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Eventide
MADNESS, SECRETS, AND LIES
Wheeler, Arkansas, 1907
When their father descends into madness after the death of their mother, Verity Pruitt and her little sister Lilah find themselves on an orphan train to rural Arkansas.
In Wheeler, eleven-year-old Lilah is quickly adopted, but seventeen-year-old Verity is not. Desperate to stay close to her sister, Verity indentures herself as a farmhand. But even charming farm boy Abel Atchley can’t completely distract her from the sense that something is not quite right in this little town. Strange local superstitions abound, especially about the eerie old well at the center of the forest. The woods are play tricks, unleashing heavy fog and bone-chilling cold…and sometimes visions of things that aren’t there.
But for Verity, perhaps most unsettling of all is the revelation that her own parents have a scandalous history in this very town. And as she tries to unearth the past, sinister secrets come with it—secrets that someone will go to violent lengths to protect….
Wheeler, Arkansas, 1907
When their father descends into madness after the death of their mother, Verity Pruitt and her little sister Lilah find themselves on an orphan train to rural Arkansas.
In Wheeler, eleven-year-old Lilah is quickly adopted, but seventeen-year-old Verity is not. Desperate to stay close to her sister, Verity indentures herself as a farmhand. But even charming farm boy Abel Atchley can’t completely distract her from the sense that something is not quite right in this little town. Strange local superstitions abound, especially about the eerie old well at the center of the forest. The woods are play tricks, unleashing heavy fog and bone-chilling cold…and sometimes visions of things that aren’t there.
But for Verity, perhaps most unsettling of all is the revelation that her own parents have a scandalous history in this very town. And as she tries to unearth the past, sinister secrets come with it—secrets that someone will go to violent lengths to protect….
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2020
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November 26, 2023
**3.5-stars**
In 1907, Verity Pruitt and her little sister, Lilah, arrive in Wheeler, Arkansas, aboard an orphan train from New York.
Their mother has passed away and their father, suffering from crippling grief following her passing, has been committed to an insane asylum.
With no family to take them in, the girls become wards of the state, in spite of the fact that Verity is close to turning eighteen.
When they arrive in Arkansas, it is clear that a family is already waiting for Lilah, but Verity will not be going with them.
She does still luck out though, as an amazing family is willing to take her in and they live only a couple of miles from Lilah's new home, making it possible for the sisters to still visit with one another.
Of course, Verity's position is more as a farmhand initially, than an adopted child. She's okay with that though, a little hard work never hurt anybody and the family is great.
As Verity settles in at her new home, enjoying her work on the farm and her new friendships, she discovers that something lurks in the woods surrounding the town.
It's unsettling the things she sees as she accidentally ventures into the woods one night.
As she works to uncover the truth behind the strange things she has seen and experienced, Verity begins to uncover some truths about her own family instead.
Goodman definitely succeeded at bringing a fun, creepy atmosphere to this historical fiction tale.
I really enjoyed the setting and the cast of characters.
Some of the plot was a bit too simple for my tastes, as well as slightly campy towards the end, but it was still a quick, enjoyable read!
I definitely recommend this to Readers who like the idea of a creepy read, but they don't actually want to be scared.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor Teen, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.
I look forward to reading more from Sarah Goodman. This is a great debut. I hope she stays in this lane. It works for her!
In 1907, Verity Pruitt and her little sister, Lilah, arrive in Wheeler, Arkansas, aboard an orphan train from New York.
Their mother has passed away and their father, suffering from crippling grief following her passing, has been committed to an insane asylum.
With no family to take them in, the girls become wards of the state, in spite of the fact that Verity is close to turning eighteen.
When they arrive in Arkansas, it is clear that a family is already waiting for Lilah, but Verity will not be going with them.
She does still luck out though, as an amazing family is willing to take her in and they live only a couple of miles from Lilah's new home, making it possible for the sisters to still visit with one another.
Of course, Verity's position is more as a farmhand initially, than an adopted child. She's okay with that though, a little hard work never hurt anybody and the family is great.
As Verity settles in at her new home, enjoying her work on the farm and her new friendships, she discovers that something lurks in the woods surrounding the town.
It's unsettling the things she sees as she accidentally ventures into the woods one night.
As she works to uncover the truth behind the strange things she has seen and experienced, Verity begins to uncover some truths about her own family instead.
Goodman definitely succeeded at bringing a fun, creepy atmosphere to this historical fiction tale.
I really enjoyed the setting and the cast of characters.
Some of the plot was a bit too simple for my tastes, as well as slightly campy towards the end, but it was still a quick, enjoyable read!
I definitely recommend this to Readers who like the idea of a creepy read, but they don't actually want to be scared.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor Teen, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review.
I look forward to reading more from Sarah Goodman. This is a great debut. I hope she stays in this lane. It works for her!
August 1, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up
Eventide was pretty good, but I just wanted more of everything... I wish the creepy factor and the mystery of it all had been flushed out more. Still a quick and enjoyable read.
Eventide was pretty good, but I just wanted more of everything... I wish the creepy factor and the mystery of it all had been flushed out more. Still a quick and enjoyable read.
October 31, 2021
“I shivered in the blackness, sudden goose bumps dotting my arms. Willing my breath to slow, I drew in the scent of earth and trees. A damp chill circled me…”
*Don’t go into the woods*
Teens and adults who like ghostly/supernatural stories will enjoy this spooky YA historical fiction novel.
1907– Sisters Lilah and Verity arrive in Wheeler, Arkansas via orphan train. Young Lilah is adopted by a woman, while older sister Verity (in a desperate attempt to stay near Lilah in hopes of taking her back to New York) joins a neighboring family as a farmhand. Verity soon discovers there is more to this small, rural town than she originally thought. And why does everyone keep telling her to avoid the woods???
An entertaining read with engaging characters and eerie twists. I really enjoyed the setting and concept of this book, and it made for a good, spooky October read. And how about that cover?? Gorgeous.
*Don’t go into the woods*
Teens and adults who like ghostly/supernatural stories will enjoy this spooky YA historical fiction novel.
1907– Sisters Lilah and Verity arrive in Wheeler, Arkansas via orphan train. Young Lilah is adopted by a woman, while older sister Verity (in a desperate attempt to stay near Lilah in hopes of taking her back to New York) joins a neighboring family as a farmhand. Verity soon discovers there is more to this small, rural town than she originally thought. And why does everyone keep telling her to avoid the woods???
An entertaining read with engaging characters and eerie twists. I really enjoyed the setting and concept of this book, and it made for a good, spooky October read. And how about that cover?? Gorgeous.
August 29, 2020
Welcome to Wheeler, Arkansas, a small and average town with a shockingly dark secret that lay nestled in the haunting forest. Verity Pruitt is about to discover that something is not quite right in the town she and her younger sister have been sent to. While Lilah is adopted, Verity must indenture herself as a farmhand in order to stay close to her sister.
EVENTIDE by Sarah Goodman is an atmospheric young adult fantasy thriller that drops its readers right into the story and engulfs one into the feeling of “wrongness.” Wonderfully told, eerily dark, this tale is sure to hold readers glued to each page as the mystery unfolds ever so slowly. Highly recommended for all ages! Powerful storytelling, perfect for YA readers!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Tor Teen! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher : Tor Teen (October 6, 2020)
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Print Length : 336 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
EVENTIDE by Sarah Goodman is an atmospheric young adult fantasy thriller that drops its readers right into the story and engulfs one into the feeling of “wrongness.” Wonderfully told, eerily dark, this tale is sure to hold readers glued to each page as the mystery unfolds ever so slowly. Highly recommended for all ages! Powerful storytelling, perfect for YA readers!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Tor Teen! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher : Tor Teen (October 6, 2020)
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Print Length : 336 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
October 6, 2020
The train’s click-clacking rumble across the tracks lulls you into a trance-like state as the scenery outside the window flashes by. The browns and greens melt together and blend with the blue of the sky as the train rushes past. You grip your sister’s hand tighter, unwilling to let her go. No matter what, the two of you will get through this together, no matter what hauntings from the past try to stop you.
