Interesting set up.

Overall not working for me as a YA title. I have found I don't connect with YA as much as i used to so not surprised.

A strange and lovely story. It had its ups and downs, but in the end I enjoyed it........................................

Normally I'm not a fan of split POV books, but Lydia Kang absolutely killed it with The November Girl. She also killed me with this book but that's not the point. I just...wow. I found myself absolutely devouring this book without even realizing how fast I was getting through it. By the end, I wanted to start all over again. The writing was beautiful, the characters were some that I instantly fell in love with and wanted to learn more about as fast as I could, and the plot was engaging and had me hooked from the first word to the last. Sign me up for any and every future Lydia Kang book, please!

I enjoyed this one but it was definitely different. I'm not sure what I was expecting going in and maybe that is the approach everyone should take as Kang has created a very unique story that is not only beautifully written but also kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next for these characters. If you are looking for something that is out of the ordinary, consider checking this one out.

This book was absolutely fantastic!
I loved the story behind it, the characters were so well done. Can't wait to read more by this author

'The November Girl' is a truly original young adult novel unlike anything I've read before. The description had me eager to read this book and the world that the author wove inside its pages was magical. She brought it to life with detailed descriptions and vivid imagery - I felt like I was right on the island with Anda and Hector. The main characters - Anda and Hector - were fantastic. They were different in so many ways, but they were also the same in a lot of respects. They complemented one another and it made their connection intriguing. I liked watching their relationship grow and change throughout the story. It's basically the heart of the book itself, when it comes down to it.

Another thing I want to mention is the author's choice of writing style. The story is told in the first person, in Anda and Hector's perspectives, in alternating chapters. I am a huge fan of the first person POV and was so happy the author decided to use it for this story. I absolutely loved getting to know both Hector and Anda on a personal level throughout the novel. We get to really see inside their hearts and minds, and I think that's a really special connection for the reader to share with a narrator. It made them both feel more realistic to me and easier to identify with from the start.

I do have to admit that I was quite confused for a large part of the story. I couldn't (and still kind of can't) wrap my mind around who or what Anda is supposed to be. The descriptions of her are fantastic, but it wasn't enough to give me a finite definition of her character. I know that might not make sense, but if you read the book I think you'll understand. Because of this confusion on my part, the overall plot was a bit unclear as well. Overall, the story made sense and I could easily follow the story line. The story was well written and full of details and interesting happenings with both Anda and Hector. Other than my confusion about Anda, I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it for readers looking for something fresh and completely different than anything else out there.

The November Girl was a haunting and mesmerizing novel. If you are looking for a unique and romantic YA book involving magical realism, then I would definitely recommend this book! My only complaint is that it was a bit slow at times. The characters were incredibly complex, I adored getting to read about them. Also the writing was so atmospheric. I cannot recommend this enough!

Gorgeous and haunting. The ending was ambiguous but hopeful.

The November Girl by Lydia Kang was a truly unique and masterfully will written story. It really got my in the feels!

The story was beautiful, the writing, beautiful and the descriptions... out of the world! I could see myself there, on the island. It was, I can't even being to tell you how much I love this book! Written in split POV (one of my fav) I got to see into the minds and heats of Hector and Anda. It gave you a better understanding of their feelings, apprehensions, and it helped me connect.

There is so much I can say, but at the same time it's hard because telling you anything will spoil this timely love story. So though this review is short, I covered what I wanted to see, to convoy my feelings that you need to read this book. You will fully understand what I'm talking about, one you get your hand on this so to be classic.

Happy Reading

-E.A. Walsh

I will update this when my full review goes live on my blog. This book was insanity. I always felt like I was going to get lost of confused by the utter craziness that was going on but I didn't and that surprised me. I usually don't like magical realism books but this one had a more paranormal element to it plus a romance that kept me entranced.

