3.4 out of 4 stars.
This score is a total rating based on what I believe to be the TWO books I read within Fates and Furies. It was as if from part one to part two I got turned upside down. I will go further to say that one of the books was horrendous but the second novel was spellbinding. How is this possible!? Also, an interesting question to think about that I had pop into my mind when finishing; is it better to have a great beginning or a better ending? In this case, I just wish both were good!
The not so great part of the book features Lotto and Mathilde falling in love. I couldn’t figure out which one of them that I could not stand. I find out later it is Lotto. They are about 22 years of age when they lock eyes at a party and are married 2 weeks later. They are the envy of all their friends for what seems like their ability to figure out what life is all about. They are good-looking, tall, creative, and madly connected to one another. It doesn’t matter that neither have a financial income, family ties, or a care to eat nutritious food. They make it work by sex, their addictive personalities, parties, and their apartment in New York City that sometimes has electricity. Off the bat, this book starts with nothing I can relate to. They are living their lives on a whim that I find not exhilarating but actually terrifying. However, as mentioned earlier, I realized it is not their love that I am bothered by. In fact, I admire it. 22 years of age and that sure of something or anything for that matter? Bravo! I couldn’t even decide what shoes to wear when I was 22. No their fondness isn’t what itched me but rather Lotto’s smug, melodramatic, and narcotic attitude that is repeated over and over in the first million chapters. I feel as though it is the Lotto show and I just want to get out. Which brought me to Mathilde in the marriage. If I am feeling like it is the Lotto television series than obviously I don’t agree with her either. Speak up! Have a brain! He isn’t even saying anything of value to you!
As you can tell I passionately was involved in their relationship so much and I don’t know how that happened because it was the last thing I wanted to be. The reason for this is because of Groff’s incredible writing. She got to the reader the exact way she wanted to. Here was a couple that everyone was looking at as the cat’s meow but really no one knows what is deep within. As the back of the book says, “there are two sides to every coin”. Indeed, I learned that was true while reading this. I am sure that having seen them at a party I would want to be their friend because I am only seeing it as surface level. Two beautiful people smiling, laughing, and charming. However, after seeing them under the layers – no thank you! Groff’s writing was so good it made me feel emotions (although bad) that is better than not feeling anything while reading a novel. Don’t you agree?
Unfortunately, I can’t go into too much detail about the second part of this book since it would give everything away. Although, I can say that it definitely makes up for the first part. I promise. It is action packed and really makes you feel like you are sane again by realizing everything you were bothered about from the beginning. It reminded me of a Gillian Flynn book toward the end which is my favorite. Muhaha! Of course, there are going to be people out there that read this review and say, “Ok so you want me to read 200 pages just so I can start to get to the good stuff?” Yes, I do. The reason for that is because I really think it is like the log ride at an amusement park. The more you are going up, up, and up with all your anger – you might as well feel the reward on the way down to figure out WHY this is happening.
If all else fails – this was President Obama’s favorite book of 2015 so that has to count for something.
To change things up here is a picture of Sparky (Sadie was playing in the snow)
