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Inanimate Objects
Inanimate Objects is a dark and glittering novel of artists and magicians, muses and immortals. At the heart of the story is Leonidas Bondi, a charismatic young artist who falls under the watchful gaze of Matilda August. Matilda has been a patron to the stars for hundreds of years, but this fickle muse is more than a little taken with her new protégé, blurring her own lines of work and obsession. Providing opposition is Matilda’s son, Elisha, a moody figure who holds revenge above all else after he suffers a terrible wrong.
228 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
386 people want to read
About the author
Kendra L. Saunders
14 books113 followersKendra L. Saunders writes about rock stars and hangs out with rock stars. She is the author of DATING AN ALIEN POP STAR and the rest of the ALIEN POP STAR series, as well as THE UNLOVE SPELL, the magic realism novel INANIMATE OBJECTS, the dark comedy DEATH AND MR. RIGHT and the poetry collection GEMINIS AND PAST LIVES.
Find her online at www.kendralsaunders.com, on Twitter at @kendrybird, on Instagram @kendralsaunders, and on Youtube as RelatableGirl, where she shares an insider view of her crazy life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Hg...
Find her online at www.kendralsaunders.com, on Twitter at @kendrybird, on Instagram @kendralsaunders, and on Youtube as RelatableGirl, where she shares an insider view of her crazy life: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_Hg...
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 7, 2011
Well, for kicks I'm adding this book because... I wrote it!
July 10, 2014
“If I’m not a book or a spell, I’m only an abstract concept to you. A nuisance.”
Inanimate Objects, by Kendra Saunders is nothing like anything I have ever read before. Had I read this in paperback format, I would imagine that glitter may have fallen from the pages. It is darkly poetic; a book about angst, rebellion, curses, magic, and tragic love. With chapter headings such as “Vanity and Pearls”, and “Cherubs and Wickedness”, you can’t help but to be intrigued!
We are first introduced to Elisha August, a 127 year old soul with golden curls, and the son of Princess Matilda August. Matilda has the ability to change young boy’s lives, by igniting their creativity and passion for the arts. She prefers boys who are lonely, self-centered, and completely devoted to their artistic savior, (her). She takes on Leonidas Bondi, as her new “pet”, and shows him off to the world. Matilda becomes Leo’s muse.
“We make a perfect pair. Darkness and light. A devil and a muse.”
Leonidas Bondi is a British artist, clothing designer, poet, and painter extraordinaire. A classically tortured gothic prince, Leo gets a lot of attention from women everywhere, especially Matilda. Leo has a sister named Helena, who Elisha finds himself strangely drawn to, which Leo isn’t too keen on. All sorts of mischief and wickedness follows Leonidas.
“Passion, rebellion, and anger make for magnificent art.”
I enjoyed the characters in Inanimate Objects very much. Sometimes when there are more than two or three main characters, and various secondary characters, the lines become blurred of who is who, and how they relate to the others, but that wasn’t the case with Inanimate Objects. Each character had their own place, and it wasn’t confusing at all.
My favorite character was Elisha. He was always hell bent on various missions, and there were several moments where I gasped out loud because you never knew what he was up to and what he was going to do next! Gosh am I glad that I am not Matilda August to have a son like Elisha! I’d be a worry wort!
Overall, I am giving Inanimate Objects 5 glittery stars! A very enjoyable and dazzling read for those who enjoy urban fantasy!
***I received a copy of Inanimate Objects from the Author in exchange for a fair, honest, and thoughtful book review.
http://aprillwood.wordpress.com/2014/...
Inanimate Objects, by Kendra Saunders is nothing like anything I have ever read before. Had I read this in paperback format, I would imagine that glitter may have fallen from the pages. It is darkly poetic; a book about angst, rebellion, curses, magic, and tragic love. With chapter headings such as “Vanity and Pearls”, and “Cherubs and Wickedness”, you can’t help but to be intrigued!
