As I was looking through queer blogs while trying to plan out my bisexual post yesterday, I once again had my attention drawn to just how much biphobia exists within so-called "LGBTQ-friendly" spaces. And 90% of the time, this hate is excused by accusing bisexuals of being "binarist". Convenient - you can cover up your oppression of bisexuals by derailing and saying "I'm doing it from trans* rights! All those mean bisexuals oppress trans people anyway just by their existence!"
In case you aren't familiar with the term "binarism", it's used within the context of gender to refer to the idea that there are only two genders. Now, there is quite a lot of binarism from people. But I have come to get seriously suspicious any time someone uses that word, because in my experience, that word has been used as an excuse to hate on and shame bisexuals.
The (failed) logic behind bigots who say that bisexual=binarist is apparently that the prefix bi- is used to indicate "two" of something, and somehow people make the leap from that to "ZOMG BISEXUALS THINK THERE ARE ONLY TWO GENDERS!!111"
But here's the thing...that's not how it works.
For one important thing, not all bisexuals are only attracted to binary genders. Quite a few are attracted to those outside the gender binary. "Bisexual" does not, in fact, mean "men and women" - it can also mean "genders different from myself as well as my own gender". For example, a genderqueer person could be bisexual, being attracted to both genderqueer people and non-genderqueer people.
But here's where my anger really lies. When bisexuals have to defend themselves from this hate, most of them default to the explanation above - that bisexuality does not just mean attraction to only men and women. They're so desperate to get away from the assumption that they're only attracted to men and women.
Yeah, here's the thing: There is nothing wrong with only being attracted to the binary genders.
It's that simple. If you think there's something wrong with it, then get a clue: You are biphobic. Don't try to spew some bullshit about "but...but...binarism!" or how we're inherently oppressing non-binary people with our existence. You can't hide bigotry under the guise of activism.
There is a complete double standard here with who non-bisexual people accuse of "oppression". Lesbians are only attracted to women - why don't you accuse them of oppressing everyone who's not a woman? Hell, if asexuals are attracted to no one, why don't you accuse them of oppressing everyone?
So please, stop with implying that there is anything wrong with only being attracted to two binary genders. It's biphobic, plain and simple. (And hey, fellow bisexuals: Next time someone makes the binarism argument, could you maybe take a moment to mention that some bisexuals are only attracted to the binary genders, and that's okay? Thanks.)
(If you'd like to see three of the posts that made me angry enough to inspire this, go here, here, and here.) But be warned: MASSIVE biphobia and ignorance abound.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Bisexuals Need Uniquely Bisexual Spaces
One of the reasons I haven't been doing very much blogging here in the last couple of months is that I've become more and more tangled up in the blogging community on Tumblr. In addition to finding an awesome fandom for foreign musicals on there, it's a great place to find LGBTQ blogs. They're all great, in their own way. But, I do have some serious problems with some so-called "bisexual" blogs.
A blog will call itself a place for bisexuals...then have tons of stuff about pansexual people. This bothers me, it really does.
Bisexual people have struggled for years to have their identities recognized as separate from gay and lesbian. Biphobia and bisexual erasure comes from the LGT community as much as it does from cis, straight people. We need spaces of our own, about our own identities - not other people's.
In case you've never heard of pansexual, it's an orientation usually defined as "attraction to all genders", or "attraction to personality as opposed to gender". Many pansexual people refer to themselves as "gender blind" or "loving people, not genders".
Now, there is an increasingly big community emerging for pansexuals. They have plenty of blogs to submit things to. Instead, blogs that I go to to find stuff about my orientation are increasingly dominated by pansexual things.
The fact that this is happening specifically to bisexual blogs instead of, say, lesbian blogs is a large part of the problem. There are so many blogs for only lesbians, only gay men, only pansexual people, only trans men or only trans women. If you submit something that isn't any of those things to those blogs, it won't be posted.
But bisexuals? Nope, we're again pushed aside from having our own spaces. It really bothers me when I see "Bisexual events" whose flyers invite "All bi and pansexual people!"
Because here's the thing: Pansexual people are not bisexual. Including them in a "bisexual" space is as ridiculous as saying "this is a place for trans* people only! But we invite cis people as well! In fact, why don't we have MORE cis people than trans people?"
Pansexual people have quite often also been guilty of blatant biphobia, claiming that our orientation is "binarist" or "transphobic". Not all pansexual people are biphobic, obviously, but many have said very VERY biphobic things.
