Legendary is...

*This post does not contain spoilers*

In my Books of May post I squee’d harder than usual over the release of the much-awaited sequel to Stephanie Garber’s Caraval, Legendary. For half a moment I had next-day blog regret because I was so over-the-top enthusiastic. I gushed over not one, not two, but three books… and an entire series in the same post. I put them on the same playing field, which should by all rights dilute the power of the recommendation. 

Americans do that. We use words like exceptional and awesome to describe oil changes and dental cleanings. Judging by my Goodreads feed, I see that people translate that to their reviews. But I don’t. I think I can be excited for stuff I hope will be good, but friends, I also want to tell you that five stars is reserved for three kinds of books:

• I can’t sleep while this book lays unread next to me.
• This prose brings tears to my eyes. It’s Saint Chapelle’s stained glass in word form.
• Your plot is a symphony of metaphor, frame story, vignettes, carefully paced character development, obscure references to the bible or other tropes from the cannon, and/or veiled social commentary on life, liberty, or free will.

Using this as a guide, you can see that I mix my reviews according to different levers. This is how page-turners and YA can sit along side Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth, which is one of the best pieces of literature American writing stock has ever produced, when you filter my five star reviews. (I will brook no argument on this point.) I don’t want to be the book pusher who gives five star reviews before the book is out, but the five star is totally attainable.

I think I’m english-major-splaining big time, but I just wanna say that none of my enthusiasm for Legendary was misplaced. It was worth the excitement. And while I had a hard time buying my own sell in the first 100 pages because Tella was hella whiny, after that, ladies and gentlemen, bullet one was in full effect. I also think that some elements of bullet three are latent. Legendary was worth it all of the hyperbolic words. This book actually was as mgaical as I had hoped.  

I promised this post wouldn’t have any spoilers, but I think I can say that you’ll enjoy this book if you enjoy:

• looking at the same world from the vantage point of different characters
• books where you can’t trust the narrator (or frankly anyone in the story)
• suspending disbelief
• light romance (of the totally safe for work and tween variety)

• storylines that stand alone but also take multiple books to fully develop

It’s possible that you could enjoy this book without reading the first, but I wouldn’t try.  

This is not a serious tome, by any means, but it has layers. Things that I read in book two are causing me to question things that I thought in book one. People that I discounted as unimportant become vital. The drama off stage becomes as important to the resolution of the long tail story arc as the stuff that’s front and center. I’m itching to start the game over from the very beginning, unpacking conversations between bit players, knowing what I know now and knowing where they might go next.

I blow through so many books that I have to keep lists to remember what I’ve read, since I have a nasty habit of buying the same book in a different media by accident. Many books are forgotten within a week of reading. It’s the rare book that sticks with me. It’s even rarer to warrant a second or third read. I’m so hungry for the new and surprising that I prioritize untested books over reading the same three again and again. But I’m going to reread this one. And it’s killing me right now that I have to be so cagey in every facebook message and marco polo we have in our little virtual book club. I’m going to die of wanting for serious discussions with Sarah, Kristina, and Cynthia about Legend and what we learn about him. 

As a rule the book braintrust *tries* not to read series that are in progress. We prefer to binge the whole thing at once, and generally at breakneck speed. We do not savor. We consume. Sometimes we savor with an immediate second reading, but the first pass is always a hungry and desperate thing, and it’s painful to have to wait for a third book. Guys! I’m in significant book-related pain right now. Finale doesn't come out until 2019?! GAHHHHHHHHHHH... 

When the next book gets announced, I’m going to mark that date on my calendar and take the day off work. Kristina, you’re on particular notice due to your own poolside revelations last week. I’m entering into a blood pact with you that we’re sitting poolside (or better yet in the pool) at the Ritz Carlton in Dove Mountain (with delightful beverages) on the day this book is delivered. 

See how happy we were the last time we sat in a pool and read books?

I want to welcome anyone and everyone who wants to talk about this book to call, write, message, carrier pigeon, or send me semaphore messages. Just give me a little heads up on the semaphore tip, since I don’t actually know how to use it yet. But I’m that interested in hearing what you think about this book, that I would learn!