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robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Kidnapping
bakunzi1990's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Damn this isn't my normal type of read at all. But this was so amazing. The setting was my favorite following closely with the writing. The World building was top notch and also extremely believable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Physical abuse
Minor: Pregnancy and Stalking
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
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
soobooksalot's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"The island gave us the magic, but there were some whose hands couldn't be trusted with the work."
A book box so nicely introduced me to a title and author I otherwise might not have sought out.
Spells For Forgetting was my pick for the Halloween LitLove box, and what a memorable read.
I know many readers are familiar with Adrienne Young through her YA fantasy books (Fable, Namesake, etc.).
I'm not huge into fantasy, but her first adult novel combines just a touch of magic with mystery, romance and atmosphere.
It's one of those special books where the setting becomes a character of sorts, in this case, Saoirse Island.
I've read comparisons to the feel of These Silent Woods, and I would also add The Last Girl To Die. Not in plot for either, but creating atmosphere.
Spells For Forgetting was a bit of a different read for me and I'm glad to have taken the chance on it.
Recommended!
A book box so nicely introduced me to a title and author I otherwise might not have sought out.
Spells For Forgetting was my pick for the Halloween LitLove box, and what a memorable read.
I know many readers are familiar with Adrienne Young through her YA fantasy books (Fable, Namesake, etc.).
I'm not huge into fantasy, but her first adult novel combines just a touch of magic with mystery, romance and atmosphere.
It's one of those special books where the setting becomes a character of sorts, in this case, Saoirse Island.
I've read comparisons to the feel of These Silent Woods, and I would also add The Last Girl To Die. Not in plot for either, but creating atmosphere.
Spells For Forgetting was a bit of a different read for me and I'm glad to have taken the chance on it.
Recommended!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, and 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
kates_books's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A perfect spooky season read. The setting of the island off the coast of the Pacific Northwest was vivid and darkly beautiful. The entire story was deeply atmospheric. The mystery, its twists and turns and all the secrets of the novel were entrancing. The secrets of all the characters made each one so deep and complex.
Other thoughts:
Other thoughts:
- Genre: magical realism mixed with mystery with a sprinkle of romance
- I liked how natural the magic was and how seamless it was interwoven throughout the story. It was never really explained as to its origins, it was just part of the setting.
- It would have been interesting to hear more of the relationship between Hannah, Eloise, and nixie
I get that the orchard was the backbone of the community, but resorting to murder for it seems a little dramatic. Especially when it was pretty clear that august would have been fine giving it to the town - I think Dutch’s character was perfectly written. A deeply flawed individual but his anger issues are easy to understand. His actions are messed up but make sense.
once we found out lily was pregnant, I had a feeling that her death would be self-caused. But I was surprised that it was caused by such hatred. I think this was the most unbelievable part of the story / the least thought out. We kind of got SMALL glimpses that lily was an erratic, irresponsible, impulsive girl — but I didn’t see any signs of hate or apathy. Jealously, insecurity, and maybe loneliness would be easy to understand, but her cruelty, maliciousness, and hatred seemed too out of character. - Emery and August’s love was so pure
- Emery’s grandmother was a fantastic character
- I think this story did a great job at taking off the rose colored glasses people have on for small, rural towns. It shows that they can just as dark and corrupt. People turning a blind eye to harm they know is happening because of power and money.
I wish we had returned to the part of Jakob beating august before he and his mom left town. It was only alluded to once and I think it needed more reflection. Similarly, we never found out how started the fire on the truck. - We never really find out what the birds mean. It kind of seems like they are actors of the island. But whether they are good or bad omens is unclear. But maybe that is just the magic being something beyond explanation.
I was just about to write that we never really get an explanation for emerys dream. The one where she hears screaming and is holding someone down to drown them only to realize it’s herself. But I think knowing that lily intended to kill emery through drowning explains it. It mirrors the horror of lily murdering herself. .- The setting gave spooky twilight vibes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Murder, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Death, Pregnancy, and Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse
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
mikaelaandherbooks's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol and Cancer
Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, Grief, and Pregnancy
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