Interesting link, learned that this type of fiction is called speculative fiction,
And when asked about her mother, and sisters, she has four sisters, and one blood sister!
I can’t seem to copy and paste from the link so attaching with screen shot.
This explains the unique family dynamic in the book!
@mathmom: I did not like fantasy as a child either. I’m very much a logic-and-reasoning person. For example, I love Sudoku and love that it’s always solvable because it’s based entirely on logic.
Carry on!
I’m easy. I like to read. While I may not like every book in any particular genre, I have no problem finding books I do like in each and every genre. Consider this a blessing and curse. So many books (in so many genres), so little time.
I have trouble in book clubs that only stick to the tried-and-true, usually historical fiction. I like historical fiction also … just please venture toward sci-fi, fantasy, horror, romance, nonfiction and so on every once in a while.
I agree with those of you who think the mothers in the book were strange. Having two daughters to whom I am very close, I can’t imagine leaving a young child no matter how important your mission in life might be. For the longest time, I was not sure if Maram was an antagonist or protagonist in this book. Very often, it felt like she was setting a trap!
Great link on mirror symbolism! As Nicholas begins to learn the truth about his family, he even uses the “Alice” terminology:
Now Nicholas felt he’d stepped through that looking glass and emerged into a parallel world. Physically everything was as he remembered, but his perception had changed so irrevocably that the physical surroundings themselves appeared altered (p. 342).
I did have a LOL moment when the mirror – so mysterious, so inexplicable – was used for a very practical purpose: “Joanna had put her suitcase through the mirror in Vermont rather than checking it” (p. 393). She must have been flying Spirit.
I like math, and logic puzzles too. But I’ve always had an equally strong artistic side.
One of the things I like about the CC bookclub is that it gets me out of my comfort zone. While I tend to like speculative fiction best, and often find literary fiction a bore, and find short stories too short, I’m open to good stories. I loved The storied life of A. J. Fikry for example and read every single short story mentioned as well as the book 
For a long time I was sure that was going to be the case! (I agree the Moms were … odd. Not quite evil stepmother, but not exactly exemplars of motherhood either.
I read a fair amount of fantasy, and I enjoyed much of this book. I did see a few things coming (the portrait of Richard!). As I neared the end, I prepared myself for a cliffhanger, but instead, the author wrapped up the story pretty quickly. I did appreciate that. I wish she had spent a little more time on her world building, so readers would better understand the magic and its rules. I might or might not check out a sequel, if one appears.
Hence, architecture!
I like math and logic, and also like science fiction and fantasy. A lot of sci fi writers seem to have a strong math background. Really, I like escapism rather than reality in my reading. I agree this book seemed to step away from logical or perhaps predictive fantasy into just making stuff up to fit.
Some earlier discussion made me think of a series I recently read, the Phaedra Trilogy from the Kushiel’s Legacy novels by Jacqueline Carey. It takes place in what seems to be an imagined world which is actually based solidly on earth’s history, geography, and religions. It takes some very different paths after Biblical times and includes a fantasy element. The further along I got, the more real world elements became apparent (at first I thought it was just fantasy, but it really was our world in a different direction).
There’s a definite GOT vibe at times. I enjoyed the world building and personalities, and very descriptive language. She really made things come to life and I could visualize them as I read.
I really enjoyed the Kushiel books as well. Very interesting world building. Interestingly some of my favorite fantasies and sci fi books were written by historians. (Barbara Hambly has a masters in Medieval History, Arkady Martine has a PhD in medieval Byzantine and comparative history.)
I think Törzs was trying to walk the line of attracting readers who aren’t that keen on fantasy (and its sometimes complex rules) and those who really love intricate world-building.
In reviews, the book is often referred to as a standalone, but if it becomes wildly popular, I can see a sequel being written. In any case, it’s headed for the screen, if everything works out as planned:
When reading, I kept picturing Nicholas as Matt Smith (in his younger years – the way he looked on “Dr. Who”).
Re: the headline – Goodreads labels it as “adult,” but there’s a YA feeling to it as well – here stated explicitly.
Yes, I just noticed that! I don’t think it was marketed as YA (it was launched via the Good Morning America Book Club and Book of the Month – all generally “adult” books). However, I guess the YA vibe was strong enough that Deadline felt comfortable using it as an identifier.
What the heck makes a book YA besides teenage protagonists? Everyone here was in their 20s at least.
Nicholas and Johanna were both so sheltered that they acted a lot like teens, IMO. And the innocent/sweet romance of Johanna and Collins.
Good question! Maybe–just a guess–it’s because the Ink Blood Sister Scribe protagonists are going through the process of self-discovery that’s more typical of adolescents? “Normal” growth for Joanna, Esther and Nicholas has been sort of stunted by their peculiar circumstances.
YA Literature is fiction that deeply resonates with the unique experiences and challenges faced by adolescents. These novels often explore themes of identity, self-discovery, and the transition to adulthood, providing readers with relatable narratives that mirror their own journeys. The protagonists frequently grapple with issues such as friendship, first love, and societal expectations, fostering a strong connection between readers and characters. https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/wlf/what-young-adult-literature-definition-and-examples#:~:text=YA%20Literature%20is%20fiction%20that,that%20mirror%20their%20own%20journeys.
Also, it’s relatively clean, and while well-written, it’s also simply written. Not exactly Proust.
Edited to add: Cross-posted with @jollymama, who said the same thing, but better and more succinctly!
Love love love this series. Don’t stop with Phaedra’s Trilogy. Move on to Imriel’s Trilogy. Imriel is second generation. It took me a bit to see Phaedra and Jocelyn as supporting characters but “parents” become that, don’t they?
I’ve been itching to start the books again for the third or maybe fourth time, but it’d be a while before I surfaced again.
Enough of a digression. Carry on.
Umm, yeah. Loved Matt Smith in Dr. Who and can picture a younger him as Nicholas.
Ditto.
