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nataliebootlah's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
June Farrow has grown up in the shadow of her mother’s descent into madness and eventual disappearance. After her grandmother finally succumbs to the same sickness, June is determined to put an end to the centuries-long curse that plagues the Farrow women.
This one kind of blew my mind a bit. It started off as a slow burn (and I mean slooooow), but once the plot picked up I couldn’t put it down. At points, I was so engulfed in the story that I felt like I was uncovering June’s family secrets right alongside her. I love when a book has me thinking I’ve figured it all out and then slaps me in the face with a plot twist. Talk about chef’s kiss. I really enjoyed this one!
For those of you that like magical realism, family drama, and time traveling tales, this one is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Sexual content
hanlov's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars! I am such a fan of the way Adrienne Young writes YA, and I loved my first adult book from her. In the town of Jasper near the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Farrow women are cursed with a descending madness that June Farrow cannot explain. “Every woman in the Farrow family was different, but the end was always the same.” “We were the limbs of a broken tree with poisoned roots.” June is determined to be the last Farrow, but an opportunity to solve her mother’s disappearance and change her fate sends her into the unknown.
The writing in this is so stunning and I loved the mystery and romance woven into this story. I love when a book can be both heavy on the vibes and atmosphere of the story and still have such an intriguing and engaging plot; I’ve truly not read a story like this before, it was so beautiful!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood
ailiscr32's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Murder
Minor: Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
missmoth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Vomit
aerwen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an average time travel romance for me. I had trouble relating to June and Eamon's chemistry. It was really cold at first, which I guess would be normal in that situation. The redemption was kinda flat, though. I didn't feel that epic love you get from time travel books like Outlander.
To me, this story suffered from unnecessary complexity. Throughout the story, it was hard to understand the rules for crossing through the doors. June's thoughts and attention were spread on too many whys and hows, so the storylines were thin. I think the plot would have been better suited to simplify the time travel rules and focus on figuring out WHY June made her decisions rather than solving the murder and the storylines of all Farrow women.
I enjoyed this book but didn't find it to be above average.
To me, this story suffered from unnecessary complexity. Throughout the story, it was hard to understand the rules for crossing through the doors. June's thoughts and attention were spread on too many whys and hows, so the storylines were thin. I think the plot would have been better suited to simplify the time travel rules and focus on figuring out WHY June made her decisions rather than solving the murder and the storylines of all Farrow women.
I enjoyed this book but didn't find it to be above average.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Mental illness
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide
weyheyitsrachel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I haven't read much magical realism, but this one makes me want to explore the genre more!
The author did a great job of making the fantastical parts make sense within the plot. I will admit I did have to reread some parts to understand what was happening to June.It got a tad confusing at some points as to what the red door was and why it was so important to the Farrow women.
I also wished there was more closure between June and her life in 2023, but also I get how that would've been tricky to incorporate into the story. Not knocking stars off for that, just something I wish we got to see.
I applaud Adrienne Young for mixing genres! We mostly got magical realism, but I also got tidbits of mystery and literary fiction in there. It made for a captivating story, and it was beautifully written.
If you're looking to dip your toes into magical realism, I think this is a good place to start!
The author did a great job of making the fantastical parts make sense within the plot. I will admit I did have to reread some parts to understand what was happening to June.
I also wished there was more closure between June and her life in 2023, but also I get how that would've been tricky to incorporate into the story. Not knocking stars off for that, just something I wish we got to see.
I applaud Adrienne Young for mixing genres! We mostly got magical realism, but I also got tidbits of mystery and literary fiction in there. It made for a captivating story, and it was beautifully written.
If you're looking to dip your toes into magical realism, I think this is a good place to start!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
kelseyholler's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Abandonment, and Murder
Moderate: Grief
aklovekorn's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this! The writing and description of the setting is just so beautiful and magical and loved the concept and the woven timelines. If I had one complaint it would be that it just wrapped up a little too quickly - I would have loved it to be a little longer and just take a tiny bit more time getting through the ending!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Death, Grief, and Misogyny
akschafer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, and Death
mandareads222's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Murder, Grief, Abandonment, Religious bigotry, and Death
Minor: Stalking, Sexual content, Death of parent, Police brutality, and Medical content