Obernewtyn

Obernewtyn: The Obernewtyn Chronicles 1by Isobelle Carmody

In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh. And for Elspeth Gordie, it is also dangerous. That's because Elspeth has a secret: she is a Misfit, born with mysterious mental abilities that she must keep hidden under threat of death. And her worries only multiply when she is exiled to the mountain compound known as Obernewtyn, where—for all her talents—Elspeth may finally and truly be out of her depth. Then she learns she’s not the only one concealing secrets at Obernewtyn.

Even with my plethora of started-then-stopped books, I decided to read the first Obernewtyn book that I bought on Saturday. I thought to myself, "Self, this book is a little over 200 pages, and perhaps a short book is just what the doctor ordered during your reading woe time!" And so I let my burning curiosity about this book win and read it cover-to-cover in one afternoon.As I began reading, I wasn't sure I was going to like this book at all. It is very descriptive and I am generally not a huge fan of descriptive books. This book is what I call a "smart book". You know, like literature. ;) I really prefer my books to be slightly fluffier in nature so I don't have to think much while I read. That might make me sound pathetic, I know, but when I suddenly find I have to think about a book I have nightmares of high school and required readings. :) This book actually feels like a book I might have had to read for a Summer Reading list, or if I were lucky, it would be a part of the curriculum that year if I had a cool enough teacher. Sort of like A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I always thought that was a "smart book" too, and yet I loved it.If I had ever read the Narnia series, this is what I expect it to read like. (Yes, I know, I have never read the Chronicles of Narnia. I must have lived under a rock or something as a child.)As I forced myself to progress through the story I found myself becoming quite wrapped up in the plot and just as curious about what was going on as Elspeth was. (Also, I really like the name Elspeth and I don't know why. I just find it so... magical!) I enjoyed the other characters in the book as well as they were befriended, though reluctantly, because it wasn't safe to make friendships known.By the time I was a little over half-way through the book I knew I would have to pick up the rest of the series. Which is something I refrained from doing when I bought this one in case I didn't like it. My opinion changed from "I'm glad I didn't pick up the rest" at the start of the book to, "Ahh! I wish I had books 2-6 now!" by the 3/4 mark.The world and history and characters are so wonderfully constructed and deep. I was impressed at how intricate the writing and history of the people was. And then, upon reading the About The Author blurb at the back of the book I was shocked to hear that Isobelle Carmody began writing this series while still in high school! Wow. Just, wow! I mean, sure, I aced all my creative writing papers, but I never wrote anything quite this prolific and literature-like! Very impressive.I can't wait to pick up those other books. And I can tell you I will be picking them up this week - even tonight (Saturday, the night I am writing this) I might make my husband drive me back to the store. They're going on my credit card because I don't have the money at all for more books right now. We need things like food, toilet paper and you know, mortgage payment... but I want the rest of this series so badly I will sell a kidney if I need too!The Obernewtyn Chronicles

1. Obernewtyn
2. The Farseekers
3. Ashling
4. The Keeping Place
5. Wavesong
6. The Stone Key
7. The Sending - early 2010?? I hope!
8. The Red Queen - NO CLUE!