In the fall of last year I was given the opportunity to review a second edition of a book id never heard of before, approached by the author who was kind and whos story sounded like it would be right up my ally. The book was called I Belong to the Earth and the premise of a girl who can sense the dead, who struggled with disability, a torn family life as well as the supernatural was something I just couldnt say no to. Needless to say it was one of my top reads of 2016. And just before the close of the year I heard again from the author, the amazing J.A. Ironside that the second book in my new favorite series was available in E-ARC form.
For those who havent yet read the first book, I can only implore you to please please do so because I know you will love it. A tragic love story wrapped in ghosts and lore, all faced off by a family of the strongest women you could ever care to meet. There is a method and a lore to the ghosts, and the learning of abilities by our main protagonist Emlynn thats both endearing and challenging. You get sucked right into the drama but its the characters that propel you to want to learn more because you can help but care for them and their well being.
For those who have read book one and are eager for book two know that its even better which is hard to accomplish. We pick up some time after the dust has settled from book one (Some time passage we are aware of for anyone who has read the novellas and shorts that come between each book) but the excitement picks up almost right always. We see old faces and some new, and are given a new little part of the world to play in.
Ironside has a way with words thats magical and lyrical. I as an American can confidently say ive never seen an English countryside. At least not until I read her works. She makes you feel the mist on your skin from walking the moors. She makes you feel the grass under you as you sit on the ancient mounds of Dorset. You believe you could walk on an ancient roman road and come across ley lines to transport you to another reality. All of that feels not only possible but real, tangible through her writing. And for a book set in our world id say thats a magical feat in itself. None of her magic system feels forced or rushed and we are given little morsels of information to digest throughout, and still shocked that all of that foreshadowing didnt ruin the big reveal.
If you are a fan of magical realism, check out this series. If you are a fan of mystery, check out this series. Even if you have never read those types of books before and want a smooth transition into the paranormal, id wholeheartedly suggest checking out The Unveiled Series.
You can find more about both books on their goodreads
I Belong to the Earth- J.A. Ironside
I am the Silence- J.A. Ironside
0 comments:
Post a Comment