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Spells for Forgetting: A Novel
Emery Blackwood’s life changed forever the night her best friend was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Years later, she is doing what her teenage self swore she never would: living a quiet existence on the misty, remote shores of Saoirse Island and running the family’s business, Blackwood’s Tea Shoppe Herbal Tonics & Tea Leaf Readings. But when the island, rooted in folklore and magic, begins to show signs of strange happenings, Emery knows that something is coming. The morning she wakes to find that every single tree on Saoirse has turned color in a single night, August returns for the first time in fourteen years and unearths the past that the town has tried desperately to forget.
August knows he is not welcome on Saoirse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery. But the town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all.
August knows he is not welcome on Saoirse, not after the night everything changed. As a fire raged on at the Salt family orchard, Lily Morgan was found dead in the dark woods, shaking the bedrock of their tight-knit community and branding August a murderer. When he returns to bury his mother’s ashes, he must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery. But the town has more than one reason to want August gone, and the emergence of deep betrayals and hidden promises spanning generations threaten to reveal the truth behind Lily’s mysterious death once and for all.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2022
3199 people are currently reading
199483 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Young
23 books17.3k followersAdrienne Young is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the Sky and Sea duology, the Fable series, and Spells for Forgetting. When she’s not writing, you can find Adrienne on her yoga mat, on a walk in the woods, or planning her next travel adventure. She lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
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Instagram: @adrienneyoungbooks
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 11,676 reviews
September 29, 2022
oh wow. this is a book you will be willing to sacrifice sleep for. its just that good.
i couldnt put this down. this story is everything i love about books. ive always been a fan of AYs storytelling - she has such a unique and captivating way at creating immersive worlds and relatable characters. but this, her first adult book, is a total game changer.
its subtle and quiet and has the kind of magic that slowly creeps its way into your bones. its the complete opposite of her YA books and i love that. saiorse island is just like any other small town - everyone knows each other and everyone has their secrets - but its also more. its a little darker, a littler wilder, and a little more unforgiving. its the perfect atmosphere for a story about troubling pasts, first loves, and community ties.
im so impressed with this novel and i cant wait to reread it when it comes out just in time for spooky season!
a massive heartfelt thanks to random house/delacorte press for sending me an ARC!
↠ 5 stars
i couldnt put this down. this story is everything i love about books. ive always been a fan of AYs storytelling - she has such a unique and captivating way at creating immersive worlds and relatable characters. but this, her first adult book, is a total game changer.
its subtle and quiet and has the kind of magic that slowly creeps its way into your bones. its the complete opposite of her YA books and i love that. saiorse island is just like any other small town - everyone knows each other and everyone has their secrets - but its also more. its a little darker, a littler wilder, and a little more unforgiving. its the perfect atmosphere for a story about troubling pasts, first loves, and community ties.
im so impressed with this novel and i cant wait to reread it when it comes out just in time for spooky season!
a massive heartfelt thanks to random house/delacorte press for sending me an ARC!
↠ 5 stars
March 20, 2024
That was a lot of drama for a bunch of apples
August 10, 2023
This book took my breath away! That haunted, ominous atmosphere of Saiorse literally made me shiver! That place rooted in folklore and tradition with its tight- knitted community who believe in superstitions and realistic portraits of the islanders, the way they interpret all those signs as omens truly picked my interest.
The plot about a murder’s suspect’s return to the island, getting branded with another crime he didn’t commit and his unresolved love story is everything I asked for!
Intense, dark, whodunnit mystery with unforeseeable twists with heart wrenching romance captivate you from the beginning! You don’t want to put the book down! The tension keeps building as you keep fidgeting in your seat, cursing some of the characters, rooting for August and Emery, flipping pages faster, hyperventilating.
You want two different things at the same time: you are so curious to find out how the mystery unfolds and you don’t want the book end.
It’s absolutely my favorite Adrienne Young book that I seriously absolutely and highly recommend! I gave her last works 5 stars and I wish I could give this ten to differentiate it from her previous works!
So many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine-Delacorte Press for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
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The plot about a murder’s suspect’s return to the island, getting branded with another crime he didn’t commit and his unresolved love story is everything I asked for!
Intense, dark, whodunnit mystery with unforeseeable twists with heart wrenching romance captivate you from the beginning! You don’t want to put the book down! The tension keeps building as you keep fidgeting in your seat, cursing some of the characters, rooting for August and Emery, flipping pages faster, hyperventilating.
You want two different things at the same time: you are so curious to find out how the mystery unfolds and you don’t want the book end.
It’s absolutely my favorite Adrienne Young book that I seriously absolutely and highly recommend! I gave her last works 5 stars and I wish I could give this ten to differentiate it from her previous works!
So many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/ Ballantine-Delacorte Press for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
medium blog
December 8, 2022
No one is more bummed than I am that I didn't love this as much as I thought I would. I had been eagerly anticipating Spells for Forgetting ever since the book was first announced, and maybe this is just a case of expectations vs. what the book actually is. I was hoping for more magic, a compelling murder mystery, and an enemies-to-lovers/second chance romance, but what I got was little-to-no magic (even magical realism is pushing it), a murder mystery that I lost interest in, and two main characters who's beige characterization made it impossible to become invested in the romance. If you enjoy atmospheric, slow paced novels with fall vibes, you might enjoy this more than I did.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
November 19, 2024
I'm screaming - I swear, Adrienne Young has solidified herself as an auto buy author for me with her atmospheric/magical realism books. I'm such a sucker for a magical, gothic tale with top notch writing.
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 4.5 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝓡𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓤𝓹 ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
ೃ⁀➷ ★ ₊ ˚ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
Spells for Forgetting is an atmospheric and multi-layered mystery/thriller with magical realism that revolves around a tragedy on a magical island with secrets that separated two lovers- our FMC Emery Blackwood and our MMC August Salt, fourteen years ago making August leave the island.
Fourteen years later August is back on the island to bury his mother but the islanders make sure to show he is not welcome, they still accuse him of the murder of Lily, Emery’s best friend. Emery is trying to move on in life, being a quiet part of the community who didn’t entirely forgive her for defending August but the return of August opens the old wound.
When she discovers letters in the attic, one by one series of lies and secrets are unraveled. She wouldn’t rest until she gets answers to what happened all those years ago and the islanders would do anything to keep things buried.
The story is about lies, betrayal, secrets, family, community, magic, and young undying love. It was interesting to figure out what happened fourteen years ago. Mystery of murder and why August was accused of murder stays at the forefront of the story.
ೃ⁀➷ ★ ₊ ˚ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
Let me start with the writing - omg wow! The writing is dreamy, descriptive, beautiful and atmospheric but slow-paced. I typically prefer a fast-paced story but trust me, you want to bask in the lush and beautiful prose and just really take your time. It is written in first person narrative from mostly Emery’s POV, there are irregular August’s perspective and a couple from other characters.
