Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

My first Adrienne Young novel (though she's been on my "want to read" list for ages), Spells for Forgetting is a National Bestseller, one of She Reads' Best Books of the Year for 2022, and an Amazon Editor's Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense. Spells for Forgetting was Adrienne Young's first stand alone novel after writing primarily young adult fantasy series and it deals with cancer, child abuse, gun violence, kidnapping, grief, death of a teenager and death of a parent, murder, pregnancy, fire causing injury, abandonment, and classism.

Emery Blackwood has lived on Saiorse for her entire life and knows how to read the magic of the island. She knows that something is coming, she can read it in the way a starling dies on her stoop, in the way the trees of the island all change to their fall colors overnight. As it happens, that is the day that August Salt comes back to Saiorse. A decade ago, there was a terrible fire that threatened the livelihood of the entire island and when the fire was put out, Emery's best friend's body was found - under mysterious circumstances. August and his mother left the island, and Emery, behind when he was accused of the murder and the island's inhabitants turned on them completely. They left without telling anyone they were going or where to find them. But there is unfinished business between Emery and August, no matter how they've tried to put it behind them, and when August returns to Saiorse to bury his mother's ashes, there's no better time than the present to finish that business and find out for certain if it was August who killed Lily. As secret upon secret is uncovered and the people of Saiorse make it clear that August is not welcome there, Emery no longer knows what she believes happened the night Lily died.

What a delightful read! I am usually someone who needs some lightheartedness in my books, some snark, some levity. This book did not have that. It was dark, it was mysterious, it was spooky, and it was great. The characters were well developed and likeable (although again, very somber) and had their own faults and positive attributes. The scene building was incredible, I could almost feel the chill in the air of Saiorse as autumn approaches. There was a core group of main characters but a nice repertoire of secondary characters that I enjoyed as well. And the plot was well planned and did not dawdle. I really enjoyed the book and although the mystery was not difficult to figure out - it was still satisfying to find out exactly how it played out. The one thing I wish was different was the climax, I thought it felt a little flat and not as exciting or nerve wracking as the setting deserved.

I'm giving Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young 4.5 stars out of 5. It was my first of her novels but it will not be the last, The Unmaking of June Farrow just shot way up on my list. Read this if you want something that feels like Practical Magic - witchy in a way that could be true. Shout out to my cousin for getting this book for me as a birthday gift.

For more from Adrienne Young, take a look at her instagram @adrienneyoungbooks

Pairs well with a pastrami sandwich (with mustard) and going apple picking.

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