Eventide, a blend of a historical fiction and ghost story, journeys along with sisters Lilah and Verity. After their mother’s passing and their father’s mental health failing, leading him into an asylum, Verity and Lilah find themselves on an orphan train to a new state. When Lilah is adopted by a woman and separated from Verity, Verity does everything in her power to keep her sister safe, even the paranormal powers and witchy potions can’t stop her.
I enjoyed the ghost element of this story and liked the blend with the historical fiction genre. But I feel the book was disjointed in many areas trying to balance these genres, especially when fantasy-like components were added to the mix.
Verity was such a strong, brave character and this book was told fully from her perspective. While I liked Verity’s character, I found the supporting characters a little off. There was a weird love triangle thrown in (which is not a favorite of mine) and I wish the book would have had more eerie moments. The writing/dialogue had some weak moments that felt odd and out of place, but other times the descriptions were very beautiful. The writing as a whole needed some polishing, but has great potential.
This story also started off extremely slow and needed more of a hook in the beginning third to make me feel better about it. It had too much similarity to other historical fiction books dealing with the orphan train plot and needed something to separate it from the other historical fiction books that have already dominated this subject. The plot overall was a little odd to me as well, but it grew on me a little as more was revealed. I think smoother transitions would have helped the plot’s strength.
Overall, this was a good debut, that had the potential to be great, but I feel it could have been more engaging of a story with some tweaks.
TW: Death of a Baby, Death of a Parent, Mental Illness, Murder, Paranormal Activity.
*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.
Eventide, a blend of a historical fiction and ghost story, journeys along with sisters Lilah and Verity. After their mother’s passing and their father’s mental health failing, leading him into an asylum, Verity and Lilah find themselves on an orphan train to a new state. When Lilah is adopted by a woman and separated from Verity, Verity does everything in her power to keep her sister safe, even the paranormal powers and witchy potions can’t stop her.
I enjoyed the ghost element of this story and liked the blend with the historical fiction genre. But I feel the book was disjointed in many areas trying to balance these genres, especially when fantasy-like components were added to the mix.
Verity was such a strong, brave character and this book was told fully from her perspective. While I liked Verity’s character, I found the supporting characters a little off. There was a weird love triangle thrown in (which is not a favorite of mine) and I wish the book would have had more eerie moments. The writing/dialogue had some weak moments that felt odd and out of place, but other times the descriptions were very beautiful. The writing as a whole needed some polishing, but has great potential.
This story also started off extremely slow and needed more of a hook in the beginning third to make me feel better about it. It had too much similarity to other historical fiction books dealing with the orphan train plot and needed something to separate it from the other historical fiction books that have already dominated this subject. The plot overall was a little odd to me as well, but it grew on me a little as more was revealed. I think smoother transitions would have helped the plot’s strength.
Overall, this was a good debut, that had the potential to be great, but I feel it could have been more engaging of a story with some tweaks.
TW: Death of a Baby, Death of a Parent, Mental Illness, Murder, Paranormal Activity.
*I received a gifted copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review.
September 30, 2020
Set in a small town of the early 1900’s Arkansas, this story was a perfect start to my fall season with all its paranormal activities and splashes of magic. This young adult historical fiction/mystery novel kept me up late at night reading, and I could not get enough of its atmospheric setting and all the amazing characters. I even dare to say that I got some Anne of Green Gables vibe at the beginning of this book, before all the spookiness started. The mystery of this book was slowly and skillfully unwrapped by the author, and I was mesmerized by the story's plot and setting.
Eventide is a wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to read more books by this author. If you love books that blend multiple genres together and create a perfect blend of mystery and paranormal themes then this is a perfect read for you.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillina/Thor Teen, and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Eventide is a wonderful debut novel and I can’t wait to read more books by this author. If you love books that blend multiple genres together and create a perfect blend of mystery and paranormal themes then this is a perfect read for you.
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillina/Thor Teen, and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 27, 2020
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*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
After the downward spiral of their father's mental health, Verity and her little sister Lilah, are sent to live in Arkansas. Upon arriving, Lilah is taken in by Miss Maeve, the local school teacher. Unfortunately for Verity, she is not able to go with Lilah, and becomes a farmhand nearby. While there, Verity is warned to stay out of the woods, as an old well with a dark past, resides there.
I loved the spooky vibes of this and enjoyed immersing myself into this little town in the middle of nowhere. The mystery behind the woods and the well was so intriguing to me, and I wanted to know more about them the instant they were introduced. I like how it was set in the 1900's, I don't think I've ever read a historical thriller before, especially one that includes paranormal aspects as well. Verity was a great character, I like how determined she was to discover the secrets hidden from her. I also loved how protective she was towards her sister and how she wouldn't stop until she knew she was safe. I liked the focus on family in this, whether it be blood or found. The beginning of the book was so heartbreaking, and I truly felt for Verity. It must have been awful to lose her mother, then her father to the madness and then her sister, all due to circumstances she had no control over. The family that Verity found for herself was wonderful, and I was so happy that she could find happiness, when she was so convinced she wouldn't. I absolutely adored Big Tom and Hettie, they were so sweet. I also LOVED the friendships Verity made along the way as well, Deliah and Jerimiah were so precious. I will say that I did not enjoy the love triangle, and would have enjoyed the story a lot more if it hadn't existed. I will say that I was a shocked about one of the developments in the love interest, but then ended up guessing why it happened, and was right so that was a bit disappointing. I liked the mystery behind the family-secrets, and I had a fun time trying to figure out how everything was connected. I was a big fan of Miss Maeve and wanted to know more about her as the story went on, I was completely obsessed with finding out the truth about her history. I do think the ending was a bit rushed, and a bit sloppily done... but it was an enjoyable book nonetheless.
I'm definitely intrigued with this author, and I'm excited to pick up more of their work when it is released!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
After the downward spiral of their father's mental health, Verity and her little sister Lilah, are sent to live in Arkansas. Upon arriving, Lilah is taken in by Miss Maeve, the local school teacher. Unfortunately for Verity, she is not able to go with Lilah, and becomes a farmhand nearby. While there, Verity is warned to stay out of the woods, as an old well with a dark past, resides there.
I loved the spooky vibes of this and enjoyed immersing myself into this little town in the middle of nowhere. The mystery behind the woods and the well was so intriguing to me, and I wanted to know more about them the instant they were introduced. I like how it was set in the 1900's, I don't think I've ever read a historical thriller before, especially one that includes paranormal aspects as well. Verity was a great character, I like how determined she was to discover the secrets hidden from her. I also loved how protective she was towards her sister and how she wouldn't stop until she knew she was safe. I liked the focus on family in this, whether it be blood or found. The beginning of the book was so heartbreaking, and I truly felt for Verity. It must have been awful to lose her mother, then her father to the madness and then her sister, all due to circumstances she had no control over. The family that Verity found for herself was wonderful, and I was so happy that she could find happiness, when she was so convinced she wouldn't. I absolutely adored Big Tom and Hettie, they were so sweet. I also LOVED the friendships Verity made along the way as well, Deliah and Jerimiah were so precious. I will say that I did not enjoy the love triangle, and would have enjoyed the story a lot more if it hadn't existed. I will say that I was a shocked about one of the developments in the love interest, but then ended up guessing why it happened, and was right so that was a bit disappointing. I liked the mystery behind the family-secrets, and I had a fun time trying to figure out how everything was connected. I was a big fan of Miss Maeve and wanted to know more about her as the story went on, I was completely obsessed with finding out the truth about her history. I do think the ending was a bit rushed, and a bit sloppily done... but it was an enjoyable book nonetheless.
I'm definitely intrigued with this author, and I'm excited to pick up more of their work when it is released!
February 1, 2021
3.5/5
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Verity's father descends into madness after her mother dies, she finds herself and her sister on an orphan train to rural Arkansas. Her young sister, Lilah, is adopted quickly in Wheeler, but Verity is not. She indentures herself as a farmhand to stay close to her sister. Things in Wheeler are not as they seem though, the woods are strangely haunted, the town is very superstitious and Verity finds out her own parents are tied to this town with a scandalous history. As Verity searches for the truth, someone is determined to keep her from it at all costs.
