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The Choir Boats (Longing for Yount #1)

by Daniel A. Rabuzzi (Goodreads Author), Deborah A. Mills (Illustrator)

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 55 ratings · 20 reviews

What would you give to make good on the sins of yourpast? For merchant Barnabas McDoon, the answer is: everything. When emissariesfrom a world called Yount offer Barnabas a chance to redeem himself, he acceptstheir price to voyage to Yount with the key that only he can use tounlock the door to their prison. But bleak forces seek to stop him: Yount'sjailer, a once-human wiz...more

Paperback, 406 pages

Published September 1st 2009 by Chizine Publications

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Aug 16, 2011 Alyssa Archambo rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

With a mixture of epic fantasy and steampunk, this story is unique and enjoyable. There are prophecies, quests, adventures, along with magic that is run by mathematical equations and science. This is exactly the sort of story I love. The world Rabuzzi creates in The Choir Boats is fascinating. I love Yount, its customs, and its history. My only complaint is that I didn't see enough of this new world.

There are definitely a lot of twists and turns throughout this story, which I greatly enjoyed. Th...more With a mixture of epic fantasy and steampunk, this story is unique and enjoyable. There are prophecies, quests, adventures, along with magic that is run by mathematical equations and science. This is exactly the sort of story I love. The world Rabuzzi creates in The Choir Boats is fascinating. I love Yount, its customs, and its history. My only complaint is that I didn't see enough of this new world.

There are definitely a lot of twists and turns throughout this story, which I greatly enjoyed. The lines are blurred between who is "good" and who is "bad," which always makes for a fun read. There are references to quite a few literary works, which amused me. (For example, at one point, it is mentioned a Miss Bennett is staying with her Uncle Gardiner.) There is also a lot of history, folklore, and descriptions of different countries. Rabuzzi really tries to pack everything in, and does so fairly successfully, I think.

While the story is engaging, the writing held me back from enjoying this as much as I could have. Because most of the plot points, descriptions, and explanations are revealed through dialogue, I felt that this story was shallow. Not enough detail is given and not enough time is spent on the important things. Also, I wasn't able to form a connection with the characters, because all I get from them is dialogue. I was never able to observe them, judge their actions, and relate to their emotions.

Another thing that bothered me was the advanced vocabulary. This is supposed to be a children's book, and while I don't usually complain about giving children a challenge, there are a lot of difficult, advanced words thrown in. I think this was an attempt to provide some vocabulary words for children, but there were far too many and it affected the smoothness of the story.

I do think that the writing gets significantly better at the end. Sally, who felt more like a nine-year-old at the beginning rather than a girl in her late teens, grows up and I start to like her quite a bit more. The story starts coming together and things finally start happening. Unfortunately, the book ends before we can get any more good stuff, and we have to wait for the sequel to get more.

This is a story that children can really dive into and love. While I do think The Choir Boats had the potential to be better, it is still a fun, worthwhile read and I am definitely planning to read the sequel.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog, Reader's Refuge.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 07, 2011 Ursula Pflug rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-ve-reviewed

My review of this book appeared in The New York Review of Science Fiction in November 2010.

The Choir Boats
by Daniel A. Rabuzzi
Chizine Publications
$18.95 Trade Paperback
408 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0-9809410-7-4

Review by Ursula Pflug
1110 words

The saga begins as wealthy London merchant Barnabas McDoon receives a mysterious box which contains a book, a letter and a key. The writer of the letter urges Barnabas to come to a coffeehouse in Wapping. It is hinted that if he chooses to go to a magical country...more

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May 12, 2011 Ranting Dragon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: caleigh

http://www.rantingdragon.com/the-choi...

The Choir Boats starts off Daniel A. Rabuzzi’s Longing for Yount, a new pre-steampunk fantasy series for young adults. Set in London, 1812, this novel follows the adventures of merchant Barnabas McDoon, his nephew Tom and niece Sally, and, far, far away, a mathematical genius named Maggie who recently escaped from slavery. The adventure begins when Barnabas receives in the post a key, a book, and an invitation to “find his heart’s desire” – which he immedi...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Lianne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, fantasy, first-reads, young-adult

The Choir Boats is an interesting and ambitious first novel in Daniel A. Rabuzzi's series. The author brings early nineteenth century European society to life and introduces a unique but complex world with Yount. Although the setting was very interesting, I did find myself having difficult fully immersing myself and engaging with the story which is strange because the novel has all of the elements that would grab my attention: adventure, a detailed presentation of early nineteenth century Europe...more

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Aug 20, 2009 Liviu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009_release_read, review_fbc, genre-fantasy, read_2009, t2_recommended_2009, series_dropped

Very entertaining, well written and with superb characters and lots of inventiveness including made up words that sound just right however convoluted and interior illustrations that are beautiful.