There are recurring past chapters that showed August and Emery’s life before fire, their friendship with Dutch and Lily, and their plans for life. We're given another angle on how fire and death changed their life as well as hints that not everything seems as it is shown.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ This is mostly a plot driven story. Whew, which I prefer. The characters are equally important of course, but there isn’t necessarily any big character development. I did really enjoy the emotional depth of the characters, especially of Emery and August. It was easy to feel for both of them and root for them from the beginning.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The setting of the island is my favorite part of the story. Omg. Love. It gives such a gothic feel. Magic runs deep in the island. It was interesting to read about legends, superstitions, and how magic worked and how only women on the island have magic in their blood.
The island has small tight-knit secretive community, who didn’t like outsiders or tourists even though their life depends on them. They takes care of their own and like to keep things unchanged and old-fashioned.
Everyone is in everyone else’s business, there are no secrets, lots of gossip, prying eyes and nature that might make one feel suffocating and even worse if you get on people’s wrong side. I didn’t understand the mindset of people half the time but it’s the people who made the story eerie and creepy more than the island itself.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The story itself is non-linear. While, most of the time, it’s following chronologically the “present” timeline as Emery and August contend with what happened fourteen years ago (and what it means for them now), there are scenes here, there, and everywhere looking at the past.
They are not in order of time, bouncing about, in order to give you an understanding of the relationships between Emery, August, and the other two people in their childhood group. What drew them to each other, how they all were so close knit, the tensions and jealousies. It means that the night of the fire is all the more heart breaking, and the fall out, once you know what they are like, really see it.
I enjoyed the romance but it took a bit of a backseat for me to all of the other things going on. It wouldn't have hurt to explore the romance a little more. But still, I didn't exactly go into this book for the romance anyway so I was left pretty satisfied with it overall.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Highly recommend especially on a dreary autumn day!
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 4.5 𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝓡𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓤𝓹 ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
ೃ⁀➷ ★ ₊ ˚ 𝓠𝓾𝓲𝓬𝓴 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂
Spells for Forgetting is an atmospheric and multi-layered mystery/thriller with magical realism that revolves around a tragedy on a magical island with secrets that separated two lovers- our FMC Emery Blackwood and our MMC August Salt, fourteen years ago making August leave the island.
Fourteen years later August is back on the island to bury his mother but the islanders make sure to show he is not welcome, they still accuse him of the murder of Lily, Emery’s best friend. Emery is trying to move on in life, being a quiet part of the community who didn’t entirely forgive her for defending August but the return of August opens the old wound.
When she discovers letters in the attic, one by one series of lies and secrets are unraveled. She wouldn’t rest until she gets answers to what happened all those years ago and the islanders would do anything to keep things buried.
The story is about lies, betrayal, secrets, family, community, magic, and young undying love. It was interesting to figure out what happened fourteen years ago. Mystery of murder and why August was accused of murder stays at the forefront of the story.
ೃ⁀➷ ★ ₊ ˚ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼
Let me start with the writing - omg wow! The writing is dreamy, descriptive, beautiful and atmospheric but slow-paced. I typically prefer a fast-paced story but trust me, you want to bask in the lush and beautiful prose and just really take your time. It is written in first person narrative from mostly Emery’s POV, there are irregular August’s perspective and a couple from other characters.
There are recurring past chapters that showed August and Emery’s life before fire, their friendship with Dutch and Lily, and their plans for life. We're given another angle on how fire and death changed their life as well as hints that not everything seems as it is shown.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ This is mostly a plot driven story. Whew, which I prefer. The characters are equally important of course, but there isn’t necessarily any big character development. I did really enjoy the emotional depth of the characters, especially of Emery and August. It was easy to feel for both of them and root for them from the beginning.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The setting of the island is my favorite part of the story. Omg. Love. It gives such a gothic feel. Magic runs deep in the island. It was interesting to read about legends, superstitions, and how magic worked and how only women on the island have magic in their blood.
The island has small tight-knit secretive community, who didn’t like outsiders or tourists even though their life depends on them. They takes care of their own and like to keep things unchanged and old-fashioned.
Everyone is in everyone else’s business, there are no secrets, lots of gossip, prying eyes and nature that might make one feel suffocating and even worse if you get on people’s wrong side. I didn’t understand the mindset of people half the time but it’s the people who made the story eerie and creepy more than the island itself.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ The story itself is non-linear. While, most of the time, it’s following chronologically the “present” timeline as Emery and August contend with what happened fourteen years ago (and what it means for them now), there are scenes here, there, and everywhere looking at the past.
They are not in order of time, bouncing about, in order to give you an understanding of the relationships between Emery, August, and the other two people in their childhood group. What drew them to each other, how they all were so close knit, the tensions and jealousies. It means that the night of the fire is all the more heart breaking, and the fall out, once you know what they are like, really see it.
I enjoyed the romance but it took a bit of a backseat for me to all of the other things going on. It wouldn't have hurt to explore the romance a little more. But still, I didn't exactly go into this book for the romance anyway so I was left pretty satisfied with it overall.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Highly recommend especially on a dreary autumn day!
September 22, 2022
I don't think this story needed to be told from more than one perspective. The characters didn't have enough personality to be able to tell them apart. I didn't like the writing and the story was boring, there wasn't really any magic until almost the end of the book. Even though this is supposed to be adult, it felt very YA.
October 12, 2022
The witchy, small town mystery vibes were IMMACULATE but the ending was so anticlimactic it hurt.
November 10, 2023
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and NetGalley for providing me with this digital advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own, honest thoughts about this book.
Fourteen years ago, a fire devastated the famous orchard on Saoirse Island, leaving behind the body of the young Lily Morgan. In the wake of the tragedy, August Salt, a close friend of Lily, was pinned as the main suspect, although he was never charged with the crime. Nevertheless, August and his mother left the island and swore to never get back, leaving behind his love and Lily's best friend, Emery Blackwood. Now, August goes back to Saoirse to bury his mother and opens old wounds on this isolated island.
I am always skeptical when a YA author ventures into the adult territory because it might be a source of tone problems, and unfortunately it was the case with this book. The main characters (August, Emery, Dutch) are in their mid-thirties, but their voice still sounds very young to me. Additionally, the voice of the side characters (who are slightly older) almost blends in, which renders the story very monotonic.
About the plot, I have realized that small-town mysteries like this are probably not for me (see The Lighthouse Witches). However, I still do think that the plot in this book is very predictable, and almost follows a narrative structure that is repeated over and over again in this genre.
On the positive side, the atmosphere of the book is great, excellent even. Adrienne Young's lush prose painted a serious, slightly eerie landscape of the island, which I highly appreciated. It's a shame that the rest appears very lukewarm to me.