I'm also confused as to why pansexual people would want to submit their pictures/profiles to bisexual spaces in the first place - given that so many of them have worked hard to not be seen as bisexual.
Now, if a blog wants to be a space for lots of different orientations, go ahead! That's fine! But I cannot stand that bisexuals claim a space, then have it - as always - dominated by other orientations.
A blog will call itself a place for bisexuals...then have tons of stuff about pansexual people. This bothers me, it really does.
Bisexual people have struggled for years to have their identities recognized as separate from gay and lesbian. Biphobia and bisexual erasure comes from the LGT community as much as it does from cis, straight people. We need spaces of our own, about our own identities - not other people's.
In case you've never heard of pansexual, it's an orientation usually defined as "attraction to all genders", or "attraction to personality as opposed to gender". Many pansexual people refer to themselves as "gender blind" or "loving people, not genders".
Now, there is an increasingly big community emerging for pansexuals. They have plenty of blogs to submit things to. Instead, blogs that I go to to find stuff about my orientation are increasingly dominated by pansexual things.
The fact that this is happening specifically to bisexual blogs instead of, say, lesbian blogs is a large part of the problem. There are so many blogs for only lesbians, only gay men, only pansexual people, only trans men or only trans women. If you submit something that isn't any of those things to those blogs, it won't be posted.
But bisexuals? Nope, we're again pushed aside from having our own spaces. It really bothers me when I see "Bisexual events" whose flyers invite "All bi and pansexual people!"
Because here's the thing: Pansexual people are not bisexual. Including them in a "bisexual" space is as ridiculous as saying "this is a place for trans* people only! But we invite cis people as well! In fact, why don't we have MORE cis people than trans people?"
Pansexual people have quite often also been guilty of blatant biphobia, claiming that our orientation is "binarist" or "transphobic". Not all pansexual people are biphobic, obviously, but many have said very VERY biphobic things.
I'm also confused as to why pansexual people would want to submit their pictures/profiles to bisexual spaces in the first place - given that so many of them have worked hard to not be seen as bisexual.
Now, if a blog wants to be a space for lots of different orientations, go ahead! That's fine! But I cannot stand that bisexuals claim a space, then have it - as always - dominated by other orientations.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
The Celluloid Closet
Thanks to the wonder that is Tumblr, my attention was recently brought to the amazing film The Celluloid Closet. A documentary based off the book by Vito Russo, it analyzes the portrayal of gay characters throughout the evolution of film. (And it is pretty much just gay characters, not LGBT - there's maybe one ambiguously bisexual character, and no trans* people.)
I thought it sounded interesting, and I was not disappointed. A thoughtful look at many different kinds of films that all have their own problems or advantages. It's incredibly disheartening for the first half or so, of course - but don't worry, there's always a happy ending.
What I like about this documentary is the truthful commentary that comes along with presenting certain clips. I found myself agreeing with most of the things that were being said - for example, that gay audiences are so used to looking for tiny crumbs in media that we'll watch a terrible movie just for the possibility that a character might be gay.
This also put quite a few movies on my to-watch list. I can't believe I'd never heard of some of these. Overall, it's an incredible film, and I'm very glad I saw it. Why don't you take a look too?
I thought it sounded interesting, and I was not disappointed. A thoughtful look at many different kinds of films that all have their own problems or advantages. It's incredibly disheartening for the first half or so, of course - but don't worry, there's always a happy ending.
What I like about this documentary is the truthful commentary that comes along with presenting certain clips. I found myself agreeing with most of the things that were being said - for example, that gay audiences are so used to looking for tiny crumbs in media that we'll watch a terrible movie just for the possibility that a character might be gay.
This also put quite a few movies on my to-watch list. I can't believe I'd never heard of some of these. Overall, it's an incredible film, and I'm very glad I saw it. Why don't you take a look too?
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Good News, Except Not
The saga of my ever-deteriorating physical health continues! After suffering from a severe throat-killing chronic cough for a whole year-and-a-half, I finally had an appointment with an ENT. The "normal" doctor's diagnosis of an acid-reflux disease seems to have been off, since the medication I took for a month made practically no difference.
The good news? I'm not suffering from some life-threatening condition that manifests itself as a cough. The doctor didn't stick that infernal scope down my vocal cords and freak out about what she saw there. It appears that there's really nothing wrong with me.
