[OtterBooks]

I just read this book (by Rick Yancey) for the second time, which makes it one of two books I've ever read twice. This book and its successor Curse of the Wendigo(an homage to Algernon Blackwood's tale, but worthy on its own) are possibly the most delightful things I've read in years. Despite getting a Michael L. Printz Honor and being leagues above most current bestsellers in YA, the books seem relatively unknown, or at least not nearly as known as they should be.

For those unawares, it's essentially Victorian horror/adventure; well sorta. The prose is eloquent and sharp, and it has one of the most realized and well developed main characters I've ever read. By eloquent I mean it has the kind of writing that has you finishing a paragraph, only to stop and go "wow." Additionally it's quite gruesome and fun, and even touching at times. I bought it on a whim and it just knocked my socks off. It's like a cross between science/crime procedural and supernatural horror, with a touch of the romantic here and there.

It's labeled as YA but it would take a rather advanced young adult to appreciate it (my Kindle dictionary was well-used). I read it first as an ebook then bought the hardcover because I just had to own it as such (and random pages have little illustrations of old medical devices in the page corner, very cool). The book begs to be read by candlelight.

A highly recommended treat.