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kenziburke's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Murder
el393way's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book is to magical realism what La Croix is to flavor. For some people that’s enough, but for others it way too faint. This book is marketed as magical realism but is really just a slight thriller with like maybe 10 pages of light magic thrown in at the end and a loose sprinkling of hinting at witchy vibes throughout. It feels like someone spent a fall trip in Salem and got inspired by tarot and palm reading and spell book aesthetic. They were inspired to write a book but relocated to closer to Salem, Oregon.
This blood bonded love story that’s supposed to be so compelling is just pretty ho-hum. Their whole relationship happened 14 years ago and they hardly interact in modern times but we’re supposed to believe in their connection. It’s not bad but I felt pretty indifferent to it. High school, first loves feel pretty silly and not so serious. So the fact that we only really see then interact a bit as teenagers makes me want to roll my eyes and act like the old person I am not, telling them they’ll get over their first lost love.
Overall, I guess this book would have been FINE if it was just a cold case, ancestral politics, mild thriller without any magical elements. But I spent 75-80% of the book waiting for something other than plain old fiction to happen. Even with the tiny bit of magic I got, the ending was so incredibly unsatisfying. I appreciate the attempt at a twist/reveal that is not already done to death. But again, it happens so quickly and then you’re left to deal with a very quickly executed wrap up that doesn’t feel satisfying. Plus you get some super random extra characters thrown in and info-dumping loose ends.
I think this book falls victim to the over-explanation that can be common with first person narration.
This blood bonded love story that’s supposed to be so compelling is just pretty ho-hum. Their whole relationship happened 14 years ago and they hardly interact in modern times but we’re supposed to believe in their connection. It’s not bad but I felt pretty indifferent to it. High school, first loves feel pretty silly and not so serious. So the fact that we only really see then interact a bit as teenagers makes me want to roll my eyes and act like the old person I am not, telling them they’ll get over their first lost love.
Overall, I guess this book would have been FINE if it was just a cold case, ancestral politics, mild thriller without any magical elements. But I spent 75-80% of the book waiting for something other than plain old fiction to happen. Even with the tiny bit of magic I got, the ending was so incredibly unsatisfying. I appreciate the attempt at a twist/reveal that is not already done to death. But again, it happens so quickly and then you’re left to deal with a very quickly executed wrap up that doesn’t feel satisfying. Plus you get some super random extra characters thrown in and info-dumping loose ends.
I think this book falls victim to the over-explanation that can be common with first person narration.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
karenreadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
courtneyb_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
quickuwitz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This was reminiscent of Small Angels by Lauren Owens. The magic system was really intersecting and spooky. I love the island as a character. Very creatively told.
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse
lovelymisanthrope's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I received this book in a FairyLoot box, and I was very excited to give it a read!
"Spells for Forgetting" follows Emery, a young woman who as a teenager swore, she would never stay in her hometown of Saoirse Island. On the eve of her planned escape into the real world, her best friend is found murdered, and the court of public opinion places the blame on Emery's one true love: August. Now, well into their adult years, August has returned to the island to lay his recently deceased mother to rest. Can Emery and August rekindle what was stolen from them and uncover the truth about what happened decades ago?
This book is the perfect fall read, and I wish I would have picked it up in October. August's family owns an orchard and all of the details and descriptions about the island and orchard made me crave changing leaves and sweet apples. Small town, close-knit stories about places like Saoirse Island also always make me think of cooler weather.
This story was well-crafted and interesting. From the beginning, I was sucked into the story and committed to proving that August was set up and someone was hiding something far more sinister. I loved that this felt like Emery and August were getting a second chance, but their "love story" did not overshadow the mystery of this book.
I had a really great time reading this, and I look forward to picking up more from Adrienne Young in the future.
"Spells for Forgetting" follows Emery, a young woman who as a teenager swore, she would never stay in her hometown of Saoirse Island. On the eve of her planned escape into the real world, her best friend is found murdered, and the court of public opinion places the blame on Emery's one true love: August. Now, well into their adult years, August has returned to the island to lay his recently deceased mother to rest. Can Emery and August rekindle what was stolen from them and uncover the truth about what happened decades ago?
This book is the perfect fall read, and I wish I would have picked it up in October. August's family owns an orchard and all of the details and descriptions about the island and orchard made me crave changing leaves and sweet apples. Small town, close-knit stories about places like Saoirse Island also always make me think of cooler weather.