I enjoyed this book, but I felt such a distance from Verity at first that it was hard for me to relate to her. The first 50% or so I was very detached from the story. I will say the first half is also very slowly moving which could have attributed to that. Once things got going though, they flew. I loved Verity's determination to stay with and protect her sister at all costs. I live for siblings bonds like this.
One of the best things about this book is the atmosphere. Goodman nailed the eerie setting and making me believe the woods and town were surrounded in mystery and magic. Also, the added question of whether Verity's own memories/thoughts could be trusted was very well done. There were times it could've gone in the direction of trivializing mental health, but it didn't and for that I am glad.
The ending was definitely shocking, I did not see it coming, but I really enjoyed the twist. It was a happy ending, but several things were sacrificed and that's the best kind of ending in my mind.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Verity's father descends into madness after her mother dies, she finds herself and her sister on an orphan train to rural Arkansas. Her young sister, Lilah, is adopted quickly in Wheeler, but Verity is not. She indentures herself as a farmhand to stay close to her sister. Things in Wheeler are not as they seem though, the woods are strangely haunted, the town is very superstitious and Verity finds out her own parents are tied to this town with a scandalous history. As Verity searches for the truth, someone is determined to keep her from it at all costs.
I enjoyed this book, but I felt such a distance from Verity at first that it was hard for me to relate to her. The first 50% or so I was very detached from the story. I will say the first half is also very slowly moving which could have attributed to that. Once things got going though, they flew. I loved Verity's determination to stay with and protect her sister at all costs. I live for siblings bonds like this.
One of the best things about this book is the atmosphere. Goodman nailed the eerie setting and making me believe the woods and town were surrounded in mystery and magic. Also, the added question of whether Verity's own memories/thoughts could be trusted was very well done. There were times it could've gone in the direction of trivializing mental health, but it didn't and for that I am glad.
The ending was definitely shocking, I did not see it coming, but I really enjoyed the twist. It was a happy ending, but several things were sacrificed and that's the best kind of ending in my mind.
March 7, 2024
Wow. I don’t understand why this book isn’t all over Bookstagram. I picked it up on a whim this morning, after I had failed to get into 2 other books. I was just going to read the first page, but that turned into the entire book. I could not put it down!
For lovers of Simone St James, this book definitely reminded me of her books. It’s very historical fiction, with a bit of paranormal thrown in there. I loved the mystery/suspense this book has, and at one point my heart was racing! If you love Hist fic, suspense and paranormal READ THIS, you’ll love it!
For lovers of Simone St James, this book definitely reminded me of her books. It’s very historical fiction, with a bit of paranormal thrown in there. I loved the mystery/suspense this book has, and at one point my heart was racing! If you love Hist fic, suspense and paranormal READ THIS, you’ll love it!
November 6, 2020
Eventide is a spooky little YA tale about family secrets, small-town scandal, and the curse of vengeance. Set in the dusty town of Wheeler, Arkansas in 1907, this reads as much like a historical fiction as it does a paranormal mystery. The story slowly unraveled in this one and the setting captivated me. I was surprised that it was less spooky than I expected and much more heartwarming as the overarching message of choosing your family was woven throughout the story.
Two sisters find themselves on an orphan train to Arkansas after their father descends into madness shortly after the death of their mother. Young Lilah is quickly adopted upon arrival by a cool, captivating woman. But her seventeen-year-old sister, Verity, is not. To stay close to her sister, Verity chooses to work as a hired hand at a local farm. But from the demand to stay out of the woods to the creepy folklore surround the town, Verity quickly senses that something is not quite right in this little town.
The woods near the farm play tricks on Verity, unleashing a heavy fog and bone-chilling cold…and sometimes visions of things that aren’t there. But as Verity searches for answers, she finds that even her own parents have a scandalous history in the town. And as she tries to unearth the past, more secrets and unusual circumstances come about. She's worried her sister is in danger and doesn't have much power or sway to do anything about it. She has to decide if she's going to speak up and potentially lose her sister forever, or is she OK staying put and being safe.
This was a fun October read and perfect for the YA (possibly even Middle Grade) set. I think I would have liked a little more magical elements than just the ending, but I enjoyed the story and the message.
Two sisters find themselves on an orphan train to Arkansas after their father descends into madness shortly after the death of their mother. Young Lilah is quickly adopted upon arrival by a cool, captivating woman. But her seventeen-year-old sister, Verity, is not. To stay close to her sister, Verity chooses to work as a hired hand at a local farm. But from the demand to stay out of the woods to the creepy folklore surround the town, Verity quickly senses that something is not quite right in this little town.
The woods near the farm play tricks on Verity, unleashing a heavy fog and bone-chilling cold…and sometimes visions of things that aren’t there. But as Verity searches for answers, she finds that even her own parents have a scandalous history in the town. And as she tries to unearth the past, more secrets and unusual circumstances come about. She's worried her sister is in danger and doesn't have much power or sway to do anything about it. She has to decide if she's going to speak up and potentially lose her sister forever, or is she OK staying put and being safe.
This was a fun October read and perfect for the YA (possibly even Middle Grade) set. I think I would have liked a little more magical elements than just the ending, but I enjoyed the story and the message.
October 10, 2020
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
I quite enjoyed Eventide for its atmosphere, mysteriousness, and focus on the importance of family (both blood and created). And it was mostly a win for me! So let's break down all the things I enjoyed, and the one thing I kind of didn't!
The Good:
►The setting/time period was great! So few books seem to be set around the turn of the 20th century, or maybe I am just missing them, but either way I loved this one! It's the dawn of the automobile, and technology in general is just starting to creep into everyday life. But it's old enough to still have a very historical feel, one that I thought the author captured really well! Plus, being in small-town Arkansas puts an extra spin on it, because it felt (naturally) more isolated, and therefore made the atmosphere even more on point.
►The family focus was wonderful. Ugh, I felt so bad for Verity. She's lost her mother, her father has gone mad, and now she and her sister (the only family she has left, mind) are shipped off on an orphan train. Look, "orphan train" in general sounds awful, so we know she's not in for a treat. But then they're legit offered up like cattle and wow, no thank you. Verity ends up working for a couple on a farm (also I love them) while Lilah is adopted by the town teacher. But Verity isn't willing to let Lilah go, and that is at the heart of the story.
►As it turns out though, even as Verity tries to find her way back to Lilah, she ends up making a family of her own along the way. I liked the message that it sent, that even if you are low on genetic family, you can choose people who will be there for you and love you just the same. Without giving too much away, it was just really great to me that there was hope for Verity to find her people again.
►There is definitely plenty of mystery throughout! We've got family secrets, personal secrets, some creepy stuff that isn't explained, and basically lots of pieces of the puzzle to unravel, which kept me interested in the story throughout.
The One Issue I Had:
►The magic parts just didn't fully work for me. And I am probably pickier than most when it comes to magic and supernatural and such, so do take that for what it's worth. The magic stuff just required a bit more suspension of disbelief than I had to give, apparently.
Bottom Line: So atmospheric with characters I really cared about, I enjoyed both the mysteriousness and family aspects of this book greatly.
I quite enjoyed Eventide for its atmosphere, mysteriousness, and focus on the importance of family (both blood and created). And it was mostly a win for me! So let's break down all the things I enjoyed, and the one thing I kind of didn't!
The Good:
►The setting/time period was great! So few books seem to be set around the turn of the 20th century, or maybe I am just missing them, but either way I loved this one! It's the dawn of the automobile, and technology in general is just starting to creep into everyday life. But it's old enough to still have a very historical feel, one that I thought the author captured really well! Plus, being in small-town Arkansas puts an extra spin on it, because it felt (naturally) more isolated, and therefore made the atmosphere even more on point.
►The family focus was wonderful. Ugh, I felt so bad for Verity. She's lost her mother, her father has gone mad, and now she and her sister (the only family she has left, mind) are shipped off on an orphan train. Look, "orphan train" in general sounds awful, so we know she's not in for a treat. But then they're legit offered up like cattle and wow, no thank you. Verity ends up working for a couple on a farm (also I love them) while Lilah is adopted by the town teacher. But Verity isn't willing to let Lilah go, and that is at the heart of the story.
