A review by anathereader8
The Warbler by Sarah Beth Durst

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 I had been postponing reading this novel for several months for some reason, and when I finally read it, I thought, Why haven’t I read it earlier? 

The Warbler is a story about a young woman, Elisa, who searches for information about her deceased mother and grandmother in order to break a curse. Women in her family had to always be on the move, without ever having a proper home—otherwise, they would turn into a tree. The story of the curse and Elisa’s search unfolds through the perspectives of three female characters, each from a different time period. 

The Warbler reminded me a lot of Weyward by Emilia Hart. However, The Warbler moved me deeply. I felt Elisa’s pain—her anguish at not knowing when or how her family was cursed, her lack of a true home, and her missing out on all the important moments in life: from childhood friendships to prom and first love. Elisa was not only lost in this vast world, but she was lost within herself. 

The magical side of the story was brilliantly crafted. It blurred the lines between whether the curse was truly real, mere superstition, or perhaps an issue of mental health. To be honest, I was left undecided, as it felt like a combination of all three. 

The story’s development surprised me. I didn’t expect the many intricate details about Elisa’s family and the place they were from. Nor did I anticipate the references to Greek mythology and the myriad mentions of prominent books. 

I loved The Warbler with all my heart and would recommend it to everyone who enjoyed Weyward or Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s short story series. Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, thank you for trusting me with an advanced copy of this novel.