This story was well-crafted and interesting. From the beginning, I was sucked into the story and committed to proving that August was set up and someone was hiding something far more sinister. I loved that this felt like Emery and August were getting a second chance, but their "love story" did not overshadow the mystery of this book.
I had a really great time reading this, and I look forward to picking up more from Adrienne Young in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, Grief, Violence, and Hate crime
Minor: Alcohol
kaseymkelley's review
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
ccouey's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Cancer, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
bringmybooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Thank you to Edelweiss, Delacorte Press, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
First things first - if you're not planning on reading this during the fall / autumn season you must immediately put this book down and promise to pick it back up as soon as the leaves change and not a second before.
Okay, moving on:
Things I Liked:
🍂 The setting (albeit with the caveat explored below) was intoxicating - I truly felt like if I looked up from my book I would be in a pumpkin patch with a hot apple cider next to me and leaves falling down around me.
🍂 The writing is so immersive - once I was fully into the story, I didn't want to put the book down! Her writing draws you in, no other way around it.
🍂 I liked the second chance aspect of the romance - the book in general I would not categorize as a romance, but the romantic aspect does play a big part and I think she did it well.
🍂 I can SO easily see this as a movie, and I love when books give me that feeling!
Things I Wanted to be Different:
🍂 It needed more exposition / world building - you're dropped into this otherworldly mystical island in the Pacific Northwest, given the hints about the ancestral ties and the magic binding everything together, but nothing really solid to hold onto - and a HUGE part of the plot relies on you being heavily invested in why certain things are so important.
🍂 More closure - there's some pretty big things left open ended on the island. Like. Huge. And I guess we can postulate as to what happens with those things, but in this instance open ended is not better (imo).
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
First things first - if you're not planning on reading this during the fall / autumn season you must immediately put this book down and promise to pick it back up as soon as the leaves change and not a second before.
Okay, moving on:
Things I Liked:
🍂 The setting (albeit with the caveat explored below) was intoxicating - I truly felt like if I looked up from my book I would be in a pumpkin patch with a hot apple cider next to me and leaves falling down around me.
🍂 The writing is so immersive - once I was fully into the story, I didn't want to put the book down! Her writing draws you in, no other way around it.
🍂 I liked the second chance aspect of the romance - the book in general I would not categorize as a romance, but the romantic aspect does play a big part and I think she did it well.
🍂 I can SO easily see this as a movie, and I love when books give me that feeling!
Things I Wanted to be Different:
🍂 It needed more exposition / world building - you're dropped into this otherworldly mystical island in the Pacific Northwest, given the hints about the ancestral ties and the magic binding everything together, but nothing really solid to hold onto - and a HUGE part of the plot relies on you being heavily invested in why certain things are so important.
🍂 More closure - there's some pretty big things left open ended on the island. Like. Huge. And I guess we can postulate as to what happens with those things, but in this instance open ended is not better (imo).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Child abuse
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Fire/Fire injury
map_to_neverland's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
“There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting”
Book Details:
-Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Magical Realism
-written by the author of Fable
-Setting: Island town (called Saoirse) in the Pacific Northwest
-features mystery, tragedy, witches, and fall vibes
Told across two timelines, this is the story of an unresolved murder, love, and how far people will go to protect their home. I am so glad I got the chance to read an ARC of this book! It was everything I wanted it to be. It was very atmospheric and mysterious.
I also loved how magical was incorporated in a casual way. It was just an accepted and normal part of life on this island, which made the setting feel even more mystical.
I think I need to read Fable now, since I enjoyed this one so much. I also may have to buy a physical copy of this one. So, if you enjoy a mysterious, mystical book (that feels perfect for a foggy and/or rainy day), this is absolutely the book!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Book Details:
-Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Magical Realism
-written by the author of Fable
-Setting: Island town (called Saoirse) in the Pacific Northwest
-features mystery, tragedy, witches, and fall vibes
Told across two timelines, this is the story of an unresolved murder, love, and how far people will go to protect their home. I am so glad I got the chance to read an ARC of this book! It was everything I wanted it to be. It was very atmospheric and mysterious.
I also loved how magical was incorporated in a casual way. It was just an accepted and normal part of life on this island, which made the setting feel even more mystical.
I think I need to read Fable now, since I enjoyed this one so much. I also may have to buy a physical copy of this one. So, if you enjoy a mysterious, mystical book (that feels perfect for a foggy and/or rainy day), this is absolutely the book!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Stalking, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Terminal illness