Greetings Bookworms!
Sometimes I need a little magic in my life. I was really excited when I saw that Sarah Addison Allen had a new book on the horizon. I navigated straight to NetGalley where I requested (and was granted) a complimentary review copy of First Frost
The Waverley women are a bit different. They live in a small southern town where they are renowned for their unique and magical gifts. Claire has a way with food and flowers- she can infuse her concoctions with feeling. Her sister Sydney has the ability to make good hair days happen (a magical gift anyone can appreciate when they wake up faced with mad bedhead.) Sydney’s teenage daughter Bay knows exactly where everything and everyone belongs. The Waverley homestead has a personality all its own, and the apple tree in the back yard is fond of passive-aggressively flinging apples in the direction of people it doesn’t like. (It’s rather Oz-ian that way.)
Things never run smoothly when you’ve got magic to contend with, do they? A mysterious stranger shows up in town intent on disrupting the delicate Waverley balance and things go a bit wonky. Teenage heartache? Pining for a family? Desperate attempts to help the self destructive? This book has ALL THE THINGS. Plus, you know, MAGIC. This book was the perfect read for me at the perfect time. I’ve got a soft spot for this sort of Southern charm, and I really needed this bit of magic to brighten up my winter blahs. Sarah Addison Allen is often compared to Alice Hoffman, which is apt, but where Hoffman goes dark, Allen goes light. That, my friends, is pure magic. Get thee a copy of First Frost
Talk to me, Bookworms. How do you feel about magic in books?
*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*
Joules (from Pocketful of Joules)
Yes, yes, YES. Downloading immediately!
Words For Worms
Any SAA will be good for you, Joules!
Rhian
Well damn, it’s a sequel. Good thing my local library has a copy. Guess where I’m going in the morning?
I quite like magic in books, particularly in a contemporary setting. I’m a big fan or urban fantasy such as Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, Kevin Hearne’s Druid Chronicles and Rachel Caine’s Weather Wardens to name three of my favourites. I also like Nora Roberts’ Three Sisters Island and Key trilogies.
Words For Worms
I didn’t realize it was a sequel to Garden Spells when I picked it up. It stood up pretty well having no knowledge of the first book, so I’m kind of excited to tackle Garden Spells and think of it as a prequel.
Rhian
Read books out of sequence?! I’m hyperventilating just thinking about it. 😉
I read Garden Spells yesterday (one of the advantages to being unemployed is more reading time!) and I quite enjoyed it. Enough so that I have reserved First Frost at my library and will borrow Lost Lake when I take Garden Spells back.
Megan M.
This is the sequel to her debut, Garden Spells. I am super excited to read this, it sounds amazing!
I love magic in books. I’m currently reading the last book in a middle grade series about magical paintings. It’s been very good. The Books of Elsewhere by Jacqueline West, if anyone is interested and has say, an 8-12 year old who enjoys magic in books as well.
Words For Worms
I NEED TO READ GARDEN SPELLS RIGHT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!
Heather @ Capricious Reader
I finished this yesterday. It was so fun to revisit these characters! Garden Spells remains on of my favorites by her.
Words For Worms
I’m the only SAA fan who hasn’t read Garden Spells yet. I am simply the worst.
Alison's Wonderland Recipes
This sounds so good! I’m a little picky about stories that stick magic in the “real world,” but this sounds like lots of fun. I just got done reading Witches Abroad a few weeks back, and I’m still in the mood for a magic-y book.
Words For Worms
SAA’s brand of real world magic really works for me. Sometimes I get annoyed with the concept, but she does it right.
Jancee @ Jancee Reads
I was just about to ask if this was anything like Practical Magic, but you addressed that. Sounds pretty great!
Words For Worms
I actually haven’t read Practical Magic, but I’ve read a bunch of other Alice Hoffman, and I’ve actually kind of been put off her lately because they’re just sooooooooooooo dark. SAA is refreshing.
Katie @ Doing Dewey
I love magical realism! I think it’s possible I should give Alice Hoffman a chance, but part of what I like about magical realism is that it’s so often very happy, so Hoffman might not be for me.
Words For Worms
Yeah, I think it depends on which Hoffman, but she definitely goes dark.