It's a good one, but it's not my type of book. I was expecting to like because I liked the synopsis but it didn't affect me.

This book started off promising with a compelling plot, lush descriptions, and a protagonist that seemed determined to do whatever necessarily to save her grandfather.

I adore all the rich details of Edgewood and the enchanted creatures that live there. The Wood King, the shiftlings, even The Vile and the curse were interesting to read about. Kristen weaves such lovely descriptions into her world and characters that I couldn't help but be drawn in.

But the further the novel dove into the dark depths of the forest, the murkier things became. A lot happens in this story and a lot of it felt brushed away to focus on other things (mainly the romance). Emeline makes the same or a similar choice over and over and there aren't any repercussions or consequences.

And then there are the reveals. Some of the twists were good, even what I was hoping for, but there were a few that were just odd choices. Things that when you think about it further are a little uncomfortable, especially in a YA novel. If this had been bumped up to an adult novel with some of the events happening when Emeline was over 18, it could have worked. But it's not and paired with several detailed sex scenes, I wonder who exactly the audience for this book is. It makes it extremely difficult to recommend to teens with that level of mature content included.

Edgewood certainly has its place among readers, and fans of books like A Court of Thorns and Roses or The Cruel Prince are sure to enjoy this dark fantasy.

I love a good fairy tale. This is a charming read, if a little unfocused. Is it the story of remembering? A story battling the Wood King? A story of lost love? It bounces around, not sure what it wants to be. But it's fun to read and in the end, isn't that all that really matters?

I love a good classic YA trope set up. And that isn't sarcasm, I LOVE it.

I love a heroine who has to go back to her roots to find a missing loved one. It always leads to something spooky or magical and that is the most exciting anticipation. In this case it was both, and the trope of a girl going into a magical forest to find some sort of mythical hottie is always a good time.

There were a few parts that slowed down momentum for me, usually when they were in the real world and not the forest, but that's probably because i am a SUCKER for enchanted forests and wanted to spend all my time there. Also as a swiftie the singing aspect reminded me so much of Taylor Swift and i thought that was super fun!

The love interest...did a few questionable things in my opinion lol. It was hard to root for him with Emeline just because of some of things he's done to her and I found myself enjoying her more than I did him.

All in all a very easy enjoyable read, and an absolutely STUNNING cover!

I thought that this book had a really slow burn when I started reading it. Once I got deeper into "Edgewood" by Kristen Ciccarelli, I couldn't put it down. Emeline was a fascinating character along with the other characters that Ciccarelli created. I loved the way the plot carried itself as well as the character's connection to the tree and the forest. I think this is a must read for anyone obsessed with fairies, fae and the unknown.

(This is a review of an ARC I received from Netgalley. My honest opinion and review is below )

Edgewood introduces the readers to Emeline Lark, a musician that dreams of being on stage with all the lights on her and a crowd cheering her on. However, Emeline realizes that despite her dreams and desires some things in her past are not so easily left behind.

Her home in Edgewood anytime she performs keeps on calling her back. She blames it on delusions and tricks of her mind, refusing to believe the tales and stories her family told her as she was growing up. Stories of Ember Mares, Shiftlings, and a Wood King that the people of Edgewood pay their tithes too in order to keep the Wood King's favor. Emeline refuses to believe any of the stories until a day comes where it is hard for her to believe in the possibility of the impossible.

When Emeline's grandfather ends up missing from the assistant living home, Emeline has no choice but to return to Edgewood to find her grandfather. The return to Edgewood leads her on an adventure that she did not expect and has her facing a truth she was not willing to believe. Waiting for her in her grandfather's room is a tithe marker to the Wood King. A cold orb that shows that the tithe her Grandfather made was accepted. Emeline realizes that the tithe was her grandfather, a tithe she is unwilling to accept.

Emeline faces the woods and goes to face the Wood King to demand her grandfather back and to retract the tithe. On the way Emeline befriends a mysterious man by the name of Hawthorne Fell, and two shiftlings Sable and Rooke.

The Wood King agrees to her offer of exchange for her Grandfather's life and return to Edgewood. In return, Emeline agrees to take the place of the Wood King's beloved Song Mage. Of course in such a world of magic and mystery nothing is ever so easy. She is sent to retrieve the missing Songs of the Song Mage, and once discovered she is to learn all of them within three days. If she does not she risks the lives of all that she loves including some that were unexpected.

