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henrygravesprince's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Two things before I get into my thoughts on the book itself. Firstly, I do want to say that I feel like this book was kind of shallow in its portrayal of Orlando, a Cuban boy who is supposed to be the protagonist’s best friend (but barely gets any screentime), and it comes across as tokenizing or box-checking instead of an actual effort to represent Cuban people well or accurately. The white lady narrating the audiobook putting on the particular accent she did for Orlando’s dialogue only made it seem worse, I’m afraid. Second thing: I understand why people call this Appalachian—it deals a lot with Appalachian folk songs, doesn’t frequently mention location, and lots of people see Appalachia and the rural south as synonymous—but it’s worth noting that this takes place in Florida, so while this is a rural American south story, to call it an Appalachian book isn’t entirely accurate. Also, worth noting: the audiobook narrator says Appalachia wrong.
Now, those things aside, I found this book to be an interesting examination of addiction and cycles of trauma through a Southern folk magicky sort of lense. I also found the usage of some Southern Gothic elements in a YA sort of reskin really interesting; the book does not “feel” Southern Gothic, and I wouldn’t really class it as that genre, but it does a good job of incorporating elements such as the representation of society through individuals through the setting and complex Southern family dynamics, unearthing family secrets and trauma to put them to rest once and for all. I’m curious to see where the author’s style developed from this debut and if it continues in that trajectory or not.
Also, spoilers ahead, but for anyone interested in reading this but the love triangle resolution is important to the decision, the protagonist, Shady (who is bisexual), does end up with the boy and the sapphic love interest ends up with a different girl (their sexualities are not specified but at least one of them is implied to be a lesbian) .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Murder, Death of parent, Child death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
Noose imagery; Bugs, particularly wasps; Head injury; Agoraphobiamaddsmann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child death
megelizabeth's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
This didn't end up being quite what I was expecting, but it was surprising in the best way. It's overwhelmingly a story about grief, family, trauma, and sacrifice, with elements of mystery and magic, and it really captivated me. It's beautifully-written with a wonderfully strong atmosphere, and I adored the sibling and family relationships. I liked the romance too, and I appreciated the backstory around the protagonist's previous 'almost' relationship and the depth that this adds to the developing romantic plot. I also really loved the threat that music weaves throughout the story and the way it ultimately reflects the redemption occurring. There's a lot going on in this book, but it doesn't feel like too much (although it's definitely heavy just because of the subject matter, so do be warned), and I'm really glad that I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Car accident, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Child death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Blood and Homophobia
lqvekanej's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Car accident, Violence, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
achay91's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Blood
bookabooroo's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This book touched me. It's main character grieves and processes the death of her father with music and a discovery of community, and helped me to do the same. It's has a beautiful ghostly quality. I highly recommend listening to the songs and artists referenced throughout the book as you read - a very cool 4-D story experience I've never enccountered before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
chris_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Characters confronting trauma through magical means is my favorite genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, and Car accident
Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Drug use
rediswriting's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Domestic abuse
jjames_mal's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This YA southern gothic follows Shady Grove, as she grieves the death of her father, and figures out her complex feelings both for her best friend Sarah, and Cedar, a dashing cowboy musician. Oh and also her dad left her a fiddle that can summon the dead, which she sure wants to use to prove her brother's innocence after he gets accused of murder, you know casual ya paranormal stuff.
The writing in this book is what really sold it for me. I think it's a general rule that gothics need to be moody and poetic and Erica Waters really delivers. This book also eloquently deals with grief and family, which was really necessary to tell a story like this. Finally, I'm just a sucker for some cool ghost mechanics. I love the ways authors interpret ghosts, and Shady Grove's fiddle was a great fresh take, recommend to all ghost literature enthusiasts.
The writing in this book is what really sold it for me. I think it's a general rule that gothics need to be moody and poetic and Erica Waters really delivers. This book also eloquently deals with grief and family, which was really necessary to tell a story like this. Finally, I'm just a sucker for some cool ghost mechanics. I love the ways authors interpret ghosts, and Shady Grove's fiddle was a great fresh take, recommend to all ghost literature enthusiasts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Suicide
Minor: Infidelity and Confinement
pan_to_ffel's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Child abuse, and Child death
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual assault