Author: Kate Pearsall
Genre: YA Fantasy/Mystery
Release Date: October 10, 2023
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Description:
In this beautifully dark and enthralling YA,
four sisters with unusual talents investigate a mysterious disappearance
in their secluded Appalachian town. For fans of House of Hollow and Wilder Girls!
In
rural Caball Hollow, surrounded by the vast National Forest, the James
women serve up more than fried green tomatoes at the Harvest Moon diner,
where the family recipes are not the only secrets.
Like her sisters, Linden was born with an unusual ability. She can taste what others are feeling, but this so-called gift
soured her relationship with the vexingly attractive Cole Spencer one
fateful night a year ago... A night when Linden vanished into the
depths of the Forest and returned with no memories of what happened,
just a litany of questions--and a haze of nightmares that suggest
there's more to her story than simply getting lost.
Now, during the hottest summer on record, another
girl in town is gone, and the similarities to last year's events are
striking. Except, this time the missing girl doesn't make it home, and
when her body is discovered, the scene unmistakably spells murder.
As
tempers boil over, Linden enlists the help of her sisters to find
what's hiding in the forest... before it finds her. But as she starts
digging for truth--about the Moth-Winged Man rumored to haunt the
Hollow, about her bitter rift with Cole, and even about her family--she
must question if some secrets are best left buried.
Bittersweet in the Hollow is the first book in a captivating new young adult fantasy series that will have readers eagerly turning pages until the very end. It's been a while since I've enjoyed a book as much as this one. It was a lovely breath of fresh air for the genre. I really enjoyed everything about this book from the characters and the setting to the plot and the themes.
I loved Linden as the main character in the book. She's down to earth, strong, brave, smart, a loving daughter and sister, and fiercely protective of her family and those she cares about. She has her flaws, like everyone, but it only makes her more realistic and easy to identify with. I connected with her right from the first page of the book and felt like I was right beside her throughout the story. I liked watching Linden grow and come into her own during the story. She ran into a lot of obstacles and trials she had to overcome, but ended up finding the strength within herself and relying on those closest to her. The secondary characters are all well-rounded with their own distinct personalities and traits. I enjoyed getting to know each of them and watching their lives unfold.
The plot was interesting in multiple ways. The author blended several genres together - fantasy, contemporary, folklore, romance, thriller, and mystery - to create something fresh and new. There were a lot of layers in the story but they all worked together seamlessly. I absolutely loved the magic/witchcraft that was infused into the story. How Linden's family all have special gifts or abilities and how they always refer to "the old ways." How the women in their family have always been different and how their wisdom has been passed down through each generation. I got major "Practical Magic" vibes more than once during the book, which made me smile each time. The story definitely had similarities to that book and it comes through quite a bit. I also enjoyed the thriller/mystery part of the story, especially with the folklore of the Moth-Winged Man. It kept me guessing right up until the reveal, which is impressive because I can normally guess things pretty quickly.
Overall, this was an awesome debut and a fantastic first book in a new YA fantasy series and I'm already counting down until the next book comes out. Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy, romance, contemporary fiction, mysteries, and readers who like books about witches and magic.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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