Review: The Nest by Kenneth Oppel
The Nest
by Kenneth Oppel
Something is wrong with Steve’s baby brother. His parents are constantly taking the newborn to the hospital, and whispered conversations Steve overhears indicate that even if the baby survives, his life will be difficult. One night, in a dream, an angel appears to Steve and offers to fix his brother. Steve can save his brother if he’ll only say “yes”, but something about the increasingly insectoid angel holds him back.
I can’t go too much into the plot without revealing major spoilers, but I’ll try to describe something of the atmosphere of the novel. Never straight-out frightening, The Nest unsettles the reader with every turn of the page. The narrator Steve isn’t entirely reliable. He reveals that he’s had certain psychological problems in the past that may color his interpretation of events. But even if his narrative isn’t entirely true - it’s left to the reader to determine its accuracy - Steve’s descriptions of enormous wasp-like creatures that communicate telepathically make my skin crawl.
As the “angels” release details about their plans to fix Steve’s brother, you begin to really sympathize with the boy. He feels completely isolated except for these extremely sympathetic and understanding wasps. They’re asking Steve to make major decisions that will affect his entire family, and any time he reaches out for help his parents think he’s acting up for attention or that his previous problems are returning.
This creepy middle grade novel will thrill fans of books like Coraline. While the story initially seems simple and straightforward, it is as layered as a wasps’ nest. It’s pleasingly complex and will make the reader uncomfortable, but it’s still suitable for children.
4.5 out of 5 stars
To read more about The Nest, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
2013: Beauty's Daughter by Carolyn Meyer
2012: Egyptology (Ologies #2) by Emily Sands and Dugald Steer
2011: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
2010: The Candidates (Delacroix Academy #1) by Inara Scott
2009: Going on hiatus...
2008: Company of Liars by Karen Maitland
by Kenneth Oppel
Something is wrong with Steve’s baby brother. His parents are constantly taking the newborn to the hospital, and whispered conversations Steve overhears indicate that even if the baby survives, his life will be difficult. One night, in a dream, an angel appears to Steve and offers to fix his brother. Steve can save his brother if he’ll only say “yes”, but something about the increasingly insectoid angel holds him back.
I can’t go too much into the plot without revealing major spoilers, but I’ll try to describe something of the atmosphere of the novel. Never straight-out frightening, The Nest unsettles the reader with every turn of the page. The narrator Steve isn’t entirely reliable. He reveals that he’s had certain psychological problems in the past that may color his interpretation of events. But even if his narrative isn’t entirely true - it’s left to the reader to determine its accuracy - Steve’s descriptions of enormous wasp-like creatures that communicate telepathically make my skin crawl.
As the “angels” release details about their plans to fix Steve’s brother, you begin to really sympathize with the boy. He feels completely isolated except for these extremely sympathetic and understanding wasps. They’re asking Steve to make major decisions that will affect his entire family, and any time he reaches out for help his parents think he’s acting up for attention or that his previous problems are returning.
This creepy middle grade novel will thrill fans of books like Coraline. While the story initially seems simple and straightforward, it is as layered as a wasps’ nest. It’s pleasingly complex and will make the reader uncomfortable, but it’s still suitable for children.
4.5 out of 5 stars
To read more about The Nest, buy it or add it to your wishlist click here.
Peeking into the archives...today in:
2014: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
2013: Beauty's Daughter by Carolyn Meyer
2012: Egyptology (Ologies #2) by Emily Sands and Dugald Steer
2011: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
2010: The Candidates (Delacroix Academy #1) by Inara Scott
2009: Going on hiatus...
2008: Company of Liars by Karen Maitland