4.5 stars

Book Review
Title: The November Girl
Author: Lydia Kang
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Thriller
Rating: ****
Review: This is the first Lydia Kang book I have read but I have heard many good things about the Control duology (if that’s what it’s called) so the opening chapter of the November Girl was interesting. We meet Hector who is running away from an overbearing uncle although there seems to be more going on than we are privy to. He is running to Isle Royale which will be deserted for the winter and therefore the perfect place to hide until his 18th birthday, however, while on the ferry to the Isle he catches a glimpse of a strange girl standing on the shore and the superstition and rumours surrounding the November witch have him slightly on edge and possibly imagining things. However, in the next chapter we meet Anda, who is staying with her father on the Isle, but he must leave her behind in November as she is part of the lake, whatever that means. When Hector arrives on the Isle he sees her again and though she runs away from him, he is resigned to the fact he will be sharing the Isle for a little while, however, given the way Anda speaks about herself, he may be in more danger on the Isle than he realises.
There is also a very mysterious element of the novel in the form of an unknown person only referred to as her, she is a voice Anda hears inside her head and this voice is telling Anda to get rid of the boy before November comes or she will deal with him. We soon learn the kind of life that Hector wants to leave behind, and it is one that haunts him every night in his dreams, although he does make a schoolboy mistake when he leaves his supplies unattended and they get raided by a fox but there seems to be something more dangerous at work on the island. While both are on the island, their interactions with each other are short and shouty most of the time but they show each other small kindnesses. When Anda can now longer contain the power within her and gives into the storm, Hector is right there trying to stop her although he isn’t aware of the gift and the voice resents this, fearing that Hector is taking Anda away from her and it seems to be causing now end of problems for the boy, he just puts it down to weather and coincidence.
As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel Hector manages to drag Anda from the storm’s grip despite how hard it tries to hold onto her and he finds himself forming an unconscious kinship with this strange girl hiding upon the island just like him. So far, the book is really fast paced, and I am hooked just waiting to see where things go for Hector and Anda and Kang’s writing is beautiful and really easy to read making the book seem to fly by. The more time Anda and Hector spend together the more he realises she isn’t a normal girl, but instead of shying away from her, he finds himself oddly attracted to her. I really liked the romance in this story it is a slow burn and it is only now we see the first kiss which was brilliant especially since Hector and Anda seems to really like each other.
As we cross into the second half of the novel Hector gets to witness what Anda is and he is so terrified that he flees leaving her behind, but he is sick from being in the water for so long. Anda on the other hand feels his absence like a weight upon her and soon after she goes to find Hector, to bring him back. We also learn that Anda’s mother is a witch and she had several sisters who were driven mad by denying their half nature, despite this Anda refuses to fall into the same state if it means losing Hector. Earlier than planned Anda’s father returns and tries to convince Hector to leave but he won’t go without an explanation and he gets one. After learning the truth of what Anda is Hector wants nothing more than to save to make her human which just isn’t possible she can’t deny what she is. I have the feeling that despite the warning from Anda’s father and seeing what she is capable of, Hector isn’t going to just leave her behind.
As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, we see the real decisions that both Anda and Hector must make and for them that means saying goodbye and holding onto the hope that they may meet again. In the end, there isn’t what I would call a happy ending, but it is promising, and both have had the time they needed to figure who they were and what they wanted from life. Overall, the November girl was a thrilling, quick read and for me, a great introduction into Kang’s writing so I will definitely be reading the Control duology as soon as I can.

I feel really bad when I can't relate to a book. I think a lot of times it's more me than the author. I couldn't even connect to any of the characters and I can't even remember there names. I gave it a star because I thought the plot was a lot different than books I normally would read. And another star because like I mentioned above I really don't think it was the authors fault that I was just not feeling anything for the story.
I still am happy I requested and was approved for this book.

The November Girl by Lydia Kang is a compelling and haunting supernatural tale that is beautifully told and envisioned. Featuring a unique and compelling heroine and a powerful story, The November Girl is like nothing I have read before.

Anda is a daughter of the Lake, torn between her human side and the powerful, controllable urges she has to be the November storms; sinking ships and revelling in the death that empowers her. Every November Anda embraces more of her nature, slowly loosing comprehension of what it is to be human and to feel, until one day a sad and lonesome boy comes to the island where she lives and awakens thoughts and feelings in her she thought long gone. Seventeen year old Hector is on the run from his abusive uncle, hoping to hide out on Isle Royale for the winter until he turns eighteen and can legally live by himself. All he has to do is survive a few months alone; only he soon realises that he is not as alone on the island as he expected to be. Hector is no stranger to violence, something that runs through Ana’s veins, but as the strange but beguiling girl and the sad boy with secrets spend time together, is the connection they share enough to keep Anda on dry land? Or will the call of the Lake be too strong?

The November Girl is a truly unique and unexpected novel. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this before, largely in part because Anda is such a different and incomparable character. Beautifully told, The November Girl unfolds through Hector and Anda’s varying POV’s with Anda’s voice extremely eerie and compelling—a highlight of the book in my eyes.