►As it turns out though, even as Verity tries to find her way back to Lilah, she ends up making a family of her own along the way. I liked the message that it sent, that even if you are low on genetic family, you can choose people who will be there for you and love you just the same. Without giving too much away, it was just really great to me that there was hope for Verity to find her people again.
►There is definitely plenty of mystery throughout! We've got family secrets, personal secrets, some creepy stuff that isn't explained, and basically lots of pieces of the puzzle to unravel, which kept me interested in the story throughout.
The One Issue I Had:
►The magic parts just didn't fully work for me. And I am probably pickier than most when it comes to magic and supernatural and such, so do take that for what it's worth. The magic stuff just required a bit more suspension of disbelief than I had to give, apparently.
Bottom Line: So atmospheric with characters I really cared about, I enjoyed both the mysteriousness and family aspects of this book greatly.
May 31, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Everyone: Verity, don't do this thing.
Verity: I won't. *does exactly that thing*
This book was... okay. Just okay. I kept hoping that it would surprise me but it never came. Reading this made think: that's it?
The concept was really cool. Seventeen-year-old Verity and her little sister Lilah are put up for adoption after their mother dies and their father is sent to the insane asylum. They end up in a tiny town in Arkansas, albeit separated into two households: Verity becomes a farmhand and Lilah is adopted by the kind schoolteacher. But as Verity starts seeing things that aren't truly there, she has to wonder: is there something dark and dangerous in this town? Or has she inherited her father's madness?
I really enjoyed Goodman's descriptions of the tiny town and the eerie woods. But true horror requires a sense of wrongness. A sense of mystery. Eventide didn't have enough of that. Sure, there were a few creepy images (a ghostly little girl, an ancient well, doppelgangers and visions of dead townspeople) but there was never enough to keep me on the edge. Every mystery is either explosively obvious or explosively brushed aside. And while the other townspeople warn Verity away from the woods, she plays the dumb horror movie heroine route and refuses to believe them, instead choosing to chase ghosts that harm her over and over again! Whaat.
Anyway, speaking of the setting: I forgot this was a historical novel set in 1907. There's absolutely no sense of time aside from Verity's clothes (which could pass for early to mid-20th century anyway), sending telegrams, and the mention that her mother died from scarlet fever. This could have taken place in 1907... or 1950... or 1980... and I wouldn't even know the difference.
The romance was plain bad instalove. I actually thought it was going too smoothly in the sense that her love interest was secretly a villain who meant to hurt her. Wouldn't that be exciting? Isn't that exactly what you expect out of a creepy town whose citizens wish harm upon her? But nope. Goodman missed out on that more exciting possibility.
And the ending was a giant deus ex machina. No thanks.
TL;DR Move along, nothing new to see here. If you want creepy small towns, dark magic, and luscious atmosphere, then check out Shea Ernshaw's books instead.
Everyone: Verity, don't do this thing.
Verity: I won't. *does exactly that thing*
This book was... okay. Just okay. I kept hoping that it would surprise me but it never came. Reading this made think: that's it?
The concept was really cool. Seventeen-year-old Verity and her little sister Lilah are put up for adoption after their mother dies and their father is sent to the insane asylum. They end up in a tiny town in Arkansas, albeit separated into two households: Verity becomes a farmhand and Lilah is adopted by the kind schoolteacher. But as Verity starts seeing things that aren't truly there, she has to wonder: is there something dark and dangerous in this town? Or has she inherited her father's madness?
I really enjoyed Goodman's descriptions of the tiny town and the eerie woods. But true horror requires a sense of wrongness. A sense of mystery. Eventide didn't have enough of that. Sure, there were a few creepy images (a ghostly little girl, an ancient well, doppelgangers and visions of dead townspeople) but there was never enough to keep me on the edge. Every mystery is either explosively obvious or explosively brushed aside. And while the other townspeople warn Verity away from the woods, she plays the dumb horror movie heroine route and refuses to believe them, instead choosing to chase ghosts that harm her over and over again! Whaat.
Anyway, speaking of the setting: I forgot this was a historical novel set in 1907. There's absolutely no sense of time aside from Verity's clothes (which could pass for early to mid-20th century anyway), sending telegrams, and the mention that her mother died from scarlet fever. This could have taken place in 1907... or 1950... or 1980... and I wouldn't even know the difference.
The romance was plain bad instalove. I actually thought it was going too smoothly in the sense that her love interest was secretly a villain who meant to hurt her. Wouldn't that be exciting? Isn't that exactly what you expect out of a creepy town whose citizens wish harm upon her? But nope. Goodman missed out on that more exciting possibility.
And the ending was a giant deus ex machina. No thanks.
TL;DR Move along, nothing new to see here. If you want creepy small towns, dark magic, and luscious atmosphere, then check out Shea Ernshaw's books instead.
October 10, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up.
I started reading the physical copy of this one, but immediately switched to the audio when I found out it was narrated by Lauren Fortgang. She is on my list of go-to narrators, and the wait was worth it.
Set in the early 1900s in the small town of Wheeler, Arkansas, what should be a sleepy town is actually home to a haunting forest that harbors one heck of a dark secret.
Verity Pruitt and her sister quickly realize things aren’t as they seem in this new town. To make matters worse, Lilah is immediately adopted but Verity must indenture herself as a farmhand to stay nearby.
This debut is an atmospheric novel that sinks its teeth in from the prologue. The “otherness” of the town is palpable. I loved that this small town slowly reveals its secrets the more Verity refuses to back down and be a silent and obedient young lady.
While the mystery, supernatural elements, and small town life will definitely whet a lot of palates, this is a slow-burn so keep that in mind. There were definitely some points in the middle where we were wrapped up in the daily life of the small town, which slowed the momentum of the plot a bit. I also think that I was just dying to get to the supernatural elements.
The characters in this one are well crafted and each one has their own place in the story. I absolutely loved Verity. She refused to conform to the expectations of girls and women in society (even though this is early 1900s). I do always struggle with stories set in historic time periods because of the suffocating patriarchy, so to have Verity refuse to hold her tongue made me proud.
Overall, if you’re looking for a spine tingling read for spooky season, I think this one is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Tor Teen and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
I started reading the physical copy of this one, but immediately switched to the audio when I found out it was narrated by Lauren Fortgang. She is on my list of go-to narrators, and the wait was worth it.
Set in the early 1900s in the small town of Wheeler, Arkansas, what should be a sleepy town is actually home to a haunting forest that harbors one heck of a dark secret.
Verity Pruitt and her sister quickly realize things aren’t as they seem in this new town. To make matters worse, Lilah is immediately adopted but Verity must indenture herself as a farmhand to stay nearby.
This debut is an atmospheric novel that sinks its teeth in from the prologue. The “otherness” of the town is palpable. I loved that this small town slowly reveals its secrets the more Verity refuses to back down and be a silent and obedient young lady.
While the mystery, supernatural elements, and small town life will definitely whet a lot of palates, this is a slow-burn so keep that in mind. There were definitely some points in the middle where we were wrapped up in the daily life of the small town, which slowed the momentum of the plot a bit. I also think that I was just dying to get to the supernatural elements.
The characters in this one are well crafted and each one has their own place in the story. I absolutely loved Verity. She refused to conform to the expectations of girls and women in society (even though this is early 1900s). I do always struggle with stories set in historic time periods because of the suffocating patriarchy, so to have Verity refuse to hold her tongue made me proud.
Overall, if you’re looking for a spine tingling read for spooky season, I think this one is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to Tor Teen and Macmillan Audio for my gifted copies. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
June 8, 2020
This story was SO. GOOD. It was spooky and atmospheric in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to read more. The author did a great job creating a small town vibe and the mystery surrounding the woods was captivating and woven into the story in a way that really drove the plot. The subtle elements of magic included in the story added to the atmosphere and spookiness of the story. I will say that there was a bit of insta-love that was a bit unrealistic and wasn't my favorite personally, but the characters felt pretty well developed and seemed to have some interests outside of relationships for the most part. I loved the conflict between Lilah and Verity and the focus on sibling relationships in the story. The ending caught me by surprise and I definitely didn't see it coming. Overall, this was a really griping and enjoyable read! Highly recommend.
