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heidi_grey's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
My first book by Adrienne Young and I absolutely loved it. The romance is a bit secondary but the vibes of that misty, magical island were everything. I liked following along the mystery of the murder and unravelling all the lies.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Murder
haliahli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I was honestly bored with most of this but the last 60 pages or so had me hooked!
The women on an island outside of Seattle have varying degrees of mostly subtle magic. It's like Twilight & Practical Magic in a PNW version of Salem focused on a murder mystery.
The women on an island outside of Seattle have varying degrees of mostly subtle magic. It's like Twilight & Practical Magic in a PNW version of Salem focused on a murder mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder and Sexual content
serene216's review
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual content
Minor: Drug use
catorureads's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
I've read a lot of Adrienne Young's work and with the majority of them, I've had a really good time. This one definitely had the autumn witchy vibes I was looking for. I've seen a few complaints that there wasn't really 'witchy' or 'magic' vibes. The magic in this book is not the kind where people wave with their wands or conjure fire out of nowhere. It's more the wicca kind of spells with herbs, the moonphases et cetera. I enjoyed the magic part but there could have been a bit more of it.
The main story is more a mystery novel than a witchy novel. I've read most of this on the bus and while waiting for the train. It did its job of keeping me occupied and interested. I wanted to know who had done what. I don't dislike this book but with her other books, especially Fable and Namesake, I enjoyed it a lot more. I had fun with those books while this one was just good for the autumn vibes. I willl still read Adrienne Young's other works because I do really love her as an author.
The main story is more a mystery novel than a witchy novel. I've read most of this on the bus and while waiting for the train. It did its job of keeping me occupied and interested. I wanted to know who had done what. I don't dislike this book but with her other books, especially Fable and Namesake, I enjoyed it a lot more. I had fun with those books while this one was just good for the autumn vibes. I willl still read Adrienne Young's other works because I do really love her as an author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Animal death
bookish_hollyx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Murder and Violence
puddleshoes's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Domestic abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Murder
phoenixlovesbooks's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.75
I loved the story and the mystery of it all, but the thing that made me the most frustrated was all the talk of secrets. It felt like everyone had a secret and it got to the point where I didn't even care anymore
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Violence, Physical abuse, Death, Murder, Grief, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer and Suicide
brewdy_reader's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Atmospheric and autumnal with a side of spooky.
Lyrical prose transports us to an island off the coast of Cascadia, where tourists ferry to the local orchard for apple picking, sampling locally made tea and herbal remedies from the local apothecary, and admiring the fall foliage. Where there's an apothecary, there are tea readings, and the local folklore whispers of magic and witchery.
But before you think this is a small town romance where nosy neighbors manufacture drama, spread gossip, and generally are up in each others' business (which they are), get ready for an ominous edge: a local girl was murdered 14 years ago and the prime suspect is back in town. Is this an opportunity for rekindling first loves or is something more sinister abrew...
The twists and turns were a wild ride, the pacing is on target, and the beautiful descriptions and love story made this a really fun read. I wanted more spells and magic and for the adults to grow up and start communicating. Despite that, Adrienne Young has quickly become one of my must-buy authors. Beautiful fall read.
Lyrical prose transports us to an island off the coast of Cascadia, where tourists ferry to the local orchard for apple picking, sampling locally made tea and herbal remedies from the local apothecary, and admiring the fall foliage. Where there's an apothecary, there are tea readings, and the local folklore whispers of magic and witchery.
But before you think this is a small town romance where nosy neighbors manufacture drama, spread gossip, and generally are up in each others' business (which they are), get ready for an ominous edge: a local girl was murdered 14 years ago and the prime suspect is back in town. Is this an opportunity for rekindling first loves or is something more sinister abrew...
The twists and turns were a wild ride, the pacing is on target, and the beautiful descriptions and love story made this a really fun read. I wanted more spells and magic and for the adults to grow up and start communicating. Despite that, Adrienne Young has quickly become one of my must-buy authors. Beautiful fall read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Child abuse, Murder, Misogyny, and Alcohol
victoriawl93's review against another edition
dark
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Death, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism
krystlethegreat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.25
Adding 0.25 for great audio narration by a cast of narrators.
Definitely atmospheric. Loved the setting and feel of the location. I great up on Puget Sound and ferries and can totally picture this little island that tourists flock to, but that is draped in magic and mystery.
Looking through the lense of our main characters, I can see how we have such limited information.
As a reader, I felt like, since we had multiple points of view, we should have known our older generation characters better.
Overall, a great cozy, atmospheric mystery/thriller that will keep you guessing without giving you anxiety.
Definitely atmospheric. Loved the setting and feel of the location. I great up on Puget Sound and ferries and can totally picture this little island that tourists flock to, but that is draped in magic and mystery.
Looking through the lense of our main characters, I can see how we have such limited information.
As a reader, I felt like, since we had multiple points of view, we should have known our older generation characters better.
Overall, a great cozy, atmospheric mystery/thriller that will keep you guessing without giving you anxiety.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Toxic friendship, and Physical abuse
Minor: Drug use