Overall, it was not the best book I have ever read, nor is it the worst. If you are familiar with the small-town mystery structure, you probably shouldn't read this. If you are just in for the eerie vibe, I say go for it, it would probably be a fun time.
Fourteen years ago, a fire devastated the famous orchard on Saoirse Island, leaving behind the body of the young Lily Morgan. In the wake of the tragedy, August Salt, a close friend of Lily, was pinned as the main suspect, although he was never charged with the crime. Nevertheless, August and his mother left the island and swore to never get back, leaving behind his love and Lily's best friend, Emery Blackwood. Now, August goes back to Saoirse to bury his mother and opens old wounds on this isolated island.
I am always skeptical when a YA author ventures into the adult territory because it might be a source of tone problems, and unfortunately it was the case with this book. The main characters (August, Emery, Dutch) are in their mid-thirties, but their voice still sounds very young to me. Additionally, the voice of the side characters (who are slightly older) almost blends in, which renders the story very monotonic.
About the plot, I have realized that small-town mysteries like this are probably not for me (see The Lighthouse Witches). However, I still do think that the plot in this book is very predictable, and almost follows a narrative structure that is repeated over and over again in this genre.
On the positive side, the atmosphere of the book is great, excellent even. Adrienne Young's lush prose painted a serious, slightly eerie landscape of the island, which I highly appreciated. It's a shame that the rest appears very lukewarm to me.
Overall, it was not the best book I have ever read, nor is it the worst. If you are familiar with the small-town mystery structure, you probably shouldn't read this. If you are just in for the eerie vibe, I say go for it, it would probably be a fun time.
October 3, 2023
Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young is a Genre Blend of Mystery-Thriller, Magical Realism, and Romance!
An island off the Washington coast welcomes tourists Spring through Fall with its abundant apple orchards planted centuries ago. It's what keeps the island alive. Quaint shops, rumors of folklore and ancestral magic are additional lures calling out to curious visitors.
It's said of those who live on Saiorse Island and chose to leave, the island always finds a way to call them back. Is that what happened to August Salt? He left suddenly fourteen years ago and now he's back to bury his mother's ashes and sell the family home.
August left after the murder of Lily Morgan, a murder that remains unsolved. Originally a suspect and cleared, much of the community still believes he did it. Everyone but Emery Blackwell, who was deeply in love with August and who he left behind without saying goodbye.
On the morning of August's return, Emery wakes to find all the trees on the island changed to fall color overnight. She knows this to be a sign that something is coming...
Spells for Forgetting is a story with an unsolved mystery at its core, surrounded by hints of the practice of magic from one generations to the next, and a second chance at romance. The island setting and menacing residents give an eerie, dark tone to this Fall seasonal read.
Spells for Forgetting shows an easy flow to Young's writing style and her storytelling is atmospheric and alive with a diverse group of characterizations, which includes giving life to Saiorse Island. My only issue is the pace for a short time at the beginning, when I struggle to keep my focus, once the story picks up I'm completely on-board.
Spells for Forgetting audiobook with nine narrators is confusing. Their voices aren't that different from one another and most do voicing of the other characters, as well, making things feel fairly muddled in the mix. I would prefer one female and one male narrator with excellent voicing skills. Less is more, I believe, and with that said, it was still a compelling listen.
Spells for Forgetting is my first read by Adrienne Young and I enjoyed my initiation into her writing style and storytelling. I look forward to reading more from her in the future and I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy atmospheric Fall seasonal reads.
3.75⭐rounded up!
An island off the Washington coast welcomes tourists Spring through Fall with its abundant apple orchards planted centuries ago. It's what keeps the island alive. Quaint shops, rumors of folklore and ancestral magic are additional lures calling out to curious visitors.
It's said of those who live on Saiorse Island and chose to leave, the island always finds a way to call them back. Is that what happened to August Salt? He left suddenly fourteen years ago and now he's back to bury his mother's ashes and sell the family home.
August left after the murder of Lily Morgan, a murder that remains unsolved. Originally a suspect and cleared, much of the community still believes he did it. Everyone but Emery Blackwell, who was deeply in love with August and who he left behind without saying goodbye.
On the morning of August's return, Emery wakes to find all the trees on the island changed to fall color overnight. She knows this to be a sign that something is coming...
Spells for Forgetting is a story with an unsolved mystery at its core, surrounded by hints of the practice of magic from one generations to the next, and a second chance at romance. The island setting and menacing residents give an eerie, dark tone to this Fall seasonal read.
Spells for Forgetting shows an easy flow to Young's writing style and her storytelling is atmospheric and alive with a diverse group of characterizations, which includes giving life to Saiorse Island. My only issue is the pace for a short time at the beginning, when I struggle to keep my focus, once the story picks up I'm completely on-board.
Spells for Forgetting audiobook with nine narrators is confusing. Their voices aren't that different from one another and most do voicing of the other characters, as well, making things feel fairly muddled in the mix. I would prefer one female and one male narrator with excellent voicing skills. Less is more, I believe, and with that said, it was still a compelling listen.
Spells for Forgetting is my first read by Adrienne Young and I enjoyed my initiation into her writing style and storytelling. I look forward to reading more from her in the future and I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy atmospheric Fall seasonal reads.
3.75⭐rounded up!
May 26, 2022
I really enjoyed Fable, so I was very excited to get this book on Netgalley. This is Adrienne Young's first adult book, but the core of the story is very YA, and the book seems confused about what it wants to be. Is it a mystery? Magical realism? It doesn't do either well, so I ended up disappointed. You may like this book if you enjoy atmospheric reads. The problem is that there's not much under the surface.
The story takes place on Saoirse Island, which is a magical version of one of the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. Emory hasn't seen her high school boyfriend in 15 years, and he reappears on Saoirse to bury his mother on the island. Emory's best friend was murdered in high school, and that unsolved crime haunts the island and its inhabitants. When the ex shows up, Emory finally starts trying to solve her best friend's murder. (If you think this sounds like Veronica Mars, you would be right - but with a 15-year-old cold case. The best friend's name is even Lily!)
The problem with this book is that Emory and August (omg), our star-crossed lovers, are both very boring people who have not done anything in the years they've been apart. The most interesting parts of their lives happened to them as teenagers, and since then they've been going through the motions. VERY minor spoilers: This makes the whole thing pretty unsatisfying and makes it feel like a YA book, because the teenage years and memories are the best parts of the story. I'm not sure why the time gap is necessary - it would have been much better as a contemporary teen mystery. Or you could give it a couple years if you wanted a time shift. (Like Veronica Mars!) I don't believe in these characters as thirty-somethings.
