Destiny is usually just around the corner.

The Shadow of the Wind follows a young boy as his father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books where he is instructed to select one book and become it's caretaker. Nice hook, right? The boy becomes obsessed with the book's author and decides to unravel the mystery surrounding his life. Commence epic story of love and loss and friendship and war, etc.

I liked this book but didn't love it like I had hoped to given that fantastoc start. The story is well told and the descriptions are well done. I just found the twists pretty guessable and some of the narrative devises were far too easy. The one part that I did adore is the character of Fermin whose a skinny man with a ghastly past. He's Lascivious and full of bravado and the best friend anyone could want. Reading about him was worth all of it.

All in all I give this book a 6.

Destiny is usually just around the corner. Like a thief, a hooker, or a lottery vendor: its three most common personifications. But what destiny does not do is home visits. You have to go for it yourself.
- Fermin