Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - Spells for Forgetting

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.

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czoltak's review

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emotional mysterious 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

4.0

Perfect Autumn Vibes 🍂🍁🍂

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brewdy_reader's review

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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.

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mary_stormageddon's review

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

This is an incredibly beautiful story. I fell in love with the island, the magic, and the mystery that surrounded everything.

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slvt4b00ks's review

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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.

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sharron_joy_reads's review

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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? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

On the night of the high school graduation in the close knit community of Saoirse a fire rages through the orchard that is the lifeblood of the island. Once the fire is extinguished the body of Lily is found, drowned on dry land between the apple trees. August is accused and is taken from the island by his mother away from his sweetheart, Emery, and the plans they had to escape together. 14yrs later he returns to bury the remains of his mother and old wounds are opened and secrets revealed.

I read this as a buddy read with the lovely Gen and it was an interesting read. The islanders are secretive, paranoid and cult like. Everyone has a secret from the night of Lily’s death and some will stop at nothing to stop August and Emery finding the truth.

The story is told through multiple POV’s and I liked this, although this did cause the story to slow down a little for me. The island itself is steeped in magic and folklore, it resonates through the prose how deeply the pagan roots stretch beneath the earth. The tourists come every year to see the “witchy island” and shop for teas and tinctures. This mystique and the orchards keep the island alive. This is a mystery and unravels slowly as the story progresses but it also a story of love and longing, grief and family ties. The writing is lovely, it flows beautifully, a gentle read with a witchy edge.

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heatherjchin's review

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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

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ravenwolf_waf's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

Review on my IG -> @Katie_the_Wandering_Reader

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