Review: Stork by Wendy Delsol

Title: Stork
Author: Wendy Delsol
Series: Stork Trilogy
Publisher: Candlewick
Publication Date: 12th October 2010

Thanks to International Book Tours for letting me read this book



Synopsis: From Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

Review:
Lovely fresh idea interwoven with stunning Nors mythology. Although the outline to the mythological stories are given, it does help to have a basic knowledge of these stories to add depth to the plot.

Told in first person narrative from Katla perspective. I thought she started off being a bit of a 'brat' but as the story unfolds we gain perspective as to why she is behaving in such a manner. Her characters really does develop right through the plot, gaining self knowledge and respect for the past while taking things in her stride. Portrayed as visually dramatic with her almost white blond hair, she is striking within the imagination.

Richly descriptive right from the very beginning; if a book can make you literally scratch your head within the first pages, you start to wonder where it is going to take you from there.

I adored the writing style, it is exactly the sort of thing that goes on in my head, especially the wonderful use of metaphors. Random plot threads are placed throughout, to be picked out and added together. Family and friendship dynamics from the past intertwined with those of the present added another layer to the plot. I found that as I was thinking a question regarding the plot, it would not be much further into the narrative that I found the answer, terrific for impatient, questioning minds like mine.

All the characters were well-rounded, separate individual personalities that complement each other beautifully. Balancing the plot and adding depth/dimension.

A terrific modern fairytale. I am so glad it is a trilogy.