Marshmallow’s reviews – Page 2

Marshmallow reviews Almost Identical: Two-Faced by Lin Oliver

Earlier this year, Marshmallow read and reviewed Almost Identical by Lin Oliver, the first of a series of books recommended to us by one of our readers (thank you again, you-know-who-you-are!). Today she is talking about Two-Faced, the second book of the series, published in 2012.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books about family, friendship, or middle school drama, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Charlie Diamond just got invited to the party of the century but her twin sister Sammie didn’t. Ever since they came to their new middle school, Charlie and Sammie began to grow apart; Charlie was immediately drawn to the popular, rich SF2 group while Sammie found a home with the nerdier, geekier Truth Tellers. The division between the social groups is rather stereotypical except that the two sisters are now on opposite sides. They’ve worked it out pretty well after the first book, but the invite reminds them of this separation again and things start to unravel soon after.

Lauren–the richest, prettiest, and most popular girl in school–is Charlie’s new best friend but can’t bother to study with her for their upcoming history final. Because of her bad grades, Lauren is banned from attending the big party which is the biggest tragedy she’s experienced. As a naturally sympathetic friend, Charlie feels horrible for her and she’s slowly persuaded by her friend group to help Lauren get a good grade through shady means. Charlie is faced with the classic dilemma of sticking with her morals or doing what she knows will get her further acceptance by the popular group.

Sammie is initially blissfully unaware but eventually realizes that Charlie is struggling with this decision. As almost identical twins and tennis partners, they are two halves of the same circle. Keeping secrets creates fractures though and Charlie finds herself in the midst of classic middle school suspense, drama, and excitement while also holding herself to her father’s competitive expectations in tennis.

To get a scholarship for college, she and Sammie need to win; to win her crush’s heart, she needs to not mess up. To not mess up her social life within the popular circle, she needs to keep secrets. But, as one expects, keeping secrets is never a good idea and the web of lies eventually untangles before her. Luckily, her sister and friends are there for her! Still, there are some things that friendship and family can not fix and Charlie learns far more about life than she first expected when she received that initial party invite that started it all.

Marshmallow is reading Almost Identical: Two-Faced by Lin Oliver. — Marshmallow is reading *Almost Identical: Two-Faced* by Lin Oliver.

Marshmallow’s Review: I found it interesting that the book started off rather classically with a cliche “should I do something bad to become popular?” dilemma but transformed into a more unique story. I was surprised that the ending was not very simple. I expected there would be a sudden happy ending and, even though it seemed for a while that there was a set-up for that, things ended well but in a realistic way.

I found it interesting that the people in the book were not walking stereotypes without dimension; both jocks and nerds are presented with more depth and character. I applaud the author for adding good characters in both social circles. I liked how Sammie also kept Charlie grounded when the richer kids began rubbing off on her and giving her a skewed sense of perspective. I think the author also did a good job of establishing that all of the characters are flawed but fundamentally good people, something most coming-of-age stories do not always accomplish; often, individuals are representative of one specific trait that is either positive or negative and that is the extent of character development.

I will say that I was a little disappointed that justice was carried out unfairly (I can’t say much more without spoiling) and that the book ended with an ambiguous message. The moral of the story kind of implies that it is okay to break rules and go against what you know is right as long as the people you do it for are still nice to you after. I think it is important for young bunnies to learn that you should have boundaries you set for yourself that you will not cross for any relationship, regardless of how much you care about the other individual. I understand that circumstances influence decision but this book does (SPOILER) kind of let Lauren get away scot-free with cheating on a history test while Charlie ends up being punished by the school.

Academic violations are not a joke and the fact that the book kind of glosses over the fact that Lauren and Charlie stay good friends without Lauren ever owning up to her own guilt allows that unhealthy relationship dynamic to remain. Charlie ends up being prosecuted by the school (luckily not expelled at least) while Lauren just says sorry to her privately and gives her gifts as an apology. She is sweet but that doesn’t mean that it is okay for her to keep quiet and let Charlie take all the blame, especially since the reason why Lauren cheated was because she was too lazy to actually study herself.

I’ve written about this a lot because I do not think this was a very good handling of the situation because ultimately Lauren chooses herself and Charlie stays loyal to her, reinforcing a hierarchical dynamic that might reflect their respective economic positions (Charlie’s father works for the sports club owned by Lauren’s parents). It might be a realistic situation but I think it should be highlighted by parents giving or teachers assigning this book to young readers. I found that aspect to be unsatisfactory. Charlie doesn’t end up getting most of what she wants except for a sweet romantic moment; one should interpret this as a warning but this once again reinforces the idea that it is okay to succumb to peer pressure because–hey, you might get in big time trouble and almost get yourself and your sister kicked out of school but–you will eventually get the guy!

