Took me awhile to formulate thoughts on this one. I didn't dislike it necessarily, but I also didn't love it. I felt like there were pieces of the story missing, and the ending seemed a bit rushed. I did, however, enjoy the great atmosphere of dread and unease Linsmeier builds up. And while the main comp for Six of Sorrow is Yellowjackets (which I'll admit I haven't seen), I got some real Jennifer's Body vibes at times.

I liked the small-town creepiness and the mystery of what was happening to Reuel (and later Georgina), but there was something missing for me. The ending standoff felt a little underwhelming personally, but I enjoyed the book for what it was: fun horror and the importance of friendships.

**3.5-stars rounded up **

💕✨️💕✨️💕✨️💕✨️💕✨️💕😊💕

Six of Sorrow is a YA Dark Fantasy story from Amanda Linsmeier. This is the first novel that I've read from this author, but I'm excited to get to more.

This story is set in a small town, where six girls, all with the same birthday, have been thick as thieves since they were kids. More recently though, a misunderstanding has caused a fracture in their once tight group. Our main character, Isabeau, who goes mostly by Iz, only has one friend left from the group, her best friend, Reuel, who would never abandon her.

On the night of their 16th-birthday, Iz and Reuel are hanging out at Reuel's house, when Iz has to leave suddenly. When Iz leaves, Reuel is sitting on her front porch. The next morning Reuel is gone. News of Reuel's disappearance shakes the close-knit town and massive search efforts are put in place. This incident brings out the other girls from the friendship group and they begrudgingly begin talking to Iz again.

After all, one of their own is missing. It's time to put petty differences aside in order to find her.

Three days later, Reuel reappears. She's unable to express where she has been, or what has happened to her since she's been gone, but it's clear something is off. She's in rough shape, very sick and it's unclear as to why. The girls are all concerned and this concern ends up bringing them even closer together. Then another one in their group disappears...

We then follow the remaining girls as they try to figure out the mystery of their town and what's happening to them. They end up researching town history and local lore. Soon it becomes clear that they might all have more in common than just their birthdays. They've been connected by something much deeper, and darker, than that since before they were even born. Now they must stop an evil force before it destroys everything they love.

I had a lot of fun with this. Linsmeier quickly drew me into the story with the development of this quirky town. It's apparent that something is special about this group of girls as well. I mean, how can a group of six all have been born on the exact same day in the same small town?

The town was also atmospheric in an unsettling, yet intriguing way. There's a legend of a local witch and other things that just seem a bit peculiar. It's definitely a unique setting that added a lot of substance to the story. There were some interesting occult elements and I loved to see how the author used those to explain everything that was going on. There's even a Book of Shadows!

For me, the star of the show though was the friend group. They had interesting dynamics and I liked watching them band together and work towards a common goal. They had much more power together. Overall, this was a quick, compelling read. I like how the story evolved and played out. It's not perfect, but it's definitely a great time. As mentioned above, I'm looking forward to more from this author.

Thank you to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. If you enjoy a Dark Fantasy story with strong friendship vibes, you should definitely pick this one up!

Sixteen years ago six girls were born on the Day of Sorrow. Six girls who were inseparable until their thirteenth birthday. As the girls face their sixteenth birthday they find their relationships have altered. The girls are no longer the tight knit group they used to be. However, the girls will soon have to team up once again when one of the six, Reuel, vanishes during the night. This happens following a blood ritual offering to the witch Sorrow performed by Reuel and Isabeau at the local cemetery.
Now everything is off kilter, nothing is the same and neither is Reuel when she shows up days later with no explanation of her disappearance. One by one the six girls start to disappear then just as suddenly reappear with no memories of their missing days. The girls need to find out what is happening to them…could there be more to the origin of their birth? Or are the girls linked to the mystery that shrouds the witch Sorrow that their town has celebrated and feared for many years?
Overall rating 4/5
The dynamics between the six girls is the quintessential trope of a teen group. However, I do love that they come together to form a sisterly bond to figure out what is happening to them even though their parents seem blind to the situation….or are they? I wished we got more from Sorrow’s perspective. Maybe a chapter or two at the end would have been a great addition to the story line. A wonderful spooky read without gore or too much violence and strong young female characters that were relatable to a young adult reader.

