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Yesterwary
We fall for neighbors, strangers, celebrities, and gods, but we rarely consider the consequences of being so careless with our own hearts.
To Demi Harper, the thought of running out of love is nothing more than another of her sister's cautionary tales, told to protect her from heartache. But the loss of the one person in the world who loves her in return proves that it may not be so ridiculous a thought, after all.
A gasp, a pain, and a foreboding silence within her chest leads Demi to a strange, dark place outside of possibility and time. Beyond the domain of happiness and love, Yesterwary is filled only with the reminders of all that is left behind by those who give their hearts to those who do not want them.
To Demi Harper, the thought of running out of love is nothing more than another of her sister's cautionary tales, told to protect her from heartache. But the loss of the one person in the world who loves her in return proves that it may not be so ridiculous a thought, after all.
A gasp, a pain, and a foreboding silence within her chest leads Demi to a strange, dark place outside of possibility and time. Beyond the domain of happiness and love, Yesterwary is filled only with the reminders of all that is left behind by those who give their hearts to those who do not want them.
Unknown Binding
First published April 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2015
“Yesterway,” the newest book my novelist Styna Lane, is a tough one to review. Described as a ‘dark, urban fantasy’ by the other herself, I found the book to be much more, and less, than that.
I’ll start with this: Lane is a bold writer. Her prosaic style is at once both hypnotic and jarring. Her propensities for explicit descriptions of the ornate settings that accompany the land of Yesterwary itself are haunting and beautiful. She takes that extra step in visualizing for the reader a world that is unlike any other, but concurrently not so unlike the urban jungle we navigate each day of our existence.
The idea of love as a finite source alone is one that could erupt in hours and hours of passionate conversation and discourse. After all, the study of the notion of love has been the basis for much literature since words could be captured on a surface. Lane’s theory of a limited love encompasses the book itself that sees the protagonist, Demi Harper, and her plight and personal journey. Demi, much like the main characters in the teen fiction that is so popular today, is scrappy and smart. She openly questions advice given by elders as shown through her disbelief of her own sister’s warnings. This is why when Demi ventures, albeit unwillingly, to the land of Yesterwary, where she has a very difficult time in reconciling her presence in a world where happiness simply does not exist. Instead, the land itself is filled with constant intimations of fallen hopes, hence the book’s subtitle.
I’ll start with this: Lane is a bold writer. Her prosaic style is at once both hypnotic and jarring. Her propensities for explicit descriptions of the ornate settings that accompany the land of Yesterwary itself are haunting and beautiful. She takes that extra step in visualizing for the reader a world that is unlike any other, but concurrently not so unlike the urban jungle we navigate each day of our existence.
The idea of love as a finite source alone is one that could erupt in hours and hours of passionate conversation and discourse. After all, the study of the notion of love has been the basis for much literature since words could be captured on a surface. Lane’s theory of a limited love encompasses the book itself that sees the protagonist, Demi Harper, and her plight and personal journey. Demi, much like the main characters in the teen fiction that is so popular today, is scrappy and smart. She openly questions advice given by elders as shown through her disbelief of her own sister’s warnings. This is why when Demi ventures, albeit unwillingly, to the land of Yesterwary, where she has a very difficult time in reconciling her presence in a world where happiness simply does not exist. Instead, the land itself is filled with constant intimations of fallen hopes, hence the book’s subtitle.
May 13, 2015
With the genre being dark fantasy, quite honestly I wasn't sure what to expect. With my own bias and cynicism, I immediately had to not force myself to think that there was going to the sweeping and grand happy ending, where the characters are all exuberant and all is well for everyone involved. The setting as you may imagine is the titular city of Yesterwary, a place where reality and imagination collide in often surprising and rather dark ways, which adds to the overall presentation of the novel itself as the atmosphere almost leaps off the pages at you.
The two protagonists, Demi (who quite honestly has been mistreated and is way more optimistic and accepting than you would think given her circumstances), and Bastian (her guide who introduces who to the world, and the person who becomes her anchor in a city which kills any hope from its citizens) compliment each other well as characters. With Demi being the upbeat and optimistic variety and Bastian being more dark and having an edge to him, they both had distinct personalities which contributed to both the dialogue as well as slowly fleshed out the narrative and expounded upon why the main characters were in the predicament they found themselves in.
There are also minor characters who help with the characterization of not only the main protagonists, but the setting as a whole with their own back stories and reasons for being there. Some of them are rather tragic, and yet contain a piece of information that most people choose to forget regardless of whether or not it applies to the real world, the internet, et cetera and that is that we never know what brought another person to where they are at any given point, unless they actually open up and tell us of that journey themselves.
The story isn't as dark as I initially thought it would be, and it does have a romantic subplot to it which was handled well considering the limitations of the mythos behind the story. From the first page, the book hits the ground running with a prologue or interlude piece that fleshes out one of the side characters and explains what happens to them, which leads to the events within the main portion of the narrative. There are three such interludes which are all well written and go into further detail about a few of the key sub-characters and it sheds light upon who they were, but also the effect they had on the world around them, while dealing with the oppressive burden being in a place that none of them want to be stuck in.