July 11, 2022
Another Once Upon A Book Club book for me. This one? Yeah this one I would have gotten no matter what. Historical Ghost Story with a gorgeously hauntingly perfect cover? Definitely my type of book.
But….it was not what I truly hoped for.
I did not get scared. Just mad.
What?!
I loved all the loveable characters and disliked all the unlikeable ones. But I was still mad and not scared.
I loved the historical-ness of it. That part was great, albeit a tad slow. It took me over 100 pages to get into this book. I can forgive that. A lot of books have a huge set-up/getting to know you factor.
The ghost story part was lacking something, for me.
I really cannot put my finger on what went wrong, for me. I truly thought this would be a 5 star book.
With that being said I’ll definitely read the next book by this author!
But….it was not what I truly hoped for.
I did not get scared. Just mad.
What?!
I loved all the loveable characters and disliked all the unlikeable ones. But I was still mad and not scared.
I loved the historical-ness of it. That part was great, albeit a tad slow. It took me over 100 pages to get into this book. I can forgive that. A lot of books have a huge set-up/getting to know you factor.
The ghost story part was lacking something, for me.
I really cannot put my finger on what went wrong, for me. I truly thought this would be a 5 star book.
With that being said I’ll definitely read the next book by this author!
May 30, 2021
OH. MY. GOSH!! This book was absolute perfection! It was spooky in the way that slowly creeps under your skin...unsettling but in a way that isn’t immediately apparent. It was also incredibly moving, and it’s definitely the kind of book that keeps you thinking long after you’ve finished reading it.
The two sisters who are the main characters of the book, Verity and Lilah, are both great and unique from one another. Verity is headstrong and confident, and is probably one of my new fav. YA heroines. Lilah is sweet and kindhearted and I just wanted to keep her safe at all costs.
Historical fiction is one of my fav. genres, and one that I don’t read often enough. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒅𝒆 reminded me why I need to read this genre more! This book is perfect for fans of House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig, The Madman’s Daughter trilogy by Megan Shepherd, and The Winter People McMahone.
The two sisters who are the main characters of the book, Verity and Lilah, are both great and unique from one another. Verity is headstrong and confident, and is probably one of my new fav. YA heroines. Lilah is sweet and kindhearted and I just wanted to keep her safe at all costs.
Historical fiction is one of my fav. genres, and one that I don’t read often enough. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒅𝒆 reminded me why I need to read this genre more! This book is perfect for fans of House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig, The Madman’s Daughter trilogy by Megan Shepherd, and The Winter People McMahone.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
February 26, 2021DNF'd at 64%. The plot is confusing, getting more and more ridiculous and I'm just not engaged.
June 29, 2020
I started reading this book at 1am, and at page 10 when I was already completely immersed in the story I thought, "Oh no, I've made a mistake".
The writing perfectly captured the eerie atmosphere of this seemingly mundane small town, as well as the quaint and folksy nature of its residents. The mystery unfurled rather slowly, as well as the implement of a supernatural element. I found myself with dozens of questions and little answers, and that made me all the more inclined to keep reading.
This book had a really great start -- immediately you're filled with a sense of injustice and despair at the circumstances of our protagonist, and root for her as she gradually exposes the haunting secrets of this town. There's a forbidden forest bathed in mist, a young school teacher who is chilling as she is sweet, and a buried history that just may be better left undisturbed.
I thought the blend of magic within this mystery was interesting, but as a result it allowed for loose ends to be tied up a bit sloppily at this novel's end. Although magic is an element to this book, it did not take a forefront, and therefore by the end of the book when many answers to questions ended up being "magic", it seemed a bit convenient.
Additionally, I thought that too many questions were saved for the end of the novel, resulting in a rushed conclusion to some of these problems. Several times I expected a revelation or discovery to garner a lot of shock or commentary, yet instead it gained less than a paragraph of discussion before moving on.
Overall, this was a pleasant read. I enjoyed the combination of a simple farm life setting with a paranormal mystery, and, despite the large cast, I liked all the characters and felt they were each integral to the story. This novel kept me guessing and questioning everything, and took many turns that I did not expect. I only wish the ending was a bit more seamless, and didn't use the element of 'magic' as a scapegoat for unanswered questions.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for review!
The writing perfectly captured the eerie atmosphere of this seemingly mundane small town, as well as the quaint and folksy nature of its residents. The mystery unfurled rather slowly, as well as the implement of a supernatural element. I found myself with dozens of questions and little answers, and that made me all the more inclined to keep reading.
This book had a really great start -- immediately you're filled with a sense of injustice and despair at the circumstances of our protagonist, and root for her as she gradually exposes the haunting secrets of this town. There's a forbidden forest bathed in mist, a young school teacher who is chilling as she is sweet, and a buried history that just may be better left undisturbed.
I thought the blend of magic within this mystery was interesting, but as a result it allowed for loose ends to be tied up a bit sloppily at this novel's end. Although magic is an element to this book, it did not take a forefront, and therefore by the end of the book when many answers to questions ended up being "magic", it seemed a bit convenient.
Additionally, I thought that too many questions were saved for the end of the novel, resulting in a rushed conclusion to some of these problems. Several times I expected a revelation or discovery to garner a lot of shock or commentary, yet instead it gained less than a paragraph of discussion before moving on.
Overall, this was a pleasant read. I enjoyed the combination of a simple farm life setting with a paranormal mystery, and, despite the large cast, I liked all the characters and felt they were each integral to the story. This novel kept me guessing and questioning everything, and took many turns that I did not expect. I only wish the ending was a bit more seamless, and didn't use the element of 'magic' as a scapegoat for unanswered questions.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for review!
March 12, 2021
This was a spooky Southern standalone that was entertaining and atmospheric, but became very derailed at the end.
This is the story of Verity Pruitt, a 17-year-old who comes to Arkansas on the orphan train with her eleven-year-old sister, Lilah, in 1907. When her and Lilah are separated, Verity is immediately mistrustful of the the woman, Miss Maeve, who takes her sister, but soon comes to realize there may be more to her doubts than mere sisterly worrying.
The vibe and setting of this story were its redeeming quality. It didn't seem overdone, and was just unsettling enough without being excessive. There was a lot of heartwarming moments where we see Verity start to form relationships with her new guardians and people from town. To some degree, the theme of found family was the main focus of the book. The characters were likable and well-developed for a standalone mystery/paranormal book.
Where things went wrong was the ending. Unlike other reviewers, I didn't think the ending was rushed, just very over-the-top compared to the rest of the book. I felt like the plot just kinda went off the deep end into a mess of weirdness. Which is disappointing, because until this point, the book was doing really well on the balance between realism/spookiness. The main part I had an issue with was the scene with Verity and Maeve in the well. It was, simply put, ridiculous, and I had a hard time even tracking what was going on. (also: I believe Verity should have died. That 'resuscitation' plotline was incredibly weird and contrived. Why are YA authors so afraid to kill off main characters? It would have made the ending much more realistic and poignant.)
That being said, this was still a nice read, and I enjoyed the characters and overall vibe. I just wish the ending wasn't so jarring and silly.
This is the story of Verity Pruitt, a 17-year-old who comes to Arkansas on the orphan train with her eleven-year-old sister, Lilah, in 1907. When her and Lilah are separated, Verity is immediately mistrustful of the the woman, Miss Maeve, who takes her sister, but soon comes to realize there may be more to her doubts than mere sisterly worrying.
The vibe and setting of this story were its redeeming quality. It didn't seem overdone, and was just unsettling enough without being excessive. There was a lot of heartwarming moments where we see Verity start to form relationships with her new guardians and people from town. To some degree, the theme of found family was the main focus of the book. The characters were likable and well-developed for a standalone mystery/paranormal book.
Where things went wrong was the ending. Unlike other reviewers, I didn't think the ending was rushed, just very over-the-top compared to the rest of the book. I felt like the plot just kinda went off the deep end into a mess of weirdness. Which is disappointing, because until this point, the book was doing really well on the balance between realism/spookiness. The main part I had an issue with was the scene with Verity and Maeve in the well. It was, simply put, ridiculous, and I had a hard time even tracking what was going on. (also: I believe Verity should have died. That 'resuscitation' plotline was incredibly weird and contrived. Why are YA authors so afraid to kill off main characters? It would have made the ending much more realistic and poignant.)
