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(My amazing friend Madalyn, at Novel Ink, gave this to me as a birthday gift!) đ
âOf all the stories about my family, the Fernweh women and the island of By-the-Sea, there are two that no one will ever forget. One is the story of how my sister, Mary, and I were born. And the other is the story of the summer we turned eighteen. This summer.â
This was nothing short of a beautiful delight to read. This was moving, and powerful, and magical, and sweet, yet also heartbreaking. This reads like a mix between Girl Made of Stars and The Wicked Deep, and if you love either (bonus points for both) then you will completely love this story, too!
This book is set on a very small island, where Georgina and Maryâs graduating class only consisted of 30ish kids. This summer is not only Georgina and Maryâs eighteenth birthday, but it is also the last summer before they leave the island for the first time to go away to college. Their mother runs the inn that has been in their family for many generations. Yet, no one really stays until the summer solstice, when a magical bird comes to the island and attracts so many tourists.
â˝ Georgina – Our main character, a lesbian, and a witch who has not discovered her power(s).
â˝ Mary – Georginaâs twin sister, who has already discovered that her power allows her to float in midair.
â˝ Vira – Georginaâs best friend, who works at the local ice cream parlor, who is aroace, and my freakinâ favorite.
â˝ Prue – Visiting the island, bisexual, and has feelings for Georgina.
â˝ Harrison – Prueâs brother, who has come to the island to see a bird that appears every summer.
â˝ Annabella – The magical, one of a kind, bird, who also might be somehow related to Georgina and Mary.
âI think a person can be a home, sometimes, just as much as a place or a house can.â
The entire island, and all of these characterâs lives change when Annabella doesnât make her annual arrival to the island. Georgina makes it her mission to not only find out what happened to Annabella, but also what happened to her sister, Mary, because she is acting really depressed and secretive. Georgina also is trying to figure out if she will never manifest any magical abilities like most of the women in her family, and she is also realizing that maybe she has real feelings for someone visiting the island this summer.
Yet, this book also has a darker message about rape and rape culture and the topic is laced throughout the entire story, so please use caution. It doesnât matter if youâre in a relationship with the person. It doesnât matter if youâve had sex before. It doesnât matter what youâre wearing. It doesnât matter what youâve said before. It doesnât matter any circumstances; if itâs not consensual then it is rape. Rape culture is so real, so apparent, and so very much thriving in 2018. And for anyone who needs it, especially right now: I believe you.
âBecause there was nothing in a girlâs history that might negate her right to choose what happens to her body.â
This is also a story about sisterhood, and unconditional love, and it discusses the sacrifices that we are willing to make to help the ones we love. This is a book about sexuality and those moments when you feel so validated and you feel like you are finally the person youâve always wanted to be. This is a book about community, and found family, and respecting your family heritage, culture, and customs.
âHow I would miss youâevery part of youâbut especially the smell, always the smell: of salt, of brine, of water, of spells, or potions, or feathers, and of what it would mean to leave it all in just two months.â
Overall, I just loved this. I think itâs the perfect blend of light and dark. It feels so whimsical since witchcraft is delicately folded in to this story, but it feels so hard-hitting and realistic, too. The messages, discussions, and themes are important and life changing. The characters feel completely fleshed out and I couldnât help but fall in love with all of them. Plus, the f/f romance in this was magnificent and gave me all the feels. And this story is written so very lyrically, that I never wanted it to end, because I wanted to stay on this island with these characters forever. I truly loved this, and I think itâs one of the best 2018 publications. I recommend it with my entire heart and soul.
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Content and trigger warnings for off page rape and sexual assault, mention of drugging people without them knowing (not in a date rape way, but it still felt bad to read), underage drinking, drug use, anxiety depictions, and an animal death.
Buddy read with Taryn at Taryn and Her Books! â¤
Great review! I meant to read this over the summer and never got around to it. I’m so glad you see that you liked it!
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Awh, I think you’ll really love this one actually, love! And I hope you’re currently having happy reading, sweetheart! đxx
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Thank you!
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Great review, this book sounds so good đđ
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Awh, thank you so much, love! I hope you’re having happy reading! đxx
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You’re welcome and you toođđđ
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Thanks for sharing your review, Iâll have to add this one to my list. What other books would you reccomend?
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Awh, thank you so much! If you want another book like this; I’d recommend The Wicked Deep! đxx
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Ahhh, I’m SO happy you ended up loving this. It was so atmospheric and lyrical and magical, and the discussion of rape culture was fantastic. Oh, and the romance! 10/10. Wonderful review, as always!
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Awh, thank you, Madalyn love! I mean, the book was such a masterpiece, but I think the fact that it was given to me by someone so sweet and kind just made the reading experience ten times better, too! Hehe. I hope you’re currently having happy reading, beautiful! đxx
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Wow this sounds like a fantastic and totally unique book! Amazing review!
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Awh, thank you so much, love! It really blew me and my expectations away! đxx
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i am SO EXCITED you loved this book!! i just added it to my tbr a couple weeks ago. yay yay yay!
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I hope you love this one, sweetheart! Happy reading! đxx
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aaagh, I really wanted to read this, but the mention of sexual assault & rape themes put me off it. but I keep seeing such glowing reviews and it makes me waaaaant it. f/f romances are my weakness, damn it! can I ask if the assault is against one of the main characters? it’ll help me decide whether to try this or not…
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Hey, love! Yeah, I know how you feel, and I’m sorry. F/f witches? Sign me up, always! Hehe! Obviously always put yourself and first and make sure you are in a healthy and okay mindset; but the sexual assault is never on page, only mentioned. And it is to the main character’s sister, who does a very big role in the book. Again, I don’t want to lessen anything, but it is not graphic at all and nothing on page.
Happy reading, sweetheart! đxx
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that’s good to know, thank you so much for clarifying the details! I may go ahead one of these days then đ
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Great review! I got back from visiting Taryn today and am actually borrowing this book, ha. Both your initial reactions made me need to read this one!
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Awh, this actually makes me smile really big! I hope you enjoy this one too, sweetheart! happy reading! đ§Ąxx
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I loved this one too đ That final message alone was worth all the stars. So glad you enjoyed it too, I really hoped you would â¤
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Awh, thank you, love! It was such a powerful little masterpiece! I hope you’re having happy reading, love! đxx
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Ohhh this looks so good and I love the cover, as well. â¤
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It was such a magical and unexpected surprise! I fell so hard in love! I hope you do too, Shai love! Happy reading! đxx
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