The novel starts in London 1812 and has a somewhat archaic and leisurely style with lots of references to people like "Lucky Jack Aubrey", "Horatio Hornblower" (and several other HH characters - after all we are in the Napoleonic wars period though they do not impinge directly on the story so far), tho...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Choir Boats was both a challenging and highly pleasurable read for me. I have little experience in this genre of writing so I felt like I was cutting my teeth on a very densely plotted tangible/intangible world by an extremely articulate and keen-minded author.

I would highly recommend this book for readers interested in fantasy and who appreciate detail for historical and literary nods and references. So much was beyond my scope of knowledge but the telling and imagination of this story is...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Lorina Stephens rated it 4 of 5 stars

If you're an impatient person, don't read this book. If you don't love literature, especially classical literature, don't read this book. If you don't have a sense of humour, most definitely do not read this book.

If, however, like me you enjoy a brain-teaser, a poke at literary figures, a story that is complex, and a writer who is not afraid to cross boundaries and genres, then by all means treat yourself and cuddle up with The Choir Boats by Daniel A. Rabuzzi.

This story is set in a quasi-Napol...more

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Sep 09, 2011 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sf-fantasy

Historical fantasy, set in 1812-14 in London and in another land connected to our world through partly physical and partly mystical gates that require sailing far to the south to reach. The language has a sort of Austen/Dickens flavor, with lots of unusual words (and maybe coinages) and strange names---reminded me of D.M. Cornish's MONSTER BLOOD TATTOO books, with a Jack Vance flavor in there too. Many of the characters have complex pasts and capabilities too.

The writing is mannered enough to b...more

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Mar 10, 2010 John Onoda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Above average fantasy with a steampunkish sort of vibe. A strong basic narrative hook about a Scottish merchant receiving a mysterious key and going on a quest to an uknown land to find "his heart's desire." Of course, bad guys appear almost immediately, even before he sets sail, and there is a lot of cat and mouse engagement that gradually builds to a war.

One aspect I especially like is that the person identified as the Bad Guy is given a lot of dimension and nuance, to the point where you're n...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Helen rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who are sick of standard contemporary YA

Shelves: train-read, other-fantasy, historical, ya-of-note

The Choir Boats is an excellent example of great but flawed book.

I was taken aback when I saw this novel classified as YA. It feels nothing like modern YA. I was reminded of Verne when I was reading it. It's not exactly copying anything, but the general atmosphere just feels like it. Another great influence seems to be Tolkien, and it's Tolkien's influence as it should be; inspiration, not direct copying of tropes. There is no pseudo-medieval world or Hero's Quest here. Rabuzzi just took notes a...more The Choir Boats is an excellent example of great but flawed book.

I was taken aback when I saw this novel classified as YA. It feels nothing like modern YA. I was reminded of Verne when I was reading it. It's not exactly copying anything, but the general atmosphere just feels like it. Another great influence seems to be Tolkien, and it's Tolkien's influence as it should be; inspiration, not direct copying of tropes. There is no pseudo-medieval world or Hero's Quest here. Rabuzzi just took notes about some techniques.

The success of implementing them, however, will depend on your taste. He invented a language, but I cannot say more about it before getting my hands on any source that describes the process. He didn't put in a big glossary at the end - relevant parts will be translated in-universe for readers' benefit a couple of times, so no worries about comprehension. I'm not sure how I feel about the songs.

Overall, writing just seems unpolished. I cannot put my finger on anything, but it just feels like there is something missing. I was not fond of direct references to works like Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice.

What is it that sets this book apart from the rest? Well, it's low fantasy in alternate universe Victorian England involving search for the Great Southern Continent - the titular Yount. Not really a subject tackled nowadays. There is some steampunk, mathematics plays a great part, but there is also magic (musical).

However, search for utopia is subverted. It's possible that utopia might be gained eventually, but all people will have to work for it. Not just manually; the change in the way of thinking seems necessary.

And that's where the most prominent theme comes in. Rabuzzi seems to be striving to overcome the borders between gender, race and religion by not merely granting equal rights but blending. There are hints that interracial relationships and children born out of them are key to the future. Likewise, it's contrasting our religions, governed by divine fathers to Yountian religion, governed by a mother. Through comparisons, it seems like they all share the same elements, just interpreted differently. It's likely that the truth will turn out to be halfway between. The Queen wears trousers and female characters are as significant as male and just as capable, be it combat or mathematics.

I'm not qualified to judge how well Rabuzzi is doing this and if it's offensive to someone. As far as it extends to me, I'm pleased with female characters.

The only YA-ish element, in hindsight, is the love triangle. However, it's in the background and not made center of the universe despite much more going on. It's also a genuine choice, not one villified on the account of the other. And the girl at the center of it has her priorities straight.

Another reason why it didn't feel like YA for me is that young people involved are mature and adults are actively involved - very realistic considering the time period and, well, plain logic. Teenagers might end up saving the world, but they will need the backing.

