Edgewood is such a beautiful book! This is the first book that I have read by Kristin Ciccarelli and it will not be the last. I loved the world that Kristin created it is so whimsical and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next

I have to be honest and admit I went in to this unsure if I'd like it. Pretty quickly we're intro'd to two different boys and I almost stopped. But no, this one was great. It was compelling because the characters were alluring. I wanted to know how it would all end. I didn't love the bickering but at least I understood the push and pull and some of the ridiculous disputes. There were a few twists I didn't see coming and the end was just conclusion enough to wrap it all up but just open enough that there might be more to this story. I'd return to this world again. I'd really like Grace's story. . .

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I'm going to be honest and say that when I began this book the first several pages piqued my interest when Emeline began talking about her musical interests; however, when the forest began talking to her I was like...what? I don't know about this, but I am really glad that I stayed with it because I ended up liking this book a lot more than I thought I would. It drew me into the world of fantasy and I was really into the characters. Emeline's grandfather, Ewan, goes missing and Emeline sets out to find out what happened to him. She encounters the Wood King who is evil, and that section of the book was pretty intense. There was another character, Hawthorne, who I didn't like at all at first but he grew on me. I'd say overall this is a good fantasy book (and I'm not too fond on fantasy).

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

Edgewood is a beautifully dark, atmospheric, and lush book. Emeline Lark is being almost haunted by the forest next to the home she grew up in with her grandfather. Even now that she has left to pursue a music career, the forest keeps calling her back. I absolutely loved the mysteriousness of the world. The characters from the town of Edgewood, as well as those within the woods are intriguing and wonderfully complex. There is always more than meets the eye and always more to the story than we are told. I have always been a fan of books that explore fae worlds near our own, and this one is so absorbing. I enjoyed the romance, and while it was not nearly to the level of more adult romance novels, it was definitely a little more than what I normally see in young adult books. That said, I really enjoyed it. I will definitely look for more from this author.

A romantic and lovely YA/NA urban fantasy, from an author I hadn't read before. This book wasn't perfect, especially when it came to some of the worldbuilding elements in the fairy realm, as well as some of the magical aspects of the plot resolution, but it was wonderfully immersive and easy to connect with. I liked the fact that the setting stretched out from the forest/fairy world and into the human world a bit too (hence the "urban" fantasy descriptor, I think?). The romance elements, quite central to the plot, worked well. I would recommend this book for the entertainment value/romance and will consider reading another novel from this author in the future. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an arc to review.

While I enjoyed this book immensely, I did have to take some time before posting the review, about 2 weeks. As I sit typing it, I realized I don't remember a lot of the story. I remember liking it and thinking it was a fun and enjoyable book, I couldn't tell you what happens in it.

I'll have to give it another try in the future!

First, I want to point out that this is not a novel I'd recommend for anyone under the age of 16 or 17. Maybe I'm old. Maybe it's the era I was raised in. There are intimate sexual scenes that I wouldn't call appropriate for the younger side of young adult. Keep in mind though, that the MC, Emeline Lark, is around 19. I just feel NA would be a better branding instead of YA for this beauty.

Edgewood is truly a beautifully written novel of love, family, friendships, small town folklore and dreams. Some plot areas and world building felt a little lacking when it came to fleshing out details but the overall storyline kept me fully captivated as Emeline's connection to Edgewood unfolds. Predictable character connections didn't take away from the uniqueness each played by the end. Even though I knew what was coming at times I was still all in my feelings for each character involved.

I loved the tie-in between modern meets fantasy and that the author keeps the main portion of the book set in the forest. The mixture of fae, creatures and curse are well crafted into the narrative. I truly think readers who enjoy intimate romances, curses, enchanted forests and fae worlds will devour this one like I did.

Thank you Wednesday Books for the gifted digital copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Those audiobook lovers like me can find this narrated by Caitlin Kelly on Macmillan Audio. All thoughts are my own.

*eARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, but it wasn't this.

Fast, and yet slow plotted

The woods have always called to Emeline Lark, no matter how much she tries to ignore it. But when her grandfather disappears, the forest maybe the only way to get him back. Edgewood is about secrets and the passed we may not truly understand until we have left our hometown and become adults. The worlds building was atmospheric and surrounds the reader. The forest is dual sided and makes the quests Emiline goes through heroic and dangerous. The interaction between Emeline and Hawthorne are tense, causing friction that builds for the final release. Emeline is a flawed protagonist and through out her character arc is built upon.

