Erin Bowman

I love this book. Love, love, love. I've been fortunate enough to read it several times over and I somehow manage to fall a bit further in love with each read.

Violet is such a captivating protagonist, and the cast of characters that populate this novel are just as charming. I fell in love with each of them and saying goodbye to them at the close of the story hurt. Violet is a bookworm, and spunky, and says it like it is. Her brother is bit of a jerk, but I love him anyway. And River, the mysterious stranger that Violet lets board at her family's crumbling estate? He is deliciously mysterious and dark and up to no good. I love him even when I know I shouldn't.

Characters aside, though, this novel is haunting. The setting is rich and the writing is gorgeous. The happenings in Violet's town are disturbing, and in many cases, downright creepy. Look-over-your-shoulder creepy. Read-with-the-lights-on creepy. Jump-at-odd-noises creepy.

This book is so unique. I'd say more, but it's far too early and I don't want to spoil things. I highly recommend picking up a copy come 2013. (And keeping the light on while you read.)

Note: I read an early version of this manuscript, hence the review long before publication.