We are first introduced to Elisha August, a 127 year old soul with golden curls, and the son of Princess Matilda August. Matilda has the ability to change young boy’s lives, by igniting their creativity and passion for the arts. She prefers boys who are lonely, self-centered, and completely devoted to their artistic savior, (her). She takes on Leonidas Bondi, as her new “pet”, and shows him off to the world. Matilda becomes Leo’s muse.
“We make a perfect pair. Darkness and light. A devil and a muse.”
Leonidas Bondi is a British artist, clothing designer, poet, and painter extraordinaire. A classically tortured gothic prince, Leo gets a lot of attention from women everywhere, especially Matilda. Leo has a sister named Helena, who Elisha finds himself strangely drawn to, which Leo isn’t too keen on. All sorts of mischief and wickedness follows Leonidas.
“Passion, rebellion, and anger make for magnificent art.”
I enjoyed the characters in Inanimate Objects very much. Sometimes when there are more than two or three main characters, and various secondary characters, the lines become blurred of who is who, and how they relate to the others, but that wasn’t the case with Inanimate Objects. Each character had their own place, and it wasn’t confusing at all.
My favorite character was Elisha. He was always hell bent on various missions, and there were several moments where I gasped out loud because you never knew what he was up to and what he was going to do next! Gosh am I glad that I am not Matilda August to have a son like Elisha! I’d be a worry wort!
Overall, I am giving Inanimate Objects 5 glittery stars! A very enjoyable and dazzling read for those who enjoy urban fantasy!
***I received a copy of Inanimate Objects from the Author in exchange for a fair, honest, and thoughtful book review.
http://aprillwood.wordpress.com/2014/...
May 16, 2012
Leonidas is an up-coming new artist; outrageous, flamboyant, stylish and edgy. With a unique style and incredible talent – he has caught the eyes of many, especially Matilda. Lady Matilda August, an immortal muse who has had centuries of training, moulding and controlling artistic talent, bringing out the very best in artists and ensuring they will be remembered for generations to come. She is fantastic, larger than life with connections around the world and the power and the influence to take Leo wherever he wants to go
So long as where he wants to go is exactly where she wants to go. While she can give Leo everything, does Leo want to pay the cost for all that?
Meanwhile, Elisha August, Matilda’s immortal son is driven by revenge for the cruel death of his wife – cursed to die in his arms many years before. Elisha is convinced that his immortal magician father is behind the death and is determined to kill him in revenge. But his plotting threatens to drag his mother into his schemes – as well as Leonidas and his sister, Helena, caught in this immortal drama
This book is, in many ways, a work of art. I’ve said before how frustrated I get by overwritten works – I have a much stronger preferences for concise, plot driven works rather than reams and reams of flowery prose that doesn’t advance anything. Yet this book takes it’s elaborate prose and makes it work. It artfully uses very lengthy and repeatedly revisited description to paint the scenes amazingly well.
It also upholds its themes throughout. The pain of immortality and mixing with mortals. Of what’s actually important to an immortal. Of freedom from an overwhelming force that may bind you by giving you whatever you want. Of individuality. These are powerfully maintained throughout through the very well built characters.
And the characters are well built indeed – they’re vividly described. They’re generally pretty complex with even their surface shallowness covering a wealth of motivations We get to see their past and history and how that all came together into a whole making them all rich, three dimensional characters.
We also have an extremely good analysis of class. With Leo being treated as a pet by the stupendously wealthy Matilda who uses her wealth and influence to flutter from event to event, sure that her long experience, reputation and wealth will ensure that she is honoured and praised. Leo is arm-candy – to attend the events Matilda demands, to wear what she wishes, to meet who she wishes and, ultimately, to do what she wishes. She tries to map out his life for him and pull him in based on her fantastic wealth and contacts and what she can offer him. She regards Leo as a commodity to buy and control. Her friends and peers are astonished at the novelty of someone who grew up so poor and had to resort
We have some great analysis on Helena, who used to be fat and ignored – and now she has lost weight she is seeing so much attention – and rather than being grateful for it, she is angry about it. Angry at these people who dismissed her as a person before, who ignored her until she became thin and was suddenly worth her notice.