Edgewood has a haunting and atmospheric tone to the novel. It reminded me a lot of fairytales. The writing is very beautiful and lyrical! The world-building feels magical! I love the characters and the romance! The romance took its time to develop properly and natural. Edgewood is also moved at a steady pace. It does not drag nor does it feel rushed! Overall, Edgewood is an exciting and moving fantasy! I recommend this fans of Elizabeth Lim, Naomi Novik, and C. J. Redwine!

I loved how much musical was central to this story. The authors words weaved a beautiful melody with intricate descriptions and intriguing ideas and plot twists, but I felt this book lacking in the character depth and development department. They were relatable enough, but I feel relatability isn't enough to sustain a story. The romance was fine, nothing I found myself swooning over. Overall, a fine story!

I love a good stand alone book and this one fits the bill.

I loved the dark damp and dangerous feel of this read. This is an upper grade YA. So as an adult it was a fun read that checked off quite a few boxes for me. The writing was paced perfectly and I was truly engaged. I found myself sucked in and just moving along quickly. There was a lot to discover in this world and every character played a part in it. I liked the authors take on the fae. I honestly would like to read more books by this author in this world. Her style of writing just flowed beautifully grabbing me in deeper. The world building was enough to submerge me into the pages. I was in this story and that’s just where I wanted to be.

You follow Emeline and she will frustrate you but all in a way that I feel was intentional to the story and understanding it. She has a lot to uncover and see as she is sent into the woods that she has been avoiding her whole life in search for answers about her missing grandfather. She will encounter some interesting people along the way. Emeline will be forced to change and grow as she uncovers her hidden surroundings.

Will she complete this task or will she fall victim to the curse that she has found that could possibility wipe the eerie from the woods?

In short:
Did I like it? Yeah I did.
Would I recommend it? Yes of course.
Would I read more by this author? Absolutely.

Attracted by the beautiful cover, Edgewood hooked in the beginning. Emeline entering the magic forest excited me a lot. But the story is not backed by an intriguing plot and characters as they were both poorly executed and the romance did not serve at all for me.

3.5/5

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Edgewood is the story of Emeline Lark-- a girl from a small forest town with big dreams. She wants to make it big as a singer, but the forest from her home doesn't seem to want to let her go. Every time she sings, the forest comes to her. Then one day, her grandfather with dementia goes missing and she knows he's gone into the forest which can't help but pull her family in. The town has always had... stories... about the forest and the Elf King who rules over the enchanted kingdom. The king who requires tithes from the town in order to keep the forest under control.

Emeline decides she must go into the king's court to rescue her grandfather no matter the cost. And if she has to make nice with the aloof, handsome tithe-collector? So be it.

This story was honestly truly lovely. The writing was flowery while still being readable. Emeline was a very interesting character-- she was multi-faceted and more than just her love for her grandfather or her big dreams. That being said... she was also really dumb. Her "big reveal" near the end of the story was foreshadowed well and I picked up on what was going to happen pretty early on. But Emeline was shocked by every single little thing that happened. I found myself getting annoyed at her for being so incredibly stubborn while also being not that bright.

Hawthorne was an interesting love interest. He was pretty quiet and aloof for most of the book, but he had a really good reason as to why. Honestly, this reveal was probably my favorite part of the book. I didn't see this reveal coming and I'm not often surprised.

This was an enjoyable read! I really liked Ciccarelli's take on the fae, but I do think the book could have handled being a bit shorter.

Edgewood is a contemporary romance disguised as an urban fantasy. Had I realized this sooner, I may have set different expectations for it. I thought there would be a greater focus on the fantastical elements. I thought the woods might play a larger role than they actually did. I thought the Wood King would also have a bigger presence in the story. It wasn’t exactly what I thought it was going to be, so this affected my overall feelings about the novel.

The plot is predictable. I didn’t mind because I wanted it to happen that way. My overall enjoyment of the book was not hindered by the predictability but the quick resolutions. There was no time to ponder what would happen or to allow the moment to sink in because conflicts ended nearly as quickly as they appeared.

