An easy and quick read this book tells the story of Ivy, who on the search for her mother stumbles across hidden secrets and a past linked to the famous story of Arthur, Merlin and Morgan Le Fay
There is little build up in the story before Ivy and her friend Tom are on their way to a barren island in Wales, said to be home to Avalon, Arthur’s final resting place. Although she is shocked at the shadows and how they can infect anybody, Ivy quickly accepts her new world. The first half of the book is unsettling as the pair head towards Bardsey Island. The quietness and emptiness is suitably creepy. It’s easy to imagine how the characters hear every noise and movement as something sinister
I liked the introduction of Morgan and her sisters, it’s an interesting way to frame the Arthurian legend from the women’s perspective, and explore why female voices are removed from history and lore. This book is full of sisterhood and the story of wronged women, and it was good to see them fighting back
I did find the second half of the novel weaker. Everything happens quickly with little development, whether the introduction of Ivy’s magic, the final battle or the romance. Maybe this was due to the short length of the novel
This book is on the younger end of readers of YA novels, and I imagine they will enjoy the darkness and drama of this, as well as the messages found within the book
Thank you Readers First, Hot Key Press and the author for this copy.
There is little build up in the story before Ivy and her friend Tom are on their way to a barren island in Wales, said to be home to Avalon, Arthur’s final resting place. Although she is shocked at the shadows and how they can infect anybody, Ivy quickly accepts her new world. The first half of the book is unsettling as the pair head towards Bardsey Island. The quietness and emptiness is suitably creepy. It’s easy to imagine how the characters hear every noise and movement as something sinister
I liked the introduction of Morgan and her sisters, it’s an interesting way to frame the Arthurian legend from the women’s perspective, and explore why female voices are removed from history and lore. This book is full of sisterhood and the story of wronged women, and it was good to see them fighting back
I did find the second half of the novel weaker. Everything happens quickly with little development, whether the introduction of Ivy’s magic, the final battle or the romance. Maybe this was due to the short length of the novel
This book is on the younger end of readers of YA novels, and I imagine they will enjoy the darkness and drama of this, as well as the messages found within the book
Thank you Readers First, Hot Key Press and the author for this copy.