A unique, suspenseful mystery-fantasy set in the 1940s.
Recommended grade level: 7 and up
Pages: 388 (for ISBN 9780544879362
Genre(s) and keywords: mystery, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, magical realism (yeah I know that’s like all the genres),
Tone/Style: mysterious, dark
Pace: leisurely to moderate
Topics: hidden past of a family member, curses, blame
Themes: grief and loss, alienation, romantic relationships, family
Summary: Aila Quinn’s mother, Juliet, has always been a mystery: vibrant yet guarded, she keeps her secrets beyond Aila’s reach. When Juliet dies, Aila and her younger brother Miles are sent to live in Sterling, a rural town far from home–and the place where Juliet grew up. Continue reading