The world beyond the woods opens Emeline's eyes and unlocks in her secrets and memories so long kept captive. The world beyond the woods and the woods themselves are cursed and dying by a creature known as the Vile. As Emeline becomes closer to Hawthorne, Sable, Rooke and others her promise extends beyond saving her father. Not only does she agree to be the Song Mage but also to save the woods and break the curse.

Such is not an easy feat... as really no feat ever is when it comes to stories such as these. The story is beautiful, enchanting and does not have (thankfully) a genuine happily ever after. The heroine succeeds in making true with her promise but at a price she did not expect to pay. The bonded and unimaginable love between Emeline and Hawthorne is tested and given a trial that the reader would not expect.

So many stories are always bound and tied up with the fancy little happily ever after bow where true love conquers all. Instead of the story ending in a romantic Hallmark ending the story ends in a way that I approve of even more. Hope and the belief in love. Sure love may not conquer all but just the strength and power of a memory and a dream is what binds this book so beautifully.

I at first was not holding high expectations with Edgewood but by the end I was pulled in and very pleased. If you are a fan of the Fae, and magic, of memories lost and regained, and of a realistic and companionable heroine then I would recommend Edgewood to you. Once it comes out in print it will be one I will most certainly have added to my library bookshelf. Until next time, Happy Reading!

I feel its appropriate that the last book I read this year was one of such tremendous transformation and discovery. This book wasn’t what I was expecting but exactly what I needed.

Emeline is every bit the small town girl dreaming of bigger things and wanting to escape her world of superstitions and weird beliefs. And for the most part she has made that happen, until the call of the forest becomes more and more desperate, and until her grandfather goes missing. Returning home to find the only family she has left she she forced to face the stories surrounding her town and the possibility that they aren’t just stories.

The world building in this book is breathtaking, it was easy to get lost in the details and feel transported to Edgewood. The characters were an absolute delight, each being complex and truly fascinating. Each one having their own path of growth and development. This is a fast paced novel with plenty of action, emotion, and even some terror thrown in. My favorite part is the magic system that has been created. I am always truly fascinated and drawn to the thought of magical beings living around and among us. Just close enough for their magic to infuse with our world in small ways, but just out of sight as to not be a part of it. This, for me, hit it right on the nail.

I always enjoy a good story that kind of touches on the idea of something like the Fae dwelling in the woods around us. Emeline lived by just such a wood and even though she hears about tithes that the Woodking takes, or shadow skins and other strange creatures, she doesn't really believe in them. That seemed a bit odd to me and I did not really like her in the beginning but as I got sucked into the story (which it does a great job doing when it is describing the Edgewood), I decided to give Emeline a chance to explain herself. She does that well and I had great fun reading this and learning all about this hidden kingdom and the magic and curses associated.

I enjoyed this book and thank you to netgalley for providing an electronic copy of this story in exchange for a review.

I loved the cover of Edgewood, and that's what initially drew me in. The synopsis further intrigued me, and then I was hooked. I hadn't read anything by Kristen Ciccarelli prior to this book, but I'll be keeping an eye out for her future books.

The writing style was so easy to read. I just kept reading and reading and reading.

A few things could have made it even more enjoyable for me:

Multiple POVs.
It's pretty rare that a book with a single perspective gets a 5 star from me these days. I like to get into the minds of more than just one character.

More/better closure at the end. While I was mostly satisfied with how the story wrapped up without feeling like it needed a sequel, I really would have liked just a little something...MORE.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

Thank you Wednesday books, NetGalley, and Kristen Ciccarelli for this arc in exchange for an honest review. I knew I was going to love this book because I’m a huge fan of Fae stories and the Synopsis intrigued me. The idea that whenever Em singed that the forest came for her was so exciting. This book definitely delivered. I instantly fell for the excellent world building and the imagery of the creatures and the characters. I absolutely love the found family aspect. There was several twists in the story that were very unexpected and made me enjoy reading . There was a lot of heart to the story. You can tell from the way that some of the characters and their struggles were written it was coming from a very real place. And I definitely think that’s the way this book progressed it helped one who has gone through a very similar situation to heal. Overall I am very glad that I received this advanced copy. The story was fun about love, loss, and getting lost in your dreams. I definitely will be picking the physical up in March!

2.5 or 3 stars...

