The Glass Spare Review

The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Glass Spare. What can I say about this book?

It is the first book by Lauren DeStefano that I ever read, though a few of hers have been sitting on my TBR list for quite some time and I follow her on twitter for even longer (hilarious content, wonderful cats, and so much wisdom). I heard only good things about this author beforehand and I must admit... She did not disappoint.

I was intrigued by this book, not only because of the beautiful cover but also because of the interesting sounding story. I hadn't read much YA in the fantasy genre lately, and I am always a sucker for both.

I flew through this book.

Seriously.

I loved it. And I don't know what else to say. I just want to sit here for a while, admire the beautiful writing, and enjoy the magic happening between the pages. I could fill an entire page with how much I loved this book. The world was so wonderfully well build, the stories, the myths, the wars. It felt real, like something that has been brewing for a long time, almost every piece fitting into the puzzle, sprinkled with enough ripped edges to make it feel real. Right from the beginning, I loved free-spirited Wil and her protective brothers. I could smell the romance before it happened, nothing surprising on that page, and yet I adored every bit of it.

This book gave me exactly what I wanted, the Steampunk-elements and the magic were woven together perfectly, the dialog was intense in most parts and I was ready to wrap all my favourites into blankets at any given moment. I am not disappointed, for Lauren DeStefano's writing is beautiful, yet easy to read. I would have given this book five out of five stars.

But now let us look a little further. For The Glass Spare is something more than just a well-crafted fantasy YA, with just the right amount of love, suspense, and potential book-boyfriend material.

It hit a few sensitive spots. Books dealing with mental illness are never easy, neither to write nor to read. And Lauren DeStefano did it so well. It was hidden beneath the surface, deep inside her characters, and yet it showed so clearly. It often felt like this in real life for me. You are trying so hard to hide some part of yourself, something that you cannot quite control, and yet you feel as if it is spilled out into the open at every giving turn. And the longer you live with sadness inside your heart, with compulsive "ticks" the better you spot them in others. Sometimes it feels like birds of a feather flocking together, like cursed hearts meeting. I loved how The Glass Spare showed the beauty of it, I never saw beauty in it before, and it did it in such an honest way, not romanticising any part of it. It made me feel as if I am not alone, all though I was completely aware of the fact that I was reading about fictional characters living in a world of magic. I can't explain to you how she did it. But it touched me in a way not many books do. Curses and gifts. Strength through silence. It was a strong advocate for awareness, for realising that everyone has a burden to bear, for "if you are going through hell, keep going". And it reminded me of "Before She Ignites" in that way. I am thankful that YA is giving us realistic heroines, heroines that struggle, not just against the odds, but against their own demons. It gives us hope. And now, in my mid-twenties, looking back at all the Bellas of my Vampire-crazy-youth, I am sure books like that would have helped me immensely once I met my own demons. I am thankful that women like Lauren DeStefano are writing these kinds of books, for one must be very brave and very strong to do so.

I loved how mother and daughter were so similar, yet so afraid of the other being just like them, as if they could see their mistakes, their fears, right in front of them. The family dynamic felt real. Every part of it. From the overprotective brother to the outcasted black sheep that doesn't really fit in.

So I would love to give this book more than just five stars. I enjoyed every page and read it within six days, I will read it again before the second book comes out and I will savour every minute of this gem.
And now on to the spoiler part (And beware! There are huge spoilers ahead!)
(view spoiler)[
As an aspiring author, I always try to see the books I enjoy from a storytelling angle. My favourite scene in the entire book was, therefore, please don't punch me for this, Owen's death. I still remember reading it, all though it has been more than a month now. I had an annoying and exhausting day and decided to curl up in the hot bathtub, and drift away on the scent of my favourite flowers while reading this gem of a book. And then it happened. She started climbing, he went after her as her pulse quickened with every shaky step and I was at the edge of my seat (well, I almost jumped out of the bathtub) these few pages made my own heart run for its life. I knew what would come, I could feel it in my bones, but with every fiber of my being, I refused to believe it. And then it happened. I felt Wil's shock, the despair that held her tight and while I fought actual tears the book almost slipped from my hands and drowned in pink rose water. I saved it. Then I thought to myself "Maybe I should indeed drown it. This is too much." But that thought quickly passed, for from that point on one thing was more than clear: I needed to know how it would end. And I am so not disappointed!

My second favourite scene was Wil trying to steal the ship and how she ended up not doing it. It was so amazingly build up, I loved the suspense followed by her inner turmoil.


Predictions and Theories for The Cursed Sea:

- Phan lied about the whole love thing and you cannot convince me otherwise. This ship sailed a long time ago and I shall root for it until the end of my days.

- There might be two people in Northern Arrod able to cast these curses, for I am not sure if the person that cursed Wil is now doing all the damage to the royal family. Something feels off. I cannot quite put my finger on it yet, but I am getting there.

- I honestly believe that the King is dead by now, cast down by whoever cursed Wil. I do think Gerdie was untouched by any curse (keeping my fingers crossed for him, hopefully we will see the day of his coronation, as I see Barren more as a new Antagonist, or as someone ready for a 180° flip ;D) (hide spoiler)]

-- And now the one prediction that will 100 percent come true: This book will be awesome!


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