That being said, this was still a nice read, and I enjoyed the characters and overall vibe. I just wish the ending wasn't so jarring and silly.
June 15, 2020
I received an advance copy from Macmillan in exchange for an honest review.
When Verity and Lilah's father is committed to an asylum, they are eventually swept up into the orphanage system, and sent via train far from home in New York City, ending in Wheeler, Arkansas. Lilah, young and charming, is quickly adopted, while Verity, nearly 18 and angry she can't save her sister, is taken in as a farmhand. As Verity works to find a way to escape with her sister, she can't help but be drawn to the woods the town says to avoid, finding a well at the center, surrounded by mysterious fog. When family secrets are revealed, Verity must do her best to save herself and her sister from a revenge long-planned.
What I liked: this is deeply atmospheric, I felt the breezes and the shade of the woods. The witchery in this isn't all massive shields or lightning bolts, it's Granny doing workings in a cabin, much more appropriate to the setting. Verity's willingness to trust the family who took her in is a pleasant change from so many orphans of YA, not all families are evil.
What I didn't like: the twists felt a little too rushed, and the appearance of their father felt horned-in and unfinished. Also, I know that it's a small farm town but really, not a single Black person mentioned in over 300 pages in 1907 Arkansas? COME ON NOW.
When Verity and Lilah's father is committed to an asylum, they are eventually swept up into the orphanage system, and sent via train far from home in New York City, ending in Wheeler, Arkansas. Lilah, young and charming, is quickly adopted, while Verity, nearly 18 and angry she can't save her sister, is taken in as a farmhand. As Verity works to find a way to escape with her sister, she can't help but be drawn to the woods the town says to avoid, finding a well at the center, surrounded by mysterious fog. When family secrets are revealed, Verity must do her best to save herself and her sister from a revenge long-planned.
What I liked: this is deeply atmospheric, I felt the breezes and the shade of the woods. The witchery in this isn't all massive shields or lightning bolts, it's Granny doing workings in a cabin, much more appropriate to the setting. Verity's willingness to trust the family who took her in is a pleasant change from so many orphans of YA, not all families are evil.
What I didn't like: the twists felt a little too rushed, and the appearance of their father felt horned-in and unfinished. Also, I know that it's a small farm town but really, not a single Black person mentioned in over 300 pages in 1907 Arkansas? COME ON NOW.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
October 13, 2020“The hairs along my arms lifted. There was power here, something strong and ancient. I felt it snaking under my feet, lurking in the dark waters, seeping into the ground to be drunk in by the trees.”
With their father locked away in an asylum and their mother long-since dead, seventeen-year-old Verity Pruitt and her younger sister, Lilah, are shipped off to find a new home in Wheeler, Arkansas as orphans, only to be separated when Lilah is adopted and Verity is not. So, in an effort to stay near her sister, Verity accepts a job as a hired hand at a local farm, working alongside a charismatic boy named Abel Atchley. Though, everything is not as it seems: the townspeople have their fair share of troubling superstitions and the nearby woods, with their creepy old well and rumored powers, are truly an eerie sight to behold. Soon, Verity realizes that this unassuming small town has some pretty insidious secrets, and trying to bring them to light is not just a daunting task—but a dangerous one.
From debut author, Sarah Goodman, comes a new YA historical fantasy thriller just in time for fall. Set in a small southern town in 1907, Eventide is an atmospheric tale full of twisted family secrets, supernatural happenings, and a touch of romance. Just by glancing at the cover, I felt the sudden urge to curl up with a cup of cider, nestle myself under a warm blanket, and read into the night. Though, in the end, I felt a bit underwhelmed by the execution. The beginning is kind of slow-to-start, spending most of the first hundred pages introducing Wheeler, the townspeople, and Verity’s new place there, instead of really diving into the spine-tingling paranormal aspects of the story—which I found myself wanting even more of. And while Verity proves to be a plucky heroine who cares deeply about her sister, her romance with Abel is a little too predictable and instantaneous for my tastes.
Overall, Eventide is a spooky and lyrically written debut.
Content Warnings: death of a parent (off-page), mental illness, infant death, sex-shaming
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
With their father locked away in an asylum and their mother long-since dead, seventeen-year-old Verity Pruitt and her younger sister, Lilah, are shipped off to find a new home in Wheeler, Arkansas as orphans, only to be separated when Lilah is adopted and Verity is not. So, in an effort to stay near her sister, Verity accepts a job as a hired hand at a local farm, working alongside a charismatic boy named Abel Atchley. Though, everything is not as it seems: the townspeople have their fair share of troubling superstitions and the nearby woods, with their creepy old well and rumored powers, are truly an eerie sight to behold. Soon, Verity realizes that this unassuming small town has some pretty insidious secrets, and trying to bring them to light is not just a daunting task—but a dangerous one.
From debut author, Sarah Goodman, comes a new YA historical fantasy thriller just in time for fall. Set in a small southern town in 1907, Eventide is an atmospheric tale full of twisted family secrets, supernatural happenings, and a touch of romance. Just by glancing at the cover, I felt the sudden urge to curl up with a cup of cider, nestle myself under a warm blanket, and read into the night. Though, in the end, I felt a bit underwhelmed by the execution. The beginning is kind of slow-to-start, spending most of the first hundred pages introducing Wheeler, the townspeople, and Verity’s new place there, instead of really diving into the spine-tingling paranormal aspects of the story—which I found myself wanting even more of. And while Verity proves to be a plucky heroine who cares deeply about her sister, her romance with Abel is a little too predictable and instantaneous for my tastes.
Overall, Eventide is a spooky and lyrically written debut.
Content Warnings: death of a parent (off-page), mental illness, infant death, sex-shaming
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @pinereadsreview and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
September 27, 2020
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Eventide
Author: Sarah Goodman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, ya, historical fiction, horror
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Wheeler, Arkansas, 1907
When her father descends into madness, Verity Pruitt and her little sister Lilah find themselves uprooted from New York, on an orphan train to rural Arkansas.
In Wheeler, Lilah is quickly adopted by the town’s beloved schoolteacher—but Verity is not. Willing to do anything to stay close, she pawns herself off as a farmhand, but even charming farm boy Abel Atchley can’t completely distract her from the sense that something is not quite right in this little town. Strange local superstitions abound, especially about the eerie old well at the center of the forest. The woods play tricks, unleashing heavy fog and bone-chilling cold…and sometimes visions of things that aren’t there.
But for Verity, perhaps most unsettling of all is the revelation that her own parents have a scandalous history in this very town. And as she tries to unearth the past, sinister secrets come with it—secrets that someone will go to violent lengths to protect.
Review: DNFed at 20%. I felt like I could get into this book but it just wasn't grabbing my attention right now. I do want to retry one day though!
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you!
Book: Eventide
Author: Sarah Goodman
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, ya, historical fiction, horror
Publication Date: October 6, 2020
Genre: YA Fantasy
Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNF-ed
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Wheeler, Arkansas, 1907
When her father descends into madness, Verity Pruitt and her little sister Lilah find themselves uprooted from New York, on an orphan train to rural Arkansas.
In Wheeler, Lilah is quickly adopted by the town’s beloved schoolteacher—but Verity is not. Willing to do anything to stay close, she pawns herself off as a farmhand, but even charming farm boy Abel Atchley can’t completely distract her from the sense that something is not quite right in this little town. Strange local superstitions abound, especially about the eerie old well at the center of the forest. The woods play tricks, unleashing heavy fog and bone-chilling cold…and sometimes visions of things that aren’t there.
But for Verity, perhaps most unsettling of all is the revelation that her own parents have a scandalous history in this very town. And as she tries to unearth the past, sinister secrets come with it—secrets that someone will go to violent lengths to protect.
Review: DNFed at 20%. I felt like I could get into this book but it just wasn't grabbing my attention right now. I do want to retry one day though!
Verdict: Not for me but maybe for you!
