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Fantasy. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: A devilish debut by a brother-sister team invites us into the world of the elite Marlowe School, where some gifted students are having a hell of a year. (Age 14 and up) One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish ā?? only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city's most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor's extraordinary "gifts." But as the students claw their way up ā?? reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty ā?? they start to suffer the sideeffects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins. At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redempt… (more)
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Daniel and Dina Nayeri employed a technique I like at the beginning of their chapters. Each chapter started with either a flashback to an earlier bargain, or something relevant to the characters' past. Occasionally, they used a passage from poetry or other books, but often the cryptic hints Madam Vileroy gives are explained here.
The five children make a deal with the devil, and bear a mark for their sin. Victoria wishes to succeed in academics, and every other arena, Belle wants to be beautiful, Christian the best athlete, and the other two deals I'll leave you to discover on their own. All of them lose something in the exchange, but they gain powers, as well. Victoria has the ability to "cheat," read someone's mind, which helps her on tests. Christian can "steal" the athletic ability of those he plays with or against, and Valentin can avoid social awkwardness by rewinding time until he avoids whatever outcome he's seen.
Characterization was strong for some of the characters, but not all. The motivations behind their actions were very realistic, though sometimes, it was unclear what the intent was. Valentin's motivations were unclear at one point where he rewinds time over and over again to get the right situation to occur. When Madam Vileroy finds he's caused someone joy rather than pain, he tries to hide his memento from the event, making you wonder if he is quite the depraved character he's painted as. Later events make this doubtful.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys darker stories, stories with high stakes, and of course anyone who likes Faust.
While researching this review, I discovered they've written a sequel, called Another Pan. I will be checking that out!
I loved the idea of this book. The premise was fantastic - kids selling their souls to the devil in exchange
I will admit though, that the story had a great ending and the last 100 or so pages were real page-turners. Another Faust is a dark, thought-provoking novel that requires the reader's full attention - but sadly, it just never caught mine.
This is one of those deal with the devil kind of stories but one thing I did like was that typically, the person who sold their soul gets the reward now and suffers later but here, the children got both at once. Belle was beautiful but she had a horrible odor that pushed everyone away from her- admired from afar but never close. Vileroy truly was a master at tricks and she pitted the children together in the most subtle of ways where the reader only knew because of their omniscient perspective- if it weren't for that, I assume many facets of the story would have remained in the dark.
Even with the all knowing aspect, there were still plenty of things that didn't unfold until the very end, particularly everything related to Bice. Her story was the most well done in my opinion and the final explanation for everything with her was the most put together out of all of them. The relationships and personalities of the different children as well as they way they interacted with the world were intriguing for me but this book didn't completely take me by storm and make me want to keep reading till I finished- it didn't hold my attention enough.
The ending left me feeling iffy- I completely adored the closing line and thought it was fantastic and tied everything up but at the same time, I felt like there was a sense of things left undone. It was far from a happily ever after and truly bittersweet which made me adore it more but it was the last line that did hold it all together for me.
To the outside world, Madame Vileroy is a selfless governess raising five adopted teenagers. Behind closed doors, Vileroy was the one to recognize their greed and to grant them the things they so desired in exchange for their souls. Their special abilities are what they always wished for, but come with just enough imperfections to keep them wanting more. Belle has the beauty that turns heads, but her smell of "vomit and honeysuckle" has people running for the door. Victoria reads minds to get ahead, but her ambition leaves her with no friends and pushes her to grovel for Vileroy's attention. Valentin is a brilliant poet and can rewind time over and over again until he's pleased with the outcome of a situation. However, he is always searching for a way to perfect his ability and is left with thousands of replayed possibilities that plague his thoughts. Christian is a master sportsman and can absorb anyone's energy with a single touch, but he struggles with using his gift and knows that he's competing unfairly. And Bice is the quiet outcast, the girl who speaks dozens of languages and yet hides in the shadows, too scared to speak to anyone.
As the teens cheat, steal and paw their way through Marlowe, Vileroy schemes to fuel their greed and to turn them against each other. She plays on their insecurities and cons them into giving up yet another piece of their humanity. As the story progresses, some teens question their gifts and yearn for real human connections, while others drive blindly towards more power.
