I really enjoyed "Here in Avalon" ! It’s a magical story about two sisters- Rose and Cecilia living in a city filled with magic and secrets. I was captivated by the intricate plot and the complex relationship between the sisters. The sisters are very different from each other, which sometimes makes them argue, but deep down, they really care about each other.
Rose likes things to be logical and isn't sure if she believes in magic, while Cecilia is all about the mysteries and wonders of the magical world. Cecilia's yearning for magic raises questions about the price we pay for chasing dreams.
Their adventures get exciting when they stumble upon a secret cult in the city. The story is not just about the mystical magical stuff; it's also about how the sisters learn about themselves and each other. They face challenges and have to make tough choices, especially when the magic and the “cult” secrets start affecting their lives. "Here in Avalon" is perfect for anyone who loves a mix of mystery, magic, and stories about family sticking together through thick and thin.

Cults are so fascinating. It is amazing how they can draw people in with amazing things while hiding their seedy underbellies. Here in Avalon is absolutely a cult mystery set in a glittery fantastical cabaret world. It's a fun urban fairytale with a big found family vibe.

Two sisters, one city, a dash of magic and a whole lot of mystery.
I was captivated by the intricate plot and the complex relationship between the sisters. Their contrasting personalities spark friction and fuel the narrative, making their love for each other all the more poignant. Rose's journey is one of self-discovery as she confronts her own rigid world view, while Cecilia's yearning for magic raises questions about the price we pay for chasing dreams. This is a story about family, about facing our fears, and about the allure of the unknown. If you're looking for a book that's equal parts suspenseful, atmospheric, and thought-provoking, then you'll enjoy this!

I was really pulled into this book and thoroughly hooked until about 75% of the way through. I felt like at that point it kind of changed gears and I started losing interest. The writing is great. The characters are so lifelike, anyone who identifies with Rose and has a Cecilia in their life will feel like they've been gut-punched that someone could write their dynamic so realistically, even down to some of the physical characteristics in these characters. To see your own struggles and emotions laid bare on a page... is striking.
I loved the idea and description of The Avalon. Who hasn't dreamed of living in a fairytale from another age. I just have so many unanswered questions. The book didn't take the direction I was expecting. But it did make me examine myself in connection to my own Cecilia. What would I do for this person? What would I sacrifice for this person? All in all a well-written and thought-provoking read.

Here in Avalon is a book of magic and family, set in NYC.

Cecilia and Rose grew up as close as sisters can be. But as they entered adulthood, Cecilia became more eccentric and Rose, more conventional. Rose is engaged to a man, Caleb, who doesn't even try to accept Cecilia, and Rose goes along with his disgust of anything different.

When Cecilia disappears, after telling Rose about a strange cabaret on a boat, Casper tells her to forget her sister, that she'll turn up again one day. They start planning their wedding. When Paul, Cecilia's husband, shows up, Rose at first thinks he must have chased Cecilia away. But she soon realizes that Cecilia ran away from him, too. They investigate this mysterious cabaret, and Rose wrangles herself an invitation. They begins a strange journey to finding her sister and herself.

I skimmed a lot of this book. It was definitely an unusual book, but there was something that didn't work for me. I didn't actually care for any of the characters. Others might enjoy it, but it was just okay for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

“Beauty was just something - like cognac, like heartbreak - a person consumed.”

Overall, I liked this book but didn’t love it, and I think a big part of that was going in with different expectations than what was executed (IMHO). The first part of the summary blurb states “A New York City fairy tale about two sisters that fall under the spell of an underworld cabaret troupe that might be a dangerous cult…” I would say this is a far cry from feeling like a fairytale, and there is a dabble of a cult aspect but I wouldn’t consider it dangerous nor super cult-y in a traditional sense. Of course, any cult (even a well meaning cult) is dangerous, but I just don’t think it came off the page as such. It does have a hauntingly magical vibe, but it just didn’t “hit” like I hoped it would.

Plot Thoughts: I enjoyed the idea of the plot, but again, less than enjoyed the execution. It was a slower paced book, and felt repetitive. We read a lot about how Cecilia was flakey and how Rose just wanted a stable life after an unstable childhood….to the point where I was like “we get it, can we move on please?”. There were so many fun aspects of this book (the music! the art! the clues and hunt! the lonely souls! the depths of NYC!) but it just fell too flat.

