I have a TON of thoughts after finishing this book.
"We are strong mountain women. We're going to stop believing the lies the world tells us about who we are and letting them make us small. Because I know who you are, each one of you, and I didn't raise you to be small."
I've been craving autumn and all the creepy, spooky fantasy mysteries that come with that season, and starting my spooky books off with Bittersweet in the Hollow this year was a phenomenal decision on my part. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The best part by far was the distinct voice/dialect of the people living near the Appalachian Mountains. It made the atmosphere 1000% stronger because I was transported to this region through all my senses—taste with James women recipes, sound with the Appalachian terminology/phrases, sight and touch with the lush descriptions of the forests and setting, etc. Plus, I was in love with the history and lore surrounding the town, definitely hope for more of that in the sequel.
"How strange it is to be born and live somewhere our whole lives, to have family and roots here, and yet be made to feel we don't belong. To be outsiders in the only home we've ever known."
For anyone with a big family—particularly in a smaller more rural town—you'll truly enjoy this novel. Not only does it stick true to small town family drama being immensely unnerving, but it also blends that perfectly with a close-knit family. I think I speak for a ton of future readers when I say the James women were a sight for sore eyes. I've grown tired of books constantly destroying families and leaving orphans behind. It was amazing to see not only a relationship between Linden and her mother or sisters but overall the three generations worth of James women living together in chaotic normalcy. That was beautiful. There wasn't even much fighting unless it involved the sisters protecting one another. It was refreshing to see such a positive bond between siblings too. Pearsall also gives ample personalities and distinct relationships amongst all of the sisters. Rowan and Linden were completely different to Linden and Juniper or even Sorrel and Linden. I was curious to see Linden's sisters' abilities after learning Linden could smell emotions, and I was not disappointed. Sorrel charms bees to make honey, which can strengthen spells or bind a promise—very unique! Rowan, in a very fitting manner, can detect lies and has a real knack for unearthing them, which the latter isn't technically a part of her abilities; Rowan just really hates liars haha. Finally, Juniper was gifted with bridging the gap between their current world and the next, a mighty ability that comes in handy plenty of times throughout this book—possibly even the sequel. All of the James sisters together create an electric magic system along with their lovely bonds with one another, and I cannot wait to see what else they do together in the sequel.
"No one really believes that calling the Moth-Winged Man can grant your deepest wish, but somehow, under the twinkling lights, with all the promise of summer spread out before us, it feels like anything is possible."
Honestly, I know a ton of people talk about food descriptions being great in a ton of books, but I need to emphasize just how INCREDIBLE the food sounded here. I don't think I've ever read a book where I could almost smell the pies or jam or tomatoes. The connections between food, family, and bonding overall just left me cocooned in the warmest hug. I highly recommend reading this book just to experience the food because it'll certainly be a life changing experience, especially if you're a foodie. Lastly I guess I never expected Linden's power to manifest in connection to her love of cooking/baking, but it was purely genius. I can't wait for more scenes involving this!
"What does it mean to go missing? To become lost, to disappear. None of the tales we're told as children are useful instruction. We don't hike with pockets full of bread crumbs to leave a trail, and no fairy godmother will appear to point the way. Sometimes, no matter how good or righteous we are, we may never find our way home."
I'm not quite sure where the story is heading for the sequel. I assume Zephyrine is going to be the main plot. Until the James women see a body or get some better answers, I think they have plans to hunt for their family member. Also, I could see Linden even searching for answers to their first known ancestor Caorunn because she has similar abilities that interact with emotions.
"Murder is nothing new in Caball Hollow, Linden."
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"We are strong mountain women. We're going to stop believing the lies the world tells us about who we are and letting them make us small. Because I know who you are, each one of you, and I didn't raise you to be small."
I've been craving autumn and all the creepy, spooky fantasy mysteries that come with that season, and starting my spooky books off with Bittersweet in the Hollow this year was a phenomenal decision on my part. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The best part by far was the distinct voice/dialect of the people living near the Appalachian Mountains. It made the atmosphere 1000% stronger because I was transported to this region through all my senses—taste with James women recipes, sound with the Appalachian terminology/phrases, sight and touch with the lush descriptions of the forests and setting, etc. Plus, I was in love with the history and lore surrounding the town, definitely hope for more of that in the sequel.
"How strange it is to be born and live somewhere our whole lives, to have family and roots here, and yet be made to feel we don't belong. To be outsiders in the only home we've ever known."
For anyone with a big family—particularly in a smaller more rural town—you'll truly enjoy this novel. Not only does it stick true to small town family drama being immensely unnerving, but it also blends that perfectly with a close-knit family. I think I speak for a ton of future readers when I say the James women were a sight for sore eyes. I've grown tired of books constantly destroying families and leaving orphans behind. It was amazing to see not only a relationship between Linden and her mother or sisters but overall the three generations worth of James women living together in chaotic normalcy. That was beautiful. There wasn't even much fighting unless it involved the sisters protecting one another. It was refreshing to see such a positive bond between siblings too. Pearsall also gives ample personalities and distinct relationships amongst all of the sisters. Rowan and Linden were completely different to Linden and Juniper or even Sorrel and Linden. I was curious to see Linden's sisters' abilities after learning Linden could smell emotions, and I was not disappointed. Sorrel charms bees to make honey, which can strengthen spells or bind a promise—very unique! Rowan, in a very fitting manner, can detect lies and has a real knack for unearthing them, which the latter isn't technically a part of her abilities; Rowan just really hates liars haha. Finally, Juniper was gifted with bridging the gap between their current world and the next, a mighty ability that comes in handy plenty of times throughout this book—possibly even the sequel. All of the James sisters together create an electric magic system along with their lovely bonds with one another, and I cannot wait to see what else they do together in the sequel.
"No one really believes that calling the Moth-Winged Man can grant your deepest wish, but somehow, under the twinkling lights, with all the promise of summer spread out before us, it feels like anything is possible."
Honestly, I know a ton of people talk about food descriptions being great in a ton of books, but I need to emphasize just how INCREDIBLE the food sounded here. I don't think I've ever read a book where I could almost smell the pies or jam or tomatoes. The connections between food, family, and bonding overall just left me cocooned in the warmest hug. I highly recommend reading this book just to experience the food because it'll certainly be a life changing experience, especially if you're a foodie. Lastly I guess I never expected Linden's power to manifest in connection to her love of cooking/baking, but it was purely genius. I can't wait for more scenes involving this!
"What does it mean to go missing? To become lost, to disappear. None of the tales we're told as children are useful instruction. We don't hike with pockets full of bread crumbs to leave a trail, and no fairy godmother will appear to point the way. Sometimes, no matter how good or righteous we are, we may never find our way home."
I'm not quite sure where the story is heading for the sequel. I assume Zephyrine is going to be the main plot. Until the James women see a body or get some better answers, I think they have plans to hunt for their family member. Also, I could see Linden even searching for answers to their first known ancestor Caorunn because she has similar abilities that interact with emotions.
"Murder is nothing new in Caball Hollow, Linden."
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.