Hello fellow bookies! Let’s take a moment to think about the fact that EXAMS ARE OVERRRRRR (good vibes to everyone who still hasn’t finished, though 😛 ). Exams are the reason that this is being published on a Friday.
Only 19 weeks of school left …
So I read The Story of Owen yesterday. Right after my math exams. And oh boy, if I hated the cover when I first saw it, I LOATHE the cover now.
What I originally thought:
I’m sorry, but what a bad cover. When I look at this, I don’t want to read it. It’ll probably remain in the pile until I absolutely cannot find anything else to read. But the story itself sounds interesting…
What I now think:
The cover of this book should be burned. It scares readers away from this hilarious, smart and very Canadian book. This book has been the best book I’ve read so far. It made me laugh, fascinated me with its world building, and had a great overall message.
It was basically set in an alternate universe, where everything happened… but there were dragons. A direct result of consumerism (and a ‘manifestation’ of global warming), they are attracted to oil and gas (as well as things that use gas). As you can imagine, they are fatal, dangerous… and E.K. Johnston outdid herself with the backstory. In retrospect, it makes sense while you’re reading it, but it’s really hard to explain.
The dragon’s were always there… and in the olden days, every village had it’s own dragon slayer. But now only the big corporations (who pay very well) are able to hire them. So when a dragon slayer family moves back to Trondheim, the town rejoices.
Strangely enough, the narrator, Siobhan McQuaid (and really, more of the main character) doesn’t hero worship Owen, and their ‘relationship’ is really platonic and amusing. It was also very refreshing, and a great distraction from the angst filled books so common in YA.
The book is rather short, but densely packed, so you don’t really notice how much information you are absorbing until you are done. That being said, the plot sort of suffers from the condensation (it felt sort of slapdash, really) but it does manage to come through in the end.
I found it extremely funny, with great social and political commentary. There are beautifully funny lines that made this worth the read, as well as a very Canadian sense of humor. A mixture of self deprecating sarcasm and wise-cracks? What ever it is, I feel so much more Canadian reading this book.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable romp, and a very unlike fantasy. There are no overwhelming villains or quests, but rather, the typical (but at the same time atypical) lives of 2 teenagers. I loved the crowning touches ~ an addition of a Youtube channel (she’s a bard, get it?) as well as many others that gave it a little extra spice. Even though it was obviously set in a rural town, it was still relatable (I’m a city slicker 😛 ). It has strong social, political and environmental messages ~ it wasn’t afraid to go into subjects that ‘bore’ teens. It’s funny, creative and one of my favourite books this month!
Honestly, it has dragons, and sword fighting, and great characters. Just go read it already!
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!
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