By: Adrienne Young
File this book under the “books to read instead of sleeping” category.
I started this and couldn’t put it down. This is a story of the island Saoirse and the tale of mystery and magic. It’s a story of one community willing to do anything, magical or otherwise, to keep its traditions and folklore alive. It’s a story of love and power and sacrifice. Of murder and mistakes and how sometimes, going back into the past can redefine your future. Most of all, it’s a story of secrets and lies.
I love how this story is told from multiple perspectives. At first, I thought it would be too confusing to keep up with the story but it truly wasn’t. In fact, it was so well done that I found myself having an emotional attachment to each character – whether they deserved it or not. And I really liked how each person’s point of view was relevant to the story. Even the island has a point of view which I absolutely loved! I will always love when authors manage to give an inanimate object character and a life.
This is one of the more atmospheric books I’ve read in a long time. I felt the chill in the air, heard the crunch of leaves, smelled the tart scent of burning wood and moved with every breath the island took. Even magic had a scent of its own and it wafted in between the pages of this book seamlessly, weaving together such enchantment that I would not put it down until I reached the very last page.
If there’s anything that I didn’t like about this book, it was that it left me wanting to know more. I want to know what happens next. I want to know just how powerful the island is and if those that leave wind up returning permanently or not (trying to stay away from spoilers).
Very nicely done and I cannot wait to read more from Adrienne Young.
NOTE: Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: :star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
Faith Love n Joy 