October 2, 2020
In 1907, Verity and her younger sister Lilah are sent to rural Arkansas as orphans to be taken in by separate families. Verity, angry at being separated from her younger sister, is determined to find a way to stay together. But after seeing several strange apparitions in the woods, which everyone in the town claims are haunted, Verity can't help but get wrapped up in the town's secrets, which prove to be far more dangerous than anyone imagined.
Ok, so this book honestly had it all for me. So many elements I love in a story, and they were all done beautifully. The historical setting was immersive and charming and drew me in. The fantasy thriller/horror elements were just the right mix of magical and disturbing. The romance had all the right tension and butterflies and pining. And the mystery plotline was paced perfectly. All the pieces were revealed at the exact right moment, never revealing too much or too little at a time, and always having an impact that made me need to turn the next page to see what happened. And of course a brave and intelligent heroine, plenty of female friendships, and complex relationships between the girls and women in the story. Chef's kiss.
Even though it got off to a little bit of a slow start for me, once the plot started moving I couldn't put it down. This was an incredibly well done book, and I will literally read whatever this author comes out with next.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley
Ok, so this book honestly had it all for me. So many elements I love in a story, and they were all done beautifully. The historical setting was immersive and charming and drew me in. The fantasy thriller/horror elements were just the right mix of magical and disturbing. The romance had all the right tension and butterflies and pining. And the mystery plotline was paced perfectly. All the pieces were revealed at the exact right moment, never revealing too much or too little at a time, and always having an impact that made me need to turn the next page to see what happened. And of course a brave and intelligent heroine, plenty of female friendships, and complex relationships between the girls and women in the story. Chef's kiss.
Even though it got off to a little bit of a slow start for me, once the plot started moving I couldn't put it down. This was an incredibly well done book, and I will literally read whatever this author comes out with next.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley
December 16, 2020
Thanks to Once Upon A Bookclub Box, the publishers, and the author for a free book to review!
All opinions are my own
17 year old Verity and her little sister Lilah find themselves on an orphan train headed to Arkansas, where Lilah is adopted immediately. Verity will do anything to stay nearby, and she signs up to work on a farm near her sister’s new home. But the little town they’ve landed in is full of secrets and superstitions, and Verity can’t help but be suspicious of Lilah’s adoptive family.
This was a decent attempt at YA horror, but I’d say it’s mostly just historical fiction with a small supernatural element tossed in. I wouldn’t say there’s anything bad about this book, but it didn’t blow me away. At times it felt really cliche, but overall I had a good time reading it. It read pretty young, so I’d recommend it for middle school or high school aged kids, but as an adult this wasn’t a YA book that I truly loved.
All opinions are my own
17 year old Verity and her little sister Lilah find themselves on an orphan train headed to Arkansas, where Lilah is adopted immediately. Verity will do anything to stay nearby, and she signs up to work on a farm near her sister’s new home. But the little town they’ve landed in is full of secrets and superstitions, and Verity can’t help but be suspicious of Lilah’s adoptive family.
This was a decent attempt at YA horror, but I’d say it’s mostly just historical fiction with a small supernatural element tossed in. I wouldn’t say there’s anything bad about this book, but it didn’t blow me away. At times it felt really cliche, but overall I had a good time reading it. It read pretty young, so I’d recommend it for middle school or high school aged kids, but as an adult this wasn’t a YA book that I truly loved.
October 12, 2020
Hey readers, have I got a perfectly spooky, gothic style, historical fiction/mystery book for your Halloween month reading pleasure!
As a resident of a small town like the author & the setting of 'Eventide', this book worked perfect for me! An evocatively creepy, atmospheric, eerie, addictive story that is ideal for these chilly, fall days & nights. It's a bit of a slow burn at times, but stick w/ it. It's a fantastic, well-written debut novel.
As a resident of a small town like the author & the setting of 'Eventide', this book worked perfect for me! An evocatively creepy, atmospheric, eerie, addictive story that is ideal for these chilly, fall days & nights. It's a bit of a slow burn at times, but stick w/ it. It's a fantastic, well-written debut novel.
July 5, 2021
3.5/4 rounded up for world-building slash atmosphere
September 14, 2020
When she can't be adopted with her younger sister, Verity becomes indentured and a farmhand, so she can stay close to her in Wheeler, Arkansas of 1907. A small town with a supposed haunted woods and secrets that may even have to do with Verity's family!
Verity is a straightforward, but full of compassion and a sense of wonder, despite herself. Intelligent, fiercely loyal and smile-worthy stubborn. I adore stories where characters discover the strength they didn't know they had in them.
The narrative is to the point and simultaneously charming, ideal for this kind of story. It can also be spooky and intriguing when it needs to be. Especially those intervals between chapters that peak your curiosity. Feeling a now in my stomach means the suspense is written quite well, palpable and intense.
A slow burner, there are parts you wish the protagonist didn't mull over some things so obsessively and repetitively. Also that the scales would teeter more to the spooky side and less to the "oh my gosh" secrets of the town. But the truth is the story is a lot more complex and interesting than just a simple haunting.
You end up really liking that it's not the haunting you thought it would be, and applaud the author for her originality. This is a more than promising debut that I would recommend to anyone who loves eerie secrets and unexpected twists with emotional gravitas.
Verity is a straightforward, but full of compassion and a sense of wonder, despite herself. Intelligent, fiercely loyal and smile-worthy stubborn. I adore stories where characters discover the strength they didn't know they had in them.
The narrative is to the point and simultaneously charming, ideal for this kind of story. It can also be spooky and intriguing when it needs to be. Especially those intervals between chapters that peak your curiosity. Feeling a now in my stomach means the suspense is written quite well, palpable and intense.
A slow burner, there are parts you wish the protagonist didn't mull over some things so obsessively and repetitively. Also that the scales would teeter more to the spooky side and less to the "oh my gosh" secrets of the town. But the truth is the story is a lot more complex and interesting than just a simple haunting.
You end up really liking that it's not the haunting you thought it would be, and applaud the author for her originality. This is a more than promising debut that I would recommend to anyone who loves eerie secrets and unexpected twists with emotional gravitas.
November 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! Having read the book, I have to say that the cover is amazing and I think it is perfect for it.
The main character is Verity Pruitt and immediately we find out that she and her little sister, Lilah, are orphans. With their mother dead and their father going mad, they have been sent on a train to Arkansas with the hopes that they will be adopted. While this is their situation right now, Verity has plans. Her goal is for them to get adopted together and stay there just until she is old enough to take her sister back to New York so she can go to school.
As you can guess, that isn't what happens. Lilah is quickly adopted and that's when Verity realizes that this was always the plan. What she also realizes is that if she wants to stay near her sister, she will have to indenture herself as a farm hand...which she does. I honestly liked the family she was with more and even though she had to work day in and day out, I think she ended up with the better option.
As the story progresses, it is clear that there is something weird about the town they now live in. The woods have strange things happening in them, some of the people act a little off, and over a short period of time, Lilah begins to change. As Verity tries to figure out what is happening and why she and her sister are involved in the weirdness, she and those she loves are put in danger.
I thought Goodman did a great job with building out the characters in this story and pulling me into their world. From the second they got off the train, I couldn't stop feeling like something was going to go wrong and I wanted things to be ok for Verity. I thought the way her relationship developed with Abel was done well and when the twist happens, my heart hurt for her.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and if you're looking for a historical YA with a bit of a gothic feel, you should check this one out. I'll be looking for more books by Sarah Goodman in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
The main character is Verity Pruitt and immediately we find out that she and her little sister, Lilah, are orphans. With their mother dead and their father going mad, they have been sent on a train to Arkansas with the hopes that they will be adopted. While this is their situation right now, Verity has plans. Her goal is for them to get adopted together and stay there just until she is old enough to take her sister back to New York so she can go to school.
As you can guess, that isn't what happens. Lilah is quickly adopted and that's when Verity realizes that this was always the plan. What she also realizes is that if she wants to stay near her sister, she will have to indenture herself as a farm hand...which she does. I honestly liked the family she was with more and even though she had to work day in and day out, I think she ended up with the better option.