I did like the mythology and magic of Saoirse Island, and it only took me a couple days to read this entire book. I wish the magic had been more prevalent and the characters had been stronger. There's some good stuff in here. It just didn't work for me.
Thanks to Random House for the ARC!
The story takes place on Saoirse Island, which is a magical version of one of the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. Emory hasn't seen her high school boyfriend in 15 years, and he reappears on Saoirse to bury his mother on the island. Emory's best friend was murdered in high school, and that unsolved crime haunts the island and its inhabitants. When the ex shows up, Emory finally starts trying to solve her best friend's murder. (If you think this sounds like Veronica Mars, you would be right - but with a 15-year-old cold case. The best friend's name is even Lily!)
The problem with this book is that Emory and August (omg), our star-crossed lovers, are both very boring people who have not done anything in the years they've been apart. The most interesting parts of their lives happened to them as teenagers, and since then they've been going through the motions. VERY minor spoilers: This makes the whole thing pretty unsatisfying and makes it feel like a YA book, because the teenage years and memories are the best parts of the story. I'm not sure why the time gap is necessary - it would have been much better as a contemporary teen mystery. Or you could give it a couple years if you wanted a time shift. (Like Veronica Mars!) I don't believe in these characters as thirty-somethings.
I did like the mythology and magic of Saoirse Island, and it only took me a couple days to read this entire book. I wish the magic had been more prevalent and the characters had been stronger. There's some good stuff in here. It just didn't work for me.
Thanks to Random House for the ARC!
November 11, 2021
This book is my favorite of all Adrienne Young’s books. A beautiful, emotional, compelling. I couldn’t stop reading. My heart ached when it was over.
August 27, 2025
Absolutely adore Adrienne Young’s atmospheric story telling. I loved the autumnal & witchy vibes, perfect gateway drug for more spooky season reads.
July 3, 2024
I am looking at the rating of over 4 stars next to this title and I am wondering if these people read the same book that I did. Maybe they just don't care that it was a bad book and rated it high because they like Young's other books?
I do not recommend this book to anyone. It was a waste of hours of my life, and I wish I had a spell for forgetting so that I wouldn't end up disgruntled just thinking about this book. I was semi looking forward to it, I liked the sound of the premise. However, this book did NOT deliver. Let's talk a few structural details first, before I get into the spoilers.
The writing itself- meh. It was okay. It was trying to be atmospheric and tense, but it just came off as super slow and boring. The characters felt very one dimensional and not really distinct at all. Each chapter was from the POV of a different character, all in first person perspective, and if it weren't for their name at the beginning of the chapter I wouldn't be able to tell who's head I was in. The individual voices were not distinct at all. If you're going to write different characters in first person I should be able to easily differentiate between them because their narrative voice (like the thoughts in their head) should be individual and different. And it felt very YA, and not adult at all. The main characters are supposed to be 32, but they act and sound like teenagers. And the pacing of this book... ugh. It took until 75% before anything of significance happened. You have to struggle through 75% of this bad writing and unremarkable characters before you begin to learn what really went down oh so long ago.
Now onto some
Seriously- save your money, and your time, and your brain cells. Don't waste them on this book. If you like the premise and you want a book where the writing is excellent, the author has mastered multiple first person POV's, with a very atmospheric feel then I recommend reading A History of Wild Places by Ernshaw. It pulled me out of the massive annoyance I felt when I finished Spells for Forgetting.
I do not recommend this book to anyone. It was a waste of hours of my life, and I wish I had a spell for forgetting so that I wouldn't end up disgruntled just thinking about this book. I was semi looking forward to it, I liked the sound of the premise. However, this book did NOT deliver. Let's talk a few structural details first, before I get into the spoilers.
The writing itself- meh. It was okay. It was trying to be atmospheric and tense, but it just came off as super slow and boring. The characters felt very one dimensional and not really distinct at all. Each chapter was from the POV of a different character, all in first person perspective, and if it weren't for their name at the beginning of the chapter I wouldn't be able to tell who's head I was in. The individual voices were not distinct at all. If you're going to write different characters in first person I should be able to easily differentiate between them because their narrative voice (like the thoughts in their head) should be individual and different. And it felt very YA, and not adult at all. The main characters are supposed to be 32, but they act and sound like teenagers. And the pacing of this book... ugh. It took until 75% before anything of significance happened. You have to struggle through 75% of this bad writing and unremarkable characters before you begin to learn what really went down oh so long ago.
Now onto some
Seriously- save your money, and your time, and your brain cells. Don't waste them on this book. If you like the premise and you want a book where the writing is excellent, the author has mastered multiple first person POV's, with a very atmospheric feel then I recommend reading A History of Wild Places by Ernshaw. It pulled me out of the massive annoyance I felt when I finished Spells for Forgetting.
October 23, 2023
excuse me WHY is this overall GR rating so low??? this book was ADORABLE AND SO MUCH FUN.
👉🏼pro tip: the audiobook is the way to go!!! has a full cast and great narrators. really helped bring the island and vibes to life.
i adored this book. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 bc the middle dragged a bit for me and i expected a bit more out of the resolution/more magical realism but overall it was soooo good. the vibes and setting were perfect for fall. save this for Sept/Oct/Nov!! convinced that’s the only reason why this has low reviews (if you don’t read it in the fall).
the mystery was so good, loved all the POVs and characters w the full audio cast, loved the second chance romance vibes, loved it all 🔮🔮🔮✨✨✨🌾🌾🌾
read if you like a genre buster—this has mystery, magical realism, YA AND romance!!
reading her new book next and SO excited. i’m in my Adrienne Young era!!!
👉🏼pro tip: the audiobook is the way to go!!! has a full cast and great narrators. really helped bring the island and vibes to life.
i adored this book. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 bc the middle dragged a bit for me and i expected a bit more out of the resolution/more magical realism but overall it was soooo good. the vibes and setting were perfect for fall. save this for Sept/Oct/Nov!! convinced that’s the only reason why this has low reviews (if you don’t read it in the fall).
the mystery was so good, loved all the POVs and characters w the full audio cast, loved the second chance romance vibes, loved it all 🔮🔮🔮✨✨✨🌾🌾🌾
read if you like a genre buster—this has mystery, magical realism, YA AND romance!!
reading her new book next and SO excited. i’m in my Adrienne Young era!!!
November 25, 2024
4 ⭐
"There were tales that only the island knew. Ones that had never been told. I knew, because I was one of them.”