Emeline is a signer trying to make a name for herself in the industry, but she has to put her dream on hold when she receives a call informing her that her grandfather disappeared. Emeline has to return to her hometown, Edgewood, where mysterious and magical things happen near the woods, and where people are more than a little superstitious. The rumor is that Emeline's grandfather has been tithed and now belongs to the Wood King. Having never believed those stories, Emeline enters the wood to find her grandfather but soon realizes that the stories were true.

I can see why this book gets high ratings. There are many popular fantasy tropes in it, but I find that the plot gets buried under all the ideas and sub-plots. There are a lot of ideas in this one book that could and should have been more fleshed out. At the 30% mark, I was still not sure what the "real plot" was about and what would be Emeline's quest. She then spent most of the book running around, trying to find artifacts in order to please the Wood King, and save her grandfather and herself, but it honestly felt a little repetitive near the end. Also, the King gave her way too many chances, in my humble opinion.

The world-building is not bad, but it's underdeveloped. I still don't know how the magic works in the woods and even the parts in the modern world had very basic descriptions. I know it happens in Montréal because it says so, not because it felt like it. Besides naming "rue Sainte-Catherine" there was nothing that connected the city to Montréal. The wood is dark and mysterious, but it also lacked some details and development. I still have so many questions about it. The same can be said for the characters, they are not bad, but they are bland and lack depth, especially the main character.

Emeline felt immature and juvenile at times in her decisions and reactions. She had a kind of insta-crush on Hawthorne and felt all giddy and mushy when he told her he would cook for her or when he would look at her in a certain way, but on the other hand, she kept thinking about how she couldn’t trust him, about how he lied to her and about how she despised him. She also seems to think that she knows better than everyone else, when in fact she does not because she is a teenager with not much life experience and no experience at all in the Woods and in the Wood King's court. Just listen to what people are saying, girl!

On the other side, Hawthorne is asking Emeline to trust him after knowing her for only 2 or 3 days, and after he repeatedly lied to her. I honestly was not impressed by him and did not like him very much, even though he is the main love interest in this story. Also, I am not sure if his relationship with Emeline could and should be described as hate-to-love since he obviously cared for her from the start, and she had an insta-crush on him even though she kept saying that she hated him. Their relationship could have used more development.

Overall I am not impressed by this book, but if you enjoy fast-paced YA books with typical YA tropes and mysterious and magical woods, and you don't mind less developed characters, you might like this book more than I did.

Everything happened way too fast. The main character wants nothing to do with her grandfather, but decides to do stupid stuff to get him back even though he did what he did without coercion. I also can just feel it becoming instalove.

I'm not going to lie this one was weird and I'm not entirely sure what happened but I did enjoy reading this one.

Kristen Ciccarelli has written such a captivating and enchanting world that pulls you in the same way Emeline Lark is drawn to the woods and the woods drawn to her. Edgewood starts with the slow creep of a magical world wanting to come alive with every musical note until it is the center point and Emeline has dived into the forest and its world. Not everything is as it seems. She is swept up on an adventure to save her grandfather but she will discover more about herself along the way. A swoon worthy story with a lyrical feel throughout. This is not a book to be missed in 2022. A must read

This was such a solid YA fae book! I love any book that contains the fae and folklore and generally creepy wood vibes so it’s safe to say I enjoyed this one too!

I don't usually review ARCs more than a month in advance of their publication date, but I was in the mood for a standalone fantasy (I didn't want to start a new series), and I knew Wednesday Books wouldn't let me down.

Edgewood is a magical novel, perfect for fans of elegant world-building and stories inspired by fairy tales.

I couldn't put this book down. I was completely immersed in the adventure, emotions, and romance. I do wish it was longer; it wasn't a short book, and I don't think it needs a sequel, but I wish there were more explanations of the magic system and the way the two worlds interacted.

I highly recommend this book for your 2022 TBR!

Read this if you liked Gilded or the earlier books in the ACOTAR series.

I was thrilled to get the ARC from NetGalley and started reading it immediately. The cover was totally entrancing so I had high expectations up front. When I started reading I was a little confused. Was this a "Young Adult" novel or a template romance? It seemed to start YA and then we had the slow burn leading up to the big sex scene, so not sure about that. The prose was beautiful so I kept reading. I found Emeline to be rather irritating as time went on to the point I started skimming. As a singer/songwriter myself, I had to roll my eyes at some musical inaccuracies, but if you're not a musician that won't bother you. I kept drifting in and out as the rules of the forest became confusing and ultimately inconsistent. I was entertained but not wowed.

