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a_novel_craving's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Child death, Death, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual content
lauralouise93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Terminal illness
slvt4b00ks'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? It's complicated
3.5
I read this book very fast so I would say I was invested in how things turned out but the only wow factor was really the twist at the end. The author does paint a very vivid picture with beautiful words which I can appreciate, but I just felt like it fell flat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Violence, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Cancer, Death, Drug use, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Murder, Gaslighting, Police brutality, and Pregnancy
gen_wolfhailstorm's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Buddy read with Sharron Joy Reading! ^^
Reading vlog:
Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend, Lily, was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings.
This was a beautifully written novel.
The way Young builds and develops atmosphere and mood for her scenes were elegantly done and added that eery touch the island possessed - the island feeling like its own character in its own right - which developed well along side the mystery aspect of the plot.
The short chapters helped me get immersed, especially as this was a slower paced story. I found myself just wanting to read one more page each time I needed to put the book down.
Saoirse's land is steeped in this gentle (not so gentle, depending on the character) pagan magic, which is what drives tourist's to the island... and the infamous orchard that seems to have so much power and pull. The inhabitants had this cult like mentality, which at the root of it was about family, grief and how far you would go for the ones you'd love.... and what you consider is owed to you.
I loved the multiple perspectives. It mainly was from August and Emery's pov, but, every now and then we would get a little view point from someone else which helped to build more depth to the direction of the plot, without being too overwhelming by keeping track of so many characters.
I thought the connection between Emery and August was powerful from the page. You could feel the destiny seeping from the novel. I didn't, however, see the connection of how August and Emery felt like the closest thing to children to Jake because I didn't see the depth of their relationships on the page, so that lacked in believability for me... But I think that also is fueled from Jake being my least favourite character and feeling unpredictable.
Side note;
I've counted variations of "let out the breath I was holding" about 3 x in 111 pages... and at least another 1 time near the end... I should have turned it into a drink when they say this game. It wasn't unbearable and I've definitely read it way over used elsewhere, but I did find that this classic one liner kept dragging me back to the YA mentality, when this was marketed as adult (I would say more new adult, personally, despite an older cast of characters).
I loved the back and fourth timeline. It was done so well and was a fantastic tool in fleshing out the plot and slowly edging towards the reveal to the question of who killed Lily... and then some.
Reading vlog:
Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend, Lily, was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings.
This was a beautifully written novel.
The way Young builds and develops atmosphere and mood for her scenes were elegantly done and added that eery touch the island possessed - the island feeling like its own character in its own right - which developed well along side the mystery aspect of the plot.
The short chapters helped me get immersed, especially as this was a slower paced story. I found myself just wanting to read one more page each time I needed to put the book down.
Saoirse's land is steeped in this gentle (not so gentle, depending on the character) pagan magic, which is what drives tourist's to the island... and the infamous orchard that seems to have so much power and pull. The inhabitants had this cult like mentality, which at the root of it was about family, grief and how far you would go for the ones you'd love.... and what you consider is owed to you.
I loved the multiple perspectives. It mainly was from August and Emery's pov, but, every now and then we would get a little view point from someone else which helped to build more depth to the direction of the plot, without being too overwhelming by keeping track of so many characters.
I thought the connection between Emery and August was powerful from the page. You could feel the destiny seeping from the novel. I didn't, however, see the connection of how August and Emery felt like the closest thing to children to Jake because I didn't see the depth of their relationships on the page, so that lacked in believability for me... But I think that also is fueled from Jake being my least favourite character and feeling unpredictable.
Side note;
I've counted variations of "let out the breath I was holding" about 3 x in 111 pages... and at least another 1 time near the end... I should have turned it into a drink when they say this game. It wasn't unbearable and I've definitely read it way over used elsewhere, but I did find that this classic one liner kept dragging me back to the YA mentality, when this was marketed as adult (I would say more new adult, personally, despite an older cast of characters).
I loved the back and fourth timeline. It was done so well and was a fantastic tool in fleshing out the plot and slowly edging towards the reveal to the question of who killed Lily... and then some.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
heatherjchin's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicide, Death of parent, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Self harm, Kidnapping, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Animal death, Death, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Cannibalism, and Child abuse
koistyfishy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
I read a review of this book saying that the main characters were bland, boring and unexciting. I feel that missed the point of who these people were…
They are meant to feel like you and me, like anyone from the neighbourhood, they purposely didn’t want to be different and yet we’re both ostracised for choices and situations that we’re out of their control.
I did not know what to think of this book in the start. I loved it and hated it at the same time since I’m not suited for mystery. I like spoilers and knowing the end and yet this kept me on my “toes” until the very last chapter as the reader you slowly start to piece together what happens.
I was on an emotional rollercoaster and loved it all to bits! The slight aspects of magic were peppered in well and the pace was fantastic.
I couldn’t put it down and it was a book I was willing to stay up way past my bedtime to finish.
They are meant to feel like you and me, like anyone from the neighbourhood, they purposely didn’t want to be different and yet we’re both ostracised for choices and situations that we’re out of their control.
I did not know what to think of this book in the start. I loved it and hated it at the same time since I’m not suited for mystery. I like spoilers and knowing the end and yet this kept me on my “toes” until the very last chapter as the reader you slowly start to piece together what happens.
I was on an emotional rollercoaster and loved it all to bits! The slight aspects of magic were peppered in well and the pace was fantastic.
I couldn’t put it down and it was a book I was willing to stay up way past my bedtime to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment, Police brutality, and Terminal illness
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
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