• It made me feel melancholy and like I was transported to the island of Saoirse
• Filled with a moody and atmospheric island in the PNW, a slow burn whodunit plot, multiple POVs, a dimly lit apothecary shop, immersive and detailed descriptions that felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book
• It made me want to make myself a giant cup of steaming herbal tea, watch Practical Magic, read AY's backlist, beg Hollywood to turn this into a limited series HBO Max show
• Search "Apothecary ambience" on YouTube for the perfectly paired reading vibe
• Listen to Shrike by Hozier after finishing the last page
• If this book was a food/drink, it would be a cold beer at Noah's pub on a cold and rainy day
Good for book club - yes! Especially if your book club loves itself some magical realism
Good as a gift - yes! That cover is stunning
Should I get the physical copy - I personally recommend the audio, the full cast does a stunning job
What season should I read it in - fall/winter!
Audiobook narration - 5/5, we love a full cast!
"There were tales that only the island knew. Ones that had never been told. I knew, because I was one of them.”
• It made me feel melancholy and like I was transported to the island of Saoirse
• Filled with a moody and atmospheric island in the PNW, a slow burn whodunit plot, multiple POVs, a dimly lit apothecary shop, immersive and detailed descriptions that felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book
• It made me want to make myself a giant cup of steaming herbal tea, watch Practical Magic, read AY's backlist, beg Hollywood to turn this into a limited series HBO Max show
• Search "Apothecary ambience" on YouTube for the perfectly paired reading vibe
• Listen to Shrike by Hozier after finishing the last page
• If this book was a food/drink, it would be a cold beer at Noah's pub on a cold and rainy day
Good for book club - yes! Especially if your book club loves itself some magical realism
Good as a gift - yes! That cover is stunning
Should I get the physical copy - I personally recommend the audio, the full cast does a stunning job
What season should I read it in - fall/winter!
Audiobook narration - 5/5, we love a full cast!
September 27, 2022
An island full of secrets and mysteries. A murder years ago that still haunts the town with a love that could be deadly to all involved.
Emery is a well featured strong character with a will to uncover the truth about the murder of her best friend and the doubt surrounding the gossip that her own boyfriend did it. This was a really easy and quick read with a bit of suspense and tip of magic. My inner self was not satisfied with the little bit of magic that was in this book. It is more a mystery and suspense book.
Overall the story was great and kept me turning pages. The writing has delightfully evolved from her earlier books.
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Books for this ARC.
Emery is a well featured strong character with a will to uncover the truth about the murder of her best friend and the doubt surrounding the gossip that her own boyfriend did it. This was a really easy and quick read with a bit of suspense and tip of magic. My inner self was not satisfied with the little bit of magic that was in this book. It is more a mystery and suspense book.
Overall the story was great and kept me turning pages. The writing has delightfully evolved from her earlier books.
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus Books for this ARC.
October 30, 2022
It is said that if a resident of Saiorse ever leaves the island that it will always find a way call you back!
There is a most unusual and beautiful island named Saiorse set off the coast of Washington which is a busy tourist spot from spring through the fall and is the full financial support for the residents of Saiorse. All the quaint shops selling mystical teas plus magical herbal potions and remedies that anyone could possibly want from love spells to kidney cures which bring flocks of curious tourists to visit the island along with the special apples from the orchard which goes back a few hundred years and was the beginning and sustenance of the island life that has hardly changed throughout the generations. This will be a story of subtle magic, broken hearts along with profoundly deep love. There will be an unsolved murder at the root of the story sparking unresolved feelings of anger, hate, greed, revenge and murder while all surrounding a lovely young woman named Emery Blackwood who runs the ancestral mystical tea shop and happened to be an innocent victim of all the secrets and lies that were well hidden from her since she was a teenager although Emery now will find herself having to make the most heartbreaking and dangerous decisions of her life where there will be no turning back while finding the the people she trusted with her heart and well-being held nothing but darkness within their hearts and would want nothing more than to see Emery disappear as well as another individual named August Salt who is also the crux of the story.
What a wonderful and haunting story this was for me. Adrienne Young is a writer who certainly knows how to make simple words expressive and heartfelt without being too flowery and overdone. The atmospheric writing was beautiful and whimsical where the reader can envision the simple life and everyday functions on Saiorse. I found the characters very believable and felt all their emotions within each of their stories. I enjoyed that the book had several dark mysteries at it's core which will all be brought to light by the end of the book. Do not go into this book thinking there is a lot if magic and fantasy happening throughout the story or you might be a little disappointed. The mysticism is subtle and felt realistic which made the book so very entertaining. I'm so glad I was given the chance to read this novel as it was a wish book granted to me by the publisher.
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine" for the wonderful opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 MESMERIZING AND MAGICAL STARS!!
There is a most unusual and beautiful island named Saiorse set off the coast of Washington which is a busy tourist spot from spring through the fall and is the full financial support for the residents of Saiorse. All the quaint shops selling mystical teas plus magical herbal potions and remedies that anyone could possibly want from love spells to kidney cures which bring flocks of curious tourists to visit the island along with the special apples from the orchard which goes back a few hundred years and was the beginning and sustenance of the island life that has hardly changed throughout the generations. This will be a story of subtle magic, broken hearts along with profoundly deep love. There will be an unsolved murder at the root of the story sparking unresolved feelings of anger, hate, greed, revenge and murder while all surrounding a lovely young woman named Emery Blackwood who runs the ancestral mystical tea shop and happened to be an innocent victim of all the secrets and lies that were well hidden from her since she was a teenager although Emery now will find herself having to make the most heartbreaking and dangerous decisions of her life where there will be no turning back while finding the the people she trusted with her heart and well-being held nothing but darkness within their hearts and would want nothing more than to see Emery disappear as well as another individual named August Salt who is also the crux of the story.
What a wonderful and haunting story this was for me. Adrienne Young is a writer who certainly knows how to make simple words expressive and heartfelt without being too flowery and overdone. The atmospheric writing was beautiful and whimsical where the reader can envision the simple life and everyday functions on Saiorse. I found the characters very believable and felt all their emotions within each of their stories. I enjoyed that the book had several dark mysteries at it's core which will all be brought to light by the end of the book. Do not go into this book thinking there is a lot if magic and fantasy happening throughout the story or you might be a little disappointed. The mysticism is subtle and felt realistic which made the book so very entertaining. I'm so glad I was given the chance to read this novel as it was a wish book granted to me by the publisher.
I want to thank the publisher "Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine" for the wonderful opportunity to read this novel and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 1/2 MESMERIZING AND MAGICAL STARS!!
September 20, 2024
”there are spells for breaking and spells for mending. but there are no spells for forgetting.”
🌙what to expect:��
☾ a gloomy, rainy, atmospheric island set during autumn
☾ a witchy town – a tea shop, an apothecary, an orchard, etc
☾ murder mystery
☾ childhood lovers reunited
☾ magical realism – spellwork, tea reading, books of spells
☾ small town secrets on secrets on secrets!!!
☾ dual timeline
☾ multiple pov
🌲what i loved:🌲
☽ all of the witchy vibes!
