Book Review | Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House
Publication Date: August 30th, 2016
Is it a series?: No. It is standalone.
Source: Own. Paperback.
Pages: 401
Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy

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Summary

Alice Alexis Queensmeadow 12 rates three things most important: Mother, who wouldn’t miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. Father disappeared from Ferenwood with only a ruler, almost three years ago. But she will have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. Her only companion is Oliver whose own magic is based in lies and deceit. Alice must first find herself—and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss.

The Story 

She is 12 years old girl who has been living her own life not attending school because something happened which Alice rather not going to school at all. After her father disappeared, Alice is really looking forward to the day when she turns 12 years old for an event called 'Surrender' where all kids who turn 12 were there to shows their magical talents to determine what are their tasks need to be done. Thus, Alice is waiting for that day but eventually, she failed and she decided to follow Oliver to find her father to a place called Furthermore. Furthermore is a magical place yet dangerous full of mystery which even people of Ferenwood aren't dared to go to that place.

However, Alice is excited not only to find her father but she is going for adventure to a new place she never thought she would be at an unknown place also she doesn't know a thing about it and the most tiring, scariest yet kind of wonderful are waiting for them to discover together.

The Characters

Alice - I was kind of annoyed with her at first because well, she is a stubborn, annoying and thought she knows everything when she's not. But through the journey with Alice, I kind of understand why is she behave like that and how she fascinate even tiny little things around her. The most likable about Alice is - she is super confident - with every step she takes and action she makes. She indeed makes a wise decision though her friend, Oliver has done awful things to her, she still chooses to rescue him and not leave him behind. In conclusion, I love Alice.

Oliver - Oh God! Compared to Alice, Oliver is the most bothersome character, for me. It's like, can't you just be frank with her and clearly explain to her about the place they are heading to? But that's the whole point, isn't it? He has been leaving Alice in the dark, let her think what she wants to think, manipulate in trying to make her follow him to Furthermore. After waiting for almost half of the book, I am finally connected with Oliver's character but still doesn't change my perception of him. Lol

The Plot and The Writing

Tahereh Mafi's a talented writer. Her writing is VERY APPEALING! I love how Furthermore is being narrated rather than POV. It feels so close to us like somebody telling us a story - "Now, while our young Alice is asleep, let us make quick work of important details. Because of that, I have been taking my time to immerse with the story. 

Throughout the novel, I was so excited waiting to discover more about Furthermore and I can't wait where they going be at next and what will hold them in the next place they visit. Everything in this novel is magically attractive. I just do not want it to stop. I need more. Please, let me join the adventure to a magical place with the characters. The adventure is absolutely fascinating.

Furthermore is something you should not expect anything since everything is dark, dangerous and very much twisting our mind and heart. 

All in all, I am definitely enjoying my time reading Furthermore. Tahereh Mafi's has written an absolutely amazing job that has craves for more from this novel. I need more and I want more. It's will be great if there is a sequel to Furthermore though the ending is quite rushing, I still love Furthermore, nonetheless.