DNF'd at 20%
The story was hard for me to get into, I tried many times to read this book but couldn't immerse myself in the story.

The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond follows twin 17-year old girls in Sacramento, CA in the late 1800s. The girls are mediums that have different abilities related to death…

This book was such a fun time!! I loved the late 1800s Northern California setting. I was born in Northern California and my grandparents have always been really obsessed with anything historic, so the setting just reminded me of home! The book was just a little spooky, and a lot adventurous! This book was incredibly fast-paced and could be read in just a handful of hours, but the pacing feels right and the story has a full, rich plot. My only “complaint” is that I wish the book was longer, or a sequel would be great! I would follow Edie on her spiritual hijinks all day!

Okay, that was surprising. First of all, I am delighted with the idea for a story, it absorbed me from the very first pages. And finally – siblings, contrary to appearances, this trope does not appear too often in this type of literature. Great reading for October and November, Halloween atmosphere.

I love a good paranormal/witchy story and this was riddled with political and feminist issues and just a dash of romance. I’m not going to lie the first half of the book was a little bit hard for me to get into but around the half way mark things really started to pick up! I initially thought this would be a dual pov book since it was about twins but it mainly followed edie and her journey as a medium who has an awful lot of emotional baggage. I however did enjoy the twist and turns and the small redemption arch. I also enjoyed the authors writing style it was very engaging!

“The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond” follows the story of seventeen-year-old twins who, just like their belated mother, are powerful mediums. The gifts that have been passed down from their mother, split into two—Violet can open the veil between life and death, and Edie can cross into the spirit world—unfortunately couldn’t save them when their mother died in the veil and their father threatened to commit them to a notorious asylum one year prior.

The night of their mother’s passing, the twins became runaways and now are part of a traveling Spiritualist show, a tight-knit group of young women who demonstrate their real talents under the guise of communing with spirits. Each night, actresses, poets, musicians, and orators all make contact with spirits who happen to have something to say. But when Violet’s act goes terribly wrong one night, Edie learns that the dark spirit (what I would deem as the “Shadow Man”) responsible for their mother’s death has crossed into the land of the living. As Edie investigates the identity of her mysterious final client, N.D, she quickly realizes that someone… or something is hunting mediums and they may be next. Not wanting to cause Violet fear, Edie keeps the secrets of not only the dark presence that has surface but the reason cause of death of their love one is causing a wavering bond among the twins—Edie soon realizes she can’t only trust herself to uncover a killer who will stop at nothing to cheat death.

If that synopsis doesn’t push you to pick this book up this spooky season, I don’t know what would. I can’t begin to describe how much I thoroughly enjoyed this YA paranormal murder mystery book. I came in with low, low expectations and was blown away by the author's research (asylums, women’s rights during the era, society in the late 1800s, spirituality, etc.), writing style, great assemblage of characters (Laws has my heart!), themes, perfect mix of genres that I am living for, pacing, storyline and surprisingly enough, the mild romance that typically tends to fail time and time again in other YA paranormal books. Another thing I was highly impressed by was the fact that each of the sisters had their own identity. They had their unique personalities, quirks, abilities, strengths, and opinions—despite that, there was a strong sense of understanding between them.

Despite the raving review, I do want to point out the one thing that I highly dislike was the lack of Violet. Her skills and gifts were only showcased during the later book of the novel but all throughout, the story primarily focused on Edie. Maybe it’s just me but I really wanted Violet to more heavily involved in the murder mystery investigation.

Altogether, “The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond '' downright unputdownable and has become the first YA I have come across in a long time that lives up to the hype. Across the board—a phenomenal read I know I will pick up time and time again this spooky season.

Plot synopsis:
"Sacramento, 1885
Edie and Violet Bond know the truth about death. The seventeen-year-old twins are powerful mediums, just like their mother—Violet can open the veil between life and death, and Edie can cross into the spirit world. But their abilities couldn’t save them when their mother died and their father threatened to commit them to a notorious asylum."