The cover of this book drew me in initially but the interesting story kept me from wanting to put this book down. All Emeline has wanted to do was to be a singer and so she leaves her grandfather and Edgewood to pursue a career in the big city. Unfortunately, the forest that she grew up near has followed her and when her grandfather goes missing Emeline must return to the forest she left behind to find her grandfather. She returns to find that the stories from her youth about the forest being a place of magic are real. She becomes immersed in the forest and its lore, There she finds herself, family and answers to questions she has long had about the place she grew up. The turns and twists of this story keep you interested until the end. A wonderful fantasy. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I should have known I was in trouble when I didn't realize this was contemporary fantasy and went "Electricity? In the first chapter? The audacity."

Huge thank you to Raincoast Books for the early copy!

Emmeline is this close to making her dream of having a career as a successful singer a reality. A dream she has chased since she left Edgewood behind two years ago with its strange fae legends she refuses to believe. All she has to do is play well as the opening act on her first international tour, and she'll have that fancy record deal. But the news of her grandfather going missing has her racing home ... and into the forest when she's told he's been tithed to Wood King. The fae are real, every story true, and to rescue her grandfather, she must pledge herself to the King to be his new Song Mage. If she can survive singing each song, that is.

This wasn't what I expected, and I don't quite know why. My advance copy's summary describes a nursing home, which really should have tipped me off that this was not a high fantasy like I thought. I don't usually read contemporary fantasy but I'm a sucker for a good forest book, and that cover was too pretty to resist. I've read some really good ones in this genre, and this did not fall in the same category. Honestly, reading about jeans and being reminded regularly that Emmeline wears Blundstones kind of sucked the magic out of it for me.

I did quite like Emmeline. She was forced to grow up too fast as a teenager because of things wholly out of her control. She cares so deeply about her family and her career dreams, and I can relate to her on the same level. Her grandfather is all she has left to her family, even if he is losing his memory, and singing is all she feels good at. Without both, she's nothing, so it made her journey through Edgewood so intriguing. I loved her trying to run away from the forest, only for it to come to her every time she sings. It's exactly the kind of magic I hoped for, but I felt it wasn't utilized to its full potential throughout.

This book's pacing was its downfall. For a standalone, it is quite slow. Not to mention it takes a long time to get itself together. In hindsight, the subplots are crafted so slowly and so far apart that by the time they weave together to take us to the end, it no longer felt like it mattered. So much of it seemed unimportant at the time while other pieces sort of felt like I was taking Emmeline's word for it because I didn't see the evidence. It made the so-called villain at the heart of this story lacklustre and, honestly, hard to pin down. The biggest indicator of the pacing for me was it took a full week to finish reading. Normally I can read 100 pages over a day, and I was lucky if I read 50 because there wasn't much capturing my attention.

I'm very on the fence with the romance in this. On the one hand, I totally ship it. The love interest is precisely one of my favourite types, all secretive and brooding but with a wonderfully warm and soft heart and the best ulterior motives. And I love that Emmeline is so sex positive, with there being a few, very minimal detail - aka YA appropriate - sex scenes. On the other hand, the smaller details of her romance kind of wigged me out. There were some choices the author made that I didn't jive with, so I wasn't fully on board with it in the end.

This book was very much just a "meh" with a shrug type for me. Rounding my rating up to three.

Right from the start, I loved the atmosphere of this book. The tie between the MC’s music and the creeping woods combined with lush writing to form something truly beautiful.

Unfortunately, the plot and characters didn’t work as well for me. The story events felt very random, and I had a hard time gaining a mental foothold on what was going on, getting a strong sense for the magical world being built up, or really getting to know any of the characters well enough to feel invested in them. The romance also felt out of nowhere to me. There were so many elements with the potential to be interesting, but it felt like they were all packed in and given so little individual space that they ended up being much less effective than if we’d been given fewer elements explored in greater depth.

That being said, one of the twists was an interesting surprise and helped explain some of the things that felt inconsistent from earlier in the story.

Also, I think it only fair to mention that I’m in the late stages of pregnancy, and appear to be having trouble with brain fog affecting my reading comprehension, so some of the confusion may be a me-problem.

Overall, there’s a lot to love about this story, I just wish it had felt more cohesive. Thank you St. Martin’s Press for the early copy.