A Change of Scenery: Kathy from A Glass of Wine

Hey, guys!

Welcome back to my guest post series, "A Change of Scenery"! Today on the blog, I have the awesome Kathy from A Glass of Wine! Probably one of the most enthusiastic bloggers I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and I'm really excited to get her take on setting! Hope you enjoy!

The setting can make all the difference in a novel. It can transport the reader, and fill us with wonder. It can heighten the mood the author is trying to convey. It can impact the characters and help move the plot forward. Getting the setting just right can create something truly magical.

Here are my top five selections of novels that have used their setting and created something more from it.

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - From Hogwarts, to Diagon Alley and everywhere in between, the setting keeps you suspended in the magical world J.K. Rowling created. The little details were what made it magical - from the wonderment of Hogsmeade and the cozy common room in Gryffindor tower. The setting made you believe magic was possible, and we fell in love with Hogwarts right along with Harry. 

2. Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin - A world decimated, plague-ridden and filled with crumbling buildings. The mood of this novel is heightened by the gothic, haunted setting. The Debauchery Club where well-to-do citizens go to seek oblivion provides a decadent, yet melancholy touch to the story. It’s easy to become part of Araby’s world, as it’s described so vividly.

3. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares - Santorini, Greece comes alive in these novel. A wonderful, sunlit setting for Lena to fall in love with Kostos. A perfect setting for her to let loose and come into herself. It’s so vividly described you can almost feel the sun, smell the fish and imagine the coolness of the bright blue water. The setting makes the romance even more electric because of the quaint, peaceful way it’s described.

4. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare - This may not seem like much because it’s set in New York City, but it’s the dark underneath that makes this book amazing. The thought that there is this whole other story going on right underneath. New York itself feels like a city where anything can happen, and add a little glitter, demons, and mythology and you have the making of a wonderfully vivid setting. The Shadowhunter world that we are introduced to from the City of Bones, to Idris add to the mythical tone of the novel. Our otherworldly heroes need to exist in the shadowy in-between places, and Cassandra manages this masterfully.

5. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins - The areas are such a driving force behind these novels. It drives the characters, and the plot forward. Each of the games provides new horror for Katniss to face. Catching Fire’s clock like set up will forever stand out to me as a setting that not only gave me chills, but is an example of the setting advancing the plot masterfully.

A huge thanks to Ciara for asking me to guest post. Leave her some comment love and let me (and her) know what books you think have wonderful settings.

Thank YOU Kathy for your post! I love the list and completely agree with it. What do you guys think? Make sure to stop by tomorrow for more takes on setting!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)