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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I really liked this book, especially the dichotomy of how Weatherly views herself and how her friends care about her. All we know at the start is that she is witchy, she's grieving and she views herself as an evil person, but as the story unfolds we're introduced to people who care about her and don't view her "gift" as evil at all.
The story gripped me from the start, and I don't remember any lulls.
The story gripped me from the start, and I don't remember any lulls.
3.5 rounded up. Practical Magic with Appalachian influences. It was a nice compelling mystery w tinges of horror, but the ending felt rushed (that interaction w Davis too convenient to be believed) and that romance was worked in like a distraction, not shoe-horned, but like a box that needed checked and considering the publisher is Mira, I’m unsurprised. Still, a sweet paranormal romance to suit the imagination.
I think young adult fans of Pearsall’s Bittersweet in the Hollow would like this slightly more grown up version of small town Appalachian magic, hauntings, horror and mystery…
I think young adult fans of Pearsall’s Bittersweet in the Hollow would like this slightly more grown up version of small town Appalachian magic, hauntings, horror and mystery…
3 star read, 1 star experience :/
the story concepts were very interesting and the ending was well developed, but throughout the book I just kept waiting for it to be over rather than anticipating the twists and enjoying the ride. it felt like everything I didnt like from spells for forgetting played out as its own plot. it genuinely wasn't a bad book, but ig it just wasn't for me
the story concepts were very interesting and the ending was well developed, but throughout the book I just kept waiting for it to be over rather than anticipating the twists and enjoying the ride. it felt like everything I didnt like from spells for forgetting played out as its own plot. it genuinely wasn't a bad book, but ig it just wasn't for me
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Calling this a mashup of magical realism, murder mystery, and an Appalachian-tinged touch of Southern Gothic seems reductive given my rating, but that's what this is. And, to put it simply, it works.
Weatherly Opal Wilder has the double-edged gift of being a Death Talker who can talk the death out of the dying, but only once. Her cousin Adaire is a Scryer who can see the future, and is killed in an accident while investigating an unnerving vision. Weatherly is convinced from the beginning that it was murder, and takes a hard, sometimes winding path trying to prove it. At times, Weatherly feels more like a device to move the plot forward than a fully fleshed-out character, but readers are reminded of her humanity often enough that one can probably look past this flaw. Several other colorful characters round out the story, so there's plenty to like in here, including an intertwining plot about a man named Rook that I won't delve into here because spoiling it would be a disservice to the author and book.
Bottom line, this is perhaps the most unique book I've read this year, and I highly recommend it. Definitely earned a spot in my best of the year submissions at work.
Weatherly Opal Wilder has the double-edged gift of being a Death Talker who can talk the death out of the dying, but only once. Her cousin Adaire is a Scryer who can see the future, and is killed in an accident while investigating an unnerving vision. Weatherly is convinced from the beginning that it was murder, and takes a hard, sometimes winding path trying to prove it. At times, Weatherly feels more like a device to move the plot forward than a fully fleshed-out character, but readers are reminded of her humanity often enough that one can probably look past this flaw. Several other colorful characters round out the story, so there's plenty to like in here, including an intertwining plot about a man named Rook that I won't delve into here because spoiling it would be a disservice to the author and book.
Bottom line, this is perhaps the most unique book I've read this year, and I highly recommend it. Definitely earned a spot in my best of the year submissions at work.
The concept of a gift that lets Weatherly “talk the death” out of someone - just once - is an interesting one. Combined with her cousin’s mysterious accident or possible murder, it was intriguing. Throw in some family magic, a boy named Rook (who is sometimes a crow) and my attention was certainly held. Definite page turner for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advance copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advance copy.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Y’all, this book was SO GOOD. At first I thought it was going to have a hard romance theme but it 100% did not and I was so pleased. This book is set in a small town in Appalachia and will give you a full dose of rural life, drama, and granny witches. Weatherly (what a damn cool name!!!) was given the gift of deathtalking from her grandfather. Basically, if someone is dying she can talk death out of them. It’s a really fascinating premise and the way she does it is also intriguing. Of course, there is some family drama after her cousin Adaire dies/is killed? The story follows that plot while also weaving in Weatherly’s story. And then there is Rook, the boy she saved but who was already dead so he is now part crow and also a deathwalker (leads souls after death). This was such a great story and I am BEGGING for a sequel because the epilogue gave me chills…..
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was fun. It reminded me a lot of the Sookie Stackhouse books and 2010s YA paranormal romances but way more tolerable. The characters are in their mid-20s and it feels legit. The small town atmosphere was perfectly suffocating but also super intriguing. And I loved the magic. It didn't blow me away but it was a solid good time. I'd be interested to read more of the author's work.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced