This one had promise but never took off for me. I didn’t love it but was interested by the diseases aspect that Cora faced. 3 stars for originality, if nothing else. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

So incredible and unlike anything i had ever read before. would absolutely recommend to everyone. Going into this, I was expecting to honestly be bored, but I was thrilled and engaged from the first page. 5 stars!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Very unique historical fiction storyline. Clearly well-researched, this novel seamlessly transports us to various time periods of the 20th century and modern day and draws on current events by placing us in a New York that was fending off various pandemics and infectious diseases by the use of microbiology and vaccination advances.

Unfortunately, this book had an overabundance of plot holes that made reading it quite a disjointed experience. At the end, I was left unsatisfied with more unanswered questions than not. I wanted to know more about our main character and the mystery surrounding this island she inhabited. I wanted the author to flip over the metaphorical rocks and let me see the creepy crawlies inevitably under them. Alas, that never happened.

In the end, the story started to bog down about halfway through and just didn’t have enough drive to push it to the end successfully. I slogged through to the end but was not rewarded for my effort. It just felt like too little too late.

Three disappointed stars.

3.5 Stars
I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love the cover of this book and the premise but I didn’t love the actual story. I read it fairly quickly but I feel like it was kind of boring and not really what I was expecting. I wanted so much more of Cora’s life and feelings but we didn’t get that. I also feel like I have read a book similar but can’t remember which book it was.
Not sure if I would recommend this to as it’s a niche read for sure.

Goodness. The Vines had so much going on. There's history, medical science, family drama...it was a lot to take on and I think SNolden did a fine job. The premise for this story piqued my interest and the execution of it kept me engaged. Mostly. I felt the story dragged a little bit towards the end but then SNolden threw a curve ball at me...one I did NOT see coming. Overall, I'm happy to have chosen The Vines and I look forward to reading the next installment to see how things end.

Unfortunately, I couldn't finish this book. To be honest, I could barely get into it to begin with. The writing feels awkward and stilted and I just couldn't connect to the characters.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC in exchange for my review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hoping for a sequel.

I'd love to have loved this book. It was a timing issue for me. If 2020 hadn't of occurred I probably could have loved this book. Unfortunately todays world and all that we have gone through made it impossible to finish. Another time another place

This book sounds great, and the author was kind enough to give me a hard copy. I did not get to it this spring and am so far behind on my TBR pile and had to cut this one. I hope to get to it this fall and update this review.
But lower rating because it was one I decided to skip rather than read.

I tried really hard to get into this book, but I don't think it was the time for me. I saw many great reviews for it so I'm sure it was great, I just wasn't feeling it with what I read.

**ARC provided by the publisher of Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review**

This book! Wow! I never imagined I’ll enjoy this book. The cover and description really caught my attention and I love fantasy books! The MC Cora is sent to an island off the coast of Manhattan because she contracted an illness. My friends know that I’m a sucker for things that will wipe up the earth and this was the best! A doctor on an island starts experimenting on her to try and find a cure. I’m really not sure how she got her immunity but maybe that will begin on the next book. Hoping to read that too!

Thank you!

I cannot decide if this was a sci/fi mystery, or a family mystery gone wrong. I found the premise unnerving, but admit that the author did a fine job of character development and doing the best to add historical accuracy.

I really enjoyed the historical background of this one! I didn't know anything about North Brother Island, and it was a shocking, upsetting discovery through this book. The story is written so well, and just sweeps you away into the pages! The story was wonderful, and the writing made this entire book an experience!

I highly recommend!

I couldn't really even bring myself to finish this one. I felt like it wasn't really easy to get into like a lot of other books. I am a strong believer that you should give a book a few chapters before calling it in... I called it. I'm sure it's for someone, but it just wasn't for me.

This appears to be Nolden's debut and it's definitely an ambitious one! In parts, I thought the text could have used more of a vicious editor because the prose and the descriptions drag on, but the historical part is fascinating. Nolden clearly did her research and wanted to honor the lives of those lost at North Brother Island, and she's definitely done them a service. I spent a ton of time researching it and I'm so glad I did.

I have to admit I was intrigued by the whole mystery of Cora, the girl who lives alone on an abandoned island, and her connection to a family that uses/abuses her in the name of science over several generations. In short, she’s a Typhoid Mary, carrying several deadly diseases, yet not falling ill to any of them. In addition to that, she doesn’t age.

I had hoped for a little more sci-fi action but enjoyed the relationships she had with the various characters over the years. It does pick up near the end as everything is revealed. If you’re a historical fiction fan this is for you. #TheVines #NetGalley

This fell a little short of my expectations. It wasn’t bad, just not quite what I was expecting. I would still say it is a solid story.

Before reading this book I had never heard of North Brother Island. After reading this book, I want to read more about the island and what all went on there. I was hooked from the very first sentence and couldn't wait each day until I was able to sit down and read more of this fascinating book. The story revolves around a mysterious woman who lives on the island and the 4 generations of doctors who use her as their private "lab rat". The story is definitely ok as a stand-alone book but I have to admit I can't wait for the next book to come out to see what happens next. I would definitely recommend this book.

Synopsis:
In the shadows of New York City lies forbidden North Brother Island, where the remains of a shuttered hospital hide the haunting memories of century-old quarantines and human experiments. The ruins conceal the scarred and beautiful Cora, imprisoned by contagions and the doctors who torment her.

When Finn, a young urban explorer, arrives on the island and glimpses the enigmatic woman through the foliage, intrigue turns to obsession as he seeks to uncover her past--and his own family's dark secrets. By unraveling these mysteries, will he be able to save Cora? Will Cora meet the same tragic ending as the thousands who've already perished on the island?

The Vines intertwines North Brother Island's horrific and elusive history with a captivating tale of love, betrayal, survival, and loss.

This book does a fantastic job bringing the reader into the story as she weaves the past and present together. I found myself staying up late to read because the ending of the chapter made me keep going--I just had to know what happened! . This book challenged me. It took all of my thinking and prejudices on what is allowed in the medical field and tossed it upside down. Helping society vs the individual right is no easy task and the author rode that line like a master.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book!

This was unlike any book I've ever read. It truly spanned across multiple genres in a flawless way. A compelling read. I truly enjoyed this one!