Character Thoughts: I wanted to love the sisters and their unique dynamic, but again, it just fell a little flat for me. I hated some of the characters, but didn’t love any, which was disappointing. They felt too one-dimensional for my taste, as they were categorized into very specific roles and had very specific (and repetitive) characteristics. I wanted them to be fleshed out more, and have stronger motives behind their actions. I think I could’ve loved the sisters if they just had a little more development.

👍🏻👎🏻I’m in the middle of the road on recommending this one. Overall, I absolutely do not think it was a bad book. I think there is a ton of potential. But I do think that the pieces just felt too one-dimensional for it to feel truly captivating. So would recommend cautiously!

Not for me. The sisters barely speak. Caleb is lame. One chapter in, and I do not want to here more from Rose at all. She's so boring

this book firmly solidified tara isabella burton as one of my favorite authors. i will read anything she writes, even if it’s as simple as a grocery list, and it will probably be just as poetic. “here in avalon” is for the dreamers out there, the artists, the poets, the musicians, and all of us who feel overwhelmed and downtrodden by the demands of adult life within society.

(as a circus performer, i take slight issue with the difficulties of rehearsing and choreographing an entire cabaret being glossed over, but i’ll allow it for the plot. but don’t think i didn’t notice!)

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Simon Audio for my review copies!

Here in Avalon is a fairy tale for the 9-to-5 worker who wants to run away with the circus.

All it takes is the word “fairytale” somewhere in the description to make add a book to my TBR. What really hooked me in this description was the element of “Is it a cult or is it fairies?” that I wanted just a little more from. The romance reader in me wanted more emotions and angst and the fantasy reader wanted more magic - either with whimsy or darkness. The overall tone was too melancholy for me.

🎧 Overall, narrator Tara Isabella Burton’s performance was well suited to the story. One of the characters, Paul, was from England and her choice with his accent might have been extremely specific to the part of England that he was from, but it sounded more Irish than English to my ears and that bothered me.

Is she ready to sail away from her carefully crafted New York life and into the unknown with her eccentric sister? Will this adventure be a happily ever after, or will it end up a Titanic-sized disaster?



Ah, the age-old tale of two sisters, one with a ring on her finger and the other with a boat in her sights. Rose, a self-made woman, is ready to leave behind the concrete jungle and start her happily ever after. But leave it to her wild and unpredictable sister, Cecilia, to throw a wrench in her plans and hop aboard that oh-so-mysterious red boat.



Despite her fiance's disapproval, Rose can't resist the allure of this floating escape from reality. But is she really ready to leave behind her carefully curated New York life and set sail with her kooky sibling? Will this journey be smooth sailing or will it end up like the Titanic, with Rose clinging to a door while Cecilia sings "My Heart Will Go On"? Only time and a carefully selected passenger list will tell.

•ARC Book Review•
Here In Avalon by Tara Isabella Burton
Rating: ★ ★ ★.5

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for allowing me to review this one!

This book started off a little slow for me, but I appreciated Burton’s vivid imagery and character design. The plot kept me just interested enough to get through the first bit of the book, but once I made it over the hump it was captivating and I really found myself enjoying the story. I really loved the different personalities of Cecilia and Rose and that Burton created a work that teeters on the edge of mystery, fantasy, and thriller genres. The ending was another aspect that I think is hit or miss for readers. For me, it was ambiguous and as attached as I grew to the characters- I was wanting more. For some though I think this would be for them, just not for me. Overall three and a half stars for a wonderful and fantastic read!

Blooms fade. Bubbles burst. Dreams end. This book makes me so grateful to be ordinary. I wouldn’t be able to stand the longing. The nature of a seeker is to never find. The nature of a dreamer is to never fully live.

Here in Avalon
By Tara Isabella Burton

This is a parable about life, both as we live it and how we would wish it to be. Two sisters, Rose and Cecilia, live in New York City, but they have lived their lives very differently ever since they were children. Rose is the responsible one, living as society requires, engaged to a man who is always right. Her sister is a dreamer, an outsider who cannot seem to succeed at anything and who feels lonely and misunderstood. She flits in and out of Rose's life leaving disaster in her wake.

