YA Magical Realism is still a fledging genre, I think. Compared to the YA fantasy and contemporary books that are published each year, it’s a much smaller part of the pie. But as I’ve said before, I’d love to see more YA magical realism. I basically love magical realism because I think in YA, in particular, these kinds of stories take really unexpected turns and can push the boundaries of what YA does. Some people think that magical realism stories are slow-paced and they can be, but for good reason. I’m not an expert, but the magical realism definition according to Wikipedia involves work that “share… an acceptance of magic in the rational world…. Magical realism… refers to literature in particular that portrays magical or unreal elements as a natural part in an otherwise realistic or mundane environment.” According to The Atlantic, when they wrote an obituary for Gabriel Garcia Marquez, they mentioned how his works were “quintessential examples of ‘magic realism’: fiction that integrates elements of fantasy into otherwise realistic settings.” (More magical realism definitions, re: YA magical realism & urban fantasy vs. magical realism).

This is where things get a little hazy for me – because Urban Fantasy often includes magic + contemporary settings, but the feeling of urban fantasy is much different from that of magical realism, though I think both could end up in an urban setting if you wanted. I think that UF is much more likely to include creatures of legends; both can have that dreamy feeling, too, but then I think magical realism focuses more on the individual, the main character and the MC’s unique experience. You can have character-driven urban fantasy, of course, but the actual experiences of the character PoV in magical realism tales are more deeply explored, I think. Hey, for all I know I could be talking out of my ass, but if you’re looking for more YA magical realism books to read, here are some of the ones that I’ve enjoyed reading!

 

** Chime by Franny Billingsley.

Chime is the story of a girl whose life turns upside down once a new boy comes to her witch-intolerant village swamp, because his presence helps to reveal long-lost secrets. It’s cyclical and beautifully written, and the swamp – here’s another magical realism quality! The setting is almost ALWAYS its own character! Which should happen in most books anyways, but can be critical to magical realism – the swamp is its own character. You get fantastic new magical creatures in the swamp, and Briony’s coming-of-age and sexual awakening are twined together so beautifully in her quest for the truth. Highly recommended! The writing style might throw some people off, but stick with the book and you’ll be so rewarded!

** We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.

We Were Liars is the story of a girl who no longer remembers the tragedy that happened at her family's summer home but seeks to discover the truth behind all the lies.. The details of her fifteenth summer at her family's private island elude her, and her family is reluctant to talk about what exactly happened. Her quest for the truth is interspersed with fairy tale like stories about her family and her memories of their summers at their island retreat. It’s a beautifully written suspense story on grief, privilege, family, duty, friendships, and much, much more.

Sarah Allister just wants a normal life, running her book shop and enjoying the smiles of the handsome local delivery man, Henry.  A normal life is hard to find on Blinney Lane, a niche tourist street in historical Salem, mainly due to the three hundred year old curse that controls the lives of the trapped shop owners.  Sarah has learned to cope with the peculiar phenomenon that occur around her, until she learns her brother is sending his troublesome teenage son, Ricky, to stay with her for the Summer.

Will Ricky listen to his aunt without question or will he meddle in things best left alone, forcing Sarah to lead them on a journey to a land she swore never to return to and to people she has long tried to forget?  The Weeping Books Of Blinney Lane will leave teens fearing adulthood, and adults grateful the pains of their youth are over.  Adventure, romance, mystery, fantasy, and a unique twist on coming-of-age, this story sets the ground for an endearing classic. 

Release Date: March 24, 2015
Source: Netgalley
Published by: Algonquin Young Readers

The Walls Around Us - Nova Ren Suma | Goodreads

“Ori’s dead because of what happened out behind the theater, in the tunnel made out of trees. She’s dead because she got sent to that place upstate, locked up with those monsters. And she got sent there because of me.”

The Walls Around Us is a ghostly story of suspense told in two voices—one still living and one long dead. On the outside, there’s Violet, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement. On the inside, within the walls of a girls’ juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom. Tying these two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries.

We hear Amber’s story and Violet’s, and through them Orianna’s, first from one angle, then from another, until gradually we begin to get the whole picture—which is not necessarily the one that either Amber or Violet wants us to see.

Nova Ren Suma tells a supernatural tale of guilt and innocence, and what happens when one is mistaken for the other.

The Walls around Us is one of the most beautifully written YA novels that I've read. The first chapter is electric, probably one of the best that I've read in years. Aside from this novel, Imaginary Girls is the only other Nova Ren Suma book that I’ve read, and I liked this better than Imaginary Girls. Maybe it was the grittiness, the actual shocking violence that brought me more into the scene than the reservoir of IG, but reading The Walls around Us made me feel like Nova Ren Suma has a very distinct yet consistent voice and if you liked IG, you will like this. Still both novels are not my last from her. Nova Ren Suma’snovels are unlike any other in YA. They are an experience, and her writing a dream. If you haven’t read something from her, you really should just for the experience.

The characters in this novel are easy to sympathize with, even when you know that they’ve done terrible things. Or have they? This novel balances between innocence and guilt to build its taut web of suspense: what really happened to Ori? What was the experience of the juvenile detention center girls, and were they all really and truly guilty of their accused crimes? What is Vi hiding? So many questions, and ultimately all the answers are tied up with Ori. Although we don’t get her perspective, she is easily the easiest character to root for in this novel because Nova Ren Suma does the impossible, giving Ori a voice through the voice of others as they tell their own stories. And even in the discussion of guilt and culpability, knowing of terrible crimes, I still managed to care about all of the characters in an Orange is the New Black sort of way, especially given how Amber emphasizes the community.

"Orange is the New Black Swan" seems like an accurate descriptor. I've watched a few episodes of Orange is the New Black, haven't read the book yet, but you do get the all female inmate community togetherness and viciousness. Black Swan, I haven't watched but that also seems accurate from what I've heard. This book is bloody ballerinas + girls juvenile detention center + mystery/suspense. Also, girl hate, girl love, girl loyalty - girls, girls, girls. This book is all about the girls and I loved it just for that. It almost feels like a tribute to girls in all our complexity. This is one of the elements that makes this book so unique (and so well couched in magical realism). I’d be happy to read more books with girls at the forefront.

The beautiful writing neatly balances the sharp build-up of suspense and atmosphere. Indeed this book has become one of my favorites for the writing alone, and I know that I’ll not be forgetting this magical realism tale any time soon.

When I first started to read young adult novels over six years ago, I didn’t know where to start. I would wander in the bookstore – Borders, how I miss you – and then buy something with a pretty cover. I had covered my bases by reading the larger titles like Twilight, obviously, but really, what do you do next unless you have heard about a book through word of mouth or bookstore recommendations? Unless you have the time to sit in the store and read excerpts of various books whichlook interesting? Then I discovered a few YA anthologies, and I got introduced to some of my then favorite series. It was because of a YA anthology that I’d read a Melissa Marr story and then bought the Wicked Lovely series, which I would later discuss with one of my best friends in college. Same with Kiersten White, Holly Black, and others. Stories are not my favorite things because if I like them, I generally want more, but anthologies are a really great way of introducing you to new authors. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories does a good job with this.

I never know quite how to review anthologies, but first I’ll start with short story summaries (warning: I’m not particularly good at writing summaries; as you may have noticed, I’m quite verbose). I’ll put those under a spoiler tag and afterward you’ll find some general observations on the anthology. Ask me more questions in the comments. Sounds good?