☽ VERY short chapters!
☽ atmospheric
☽ lovely writing style
🪄personal qualms🪄
𖤓 lots of nosy old people who needed to mind their own business
𖤓 lots of younger folks who need therapy
𖤓 the reveal was… quite boring. i saw it coming from like 150 pages away
𖤓 a bit slow
𖤓 a whole lot of buildup for an anticlimatic ending
this is a great, quick read for your fall tbr despite its shortcomings. if a book is remotely witchy, you bet i’ll have my nose in it.
🌙🌲🪄
*fall tbr jar prompt: book with a magical word in the title
🌙what to expect:��
☾ a gloomy, rainy, atmospheric island set during autumn
☾ a witchy town – a tea shop, an apothecary, an orchard, etc
☾ murder mystery
☾ childhood lovers reunited
☾ magical realism – spellwork, tea reading, books of spells
☾ small town secrets on secrets on secrets!!!
☾ dual timeline
☾ multiple pov
🌲what i loved:🌲
☽ all of the witchy vibes!
☽ VERY short chapters!
☽ atmospheric
☽ lovely writing style
🪄personal qualms🪄
𖤓 lots of nosy old people who needed to mind their own business
𖤓 lots of younger folks who need therapy
𖤓 the reveal was… quite boring. i saw it coming from like 150 pages away
𖤓 a bit slow
𖤓 a whole lot of buildup for an anticlimatic ending
this is a great, quick read for your fall tbr despite its shortcomings. if a book is remotely witchy, you bet i’ll have my nose in it.
🌙🌲🪄
*fall tbr jar prompt: book with a magical word in the title
May 22, 2022
Emery and August were always destined to be together. They were both born on Saiorse, a small mystical island community off the coast of Seattle, friends since birth whose mothers were also the best of friends. Neither of them wanted to stay on the island, and they had plans to run away to the mainland after graduation, but unfortunately their plans change when Emery's best friend is found dead, and August is a suspect in her murder. After Lily's death, August and his mother leave without a word to anyone, leaving Emery devastated. 14 years later, August returns to the island to bury his mother's ashes at her request, many old feelings resurface as well as many of the island's secrets.
Adrienne Young never disappoints me. I just love the way she can immerse her readers in a story and how she is able to vividly bring the scenery to life with her words. Spells for Forgetting is so different from her Fable series and wasn't what I was expecting, but I loved it, and for me it just showed her diversity as an author. This book has so many of elements that I enjoy, lyrical writing, highly atmospheric small town setting, secrets, interesting characters (especially Albertine) mystery, magical elements, and spells (although I do wish there was a little more magic involved). My only minor issue was the pacing with a slow start and an ending that felt a little rushed. 4 magical stars.
Publication date Sept. 27, 2022, perfect vibes for a great fall read. Many thanks for Netgalley, Random House/Delacorte Press, and the author for granting my wishlist eARC.
Adrienne Young never disappoints me. I just love the way she can immerse her readers in a story and how she is able to vividly bring the scenery to life with her words. Spells for Forgetting is so different from her Fable series and wasn't what I was expecting, but I loved it, and for me it just showed her diversity as an author. This book has so many of elements that I enjoy, lyrical writing, highly atmospheric small town setting, secrets, interesting characters (especially Albertine) mystery, magical elements, and spells (although I do wish there was a little more magic involved). My only minor issue was the pacing with a slow start and an ending that felt a little rushed. 4 magical stars.
Publication date Sept. 27, 2022, perfect vibes for a great fall read. Many thanks for Netgalley, Random House/Delacorte Press, and the author for granting my wishlist eARC.
December 5, 2023
This story sits so comfortably at the cross-section of several genres: mystery, thriller, small-town romance, modern fantasy, witch-y, and literary fiction. And it succeeds at all of it!
This setting is so immersive and moody—a remote magical island, with a mysterious history and a cold case to boot. The residents who rely on the large orchard that draws tourists, also run apothecaries and tea shops. It’s creepy and beautiful at the same time.
Emery and August are likable characters, stuck at the center of it all, as third generation kids of folks who’ve lived and worked on the island al their lives. They are both stuck in their personal lives, afraid to face loss and betrayals from their pasts. They were both gripping, and their aching souls really came through.
This plot kept me hooked from page one. I don’t often read thrillers, but the mystery of this plot, and the need to understand these characters and their mysterious past had me flying through this in two days.
The audiobook was so well-done with multiple voices and narrators. It was so immersive!
This is a perfect autumn read, and a great pick for romance and literary fiction readers who might dabble a bit in mystery or witch books. The crossover was seamless!
This setting is so immersive and moody—a remote magical island, with a mysterious history and a cold case to boot. The residents who rely on the large orchard that draws tourists, also run apothecaries and tea shops. It’s creepy and beautiful at the same time.
Emery and August are likable characters, stuck at the center of it all, as third generation kids of folks who’ve lived and worked on the island al their lives. They are both stuck in their personal lives, afraid to face loss and betrayals from their pasts. They were both gripping, and their aching souls really came through.
This plot kept me hooked from page one. I don’t often read thrillers, but the mystery of this plot, and the need to understand these characters and their mysterious past had me flying through this in two days.
The audiobook was so well-done with multiple voices and narrators. It was so immersive!
This is a perfect autumn read, and a great pick for romance and literary fiction readers who might dabble a bit in mystery or witch books. The crossover was seamless!
October 11, 2023
This was the perfect October read. It as full of magic but also full of family, heartache, secrets, and a long unsolved murder. The atmosphere of this small community was haunting and wonderful. 14 years ago Emery’s best friend Lily was murdered and Emery’s love August was accused of doing it. Part of Emery had never been able to let go of August but she has moved on, or at least she thought she had until he comes back to the island. And after all these years Emery is trying to find out what happened to Lily.
July 13, 2024
2.5 stars
“How do you like them apples?”
Damn, where is Will Hunting when you need him?! I think he might have helped make this book better for me.
Almost everyone is obsessed about apples in this book. 🤣😂
As you can imagine, I’m just as disappointed that I didn’t like this as much as I wanted to.
It had three things that I love in a book:
✔️ Pacific Northwest (my hood)
✔️ Magic realism
✔️ A murder mystery.
What I got instead:
✔️ Too many points of view
✔️ Lackluster characters that were written like they were 16 instead of 32
✔️ Lethargic pacing and had too much filler. Spells for Forgetting needs a good edit and cut!
✔️ No magic or action until about 75% into the book.
When a book has a magic or a witch theme, please give me all the witchy vibes throughout the whole book instead of at the conclusion.
And the murder mystery of the book? That was disappointing and a bit of a letdown in my opinion.
Okay, I didn’t dislike everything about this book.
✔️ I did like the atmosphere and vibe of Saoirse Island.