The bad news? Nothing wrong...EXCEPT THE COUGH. It almost would have been better if she had found something, because then there would be a definitive reason, and it could be treated. As it is now, the only explanation she can offer is that I just started coughing for some reason, and since then my body has self-perpetuated the irritation of my throat.
That or I have some form of asthma.
Well, I'll be taking some cough-suppressing pills to see if that will work. (I absolutely refuse to drink liquid medicine. I don't care if I'm 15 and should be "over this", I positively will not drink anything that tastes that icky.) If all else fails we'll probably try an inhaler to test the asthma theory.
The human body: Finding unique ways to screw you over since the beginning of time!
The good news? I'm not suffering from some life-threatening condition that manifests itself as a cough. The doctor didn't stick that infernal scope down my vocal cords and freak out about what she saw there. It appears that there's really nothing wrong with me.
The bad news? Nothing wrong...EXCEPT THE COUGH. It almost would have been better if she had found something, because then there would be a definitive reason, and it could be treated. As it is now, the only explanation she can offer is that I just started coughing for some reason, and since then my body has self-perpetuated the irritation of my throat.
That or I have some form of asthma.
Well, I'll be taking some cough-suppressing pills to see if that will work. (I absolutely refuse to drink liquid medicine. I don't care if I'm 15 and should be "over this", I positively will not drink anything that tastes that icky.) If all else fails we'll probably try an inhaler to test the asthma theory.
The human body: Finding unique ways to screw you over since the beginning of time!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
The best place to find scary story books "for kids"?
I'm lucky enough to be within walking range of at least two bookstores and a library, and in driving range of many more, from small independently-owned stores to chains like Barnes & Noble and (formerly) Borders. (Rest in peace, my beloved Borders.) Being an avid reader (some may say "obsessive", and I will not disagree with them), I've spent plenty of time determining the best places for specific genres. Each store and library has its own strengths and resources when it comes to what they stock.
Personally, I'm always on the look for dark and Gothy books aimed at younger audiences. A lot of parents have trouble wrapping their heads around the idea that not all horror books are gorefests and wildly inappropriate for anyone under 13. Goosebumps aside, that is. Goosebumps are amazing, but when I was spending hours in my school library, I certainly wanted more than that one series that could satisfy my darker reading side. And in fact, I've discovered that the best place I've seen to buy scary story collections aimed at young readers is: Goodwill.
Seriously. I live in range of about three Goodwills, and have been to several more. Every one I've been to has four or five bookcases of haphazardly organized used books, which I always raid with enthusiasm (even though my parents brought me there to buy clothes...ooops). And every single time I've looked, I've found "children's" scary stories books. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I mean a collection of short stories made to be a little creepy but nothing overly scary - the typical book has about 8-15 stories, none more than eight or so pages. The most famous one is probably Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, though don't worry, no other collection/series has those mentally scarring illustrations.
(Oh yeah, have I mentioned that while I've never been scared of a movie or book, but five months ago when I saw the picture for The Dream, I flipped out and refused to touch those books because I was so paranoid there would be more terrifying pictures? Seriously, that Dream illustration, as well as the one from The Thing, made sleeping difficult for WEEKS.)
Anyway. So, if an entertaining short story collection for people under 13 is what you're after, don't waste your time at a normal bookstore. Just browse through the shelves at the nearest Goodwill.
(I put "for kids" in quotations, because I will still be reading these books when I'm 50. The stories are good, darn it!)
(Also, if you have a bunch of old books that you never read anymore, please consider donating them to Goodwill! Just like any other toy or piece of clothing - you may not want or need it, but I can guarantee you a person somewhere would LOVE to have a nice book to read.)
Personally, I'm always on the look for dark and Gothy books aimed at younger audiences. A lot of parents have trouble wrapping their heads around the idea that not all horror books are gorefests and wildly inappropriate for anyone under 13. Goosebumps aside, that is. Goosebumps are amazing, but when I was spending hours in my school library, I certainly wanted more than that one series that could satisfy my darker reading side. And in fact, I've discovered that the best place I've seen to buy scary story collections aimed at young readers is: Goodwill.
Seriously. I live in range of about three Goodwills, and have been to several more. Every one I've been to has four or five bookcases of haphazardly organized used books, which I always raid with enthusiasm (even though my parents brought me there to buy clothes...ooops). And every single time I've looked, I've found "children's" scary stories books. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I mean a collection of short stories made to be a little creepy but nothing overly scary - the typical book has about 8-15 stories, none more than eight or so pages. The most famous one is probably Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark, though don't worry, no other collection/series has those mentally scarring illustrations.
