Robin McKinley is an amazingly versatile writer. Worlds spring from her mind, complete and lush, replete with slang and incredibly human characters that defy stereotypes while still remaining very relatable and vulnerable. Her heroes are shaped by their actions even more than their circumstances, and each new story is an exciting journey waiting to be taken.
McKinley’s newest work, Shadows, opens with the protagonist expressing her dislike for a less-than-common figure in fiction: her stepfather. The story snowballs from there, with Maggie (our heroine) and her friends needing to face truths about themselves and the world around them as they find that not everything is as it seems—or as it should be. In a fascinating blend of magic, mathematics, origami, and interactions with animals, Maggie faces down mounting challenges and has to face things she never wanted to bear. Throughout it all she is brave and relatable, and one finds oneself unable to stop reading for fear of leaving her in a bad spot, as the story carries you all the way to the end.
McKinley’s strengths include writing complex and interesting worlds and very lovable yet flawed people inhabiting them. It’s easy to get immersed in the story and suspend one’s disbelief. The only complaint one could have is that her descriptions of magic, while fascinating, have an element of vagueness that leave one wanting more. If the person doing the magic doesn’t know how or why it works, the person reading the story won’t either, and it leaves one feeling like they’ve only seen the tiniest corner of a tapestry when one wants to see the entire thing. Still, enjoyment of the story is not dependent on one’s understanding of the mechanics of magic, and the book ends on a note that leaves one satisfied yet wanting more. As with all of McKinley’s works, Shadows is highly recommended reading, and is worthy of the space it takes on one’s bookshelf, as one is sure to read it again and again.