalu banyak yg tahu, mungkin karena Thor lebih terkenal (gegara Marvel). Keisengan Loki pun banyak dibahas plus juga hukumannya yg terkenal itu karena perannya dalam kematian Balder. Diawali dengan penciptaan (dimana raksasa Ymir dimutilasi badannya. Gue kadang mikir pujangga jaman dulu itu nyimeng apa sih), dan diakhiri dengan Ragnarok, perang yang mengakhiri kejayaan para Dewa Aesir, Vanir dan para Raksasa. 

Napoli sendiri mengambil bbrp kisah mitologi Norse dari puisi Edda yang terkenal itu. Dalam catatannya, Napoli mengatakan kalau banyak inkonsistensi dalam mitologi. Menurut gue, semua mitologi pasti gini karena penyebaran awalnya pasti dari mulut ke mulut, diceritakan oleh pujangga saat sedang berkumpul didepan api unggun. Pun tiap pujangga punya versinya masing - masing. Bahkan Napoli sendiri juga melakukan tambal sulam di buku ini. Jadi ya jangan jadikan buku ini satu2nya sumber. Bagi gue, nuansa mitologi Norse memang terasa suram dan kejam, mungkin karena musim di Skandinavia yang dingin jadi mau g mau kisah2 mereka juga seperti itu.

Pastinya kalau suka mitologi in general dan mitologi Norse in particular, buku ini bisa jadi koleksian. Walau ga ada dewa yang sehorny Zeus, tapi ceritanya tetap pretty bonkers dan outlandish. Drama ya tetap ada tapi tidak sedramatis mitologi Yunani dengan segala perselingkuhan dan backstab sana sini. Kalau Zeus itu penopang mitologi Yunani, maka mitologi Norse ditopang Loki. Karena tanpa Loki, selain tidak ada Ragnarok (karena tiga anak Loki yaitu Fenrir, Jormungand dan Hel, semua berperan penting), bisa jadi para Aesir dan Vanir kurang hiburan 🙃🤭. 

 Dikurangi 1 bintang karena masih ada typo dan bahkan ada kesalahan nama.

Karena diri ini penyuka mitologi, jadi tiap ada buku tentang mitologi pasti koleksi. Sayangnya buku mitologi yang diterjemahkan di Indo jarang. Paling ya cuma Mitologi Yunani karya Edith Hamilton, Norse Mythnya Neil Gaiman, dan retelling bias via Percy Jackson karyanya Rick Riordan. And nope, retelling mitologi kayak karya Madeline Miller didn't count. Gue pengen baca mitologi as it is.

Untunglah KPG nerbitin 4 karya Donna Jo Napoli yang ternyata bagian dari buku2 terbitan National Geographic. Diterbitkan dalam format HC dengan kertas lux yang mewah, tentunya ini salah satu buku mitologi yang jangan sampai dilewatkan. Apalagi ada ilustrasi2 memanjakan mata (nyaris abstrak sih) hasil goresan Christina Balit. Napoli sendiri emang lebih kayak cerita lagi dengan sumber Hesiod dan Homer. Jadi mungkin lebih autentik (?). Penjabarannya sendiri seperti baca novel jadi benernya ga bosen - bosen banget dan sejujurnya terjemahannya enak dibaca terlepas dari typonya. Ada beberapa bagian yang mungkin ga sama dengan apa yang kita tahu, seperti Poseidon dan Medusa, dimana Medusa ini istrinya Poseidon tapi kita kan tahunya Medusa diperkosa Poseidon dan dikutuk Athena, tapi disini tidak ada penjelasan itu. Jadi bagian mana yang sebenarnya benar? Apalagi Apollo disini hanya disebut Dewa Musik dan bukan Dewa Matahari? Mungkin supaya tidak rancu antara Apollo dan Helios. Pun antara Artemis dan Selene. Jadi mitologi pun banyak versi ya.

Karena ga sampe 200 halaman, jadi ga semua diceritakan. Apalagi Napoli nyeritain dari awal penciptaan, trus Titanomachi dan era Dewa Dewi Olympus. Pun semua dewa-dewi ga diceritakan, hanya Twelve Gods & Goddesses of Olympus aja. Menariknya, kalau para dewa-dewi cuma dikit halamannya, yang manusia2 demigod cukup lengkap. Tentunya ya lagi2 ga semua diceritakan, karena cuma yg benar2 dikenal kayak Perseus, Herakles, Iason (atau Jason), Theseus dan Helene. Harap diingat kalau Perseus itu anak Zeus yah, bukan Poseidon 🤣. Kalau Percy emang dibikin anaknya Poseidon kan, walau mungkin cuma kesamaan nama aja, cmiiw. Nama - nama di buku ini juga pake ejaan Yunani Kuno, jadi mungkin agak beda tulisannya sama yg versi modern yg banyak beredar (kayak Kheiron alih2 Chiron, Kleitemnesra alih2 Clytemnestra, etc)

