Inanimate Objects, by Kendra Saunders--A Review

Kendra is the author of Inanimate Objects, a magic realism novel, and has been published in Premier Bride Magazine, Snakeskin Magazine and Steampunk Magazine. She hosts the quirky literary podcast 13 1/2 Minutes and is a convention reporter and regular guest blogger at Pure Textuality. She won Honorable Mention in the Writer's Digest Book Awards and is marketing coordinator for YA publishing company Spencer Hill Press.


Oh yay! You have no idea how excited I am to be reviewing Kendra's book, Inanimate Objects. Yes, you already know that she and I are friends, so I'm sure you're thinking that my review will then be very biased. And you would be right. I'm usually a LOT harder on my friends than I am on people I don't know. Why? Probably because I feel I can be a lot more honest with my friends than with strangers. Also, I tend to believe our friends SHOULD be more critical (nice, helpful critical) because they should always want to help us improve.

So let's take a look at it!

Summary from Goodreads:

Inanimate Objects is a dark and glittering novel of artists and magicians, muses and immortals. At the heart of the story is Leonidas Bondi, a charismatic young artist who falls under the watchful gaze of Matilda August. Matilda has been a patron to the stars for hundreds of years, but this fickle muse is more than a little taken with her new protégé, blurring her own lines of work and obsession. Providing opposition is Matilda’s son, Elisha, a moody figure who holds revenge above all else after he suffers a terrible wrong.

There aren't many books I've read lately that have made me go, "Wow. That character really reminds me of someone I know" or "Boy I REALLY wish I knew someone like that." This book does all that and more.

There are several POV characters, but my two favorites are Elisha August and Leonidas Bondi. And just looking at those names, you can probably get a glimpse of the flavor of the novel. It's very dark and romantic, speckled here and there with gold sparklies and very matter-of-fact magic.

I love how Leo is not your typical male MC. He's flashy and dark at the same time. He loves his makeup and fancy clothes, parties and champagne, but at the same time, his art and poetry will rip your heart out with their sorrow.

And Elisha. Ah, poor Elisha. You just want to give the guy a hug the whole time. Something horrible has happened in his past and he spends the novel plotting his revenge, but you know deep down that even if he succeeds, he's never going to be happy again. And I wanted him to be happy so badly!!!

As far as the writing goes, it's amazing. It's very Neil Gaiman-esque. The settings are beautiful, the people practically pop to life right off the page, and the concept is brilliant. There need to be more stories like this one.

Inanimate Objects absolutely deserves 5 stars. It is by far one of my favorite novels. 

If you haven't had a chance to buy a copy yet, I leave you with these links for your purchasing convenience. Do it. It is such a good deal and you will NOT be sorry.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Enjoy!