#BookReview: Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli

Synopsis: No matter how far she runs, the forest of Edgewood always comes for Emeline Lark. The scent of damp earth curls into her nose when she sings and moss creeps across the stage. It’s as if the woods of her childhood, shrouded in folklore and tall tales, are trying to reclaim her. But Emeline has no patience for silly superstitions.

When her grandfather disappears, leaving only a mysterious orb in his wake, the stories Emeline has always scoffed at suddenly seem less foolish. She enters the forest she has spent years trying to escape, only to have Hawthorne Fell, a handsome and brooding tithe collector, try to dissuade her from searching.

Refusing to be deterred, Emeline finds herself drawn to the court of the fabled Wood King himself. She makes a deal—her voice for her grandfather’s freedom. Little does she know, she’s stumbled into the middle of a curse much bigger than herself, one that threatens the existence of this eerie world she’s trapped in, along with the devastating boy who feels so familiar.

With the help of Hawthorne—an enemy turned reluctant ally who she grows closer to each day—Emeline sets out to not only save her grandfather’s life, but to right past wrongs, and in the process, discover her true voice.

Haunting and romantic, Kristen Ciccarelli's Edgewood is an exciting novel from a bold, unforgettable voice in fantasy. 

This title will be released on March 1, 2022.

Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 3 Stars
My Review: I wanted to love this one but it just didn't work out. I felt that the writing and story was closer to juvenile fiction vs. young adult. And there isn't anything wrong with that. But I tend to read more mid to higher ya.  I think this would work great as a transmission book for those moving from juvenile to young adult.  

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-Emeline Lark has run as far as she could from the forest of Edgewood to follow her dream of becoming a singer, but the woods still find ways to creep up on her: turning the ale into creek water or causing flowers to bloom under her stool on stage. No one can see what's happening except her, and Emmie would think she was hallucinating if not for the way she grew up. The superstitions of her hometown are deeply ingrained, even if they seem ridiculous on the streets of Montreal. When Emmie gets a call that her grandfather has gone missing, and may be tithed to the Wood King, she races home to search the one place no one will go: the forest. Characters are the highlight of Ciccarelli's novel as she explores communities-the kind you're born into and the ones you build for yourself-by building families, friendships, and romances that will sweep readers away. Between the worldbuilding, an angsty romance, and the high-stakes subplots, readers will easily forgive slight pacing issues as they explore the Wood King's court to save Emmie's Pa and the dangers that have poisoned the woods. Ciccarelli's setting is both whimsical and threatening, and while the book is not strictly speaking a fairy tale, it will appeal to anyone who enjoys them. Most characters are without racial identifiers. VERDICT This lush fantasy romance is perfect for fans of Brigid Kemmerer's "Cursebreakers" trilogy or Marissa Meyer's Gilded. Recommended for most YA collections.-Emmy Neal, Lake Forest Lib., ILα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

Goodreads, "The 68 Most Anticipated YA Novels of 2022"

The Nerd Daily, "Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases to Devour In 2022"

"Precise in construction and style, with an elegant and eerie music motif, this easily earns a place on Stiefvater fans’ TBR lists." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

"Characters are the highlight of Ciccarelli’s novel as she explores communities―the kind you’re born into and the ones you build for yourself―by building families, friendships, and romances that will sweep readers away...whimsical and threatening." - School Library Journal

"A spellbinding tale of magic, music, and sacrifice." - Publishers Weekly

"Edgewood has everything I love in a Kristen Ciccarelli book: lyrical prose, a romance that will hurt, and themes rooted in raw and intimate questions, making for a timeless tale." - Joan He, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find

"With gorgeous writing and a strong female lead, Edgewood is a tale for anyone who loves their fantasies lush, dark, and romantic. I could have remained lost in the woods forever." - Isabel Ibañez, author of Woven In Moonlight and Written in Starlight

"Reading this book in a dark forest during a thunderstorm while listening to Folklore was A Choice, and I regret nothing." - E.K. Johnston, New York Times bestselling author of Queen's Shadow and Exit, Pursued by a Bear

"Darkly gorgeous and moving, Edgewood is full of curses and fae magic that will capture your heart and wrap it in thorns before setting you free again, forever changed. Ciccarelli has created a hauntingly beautiful world with characters who question how you love and lose yourself and those dearest to you, and whether you can ever recover. I devoured Edgewood whole and couldn't put it down." - Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown's Game

"Compelling and atmospheric, Edgewood is a beautifully woven fantasy in which love isn’t always what it seems and even the most heartfelt dreams have a terrible cost. Like the roots that catch and bind in the story’s magical forest, Edgewood doesn't let go―it will keep you spellbound until the very end." - Gita Trelease, author of the Enchantée series

“I’m still thinking about Edgewood days after finishing it. It’s a tale comprised of deep emotion, sizzling romance, and a gripping mystery. I loved being in the dangerous woods with Emeline, and I know readers will, too!” - Tricia Levenseller, author of The Shadows Between Us

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Posted in: 3 Stars, Edelweiss, Netgalley, Review, Young Adult