Anda is an odd mix of ferociousness and childlike wonder and innocence. Her haunted voice portrays a strange kind of hopelessness and incomprehension as she wars with her brutal and often uncontrollable nature. Though half human as well, her inability to care for her human side or even understand what is was she needed came across as oddly endearing and the sweet. It was adorable watching her try to offer small gestures to Hector while not fully comprehending or understanding the why of things. And yet she was also vastly intelligent and capable. It was a strange mix but deeply intriguing.

Author Lydia Kang has created a bewitching and dangerous island home for Anda. The harsh and vast nature of the storms that raged and Anda's connection to them was highly alluring. The icy, winter wilderness Anda and Hector fought to survive in was ferocious and I was entranced by the danger and wonder I found in equal measure in Kang's words.

Anda was magic and power brought to life while Hector was escaping from true, brutal pain that should be incomprehensible, but seems to be more common in today's society than I wish it was. The blend of the magic and realism was perfect and the harmony of the story flowed wonderfully. It was just a truly captivating story from beginning to end.

Lydia Kang has created something different but strangely beautiful within The November Girl. Haunting, powerful and moving, this story will draw from it's reader every emotion and leave them with a deeply satisfying feeling of hopefulness.

The synopsis seemed so different and interesting and I couldn't wait to read this book! I was going into it with high expectations and I was not disappointed.There are so many things that I love about this book!I really enjoyed the relationship between Anda and Hector. I liked how similar they were but at the same time different.I liked that the pace of the story wasn't fast but not slow either. It was fast enough to keep my attention and I kept wanting to find out what would happen next! This was a beautifully written fantasy with complicated characters who you just can't help but like.

I’m not sure how to start this, since there are a few things I want to mention about this book, but just getting to a starting point is difficult.

The characters Anda and Hector are both broken, but in such a perfect way for the story that I find them both relatable and loveable.

Hector come from a broken home, he lives with his Uncle. He is of mixed race of Korean and African American, so growing up with his mother they both faced the looks and comments. She chose to stay in Korea and wants Hector to live with his father. Hectors father is in the military so, his father asks his brother to raise him. You get the idea that all Hectors uncle cares about is the money and not him. Hector feels the only way to deal with his anger is by self harming.

Anda is a pure “wild child” who has lived on the island her entire life, and of course there is a very sound reason as to why. She is ‘The November Witch” that the people on the island talk about, but no one really knows that the Witch is an actual person, and not just an urban legend. Anda has a difficult time with her “human side” when she has her mother in her ear telling her to kill Hector, since he should not be on the island, Anda is curious and wants to know more about Hector.

The whole story is told in alternating pov’s between Anda and Hector. The first half of the book is like a dance between the two of them, seeing each other, trying to talk to each other, avoiding each other, since neither one wants to be seen. After the ice is slowly breaking between the two they are almost inseparable, although there are still secrets being kept back.

Hector wants to know more about Anda and why she is alone on the island, Anda wants to know why Hector ran away to hide on the island. As the story progresses, you find that Anda and Hector are more alike than opposite, since they are both children of anger and rage.

By the end of the book the secrets are known and the feelings haven’t changed, Hector finds his voice and stands up for what he wants in his own life, Anda accepts her fate and seems to be ok with that.

This was a wonderful stand alone book to read, and I found it was a nice break from all the series I’ve been trying to get caught up on. I was also happy to see that my assumption about Anda was wrong and that she wasn’t the mythical creature I thought she was.

Hector has one plan, and that is to escape his misery and live out on an abandoned island for a few months until he is 18 and free. But the island is not as abandoned as he anticipated. Instead, a strange girl-beast was left behind and he feels compelled to help her. But what he doesn’t know is that Anda is not just a girl, but instead a creature of great power and destruction.</p>

Yes, I was lured in by the pretty cover and the author, and the synopsis was mysterious enough to intrigue me. Once I started, I can 100% say that I had no idea what would happen next, I could never predict the turns that the story took or the outcome in any way. This could easily be a fairytale, but not one of those happily ever after kinds we have come to expect, but the original Grimm style fairytales full of death and horror and hardships. There was also a clash of real life with fantastical elements, and the questions of whether those elements should ever intersect in life. Oh and don't forget the forbidden romance between two people who should probably never have even met. The writing at times felt like poetry, full of beautiful imagery that ultimately described death.</p>

