Chime

A lovely, dark read with an amazing writing style. I love the Victorian feel of the world, I love the subtle horror and I love how Billingsley's created one of the most unique character voices I've ever seen with Briony. Still a favourite five years after I first picked it up.

My daughter had already read this book and loved it so wanted to own it so she could read it again. Good seller as well.

Chime is a unique read with a fairytale like quality that will leave your mind reeling – in a good way :) With a fresh voice, and interesting plotline, it’s safe to say that I enjoyed this book immensely!Seventeen year old Briony Larkin has a deadly secret, one that if revealed, will have her sent straight to the noose. She’s a witch! She sees what others don’t, can do things no others can, and since childhood, she has been inexplicably drawn to the swamp that borders her town.But when a man arrives from the city, claiming his intentions to drain the swamp (long known among the locals for its mysterious and dangerous powers), Briony knows she can’t let this happen. Because as the swamp begins to drain, old memories resurface and suddenly, Briony just might remember what really happened the night her step-mother died…First of all I have to mention how great the opening line of this book is. It really drew me and I only wish that all first lines could be so good. However, unfortunately for me, after that I found the book really hard to get into. The style of writing is like nothing that I have ever seen before and is a little strange. Especially at first, as the story is told mostly through Briony’s thoughts, which can read a little random and disjointed at times.However after some perseverance, I reached chapter twelve where I finally began to stop noticing the odd way of writing and actually started to enjoy the story. From here the reader can begin to appreciate the subtle plots and intrigues the story has. For example the romance between her and Eldric is sweet, yet it is not told like your typical love story. For example Briony is an person who defines people into two categories, she either hates them, or she tolerates them. She doesn’t hate Eldric, therefore she tolerates him… and eventually attraction and romance slowly follow.Also while the book is filled with lots of randomness, I really enjoyed its ending as finally some (but not all) things began to make sense. Therefore overall it’s probably the most unique book I’ve ever read and I would recommend it to anyway who wants a story that blurs all the rules and margins of YA fiction and leaves them pondering what’s next?Overall I would say that Franny Billingsley is definitely an author to watch out for as she will turn your world upside down! A fun, crazy and exceedingly interesting book! 4 stars!

Chime is a story of in-betweens. It is set in an in-between time - where folklore and modern technology still coexist. And it has in-between characters - who discuss Freud's theories of the mind and modern engineering while still keeping a wary eye out for the Old Ones who walk the land. I loved this blend of ideas and it gives Chime a unique feel in the YA genre.There have been some beautiful book covers released so far this year and for me Chime's must be near the top of the list. The shades of brown used bring to mind the swamp that plays such a large part in the story and reminded me of old sepia-toned photographs. The roots and grasses are further reminders of the swamp and I love how some appear like gnarled hands - a visual reference to the folklore of Chime. The model was well chosen and her serious gaze holds your attention. My compliments to the design team at Bloomsbury for a striking cover.Franny Billingsley is an immensely talented author. Chime is set in the early nineteen-hundreds and Billingsley has successfully incorporated phrasings and rhythms of speech that are appropriate to the era without making the book difficult to read. It feels as though you have been transported back in time to enjoy a contemporary story. Billingsley's descriptions are delicious - she places you firmly in the story and once inside there is no way you want to leave.Chime's plot is, on the surface, not particularly complicated. But it's the subtle layers of story that slowly shift and realign to form new ideas that make this a book worth reading.Briony is a complex character. She has an older person's world-weary view of life that is in direct and sharp contrast with her twin, Rose's, more innocent outlook. Billingsley has given us identical twins who are almost polar opposites in temperament and beliefs. But she uses this inner difference between Rose and Briony to great effect - they emphasise and highlight particular elements of each other's personality. Briony's relationship with the swamp and the Old Ones who live there is an important part of the book and at times the swamp seems to be a character itself. Eldric is an excellent match for Briony in both looks and temperament and the relationship and growing romance between them felt right.Chime is filled with old-world charm and will win Franny Billingsley hordes of devoted fans. Count me in.

Briony deserves to be hanged. Or so she desperately believes.Following the sudden death of her beloved stepmother, Briony and her mentally disturbed sister, Rose, find themselves under the scrutiny of the villagers in the Swampsea. But Briony has a secret. She is a witch, forbidden to go into the swamps she loves so much.When young Eldric moves into her home, she finds herself with a new friend and secret keeper. Can Briony keep her powers at bay, or will they lead to her demise?Franny Billingsley provides readers with an enchanting story of a young witch struggling to come to terms with her powers. While at times the plot line can be confusing, fans of paranormal and fantasy novels will consider CHIME a treasure.Reviewed by: Monica Sheffo