As the story progresses, it is clear that there is something weird about the town they now live in. The woods have strange things happening in them, some of the people act a little off, and over a short period of time, Lilah begins to change. As Verity tries to figure out what is happening and why she and her sister are involved in the weirdness, she and those she loves are put in danger.
I thought Goodman did a great job with building out the characters in this story and pulling me into their world. From the second they got off the train, I couldn't stop feeling like something was going to go wrong and I wanted things to be ok for Verity. I thought the way her relationship developed with Abel was done well and when the twist happens, my heart hurt for her.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and if you're looking for a historical YA with a bit of a gothic feel, you should check this one out. I'll be looking for more books by Sarah Goodman in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 27, 2021
“Family secrets never stay buried for long."
Ghosts. Magic. Historical fiction. Eventide by Sarah Goodman has it all. The year is 1907. Verity and Lilah Pruitt’s father has descended into madness after the death of their mother, so the two sisters are put up for adoption in Wheeler, Arkansas. Lilah is adopted immediately. 17-year-old Verity, however, is not. Trying to stay close to her sister, Verity indentures herself as a farmhand, where she befriends charming stable boy Abel Atchley. Yet all is not well in the tiny town of Wheeler. Verity discovers that her parents have some scandalous secrets that have stayed hidden for far too long, not to mention all the eerie superstitions about the well in the middle of the woods.
“I felt my mind begin to drag, slowing down like a clock unwinding."
Eventide is a stunning novel with a delightful atmosphere that will stick with you long after you have turned the final page. With musical, delightful prose in the 1st person, Goodman pulls you into the shoes of Verity Pruitt. The time period (early 20th century), and the setting (rural Arkansas) contribute to an ambiance that can only be described as charmingly rustic. Not to mention the elegant cover that draws you in from first sight.
“Lilah regarded me with lively hazel eyes. ‘It must be awfully dull inside your head, Verity. You’ve got no imagination to speak of.’”
The relationship between Lilah and Verity is one of the most refreshing parts of Eventide. Instead of hating each other’s guts, as many fictional siblings do, they get along quite well, despite their differences. In my opinion, the characters in Eventide are done splendidly. There is a relatively small cast, and each of them has their own desires, strengths, and weaknesses. Verity, the protagonist, aspires to be a doctor, just like her father, and her medical knowledge comes in handy throughout the novel. Additionally, I really enjoyed not having to hate all of the adults in the book. In much of middle-grade literature, it seems like it’s kids against the world, though that trope is not present in Eventide.
“Tonight the fog was especially thick. It rose and fell, tumbling down the low hills on either side of the dark river, all at the will of an unseen, unfelt wind."
One of the most surprising parts of Eventide was the use of magic, and how it seamlessly connected with all the different aspects of the novel. There was no clunky terminology or complicated spells. Instead, Goodman chose to sprinkle in a bit of homemade, practiced-by-an-old-kind-lady magic that really helped drive the plot forward.
“‘We’re ready,’ I called. A welcome breeze slid over my skin. I breathed it in, filling my lungs with the sweet, fresh air. ‘Let’s go home.’”
Overall, Eventide was one of the best books I have read so far this year, and definitely the best ghost story I’ve read in a while. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a relatively short (333 pages), refreshingly rustic, and charmingly historic novel. So, go ahead, get the book from your nearby library. Verity, Lilah, Abel, and the rest of Wheeler will be waiting.
Ghosts. Magic. Historical fiction. Eventide by Sarah Goodman has it all. The year is 1907. Verity and Lilah Pruitt’s father has descended into madness after the death of their mother, so the two sisters are put up for adoption in Wheeler, Arkansas. Lilah is adopted immediately. 17-year-old Verity, however, is not. Trying to stay close to her sister, Verity indentures herself as a farmhand, where she befriends charming stable boy Abel Atchley. Yet all is not well in the tiny town of Wheeler. Verity discovers that her parents have some scandalous secrets that have stayed hidden for far too long, not to mention all the eerie superstitions about the well in the middle of the woods.
“I felt my mind begin to drag, slowing down like a clock unwinding."
Eventide is a stunning novel with a delightful atmosphere that will stick with you long after you have turned the final page. With musical, delightful prose in the 1st person, Goodman pulls you into the shoes of Verity Pruitt. The time period (early 20th century), and the setting (rural Arkansas) contribute to an ambiance that can only be described as charmingly rustic. Not to mention the elegant cover that draws you in from first sight.
“Lilah regarded me with lively hazel eyes. ‘It must be awfully dull inside your head, Verity. You’ve got no imagination to speak of.’”
The relationship between Lilah and Verity is one of the most refreshing parts of Eventide. Instead of hating each other’s guts, as many fictional siblings do, they get along quite well, despite their differences. In my opinion, the characters in Eventide are done splendidly. There is a relatively small cast, and each of them has their own desires, strengths, and weaknesses. Verity, the protagonist, aspires to be a doctor, just like her father, and her medical knowledge comes in handy throughout the novel. Additionally, I really enjoyed not having to hate all of the adults in the book. In much of middle-grade literature, it seems like it’s kids against the world, though that trope is not present in Eventide.
“Tonight the fog was especially thick. It rose and fell, tumbling down the low hills on either side of the dark river, all at the will of an unseen, unfelt wind."
One of the most surprising parts of Eventide was the use of magic, and how it seamlessly connected with all the different aspects of the novel. There was no clunky terminology or complicated spells. Instead, Goodman chose to sprinkle in a bit of homemade, practiced-by-an-old-kind-lady magic that really helped drive the plot forward.
“‘We’re ready,’ I called. A welcome breeze slid over my skin. I breathed it in, filling my lungs with the sweet, fresh air. ‘Let’s go home.’”
Overall, Eventide was one of the best books I have read so far this year, and definitely the best ghost story I’ve read in a while. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a relatively short (333 pages), refreshingly rustic, and charmingly historic novel. So, go ahead, get the book from your nearby library. Verity, Lilah, Abel, and the rest of Wheeler will be waiting.
September 26, 2020
Eventide, with its eye-catching and eerie cover, is a mix of genres - Historical Fiction and Fantasy with a focus on Teen readers. The story begins with a strong Historical Fiction vibe that is very reminiscent of The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline and The Forgotten Home Child by Genevieve Graham as we witness two sisters being sent by train from New York City to a small town in Arkansas in 1907 to find a new family to take them in.
I thought the Historical Fiction aspect was the strongest part of the book - the descriptions of the era and small-town America - but overall, this was a case of great concept/poor execution. When the Fantasy layer was added, the story felt disjointed, leaving readers without enough background about the forest's supernatural elements (which weren't all that eerie for a Teen read, to be honest). I also would have preferred experiencing the big reveals with the main character instead of having other characters slide in to explain plot points towards the end.
While Eventide is touted as a Teen read, for the most part, it had a Middle School feel to the writing and dialogue (and a case of Insta-Love. Argh.). I wanted more atmosphere and conflict, but it was so slowly paced that tension-building seemed to be a struggle. Even the sisters' transitions from big city living to small-town Arkansas seemed to go off without a hitch and as their connections to the town come to light (in a bit of a convoluted way), the reasons required this reader to suspend disbelief.
Overall, this debut had a good premise surrounding small-town secrets and scandals, but it may have been trying to do too much and it lost its magic for this reader.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
I thought the Historical Fiction aspect was the strongest part of the book - the descriptions of the era and small-town America - but overall, this was a case of great concept/poor execution. When the Fantasy layer was added, the story felt disjointed, leaving readers without enough background about the forest's supernatural elements (which weren't all that eerie for a Teen read, to be honest). I also would have preferred experiencing the big reveals with the main character instead of having other characters slide in to explain plot points towards the end.
While Eventide is touted as a Teen read, for the most part, it had a Middle School feel to the writing and dialogue (and a case of Insta-Love. Argh.). I wanted more atmosphere and conflict, but it was so slowly paced that tension-building seemed to be a struggle. Even the sisters' transitions from big city living to small-town Arkansas seemed to go off without a hitch and as their connections to the town come to light (in a bit of a convoluted way), the reasons required this reader to suspend disbelief.
Overall, this debut had a good premise surrounding small-town secrets and scandals, but it may have been trying to do too much and it lost its magic for this reader.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.
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