The Book of Days

K.A. Barker

Tuesday is 16, but she doesn’t remember any of her life so far. She’s been forgotten for 10 years, and the person who comes to find her isn’t all she expected. Not that she could expect much, since she can’t remember anything of what she is.

Tuesday, in her own silly way, is endearing. It’s fascinating to imagine what a person with no memories would be like. At the same time, her stubborness is really frustrating. Why can’t she take advice for once? Even once the reader knows who she is, we aren’t any more enlightened to her stupidity.

There are so many unnecessary deaths and destructions. Indeed, with the very limited little bit of landscape and people that we see, it feels like the whole world is destroyed. I didn’t see one piece of kindness outside Tuesday and her friends, and her friends weren’t even really her friends until near the end.

I would have loved to have seen more of Madam Marisol. It felt like she had an even bigger part to play. Although her dream-tea makes the narrative move forward, I could see other ways in which the author had done it.

I didn’t really see the ending coming. Well, some of it I did, with death and all. But the rest? Well, it made sense, but also, it was a little confusing with the forgetting and all. There were many questions left unanswered for me. And in a way, I hope there is another book. I found that I wanted Tuesday to do more. I don’t care about promises! Look at the heap the world is in! It’s not going to change by itself!

This novel is said to be something entirely new in the world of fantasy, but for me, it wasn’t exactly. I could see similarities with a number of other novels I have read. For instance, Garth Nix’s ‘Mister Monday’ rang all kinds of bells, including the ship, and of course, the days of the week. For some reason, Jasper Fford’s novels also came to mind. And some… hmm, other novels in the steam-punk genre.

Do I regret using my time to read this novel? Not in any way. I did enjoy it while I was reading it, and teens will no doubt love this novel. Highly recommended for lovers of Garth Nix.

This copy was sent to me for review, but my opinions as always are my own and are not influenced in any way.