*Thank you to Amanda Linsmeier, Random House Children's | Delacorte Press, and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

I loved the concept for this book and the cover is gorgeous. However, it fell a bit flat for me. It started off sort of dull and really took awhile to pick up for me. I also would have liked to have known more about the girls back stories. Overall, a decent read!

"Six of Sorrows" is a must-read for fans of paranormal fiction, offering a thrilling journey into a world of witches, curses, and the enduring bonds of friendship (think Practical Magic meets AHS: Coven).

In Sorrow, Louisiana, six female babies are born on May 3rd and find themselves connected by a dark, ancient curse. After a tumultuous event during their shared 13th birthday celebration, and as they transition into high school, the once tight group finds their paths diverging. A mysterious blood ritual ends in yet another tragedy, leading to supernatural occurrences, manifesting nightmares and a stalking malevolent presence in the remaining girls' lives.

The strength of "Six of Sorrows" lies in its atmospheric storytelling and fast-paced plot, which blends elements of witchcraft, friendship dynamics, and the looming threat of an ancient curse, allowing Linsmeier to intertwine themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of sisterhood amidst the backdrop of a town steeped in supernatural lore. The characters are compelling and multifaceted, grappling with personal struggles and deep-seated resentments, and the exploration of the these themes deepens the narrative.

I particularly appreciated the representation within the narrative, including the exploration of sapphic relationships and the diverse range of characters that includes the town of Sorrow itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately hooked by the premise of this book! Six friends who were born on the same day and the mysteries that lie therewithin. Genius! This story was full of beautiful prose and a tightly executed plot. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mystery of the disappearance and the ominous threat to this group of girls. I highly recommend this incredible book by a tremendously talented author!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for the digital ARC!

This book did not pull me in right away. It took a second for me to get into it. It was rather dull to start. What got me interested was the stunning cover of this book. I read the book description and was wanting more and felt compelled to read it but was left still wanting more after reading.

There seemed to be too many characters to keep track of and keep up with most of the time. The author it seems even had a hard time keeping track of what was going on with all the characters and the gritty details being given.

Even with too many characters and sometimes too many details – it felt like something was missing overall. The book seemed to lack something altogether.

Amanda Linsmeier is a great author, and I would be interested to see what she does next.

Six of Sorrow is a fast-paced mix of a thriller and a southern gothic for teens. In it, 16 year old Iz must contend with new and old secrets that want to consume her and her friends. Every year, she celebrates her birth day on the same day that the island town celebrates Sorrow Day, to honor the witch that allegedly founded the town and might grant wishes. She used to celebrate with her five best friends, in a grand party, since all six share a birthday, but about three years ago, the group splintered, leaving only her best friend Reuel on Iz's side. But this year, after celebrating their birthday, Reuel disappears, bringing the girls back together. Reuel comes back, changed and sick, and it quickly becomes clear that the girls are being hunted and, it might have something to do with their shared birthday and a certain legendary witch.
I really enjoyed this. The range of the characters was fun; they were all pretty easy to tell apart because they were all given such defined personalities. The way that Linsmeier built tension was very well-done, and she leaves just enough pieces that you can start to solve the mystery along side Iz and the girls. And plenty of foreshadowing that only becomes obvious once you have all the pieces. The atmosphere is really well done in their spooky little town and as a whole, this was a fun read.

Listen. The cover of this book is the reason I requested it on NetGalley. It's so pretty, right? Don't let that influence you though, because as far as I can tell there is literally no connection to the actually story. And the cover is the only good thing about it.

