Crewel by Gennifer Albin Book Review
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Release Date: October 16, 2012
Pages: 368
Buy the Book: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Rating: 5 stars
Enter a tangled world of secrets and intrigue where a girl is in charge of other’s destinies, but not her own.
Sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys has always been special. When her parents discover her gift—the ability to weave the very fabric of reality—they train her to hide it. For good reason, they don’t want her to become a Spinster — one of the elite, beautiful, and deadly women who determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die.
Thrust into the opulent Western Coventry, Adelice will be tried, tested and tempted as she navigates the deadly politics at play behind its walls. Now caught in a web of lies and forbidden romance, she must unravel the sinister truth behind her own unspeakable power. Her world is hanging by a thread, and Adelice, alone, can decide to save it — or destroy it.
Oh my goodness, Crewel is one of the most intense, fast paced books I think I’ve ever read. Gennifer Albin wastes no time and jumps right into the action. Instantly readers are swept up into the world of the Guild to build one of the most fantastic books I’ve read in a very long time.
Crewel is one of those really cool books that is such a blend of genres that you can’t really pinpoint it. The structure of the government fares with dystopian, but much of the weaving and the Spinsters lies with the fantastical. There also is an aspect of sci-fi within it as well and I just loved this blend.
Gennifer Albin has woven a beautiful story. I just love her prose – it is simply gorgeous. By the time I had finished the prologue, I had already known that Crewel would be a book I would love. The story was so captivating and refreshingly new. I just love the idea of putting Spinsters at the head of society – it is such the opposite of idealistic society.
The world is so expertly crafted. I loved the entire concept behind the world and everything is just really well done in regards to it. The government, the looms and threads themselves, it was all so new, which was completely refreshing.
I loved the whisperings of those who are for the rebellion and against the Guild. The foundation was very well laid and I am very curious to get some answers about it in book 2. There is just so much history that each character seems to have to tell and I want to hear all about it.
Adelice is a wonderful main character – I love that she has her spunk and won’t let anyone shape her into the perfect Spinster. She remains true to her principles and morals, which is very admirable. All the other characters were really well written as well. Cormac is so interesting – his character is so multifaceted and I want to see more of him in the future. Erik is another character who really intrigues me. I really want to know what his story is.
The ending, oh the ending. It was so cruel! The book is intense throughout the entire book, but the last chapters completely escalate into a completely cruel cliffhanger. I am SO antsy to see what will happen next.
Crewel by Gennifer Albin is a brilliant debut. I flew through it in about two hours, not able to put it down for a moment. With its beautiful prose and captivating story, Crewel will be a book you will be sad to miss.
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6 Responses to: Crewel by Gennifer Albin Book Review
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Hi! I'm Fran, hope you're having a great time visiting The Book Cellar!
On 1/24/2013
DannyBookworm said:
ERICA!!! I’m so excited to see that you loved it soo much too!!!!! I absolutely adored this one, especially the blend of genres. It was simply a mindblowing book:-))
DannyBookworm recently posted..Uses for Boys by Erica Lorraine Scheidt
On 1/24/2013
We Heart YA said:
Ooo, sounds AMAZING!! And lol: “The ending, oh the ending. It was so cruel!” Crewel was cruel, eh? ;)
Anyway, we’ve been looking forward to this one ever since we saw The Real Fauxtographer’s interpretation of it: http://www.therealfauxtographer.com/2012/04/crewel.html
Glad to hear it’s a fabulous read. Now we’re more excited than ever!
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On 1/24/2013
Lauren said:
SO happy you liked this one too! I really enjoyed it, and I also found it nearly impossible to categorize, but I didn’t care, it was such a compelling read! And oh my gosh yes that ending was so cruel. I have no idea how I’ll manage the wait for book two. Great review!
Lauren recently posted..Book Review: Boundless by Cynthia Hand
On 1/24/2013
Bookworm1858 said:
Oh the ending was so good! I normally am pissed off about cliffhangers but this one just left me wanting more and pondering all the different ways Albin could take the story.
Bookworm1858 recently posted..Cinders and Sapphires
On 1/24/2013
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) said:
I found the same thing — it was a dystopian book, but still a mix of so many other things! And sooo unique! I really wasn’t expecting it.
I’m very antsy to see what happens next, too!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) recently posted..BOOK REVIEW: One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, #2), by Jeaniene Frost
On 2/17/2013
Orchid @ The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia said:
Crewel was a most excellent book! The world was definitely favorite part, and the ending was such a huge cliffhanger. O_O
Orchid @ The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia recently posted..All About Middle Grade Interview: Paul R. Hewlett (author of Lionel’s Grand Adventure)