Alice Sebold has written some daring books in the past. This one meets that standard as well, although it does not meet its mark as easily as some of her other works. Sebold’s third novel, The Almost Moon, takes on the complications of family life, its beauties and its horrors.

The first sentence of the book is obviously meant to shock; frankly the book as a whole is shocking. The main character, Helen, seems to be both amazed by and resigned to her actions, as though she knew she always had this in her but is surprised to finally let it out. Perhaps she always thought that this is where she would end up.

The problem I found with this novel, was that as a reader, I was never shocked. I was vaguely interested in what would happen next, but after chapter after chapter of shocking events nothing seems all that radical anymore. Helen’s lack of foresight became tiresome as well. If a character is going to take such extreme measures, it would be appreciated if they would think about them, or at least seem to care about their fate.

The book also jumps from distant past to present to near past in a matter of sentences. This can be difficult to keep up with at times, but provides an interesting aspect to the story, as though all the events therein are woven together into the fabric of the characters life. Her family’s pain, and hers, and her daughters’ are all meshed together to become one. This style reinforces the concept that Helen was always going to wind up at this end, with no escape from her own actions.

This book is a good, junk food for the brain kind of read. Definitely an interesting read, if not one that will change your life. The topic is dark, so I would not recommend for the squeamish.

- Kristin
Diverxtrme

Rent The Almost Moon at Bookswim

Night of the Soul Stealers: The Last Apprentice Book 3
by Joseph Delaney

The third book in Joseph Delaney’s The Last Apprentice series does not disappoint. Spook’s apprentice Thomas Ward travels with his master to their winter home, bringing the young witch Alice to stay at a farm nearby. While there Tom encounters stone-chuckers, feral lamia witches, and the Spook’s former love Meg, who is also a witch. There are enough creepy creatures to keep any young (or not so young) reader captivated.

The action starts building from the first chapter, climaxing when the Spook’s former apprentice, Morgon, tries to wake the winter god Golgoth. Tom stays smart and keeps his head through most of the book. But when he fails to tell the Spook or Alice about Morgon’s plan to steal the grimoire from the Spook, he finds himself in trouble.

This book has just the right amount of creepiness, suspense, and action. The characters are interesting and easy to relate to, even when they’re fighting witches and boggarts. It even has a touch of romance.

It was easy to get into this book and keep reading until the very end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Rent it here: Night of the Soul Stealer