Book Review- Another Faust

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish - only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city’s most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor’s extraordinary “gifts.” 

But as the students claw their way up - reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty - the side-effects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most 
unforgivable sins. 

At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption. 

This book was really interesting. Its basically a book where the characters literally sold their souls to the devil. And the devil here preys on your biggest desire.


 Each teen in this story struggles with something and wants something above all else. And that desire is something they're willing to do whatever it takes to achieve. 
Belle wants to be the most beautiful girl in the world and loved. She goes so far as to completely change her looks. But it comes with a price, the more beautiful she is, the worse she smells. 
Her twin sister, Bice who wants to be alone and study learn all the languages she can. Her gift is that she can stop time. 
Then there's Victoria, the girl who wants to be the smartest and most talented of them all. Then there's Christian who wants to be the most athletic (he changed his mind at the last minute but there was no backing out as he already made his deal with the Governess), and then there's finally Valentin who's a gifted poet who can rewrite life to his advantage. 


The main characters I felt were very well done. They were my favorite part. They each had their faults and their wants. And the authors (brother and sister no less) did a wonderful job showing how far the characters were willing to go to achieve their goals. I must say though, that even they were well done, I didn't like any of them except for Bice, Christian, and sometimes Valentin. But although the main characters were well done, the other minor characters weren't very well developed. Sure they were good, but they didn't see totally realistic. 


Anyways, the beginning was very good. It showed part of the reasons behind the character's motives. And it showed how the devil likes to prey on innocent minds, just when you least expect it and when you're the most willing to make deals. I loved the flashbacks, they showed how Madame Vileroy preys on everyone. 


The story itself is kinda confusing at times and very creepy. Its also a dark book and doesn't have a lot of humor. It has some light spots, but for the most part, its a book that makes you think. It was very well written, although a little too dark for me. According to my cousin, Faust, is actually an old German legend. But I forgot what he said it was about. 


The biggest complain I have about this book was that the ending isn't very solid. Although it was a fantastic ending in that its open for interpretation and thinking, it doesn't really answer a lot of your questions. Bice, the most interesting character in my opinion, ends up revealing something I totally wasn't expecting. And that's why I think she never got a large role in the story, because in the end, she's the one who has the largest role. 


Will I read the other books? If I can find them at the library I might. I don't think I'd buy them though. There's a lot of great books out there that I've read, although most I'd rather find them at my library then buy them. 


On Goodreads: Another Faust
Website: Daniel & Dina Nayeri


Sincerely,
Sareh