This book has been sitting on my NetGalley list for way longer than it should have been. This was my misfortune because I really enjoyed this story.
 
I’ve always been drawn to books set in real locations, and The Vines takes place on North Brother Island, in the East River, less than a mile from Manhattan in NYC. Historically, this island housed Riverside Hospital for quarantinable diseases, but today, it stands abandoned. That eerie, isolated setting is fitting, given the novel’s themes of quarantine, medical experimentation, and ethical dilemmas.
 
Calling the story a thriller almost oversimplifies its depth. At its core, the novel explores the pursuit of vaccines for contagious diseases, a process that is never as straightforward as it seems. And the human element, particularly regarding ethical boundaries, is what makes this story so compelling. The story weaves together themes of medical ethics, experimentation, and humanity in a thought-provoking manner.
 
The story is told through a past/present timeline, which adds richness to the narrative, but it does require close attention to keep track of some of the timeline shifts. The pacing leans toward a slow burn, which I didn’t mind, but some of the medical discussions became overly technical at times, making the narrative feel a bit weighed down.
 
If you’re drawn to books with eerie, isolated settings, medical experimentation, and psychological suspense, and especially those featuring a uniquely resilient female protagonist, you’ll likely find this a fascinating read.
 
Thank you @netgalley and Freiling Publishing for an eARC, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I value the opportunity I was given to read this in advance, but it has been four years and I still haven't read this. With so many books ahead of me, I cannot return to this title.

Finn Gettler is intrigued by the mystery surrounding North Brothers Island. He was shocked to find a woman covered in scars on this abandoned island. Realizing that there is more than what it appears, Finn is determined to figure out what happened to the woman. Knowing that his family has a long history with the abandoned facility, he has some family secrets that are quite dark to dig through. The more I read, the more questions that I had about the Gettlers and their experiments. Finn struggled to understand the why for his family's behavior and actions.

I really wanted to like this book, but it was just ok for me because I felt like I was missing something.

3 out of 5 stars.

I received an advanced copy from the author, publisher, and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

Another really good historical fiction book that was a quick read and pretty much a page-turner. I was definitely invested in both the plot and the characters, so I was able to fly through it. The thing that I didn't like about it (sorry...just opinion) has nothing to do with the author's writing. It felt so much like the 2020 pandemic and COVID and I'm just so tired of hearing about it, thinking about it, and in some ways reliving it. So it's only my personal near PSTD. I did, however, really like the characters and felt they were well written and developed. I was also disappointed to find out that there's a book 2 coming and therefore the ending didn't tie up nice and neatly. That being said, I will absolutely be reading book 2.

Finn, a young urban explorer can't help but seek adventure in a forbidden New York island, North Brother island. Upon which he discovers Cora.

What starts out as a smilingly innocent adventure to discovery Finn discovers a trip for more than what he bargins for.

The setting of this book is wonderful, feels like a dystopian world almost in which keeps you turning the pages.

I had issues with the characters Finn, seeming to have a surface level depth that wasn't accurate to the description of his age.

Cora was an absolute badass and I loved her perspective and backstory.

The plot felt unique at first but became very info dumpy with more unraveling into the plot.

If you like an isolated setting with family secrets and many plot points this books for you.

I loved the setup of this book but felt the many story lines distracting with some eye rolls. Which resulted in a 2.5 rating for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Freiling Publishing | for an ARC copy of this book.

(3.5 stars, rounded up to 4)

"The Vines" by Shelly Nolden is a captivating novel that blends elements of mystery, horror, and family drama to create a truly compelling read. Nolden's characters are richly drawn and complex, each with their own secrets and motivations that drive the plot forward. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of a sprawling estate in the New York countryside, the setting adds an extra layer of intrigue and tension to the narrative, immersing readers in a world where ancient secrets and dark forces lurk just beneath the surface.

Nolden's writing style is evocative and atmospheric, with prose that crackles with tension and suspense. The plot of "The Vines" unfolds with a perfect blend of mystery and horror, as the protagonist delves deeper into the dark history of the estate and confronts the malevolent forces that threaten to destroy her family. While the logic behind some of the characters' actions may feel a bit far-fetched at times, the overall intrigue and suspense of the novel make for an enjoyable read. The relationships between the characters are well-developed and believable, adding emotional depth and resonance to the narrative. Overall, "The Vines" is a gripping and immersive thriller that is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

I just finished reading *The Vines* by Shelly Holden, and I must say, it was interesting to learn more about a part of NYC history that's always intrigued me. Growing up in the city, I have some knowledge of tales of North Brother Island - where people with incurable diseases were sent in the 1800s. I am grateful that reading this book gave me a glimpse into what life might have been like there, and it's fascinating to imagine.

The narrative centers around Cora and Finn, and their journey is what kept me engaged, eagerly turning until the end. I always enjoy a book that makes you feel as if you're right alongside the characters.

I'm awarding *The Vines* 4 stars. While not without its flaws, it was certainly a compelling read, especially for those interested in learning about an important part and mostly unknown part of NYC history.

Thanks to Net Gallery for providing me with this ARC (admittedly, from a while ago).

Not for me. I have discovered that I don’t care for character driven novels, so this one didn’t hold my attention.

Set against the backdrop of a mysterious phenomena, this story veers into historical science fiction to reveal a decades long family history with dire consequences in the modern world.