Written by a brother and sister team, Daniel and Dina Nayeri, Another Faust is a modern take on the old German legend of a man who trades his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge. Another Faust spins an addictive tale of backstabbing, covetousness and pure evil, and adds layers upon layers of details to each character and his or her gift. We see the full spectrum of the teenagers' abilities, the effect of their tricks on others and the frequent backfiring of their actions.
The novel does lack in some aspects: there is a lot of build-up to certain revelations, which are hastily glossed over; the secrets revealed at the end are given little attention and would have better served if they were at least hinted at throughout the novel. However, the novel's faults are quickly forgotten as it comes to a dramatic, hold-on-to-your-seats type of finale that will make for some excellent scenes if Another Faust is ever made into a movie.
As the title reveals,
In one night, five children from different places in Europe disappears from their home, without anybody noticing and no one to miss them. A few years later they show up as siblings, starting at the elite school Marlowe High in Manhattan, New York. All five of them are a little bit smarter, a little bit better, stronger and more beautiful than the rest of the school. Each of them equipped with a special gift, given by their beautiful, but strange governess Madame Vileroy.
In the true Faustian spirit, the children made a deal with the devil, giving up the life they knew to reach the top. But in the end, are they willing to pay what it costs? Are they willing to betray, cheat and ruin lives to get what they want? If they get the chance to undo their deal, would they grasp the opportunity? One thing is certain, it is impossible to get it all.
As a person who have never read Faust, and probably never will due to my total lack of interest in reading plays, it was still a great opportunity to supplement the book and read secondhand information about Goethe and Faust. I learned a lot that I did not already know, and the book can therefore be looked upon as an eye opener for me. The book was dark, creepy and filled with unattractive characters. I did have sympathy with a few of the characters and I therefore read the ending with a hint of sadness. But I guess the ending was difficult to avoid, how can an ending be all happy, when you started off by selling your soul to the devil?
For starters, I almost giggled with glee and
The plot was very well done and got me turning the pages. Fast. Yet I have to admit I hesitated in the first few chapters. The descriptions of the school and the teens in it almost made me want to drop the book because I didnāt feel like reading anything that resorted to name brand listing or how expensive everything is. Almost. It was that little blip that nearly got me to drop this book. What kept me reading? It was Victoria. She really carried my interest throughout the book.
As for the other characters, I also liked the twins, Bella and Bice. They both were so different, yet they complimented each other well. Iām glad the authors didnāt use the good twin/evil twin cliche thatās been overdone in many other books out there. I also like Biceās gift. It was the most interesting and unique one out of all of the characters. Each of them had their own little āgiftā yet it was Biceās that really stood out. Of all the characters, I really didnāt like Valentin. What a spoiled selfish baby he was. Arg.
As for the ending of this book, it was left very wide open and Iām wondering if thereās going to be sequel. It certainly would be interesting if there is going to be one. Iād really like to know the outcome of these characters. I actually did not want this book to end. I was enjoying it way too much.
Overall, a wonderful twist on Goetheās Faust. Iāll be looking forward to Another Pan when it comes out (which may be a twist to Peter Pan? Iām not sure) I do recommend this book to other YA readers who want a change in their characters. Hooray for evil deeds!
Madame Vileroy's character proved to be the most mysterious character - I watched as she baited each teen with gifts and stories of glamour and fame, but never knew who exactly she was. Witch? Fallen angel? Devil in disguise? Not sure, but I do know that she is definitely up to no good. What is the purpose of entrapping 5 teens and unleashing them unto Manhattan Marlowe School? Where does she come from?
Evil doesn't always look like evil, but once you realize who is evil in this book, they remain so. And they are really evil. I mean, these kids have traded their souls to the devil for beauty, fame, power, and wealth. The devil is their nanny. Living in high society New York, they call her their governess. Throughout the book, the teens are all doing their governess's bidding as she plans to bring powerful people into her grip through them. It never really becomes clear what the devil's big plan is, though it is clear that the plan is well thought out and complicated. Her plan is kind of abandoned as the teens break rank and try to regain their souls.
