Flock by Wendy Delsol

Note: This review contains no spoilers of Flock, but may contain spoilers of the first book in the series, Stork, a review of which can be found here and the second book, Frost, a review of which can be found here.

Flock (Stork #3) by Wendy Delsol

Release Date: September 11th 2012
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Candlewick
Also by this Author: Stork (Stork #1); Frost (Stork #2)
Buy It: Book Depository

                       

I spend a lot of time complaining about how everything is a series, but sometimes I read a book with such an awesome main character that I find myself desperately grateful that the book is a series. And so it was with Stork by Wendy Delsol, the first book in a trilogy featuring the sarcastic and caring fashionista Katla. Last year the second book, Frost, came out and now it is finally time for the third and final book in the series, Flock. The result is that I went into reading Flock with mixed emotions; I didn't want this story to end, but I definitely wanted to spend more time with Katla and find out how things turned out especially after she left behind an angry ice queen wanting revenge, and a promise to give up her baby sister to the mer queen.

When Flock begins Katla is starting her senior year of high school, and all she wants is a normal year, no supernatural adventures involved. But when she shows up, two of her Icelandic friends from last year's trip are on exchange, and one of them is a mer messenger sent to make sure she fulfills her end of the deal she made. And that means handing over her infant sister Leira, the last thing Katla intends to let happen.

As I have in the previous two books, I loved Katla's zest and passion and strength as a main character. I also loved her sense of humour. Flock did a great job of tying together loose ends from the first two books, and wrapping things up for each character. I really felt like each character had their own ending, including lots of minor ones like Jaelle and Katla's dad. But I did feel like it took a very confusing and muddled road to get there.

Honestly, there was so much new myth in Flock that I found myself really lost over what was happening at times, there were spirit journeys to foreign realms and sometimes I couldn't even get to the end of a page without having to reread it and try to figure out what was going on. It really made me miss the simplicity of Stork. However, unlike Frost I at least felt like the climax and subsequent events had the chance to unfold fully and weren't rushed.

Like always, Delsol's writing was clever and fun to read, and I thought things ended in a believable way. I loved the contemporary components of Flock, but I wanted more clarity from some of the supernatural events which occasionally became muddled as I was reading. Still, I really enjoyed the Stork trilogy, and I'm certainly going to pick up whatever Delsol writes next and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these books.

Frost by Wendy Delsol

Note: This review contains no spoilers of Frost, but does contain spoilers of the first book in the series, Stork, a review of which can be found here.

Frost by Wendy Delsol

Release Date: October 11th, 2011
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Source: Publisher
Buy It: Book Depository

Katla Leblanc is delighted when all signs point to a busy and peaceful Christmas. But Katla’s wintry wish unexpectedly turns into the snowstorm of the century, drawing the attention of Brigid, a gorgeous environmental researcher with an unusual interest in Katla’s boyfriend, Jack.

Personally, I went into reading Frost having loved its predecessor, Stork, so much I figured it was basically impossible to top. In reality, I found that to be the case, but that doesn't mean Frost wasn't also an enjoyable, hilarious, and exciting book- it just wasn't quite another Stork for me. That said, my high expectations didn't stop from thoroughly enjoying Frost and I once again loved Delsol's writing which is hilarious and engaging.

My major problem with Frost is that it had too many subplots. One storyline would get introduced, and then placed on the back burner for most of the book, for example what happened to Hulda. I love that Delsol had so many great ideas but I think the novel would have felt a little less overwhelmed if a couple of them had been pared back. I also found the climax to be quite rushed, as I was reading I couldn't believe how few pages were left when it began to happen and the events themselves unfolded very quickly.

That said, there was still plenty I loved about Frost. Brigid was pretty much the perfect villain; her evil was palpable. I also loved how Delsol drew inspiration from an obscure (at least to me) fairytale and I felt the connection worked terrifically for the story. There also seemed to be less references to brand name clothing which I appreciated. There were also plenty of hilarious moments and the novel is full of Katla's wonderful witticisms like "Coworkers, I decided, were like bullets, best when blank."

Ultimately, as much as I enjoyed Frost it wasn't quite the novel I hoped for, as it focuses far more on the Bridget/Jack/Katla dynamic than on the Stork Society that was at the center of the first novel. Still, by the end of the book all the events have fallen into place in a way that is quite intense and leaves the reader eager for the final book in the trilogy. Even though I didn't love Frost as much as Stork I am incredibly excited for what comes next and hopeful the series will end on a high note; I know that whatever the next book contains Delsol is certain to provide rich characters, humour, and an exciting story and that is certainly something I am looking forward to.

Stork by Wendy Delsol

Stork by Wendy Delsol

Release Date: October 12th, 2010
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback and Audiobook
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Narrator: Julia Whelan
Source: Publisher and Personal Shelf
Buy It: Book Depository

16-year-old Katla moves from L.A. to Minnesota after her parents divorce and is inducted into the Stork Society, where women pair up unborn babies with would-be mothers. Complicating things further is Jack, the gorgeous, brooding farm boy who seems fascinated with Katla—when he's not being rude and distant.

To be honest, I was skeptical of the premise of this book. I mean, Stork- like the birds that deliver babies? Really, Delsol, really? Yes, really, and in the most intriguing and well-written way you can imagine, a fantastic twist on an old myth that is totally original. In fact, not only is Stork one of the best books I've read in 2011 but it was also incredibly hilarious to the point that I was often laughing out loud while reading, as well as being a touching story about a teenage girl in extraordinary circumstances. What I absolutely loved about this book was Katla, Wendy Delsol has a great sense of humour the way she writes Katla is snarky yet approachable and her sarcastic wit makes her one of those characters I truly wish were a real person. And she does feel real, the way she interacts with the people around her makes her easy to imagine and despite the fantastical element of the story I really felt like Katla could walk right off the page.

Of course, I have to share a few of Katla's quips, like how when she sees two people engaging in slightly too much PDA she says "Honestly, a start-of-game Jenga tower didn’t touch at that many points." or when describing the colour of a room she's just entered she say it "was painted eggplant, a bold statement, and just as difficult to decorate with as it was to make palatable. I was impressed". The only times Katla lost me was when there was excessive name-dropping, as she is a true fashionista and is often mentioning the brands of various articles of clothing in a way a fashion-ignorant person like myself could not really appreciate, and although it mostly fit within the story it did occasionally detract from the magical world Delsol had created.

Stork is one of those books that truly sparkles and one I know I'll go back and reread when I need a pick-me-up. I really have only positive things to say about this novel and I really hope you'll consider picking it up. The audiobook version is also great, it is read by Julia Whelan who I loved for Lost Voices and impresses equally here. Ultimately, Stork is a wonderful story which is accessible for young teens, old teens, or teens at heart and I will be certainly be picking up anything and everything Delsol publishes in the future but I am especially excited for the sequel, Frost.