The strange world of the Libyrarians is now seen through the eyes of Po, a teenage boy who has been brought up in an abusive matriarchal system. The way he interprets relationships is squirm-inducing, but fascinating. Others have varying degrees of understanding how he experiences things while he's trying to break out of conditioning. Meanwhile, there's an adventure - this strange world is winding down and it needs to be saved and we get another glimpse behind the curtain. ( )

I guess when I read Libyrinth I missed something key about Ilysies. I knew it was a matriarchal society, but I failed to notice that men are greatly outnumbered and treated as second class citizens. It is this second class status that has Po all mixed up in The Boy from Ilysies. Not only is he having problems thinking of Princess, I mean, Libyrarian Selene as just one of the girls and no more than anyone else, but he's also having trouble seeing himself as no less than. He's used to serving women like Selene, not working alongside them, and he's used to being emotionally taken care of, in return, by a matriarchal figure. All of this equality has left him feeling very alone and unsupported.

Much of the book is spent on this dilemma. It's interesting and important and turns gender stereotypes on their heads, but it wasn't what I was looking for in a sequel to the action-packed, literature-rich, POC and LGBTQ-featuring Libyrinth. I wanted more action than intrigue, more of Clauda's brashness and less of Po's confusion, more of the books' wisdom and less erections as feelings, more of the look-how-I've-grown Selene and less of the back-to-the-beginning Selene, more Nod(s), more Haly, and for the love, more Clauda AND Selene. When Po finally left on a quest, along with former Censor Siblea, Selene, and a few others, I was so happy. I just wish that moment had come before I was halfway through the book.

But that second half of the book was totally worth it for me. The above group sets out for the former Singer headquarters to look for a tool from the legends of every major cultures' folklore that will hopefully make the land around the libyrinth fertile enough to support the community living there. Of course, when they get there, things do not go as planned, but in the course of the search and the fighting, we find out more about the foundations of the Singers' society. Their (former) reasoning behind the fear and demonization of the written word isn't exactly spelled out, but it makes a lot more sense now. Their still present culture of abuse and neglect of women also butts up against Po's sensibilities in a way that makes him take action rather than wallow in confusion and self-pity. The trip is also filled with danger, suspense, a cute but damaged girl for Po, and a cliff-hanger of an ending. I'm re-sucked in to this trilogy (or series?) an eagerly awaiting the as yet untitled Book 3.

Book source: Philly Free Library

The premise: ganked from BN.com: The magical sequel to Pearl North’s critically acclaimed debut novel, Libyrinth.

On a world light-years away, Earth is long forgotten, except for the knowledge protected in the vast libyrinth. But that knowledge was threatened by the Singers, who for generations beyond remembering have relied on oral storytelling. They sought to destroy the books in the libyrinth, which they thought would--if read--kill the words they sing, and the knowledge in their songs.

Now a Song has created peace between the Singers and the Libyrarians who work in the libyrinth. However, the libyrinth is quickly running out of food, and the survival of the ancient edifice and those who serve it may depend on Po, a young Ilysian who has had trouble adjusting to life at the libyrinth. Caught between his longings for acceptance and the Machiavellian tactics of his queen, Po is tricked into a crime that causes him to be cast out. He may return only if he retrieves a legendary artifact that may be the answer to all of the libyrinth’s problems . . . or could turn the world into a barren, lifeless ruin. For Po, life has finally become exciting . . . but the cost may be his life, and the lives of those he loves.

My Rating

Must Have: based on the structure of the series so far, North's work is reminding me of Megan Whalen Turner's Attolia books, in that so far, each title has a different narrator and a unique feel based on said narrator. Another comparison to Turner is that reading North's series makes you forget you're reading YA, due to the maturity level of the characters and their experiences. This especially holds true for The Boy from Ilysies, which constantly surprised me. As to whether or not you must read Libyrinth before this one, I'll be honest: I think you can read this as a stand alone. BUT!!! I'm anal about chronological order and think you'll get more out of this book if you read Libyrinth first. And if you've already read Libyrinth, now that the structure and style of this sequel is quite different, and I mean that in a good way. I tore through this book in a day and was quite enamored of the story, and I'm not just saying that because I know the author (my track record tends to run the opposite way: if I know the author, I'm harder on the book). This is a wonderfully enjoyable YA series that I can't wait to continue.

Review style: I talk a lot about the progression of the series and how it's structured, as well as North's talent for giving us what appear to be simple situations that bloom into fascinating complexity. I talk about both this book and its predecessor, Libyrinth, but never fear: NO SPOILERS. For the full review, just click the link below to my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome. :)

REVIEW: Pearl North's THE BOY FROM ILYSIES

Happy Reading! ( )