Review:
The thing I definetely enjoyed most about this book was the relationships between the different well-written characters and especially the bond between the two sistere. The plos was also easy to follow and I even managed to read this book within two reads (even though I am not the fastest reader) because of the many mysteries you want to uncover with the characters. This really is a great YA book with all elements I think it needed to succeed and grip my attention. I also really loved how the ending was neither rushed or prolonged unnecessairly. I would say that some plot lines of the book were maybe a bit predictable and the beginning was a bit confusing for me, but overall I really enjoyed and recommend this book!

A mystical debut novel with a wonderful sibling relationship at the heart of it. I'd love to see more from this author.

"Eventually, all spirits succumb to the same thing, a pull that draws them through the veil and then, beyond. This is the second death. The final death, from which no spirit returns"

Edie and Violet Bond are twins, mediums at that. Their father is a holy man and their mother a medium, which was hidden from their father. Each daughter inherited half of their mother's abilities - Violet, able to channel spirits, and Edie able to cross between life and death. Violet is light, pragmatic and an aspiring actress, Edie is pessimistic, burdened, and a skeptic.

At the beginning of the story, Edie hasn't used her ability for a year, since that frightful evening her mother died and Edie couldn't do a thing to stop it. What's worse is, that she blames herself for her mother's death. After their mother's passing their father discovers who they are and what they can do and locks them away so that he can have them committed to a notorious asylum. The girls run away from home and join a tour of traveling mediums.

Violet’s act goes terribly wrong one night, Edie learns that the dark spirit responsible for their mother’s death has crossed into the land of the living. As they investigate the identity of their mother's mysterious final client, they realize that someone is hunting mediums…and they may be next. Only by trusting in one another can the twins uncover a killer who will stop at nothing to cheat death.

The story started off a little slow for me, but here by the 30% mark I was hooked. I loved the sense of "found family" within the traveling group. We have a father figure, a mother figure and friends that would do anything for them. We meet some new friends along the way, who go along with Edie and her investigation This story deals with grief, guilt, trust, and an undertone of fighting for women's rights. The story took more than one little turn and I was here for each one. I truly could not put this book down and loved it to the very end. This was a strong 4-star for me.

I am obsessed with Laws :) If you know, you know.

“American Horror Story” (season 2, of course) meets “The Night Circus” in Amanda Glaze’s debut novel “The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond.”

Set in 1885 Sacramento, seventeen-year-old twins Edie and Violet Bond perform in a spiritualist show alongside a dozen other women performing under the guise of communing with the dead. The difference between Edie and Violet’s acts and the rest of the troupe is that the Bond twins are mediums–Violet can open the veil between life and death. At the same time, Edie can cross into the afterlife.

When Violet’s act goes wrong one night, Edie learns a dark spirit that killed their mother has been set loose in the city while someone is kidnapping and killing mediums. With the help of a curious journalist, the twins must find the killer or risk being next.

With all their quirks and powers, Edie and Violet are just like any other teenage girls–trying to figure out themselves, falling in and out of love, and rebelling against the societal norms that tell them to be quiet, be smaller, or more ladylike. The character growth of the twins was marvelous to read and was essential in the conflict of “The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond.”

I’ve read my fair share of psychic or circus-esque historical novels–think “The Night Circus”–yet Glaze’s rendition of the niche genre is a delight. Glaze mentions in the beginning that “The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond” was inspired by a photograph of her great-grandmother and her sister. Additionally, the entire novel was well-researched and refused to hold back on the realities of being a woman–from women’s rights and suffrage to mental health asylums–in 1885.

Glaze’s theatrical writing style draws you in immediately; nonetheless, parts of the first half dragged. Occasionally, the novel felt like we were nearing the climax but puttered out until the actual climax–a well-worth-it wait. Once the book's second half comes around, it’s hard to put “The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond” down, and the twists and turns the novel takes will have you on the edge of your seat.