I'm sorry I didn't hear of this book before. I'm sorry it's overlooked. I wouldn't have even heard of it if I didn't win the sequel on NetGalley. I'm looking forward to it because I suspect my favourite character, only present in the interludes here, will play a big part in it.(less)

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Aug 04, 2010 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book has a lot going on--a lot of characters, a lot of back-story, a lot of complex relationships and plot devices. It had some interesting details. I'm on the fence about the writing, which I'd describe as children's book-style laced with vocabulary words. I liked it enough to read future books in the series (though by the time they're published, I think I'll have a hard time remembering everything that occurred in this one).

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May 25, 2012 Beka rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: desire-opens-the-door

Another book about people who dream of another world, and whose desire opens a way for them to go there. This is the first of a trilogy, and I liked where it seemed to be going - I'm certainly looking forward to the second installment. And, of course, it doesn't hurt that the author graduated from the same Masters program as I did. I harbor a fond hope that someday we will become friends.

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Sep 25, 2012 Pat rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Daniel Rabuzzi takes sympathetic characters, a lost land beyond the seas, Napoleonic London, and a mysterious quest and wraps them all in lovely language full of description and allusion (I'm sure I missed some of the literary references, but enjoyed the ones I caught). My only quibble was the ending-or lack thereof. But the sequel just came out, so I'll be able to continue the adventures of the McDoons and company.

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Mar 12, 2013 Brendan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this very clever fantasy. (I think it's been mischaracterized as steampunk and as YA--I don't really think it's either one.) It doesn't follow any predictable pattern--it's not a "chosen one emerges" type of book, or a "quest for the magickal thingy" type of book, though I guess it has both of those elements. There's an excellent adventure here, but there's also depth of characterization and a lot to chew on about regret and forgiveness. Also, I always appreciate a book where ev...more

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Jan 08, 2012 Yvonne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Full disclaimer - this was written by a relative. Still, it was a very enjoyable read, even though fantasy is not my #1 choice of subject. The characters were amusingly developed, the plot held together well and set things up for the next book which I eagerly look forward to reading.

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Jul 14, 2010 Phil rated it 1 of 5 stars

I couldn't finish it.

I really, really wanted to, but every time I picked the book up, I couldn't help thinking, 'I wish I was done with this already."

My main complaint is that the author spent waaaaaaaay too much time on inconsequential details. A person walked down the street, and the authror described every building, every shop name, the owner, and what country the owner was from.

Another person picked up a newspaper, and the following paragraph listed all the headlines, word for word.

I thin...more

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Jul 16, 2010 Shellie (Layers of Thought) marked it as to-read

Shelves: spec-fic-horror, spec-fic-fant-fairytales-fable-myth, age-young-adult, element-love-the-cover

This YA fantasy is being offered in PDF format in the month of July - for free! Link to Layers of Thought and click on the picture on the right hand side to access the download site!

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Oct 13, 2010 Audacia Ray rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, read-in-2010

Ok, now I understand why people read (and why I've been avoiding) multi-volume fantasy books (I am probably wrong in calling it fantasy, I don't have these genre-types down yet): because the act of reading the book creates an immediate need for MORE. But what if the next one isn't written yet? Then you have to wait! Booooo. I hate waiting! I want to know what happens next!

Anyway.

Book is good. Characters are excellent, with fun and feminist twists and turns.

More, please.

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Oct 05, 2012 K.E. rated it 3 of 5 stars

My full review of Longing for Yount #1 and #2 is on The Crow's Caw http://thecrowscaw.com/2012/10/05/dou...

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Feb 15, 2013 Diana Kolpak rated it 4 of 5 stars

A fresh, robust and charming fantasy. Rabuzzi's vocabulary is wonderful, and the world-building an entirely believable amalgam of Napoleonic England and the mysterious lost continent of Yount. I especially loved the way that math and music are interwoven in the story.

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May 15, 2013 Anthony Larusso marked it as to-read

Apr 30, 2013 Mark is currently reading it

Apr 27, 2013 Stephanie marked it as to-read

Mar 12, 2013 Becca Drury marked it as to-read

Mar 16, 2013 Molly Owens rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mar 03, 2013 Keith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Feb 19, 2013 Danielle is currently reading it

Feb 17, 2013 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Feb 06, 2013 Mariam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jan 27, 2013 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

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About Daniel A. Rabuzzi

Daniel A. Rabuzzi's debut fantasy novel, The Choir Boats, was included on January Magazine's "Best Books of 2009" Children/Young Adult list. The Indigo Pheasant, Volume 2 of Longing for Yount (and the series conclusion), comes out in September 2012.

Reviewer John Ottinger says:

"The Choir Boats is Gulliver's Travels crossed with The Golden Compass and a dollop of Pride and Prejudice. Rabuzzi has a t...more

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