Jackaby

This book reminded me of why I read. Why, as a child, I could immerse myself in the world my book created and not come out for hours (sadly, as an adult, that feeling is more and more elusive and I'm rarely left alone by the other humans in my life long enough to read for hours). But. This book. I love it. Unequivocally. And I am practically dancing in place waiting for the second one to arrive to me (damn you slow, unfunded library!), and then hopefully followed in short order by the third, which releases on August 23rd.

Jackaby is William Ritter's debut novel. Everywhere that I can see online, it's listed as a “teen” book but I would have put in more in middle grades. The subject matter is pretty tame, barely even a flirtation – but maybe the descriptions of demons and demon-slaying push it over the edge to the older label? Regardless, Jackaby has a sense of ageless appeal – the ages of the main characters are never expressly stated, and while the narrator Rook seems the younger she is still independent. Anywho, on to the details!

The end result was astounding. I had managed to completely transform myself into...a silly, obvious girl wearing boy' clothing.

“I have ceased concerning myself with how things look to others, Abigail Rook...in my experience, others are generally wrong.”

“I find most men are already more than happy to believe a young woman is a frail little thing. so, technically the deception was already there, I just employed it in a convenient way.”

My words petered out and slipped into the shadows, embarrassed to be seen with me.

I found it difficult to be frightened by the announcement. I had crested that emotional hill already, and the view was becoming familiar.