The story was dual narrated by Anda and Hector, alternating voices at chapters. This was a really unique read since there are really only 2 characters in the story period- a few passersby but for the most part just these two alone or together, unlike most books that have tons of characters thrown in along the way. Anda and Hector are both so broken but in such different ways, but experience equally powerful transformations during the course of these pages. </p>

Hector only knows hurt and rejection, and even Anda makes the connection that Hector was happier with her and her oddities than any home he has had.</p>

<blockquote>"You taste much better than rocks," she says before exiting the store and walking into the sunshine.</p>
Thank God for that.</blockquote></p>

He has never been able to fit in- either too American and dark skinned, or not dark skinned enough- he feels like he has never belonged or been wanted and it made my heart hurt for him. He was such a caring, giving and considerate person (pretty much the definition of self-sacrificing) even though he never had that care given to him. I felt the urge to hug him so many times or at least step in when he was self-harming, but I could only sit back and watch the world unfold.</p>

Anda is not really a person- at one point she might have been, but her humanity has been cast aside for storms and death, the things that feed her not-human soul. Through Hector she slowly regained her humanity and what being a person really means. </p>
<blockquote>
She blinks at me. Apparently, logic is some orange-winged creature she's never met before.</blockquote></p>

<blockquote>She's a huge mess of inconsistencies and confliciting pieces. Just when I get a good view of her, like a kaleidoscope, she turns and the image transforms into something completely different.</blockquote></p>

Is it odd that I was fully aware that she was a murderer yet I was still interested and cared about her- can you hate nature that needs cycles for rebirth? There are times in the book that we literally see her murder people and yet she was sympathetic and curious- like a small child or wild creature needing to be tamed. There was a moment where Hector thought she looked like she wanted to eat him, and I kinda agreed with him. But still I found her to be so compelling, the most interesting of characters. I kept questioning whether I wanted her to be "normal" or to give into her nature because it was needed for the island and life (as seen by the words of Hector):</p>
<blockquote>
Decomposition and fertilizer and Simba and the circle of life, whatever.</blockquote></p>

​I have been wanting to read Lydia's books for a while now, I even have purchased a few of her other stories and they are sitting here waiting for me, and if this is a fair representation of what she can write I am am very excited to read more of her work. I will admit that I feel like my heart was rippedout of my chest duriThis was such an emotional, complicated, darkly fantastical journey that I am glad I took and I highly recommend it.</p>

I received this title for review purposes.

The November Girl is a beautifully written novel that was touching, unexpected, and magical. Lydia Kang's writing is wonderfully atmospheric, painting the world in vivid and stunning detail. This magical realism story is definitely darker and creepier than I was expecting but I loved where the story went. I struggled a bit to connect with Anda and Hector at the beginning, but I was cheering for them by the end.

Every November, Anda is able to unleash her true nature, no longer confined to hiding from the humans who would never understand her. The seasonally deserted Isle Royale is her playground, the place made inhabitable by the November storms that Anda creates. Hector is running away from the violence and insidious abuse that permeates every aspect of his life. When he decides to hide on Isle Royale, he may end up changing the course of both their lives.

When I first started reading this book, I was slightly worried that it would end up being a tale about Hector saving Anda. And it is that story. However, it's also the story of Anda saving Hector. Most importantly, The November Girl is ultimately the story of Hector and Anda saving themselves. I loved the self-determination present in this novel, it elevated this story above other YA novels I've read lately. While I did struggle to connect with the characters at the beginning, I slowly fell in love with both of these beautifully flawed souls. In particular, I applaud the author for how sensitively she handled Hector's past. Additionally, I loved that Anda didn't have to hide who she was from Hector.

This book was definitely slower paced so if you're looking for a novel with constant action, this may not be for you. However, the pacing works beautifully with the atmosphere. I felt as if I could see the shipwrecks and feel the storms. The stillness of the island focused the reader's attention on Anda and Hector's interactions. Tentative at first, their relationship develops into something beautiful. Plus, the ending was just absolute perfection.

The November Girl was the perfect fall read. This beautifully written standalone novel was full of storms, magic, and friendship. I would recommend to fans of magical realism who are looking for a slightly darker read.

Rating: 4.75/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: gorgeous purple prose; I LOVE LOVE LOVE how well Lydia Kang wrote Anda; the juxtaposition of their POVs and character traits is endearing and beautiful; the magic and otherworldly-ness surrounding Anda was brilliant; this novel was absolutely masterful

Huge thanks to Lydia King, Entangled Publishing, Chapter by Chapter Book Tours, and Netgalley for sending a free egalley of this title my way in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.

