Review: The Dust Of 100 Dogs by A. S. King

The Dust Of 100 Dogs by A. S. King

Pages: 320
Publisher: Flux
Published: February 1st, 2009
IBSN: 9780738714264

In the late seventeenth century, famed teenage pirate Emer Morrisey was on the cusp of escaping the pirate life with her one true love and unfathomable riches when she was slain and cursed with "the dust of one hundred dogs," dooming her to one hundred lives as a dog before returning to a human body - with her memories intact.

Now she's a contemporary American teenager and all she needs is a shovel and a ride to Jamaica.

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

I think I read the blurb of The Dust Of 100 Dogs a year or so ago, and promptly decided against reading it. But then I read and loved Please Ignore Vera Dietz, so I bought The Dust Of 100 Dogs having forgotten the blurb and not rereading it.

I'm really glad I read this despite the blurb that put me off. I finished the first chapter with the word "wow" on my lips, and the rest just got better.

Emer was an average 17th century Irish girl, until her family was killed in war and she's sent to live with her abusive uncle. He soon sold her off to a Frenchman, but before she could even look at him twice, she ran away to the Carribean and became a pirate (which makes more sense than I make it sound). But just before she can settle down, she's cursed to live 100 lifetimes as a dog. Dog Facts are placed at random intervals through the story, recounting things that Emer learnt as a dog. Through being a dog for so long, she learnt how to really be a human.

The perspective switches every few chapters or so (I like how it didn't seem to have a pattern), and is done skilfully and smoothly. All of the characters who at some point narrate are vital to the story, though that isn't immediately clear.

The plot and the events that lead to Emer's curse aren't revealed until the end, with her flashbacks finally catching up to the curse just as Saffron's reunited with what's left of Emer's legacy. Twists were found around every corner, and made the book completely captivating.

The story was incredibly unique and enthralling, and the way it was told highly emotively: from funny, to happy, to heart-breaking, the tone jumped around a lot, all of the emotions conveyed such that it was easy to relate to the characters.

The ending was extremely satisfying. I didn't think of that turn of events coming, but as soon as it happened, I knew (1) that it was a perfect conclusion, and (2) that I really should have thought of that sooner!

A blend of action, mystery, and romance, complete with a kick-ass protagonist and engaging writing style. A new favourite and a must-read, I give it a 6 out of 5.

Waiting On Wednesday (24)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, in which we highlight an upcoming book release we're eagerly awaiting.

This week I'm waiting on Everybody Sees The Ants by A S King, because I've read her other books and really liked them. Please Ignore Vera Dietz (Printz honor recipient!) was my book of month a while back,and I just read Dust Of 100 Dogs (review soon!) and loved it.

Lucky Linderman didn't ask for his life. He didn't ask his grandfather not to come home from the Vietnam War. He didn't ask for a father who never got over it. He didn't ask for a mother who keeps pretending their family is fine. And he certainly didn't ask to be the recipient of Nadar McMillan's relentless bullying, which has finally gone too far.

Lucky has a secret—one that helps him wade through the daily dysfunction of his life. Grandad Harry, trapped in the jungles of Laos, has been visiting Lucky in his dreams—and the dreams just might be real: an alternate reality where he can be whoever he wants to be and his life might still be worth living. But how long can Lucky remain in hiding there before reality forces its way inside?

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

Neither of the blurbs to her two books really stood out to me, or made me really want to read them, but I liked the books anyway. So I hope Everybody Sees The Ants follows that trend. It's due for release on the 3rd of October.

Feel free to leave a link to your own Waiting On Wednesday post in the comments, and I'll be sure to have a look.

Review: Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King

Pages: 336
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books
Published: October 12th, 2010
IBSN: 9780375865862

Vera's spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she's kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?

[Synopsis by Goodreads]

I never would have heard of Please Ignore Vera Dietz if it weren't a Printz honor book. I think I've said this before, but I've loved every single Printz award winner that I've ever read, and Please Ignore Vera Dietz was no different.

The story came from different perspectives, mostly from Vera's, but with interjected "brief words from the dead kid", "brief words from Ken Dietz", and "brief words from the Pagoda". These intermissions help set the wry tone of the story.

Vera was a dynamic character, who was enjoyable to read about. She's smart, hardworking, sarcastic, and has character flaws that make her seem real. She visibly develops over the course of the novel.

The plot was ordered in such a way as to build tension. The occasional chapter takes a break from telling Vera's present tense story, and goes back into her history. Secrets are revealed gradually, building up suspense to the point near the end where the flashbacks catch up to the present.

Though clearing his name/grieving Charlie is the main plot, Vera's developing relationship with her dad was the best part, to me. Their dynamic is certainly unconventional, but it makes sense, given their past.

The writing style was humorous, dark, and at times, heart-wrenching. The writing really brought out Vera's voice, and I felt completely sympathetic to her.

I give Please Ignore Vera Dietz a 5 out of 5, and Please Ignore Vera Dietz gave me a new appreciation for flow charts.