(Oh yeah, have I mentioned that while I've never been scared of a movie or book, but five months ago when I saw the picture for The Dream, I flipped out and refused to touch those books because I was so paranoid there would be more terrifying pictures? Seriously, that Dream illustration, as well as the one from The Thing, made sleeping difficult for WEEKS.)
Anyway. So, if an entertaining short story collection for people under 13 is what you're after, don't waste your time at a normal bookstore. Just browse through the shelves at the nearest Goodwill.
(I put "for kids" in quotations, because I will still be reading these books when I'm 50. The stories are good, darn it!)
(Also, if you have a bunch of old books that you never read anymore, please consider donating them to Goodwill! Just like any other toy or piece of clothing - you may not want or need it, but I can guarantee you a person somewhere would LOVE to have a nice book to read.)
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Review Of The 2009 Roméo Et Juliette Cast CD - Part 3
I know it's taken me forever to finish this up, but I finally got around to it. Here's the final part of the CD itself, though later I may talk about the bonus DVD (which I finally realized I could play in my computer regardless of the region...)
Anyway, let's finish up Act 2.
11.Avoir Une Fille - This is definitely my favorite arrangement of this song. A nice balance of the delicate piano, strong guitar, and Arié Itah's rough voice. I have to admit that this was another song it took me a while to warm up to. Here, you can really feel all the emotions that a father is going through. Overall, excellent!
12.On Prie - Aaaand another new song. I was a little suspicious of this at first - after all, the second act is already bogged down by too many ballads, and with this addition, we have eight slow songs in a row. But if you ignore the slow pacing it adds to, this is a nice song. Not an amazing song, but a nice one. Daniel sounds...odd, I don't know how to put it. He's not strained, but his voice doesn't always sound comfortable with what he's singing. Also, at several points it's nearly impossible to hear Joy's upper harmonies. Overall, a good song, but the show could do without it.
13.Le Poison - Confession: I never liked this song. And it's not one of the ones I've warmed up to - I still don't like it. But as far as I can appreciate it, the instruments are lovely, and Joy sounds delicate and fragile in the best way possible. She sounds like a beautiful glass vase that's about to shatter - very emotional. There's also a lovely subdued choir in the background. Overall, it's an amazing version of a song I just can't come around to loving.
14.Sans Elle - The only reason I've heard the melody of this song as much as I have is that I kept playing the German version on the piano. But, unfortunately, it's another song which I think could be poked out of the show and I wouldn't mind at all. Daniel and Joy sound great, and I love the guitar in the background, but overall I'm just not fond of the song itself or this particular arrangement.
15.Vérone 2 - When you first hear this, it might be difficult to even realize that this is a reprise of Vérone. It is, and it's GREAT. I think I've mentioned before that Stéphane Metro is my favorite Escalus, and this song just cements that opinion. So much emotion - and he goes in seconds from shrieking in anger to barely whispering in sadness. This song shows both the range of emotion in his vocal acting as well as his vocal range itself. Overall, bloody fantastic!
16.Comment Lui Dire - And we finally get a solo from my favorite Benvolio! This is another wonderful arrangement with another wonderful singer. There's the faintest hint of plucked strings in the background along with the guitar and synths, and along with Cyril Niccolai's soaring voice, it's a beautiful effect. Overall, just amazing.
17.Mort De Roméo - Another confession: This might as well be the first time I'm hearing this song, for all the times I've listened to it. I think I heard it once before. Because I'm used to the Hungarian ending, which has a reprise of J'ai Peur replace this song. (I like that way better.) I mean, this is a good song - I like the woodwinds, and Daniel sounds lovely as always - but it's just so...monochrome musically. Overally, nice singer but meh.
18.Mort De Juliette - I have listened to this song often, though, and I'm torn on this arrangement. On the one hand, the instruments are beyond fantastic. Great guitars, nice strings. On the other hand, Joy's voice sounds incredibly weak. I want to hear a stronger angst. There should be a little anger. Instead, all I get is a delicate little voice singing without all too much emotion. Overall, it would've worked better as an instrumental.
19.J'sais Plus - Another song which I must confess to skipping typically when I'm listening/watching. But I can find nothing to complain about here, strong voices and strong instruments, with a nice lamenting choir. Overall, while I might not be too fond of the song itself, a great arrangement.
