Friday, November 23, 2012

Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Genre: YA Dystopian
Series: Crewel World #1
Publication Date: 18th October 2012
Pages: 360
Book Source: Faber & Faber & NetGalley

Synopsis: Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.  


My Thoughts:
Creative is an understatement! This was such a brilliant, unusual concept, not the dystopian world as such, as it's typical of any dystopian society; controlling and oppressive but the premise of weaving time and matter. Spinsters weave the very fabric of life in Arras, everything that exists can be woven, ripped, manipulated, re-stitched but Spinsters are in turn controlled by the all powerful Guild. 

The concept reminded me a little of the movie Wanted "Wesley is shown the Loom of Fate, a loom that gives the names of the targets through binary code hidden in weaving errors of the fabric." Think Wanted meets The Matrix meets The Selection ;)  

The main protagonist Adelice was likeable and her smart mouth was entertaining but the love triangle between Adelice, Jost and Eric ... not so much but then I've a low tolerance for love triangles. Not that they don't happen or add something to the story when done well but I guess I'm still wondering what, if anything this one added? 

That small gripe aside, along with a number of unanswered questions I found the whole weaving concept intriguing, particularly the don't annoy the powers that be or you'll find your thread pulled, mentality ... ahh as if that doesn't secretly appeal *evil grin* 

A fascinating debut, I'll be keenly looking forward to the next installment in the Crewel trilogy.

US cover

I like both the UK and the US covers but if pushed to choose I think I'd have to go US. How 'bout you?

To find out more about Gennifer Albin visit her website






18 comments:

  1. Oh right the spinster book. I had only seen the US cover and I must say, I do not like it but it is better. The other one looks like some pnr ya book with vamps.for some reason

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    1. The UK cover does look a bit like a paranormal cover. I think you'd like the world in this one B :)

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  2. I have heard so many positive things about CREWEL. Can't wait to try this one out for myself! Love triangles are definitely a tricky topic. For me, the success of them depends on whether there's a motive to having a love triangle. Does it mess up the main character, make her realise something about herself? Or is it just for the author to get her thrills or let the fangirls run wild?

    I don't really like either cover, mostly because I just don't get them. Do you feel they actually represent the book?

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    1. Totally agree with you about love triangles Cass. As far as the covers go, in my opinion the US one is a better representation of the story ... red lipstick on the girl is a Spinster trait, the swirl around the title looks like thread and the haze reminds me of time warping.

      The UK cover does look more paranormal but I guess the girl is supposed to depict a Spinster with the heavy make up look?? The swirl looks like the weave of fabric, so that's kind of fitting.

      Can't wait to see what you think!!

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  3. Great review! I'm glad you liked it. I don't like love triangles either, and I think a lot are only thrown in for the sake of the trend.

    I haven't bought this yet, but I'm definitely going to be buying the US edition. I don't really like seeing the model's full face on a book cover. I'm strangely picky about that XD

    Can't wait to read it myself!

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  4. Ohhhhhhhhhh I need to add this to my list!! I think I like the UK cover better!!

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    1. it's striking. Hope you manage to pick this one up Julie.

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  5. I've definitely heard a lot about this book. Glad to hear you enjoyed it as well!

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    1. thanks for popping in Amy, wish the next book was here already lol

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  6. this sounds truly fascinating and I love that you thought it was so creative!! Makes me want to read it!!

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  7. I am also way over love triangles in YA books well in most books especially when it is obvious who is going to end up with whom. But I do like the concept of this book, it intrigues me.

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    1. Don't worry the uniqueness of this one makes up for any love triangle angst lol

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  8. I definitely choose the US cover-love the colors! I also agree with you about the love triangle-my low tolerance matches yours but this one didn't do much. Can't wait to see what happens next after that killer ending!

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  9. Oh I like the concept of this one. Very different and "the powers that be" always crack me up.. So fickle. Thanks Teddy :)

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    1. I know you're not a huge fan of YA but you'd love the unique concept :)

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