One day, Rose returns home to find Cecilia in residence once again. She has left the man that she has married in a whirlwind affair after knowing Paul for only a day. When Paul hunts down his wife, she disappears. Neither he nor Rose can find her.

As they hunt for Cecilia, they discover clues about a boat called Avalon, peopled by strange people – maybe fairy folk – who seem to ferry away lost and lonely souls who are never to be seen again. Rose, with Paul's help, manages to reach out and make contact with these others. Rose convinces them to take her on board and eventually to their home, which they call Avalon. This is a place where all the "real world" must be left behind in exchange for happiness and belonging.

The story progresses from there – but as it does, the choice between reality and the life one would wish for becomes more and more complicated. While a fantasy of sorts, the book leaves us with much to ponder concerning what reality has to offer – and whether wishful thinking can truly lead to happiness.

Here in Avalon drew me in right away. I was mesmerized by the sisters and their bohemian upbringing surrounded by art and music, schooled in culture despite their mother's neglect. It's the kind of life I would have dreamed about as a teen. Of course, it's no surprise that their adventures leave the free-spirited Cecilia perpetually seeking a fairy tale life while Rose, the responsible one, craves stability and order. So, when Cecilia returns after years away with promises of change, Rose really wants to believe her. And it breaks Rose's heart all over again when Cecilia misses an important event only to explain her absence with a wild tale about a magical cabaret. When Cecilia disappears, Rose is left to wonder if there might be some truth to Cecilia's stories after all, and Rose is determined to find out.

I'll admit that I hoped for a different ending, but I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue, nonetheless. The atmospheric descriptions of the cabaret experience, the music, and the vintage vibe are just so good. It really did feel like visiting a magical place. Thank you #NetGalley and #SimonBooksBuddy for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

DNF at 20%. It's feeling a little slow going, and I found myself skimming just trying to get through it. Not enough to grab me and I'm just feeling the frustration of Rose with Cecelia without any of the good feelings that are making me want to keep reading.

Writing style was not for me. Felt very long and run on sentences. Also felt like the author added fancy words for no reason.

*Thank you simonbooks for a physical ARC
*Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eARC.

Tara Isabella Burton writes beautifully, but a cult is still a cult even when it's a well-intentioned cult. And if you're considering joining a cult, please try therapy first.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for this copy of Here in Avalon.

Here in Avalon by Tara Isabella Burton is a literary psychological thriller. I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by Devon Sorvari.

I initially picked this up because I heard the buzz words "NYC fairy tale" and "magical realism," and the cover did evoke a light fantasy feel for me.

It feels almost a bit spoilery for me to say this, but there is no magical realism here (though some sections of the book hint like there is).

The publisher actually lists "related books" with coming of age, psychological thrillers, and literary fiction, which I can totally see. However, for some reason fantasy is the first listed on Goodreads, with magical realism as #3.

I am personally not a big general fiction girlie, and this one unfortunately coasted a bit too close to that genre for me. The first 30% is set-up before the potential magical realism element is even introduced.

It is written very well, and I enjoyed the prose a lot. I just wish the plot had a bit more of a speculative element to it (since that's kind of what it was pitched as, with magical realism). The ending was also pretty underwhelming to me.

If you like contemporary fiction and cults, you might like this one more than I did! I definitely plan to check out other things this author puts out in the future, and her fiction backlist.

Two sisters with trauma and distinct personalities clash with an underworld cabaret of wonders, and soon the worlds of magic and danger collide! This book is a darker, creepier fantasy without delving into the realm of horror. However, while the author does a good job of showing the fantasy elements, sometimes things just don't click right, giving the book an odd tension in spots. Rose is a fantastic character, as is the entity known as the Avalon and its various moving pieces. However, Cecilia feels almost like a caricature, and never truly takes shape as a character. This causes some uneven writing as some things are fleshed out well and really pull the reader into the world, while others simply pull the reader back out with their underwhelming contributions. Still, the story as a whole is very enthralling and well worth the read. Overall, a really good story that simply needed a little more polishing in both atmosphere in characters to truly thrive as a novel.

Thank you to Simon Book Buddies for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

An entirely original, captivating, heartfelt, and unforgettable story. I was sucked in from the very first page til the last sentence. This is a book I'll treasure and recommend!