Charlie is content at the end of the book even though the book does do a good job detailing the repercussions of her actions. I think this contradiction is worth thinking deeper about. This is overall a very good book. I think there are just some mixed messages on the surface that should be looked at closer to see the fuller message: you can make a mistake and still be happy but you will still lose some of the things you want.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 95%.

Marshmallow rates Almost Identical: Two-Faced by Lin Oliver 95%. — Marshmallow rates *Almost Identical: Two-Faced* by Lin Oliver 95%.

Marshmallow reviews From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari by Rashmila Shakya

Today Marshmallow reviews From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari, written by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry) and published in 2005.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books that reveal unique and fascinating cultures through an up-close, never-seen-before lens, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): In her first year of preschool, Rashmila was selected to become the Kumari of her Nepali valley. Essentially, this means that she became a living goddess. Since ancient times, her people have selected a new young girl to hold this position after the previous one ages out. After passing tests that checked whether her horoscopes aligned well with the current kings, Rashmila was determined to have the “32 perfections” in a physical examination; she remains committed to the exam’s innocence and maintains that there was no personal violation.

Rashmila was confirmed as the Royal Kumari at age four and sent away from her family to live in Kumari Che, the palace dedicated to the child embodying the goddess. There she lived for eight years as a literal deity, waited on almost constantly with carers and playmates who always obeyed her every whim. She woke up early every day to play with her dolls and often performed duties at festivals. She was never allowed to touch the bare ground; whenever there was anywhere to go, she was either carried by men, brought by carriage or palanquin, or a white cloth was laid before her if she had to walk a couple steps. Back at the palace, she received visitors both foreign and domestic. As she was a deity of children, mothers would often visit her with their own children and pray for healing. And she would heal them.

It is truly fascinating to hear a former Kumari – a former child deity – reveal what it was like to be a goddess, from what she remembers. This tradition is ingrained in her culture and she truly believes / ed herself to be a deity who healed illness and channelled the soul of her land.

Her term ended when she turned twelve though. She was brought back to her real family home, but felt out of place. Though her own autonomy was limited at Kumari Che, she was loved and loved it there. So coming back to a life where she must walk on her own, eat at a table with others, and pull her own weight was a bit of a difficult transition. Rashmila admits that she did not react in a very admirable way. But it is necessary to give her some grace since she spent most of her life (at that point) living as a literal goddess.

The rest of the book covers Rashmila’s experiences as she becomes a mere mortal and discovers that life for former deities does exist if you are surrounded by a loving family and driven by the desire to make something more of yourself.

Marshmallow is reading From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry). — Marshmallow is reading *From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari* by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry).

Marshmallow’s Review: From Goddess to Mortal is such a fascinating book! I had not heard of the Nepali tradition of the Kumari until Sprinkles read this book and recommended I read it too. Learning about this Nepali way of life and just the culture, peoples, and traditions there in general was amazing. I would highly recommend it to all because so many distinct and wonderful things are going up in those mountains that many of us have never heard of. Reading is a perfect way to discover more about the worlds in our world that we’ve never seen or experienced.

The book is written rather simplistically (sometimes the wording is a teensy bit clunky but it is a translation, making this an overly critical comment) so it is definitely accessible to everyone. There are eight chapters and one can read it in nicely sized chunks if one wants.

I think any curious-minded individual would love From Goddess to Mortal. It is interesting from an anthropological sense as well as a psychological sense too. Reading about Rashmila’s transformation and evolution as a person is fascinating. She is sometimes very insufferable to her genetic family early on, but you have to really think about things in context because of how different her life is and was from every other human or bunny to ever exist. Her experiences are truly unique and I do not think there are really many others who have lived what she has besides other former Kumari. This is just really fascinating to me and I am sure it will equally fascinate and educate others who pick up this book!

Marshmallow’s Rating: 96%.

Marshmallow rates From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry) 96%. — Marshmallow rates *From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari* by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry) 96%.

Marshmallow reviews If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura

Today Marshmallow reviews If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura, originally published in Japanese in 2012; the English translation that Marshmallow read, by Eric Selland, is dated 2019.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books that make you truly think about life or if you just like cats, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): The narrator is never named in this book, but we know that he lives in a small town in rural Japan and that he works as a mailman. He tells you in the first page everything you need to know about him to understand how the story starts. After being diagnosed with a Stage 4 brain tumor, he is informed by his doctor that he has – at most – six months to live. He imagines responding in outrageous ways (running out of the office, screaming his head off, etc), but ends up thinking immediately about very superficial things: he was only one stamp away from getting a free massage at the local spa, he stocked up on too much toilet paper, he shouldn’t have bought so much laundry detergent last time. He leaves in somewhat of a stupor, his emotions rather suspended for a man who just received a death sentence. While he waits at the train station, he hears a small band singing a song about living in the moment and silently scoffs at their cliched idiocy. When the train takes too long, he decides to walk home instead and makes it to his door. Unfortunately, the reality of his situation sets in right as he stands in the doorway of his small, modest house and he collapses from overwhelm.