Walau banyak ilustrasi menarik, gue ga rekomen ini buat anak SD ya. Minimal anak SMP sih, dan harus dengan dampingan orang tua. Karena ya...sebagai ortu penting rasanya menjelaskan apa yang terjadi di mitologi Yunani ini, terutama bagian Zeus yang hobi sebar benih. Bahkan Napoli aja suka nyindir Zeus di buku ini 🤣. Kayak ya emang bener, seandainya Zeus tetap setia sama Hera, mitologi Yunani itu bakal kering g ada dramanya. Orang Yunani Kuno emang tenyata dramatis pada masanya. 

 

Reading The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels remind me when I first read Soulless by Gail Carriger. Both are comedy of manners and sensibilities, set in Victorian era, have fantasy elements and heroine that not afraid to say what in her minds. Although Soulless more like a steampunk historical romance, while Wisteria Society have a "Howl's Moving Castle" vibe on it, because the houses are literally flying. 

The first part of this book kinda hard to follow because everything that happen in early chapter seems mundane enough. Like, assassination attempt to our heroine, Miss Cecilia Bassingwaithe (such a handfull name!) of the many Cecilia before her (include her deceased mother, Cilla) is already mundane. Things get explained thoroughly after house start flying in which this book is set in England AU (alternate universe, not fanfic, although if this book start as fanfic first, I really don't have slightest idea), where rather than sail in the ship, pirates chant an incantation to fly their house. Imagine the air traffic, for the love of me, I can imagine so many house flying and we talk about English Home in the Victorian eras here. Must be huge. Cecilia and her overbearing great-aunt, Miss Darlington, are part of Wisteria Society, a sorority for ladies pirate, when they take "No" from men and goes their merry way in stealing and pillaging...jewelry. 

Despite the assassination attempt, Cecilia find herself to get romantically involved with her would be assassin, a pirate of many moniker and alias, Captain Ned Lightbourne (that also a fencing master, apparently Italian-how scandalous!, and an agent of sort). It's been so many books for me to finally found a hero that is so rakish and charming. The romance is of course very swooning worthy, make me read this happily sigh, but also laugh because of both MCs acerbic remarks and witty banters! What I liked is, Holton totally use many common tropes like "he feel first but she feel harder", "there's only one bed", "enemy to lover" and she understood the assignment. The romance between Ned and Cecilia is totally chef's kiss, with Ned's courting Cecilia but still understand her boundaries and Cecilia that bit by bit fallen for Ned's roguish charm. 

Wisteria Society not only about romance but seems like Holton's love letter to classic literature and classic language as well. English is not my native and I hardly read classic (is The Hobbit count?), so I'm very happy to read this book in my e-reader so I can list many word that I never knew before. Holton make fun of Brontes, like Cecilia's evildoers father, Captain Morvath that believe he's Branwell Bronte's son, also Cecilia that try to finish Wuthering Heights, not forget some bad poetry from men! Cecilia herself is a girl after my heart. I know that she devoted to her great Aunt, with the said aunt keep pestering Cecilia to catch any maladies or God's forbid, the Great Peril (aka the sun itself. You know, it will cause dark spot on your face); but Cecilia also an avid book reader. She constantly searching any library or book to read and avoid unnecessary and dull conversation. Her adventure to save the Society from Captain Morvath that hellbent in ruling England and get rid of women that constantly belittle him is a delight to read. But not only Cecilia, because the (old) ladies pirate of The Wisteria Society is crack to read, especially Lady Armitage that have (un)healthy obsession to Ned, Constantinopla (or Oply for short) that demand she's already in her 19-ish (actually not), Miss Darlington herself and Pleasance, the maidservant of Darlington House that have affinity for communicating with ghost. The villain also pretty much 2D, like Captain Morvath is like your usual Captain Hook type that will swirling his mustache while reciting his bad poems. 

This book is pretty much convoluted tbh, but for me, that's the charm. It's didn't take itself very seriously and you don't expect this book is to be serious despite some serious moment like when Cecilia try to kill her father to avenge her mother or when Cecilia doubt about her position in the Wisteria Society. This book is aiming to be fun, to entertain, and yes, it's fun and entertaining. You won't get unnecessary drama and angst here. You will get a book that make you feel warm, also better if you have tea and scones beside you. If you want a unique historical romance with many romance trope done right, have a "Howl's Moving Castle" vibe and lady pirates, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels might be right up your alley.