Wicked Awesome
It's happened again. I've fallen in love with a book. The object of my affection is Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri. You can't see me doing a happy dance, but trust me, I am. I loved it so much that I felt like it needed a soundtrack. Yeah. I'm that dorky. But hey, the music is great. But the book is wicked awesome! After the review I will post my unofficial playlist. Enjoy!
And don't forget to vist the Michelle's Minions message board. This review and many more, plus lots of other bookish fun can be found there: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Michelles_Minions/
Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri:
Another Faust is so far one of my favorite books this year. This is a welcome and darkly delicious change of pace that sets itself apart from the pack. I really just loved the book. This is one I will remember out of the hundred (or more) that I've read this year.
The story begins with five children from around the world. They are all different, but they do have one thing in common. They all want something and would do absolutely anything to get it. Each one has a dark spot that appears over his or her heart. When a mysterious woman appears and offers them a deal that they simply cannot refuse, they disappear from the lives they so despise.
Five years later, Belle, Bice, Christian, Valentin and Victoria Faust reappear as teenagers in Manhattan and make quite a debut amongst the rich and elite. Madame Vileroy, the woman who offered them their deals is now their governess. As far as the world knows, she is a kind woman who adopted five orhpaned children, who grew into five extra-ordinarily talented and attractive teenagers. Nobody sees them as anything but special, which is exactly what the Fausts had bargained for. But being special is never enough for them. They want to be the best. Each one has been given a gift by Madame Vileroy which they have been using to "cheat" for quite some time. As they learn more about what they are capable of, they become increasingly addicted to using thier gifts, and are constantly asking for more. With each new bargain, they give up more pieces of their souls and become more dependent on Madame Vileroy. As she plays her own game with them they all slowly begin to lose their grip on reality and morality. At least until two of them figure out the evil truth about what has been going on all these years. They must be willing to give up everything they were given and face the consequences of making a deal with the devil if they ever hope to be free.
Everyone has a price. What's yours? Would you be beautiful? Would you be brilliant? Would you be strong? Or perhaps be able to control time? Consider the possibilities. Imagine what you could do. What would you be willing to do if you were offered your hearts desire?
This is a smart, witty, dark and wicked story that makes you think. It actually made me wonder about the price of my own soul. I came up with one, but when I saw how it affected Bice(read the book to see what I would want, it's the same what Bice wanted), well, let's just say my skin began to crawl. I thought, "I take it back! I take it back!" Hmm...maybe the things that you think you want are not the things they appear to be. There is always a catch, but it's up to you to decide if it's worth it.
Michelle's wicked playlist to go along with the book:
1. Prelude 12/21 - AFI
2. You Decide - Fiireflight
3. Temptation - VAST
4. Behind the Crimson Door - HIM
5. Perfect Skin - The 69 Eyes
6. Another Know It All - Chevelle
7. Change the World - Anberlin
8. City of Delusion - Muse
9. Comfortable Liar - Chevelle
10. Pretending - HIM
11. The Game - Lacuna Coil
12. Braniac - Chevelle
13. Damn You - Lullacry
14. Guilt On Skin - Charon
15. Something I Can Never Have - Flyleaf
16. Stand Up - Fireflight
17. Escape From Hellview - CKY
18. Lucifer's Angel - The Rasmus
19. You Don't Own Me - Rasputina
20. Breathe - Anberlin
And don't forget to vist the Michelle's Minions message board. This review and many more, plus lots of other bookish fun can be found there: http://z3.invisionfree.com/Michelles_Minions/
Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri:
Another Faust is so far one of my favorite books this year. This is a welcome and darkly delicious change of pace that sets itself apart from the pack. I really just loved the book. This is one I will remember out of the hundred (or more) that I've read this year.
The story begins with five children from around the world. They are all different, but they do have one thing in common. They all want something and would do absolutely anything to get it. Each one has a dark spot that appears over his or her heart. When a mysterious woman appears and offers them a deal that they simply cannot refuse, they disappear from the lives they so despise.
Five years later, Belle, Bice, Christian, Valentin and Victoria Faust reappear as teenagers in Manhattan and make quite a debut amongst the rich and elite. Madame Vileroy, the woman who offered them their deals is now their governess. As far as the world knows, she is a kind woman who adopted five orhpaned children, who grew into five extra-ordinarily talented and attractive teenagers. Nobody sees them as anything but special, which is exactly what the Fausts had bargained for. But being special is never enough for them. They want to be the best. Each one has been given a gift by Madame Vileroy which they have been using to "cheat" for quite some time. As they learn more about what they are capable of, they become increasingly addicted to using thier gifts, and are constantly asking for more. With each new bargain, they give up more pieces of their souls and become more dependent on Madame Vileroy. As she plays her own game with them they all slowly begin to lose their grip on reality and morality. At least until two of them figure out the evil truth about what has been going on all these years. They must be willing to give up everything they were given and face the consequences of making a deal with the devil if they ever hope to be free.
Everyone has a price. What's yours? Would you be beautiful? Would you be brilliant? Would you be strong? Or perhaps be able to control time? Consider the possibilities. Imagine what you could do. What would you be willing to do if you were offered your hearts desire?
This is a smart, witty, dark and wicked story that makes you think. It actually made me wonder about the price of my own soul. I came up with one, but when I saw how it affected Bice(read the book to see what I would want, it's the same what Bice wanted), well, let's just say my skin began to crawl. I thought, "I take it back! I take it back!" Hmm...maybe the things that you think you want are not the things they appear to be. There is always a catch, but it's up to you to decide if it's worth it.
Michelle's wicked playlist to go along with the book:
1. Prelude 12/21 - AFI
2. You Decide - Fiireflight
3. Temptation - VAST
4. Behind the Crimson Door - HIM
5. Perfect Skin - The 69 Eyes
6. Another Know It All - Chevelle
7. Change the World - Anberlin
8. City of Delusion - Muse
9. Comfortable Liar - Chevelle
10. Pretending - HIM
11. The Game - Lacuna Coil
12. Braniac - Chevelle
13. Damn You - Lullacry
14. Guilt On Skin - Charon
15. Something I Can Never Have - Flyleaf
16. Stand Up - Fireflight
17. Escape From Hellview - CKY
18. Lucifer's Angel - The Rasmus
19. You Don't Own Me - Rasputina
20. Breathe - Anberlin
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