When he wakes up, he is met by his doppelganger who somehow appeared in his home. It / He introduces itself / himself as the “angel of death” or, his more widely known name, the Devil. The narrator is not impressed by his apparel. After all, he expected the Devil himself to be more intimidating; rather, he is the narrator’s twin in physical appearance but with a horrific fashion sense. Dressed in bright Hawaiian t-shirts that the narrator strongly disapproves of, the Devil gives the dying man an offer. If the narrator agrees, the Devil will make one thing disappear from the world forever each day the man’s life is extended. It’s a rather simple deal. But, obviously, there is a catch–otherwise there would be no plot. The Devil gets to choose the object that will vanish and the object (and every object like it in existence in the world) will be erased and no one will ever remember it existed at all. Only the narrator will know.

Initially, the narrator is hesitant to agree, but the Devil reveals to him that he is set to die tomorrow. He is thus forced to decide today. With the inevitability of death staring him in the face (physically and temporally), only inches away, the man agrees.

The Devil’s first choice is the phone. He allows the narrator one last phone call before they disappear and so he calls a mystery someone to meet with them tomorrow one last time. The man wakes up the next day, alive and breathing, to a world without cellphones. At first, this is not a horrible horrible change. Everyone is reading or talking on the train when they used to just stare at screens the whole ride. His meeting with a mystery someone goes somewhat well, but but his past mistakes are slowly revealed. He’s lived a simple life but relationships are rather complex regardless. His family gently broke apart until – after his mother’s death – he stopped speaking to his father entirely. He and his girlfriend similarly separated after another tragedy, exposing a pattern of poor communication.

With each day, he gains new understanding of what his life was like and what it could have been. Of course, with each added day, he also loses something. The world loses telephones completely, movies, clocks… Each day, the narrator has to grapple with the fact that he is sacrificing something that belongs to everyone to save himself. He is forced to weigh his worth and the worth of a single life and how it compares with objects no one notices until they’re gone.

Marshmallow is reading If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura. — Marshmallow is reading *If Cats Disappeared from the World* by Genki Kawamura.

Marshmallow’s Review: If Cats Disappeared from the World is such a good book that is so truly simple. I will admit, the premise might feel a little cliche at the start. There have been a lot of books, movies, and thought experiments throughout human history centered on a character who is given an unavoidable death sentence. The journey of facing and having to accept one’s mortality is a naturally fascinating thing to mortal beings. But, while this book has a rather simple premise, it still makes you think in ways you might not expect. The plot is based on a much calmer and more common scenario than most books about mortality (e.g. often the characters live in mythical lands and face death on a day-to-day basis on their swashbuckling adventures). Here, the character is a more ordinary person than most, living in a quiet town in rural Japan where everything he has done is pretty much normal. But I think the frank simplicity and the seeming normal-ness of the setting serve to make this an even more potent experience.

I think reading If Cats Disappeared from the World is somewhat like meditating. It takes the most simple things and makes you re-examine them through the eyes of a dying man, enlightening you with a greater appreciation of the quieter, lesser seen parts of life. The writing is very clear throughout the entire book and only what is necessary is included. I read the translated version of this book (the original is in Japanese) so I cannot really speak to what it would have been like in the original language. However, the book’s simple nature of overwhelming the reader through highlighting the underwhelming was very impressive.

Each chapter represents another day and is labeled with the day of the week and a related title. It helps keep things in order and makes the plot make sense. This is a very not complicated book to read so I think anyone can easily read and understand it. I think it might be worth reading it slower though so each day sinks in a little more and you have time to interpret everything and think about how it relates or applies to your own life. It can also just be read in a day as it is less than 170 pages. But I think, just like the simple things mentioned in this book, this simple book matters more than one might think and it can and should completely change your perspective on life.

I think this book has truly made me value my relationships and the simple beauties in life on a level I did not before. I think reading books that make you think deeper and feel more grateful truly increases the quality of your life. Because, while you never know how long it will be, you can determine how rich your life is by how much you appreciate it and every moment, every breath, and every memory.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 1,000%.

Marshmallow rates If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura 1,000%. — Marshmallow rates *If Cats Disappeared from the World* by Genki Kawamura 1,000%.

