Great book but definitely not something I would have read on my own. ( )

Gr 9 Up—Past and present are side by side as Ivy navigates the occult happenings that creep ever closer to
home—and her mother's past. Subtle foreshadowing, ominous supernatural elements, and nuanced relationships
propel this character-driven novel.

Bargain books 15/01/2024

The Craft meets Twin Peaks.

3.75 stars

Definitely reminiscent of The Craft.

I'm personally not a fan of multiple POVs - and I tended to like Ivy's more than her mothers.
I really didn't like Dana at all - she caused so much suffering to her family and her frequent "abscences" weren't really explained. And wiping your daughters memories cos she shared her eecret with her best friend - like wtf? I think it was more about suppressing Ivy's power and potential because she felt it threaten her own.

I also didn't like the main romantic relationship with Billy, it was weird. Like at 11 you aren't in love and then pining for that person for another 6 years even though they seem to have zero interest in you jst gives off creeper vibes.

I liked the overall premise but it hinges on the "I can't explain it yet/I can't tell you whats' going on/I'm just trying to protect you by keeping you in the dark" BS - if someone wasn't being honest with me I'd be like, tell me what's going on or I will never speak to you again. The fact that her own daughter was put in danger because of Dana's unwillingness to be honest with her own family annoys me.

I also found it a massive letdown that Astrid sort of became a nothing character after all that.

Overall I did keep on reading to find out what happened in the end, but I feel like it could have been better. ( )