This book is just so heartbreaking and beautiful, Penguins. Starting with the COVER--just look at that gorgeousness! I couldn't help but show off the cover to a friend of mine; she practically drooled over it, so I know I'm not TOO biased. This cover--and this BOOK--are absolutely stunning and I just cannot cannot CANNOT stress that enough! The prose is purple and flowery and so so easy to imagine--Lydia Kang is a weaver of words and made this journey a treat!


---And then I think about licking butter off my fingertips. Of melting chocolate on the roof of my mouth. The delight of Hector's weight crushing me when we tumbled in the cabin that bashfully regarded us. I look at Hector's handsome, worried face and think of his hungered kisses--a completely idiosyncratic human action that means nothing in the clockwork of nature. His kisses had been an opiate for me--the girl, Anda Selkirk--and I returned them just as ravenously.

Can I redraw a line that's cut me in two for so long?---


I really, really adored how well-crafted the characters are, especially. Anda is something not quite human--in fact, at the beginning of this read, she is VERY VERY far from human. Lydia Kang took a character who is not wholly human (or not human at all, in some instances) and made me believe in her. Believe that she could actually exist, could actually be sitting right in front of me. And she managed, somehow, to weave her not-humanness so thoroughly into the story, it felt exactly and totally right! I laughed at the interactions between Anda and Hector; I pined for more of the magic and mystical ethereality of Anda's existence. This book just...made me feel ALL THE THINGS, and right now, that's an awesome thing.

I just...you should for sure pick this novel up, Penguins! The prose is breathtaking, the characters are so vibrant and complex... It's a journey you'll want to take again, and again, for fear you missed something even more gorgeous along the way (and it's possible you just might, if you blink!) I'd recommend to lovers of magical realism, transcendent first loves, and inhuman characters. November is calling you, Penguins; are you brave enough to answer?

I am Anda, and the lake is my mother. I am the November storms that terrify sailors and sink ships. With their deaths, I keep my little island on Lake Superior alive.

Hector has come here to hide from his family until he turns eighteen. Isle Royale is shut down for the winter, and there's no one here but me. And now him.

Hector is running from the violence in his life, but violence runs through my veins. I should send him away, to keep him safe. But I'm half human, too, and Hector makes me want to listen to my foolish, half-human heart. And if I do, I can't protect him from the storms coming for us. (via Goodreads)
I received an eARC through Netgalley, courtesy of Entangled Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.



This book needs a lot of trigger warnings. Seriously. If you have any kind of abuse trigger, this book basically has it. Things I specifically noted are: self harm (cigarette burns, cutting), racist slurs, child neglect, child abuse, sexual abuse, abusive foster parent (bio uncle), absent parents, child rape and character death.

The November Girl is a dark, haunting story that will keep you slightly uncomfortable and on the edge of your seat simultaneously.

Despite being in dual point of view and first person, the word I would use to best describe this book is distant - like watching a hurricane from just far enough away to be safe.

(Honestly I'm really proud of that description because of its relevance to the book content. Which I will now get on with reviewing. Ahem.)

The prose in this story is beautiful - not quite flowery enough to be described as 'purple', but not simple enough to be simple. Kang's style is honestly pretty, with just enough description to keep you interested without overwhelming you with just how sad this book is. And holy shit is it sad, even for a ghost story.

I don't really know how to explain this story without spoiling you, but it's absolutely lovely if you can get past or accept the sadness. If you want to read for yourself, you can pick up a copy at Amazon or Indiebound.



Disclaimer: All links to Indiebound and Amazon are affiliate links, which means that if you buy through those links, I will make a small amount of money off of it.

November Girl by Lydia Kang was an interesting YA novel. Anda and Hector are both complex characters that take a while to really get a hold of and I think Ms. Kang did that purposely so that you can find them and learn about them as you go, adding to the mystery. There is a lot of love/hate internally with these characters and when they interact more and more details about them and come out as they learn about each other and the world. A big part of November Girl for me was really the writing and setting. The novel felt like it was presented in a somewhat detached way but was very descriptive. I felt a lot of dark, grey and cloudy while reading it.

Overall I recommend November Girl by Lydia Kang if you are looking for interesting YA book that is a lot deeper than what first meets the eye. That makes you think and is complex.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)