A thrilling dip into the paranormal and historical, “The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond” is a novel begging to be read. Every part theatrical and spiritual, Glaze’s debut is set to be one of the best YA novels of the year.

This book was absolutely phenomenal I loved the historical elements, the paranormal aspects, the family/friends bonding, the romance, well really just everything.

If you are into paranormal YA this is a book for you, I loved everything about it.

*Review in exchange for ARC*
Synopsis below, review to follow:
Edie and Violet Bond know the truth about death. The seventeen-year-old twins are powerful mediums, just like their mother—Violet can open the veil between life and death, and Edie can cross into the spirit world. But their abilities couldn’t save them when their mother died and their father threatened to commit them to a notorious asylum.

Now runaways, Edie and Violet are part of a traveling Spiritualist show, a tight-knit group of young women who demonstrate their real talents under the guise of communing with spirits. Each night, actresses, poets, musicians, and orators all make contact with spirits who happen to have something to say. . . notions that young ladies could never openly express. But when Violet’s act goes terribly wrong one night, Edie learns that the dark spirit responsible for their mother’s death has crossed into the land of the living. As they investigate the identity of her mysterious final client, they realize that someone is hunting mediums…and they may be next.. Only by trusting in one another can the twins uncover a killer who will stop at nothing to cheat death.
***
WOW - seriously, this book was such a hidden gem! The premise really intrigued me - first of all, I had no idea trance shows were a part of real history, and I felt that Glaze really captured the spirit of the women on these tours. The little blurb behind the story (the fact that Glaze's grandmothers had been really part of the trance lecture circuit) fascinated me and made me feel more connected to the story.

I loved the characters - especially Edie, but Violet stood out to me because of her relationship with her twin. We don't see the story from Violet's eyes, but I could still feel everything that Violet was thinking - I think Glaze did a great job of intertwining the twin's lives/thoughts/feelings, to make the reader believe we're in on their twin-bond. The character development in this story is amazing too - I liked that there was just a hint of romance, enough to make me want to see more from Laws, but the story is centered on the girls and their relationships to each other, and those in the trance lecture circuit.

I think that's what I loved most about this book - the way that Glaze makes it clear that all the women in this circle have a little bit of power, spiritual or not, that helps that connect with each other. This story wouldn't be possible without these women, and their bond is what makes them powerful. Love, LOVED, this book and will look for more from Amanda Glaze in the future.

I flew through this book. If that doesn´t convince you to read it, I don´t know what will. Loved the introduction from the author, loved the plot and the characters and the ending wrap this story up really well. You may think you know what´s going to happen but the book manages to surprise you a lot, specially regarding some characters. The writing is easy to read and understand and despite the dark themes presented in the book, it makes you never want to stop reading it. One thing that I would change, is Violet´s presence in the book. I feel like she should´ve had more time in the spotlight considering the title of the book, instead of just focusing on Edie. Apart from that, I recommend it to all the people that love a good dose of magic, suspense and a touch of darkness. All my thanks to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Sacramento, 1885
Edie and Violet Bond are strong mediums. Violet can open the veil between life and death and Edie can cross into the spirit world, just like their mother. A year ago their mother died during a cross over and their father threatened to send them to an asylum.
The girls ran away and because part of a traveling Spiritualist show. But one night Violet's act goes horribly wrong, and Edie learns that a dark spirit has possessed a living person, and it is the one responsible for their mother's death. As they try to unravel the mystery of this spirit, they discover that something is happening to mediums. Will the sisters trust each other and their friends enough to uncover a killer?

This book was riveting. It takes typical historical issues for women and puts a spiritualist twist on them. You can see the parallels with the normal woman experience through the lens of the mediums. The book was a quick read and you want to keep reading to see what is going to happen. The theme of trust is throughout the book with various characters. It also examines the love within different relationships: mother-daughters, sisters, couples, and father-daughter. This book is one of my favorites of this year so far.

Thank you, Union Square and Co, for allowing me to read The second Death of Edie and Violet Bond early.

When I saw Nina LaCoeur’s blurb saying that this story is deliciously chilling and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, I knew I would love this story. I wasn’t just on the edge of my seat; I literally slipped off while reading. And I just sat on the ground, reading, and reading because I couldn’t let go of those twins. Beautiful, beautiful book!

I really liked this book . It was very original and fast paced . While conducting a private reading for a wealthy client, Edie encounters a evil spirit. Soon, two other mediums are dead . She and a reporter begin to investigate the murder and discover a scandal that involves the asylum .Edie and Violet work together to save themselves and bring the killer to justice.

Thank you to Netgalley and Union Square & Co, for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond in nearly one sitting. It's the story of identical twins Edie and Violet, each gifted with supernatural abilities passed down from their mother. Violet can open the Veil between life and death to call upon spirits to possess and speak through her. Edie can cross into the Veil of death to interact with the spirits and help some to pass on through a second death. They work for a travelling tour of spiritual mediums, stopping in a small town in California for a week.

This story was so good, that I couldn't put it down. The world-building was tactile to me in its accuracy of the 1880s and what was happening politically. It felt like the real, historical setting that it was meant to exist in. Combining the politics and ideas of the decade with the supernatural aspects of the Veil made for an exciting and risque story.

This book was so good!!!!!
A story about identical twins, Edie and Violet, set in California, follows the twins on a medium tour while they struggle to stay afloat on their own after running away from their home.
This book had everything I love, beautiful prose, very well-written characters, captivating storytelling, and fantasy!! Although the world-building is not very extensive and rather just a simple one, I still loved the concept of two deaths a lot.
The book includes themes such as patriarchy, misogyny, parental abuse, sibling dynamics, and grief.
I think my favorite part of the book was everything related to patriarchy and misogyny, I loved the nuanced conversations on this and how it was written in such a realistic way. The struggles women have had to go through (and still go through) were written in a brilliant way.
I'll highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers and people who love to read character-driven books with strong female characters!
Actual rating: 4.5

Hands down, this book was one of my top favorite reads in 2022. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this, but oh man, this book took me on a wild ride. I loved the author's note at the beginning introducing us to the real Edie and Violent Bond, too.

This novel is definitely one you can sit and binge read for hours without stopping. And I did NOT expect that ending. I was getting nervous the closer it got, I really wasn't sure what was going to happen because there were SO many ways it could have gone.

Let's also talk about the fact that this book is definitely current with what's going on in the U.S. right now, with the abortion bans happening. That really struck a chord with me. I think that what Amanda Glaze has here is really special.

I started this book with little to no expectations and it absolutely surprised me.
What I loved from the start was the backstory about the authors grandmothers - the real Edie and Violet Bond - whose photograph inspired this story. You can really feel how much thought and research went into this book and it was definitely worth it.
The sisters abilities were so interesting and well crafted and I loved to see how they tried to become independent with the help of their power, in a world where women were still looked down on.
The murder mystery was insanely suspenseful and I was hooked from the start. I really wanted to save the mysteries and the story got even more and more complex.

The small romance subplot between one of the sisters and her love interest lightened up the story and I loved the slow and teasing development between these two.
Overall the relationships between the characters were really deep and you can feel how much they are trying to help each other.
Especially the twins themselves love each other so much and still they partly lied to each other, in terms of protection. The character development and how they started to trust and see each other again was wonderful to see.

There were so many important issues like misogyny, loss, grief, self-growth and trust that were woven really well into the story. This book definitely has it all: a thrilling plot, murder mystery, a lovable romance and wonderful main characters.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! I was so excited to pick this one up because of the synopsis and cover, but sadly it wasn't for me... I see the appeal and I thought that it was very unique, but I never fully connected to the story and was a bit bored during some parts. However, I feel like a lot of people would really enjoy this one, and for that reason I'm giving it three stars and still recommending it!