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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
tw: past attempted sexual assault (not mc); car accident;
This is so strange bc I don’t know why I like this so much ... maybe bc I think it has a great no-nonsense murder mystery with a tinge of paranormal that doesn’t require some great complicated lore and an itty bitty crush triangle with a bi mc in the middle .. maybe that’s it
This is so strange bc I don’t know why I like this so much ... maybe bc I think it has a great no-nonsense murder mystery with a tinge of paranormal that doesn’t require some great complicated lore and an itty bitty crush triangle with a bi mc in the middle .. maybe that’s it
3.5 ⭐️
Shady Grove spends her time playing fiddle in a band, while also trying to navigate messy high school relationships, and ignoring the ache in her chest for her deceased father. When her brother is accused of murder Shady is pushed over the edge. Shady decides to use the gift she inherited from her daddy- bringing ghosts to her by playing his magical fiddle. Evil is lurking nearby, but playing might be the only thing she can do to clear her brother’s name.
What a haunting story! This atmospheric YA novel deals with grief, death, and family secrets. I really liked how the author tackles the way everyone grieves in their own way, and feels their own sense of guilt over things they couldn’t have changed. Linking the magical fiddle the brings back ghosts to grief was clever!
I would have enjoyed this book much more if there wasn’t that pesky love triangle between Shady, Sarah, and Cedar. I really hate love triangles, and this one felt wholly unnecessary. I did like the friendships between the characters, and how Shady’s band members/friends rally around her.
This wasn’t a scary ghost story, but it was a well written quick read that is wrapped up neatly. A perfect read for the spooky season.
Shady Grove spends her time playing fiddle in a band, while also trying to navigate messy high school relationships, and ignoring the ache in her chest for her deceased father. When her brother is accused of murder Shady is pushed over the edge. Shady decides to use the gift she inherited from her daddy- bringing ghosts to her by playing his magical fiddle. Evil is lurking nearby, but playing might be the only thing she can do to clear her brother’s name.
What a haunting story! This atmospheric YA novel deals with grief, death, and family secrets. I really liked how the author tackles the way everyone grieves in their own way, and feels their own sense of guilt over things they couldn’t have changed. Linking the magical fiddle the brings back ghosts to grief was clever!
I would have enjoyed this book much more if there wasn’t that pesky love triangle between Shady, Sarah, and Cedar. I really hate love triangles, and this one felt wholly unnecessary. I did like the friendships between the characters, and how Shady’s band members/friends rally around her.
This wasn’t a scary ghost story, but it was a well written quick read that is wrapped up neatly. A perfect read for the spooky season.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I honestly didn't expect to like this book THIS much! I also didn't expect that this would creep me out even though I knew that it would deal with the paranormal. The prose was good, and the author's writing had me hooked on the atmosphere of the story. It was also paced alright.
Shady Grove is such a well-rounded main character. She is relatable and so easy to root for.
I also love all of the other characters—well, maybe except Sarah. She was kind of a jerk for pretty much the majority of the story, not just as a potential love interest but as a friend. This made me root for Cedar even more. I know he's too perfect, but I don't care! He is such a sweetheart, and he had me swooning many times over! And he's a cowboy. What more can you ask for?
Shady Grove is such a well-rounded main character. She is relatable and so easy to root for.
I also love all of the other characters—well, maybe except Sarah. She was kind of a jerk for pretty much the majority of the story, not just as a potential love interest but as a friend. This made me root for Cedar even more. I know he's too perfect, but I don't care! He is such a sweetheart, and he had me swooning many times over! And he's a cowboy. What more can you ask for?
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
READ IF YOU ENJOY:
• bluegrass and magic and magic, ghost-summoning bluegrass
• bi protagonists in love triangles
• messy, dark family secrets
• bluegrass and magic and magic, ghost-summoning bluegrass
• bi protagonists in love triangles
• messy, dark family secrets
In the top ten of 2020? HELL YEAH ~ frickin' loved this
I would have adored this book at 14—a bisexual love triangle, a fiddle-playing protagonist, country/folk gothic aesthetic…but no longer. It’s purely a taste issue, I have no real criticisms of the chunk I read, I just wasn’t captivated.