Review by Booklist Review
Glaze's atmospheric tale of thwarted love, family secrets, and vengeful curses takes place in a Northern California seaside town plagued with drownings. Seventeen-year-old Nev Blackwell is on the cusp of inheriting her family's legacy, a magical Vow that protects Hollow Cliff from the angry spirits created a century ago in a terrible accident. With her grandmother dying, Nev is the only Blackwell left to take over; Nev's mother abandoned the family years ago. While Hollow Cliff is a popular tourist destination thanks to the town's magical history, only residents know how true the stories are, how frequently drownings occur even with the Vow's protection. Nev wants to be the Blackwell that fully ends the curse, but when she meets a mysterious stranger with a different history of the Blackwells--including her mother's fate--she begins to doubt the Vow's true purpose. This twisty tale has a strong mystery element amid the gothic trappings, with well-placed reveals that heighten the suspense. This is a satisfying read for fans of gothic romances and paranormal mysteries.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Only the women of the Blackwell lineage can keep the restless spirits of the small seaside town of Hollow Cliff at bay. Created in a long-ago accident, the spirits still claim new victims despite the Blackwells' magical interference. With her dying grandmother unable to continue warding off the specters, 17-year-old Nev reluctantly prepares to uphold her family's century-old vow and take up the mantle, a responsibility that alienates her from her peers and weighs heavily upon her. Then a mysterious young man named Cal arrives, and he teaches Nev things about the Blackwells' history that she never knew, such as her missing mother's true fate. As Nev's induction into her new role draws near, she and Cal delve into the complicated and tragically intertwined past of the Blackwells and Hollow Cliff, hoping to unravel the secrets and lies once and for all. Moody and atmospheric, this modern gothic tale by Glaze (The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond) is packed with twists that expose the hidden history of the Pacific seaside setting and the family that has shaped it for decades. Nev and Cal's blossoming romance grounds the supernatural story line. Protagonists read as white. Ages 14--up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Sara Crowe Literary. (Aug.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A descendant from a long line of witches is poised to continue the family responsibility of safeguarding her town from a centuries-old curse. As 17-year-old Nev Blackwell prepares to honor her ancestral vow of watching over Hollow Cliff, the arrival of a mysterious stranger sparks doubts in her mind about the truths she's long been taught about her family's role in the town's tragic past. Nev's coastal Northern California home, the Blackwell House of Spirits, serves as both a haunting tourist attraction and a repository for closely guarded family secrets. Explorations of the theme of familial betrayal and a reckoning with uncomfortable history add an additional layer to the narrative, illustrating the haunting impact that past actions can have on future generations. Glaze deftly weaves the past into the present, delving into the depths unlocked by a mere drop of family blood while gradually unveiling answers. The sense of urgency she creates heightens both the tension and the pacing. Rich cinematic descriptions of the setting and nuanced character development foster a deep connection with the quaint yet enigmatic town. Despite some repetitive, one-note dialogue, the foreshadowing and subtle hints invite readers to revisit the story, unraveling its intricate ghostly elements upon a second read. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Mary Downing Hahn will be drawn into this enchanting tale, a gripping supernatural thriller that's characterized by a strong blend of light romance, moody gothic ambiance, and magical mystery. Highly recommended for those seeking an atmospheric page-turner. (Paranormal thriller. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