All in all, Yesterwary is a wonderful read that on the surface may seem at first glance to be just a cliche dark fantasy/romance novel, and yet it has a charm and appeal all its own that for the entirety of the book sucks the reader in and refuses to let them go. It's both well written and well thought out, with exciting characters who just aren't filler, an oppressive city that seems to drain the life out of those living there due to the hopelessness of them just trying to get by, and two main characters who are for better or worse attempting to survive in a place not of their own making, but which has become their undeniable reality.
The two protagonists, Demi (who quite honestly has been mistreated and is way more optimistic and accepting than you would think given her circumstances), and Bastian (her guide who introduces who to the world, and the person who becomes her anchor in a city which kills any hope from its citizens) compliment each other well as characters. With Demi being the upbeat and optimistic variety and Bastian being more dark and having an edge to him, they both had distinct personalities which contributed to both the dialogue as well as slowly fleshed out the narrative and expounded upon why the main characters were in the predicament they found themselves in.
There are also minor characters who help with the characterization of not only the main protagonists, but the setting as a whole with their own back stories and reasons for being there. Some of them are rather tragic, and yet contain a piece of information that most people choose to forget regardless of whether or not it applies to the real world, the internet, et cetera and that is that we never know what brought another person to where they are at any given point, unless they actually open up and tell us of that journey themselves.
The story isn't as dark as I initially thought it would be, and it does have a romantic subplot to it which was handled well considering the limitations of the mythos behind the story. From the first page, the book hits the ground running with a prologue or interlude piece that fleshes out one of the side characters and explains what happens to them, which leads to the events within the main portion of the narrative. There are three such interludes which are all well written and go into further detail about a few of the key sub-characters and it sheds light upon who they were, but also the effect they had on the world around them, while dealing with the oppressive burden being in a place that none of them want to be stuck in.
All in all, Yesterwary is a wonderful read that on the surface may seem at first glance to be just a cliche dark fantasy/romance novel, and yet it has a charm and appeal all its own that for the entirety of the book sucks the reader in and refuses to let them go. It's both well written and well thought out, with exciting characters who just aren't filler, an oppressive city that seems to drain the life out of those living there due to the hopelessness of them just trying to get by, and two main characters who are for better or worse attempting to survive in a place not of their own making, but which has become their undeniable reality.
January 20, 2018
Styna, Yesterwary made me a bit sad. I don't think you meant for me to learn a lesson that I needed to learn quite this way, but I'll share:
I am a DV survivor. What I took from this book is that when you give the best of yourself, all of yourself, surrender all of your hopes and dreams to someone else, and change the best part of yourself to make you what they want you to be...you become a hollow and useless doll-like figure, that can't see beyond the next step to take. Thankfully, I took the next step 11 years ago and left that life. But I am not totally healed. Not mentally, not emotionally, and certainly not physically.
Yesterwary is a cautionary tale for young and old alike. It reminds us to keep that spark that belongs to us alone. We belong to ourselves, and though we may also give of ourselves to another, it should be a mutual relationship and agreement. Love, given to another and received from another only makes us stronger. For real love allows us to be ourselves and not give what makes us, us away.
I am a DV survivor. What I took from this book is that when you give the best of yourself, all of yourself, surrender all of your hopes and dreams to someone else, and change the best part of yourself to make you what they want you to be...you become a hollow and useless doll-like figure, that can't see beyond the next step to take. Thankfully, I took the next step 11 years ago and left that life. But I am not totally healed. Not mentally, not emotionally, and certainly not physically.
Yesterwary is a cautionary tale for young and old alike. It reminds us to keep that spark that belongs to us alone. We belong to ourselves, and though we may also give of ourselves to another, it should be a mutual relationship and agreement. Love, given to another and received from another only makes us stronger. For real love allows us to be ourselves and not give what makes us, us away.
June 5, 2017
This book transported me immediately! What an intriguing, amazing journey. I am an avid reader and Yesterwary just moved into my top 3 favorite books. One of the few books that I will read again! Expand your mind and read this wonderfully written book!!
June 4, 2015
I really liked this book. If London Below and heartache had a baby, it would be Yesterwary.
June 27, 2015
Amazing read
Love the characters and the story line. It leaves you wanting to know more. So many ways can you relate to the story line in your own life.
Love the characters and the story line. It leaves you wanting to know more. So many ways can you relate to the story line in your own life.
July 5, 2016
I will be posting a much longer, better review in my blog soon- however I feel the need to get my feelings down right as I set down this book.
I am mainly a thriller and contemporary reader, however the premise of this novel really peaked my interest. the entire theme of love and guarding our hearts was BEAUTIFUL. Don't get me wrong, this novel is DARK in the most perfect kinda way. I absolutely CANNOT wait for Book 2. :)
I am mainly a thriller and contemporary reader, however the premise of this novel really peaked my interest. the entire theme of love and guarding our hearts was BEAUTIFUL. Don't get me wrong, this novel is DARK in the most perfect kinda way. I absolutely CANNOT wait for Book 2. :)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews