Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this eARC of Spells For Forgetting.

I absolutely love Adrienne's work and was so hyped that I got this eARC.

This story starts of slow but it then picks up and boy does it pick up. I couldn't put it down - I got mesmerised by the characters and by the setting. The ominous atmosphere of Saiorse was so haunting in its folklore and tradition with its tight-knitted community, It certainly had me gripped.
The plot about a murder’s suspect’s return to the island, getting accused of another crime he didn’t commit and his unresolved love story made for a dark and intense whodunnit mystery.
I enjoyed reading this and like Adrienne's other novels this is no exception.

Well, this was my fastest read in a good while. As much as I complained while reading, I did enjoy it. It's an atmospheric read with every twist and turns of a typical American creepy small town mystery.
I personally was excited about this book because I fell in love with Adrienne’s writing style in Fable and I knew her vibrant imagery will shine in this genre, so I was super giddy when I got approved for the ARC.

I fell in love with August from the start. There was something about the way he handled things that drew me in and made me root for him. Emery on the other hand was a little all over the place. She was stubborn and not necessarily the brightest in the bunch, but I did feel her heartache. Their story is so tragic in a way and it resonated a lot with me.

My only real complaint was and still is, that the characters felt immature compared to their respective ages. They are all early 30-somethings, yet they think/act like they’re still 16. Which.. In a way I can relate to, but there are certain things (like mannerism and being unwilling to deal with life) that you eventually leave behind with the years passing over your head, and I missed that. It was mostly present in Emery, and I guess it can be explained away by the fact that she lives in a bubble, surrounded by the same people she knew since birth so there isn’t a lot of wiggle room for growth there.

Apart from this, the plot was exactly what I expect from this genre. And the last chapter was perfect.

I read and enjoyed both Fable and Namesake so welcomed the chance to read an arc copy of Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young. Thank you to both Netgalley and Quercus Books for the opportunity.

I did NOT want to stop reading this book! I had to force myself to put it down before work and bed. It was definitely worth staying up late to finish last night. Murder, mystery, magic, intrigue, romance, betrayal and relatable characters. What more could you possibly want?

I loved the setting for the book. The small community on the island of Saoirse would be my worst nightmare of a place to live. Everyone knows everyone else and their business, no-one leaves the island and the children inherit their parents lives but it makes an excellent, atmospheric background for this dark story where a troubled past is never forgotten or forgiven.

There are twists aplenty and ample amounts of tension to keep you riveted to your seat while the story unfolds. It is told from multiple PoV including, at one point, the Island's.

The magic is believable, this is no wand-waving wizardy with dramatic effects but ancient spellcraft and herblore rooted in nature, the heart of the Island and its people particularly the women of the community.

A gripping, spell-binding 5-star read that I didn't want to end!

Emery and August - destined to be together or destined to be doomed? Will the island let them leave or will it consume them and their love for one another? A very well constructed book, so atmospheric and haunting.

Murder accusations meets magic on a fictional island off the coast of Washington state and written from various POVs. Good read but would have been great with better and more defined characters and more focus on the magical elements. This book is categorised as general fiction (adult) but I felt it was more within in the realms of YA. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

From the first sentence of this book I was sucked in. I love Adrienne's writing style, it gently draws you in, while building a world and magic system that just seems natural and characters which you become deeply invested it. Definitely recommendation from me

Spells For Forgetting
General Fiction (Adult)
Adrienne Young
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have to admit, I struggled to read this. I found it very slow to start, even by 30% I was struggling. I don't feel like the pacing improved or picked up throughout the book either, I did actually put it down 2 or 3 times as I found it hard to stay invested.

The plot itself is interesting and had potential but it didn't quite deliver for me, for example the romance seemed a little flat and the ending seemed a bit rushed.

I really wanted to like this book but it just wasn't for me.


*Thank you to @netgalley and the publishers @quercusbooks for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This was a fantastic read that was dark and magical and left me wanting more. Well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters and great worldbuilding. I couldn't put it down.

i couldnt put this down. this story is everything i love about books. ive always been a fan of AYs storytelling - she has such a unique and captivating way at creating immersive worlds and relatable characters. but this, her first adult book, is a total game changer.

its subtle and quiet and has the kind of magic that slowly creeps its way into your bones. its the complete opposite of her YA books and i love that. saiorse island is just like any other small town - everyone knows each other and everyone has their secrets - but its also more. its a little darker, a littler wilder, and a little more unforgiving. its the perfect atmosphere for a story about troubling pasts, first loves, and community ties.

im so impressed with this novel and i cant wait to reread it when it comes out just in time for spooky season