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So long as where he wants to go is exactly where she wants to go. While she can give Leo everything, does Leo want to pay the cost for all that?
Meanwhile, Elisha August, Matilda’s immortal son is driven by revenge for the cruel death of his wife – cursed to die in his arms many years before. Elisha is convinced that his immortal magician father is behind the death and is determined to kill him in revenge. But his plotting threatens to drag his mother into his schemes – as well as Leonidas and his sister, Helena, caught in this immortal drama
This book is, in many ways, a work of art. I’ve said before how frustrated I get by overwritten works – I have a much stronger preferences for concise, plot driven works rather than reams and reams of flowery prose that doesn’t advance anything. Yet this book takes it’s elaborate prose and makes it work. It artfully uses very lengthy and repeatedly revisited description to paint the scenes amazingly well.
It also upholds its themes throughout. The pain of immortality and mixing with mortals. Of what’s actually important to an immortal. Of freedom from an overwhelming force that may bind you by giving you whatever you want. Of individuality. These are powerfully maintained throughout through the very well built characters.
And the characters are well built indeed – they’re vividly described. They’re generally pretty complex with even their surface shallowness covering a wealth of motivations We get to see their past and history and how that all came together into a whole making them all rich, three dimensional characters.
We also have an extremely good analysis of class. With Leo being treated as a pet by the stupendously wealthy Matilda who uses her wealth and influence to flutter from event to event, sure that her long experience, reputation and wealth will ensure that she is honoured and praised. Leo is arm-candy – to attend the events Matilda demands, to wear what she wishes, to meet who she wishes and, ultimately, to do what she wishes. She tries to map out his life for him and pull him in based on her fantastic wealth and contacts and what she can offer him. She regards Leo as a commodity to buy and control. Her friends and peers are astonished at the novelty of someone who grew up so poor and had to resort
We have some great analysis on Helena, who used to be fat and ignored – and now she has lost weight she is seeing so much attention – and rather than being grateful for it, she is angry about it. Angry at these people who dismissed her as a person before, who ignored her until she became thin and was suddenly worth her notice.
Read More
May 13, 2012
Now firstly I want to say that yes my name is the same as the authors and no I am not the author, although I seriously wish I was. I have spoken to the author a few times through facebook and she is a beautiful, down to earth person. So naturally when I heard that she had finished writing her novel I wanted to read it and I am sure glad that I did.
Inanimate Objects is written in such an unusual and unique way that it took me a few chapters to fall into the groove of the story, but once I did I was happy to stay there. It gripped me in such a way that I wished that I was actually a part of this fantastic world of magic and artistic beauty.
I loved all of the characters; the way that Kendra delves into the emotions is astonishing. She really made me feel what the characters were feeling almost as if it was me she was describing.
The story itself has such a special quality. I have never read a fantasy genre book quite like it. Actually scrap that, I have never read any book quite like Inanimate Objects; it is truly one of a kind.
I urge anyone who is ready to open their mind and wrap themselves up in a strange and intriguingly beautiful world to read Inanimate Objects.
Favourite quote, page 125
If only he had a canvas right now, he would recreate this wonderland into houses that hovered upside down and paint a few eyeless souls in the windows of the cottages. Maybe pour some candle wax on it, give it some texture. Give it some heat and pain.
Inanimate Objects is written in such an unusual and unique way that it took me a few chapters to fall into the groove of the story, but once I did I was happy to stay there. It gripped me in such a way that I wished that I was actually a part of this fantastic world of magic and artistic beauty.
I loved all of the characters; the way that Kendra delves into the emotions is astonishing. She really made me feel what the characters were feeling almost as if it was me she was describing.
The story itself has such a special quality. I have never read a fantasy genre book quite like it. Actually scrap that, I have never read any book quite like Inanimate Objects; it is truly one of a kind.
I urge anyone who is ready to open their mind and wrap themselves up in a strange and intriguingly beautiful world to read Inanimate Objects.
Favourite quote, page 125
If only he had a canvas right now, he would recreate this wonderland into houses that hovered upside down and paint a few eyeless souls in the windows of the cottages. Maybe pour some candle wax on it, give it some texture. Give it some heat and pain.
