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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
ccouey's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Cancer, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
bringmybooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.75
Thank you to Edelweiss, Delacorte Press, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
First things first - if you're not planning on reading this during the fall / autumn season you must immediately put this book down and promise to pick it back up as soon as the leaves change and not a second before.
Okay, moving on:
Things I Liked:
🍂 The setting (albeit with the caveat explored below) was intoxicating - I truly felt like if I looked up from my book I would be in a pumpkin patch with a hot apple cider next to me and leaves falling down around me.
🍂 The writing is so immersive - once I was fully into the story, I didn't want to put the book down! Her writing draws you in, no other way around it.
🍂 I liked the second chance aspect of the romance - the book in general I would not categorize as a romance, but the romantic aspect does play a big part and I think she did it well.
🍂 I can SO easily see this as a movie, and I love when books give me that feeling!
Things I Wanted to be Different:
🍂 It needed more exposition / world building - you're dropped into this otherworldly mystical island in the Pacific Northwest, given the hints about the ancestral ties and the magic binding everything together, but nothing really solid to hold onto - and a HUGE part of the plot relies on you being heavily invested in why certain things are so important.
🍂 More closure - there's some pretty big things left open ended on the island. Like. Huge. And I guess we can postulate as to what happens with those things, but in this instance open ended is not better (imo).
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
First things first - if you're not planning on reading this during the fall / autumn season you must immediately put this book down and promise to pick it back up as soon as the leaves change and not a second before.
Okay, moving on:
Things I Liked:
🍂 The setting (albeit with the caveat explored below) was intoxicating - I truly felt like if I looked up from my book I would be in a pumpkin patch with a hot apple cider next to me and leaves falling down around me.
🍂 The writing is so immersive - once I was fully into the story, I didn't want to put the book down! Her writing draws you in, no other way around it.
🍂 I liked the second chance aspect of the romance - the book in general I would not categorize as a romance, but the romantic aspect does play a big part and I think she did it well.
🍂 I can SO easily see this as a movie, and I love when books give me that feeling!
Things I Wanted to be Different:
🍂 It needed more exposition / world building - you're dropped into this otherworldly mystical island in the Pacific Northwest, given the hints about the ancestral ties and the magic binding everything together, but nothing really solid to hold onto - and a HUGE part of the plot relies on you being heavily invested in why certain things are so important.
🍂 More closure - there's some pretty big things left open ended on the island. Like. Huge. And I guess we can postulate as to what happens with those things, but in this instance open ended is not better (imo).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Child abuse
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Fire/Fire injury
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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