Now, the story? It was... fine. The concept was good and the framework was there but the execution was... not good. I refuse to say "well, it's YA, so it should be an easier read", or whatever bullshit people might say. High schoolers read Shakespeare, they can read a well-written book with more descriptive words than Terra Cotta, umber, sepia-brown, and burnt sienna to describe skin tones. Maybe even give us *something* about your diverse group of characters that means something other than "I better make sure I have a burnt sienna person to meet a self-imposed DEI quota". All 6 of the girls could have been the same girl; there was no depth, no differentiation, no development. One was rich, one was poor. One liked art, one like literature. Two were cheerleaders. One was goth (I guess, I mean she wore all black and wrote poetry, so...?) and one wore pink all the time. They all had weird-ass indescribable names. Idk. I just did not care about any of the girls.

Then there were the moms. What in the actual f.....? These women were not only completely worthless, they were so, terribly, annoyingly, STUPID. They not only caused the trouble their 16 year old daughters were dealing with but they did NOTHING to help and in fact made it worse by not working with them and trying to send them all home separately while they worked out a plan even though the girls knew they needed to stick together and already had a well-researched and reasonable plan?! This could have been such a great moment of mother-daughter solidarity, and could have given the moms redemption for what they did 20+ years ago that started this all, but instead they just don't. do. anything? And don't even check in with the girls until morning? Fucking dumb.

And that's not even talking about Isabeau's mom's alcoholism and adultery and how that's all some weird after-school special-type storyline that just gets neatly wrapped in a bow at the end.

Anyway, my copy was an ARC, so maybe some errors and typos were fixed before going to print but there were some glaring issues that were so easy to fact check in 30 seconds right from my phone, I wonder how the editor has a job. For example, I'm not even from Louisiana, have never been, but I do have Google Maps, so I'm curious... what island ferry would drop you off at Toulouse Street in NOLA? Do you live in the Mississippi River? Also Frenchman Street should be Frenchmen Street, amiright? All the history of Voodoo in NOLA and all the metaphysical/magic shops you could imagine and you send these girls to a white woman named Melissa's crystal shop for advice? Weird. Anyway.

Guys, I did not like this book. I don't recommend it and I am truly sad about it. I really think it could have been something if it didn't sound like it was written by a 15 year old. Our kids are not stupid. Don't write for them like they are. Also, plenty of adults enjoy reading YA because of the stories/themes, not because they want to be talked down to by someone with a 64 count box of Crayolas in from of them who thinks you have to say "verdigris green" because apparently no one knows what verdigris is without your help.

Prepare to be captivated by the bone-chilling tale of Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier. This gripping story will have you anxiously peeking under beds and exploring the shadowy depths of your closets as the spine-tingling twists unravel before your eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC.

When I read the blurb comparing this a bit to Yellow Jackets my interest was piqued. Unfortunately, Six of Sorrow just didn't meet the expectations I had for it going in. I can't put my finger on it, but this book just wasn't for me.

This book was unable to pull my focus from the start even though the synopsis sounded right up my alley. DNF at 23% it just wasn’t for me.

I absolutely adored Linsmeier's debut and her sophomore book did not disappoint! I was so excited for the premise-- the initial vibes reminded me a touch of THE VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED, one of my favorite horror movies-- and the small town setting and creepy festival was just chef's kiss!

3.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

I really wished I could rate this one higher, but alas. The magical plot got a little away from Linsmeier and it feels like she wrote herself into a corner. It wasn't really explained what happened to the mothers; what they did, why they broke apart, how they all had daughters on the same day in different parts of the world only to converge in the same town with said daughters. The demon plot was introduced and solved within like 2 chapters with no actual reason why/how.

What worked: The friendship and bond between the girls. When they got together, you could see how their personalities clashed to tear them apart, but also why they love each other so deeply.

Took me awhile to formulate thoughts on this one. I didn't dislike it necessarily, but I also didn't love it. I felt like there were pieces of the story missing, and the ending seemed a bit rushed. I did, however, enjoy the great atmosphere of dread and unease Linsmeier builds up. And while the main comp for Six of Sorrow is Yellowjackets (which I'll admit I haven't seen), I got some real Jennifer's Body vibes at times. Especially the creepy scene of Reuel's return, appearing in Isabeau's room and getting sick. Very reminiscent.