August 28, 2012
This has been on my reading pile for a while. I bought it because I like the author, as a person, and hoped that her writing was as interesting and she was.
Inanimate Objects begins as a series of seemingly unrelated vignettes. When I picked the book up to read, I was hoping for a story. I probably would have sent it back to my “to be read” pile 30 or pages in, but each little scenario was well written and captivating, even if I couldn't see any connection between them.
I am glad I hung in. The characters continued to captivate me and, as I read on, began to connect up. Eventually the pieces came together, like a mosaic, each beautifully crafted tidbit fitting in among the others to create full picture.
A muse has found the young street artist, Leonidas Bondi, or has he found her? Matilda, the muse, lives her life vicariously through her patrons, molding and shaping them to fit her own vision. Leo has his own ideas and the magic that is his artwork. Then there is her son Elisha, immortal, bored and disillusioned with life. Elisha has his own obsession, but is still drawn to the beautiful, pragmatic Helena Bondi.
While the characters are what make the book, what completes the book is the way Saunders ties all of their stories together, slowly revealing an unexpected narrative. To say more, is give away too much and this is a book worth reading for yourself.
Inanimate Objects begins as a series of seemingly unrelated vignettes. When I picked the book up to read, I was hoping for a story. I probably would have sent it back to my “to be read” pile 30 or pages in, but each little scenario was well written and captivating, even if I couldn't see any connection between them.
I am glad I hung in. The characters continued to captivate me and, as I read on, began to connect up. Eventually the pieces came together, like a mosaic, each beautifully crafted tidbit fitting in among the others to create full picture.
A muse has found the young street artist, Leonidas Bondi, or has he found her? Matilda, the muse, lives her life vicariously through her patrons, molding and shaping them to fit her own vision. Leo has his own ideas and the magic that is his artwork. Then there is her son Elisha, immortal, bored and disillusioned with life. Elisha has his own obsession, but is still drawn to the beautiful, pragmatic Helena Bondi.
While the characters are what make the book, what completes the book is the way Saunders ties all of their stories together, slowly revealing an unexpected narrative. To say more, is give away too much and this is a book worth reading for yourself.
November 13, 2012
Inanimate Objects was a creative ensemble of stories using different points of view. While I read this book, I got lost in the dark, disjointed story that took place. This was very different than other stuff I have read.
It took me a little while to get used to the style of writing and switching back and forth between stories and points of view, but once I got used to it, everything fit together really well. I really liked how different the feel of the book was compared to other things I have read.
The author used words artfully and made a statement and impression with her work. I would be interested in reading more of her work in the future to see what she comes up with. I don’t see her as an author that follows trends and other ideas for writing. She will make a mark with her own kind of story.
It took me a little while to get used to the style of writing and switching back and forth between stories and points of view, but once I got used to it, everything fit together really well. I really liked how different the feel of the book was compared to other things I have read.
The author used words artfully and made a statement and impression with her work. I would be interested in reading more of her work in the future to see what she comes up with. I don’t see her as an author that follows trends and other ideas for writing. She will make a mark with her own kind of story.
November 27, 2012
Terrific read - I blame the author, Kendra Saunders, for too many late nights desperate to finish this. The book has such complex characters that I found myself rooting for all of them, even the "bad guys." Kendra Saunders has written a masterful story, part fantasy, part contemporary, that defies putting into a genre. It's just a darn good story. I especially enjoyed the character, Elisha. Bravo to Kendra Saunders!
January 7, 2012
This book was pretty interesting. The characters were well-thought up, and the story line was unlike anything I have ever read before. The story was written in a way that kept me completely unsure what was going on, and I liked it a lot!
December 20, 2011
This was a fantastic book! Read my full review at http://puretextuality.com/2011/12/20/...
September 14, 2013
A wonderful novel with snappy dialogue and colorful characters!
April 11, 2018
Inanimate Objects is quite possibly the most unique story line I have ever read. Everyone and everything is filled with mystery and enchantment. However, it’s all on a much different level than anything I have come across.
