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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
theoceanrose's review
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
I loved it, as a whole.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief and Death
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
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
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oooops, I finished this within 24 hours. Really couldn't put it down.
It has so many things I love in stories. A mystery in the past that is being solved in the present. A small, isolated town (bonus points: on an island). Secrets everywhere. And witchy magic.
I absolutely loved the setting and atmosphere. The story takes place on a small fictional island near Seattle. It's autumn, it's moody, it's gloomy, windy, there are a lot of rain and storms. Mixed with the mystery of a dead teenager 14 years ago and the magical atmosphere in the air, it was perfect for me. Really loved the magic and supernatural elements here, I need more like this. Nature-based magic spells, spell books, herbs, every day witches just doing their thing. It was always there in the background the whole time, without being the main focus of the story.
I also enjoyed the plot a lot. Slowly piecing everyone's secrets together was engaging. I guessed the truth pretty early on, but I was still intrigued by the story until the very last page because it was actually well paced and made sense and everything fit nicely together at the end.
Was it overly dramatic for no reason? Yes. But somehow I didn't mind. I actually loved some of the more dramatic scenes because I could picture them so vividly in my head. And I was even rooting for the second chance romance. It just fit the vibes.
I have to say that it read more like a YA book, especially the way the characters behaved. But it really made sense to me, given the circumstances. And again, it fit the vibes.
It has so many things I love in stories. A mystery in the past that is being solved in the present. A small, isolated town (bonus points: on an island). Secrets everywhere. And witchy magic.
I absolutely loved the setting and atmosphere. The story takes place on a small fictional island near Seattle. It's autumn, it's moody, it's gloomy, windy, there are a lot of rain and storms. Mixed with the mystery of a dead teenager 14 years ago and the magical atmosphere in the air, it was perfect for me. Really loved the magic and supernatural elements here, I need more like this. Nature-based magic spells, spell books, herbs, every day witches just doing their thing. It was always there in the background the whole time, without being the main focus of the story.
I also enjoyed the plot a lot. Slowly piecing everyone's secrets together was engaging. I guessed the truth pretty early on, but I was still intrigued by the story until the very last page because it was actually well paced and made sense and everything fit nicely together at the end.
Was it overly dramatic for no reason? Yes. But somehow I didn't mind. I actually loved some of the more dramatic scenes because I could picture them so vividly in my head. And I was even rooting for the second chance romance. It just fit the vibes.
I have to say that it read more like a YA book, especially the way the characters behaved. But it really made sense to me, given the circumstances. And again, it fit the vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Murder, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Cancer, and Domestic abuse
btaylorb's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
3.75
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot. I had a hard time keeping track of who the characters were in relation to one another to the point where some sort of dramatis personae at the beginning would have helped. However, I also associate that kind of pre-textual setup with a certain tone and genre, and it probably would not have fit with the tone of this particular story and the voices of the book's narrators.
I wish there had been a little more character development for the two main characters, beyond their reconciliation and solving the mystery. I feel like Adrienne Young has a skill for drawing out the essential threads of mystery and answering the big questions within the last 50 pages. She did this pretty effectively in the Fable duology as well.
I wish there had been a little more character development for the two main characters, beyond their reconciliation and solving the mystery. I feel like Adrienne Young has a skill for drawing out the essential threads of mystery and answering the big questions within the last 50 pages. She did this pretty effectively in the Fable duology as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Suicide, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
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
harley_sage's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Murder, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, and Classism
okiecozyreader's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
4.0
Ok, so the cover is gorgeous and I have been seeing so many great reviews for this one. I liked it, but for the longest time, I thought it was so slow. It seems like everyone looooves the atmosphere - which I get. It was almost palpable and at times I just wanted to get away from it, it seemed so real. I’m conflicted though - the secrets take so long to get resolved and I felt like, yeah, I know that’s a secret… but I wanted to find more out or get something to happen. Maybe more magic (like these other reviews are saying) would have helped.
I read the physical copy and it took me a minute to realize all the different POV. I can see where the full cast on audio would have been helpful. But I learned I really had to pay attention to that (and apparently, I am not good at paying attention to titles in all situations).
I recently read Other Birds and someone mentioned it was like Sarah Addison Allen but darker - and I can see that.
Emery Blackwood runs her mother’s magical tea shop next to Leoda, who runs a magical apothecary next door. She has a mostly on-again relationship with Dutch, after her love August left the island 14 years ago with his mother to never return. Chapter one, August returns to bury his mother’s ashes and sell her property. His return brings back all the feels for Emery as well as everyone else on the island, Saoirse. Because August left under suspicion of murdering Emery’s best friend Lily. It’s all complicated and so many small town feelings and people trying to control August and Emery.
