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The Spectacular Vision of Oskar Dunkelblick
The Spectacular Vision of Oskar Dunkelblick
Hattie Holden Edmonds | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The protagonist in this book is Oskar, and the whole story is told from his perspective. He is a misery artist, which I found very amusing. I had no idea it is a thing. 😀 I really liked the protagonist’s personality, until I found out, that he is not that innocent as I thought. Oskar came to the saddest place in Germany, looking for the inspiration for his next painting, but he got sucked in into local affairs very quickly. I really liked how the author picked the characters for this book. I loved the way she portrayed the complexity of the people and how their life stories unravelled.

The narrative of this novel was very interesting to follow. We have Oskar telling his story and describing his relationships with the citizens at the present time, but at the same time, he time travels to his childhood as well as sharing an unbelievable story from his recent past. Because of this constant change in the plot, the story went pretty quickly for me. There are some parts which didn’t really make sense to me, but I liked the message behind it. I really liked the topics used in this book, such as parenting, homelessness, misery, lack of socializing, alcoholism, loneliness etc.

The setting of this book was very unusual, I loved that the story was set in Germany, and the atmosphere of this book felt like everything around is grey and colourless, and Oskar is this little sparkly gem, which makes everything better and brighter. I can not exactly describe the feeling it created. 🙂 I really liked the writing style of this book, it is very creative but at the same time quite simple and understandable. The chapters are pretty short, and the pages flew by quick. The ending rounded the story nicely and left me satisfied with the outcome.

So, to conclude, I really enjoyed this amusing book, set in a very intriguing place, and filled with very unique and complex characters, whose life stories created something unforgettable.
  
In the third instalment of the M.U.S.E. series, we have a number of stories come together. The main one is about Meg, the low-born former pickpocket who can Find. Overseeing her uncle and cousin breaking into a neighbour's, and realising how close they are to her, the Order (ie. Lord Camden) decide to send her to Wales, in the care of Lord Badewyn, for her own safety. Samuel is intrigued by Meg but is determined to keep his distance, considering the secret his father is hiding, and what will happen to Meg should he succumb.

I loved this story - Meg's charms continue to grow, along with her confidence, throughout the series. Finding has its own dangers but if Meg is prepared to take that risk, then she will defy anyone who says she can't, even Samuel.

The story between the two of them is both innocent and sensual. Well-written, smoothly paced and full of secrets and intrigue, this was a delight to read. I was pleased to see that Lord Camden found the answers he has been looking for, even if the hearing was hard. Thoroughly enjoyable and I'm definitely hoping for more in the series.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 23, 2015