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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this one! It was beautifully written with southern gothic vibes. I enjoyed the characters, the mysticism, and the setting.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book has a wonderful premise underlying the story and hinted at some deeper mystery. The author can build suspense and there were times I could not put the book row . However, at the end of it,
I wish the history and explanation of the main character’s “talent” had been developed a little further. I also feel like the main character’s emotions and motivations could have been more developed as well.
I wish the history and explanation of the main character’s “talent” had been developed a little further. I also feel like the main character’s emotions and motivations could have been more developed as well.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Quite a few typos in the beginning and the ending was bittersweet - i feel like i want a love story between her and rook - a second book
What a haunting riddle of a tale this was. The beginning felt a LITTLE flat, mostly because Appalachian ways require a lot of explaining. But the author handled it well and I don’t think anyone could have done any better. Once I got past the first 20 pages, it was a “stay up until 2am finishing” kind of book. The whole thing is woven together like the best kind of basket. Well done.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This book has all the qualities I look for in a good southern gothic: magical/paranormal elements, murder, and a pervading sense of doom. It is set in a small town in Appalachian Georgia, where superstition mixes with religion and the good ol’ boys rule. In Black Fern, Georgia, a family with certain peculiarities lives on the fringes of society, feared and reviled but still needed by people for their gifts. Weatherly’s family still abides by the old ways, and the town looks down on them for it, until they need them, that is. Until they need her.
There are some triggering topics like child abandonment, child abuse, mental illness, death and bias, but I appreciate how everything was resolved in the end. I liked Weatherly’s voice, sometimes acerbic and sarcastic, but she has a good heart and it shows. I was drawn into the story and kept guessing right up to the point that Elmendorf wanted me to be before showing me how everything would come together.
I was talking to my almost 13 year old about this because I think he’d really like it. He was very interested in the description of the family and their talents. That got me thinking of whether I would say this is appropriate for him and I think that it would be with the exception of Weatherly’s coping mechanism. I found the (on page but not graphic) sex scene with her and Billy to be superfluous to the story and could easily have been omitted.
I will say that I hope this gets another good pass through the editing process (maybe two) to fix various formatting issues and some weird turns of phrase that were a bit confusing and not at all how I think people actually speak. It was more like she started to say something one way, then re-wrote it another way without deleting everything she was replacing. A bit confounding to read at times.
Still, I really liked the mystery, the atmosphere, the characters, and the way everything came together in the end. If you enjoy southern gothic thrillers, give this one a read!
Thank you to Mira Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
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I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
I was born in the woods in the hour of crows, when the day is no longer but the night is not yet.
There are some triggering topics like child abandonment, child abuse, mental illness, death and bias, but I appreciate how everything was resolved in the end. I liked Weatherly’s voice, sometimes acerbic and sarcastic, but she has a good heart and it shows. I was drawn into the story and kept guessing right up to the point that Elmendorf wanted me to be before showing me how everything would come together.
I was talking to my almost 13 year old about this because I think he’d really like it. He was very interested in the description of the family and their talents. That got me thinking of whether I would say this is appropriate for him and I think that it would be with the exception of Weatherly’s coping mechanism. I found the (on page but not graphic) sex scene with her and Billy to be superfluous to the story and could easily have been omitted.
I will say that I hope this gets another good pass through the editing process (maybe two) to fix various formatting issues and some weird turns of phrase that were a bit confusing and not at all how I think people actually speak. It was more like she started to say something one way, then re-wrote it another way without deleting everything she was replacing. A bit confounding to read at times.
Still, I really liked the mystery, the atmosphere, the characters, and the way everything came together in the end. If you enjoy southern gothic thrillers, give this one a read!
Thank you to Mira Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
-------------
I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
Loved it right up until the ending. Not a fan of how lorelai monologs after being confronted. The storyline with gabby Newsome felt rushed, in addition to Rebecca's involvement with the death of Stone. It is so unrealistic that she would just overlook her sons death.
What happens with bone layer being arrested was never resolved.
Mixed feelings about Weatherly giving up her gift at the end. Overall I loved the gritty atmosphere, the references to Appalachia and folk magic, and the humor.
What happens with bone layer being arrested was never resolved.
Mixed feelings about Weatherly giving up her gift at the end. Overall I loved the gritty atmosphere, the references to Appalachia and folk magic, and the humor.