Even with some confusing moments and more than a few loose ends, I felt that this book ended in a satisfying way. I was completely sucked in to the story and glazed over the gaps and holes while reading. I would imagine that many others will do the same.
When I first heard about this book, I was really interested in the concept of updating the Faust story for a modern teen audience. However, once I got started with Another Faust, I found that this book wasn't exactly what I was expecting. While it included plenty of intelligent, dark mystery and commentary, it seemed a little few and far between -not to mention the fact that the plot didn't really seem to have much of a shape or direction for nearly the first 300 pages...making the book incredibly confusing -so much so that I almost put it down. But something about the characters kept me intrigued. All of the children in this novel are just so different from most YA characters out there and they had strong character flaws that made them feel more real as well as make them more interesting. I became so pulled into the lives of Victoria, Belle and Bice that I kept reading purely on the need to know what would happen to them.
Once the story started to sort itself out, it really took off. I couldn't put the book down and kept flipping pages up until the end. From what I've heard, this is the first book in a new series, and while rough around the edges, it showed great potential in future installments.
Reviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews
One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish - only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the
But as the students claw their way up - reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty - the side-effects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most
unforgivable sins.
At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary re-imaging of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption (Synopsis provided by goodreads.com)
This is a debut novel, however Daniel Nayeri has another book that is out (Another Pan).Which I would love to read Another Pan later this year.
I have always enjoyed books written by a team of authors, I think it adds something to the story. This is a brother sister team. I really enjoyed this book. I has so much fun while I was reading, it is however a very dark book. The teens in this book will do anything to get ahead and to be the best. Along with being a dark book, this is also a suspenseful edge-of-your-seat read.
All of the teens in this book are struggling with the repercussions you could say of their wish. Vileroy, (The governess that grants the wishes) does all she can to make the teens want more and more. Throughout the book we see what the power does to them, some want more and more and will do whatever it takes to get more, others however begin to rethink things.
There are some parts of this book that I wish had been expanded on, however the character development and the dialogue are spot on. This is a very entertaining read.
Over all rating
**** 4 out of 5 stars
Cover art:
I like the cover art, it has a dark vibe.
Obtained:
Thank you to Heather from Candlewick press for the copy for review.
There were too many characters to keep up with, and the plot was so slow paced for me that eventually I changed the setting on my iPod to play it faster just so the story would move a little quicker. It didn't actually help.
These gifts allow the kids to excel in the area for which they ultimately sold their soul. There are manipulations and deceit throughout the story and these machinations do tend to get a bit tedious and slow the story considerably.
Outside of the length of this story, I did enjoy the premise and most of the characters. Those that really embraced their deal were shallow and not really fleshed out. Those that were able to get out of their deal were more realistic and fully realized characters.
There are two more books in this series and they are based on different storiesā¦I plan to read them to see how the Peter Pan and Jeckyl/Hyde stories play out.
Quick & Dirty: A paranormal twist on teen drama with a hard look at societal pressure, popularity, and coercion that leaves you questioning, how far would you go if you could to get what you want?
Opening Sentence: Victoria didnāt have time to play.
The
The premise of Another Faust somewhat assumes that the reader is familiar with the story of the Faust myth, and is still an excellent read without that familiarity, creating a curiosity to learn more just to understand Another Faust better. There were plenty of paranormal elements to make this book just creepy enough, but not scary. It is obvious that the authors, Daniel and Dina Nayeri, are extremely well-read, which is good and bad. On one hand, references throughout the book add layers to the story, but on the other hand, anyone less well-read constantly has a nagging feeling that they are missing out on something, almost like a private joke.
The big questions about self in this book are what really stay with the reader and keep us connected, rather than the characters. What would be worth selling your soul for? Many would think there is nothing that would be worth it, but as we look deep into that selfish part of ourselves we could probably all find something. And thatās where, even the characters that do not end up āselling their soulsā in this book still end up selling a part of themselves with the right coercion. Basically Madame Vileroy creates a āperfectā abusive relationship, in which she magnifies her adopted childrenās faults to a point where they feel so trapped in the lies that they live that they will do almost anything to keep living those lies. It become clear that what they are really searching for is acceptance, however, their selfishness is exactly what keeps them from achieving that, and Madame Vileroy of course knows that and uses it for all itās worth.