My biggest issue with Six of Sorrow stems from the characters. Maybe it was just me, but six girls felt like too many. Aside from Isabeau, Reuel, and Georgina, the other three girls came off almost entirely as cardboard cutouts--I couldn't even remember Cori and August's names half the time, and even now I have a hard time telling their characters apart because they were kinda just there. There was very little development aside from Isabeau and even that felt flat.

And the moms. They were the worst part of the book. Not only did they feel like a random addition to the plot, but they're completely useless in the grand scheme of things, and actually ended up making the situation worse (not to metion severly negligent, and that's not even considering Isabeau's mom's alcoholism).

I also couldn't help feeling like the story was unfinished; not that it had a dissatisfying ending, more like there were plot threads that were brought up and then dropped unanswered. Like the girls' disappearences: where did they actually go? It's never really explained, only that they're 'taken.' And what happened to Georgina's nails? Why was Reuel acting different than the others? I would have loved to learn more about the town's lore and the origin of the "entity", especially considering how intertwined it all is with the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for this arc copy to read and review.

A mysterious and fast-paced teen horror that’s perfect for summer!

On the town of Sorrow’s name day—a celebration honoring their founding and the mysterious witch who gave the town its name—six estranged best friends also celebrate their 16th birthday. When something goes horribly wrong that night and one of them goes missing, they will have to set aside their differences and come back together to figure out what happened—especially after she returns sick with no memory of what happened. After another one of them is taken, the race is on to try and find out what is hunting them before it gets to them all first.

>> ❤️ What I loved: Fast-paced story with some great (and gross) horror elements. The sweet, romantic sapphic side plot was also very cute! This was definitely written for the Young Adult demographic, and I could easily see recommending to a lot of my students in the 13-15 year old age range who like darker stories and/or mystery.
>> 💔 What I didn’t love: While I liked this books brevity, for me it did leave some things underdeveloped, especially with the characters. There are a lot of issues raised with the main cast and their friendships, plus great potential to deal with some family issues, but it’s all brushed over pretty quickly to keep the plot moving. One of the group of 6 is barely a part of the story—she could have not been there, and it wouldn’t have made a difference. I would have also personally liked some more description in the story to set the tone—it was definitely horror, but I think more detail about the setting and appearance would have helped me to feel more immersed in the spooky-ness of it all.

I think many Young Adult readers of horror will enjoy *Six of Sorrow*, especially those looking for a diverse cast of characters and a shorter length novel.

**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5 (3-3.5)**

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Linsmeier, and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press , for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

I'll admit that I am not the intended audience of this book. I requested this book because it sounded like something my students would devour, and, after finishing the novel, I feel certain that my students will. Tonally, this reminded me of 'Pretty Little Liars,' but I think that 'Six of Sorrow' is the better work because Linsmeier excels at establishing an unsettling atmosphere that will grip even reluctant readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

Isabeau, Reuel, Solaina, Georgina, August, and Cori were all born on the same day. They were best friends....until they weren't. After Reuel goes missing on their 16th birthday, the girls start to rebuild their friendship. When Reuel returns, wracked with a sickness that only seems to get worse, the girls set out to discover what really happened.

I enjoyed this book, but I wanted more from it. I felt that the mystery of why the girls kept getting sick needed more development. It felt rushed and not fleshed out as much as I wanted. I was also curious as to why the sickness affected the girls differently. I had more questions than answers after reading the book. Overall, though, it was a fun read. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Thank you so much for the ARC, life got a little in the way so I was a little late to reading this book.

The cover is absolutely gorgeous, it was mainly the reason for the immediate add to my list. Unfortunately, the story did not hold my interest for long. The pace felt slow to me and I couldn't bond with any of the characters.
I am certain I would have enjoyed this story a lot more if I read it when I was younger.