If you’re a fan of romance and fantasy, Edgewood is fairly predictable, but still a good read. There was so much to the world within the forest, but there wasn’t enough time spent on that world’s intricacies. For the most part, I enjoyed it but wanted more of the fantasy elements. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

While I always try to be honest , I also try to be respectful as well .

This one was a lot magical , with singing , a Forrest and hidden secrets . Emmeline was a character that I had a hard time connecting with , but the plot was great .
The story line kept me intrigued and motivated me to finish the story though . I wanted to see when emmeline is called back , and to search for her kissing grandfather .

The story itself is a bit odd but has a great atmosphere. The cover is stunning. The cover itself had be right away. I already bought it for myself and will probably be buying it for the library as well.

EDGEWOOD's characters craft a tale between two worlds in every way -- from their desires and obstacles to their relationships and choices. Kristin Ciccarelli creates a blend of contemporary and second-world fantasy that will have you peering suspiciously at the trees and questioning what it means to stand in the between.

The surprise that EDGEWOOD is a contemporary fantasy was a welcome one! I was even more intrigued and giggling from the first page. Plus, my favorite scenes are anytime Emeline sings.

Emeline is bursting with purposeful energy and constantly pushing her plot forward with her (sometimes misguided) actions. Yet, she also presents older than her years, like she carries a wealth of impactful experiences. Kristin's greatest gift to the reader is the empathetic path she creates so we, ourselves, can feel the emotions of Emeline's experiences -- the milieu of an ill-fitting life, the desperation to stop a loved one's pain, the nostalgia of love like your first.

Despite the story feeling long at times, I was completely invested in the journey of the characters. Emeline's ironclad determination, Hawthorne's quiet selflessness, Sable's intense loyalty, Grace's, well... grace. They are each a star that burns brighter as their lives interweave.

My unofficial review: a little too long but I cried like a little bitch at the end. The marker of a great fantasy novel.

[TW: sexual assault (not on the page)]

This review can also be found on my blog, Where the Words Take Me.

Edgewood by Kristen Ciccarelli is a contemporary fantasy YA novel about a girl named Emeline, who is on the cusp of breaking into the music industry as an established folk singer. However, she can never quite escape the creeping woods of her hometown, which permeate her performances whenever she sings no matter where she is.

When she gets word that her grandfather and caretaker has gone missing—potentially taken as a tithe to the mysterious Wood King—Emeline races back to Edgewood to find him. Braving the mysterious woods, she finds the Wood King’s court and strikes a bargain: she will become the Wood King’s new minstrel in return for her grandfather’s freedom. To do that, she must work together with the king’s tithe collector, Hawthorne, to recover the Song Mage’s lost sheet music and discover the cause of the wood’s corruption.

This book had me in the first third, not gonna lie. I always vibe with writing that discusses the intricacies and beauty of music through lyrical prose. Emeline’s opening performance during the beginning was an incredible scene-setter, both establishing her talent and struggles in the music industry while also demonstrating the ominous, regretful quality of her past. The reader gets a sense right away that something is being forgotten on the way to fame, and the reasons for Emeline to return home come through believably and clearly.

Indeed, Emeline’s familial ties and obligations to her grandfather as her sole guardian struck a particular cord with me, since my own grandfather passed away last year. Watching Emeline sort through the guilt of abandoning him to live her life but making him proud as she pursued her dream was a familiar tightrope walk. The extra layer of pain that came with her grandfather forgetting her due to Alzheimer’s also enriched the story for as long as it was relevant. I went through a similar experience with my other grandfather on my father’s side. Reading about a grandchild and a grandparent was also a refreshing break from the other family bond tropes that are rampant in YA, particularly the “older sister protects younger sister” scenario.

Edgewood was also fascinating as a setting. The superstitious, close-knit townspeople. The tithe marker. The rumors. The seemingly endless, directionless woods. The ember mares. The shiftlings. The Wood King’s court. The rot. All of it was coming together into a quality, modern fairytale.

It’s not so much that things fell apart but more so that nothing ever deepened beyond the introductions. The contemporary part of the book claims to take place in Montréal, but the city could’ve been called Atlanta, Seattle, or Vancouver, and there would’ve been no difference. We spend time within Edgewood, yet despite it being a fantasy-esque kingdom hidden in some kind of liminal space, the shiftlings living there are wearing sweaters and other modern clothing. The Wood King is never named yet somehow he remains the most faelike creature and one of the few fairytale elements that is carried out for the entire book.

