Review: Fly By Night

          I’m going to take a moment to review one of my favorite books. It's nothing recent, in fact it has been out for some time.... but it is 100% quality. 

          It is the kind of book I want to sing the praises of on the roof tops and plug to every person I know. It’s called Fly By Night, and it is by a woman named Francis Hardinge. It is about a young girl named Mosca who lives in a Victorian-inspired world where books and reading have been banned. Mosca is one of the few people who can read, but that is a dangerous skill to have. 

When she runs away from her cruel uncle, she meets the wordy con man, Eponymous Clint, and gets wrapped up in a very different world and has many adventures.

          There is also a cantankerous goose named Saracen, so you know it is going to be a fun ride. 

          Hardinge is an author who deserves a lot more recognition. Her writing is wonderfully whimsical, the wordplay out of this world, and extremely funny to boot. Reading this book is a great pleasure not only for the unique characters and interesting premise, but for the fact that every page is steeped in the most colorful, witty language I have read in a long time. 

        The story is a good old fashioned rollicking adventure, but it remains clever and multi-faceted, throughout. The world is whimsical but well built. This is a book that, for me, is an essential in any good personal library. 

        So do yourself a favor. Next time you are longing for a entertaining, smart, all around delightful read, go find Fly By Night. Go on. I'm waiting... 

~Tessa