This study guide is worth viewing - esp her author’s note on the difficulty of leaving poignant moments:
http://www.randomhousebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Book-Club-Kit.SPELLS-FOR-FORGETTING-1.pdf
— quotes
“ I could turn my back on the island like I had fourteen
years ago. But this time, I would never go back. I’d lived enough years now to know that there were some ghosts that haunted you forever.” Ch 1
“Handwritten labels identified teas crafted for everything from anxiety to menstrual pains to relief from a sore throat. But it was the more mystical brews you couldn’t find on the mainland that most people crossed the water for on those dim autumn days. Recipes for infusions to draw love, conjure luck, or beckon dreams were only a few of those that had filled the shop since its doors first opened in 1812.” Ch 2
“Witches. I’d heard children from the mainland whisper the word like a secret from the time I was little, playing in my mother’s shop as she worked. I’d always thought that strange, because on Saoirse, the word wasn’t a secret. It was deep magic that ran through the blood of every woman on the island. It seeped into the earth of the orchard, its leaves unfurling every spring, falling to rot every autumn before turning back into the ground.” Ch 3
“There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting,” ch 37
“I’d been in love with August Salt since before I knew what the words meant. I don’t know when it happened—the narrow space between seconds, when a spark like the birth of a hundred stars found a home in my blood. Since then, every day had been colored with the glittering light of it dragging me in its wake, pulling me beneath its surface. And I didn’t care. If this was what it was like to drown, then for the rest of my life, I didn’t want to take another sip of air.” Ch 49
“There were two times a year that the veil was thin. Beltane on May 1, and Samhain, which was coming in only a few days. It was said that on those nights, spirits walked back and forth over the crossing to the Otherworld…” ch 53
“It had always been about the orchard. Everything on this island was.” Ch 59
I read the physical copy and it took me a minute to realize all the different POV. I can see where the full cast on audio would have been helpful. But I learned I really had to pay attention to that (and apparently, I am not good at paying attention to titles in all situations).
I recently read Other Birds and someone mentioned it was like Sarah Addison Allen but darker - and I can see that.
Emery Blackwood runs her mother’s magical tea shop next to Leoda, who runs a magical apothecary next door. She has a mostly on-again relationship with Dutch, after her love August left the island 14 years ago with his mother to never return. Chapter one, August returns to bury his mother’s ashes and sell her property. His return brings back all the feels for Emery as well as everyone else on the island, Saoirse. Because August left under suspicion of murdering Emery’s best friend Lily. It’s all complicated and so many small town feelings and people trying to control August and Emery.
This study guide is worth viewing - esp her author’s note on the difficulty of leaving poignant moments:
http://www.randomhousebooks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Book-Club-Kit.SPELLS-FOR-FORGETTING-1.pdf
— quotes
“ I could turn my back on the island like I had fourteen
years ago. But this time, I would never go back. I’d lived enough years now to know that there were some ghosts that haunted you forever.” Ch 1
“Handwritten labels identified teas crafted for everything from anxiety to menstrual pains to relief from a sore throat. But it was the more mystical brews you couldn’t find on the mainland that most people crossed the water for on those dim autumn days. Recipes for infusions to draw love, conjure luck, or beckon dreams were only a few of those that had filled the shop since its doors first opened in 1812.” Ch 2
“Witches. I’d heard children from the mainland whisper the word like a secret from the time I was little, playing in my mother’s shop as she worked. I’d always thought that strange, because on Saoirse, the word wasn’t a secret. It was deep magic that ran through the blood of every woman on the island. It seeped into the earth of the orchard, its leaves unfurling every spring, falling to rot every autumn before turning back into the ground.” Ch 3
“There are spells for breaking and spells for mending. But there are no spells for forgetting,” ch 37
“I’d been in love with August Salt since before I knew what the words meant. I don’t know when it happened—the narrow space between seconds, when a spark like the birth of a hundred stars found a home in my blood. Since then, every day had been colored with the glittering light of it dragging me in its wake, pulling me beneath its surface. And I didn’t care. If this was what it was like to drown, then for the rest of my life, I didn’t want to take another sip of air.” Ch 49
“There were two times a year that the veil was thin. Beltane on May 1, and Samhain, which was coming in only a few days. It was said that on those nights, spirits walked back and forth over the crossing to the Otherworld…” ch 53
“It had always been about the orchard. Everything on this island was.” Ch 59
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, Grief, and Pregnancy