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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was sooo excited for this book, but by the end it was extremely disappointing. The writing was beautiful and it was so perfectly atmospheric. I really enjoyed the story most of the way through, until the end which really ruined it for me. The ending honestly made this a 2 start book for me, but because I enjoyed so much of it and because of the writing I bumped it up to 3 stars.
This is also NOT a fantasy book, there was BARELY any magic in it at all. I would classify this as a mystery/murder mystery, so don't pick it up if you're wanting a witchy fantasy. If you love beautiful writing and are just looking for an atmospheric book to read on a cozy, cloudy, rainy fall day and don't mind a subpar plot then this was a wonderful book and I would recommend reading it in that scenario.
I've seen several people say that they really didn't like the characters and that they were very bland, and while I can see that, I can't say I feel the same. I did enjoy the characters. I do wish there was a bit more, but I feel like what we were told of them was fitting for this short standalone. I very much enjoyed the love story between them.
To be clear, I really enjoyed this book until the end which really ruined it for me.
*************************
**SPOILERS FROM HERE ON**
*************************
It was pretty predictable what happened to the teen who mysteriously died. You figure it out pretty early on. That wasn't what bugged me most though. What I really disliked was how flat the resolution of the "mystery" was. You're telling me that this group of elders on this island, several of whom are mentioned as thinking of August (MMC) as their own son, knowingly let this kid be beat by both his father and grandfather for YEARS. Not only that, but they are also totally willing to kill this kid to take over his family's orchard that he literally doesn't even want and you KNOW his plan is to leave town anyway??? If you loved him like a son, why wouldn't you just be like "hey when you leave do you mind signing over the orchard to the town since you don't want it?" Instead of you know...thinking the ONLY way to get the orchard from him is to murder him?? Wtf? Also having no remorse in the role you played in the death of your own granddaughter? Seemed a bit too ridiculous to me and I will accept a lot of ridiculous plots.
So yeah, all of that ^^^ is why this was a pretty lame plot and ending and really plummeted the rating for me. This had soooo much potential and I loved sooo much of this book.
This is also NOT a fantasy book, there was BARELY any magic in it at all. I would classify this as a mystery/murder mystery, so don't pick it up if you're wanting a witchy fantasy. If you love beautiful writing and are just looking for an atmospheric book to read on a cozy, cloudy, rainy fall day and don't mind a subpar plot then this was a wonderful book and I would recommend reading it in that scenario.
I've seen several people say that they really didn't like the characters and that they were very bland, and while I can see that, I can't say I feel the same. I did enjoy the characters. I do wish there was a bit more, but I feel like what we were told of them was fitting for this short standalone. I very much enjoyed the love story between them.
To be clear, I really enjoyed this book until the end which really ruined it for me.
*************************
**SPOILERS FROM HERE ON**
*************************
It was pretty predictable what happened to the teen who mysteriously died. You figure it out pretty early on. That wasn't what bugged me most though. What I really disliked was how flat the resolution of the "mystery" was. You're telling me that this group of elders on this island, several of whom are mentioned as thinking of August (MMC) as their own son, knowingly let this kid be beat by both his father and grandfather for YEARS. Not only that, but they are also totally willing to kill this kid to take over his family's orchard that he literally doesn't even want and you KNOW his plan is to leave town anyway??? If you loved him like a son, why wouldn't you just be like "hey when you leave do you mind signing over the orchard to the town since you don't want it?" Instead of you know...thinking the ONLY way to get the orchard from him is to murder him?? Wtf? Also having no remorse in the role you played in the death of your own granddaughter? Seemed a bit too ridiculous to me and I will accept a lot of ridiculous plots.
So yeah, all of that ^^^ is why this was a pretty lame plot and ending and really plummeted the rating for me. This had soooo much potential and I loved sooo much of this book.
This was such a beautiful book. I really enjoyed the light witchy theme, it wasn't overbearing.
The romance story between Em and August was incredibly sad at first. I was angry on his behalf that she went for his bestfriend after he left, but when I realized how Em truly felt about Dutch, I knew her and August were end game. This isn't a "spicy" book, but it was almost wholesome despite a lot of the sad and negative emotions.
The one thing I was confused on, and honestly I'd need to reread the parts to double check this theory, were the starlings. I'm fairly certain starlings are a sign of love. To me, it felt like the more Emery delved into the past and her feelings with August, the more starlings showed up despite the season being too late. Just a really cool thing, I noticed!
I did not expect the town to respond as they did, but I was happy with the ending.
I really liked this book, Young is one of the authors I will read whatever they publish!
The romance story between Em and August was incredibly sad at first. I was angry on his behalf that she went for his bestfriend after he left, but when I realized how Em truly felt about Dutch, I knew her and August were end game. This isn't a "spicy" book, but it was almost wholesome despite a lot of the sad and negative emotions.
The one thing I was confused on, and honestly I'd need to reread the parts to double check this theory, were the starlings. I'm fairly certain starlings are a sign of love. To me, it felt like the more Emery delved into the past and her feelings with August, the more starlings showed up despite the season being too late. Just a really cool thing, I noticed!
I did not expect the town to respond as they did, but I was happy with the ending.
I really liked this book, Young is one of the authors I will read whatever they publish!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book was gorgeously written, with a spooky and magical atmosphere, interesting characters, and an intriguing mystery at the forefront. I immediately fell in love with the quiet magic and the gloomy island, and I stayed up all night to finish this. Unfortunately, the plot twists and reveals are the reason why this is not an absolute favorite, as I had expected at the beginning of the novel, but I still really love this story and Emery and August in particular.
What I didn’t love about the ending: Lily accidentally killing herself instead of Emery was an interesting twist and definitely shocking, but I just absolutely hate that at the core of everything is a girl hating her “best friend” because of a boy. A lot of the flashbacks were there to show us that Lily was dramatic, self-centered, and really kind of awful, which felt cheap to me. Like the author was saying, “don’t worry too much about Lily being dead, she wasn’t that great anyway … oh, and don’t worry about Dutch being left behind either, he also sucks”.
This is just my personal taste, but I think the story would have benefited from a few more likable characters or, if we’re really crazy, a strong friendship group that has to grapple with August’s return together.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Slow burn and not very plot driven. Relies heavily on atmosphere and aesthetic. Just couldn’t keep me captivated.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes