A Face Like Glass
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / General
4
(331)
Frances Hardinge
An amnesiac girl explores an enchanting underground world filled with sinister secrets in this YA fantasy from the award-winning author of The Lie Tree. In the underground city of Caverna, the world’s most skilled craftspeople toil in the darkness to create delicacies beyond compare—wines that remove memories, cheeses that make you hallucinate, and perfumes that convince you to trust the wearer, even as he slits your throat. On the surface, the people of Caverna seem ordinary, except for one thing: their faces are as blank as untouched snow. Expressions must be learned, and only the famous Facesmiths can teach a person to express (or fake) joy, despair, or fear—at a steep price. Into this dark and distrustful world comes Neverfell, a girl with no memory of her past and a face so terrifying to those around her that she must always wear a mask. Neverfell’s expressions are as varied and dynamic as those of the most skilled Facesmiths, except hers are entirely genuine. And that makes her very dangerous indeed . . .Praise for A Face Like Glass An ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book “Hardinge is at the top of her game with this entrancing and action-packed adventure. Her voluptuous prose is full of sensory details and wildly imaginative descriptions, yet the world-building is controlled and gradually revealed. . . . VERDICT A compelling and triumphant follow-up to The Lie Tree for those who love to become immersed in a good story.” —School Library Journal, starred review “Using beautiful prose, Hardinge builds a richly imagined world that twists as much as the carefully orchestrated plot. Readers will eagerly follow noble Neverfell through its tunnels, marveling at the extraordinary sights and catching their breath at her daring escapades.” ―Booklist, starred review “Hardinge excels at wordplay and worldbuilding; witty but not trite, her utterly original setting and chaotic, fidgety protagonist anchor a cracking good story that raises important ideas surrounding the nature of friendship, the value of honesty, and the danger of too much.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
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More Details:
Author
Frances Hardinge
Pages
497
Publisher
Abrams
Published Date
2017-05-09
ISBN
1683350782 9781683350781
Community ReviewsSee all
"Pretty good but there were some parts that were hard to interpret"
Tammy
"I'm not sure who the target audience for this is, but I adore this book. I'm 21 now, but I would have loved this as a kid as well. I found this book at an overstock store. There was this huge stack of them, so I wasn't too sure it'd be any good. It was only $0.99 though so there's no way I could pass it up. I didn't read the description or anything. I just had a gut feeling. How so many ended up there is a wonder to me. First off, the world building is so well done with intricate detail. It's all underground and there are a lot of imitations of above ground scenes that are so creatively and beautifully written. It really feels like you're there. The main character is very interesting as well. And just the way he writes things is gorgeous and really just draws you in. The plot and the characters are all very unique and memorable. And even with all the detail and word painting the author does, it's not excessive or overwhelming. Instead of dragging you away in rapids you can't keep up with, you flow steadily with the writing. It's very easy to read without lacking anything. It's rare for me to find an author who relies so much on detailing all the senses. Touch, smell, sight, hearing, taste. And it makes you able to imagine it yourself. My only advice when you read this book is to have food on standby. I would highly recommend cheese, fruit, wine (or sparkling juice if you can't have alcohol), nuts or meat (or both), and possibly a bit of chocolate or something sweet to go with this book. If you're anything like me, there are several parts that will make you hungry and you are going to end up craving the foods that are described. Amazing book. One of the best I've ever read."
Rin Aster
"This book drew me in from the start and kept me engaged the whole time; such a great read."
Rachel Franco
"Wow. For my first dip into YA in ages, it sure packed a hell of a punch. <br/><br/>If anyone needs a lesson in world building, consult Hardinge. I’d love to see the documents that literally and figuratively mapped out Caverna. <br/><br/>It’s also a great example of an author’s dedication to their craft and particularly exemplary for YA and fiction in general. In the acknowledgements, Hardinge lets us know that she took cheesemaking courses and visited caves to lend authenticity to the story she created! I’m in awe of her artistry."
K R
Kayla Randolph
"Gorgeously written details and unusual plot is sure to leave you wanting more!"
E B
Elianna Burnim
"@ley_ley This is the first book I read by him, but I LOVED this novel. The writing style is enticing, and the characters are solid. I intend to read more of this authors work, especially if their writing style is the same between novels."
Alyssa Dowding