Aside from Emeline and Hawthorne, every other character is given a name and a single personality trait. Some trait examples are being mischievous, but in a good way, or being a lesbian. One character, Nettle, completely disappears from the narrative midway through without a clear indication for why other than her purpose being served. (And given Hawthorne’s threat, at this point, I have to assume he killed her, although I strongly feel that isn’t the case.)

Emeline’s grandfather and the emphasis on memory, as far as he is concerned, also only lasts for as long as he’s relevant. Once Emeline manages to rescue him, the importance of their bond largely fades away, as if it had never been.

At an increasing pace, Emeline’s musical talent is glossed over with vague yet flowery descriptions and sometimes subpar lyrics that cause me to feel less intrigued by her as a main character. The magical element of her powers almost makes up for it, if it wasn’t for how obvious the twist behind it is.

And folks, there are many twists, and none of them are subtle or made me feel fulfilled for having figured them out ahead of time. If Ciccarelli had left a trail of breadcrumbs to follow, that would’ve done it. Instead, the author leaves flashing neon signs that overcompensates for a perceived lack of reading comprehension skills from the readers. Rather than this being intentional, it’s more so a failing of how publishers are forcing YA novels to become oversimplified to fit with market trends. Middle Grade novels are being allowed more sophistication than YA novels at this rate.

What, then, is left when everything I was excited for in the first third dries up? That would be the one-step-above instalove romance between Emeline and Hawthorne. Parts of this romance held moments of intrigue. Hawthorne’s strange familiarity despite he and Emeline never having met before now. Emeline’s loathing of him. Their forced proximity and reliance on each other.

What weighs the romance down, however, could fill another book. Emeline already has a boyfriend, except not really. He’s merely the obstacle to… Actually, he doesn’t stand in the way of Emeline developing lustful feelings (and then more) for Hawthorne at all. Feelings are complicated things, and I was proud of Emeline for owning up to them and being honest with her not-boyfriend.

My question is, why give her a not-boyfriend at all if it added nothing to the reading experience? The author believes it explains why Emeline, at nineteen, has never found true love before with any other guy she’s slept with (lol) and why Hawthorne is so special by comparison and the One (another lol). I can’t help but notice that most people don’t have many fulfilling romantic and sexual relationships by age nineteen, and that’s normal. If Hawthorne’s so amazing, there doesn’t have to be a subpar dude there to make the reader’s eyes gloss over whenever he shows up. We’ve all had to deal with mediocrity before.

Then, there’s the hurt-feelings miscommunication, which was almost made bearable due to plot reasons but not quite. At least it leaves the story whenever the plot needs it to or when Emeline needs to act ridiculous around Hawthorne. Since her only talent is music—by her own admission—Hawthorne starts to teach her to make bread. (Mel, I thought this was a fantasy adventure in a fae world. My compatriot, I know.) During the process, they have a play-fight with flour, resulting in her dumping an entire bag of flour on Hawthorne’s head and they still make out afterwards. That moment marks when I threw in the towel. Nothing about that sounds appealing in any form.

But then there’s the Truth of their relationship, which is… Uncomfortable at best and in bad taste at worst. Don’t even get me started on the whole stupid tree thing or how memory is applied to the two of them. The ending made me so furious and disbelieving that I was so glad I didn’t have to read a page more or ever worry about a potential sequel. Let’s just say: ego death? Not my flavor.

As for the representation, especially concerning the lesbian side couple, don’t waste your time or money on Edgewood for that factor alone. Both lesbian characters are there for when the main character needs them for plot purposes, and then they vanish from existence.

That was most of the book, honestly. If it wasn’t in Emeline’s line of sight or in her immediate thoughts, it didn’t exist. As a result, so much of her interpersonal relationships and the world-building remain underdeveloped, and many plot twists happen with no real thought to their consequences or impact for the characters they are related to. If something does not pertain directly to Emeline, then it isn’t truly important.

This is, perhaps, the biggest trend in YA that is a huge reason why I’ve been turning away from this genre and reaching for adult fantasy novels. I’m tired of the main character being the only character who matters. Why have a cast of characters at all if they are only names on a page—or, in Wood King fashion, are not even deserving of a name?