Kadomi reviewed Face Like Glass by Frances Hardinge
Review of 'Face Like Glass' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This book floored me a bit because I thought it was YA fantasy that I accidentally left on my to-read pile. But it addresses a younger audience and yet manages to be really engaging if you're an adult.
Our setting is the city of Caverna, a giant underground city full of crafters who make True Delicacies like cheeses that give you visions, or wines that make you lose your memory. One day one of the cheesemakers finds a 5-year old girl in a vat of cheese and decides to raise her, covering her face with a mask because she has a special condition. The population of Caverna only have a limited amount of expressions on their faces which they have to learn from Facesmiths, but the girl Neverfell has a face like glass, they say because you can read her every emotion from her face.
One day it is found …
This book floored me a bit because I thought it was YA fantasy that I accidentally left on my to-read pile. But it addresses a younger audience and yet manages to be really engaging if you're an adult.
Our setting is the city of Caverna, a giant underground city full of crafters who make True Delicacies like cheeses that give you visions, or wines that make you lose your memory. One day one of the cheesemakers finds a 5-year old girl in a vat of cheese and decides to raise her, covering her face with a mask because she has a special condition. The population of Caverna only have a limited amount of expressions on their faces which they have to learn from Facesmiths, but the girl Neverfell has a face like glass, they say because you can read her every emotion from her face.
One day it is found out that the cheesemaker is hiding her away and Neverfell manages to get swept up in court intrigue as ward of the Wildersin family, famous winemakers.
I really enjoyed this book and definitely want to read more by the author now. Caverna and the whole setting was incredibly creative. The story was pretty dark at times, and full of political intrigue, all the good stuff. Highly recommend!