20.Coupable - Yay, we get to hear more from Lady Montague! I remember this song as being arranged differently in just about every single version, and this is one of my favorites. A neat little string beat makes a nice background to the legato voices of the Ladies and the choir. I did really love the German version where they worked a reprise of Einmal in, and I wished they had done that here, but it's so lovely that I can't really complain.
21.Avoir 20 Ans - Aaaaand this song. This song was actually half of the reason I wanted this CD in the first place - after only hearing some very low-quality live recordings of the song, I was insanely curious as to how the recorded version sounded. And it did not disappoint me at all! I completely adore this song, everything about it. It's nearly as catchy as Les Rois Du Monde, and wormed its way into my head for days afterwards. It's just a fun, feel-good song with great singers. Overall, I beyond love it.
And thus ends the show! As a whole, any fan of the musical should have this recording. With an amazing cast, powerful orchestra, and some new songs, it's a must-have, and probably one of the best recordings out there. The only weak point of it is the occasional weak arrangement or unemotional singer, but those are easily overlooked in what is simply a wonderful CD.
Anyway, let's finish up Act 2.
11.Avoir Une Fille - This is definitely my favorite arrangement of this song. A nice balance of the delicate piano, strong guitar, and Arié Itah's rough voice. I have to admit that this was another song it took me a while to warm up to. Here, you can really feel all the emotions that a father is going through. Overall, excellent!
12.On Prie - Aaaand another new song. I was a little suspicious of this at first - after all, the second act is already bogged down by too many ballads, and with this addition, we have eight slow songs in a row. But if you ignore the slow pacing it adds to, this is a nice song. Not an amazing song, but a nice one. Daniel sounds...odd, I don't know how to put it. He's not strained, but his voice doesn't always sound comfortable with what he's singing. Also, at several points it's nearly impossible to hear Joy's upper harmonies. Overall, a good song, but the show could do without it.
13.Le Poison - Confession: I never liked this song. And it's not one of the ones I've warmed up to - I still don't like it. But as far as I can appreciate it, the instruments are lovely, and Joy sounds delicate and fragile in the best way possible. She sounds like a beautiful glass vase that's about to shatter - very emotional. There's also a lovely subdued choir in the background. Overall, it's an amazing version of a song I just can't come around to loving.
14.Sans Elle - The only reason I've heard the melody of this song as much as I have is that I kept playing the German version on the piano. But, unfortunately, it's another song which I think could be poked out of the show and I wouldn't mind at all. Daniel and Joy sound great, and I love the guitar in the background, but overall I'm just not fond of the song itself or this particular arrangement.
15.Vérone 2 - When you first hear this, it might be difficult to even realize that this is a reprise of Vérone. It is, and it's GREAT. I think I've mentioned before that Stéphane Metro is my favorite Escalus, and this song just cements that opinion. So much emotion - and he goes in seconds from shrieking in anger to barely whispering in sadness. This song shows both the range of emotion in his vocal acting as well as his vocal range itself. Overall, bloody fantastic!
16.Comment Lui Dire - And we finally get a solo from my favorite Benvolio! This is another wonderful arrangement with another wonderful singer. There's the faintest hint of plucked strings in the background along with the guitar and synths, and along with Cyril Niccolai's soaring voice, it's a beautiful effect. Overall, just amazing.
17.Mort De Roméo - Another confession: This might as well be the first time I'm hearing this song, for all the times I've listened to it. I think I heard it once before. Because I'm used to the Hungarian ending, which has a reprise of J'ai Peur replace this song. (I like that way better.) I mean, this is a good song - I like the woodwinds, and Daniel sounds lovely as always - but it's just so...monochrome musically. Overally, nice singer but meh.
18.Mort De Juliette - I have listened to this song often, though, and I'm torn on this arrangement. On the one hand, the instruments are beyond fantastic. Great guitars, nice strings. On the other hand, Joy's voice sounds incredibly weak. I want to hear a stronger angst. There should be a little anger. Instead, all I get is a delicate little voice singing without all too much emotion. Overall, it would've worked better as an instrumental.
19.J'sais Plus - Another song which I must confess to skipping typically when I'm listening/watching. But I can find nothing to complain about here, strong voices and strong instruments, with a nice lamenting choir. Overall, while I might not be too fond of the song itself, a great arrangement.
20.Coupable - Yay, we get to hear more from Lady Montague! I remember this song as being arranged differently in just about every single version, and this is one of my favorites. A neat little string beat makes a nice background to the legato voices of the Ladies and the choir. I did really love the German version where they worked a reprise of Einmal in, and I wished they had done that here, but it's so lovely that I can't really complain.
