But instead of trying to write these characters’ voices, which their creators have already perfected, I decided to just review Chime instead.

Before Briony’s stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family’s hardships. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes, and everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn’t know.

I have a confusing relationship with this book. Around 100 pages in, I decided that this was one of those books that I respect, because I recognize how well-written and unique it is. It is a wonderful book, and I would recommend it. But I wasn’t in love with it. (I’m a love-at-first-sight kind of girl; I usually know in the first thirty pages.)

Chime took me almost a week to finish. And then suddenly, at the end, it tugged on my heartstrings. The reason? Eldric. Eldric is complex but consistent. He’s one of the most well-crafted characters I can think of whose story comes through a first person narration by the main character. So, as it turns out, Chime is like an acquaintance I didn’t think I’d ever be close to, and we ended up the best of friends.

If you’d like to find out more about Chime, by Franny Billingsley, click here.

Music for today: Turn Off This Song And Go Outside by The Lonely Forest