The premise was interesting but the mystery fell flat for me in the first few chapters. I was a bit put off that the main character stoops to watching the female character bathe as our introduction. Continuing on the character dialogue is stilted, their motivations muddy, and some plot points convenient. The dual POV and historical timelines was more distracting than artful in telling the full story.

This one was twisted, dark , and a bit of contagious fun! I loved reading about the abandoned hospital. This one is a historical-mystery-thriller-fantasy-sci-fi mash up.

"The Vines" by Shelley Nolden is a novel that weaves together the eerie history of North Brother Island with a tale of love, mystery, and family secrets. Set against the backdrop of a forgotten and forbidden place, the book tells the story of Finn, an urban explorer, who becomes obsessed with uncovering the past of a mysterious woman named Cora, who is trapped on the island due to contagions and cruel doctors.

Nolden skillfully blends historical elements with a contemporary narrative, creating a sense of intrigue and foreboding. The dark history of North Brother Island, with its century-old quarantines and human experiments, adds a compelling layer to the story, making it a gripping read for those who enjoy a mix of historical fiction and suspense.

However, the novel has its drawbacks. The pacing can be uneven at times, with moments of intense excitement followed by slower periods. Some characters lack depth, making it challenging to fully connect with their motivations and actions. Additionally, the resolution of certain plot points may leave readers wanting more closure.

In conclusion, "The Vines" offers an intriguing blend of history and mystery, making it a worthwhile read for those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling. While it falls short of a higher rating due to pacing and character development issues, it still delivers an engaging narrative that will keep readers turning the pages to uncover the island's dark secrets and the fate of its enigmatic inhabitants.

Although this book has an interesting premise, it completely lost me when it veered from historical fiction to science fiction, which I was not expecting at all. This was definitely not the book for me.

This is a book about an urban explorer named Finn who visits North Brother Island in NYC, which was the historic area of medical quarantine and experiments, and he comes from a family of physicians. He encounters a woman on the island who has an interesting past and he simultaneously uncovers his own family secrets.

I found this book to be confusing at times due to timelines jumping around as well as an excess of dialogue. I believe there is going to be a sequel but I am not sure that I will read it. I don't think this one was my cup of tea, but it definitely was interesting and I think historical fiction lovers would really enjoy it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a great read! so happy to have received access to this arc. Already have recommended to many friends!

I started this book with such high expectations, but was sorely let down! The timelines didn't bother me, it was how eerily similar it was to today's situation. I read books to escape life, I don't need to read about it! I didn't even have the desire to attempt finishing this one at all. I was really looking forward to it too as the synopsis was very promising.

I don't think it is right to say I loved this book given the subject matter. How do I describe it? It is a medical sci-fi historical fiction family horror saga. I got a copy of this book from Netgalley but I kept ignoring it. Finally I needed a book with a plant on the cover so I chose this one. It seems really long but maybe I was just praying for it to end for the sake of our heroine, but I couldn't put it down. It is set on North Brother Island in the East River of New York, the former site of Riverside Hospital for quarantinable disease. After the hospital closed it was used to house veterans returning from the war and then teenage drug addicts before the island was abandoned in 1963. It now serves as a heron sanctuary. Before reading I looked at creepy pictures of the island as it is today to set the mood. The history of the island, the hospital, the sternwheeler sinking, and the diseases of the time was fascinating to me. The story centers around the Gettler family, most of whom were doctors except for Finn, an urban explorer. With the island closed to the public, Finn sneaks ashore and sees a beautiful young woman showering. Who is she and what is she doing there? In answering this question, the author goes back and forth between 2007 and 1902. What follows is a horrific exploration of what man will do for the greater good. It is mentally horrific but not really graphic horror. The book has a few twists but most you could see coming. The afterward by the author tells her personal reasons for writing the book, and the current COVID pandemic makes it more meaningful. I was fascinated by this book and look forward to the promised sequel.

The Vines tells the story of a woman named Cora who has been imprisoned on the forbidden North Brother Island and the story of an explorer named Finn who is captivated by her and this island. I thought the premise was very intriguing and appreciated that it includes facts about said island and the hospital and all the experiments that went on, but unfortunately this story was not for me. I didn't love the dual pov and I don't think the dual timelines combined well enough for it to make sense and wrap everything up. It felt like too many things were happening simultaneously and they weren't able to be fleshed out well enough because of that. The characters and dialogue were dull and the climax of the novel fell a bit flat. Unfortunately this book was not for me and I will not be picking up the sequel.

I couldn’t get in to this book unfortunately, I did read the whole thing but did not find myself connecting with it at all

The Vines is a story that ties together modern advances in microbiology and vaccination with a historical background.

It begins with Finn, a descendent of a family of microbiologists in some form. He discovers a scarred woman named Cora and begins to unravel her connection to his family and the small, abandoned New York island she resides on. We find that Cora has been experimented on for decades and hosts multiple epidemic diseases, including typhoid and smallpox. It is up to Finn to discover how she has lived so long, determine the extent of his family's unethical treatment, and try his best to help her.

I particularly enjoyed the historical aspects of the story. Many famous scientists and their discoveries, such as Leeuwenhoek's "animalcules," are discussed. It also brings a focus to ethics and if one person's suffering for the "benefit" of mankind acceptable.

Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into this book and had to dnf. It had a slow start and never really picked up and couldn’t hold my attention.