Friday, May 15, 2015

Review: Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21393526-magonia
Magonia
by Maria Dahvana Headley
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Publication Date: April 28th 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780062320520
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Sci-Fi
Source: Publisher

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Neil Gaiman’s Stardust meets John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars in this fantasy about a girl caught between two worlds... two races…and two destinies.

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air.

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live.

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn't think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie? (Goodreads)
Before I was sent a copy of Magonia to review, I had seen quite a bit of hype going around for the book, and I was super curious to see what the fuss was about. I’m so glad I decided to read this book. It definitely lives up to the hype, and in the end left me wanting more!

Aza is girl torn between two worlds; the ground below in which she has lived all her life, and the sky that belongs to the Magonian’s. All her life, Aza has had struggled to breathe, and the doctors don’t know why. They can only help her to live the best life that she can, while she can. And that works for Aza, until she out the window one afternoon and sees a ship in the sky. At first she thinks it is a hallucination, but when she hears her name being called from the ship, she realizes that it may just be something more.

The characters in the story were so well written, especially Aza. We get to see two completely different Aza’s in the story, the one who lives on the ground who can’t breathe the air and who is weak and slowly dying. Then there is Aza in the sky, who is curious and full of courage and determination. It really was interesting to see these different sides of her.

Aza’s best friend, Jason, was probably my most favorite character in the whole story. He knew that Aza had not just died, that something else had happened to her, and he was so determined to find out what. And, he’s super swoon-worthy as well.  Aza’s family was really interesting as well; both her family on the ground and the one in the air. I enjoyed them all, and each for so many different reasons.

When I first started reading the book, things were a little confusing. But I kept reading, and I managed to catch on to what was going on pretty quickly. I’m glad I stuck with it, because the story is definitely worth the read. The world-building was so creative; I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where half of the story has taken place in a sky world. I loved it!

Overall; Magonia was such a super unique read, just so different from any other fantasy I’ve read before. I loved the characters and the world-building and just EVERYTHING. I hear there may be a sequel in the works as well, so I’m super excited to check it out to see where this story will go for Aza and crew. Check it out if you haven’t already!!


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*Event Recap*


The girls and I attended the last stop on the Epic Reads Spring Book Tour on May 1st and met Maria Dahvana Headley, Susane Colasanti & Katie Cotugno!! These ladies were lovely, and they talked about many great things. Maria talked a lot about the amazing things that she has done in the past,  which included negotiating with pirates and searching for Amelia Earhart. She seriously has to be one of the most adventurous people I've ever met.
It was SO much fun chatting with these three ladies, and I loved hearing about their inspirations and lives. If you've not read these books, I highly recommend that you check them out!

Magonia  |  City Love  |  99 Days

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3 comments:

  1. This does sound like a unique read. I am hoping to get to it this summer. I had heard that it's hard to get into in the beginning, but you should stick with it. Thanks for the great review! I am glad you enjoyed this one.

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  2. Just read your review and the next thing I am going to do is add it to my shopping cart ;-) I sounds like a.wonderful book and you have made me very curious. Thanks!
    Have a nice Sunday
    Kati

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  3. Great review Christy :) I'm looking forward to reading this one, it really does sound unique and a bit wonderful!

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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Thanks for stopping by! :)