✔️ I also liked the deep bond that existed between August and Emery.
I wish this had worked for me but I’m glad it has for others! If you’re interested in this one, check out the more positive reviews for Spells for Forgetting and maybe lower your expectations a bit.
“How do you like them apples?”
Damn, where is Will Hunting when you need him?! I think he might have helped make this book better for me.
Almost everyone is obsessed about apples in this book. 🤣😂
As you can imagine, I’m just as disappointed that I didn’t like this as much as I wanted to.
It had three things that I love in a book:
✔️ Pacific Northwest (my hood)
✔️ Magic realism
✔️ A murder mystery.
What I got instead:
✔️ Too many points of view
✔️ Lackluster characters that were written like they were 16 instead of 32
✔️ Lethargic pacing and had too much filler. Spells for Forgetting needs a good edit and cut!
✔️ No magic or action until about 75% into the book.
When a book has a magic or a witch theme, please give me all the witchy vibes throughout the whole book instead of at the conclusion.
And the murder mystery of the book? That was disappointing and a bit of a letdown in my opinion.
Okay, I didn’t dislike everything about this book.
✔️ I did like the atmosphere and vibe of Saoirse Island.
✔️ I also liked the deep bond that existed between August and Emery.
I wish this had worked for me but I’m glad it has for others! If you’re interested in this one, check out the more positive reviews for Spells for Forgetting and maybe lower your expectations a bit.
November 26, 2023
I am admittedly not a fan of mysteries, however I absolutely adore Adrienne Young's writing style, so I gave this book a chance. And god, am I glad I did. The pacing and setting are perfect, as is the incorporation of magic into an otherwise grounded mystery. The mystery itself isn't convoluted, but keeps you interested from start to finish, with a good amount of twists and turns. I also love how this story is told in multiple POVS, so you can figure out the mystery at your own pace and no reveals ever feel spelt out. Overall, I'm really glad I picked this up. Adrienne Young outdid herself with this adult debut.
October 1, 2022
I wish something stood out for me but in all honesty, everything about this book was mediocre. Also a missed opportunity to play up the witchy aspect of the book, it read more like an extremely dull mystery/thriller instead. Deep tortured sigh.
November 20, 2023
3.5 🌟
This is my first novel by Adrienne Young and it will not be my last!
Spells for Forgetting is a dark, atmospheric and haunting novel that will grip your soul. The writing was beautiful and extremely detailed but at times the pacing of the novel was slow (maybe it was me I don't know). This is a mystery with a hint of romance and features a small town with MANY secrets.
It's told in multi POV which allows you to get inside of everyone's heads and really feel their thoughts. I did not see the story unraveling how it ended but the epilogue made me smile because the ending was exactly what my heart desperately needed.
Read if you love:
-Second chance romance
-Magical realism
-Mystery
-Small town w/ MANY secrets
This is my first novel by Adrienne Young and it will not be my last!
Spells for Forgetting is a dark, atmospheric and haunting novel that will grip your soul. The writing was beautiful and extremely detailed but at times the pacing of the novel was slow (maybe it was me I don't know). This is a mystery with a hint of romance and features a small town with MANY secrets.
It's told in multi POV which allows you to get inside of everyone's heads and really feel their thoughts. I did not see the story unraveling how it ended but the epilogue made me smile because the ending was exactly what my heart desperately needed.
Read if you love:
-Second chance romance
-Magical realism
-Mystery
-Small town w/ MANY secrets
September 7, 2024
This book definitely had some great fall vibes and was perfect to start the beginning of the "ber" months for mood and tone. What this book had going for it was it was written beautifully, Young is a very talented writer. And the vibes were really great, but it was overly long and had a very predictable plot that felt like it was drawn out too long It also had a unstaisfying ending. The writing kind of made up for all of that, hence the three star rating because I mostly did like this, it just wasn't great. I still want to read more by Young as I know she's done better in the past.
November 7, 2022
I appreciate Adrienne Young wanted to branch-out from YA to Adult genre but sorry to say this book felt more like a YA book than Adult book despite all the characters are in their 30’s or older than that
The plot is pretty simple, yes there is murder mystery who dun it type of story but it felt really simple and the plot moved so slow until almost 70% of the story, the characters act and think immature (gah i really dislike Emery) and there are too many POVs and changing so often that felt too similiar in narrative thus make me cannot seperate who is who and everything started to blend
The atmosphere is great tho, i like the idea of the magical island where apple grows and trees changing color in a night and people still practice witchcraft and the island is oftenly rain and gloomy. I think it’s the only thing i love from the book despite all the disappointment i feel
Well maybe i just put too high expectation for this book… i was hoping to read something mature, darker, more complicated, pluck my heartstring with their conversation and romance and i got NONE of them here 😒 i honestly feel so misguided with Adult label this book promised me
The plot is pretty simple, yes there is murder mystery who dun it type of story but it felt really simple and the plot moved so slow until almost 70% of the story, the characters act and think immature (gah i really dislike Emery) and there are too many POVs and changing so often that felt too similiar in narrative thus make me cannot seperate who is who and everything started to blend
The atmosphere is great tho, i like the idea of the magical island where apple grows and trees changing color in a night and people still practice witchcraft and the island is oftenly rain and gloomy. I think it’s the only thing i love from the book despite all the disappointment i feel
Well maybe i just put too high expectation for this book… i was hoping to read something mature, darker, more complicated, pluck my heartstring with their conversation and romance and i got NONE of them here 😒 i honestly feel so misguided with Adult label this book promised me
October 12, 2022
Though she always thought she’d leave, Emery still lives on Saoirse Island running the family business. As a teenager, she and her love, August, always wanted more from their lives. But while August did leave the island, it was under suspicious circumstances. While there’s always been folklore and magic associated with the island, it’s never been more evident than now, just as August unexpectedly returns to the island to bury his mother. As he reunites with old friends and secret enemies, Emery and August begin to uncover deep secrets and betrayals that haunt their home and families.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and the dark, atmospheric setting. The author also did an excellent job at incorporating secrets, guilt, and betrayals in a way that connected the characters and created depth in their relationships. However, the first 30% of the book was painfully slow and honestly quite boring. Almost nothing happened, and it wasn’t until about 40% through the work that we began getting hints to the mystery and began to feel a sense of foreboding.
This story was told from multiple POVs (I lost count, but it exceeded five). They all used first person, and unfortunately, though the characters had varied backgrounds and motivations, their voices were not unique. Their voices also made them feel as if they were in their teens still, not 30+ years of age. There was nothing in their voices that made them stand out, and the only thing that differentiated who was speaking was their name at the beginning of the chapter. This made it difficult to engage with any of the characters and made it difficult to keep track of who was who for the beginning of the work. I think if this story had been told using the third person, it would have solved all of these issues.
