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arrowsartsandbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
However, the plot takes quite a while to get moving, and then the ending seems to come too quickly. The pacing really took me out of the story. There are other YA books that have a similar vibe that I think felt more unique than this one, or maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this particular story. Definitely could have been that, too!
All in all, if you like slower moving books with strong atmosphere, I'd recommend picking this one up!
Graphic: Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Murder, Child death, and Death
Minor: Self harm, Alcoholism, and Blood
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I enjoyed this one, more than I thought I would. I loved the message of being a strong woman and owning your power. It was a great mix of emotions with just enough humor to ensure it wasn't too dark.
The mystery part was where it fell short parts of the mystery were predictable. I figured out that something was going on with two of the characters but not exactly who they were.
Overall a great book that was enjoyable and a pretty quick read.
Extra ratings: Fluff - NA Heartfelt- 3.5/5 Helpful-NA Horror-0.5/5 Inspiration- NA Love aka Romance- 3/5 Mystery-4/5 Predictability- 3.5/5 Spice-0.5/5 Suspense- 2/5 Tear 1.5/5 Thrill- 2.5/5 Humor- 1/5
Graphic: Grief, Bullying, Murder, Car accident, Alcohol, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content and Child death
Minor: Alcoholism
darquedreamer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pearsall managed to capture all the good, and not so good, quirks of growing up, and living, in a small country/mountain town (much like Union County NC where I lived for 8 years, and Western NC where I lived for 11 years). This book was full of nostalgia, Practical Magic vibes, and a strong family dynamic. It was layered like a perfect buttermilk biscuit.
The atmosphere, and setting, were vivid and dense like a humid summer in the south. I was pulled in and captivated, hungry for every turn of a page. And, speaking of hunger. There were so many delicious food references to be found in this book, which added to the southern town nostalgia perfectly. The delectable descriptions of food made me feel exactly what Linden felt every time she "tasted" the feelings of others.
But, the sisters, and their abilities, and their family relationships, really made the story. Each sister was unique, and I really felt connected to them and their "powers". I loved how each one handled things in her own way, and how different Pearsall made them, despite them being so close, in both age and connection.
Bittersweet in the Hollow was such a deeply satisfying read. Though it took place during the summer, it felt like the perfect spooky season/Fall read. It was elegant and charming and gritty and otherworldly, and I cannot wait to read it again.
Thank you Penguin Teen for my gifted copy.
Minor: Alcohol, Child death, Death of parent, Violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Car accident, Death, Murder, Self harm, and Vomit
hobbithopeful's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I started reading this book, and could not put it down! Absolutely enthralling, positively mysterious, and wonderfully magical, this is easily one of my top books of the year.
Set in the Appalachian Mountains, Bittersweet in the Hollow follows Linden and her sisters investigating a mysterious disappearance. As tensions rise and secrets are uncovered, what little love the magical family has from the town soons turns bitter...
This book is just such a fun read, it's tense and I love reading about the James family and their "practical magic". My favorite is Linden, her ability to "taste" what others are feeling leads to wonderfully written prose and descriptions that had my stomach growling. I am very grateful to live in Texas, because after reading about crispy fried chicken, fried green okra, and butter heavy desserts, I have quite the appetite! (Seriously I think my stomach growled for most of the book!)
There is also some romance, and there is chemistry, sweetness, and the perfect amount of tension between them.
Much like the namesake, this is quite a bittersweet book. Don't go into this expecting fluffiness and comfort, but do expect a supportive family of strong woman, and a town full of dark secrets. I did enjoy the ending, the payoff was perfect and the suspense that had me staying up late to read did not disappoint with the reveal.
I was planning on finishing this book tomorrow and reviewing it then, but I couldn't put it down! I had to find out what happened next, and the next thing I knew I had reached the conclusion and sadly the end of the book. Honestly I wouldn't mind if this wasn't a standalone and instead a series. (Perhaps focusing on each sister?) Also mostly because I really want to see
Perfect for fans of dark fantasy, Krystal Sutherland, or excellent books in general, I HIGHLY recommend this book! This is Kate Pearsall's debut novel, and I need more from her immediately!
I will say I am not crazy about the cover. In fact I very much dislike the cover, it has fair composition and design, but does not convey the theme or mood of the book well. It feels a bit plain and dry compared to how wonderfully dark and magical the story is. The author name being in a script font looks like it was added as an afterthought, and just looks completely out of place. (It makes it seem childish) I hope that this book receives the success it deserves, and perhaps at some point a new cover for a different edition.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, and Murder
kayceeisbookish's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Self harm, Death, Child death, Car accident, Suicide, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Kidnapping