21.Avoir 20 Ans - Aaaaand this song. This song was actually half of the reason I wanted this CD in the first place - after only hearing some very low-quality live recordings of the song, I was insanely curious as to how the recorded version sounded. And it did not disappoint me at all! I completely adore this song, everything about it. It's nearly as catchy as Les Rois Du Monde, and wormed its way into my head for days afterwards. It's just a fun, feel-good song with great singers. Overall, I beyond love it.
And thus ends the show! As a whole, any fan of the musical should have this recording. With an amazing cast, powerful orchestra, and some new songs, it's a must-have, and probably one of the best recordings out there. The only weak point of it is the occasional weak arrangement or unemotional singer, but those are easily overlooked in what is simply a wonderful CD.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Review: School Of Fear: Class Is NOT Dismissed, by Gitty Daneshvari
Because I loved the original School Of Fear so very much, I was eager to get my hands on the sequel. I was delighted to find a copy in the children's section of my local bookstore. (My funds, however, weren't so happy, given that it was hardback and I already had four other books in my arms.)
I finished it much quicker than I expected, but it took me a long time to write a review, because I was stuck trying to convince myself that I enjoyed it more than I really did. Before I explain my feelings on the book, I suppose I should give a summary.
It's everyone's second summer at the School Of Fear, and Madeleine, Garrison, Lulu, and Theo are excited to be back. Well...sort of, anyway. But problems have been plaguing the residents of Summerstone - numerous break-ins and thefts have left everyone paranoid. On top of that, a new student joins the four. Hyacinth (or Hyhy, as she prefers) is an awkward ferret-loving girl with a crippling fear of being alone.
Frankly, I was disappointed by this book. Badly disappointed.
It had it's good points. Abernathy's backstory was excellent, and the reveal of Mrs.Wellington's motives for opening the school added an important depth to her character that was desperately needed.
However, it seemed like Daneshvari got tired of the story halfway through. There's no satisfying climax. The reveal of the "villains" is weak and somewhat forced. The fact that the author kept pushing the characters out of Summerstone whenever possible didn't help - as a result there's none of the wacky fear-solving techniques that were a treasure of the first book.
Basically, the book seemed like one long trailer - just a way to get to the third book.
Speaking of the next book, I know that you need to have a mild sequel hook, but the ending here was simply pathetic. Practically nothing got resolved. I felt cheated.
So yes, I was incredibly sad that such a fantastic book had such a weak follow-up. I'd say that if you want to get the best School Of Fear experience so far, just read the first book, maybe find some spoilers for this one, then go to the third.*
*Which I will be reading once I go through the crapload of books that are piling up on my bed because my bookcase in overflowing. Never let me loose on used book sales, people.
I finished it much quicker than I expected, but it took me a long time to write a review, because I was stuck trying to convince myself that I enjoyed it more than I really did. Before I explain my feelings on the book, I suppose I should give a summary.
It's everyone's second summer at the School Of Fear, and Madeleine, Garrison, Lulu, and Theo are excited to be back. Well...sort of, anyway. But problems have been plaguing the residents of Summerstone - numerous break-ins and thefts have left everyone paranoid. On top of that, a new student joins the four. Hyacinth (or Hyhy, as she prefers) is an awkward ferret-loving girl with a crippling fear of being alone.
Frankly, I was disappointed by this book. Badly disappointed.
It had it's good points. Abernathy's backstory was excellent, and the reveal of Mrs.Wellington's motives for opening the school added an important depth to her character that was desperately needed.
However, it seemed like Daneshvari got tired of the story halfway through. There's no satisfying climax. The reveal of the "villains" is weak and somewhat forced. The fact that the author kept pushing the characters out of Summerstone whenever possible didn't help - as a result there's none of the wacky fear-solving techniques that were a treasure of the first book.
Basically, the book seemed like one long trailer - just a way to get to the third book.
Speaking of the next book, I know that you need to have a mild sequel hook, but the ending here was simply pathetic. Practically nothing got resolved. I felt cheated.
So yes, I was incredibly sad that such a fantastic book had such a weak follow-up. I'd say that if you want to get the best School Of Fear experience so far, just read the first book, maybe find some spoilers for this one, then go to the third.*
*Which I will be reading once I go through the crapload of books that are piling up on my bed because my bookcase in overflowing. Never let me loose on used book sales, people.
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