I still recommend this work, especially if you can make it through the first 30%. I enjoyed it overall, and I recommend it to fans of small-town suspense and mystery. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and the dark, atmospheric setting. The author also did an excellent job at incorporating secrets, guilt, and betrayals in a way that connected the characters and created depth in their relationships. However, the first 30% of the book was painfully slow and honestly quite boring. Almost nothing happened, and it wasn’t until about 40% through the work that we began getting hints to the mystery and began to feel a sense of foreboding.
This story was told from multiple POVs (I lost count, but it exceeded five). They all used first person, and unfortunately, though the characters had varied backgrounds and motivations, their voices were not unique. Their voices also made them feel as if they were in their teens still, not 30+ years of age. There was nothing in their voices that made them stand out, and the only thing that differentiated who was speaking was their name at the beginning of the chapter. This made it difficult to engage with any of the characters and made it difficult to keep track of who was who for the beginning of the work. I think if this story had been told using the third person, it would have solved all of these issues.
I still recommend this work, especially if you can make it through the first 30%. I enjoyed it overall, and I recommend it to fans of small-town suspense and mystery. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 23, 2022
Wow! If you are looking for the perfect Fall, atmospheric, suspenseful and heart wrenching read - this is it!!
Full of superstition, folklore, romance and secrets, this book is not to be missed. Read this one if you love:
1. Destined lovers
2. Dark and atmospheric writing
3. An eerie Island as a POV
4. Slightly witchy vibes
5. Misplaced guilt
6. Secrets, secrets and more secrets
7. Well developed characters and relationships
8. Ripple effects of tragedy
9. Jealousy
10. Family loyalty
If you can't already tell, I loved this one. I ripped through the pages - basking in the beautiful writing and stirring storyline. The story slowly reveals as August returns to the island of Saoirse where he grew up and vowed never to return. But return he must - in order to honor his mother's wishes to be buried there. August and his mother left the island after one of his best friends, Lily, was found dead and although not found guilty by the police, August was condemned as a murder by all of the Island's residents.
In leaving Saoirse, August was also forced to leave his girlfriend and one true love, Emery. To say that Emery was devastated by his absence is an understatement. And now, just as she has finally moved on, August is back. Emery is determined to get to the bottom of Lily's death after August returns and she comes to the terms with her naivety during the investigation. What is being hidden from her and by whom? It seems the answer to that lies in not one thing being hidden, but several things by several people.
A fully suspenseful and tension filled read, this one captivated me from cover to cover. The exploration of grief and loss was exquisite. The descriptions of the setting were lyrical and the writing was emotive. I highly recommend this one! Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, Random House/Ballentine for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 9/27/22.
Full of superstition, folklore, romance and secrets, this book is not to be missed. Read this one if you love:
1. Destined lovers
2. Dark and atmospheric writing
3. An eerie Island as a POV
4. Slightly witchy vibes
5. Misplaced guilt
6. Secrets, secrets and more secrets
7. Well developed characters and relationships
8. Ripple effects of tragedy
9. Jealousy
10. Family loyalty
If you can't already tell, I loved this one. I ripped through the pages - basking in the beautiful writing and stirring storyline. The story slowly reveals as August returns to the island of Saoirse where he grew up and vowed never to return. But return he must - in order to honor his mother's wishes to be buried there. August and his mother left the island after one of his best friends, Lily, was found dead and although not found guilty by the police, August was condemned as a murder by all of the Island's residents.
In leaving Saoirse, August was also forced to leave his girlfriend and one true love, Emery. To say that Emery was devastated by his absence is an understatement. And now, just as she has finally moved on, August is back. Emery is determined to get to the bottom of Lily's death after August returns and she comes to the terms with her naivety during the investigation. What is being hidden from her and by whom? It seems the answer to that lies in not one thing being hidden, but several things by several people.
A fully suspenseful and tension filled read, this one captivated me from cover to cover. The exploration of grief and loss was exquisite. The descriptions of the setting were lyrical and the writing was emotive. I highly recommend this one! Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, Random House/Ballentine for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 9/27/22.
January 28, 2023
Adrienne Young's writing is absolutely breathtaking and this was an incredible, eerie, and mysterious novel that needs to be at the top of your TBR list!
The island of Saiorse is a rural community that has magic and tales only the island knows that spans generations. Fourteen years ago, on the night of the fire, Emery's life change forever when her best friend was murdered and the love of her life was the only suspect. August has no other choice to flee the island and leave his love, Emery, behind. But one thing about the island of Saiorse is that it will always call you back and after fourteen long years August has returned to bury his mother's ashes. With an island that is rooted with folklore, strange things start happening the moment August steps foot on the island. As an accused murderer is back in everyones presence, the community opens up old wounds and the never solved murder of Lily comes to the surface again. You don't know what happened that night and you soon find out Lily's murder is not the only reason the community hoped August would never return.
This book was incredible! It was the perfect atmospheric read. I love AY's writing so much because it is easy to immerse yourself in the world she is describing. The chapters are a perfect length to keep the pages turning and at the end of each one, you see the next POV and can't help but keep reading. The island is eerie and ominous and the mystery of it was so fun to read as it unravelled. I loved the connection that Emery and August had. I also loved that this book was multiple POV and multiple timelines. This is the type of book that you will not be able to put down and is worth lost sleep. I cannot recommend this enough and what a wonderful first adult fantasy novel from Adrienne Young!
A huge thank you to to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an eARC of this book for exchange of my honest thoughts!
The island of Saiorse is a rural community that has magic and tales only the island knows that spans generations. Fourteen years ago, on the night of the fire, Emery's life change forever when her best friend was murdered and the love of her life was the only suspect. August has no other choice to flee the island and leave his love, Emery, behind. But one thing about the island of Saiorse is that it will always call you back and after fourteen long years August has returned to bury his mother's ashes. With an island that is rooted with folklore, strange things start happening the moment August steps foot on the island. As an accused murderer is back in everyones presence, the community opens up old wounds and the never solved murder of Lily comes to the surface again. You don't know what happened that night and you soon find out Lily's murder is not the only reason the community hoped August would never return.
This book was incredible! It was the perfect atmospheric read. I love AY's writing so much because it is easy to immerse yourself in the world she is describing. The chapters are a perfect length to keep the pages turning and at the end of each one, you see the next POV and can't help but keep reading. The island is eerie and ominous and the mystery of it was so fun to read as it unravelled. I loved the connection that Emery and August had. I also loved that this book was multiple POV and multiple timelines. This is the type of book that you will not be able to put down and is worth lost sleep. I cannot recommend this enough and what a wonderful first adult fantasy novel from Adrienne Young!
A huge thank you to to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an eARC of this book for exchange of my honest thoughts!
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