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Coincidences are funny things. It seems like some of my biggest fandoms (for books, tv, and such) all came from a random link on the internet, or maybe a chance conversation with a friend (who I only met out of another coincidence) and that recommendation led to more and more titles and series until I don’t realize that it started from one random encounter or another.

Like another one of my favorite MG titles, The Clockwork Three, LIESL & PO is about a varied cast of characters who have nothing to do with each other, until mishaps and connections make their stories overlap and eventually collide in a series of coincidences that resemble fate. The two stories have lots of similar elements– including that hint of magic that’s mysterious and never explicitly described.

I’ve been reading more and more MG lately because of several reasons; mostly, though, it’s because I usually don’t have to worry about instaluv or other obligatory romantic tropes that get in the way of plot in teen novels, nor the pretentious and boring adult-ness of literary fiction. I sound like such a snob :p. But really, LIESL & PO brings back nothing but warm and fuzzy feelings from the books that got me into reading in the first place. Although it does involve heartwarming orphans and cruel adults, there’s a lot more going for this novel if you don’t write it off because of that.

And just because it’s for younger readers doesn’t mean it’s dumbed down, either. Whenever Po describes the Other Side, including universes and stars bursting and then dying, or being a part of everything all at once, it’s written beautifully. There was another interesting part where Mo, a palace guard, mentions his lost little sister, but when he lets go of one of her possessions early in the story, the narrator states that they won’t mention any more about her too. It’s unexpected but it alleviates the perfect type of story where all the loose ends are tied in a carefree happy ending.

Personal reminiscing aside, this is a lovely, lovely book that has to be appreciated in person. Oliver’s writing is elegant and the third-person narration has a fairy-tale like feel to it. It reminds me of that proper British-English tone you get from reading Harry Potter or Diana Wynne Jones’ stories. I loved that it isn’t just about Liesl, Po and Will– even the maid and the guard, who could be just background characters, get their point of view. There were moments where the characters come so close to getting past the accidental mishaps that set off the plot, and you know they’ll run into another misunderstanding, but just because you can see it coming doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. And the illustrations! They’re perfect. It made this book a joy to read.

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