The Fabled Earth, by Kimberly Brock, is a luxuriant historical novel about Cumberland Island, Georgia, and the relationship between its residents and the landscape. The book moves seamlessly between 1932 and 1959 and explores how the stories we tell impact generations. The characters - including the landscape - are rendered beautifully. What an enchanting novel!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

THE FABLED EARTH by Kimberly Brock includes a dual timeline. THANK GOODNESS! because what happened one night in 1932 on Cumberland Island in Southern Georgia REALLY needs to be unraveled! I, literally, fell into some sort of trance as I was reading this book. Reality is more complex, but also so much simpler than it appears. Fables carry profound lessons and emotional resonance. The thrill of this book stirred my heart and mind simultaneously. It needs more than just stars as a rating.
 
By 1959, which is 27 years from that mysterious night, the story of the bonfire still lives on through ghost tours, eerie double exposure photos (taken by Audrey Howell who I love love love), who some believe is the ghost of someone who hasn't been seen since that night in 1932, and mischief-makers who keep tormenting those who lived through that fateful night. But worst of all, Cleo Woodbine (my favorite protagonist EVER!) is still living alone on the tiny strip of land called Kingdom Come. She thinks this isolated existence is what she wants, creating beautiful art inspired by her Grandaddy, and gathering produce from heirloom fruit trees and shrubs to barter for necessities. But is she really living her best life?
 
When you live on the banks of a marsh, it's going to erode. Everyone around Cleo is trying to warn her that she needs to move, the foundation of her home is crumbling. They heighten their concern when an impending "sure-to-be-storm-of-the-century" is brewing, but this is a decision that only Cleo can make. And she will make it when her heart is ready. What happened at the bonfire that night changed the course of her life. But now that she has met Frances Flood (another protagonist that I truly love) ....hmmm.... 
 
Triggered by a death of someone who was part of the 1932 crowd, people reunite with each other and have hard conversations. As the tides shift, Cumberland Island reveals what has been hidden all along. And best of all, a beautiful pearl that was created from this era in time finds true love, in the way that fairy tales make dreams come true.
 
This book is meant to be savored. Slow-cooked. I took the time to appreciate all the wisdom of the characters and immersed myself, completely, in the setting of this story. The experience was magnificient. Kimberly Brock, thank you for sharing your gift of story telling. And since this is my first NetGalley, WOWSA did this ever set the bar high!
 
This quote from early in the book is when I left this earth and remained beside Cleo for the rest of the story: She paid attention to the color of the water and the current as she made her way. She knew to be careful of the depth. She's been travelling these waters in her flat-bottomed johnboat almost thirty years now, since the summer of 1932. As with life, the river bottom was always changing.

This story is told from 3 different women from two different timelines.
1932 and 1959 both woven together beautifully.
An interesting read for sure. I've never heard of Cumberland Island until I read this book. I enjoyed the visit.
Pretty cool characters and with twists and turns along the way.
I really enjoyed the mystery part the best! It was what kept my interest. The secrets did as well.
This story will grab at you from the beginning and won't let go until the end.
“Will was just telling us how Einstein proved that time as we understand it is a mere construct of the imagination. "
I thought this was a weird quote but an interesting one so I thought I'd share it.
Here's another one
“A man who loves music is a soulful man." I can definitely agree to this one. Plus, music soothes the soul too.
5 stars for this well written book. I highly recommend!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

1932, entering the Gilded Age in southern Georgia. After a lively party, lives are lost. Then in 1959, a reclusive painter is visited by a man who saved her life. Another finds a photo from 1932 that opens up the mystery. Pay attention, the twists and turns took me for quite a ride.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was just not for me. I was confused regarding time frame and characters. The main character seemed unpleasant and unlikable. I wish I had better things to say but I was sadly disappointed.

This was a wonderfully done historical novel, it had a great overall feel going through this story and enjoyed the characters overall. Kimberly Brock has a great writing style and worked with what I was hoping for. I thought this was beautifully done and loved getting to know the history of this story.

This is the kind of book I am always hoping to discover, an engrossing story with poetic passages I want to write down and remember. There is a large cast of memorable characters to root for, and the setting is painted vividly enough to seem like a character itself. Housing the remains of the once opulent homes of the ultra-wealthy, Cumberland Island is a place where magic, lore, meaning, and memories are layered into the river, woods, and pathways. In addition to beautiful nature writing, The Fabled Earth has so many of the elements I love in a book. These include the use of a character’s art and imagination to enhance the narrative. There are also secrets uncovered from the past, bringing transformation. The narrative moves smoothly between two timelines, connecting the events of the thirties and the fifties in a compelling way that makes you eager to read more. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of the book, and I highly recommend immersing yourself in the world of The Fabled Earth.

If you enjoy immersing yourself in a story and a landscape the blurs the lines between real and imagined, history and dream, you'll love THE FABLED EARTH by Kimberly Brock! Brock masterfully weaves past and present timelines together through her cast of endearing, unique characters reckoning with the ghosts of their past and the changing tides of the future. Set against the lush, austere backdrop of 1930s and 1950s Cumberland Island, THE FABLED EARTH introduces us to Cleo, Frances, and Audrey, who are each coming to terms with their histories and finding their way forward in a swiftly changing world.

Beautifully written and touching til the end, this should be on your must-read list for fall!

This is an immersive story where the author puts the reader into the landscape -- and what a landscape it is. Scenic and rustic, dripping with myth and legend, Cumberland Island practically comes alive in Brock's hands. The story is somewhat complicated -- there's a lot going on - but the storytelling is lovely. For the most part, the 1932 and 1959 timelines work well together. The pacing is somewhat leisurely so this is not recommended for readers looking for a page turner. Readers who delight in sensory details and rich scenery will find much to love here.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance e-galley; all opinions in this review are 100% my own.

Thank you @harpermusebooks and @netgalley for the eARC of The Fabled Earth by @kimberlydbrock in exchange for an honest review.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 On an island off the coast of Georgia, southern charm meets with lore of Appalachia and Ireland for a beautiful cultural richness that seems almost magical. Kimberly Brock writes an immersive novel where both the characters and their surrounding environment comes alive and encompasses the reader, you can almost hear the sound of the water that brings life to Cumberland Island. Even on land that became a playground for some of the wealthiest people, there is a rich connection to the earth. The story weaves flawlessly from 1959 back to 1932, creating an intricately woven and captivating story. The Fabled Earth is an enchanting, beautifully written book that resonates deep in the soul.

5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper for the opportunity to read The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock.

Cumberland Island is a mysterious, magical place. Kimberly Brock, in her very distinctive voice, has captured it perfectly. Bravo!!