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koistyfishy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
I read a review of this book saying that the main characters were bland, boring and unexciting. I feel that missed the point of who these people were…
They are meant to feel like you and me, like anyone from the neighbourhood, they purposely didn’t want to be different and yet we’re both ostracised for choices and situations that we’re out of their control.
I did not know what to think of this book in the start. I loved it and hated it at the same time since I’m not suited for mystery. I like spoilers and knowing the end and yet this kept me on my “toes” until the very last chapter as the reader you slowly start to piece together what happens.
I was on an emotional rollercoaster and loved it all to bits! The slight aspects of magic were peppered in well and the pace was fantastic.
I couldn’t put it down and it was a book I was willing to stay up way past my bedtime to finish.
They are meant to feel like you and me, like anyone from the neighbourhood, they purposely didn’t want to be different and yet we’re both ostracised for choices and situations that we’re out of their control.
I did not know what to think of this book in the start. I loved it and hated it at the same time since I’m not suited for mystery. I like spoilers and knowing the end and yet this kept me on my “toes” until the very last chapter as the reader you slowly start to piece together what happens.
I was on an emotional rollercoaster and loved it all to bits! The slight aspects of magic were peppered in well and the pace was fantastic.
I couldn’t put it down and it was a book I was willing to stay up way past my bedtime to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment, Police brutality, and Terminal illness
hownovelofher's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4.25
Adrienne Young has a gift for storytelling. I was pulled in by the magic of the island of Saiorse and gripped by the complexity of these characters living in a small town with big secrets.
If you've ever read or watched Practical Magic, the setting of this book feels a lot like that. A windy, moody, mostly quiet town with seasonal tourists and a sleepy, at times eerily quiet, off-season.
Young makes the island of Saiorse feel alive and wholly tangible. Each page is woven so tightly with magic that you don’t even realize what’s happening until it’s staring you in the face.
Four friends tied together by the blood of their ancestors on the island. August, Emery, Lily and Dutch. It was just them, blissfully young and naive, taking in all the island had to give and never truly giving back. Until one of them becomes the ultimate sacrifice.
With their lives forever altered, August and Emery take the hit hardest. Separated for 14 years with the tug of a bond tied between them pulling them closer and closer to one another until August finally returns.
While his plan is to tie up loose ends and leave Saiorse behind once and for all, he ends up with the creeping vines of the island clawing to root him into the ground.
With well-kept secrets in the heart of every islander, corruption, greed, abuse, and even death begin to take over. The island is home to more than sand and salt. Beneath the well-kept ground of the town’s beloved orchard lie ash and blood.
Thoughts:
I loved this book. It gave me chills and kept me on my toes, guessing and guessing at what the mystery behind the island may be. The use of magic, the realness of each character, the tenderness of love between certain characters…it was so much to take in.
The writing reminded me of something like folklore. Something from one of the oldest books still intact. Browning pages, crumbling spine, the smell of old parchment and cold tea. Herbs. Sea air. The vibes were absolutely immaculate.
This is an adult novel so the main characters are in their 30’s while the elders of the island are beginning to gray and wrinkle, if they aren’t already close to ancient.
What snuck up on me was how everything played out in the end. The sinister wind that hid so well between the trees, came to a head on the surface of the water as the waves of consequence came crashing down on those with secrets.
The ending was a bit rushed for me, and I would have loved a little more depth when it came to certain characters. But truthfully this was pretty close to a 4.5/5 star read for me. I’ll be thinking about this book for some time.
Adrienne Young has a gift for storytelling. I was pulled in by the magic of the island of Saiorse and gripped by the complexity of these characters living in a small town with big secrets.
If you've ever read or watched Practical Magic, the setting of this book feels a lot like that. A windy, moody, mostly quiet town with seasonal tourists and a sleepy, at times eerily quiet, off-season.
Young makes the island of Saiorse feel alive and wholly tangible. Each page is woven so tightly with magic that you don’t even realize what’s happening until it’s staring you in the face.
Four friends tied together by the blood of their ancestors on the island. August, Emery, Lily and Dutch. It was just them, blissfully young and naive, taking in all the island had to give and never truly giving back. Until one of them becomes the ultimate sacrifice.
With their lives forever altered, August and Emery take the hit hardest. Separated for 14 years with the tug of a bond tied between them pulling them closer and closer to one another until August finally returns.
While his plan is to tie up loose ends and leave Saiorse behind once and for all, he ends up with the creeping vines of the island clawing to root him into the ground.
With well-kept secrets in the heart of every islander, corruption, greed, abuse, and even death begin to take over. The island is home to more than sand and salt. Beneath the well-kept ground of the town’s beloved orchard lie ash and blood.
Thoughts:
I loved this book. It gave me chills and kept me on my toes, guessing and guessing at what the mystery behind the island may be. The use of magic, the realness of each character, the tenderness of love between certain characters…it was so much to take in.
The writing reminded me of something like folklore. Something from one of the oldest books still intact. Browning pages, crumbling spine, the smell of old parchment and cold tea. Herbs. Sea air. The vibes were absolutely immaculate.
This is an adult novel so the main characters are in their 30’s while the elders of the island are beginning to gray and wrinkle, if they aren’t already close to ancient.
What snuck up on me was how everything played out in the end. The sinister wind that hid so well between the trees, came to a head on the surface of the water as the waves of consequence came crashing down on those with secrets.
The ending was a bit rushed for me, and I would have loved a little more depth when it came to certain characters. But truthfully this was pretty close to a 4.5/5 star read for me. I’ll be thinking about this book for some time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, and Cancer
Minor: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
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