Our main characters (for the most part) are Leonidas Bondi (an exceptional artist fueling his art with angst and pain that he keeps bottled up inside), Matilda August (a several-hundred-year-old muse who is quite taken with Leo) and Elisha August (Matilda’s grief stricken son). Leo is prone to somewhat over-the-top displays for nothing more than artistic shock factor and who sometimes dances dangerously close to that border line between eccentric and self destructive behavior. Matilda nurtures every part of his lifestyle. Elisha abhors it.
I happen to like Elisha the best out of all of the characters. One of the things that I love about this book is the lavish, extravagant, magical atmosphere surrounded by glitter and fairy tales. Everything is done on such an unbelievably grand scale. There are a few scenes in particular that take place at events held within the magical community and all I could picture in my head was an ornately decorated masquerade ball. It’s like ‘Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous’ if all the featured guests were immortal and a touch off in the head. Even with being submerged in this lifestyle, not only is Elisha not swayed by it but he’d be happy if he was never exposed to it again. He is on a mission and nothing will deter him from reaching his goal. I find it quite admirable.
The only thing that I had trouble with in this book is the beginning was written in such a way that I was completely lost on what was going on. It’s like the storyline was already started and you’re brought in halfway through the first act. I started the book not knowing really who was who and what was what and had to do a little catch-up to get my bearings. On top of the “drop you in the middle of the story line” style, the beginning is a little too all over the place for that style to read well. You’ll have a section of storyline and then an “interlude” of a newspaper clipping. More storyline and then an “interlude” of a diary entry. With that being said, once you adjust to the flow of this book, it does move at a very fast pace. I was almost sad to see it come to an end.
Overall, I am going to give Inanimate Objects 4 stars. I was going to do 3.5 stars because of the difficulty I had getting into the story line at first. However, I feel that the face that this book is a one-of-a-kind, it 100% redeems itself for the slow start. Definitely worth the read! It’s not a book like anything you’ve ever read before, I assure you of that!
Our main characters (for the most part) are Leonidas Bondi (an exceptional artist fueling his art with angst and pain that he keeps bottled up inside), Matilda August (a several-hundred-year-old muse who is quite taken with Leo) and Elisha August (Matilda’s grief stricken son). Leo is prone to somewhat over-the-top displays for nothing more than artistic shock factor and who sometimes dances dangerously close to that border line between eccentric and self destructive behavior. Matilda nurtures every part of his lifestyle. Elisha abhors it.
I happen to like Elisha the best out of all of the characters. One of the things that I love about this book is the lavish, extravagant, magical atmosphere surrounded by glitter and fairy tales. Everything is done on such an unbelievably grand scale. There are a few scenes in particular that take place at events held within the magical community and all I could picture in my head was an ornately decorated masquerade ball. It’s like ‘Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous’ if all the featured guests were immortal and a touch off in the head. Even with being submerged in this lifestyle, not only is Elisha not swayed by it but he’d be happy if he was never exposed to it again. He is on a mission and nothing will deter him from reaching his goal. I find it quite admirable.
The only thing that I had trouble with in this book is the beginning was written in such a way that I was completely lost on what was going on. It’s like the storyline was already started and you’re brought in halfway through the first act. I started the book not knowing really who was who and what was what and had to do a little catch-up to get my bearings. On top of the “drop you in the middle of the story line” style, the beginning is a little too all over the place for that style to read well. You’ll have a section of storyline and then an “interlude” of a newspaper clipping. More storyline and then an “interlude” of a diary entry. With that being said, once you adjust to the flow of this book, it does move at a very fast pace. I was almost sad to see it come to an end.
Overall, I am going to give Inanimate Objects 4 stars. I was going to do 3.5 stars because of the difficulty I had getting into the story line at first. However, I feel that the face that this book is a one-of-a-kind, it 100% redeems itself for the slow start. Definitely worth the read! It’s not a book like anything you’ve ever read before, I assure you of that!
July 12, 2014
This ... Was strange. I'm not sure that liked it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews