Book review - Cuckoo Song

Title: Cuckoo Song
Author: Frances Hardinge
Genre: fantasy
Similar books: The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
                     Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Rating:

surprisingly contemplative

Summary: After her near drowning, Triss feels wrong. There are great gaps in her memory. Her sister is violently suspicious of her. And she is ravenously hungry. Her efforts to figure out exactly what happened to her set her on a quest that will have her questioning everything about herself and will send her across the city for answers.

My opinion: [Mild spoiler alert] I'm a big fan of this trend of viewing mythological creatures through new lenses. Traditionally, stories about changelings have focused on the horror of the family when they discover what is now in their home. One doesn't consider horror on the part of the creature when it learns its true nature and purpose. Unlike this book. Not-Triss is such a desperate creature, wanting love and belonging (though one could say the same of Penny). This book actually turns a pretty focused lens on human nature - stubbornness, false authority, fear, desperation. Being so contemplative, the pacing is rather slow at times. A better choice for fans of tales of faerie than the casual fantasy reader.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.