Ideally, with five main characters, the reader would relate to one of them more than the others, and in my opinion, the main flaw of this book is that the teenage characters are too exaggerated to be as real or relatable as they need to be to make the reader really care what happens to them. Given Christianās background as stated at the beginning, and his character throughout the book, most readers are probably most sympathetic to him, but still donāt develop much closeness to him beyond that. The other characters are so incredibly selfish that they kind of deserve what they get along the way. It is also somewhat odd that the book begins when these five characters are ten years old, rather than as actual teenagers, as if ten was some magical age of accountability.
Another point made throughout the story is the prospect of what selling your soul entails. It is apparently not just a one time act but a state of selfish addiction and greed, almost impossible to overcome. Perhaps the most interesting character is Madame Vileroy herself, she remains a mystery throughout the book, even to the end. Her mystery is accentuated by a short flashback at the beginning of each chapter that gives just enough of a snippet to be barely informational but mostly intriguing. She is just an older, more practiced version of the children, and she seems to have everything figured out, however, like most people who think they know everything, she doesnāt. Her motives are somewhat confusing at times.
As the first book in a series, I would rate this personally as my second favorite of the series. It is creative, new, and well-thought out, but needed more character development and more excitement. Maybe a little more romance to spice it up, or maybe more physical danger. The teenage drama, even with a great twist, was just a little bland. This was not a difficult read, or boring by any means, but it could have been better, especially given the originality of the plot base.
Notable Scene:
āThis is my job. To watch over you.ā Madame Vileroy whispered. āSee whoās coming?ā
Victoria noticed Lucy and her mother, each carrying trays full of Magnolia cupcakes.
āDonāt worry. I know about her campaign.ā
Madame Vileroy rolled her eyes, a move that was disconcerting to Victoria, who couldnāt help but gaze into the governessās strange left eye. āYes, the election. But you canāt think of a single fun thing to do besides? With all that information?ā
āWhat do you mean?ā asked Victoria.
āYou watched her for four hours last night.ā
Victoria waited.
āWhereās the clever Victoria I used to know?ā Vileroy goaded. āThe girl that used to be my most talented, the one that could always give us a good laugh.ā
Victoria picked up her pace and approached Lucy and her mother.
āHi, Mrs. Spencer. How are you?ā Victoria said with concern. āIām so sorry to hear about the divorce settlement.ā
FTC Advisory: Candlewick Press provided me with a copy of Another Faust. No goody bags, sponsorships, āmaterial connections,ā or bribes were exchanged for my review.
I found the parts regarding the governesses life at the beginning of each chapter and occasionally tucked into a chapter, very interesting. The authors had her interacting with famous figures and learning how futures can be affected. I also really liked all of the interesting ideas regarding language. While this book is probably not for everyone (the ending is a little ambiguous and I know some people really hate that) if you do choose to read it there is definitely a little be careful what you wish for going on that should have close attention paid to.
I found the parts regarding the governesses life at the beginning of each chapter and occasionally tucked into a chapter, very interesting. The authors had her interacting with famous figures and learning how futures can be affected. I also really liked all of the interesting ideas regarding language. While this book is probably not for everyone (the ending is a little ambiguous and I know some people really hate that) if you do choose to read it there is definitely a little be careful what you wish for going on that should have close attention paid to.
I found the parts regarding the governesses life at the beginning of each chapter and occasionally tucked into a chapter, very interesting. The authors had her interacting with famous figures and learning how futures can be affected. I also really liked all of the interesting ideas regarding language. While this book is probably not for everyone (the ending is a little ambiguous and I know some people really hate that) if you do choose to read it there is definitely a little be careful what you wish for going on that should have close attention paid to.
I found the parts regarding the governesses life at the beginning of each chapter and occasionally tucked into a chapter, very interesting. The authors had her interacting with famous figures and learning how futures can be affected. I also really liked all of the interesting ideas regarding language. While this book is probably not for everyone (the ending is a little ambiguous and I know some people really hate that) if you do choose to read it there is definitely a little be careful what you wish for going on that should have close attention paid to.