Marshmallow reviews Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon

The book bunnies are back! Today in her first review after summer break, Marshmallow is writing about Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon, a book published originally in 2000. The book bunnies first discovered a translation of the book and had to dig up the English original, but it was worth it!

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like reading books about the environment or kids with a surprisingly good sense of humor, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Elmo Blue is not very pleased with his family – and for reasons that go beyond his unfortunate name (his words, not mine). His mother specifically is the main issue; Grace Blue is one of the leading members of the Keep Our Planet Green group in Campton, a small town in England. She and the other Greeners (as Elmo calls them) do horrifically embarrassing things, at least in his perspective. For example, she drives a milk float instead of a car.

Meanwhile, the Blues’ fancy neighbors Mr. and Ms. Bamber drive around in a Porsche all day. Mr. Bamber is a wealthy landowner and developer who is essentially his mother’s arch nemesis. He plans on converting a large swathe of beautiful land in the neighborhood into a resort / golf course. As an environmentalist who had handcuffed herself to stop bulldozers from destroying nature, Grace views her neighbors as disgusting devils; in Elmo’s eyes, they are admirable. At least their house is clean, tidy, and orderly in his eyes. Naively, he believes that Mr. Bamber is an honorable businessman who is far more respectable than his own messy family.

So, in summary, Elmo couldn’t really care less about his mother’s petition problems and her struggle to get the city council to stop Mr. Bamber’s development plans. After all, she barely registers that he wants attention after falling off the roof. For context, he fell off while trying to spy on the Bambers’ new adopted son (who Elmo views as a perfect candidate for a new best friend). Miraculously, he isn’t a teensy bit hurt. Grace is too busy to pay attention though.

After returning to his room, Elmo finds the new adopted child sitting at his desk. The child turns out to be a very tall, intimidating girl named Kuba who claims to be an angel. She does have a faint blue halo but Elmo refuses to buy unscientifically-backed claims. But the evidence piles up eventually. Kuba is an undercover angel in Campton, come to help Grace and the Greeners stop Mr. Bamber. The only catch is that she is not allowed to be involved in anything, meaning Elmo has to do something. He doesn’t want to, but there’s not much you can do when an undercover angel tells you to save the environment.

Marshmallow is reading Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon. — Marshmallow is reading *Undercover Angel* by Dyan Sheldon.

Marshmallow’s Review: Undercover Angel is a very niche-like book but it is also extremely funny. I was very surprised by how witty this book is. Elmo is a twelve year old but the story is still amusing if you are older. His journey from aspiring Warren Buffet to cautious environmental activist is fascinating to watch, even if his transformation is not complete at the end of the book. It does end with hints that the story continues (and apparently there is a second book with Elmo and Kuba in it), but it is still a satisfying ending.

Undercover Angel is very quick to read – only around 137 pages with large font – and very entertaining so it’s a great choice for kids or teenagers who are interested in the environment but still looking for something lighthearted. Most books about environmental issues are a lot heavier so this is a great option to introduce those larger concepts to younger audiences. I think this would be particularly perfect for elementary school students in a classroom or bedtime setting.

Undercover Angel is written in British English so some of the words may require a quick search; context also matters (for example, mentions to the IRA and SAS may be unfamiliar for bunnies of different nationalities). But these side references are not at all substantial. They are occasional and raise brief questions you may or may not investigate into (reading books that make you have to look something up is a bit more work but is more rewarding because you receive more than just a narrative; you also learn little pieces of information you wouldn’t have otherwise).

The message overall is clearly globally relevant. While Undercover Angel is set in a small town surrounded by woods and lakes, the message of environmental protection applies to all people – whether nature looks the same or strikingly different in your community. I really liked how this book also focused on environmental action within a local circle. I truly enjoy books that look at larger scale action, but it is refreshing to see what environmentalism can look like in a sense you can directly, easily imagine.

While there are some references to a God, it is not really specified which God it is and the topic of religion is not really mentioned. Yet, one of the main characters being an angel adds a different dimension to the narrative that was interesting to me. Generally, books about environmental protection are more focused on nature itself, scientific fact, and tangible action. Much of this book is focused on the people wreaking havoc, the families trying to stop it, and the strange and mystical ways their undercover angel directs action.

I was a bit surprised that very little of the book focused on time spent in nature itself. This is a result, I suppose, of the main character’s resistance to environmentalism as a whole. It is interesting to see how even reluctant Elmo begins to recognize the importance of environmental protection at the end. As such, Undercover Angel can be a great story for parents or teachers looking to introduce or explore environmentalism with their children. It definitely has some examples of the stereotypical environmentalist (the mom is basically a walking stereotype), but, with thought, care, and an open mind, this book is the perfect book to make classroom and bedtime reading more eco-friendly!

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Undercover Angel* by Dyan Sheldon 100%.