This was a unique urban fantasy book that I think is great for anyone who enjoys reading books in this genre. I didn't love this book as much I thought I would as I wish there was more development with the world and character development. One of the things that I loved though was the relationship between Emeline and her grandfather. Overall, I think that this book is one YA readers may enjoy if there are looking for something whimsical and mysterious.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book.

Emeline is 19 years old when she is close to making her dream come true. She wants to be a successful folk-rock singer. She is to go on tour as the opening act for a well know music group. When she finds out her grandpa is missing from the care center.and they can’t find him. Grandpa is losing his memory from dementia. Arriving at home where her grandpa and she lived, she searches each room. She decides he must have gone into the forbidden forest. People have told stories among them that if you go in, you will never return. She is going as she thinks they are just superstitions. She has neon told about the court king and tithes that mean death for the person who receives it, if he cannot pay. Emeline finds it difficult to go through the woods. She loses her direction. Will she go back or forward? She is rescued by a young man named Hawthorne on his horse. He lies to her and takes her back to the house. He tells her that it is too dangerous for her to go searching for her grandpa. Emeline is mad. The next day, she goes back into the forest. Will she find her Grandpa?

This is a fantastic novel to read. It’s contemporary while at the same time a fantasy and mystery with bits of horror. Emeline will learn to trust herself in ways she has not before. There is also a romance that gave me a feeling of joy with the sweetness of it. Reading this story has made me put her on my to be read authors. She skillfully wrote this story that I felt as if Iwere there experiencing everything Emeline was.

I truly enjoy this book. It was a different read than I expected but still a good read. It was a different type of fantasy book to read. Keep that in mind, and you won't be disappointed. Plus, there is a bit of romance in this book as well.
Did I connect with the characters romance? Not so ever. There is much chemistry between them that I didn't feel like they should have been a couple in my opinion. Were they better off with being friends? Yes, I see that more than them being a couple.

I knew this was going to be a special and unique story and I'm so glad it lived up to my expectations. I loved all the magical and musical details that were a big part of the story. But it was so much more than that.

The characters were beautifully written and I enjoyed getting to know them all on a deeper level. There was so much to each of them that blended so well into the story.

The whole story-line was a great adventure sprinkled with magic, love, loss, never giving up, trusting what you feel in your soul, and remembering who you are. It was honestly just so beautiful and I wish I had more.

I enjoyed Edgewood but didn't love it as much as I wanted to...definitely not as much as I loved the gorgeous cover! Fantasy has become one of my favorite genres the past couple of years, especially YA fantasy, and I really thought when reading the synopsis that Edgewood would be one I'd love. However, the plot never felt like it was completely fleshed out. I feel the same about the characters--I feel like they and the relationships between them could have been developed more. They were superficial at best.

What I did enjoy was the world building of the Wood Kings Court. It was very atmospheric and mysterious at times. The pacing of the novel was well-done too.

This was my first novel by Ciccarella and although I didn't love it, I definitely want to read her other books.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books/St.Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was such a refreshing story. So many fantasy books I’ve read lately are not set in modern day. They don’t have an adult heroine as well. Emeline did what she had to for herself to have a real future. Left the ones she loved behind and chased her only talent. But she always comes back when necessary. Willing to bargain her life to save the ones she loves, Emeline had me cheering for her. There are so many other characters that pull this story together as well.

Edgewood is a dark and twisted story that shows the bond of family and friends. And just how far you will go for them. There is a lot going on throughout this story. And there were a few twists I never saw coming. It is a hard to put down novel.

This was such a cute and fun read! I loved that Emeline's power was music. I feel like that's unique in a fantasy world. I loved that it was an ode to Alzheimers. I loved the theme of forgiveness. And I loved that there were a few mysteries within the overall plot. Hawthorn was definitely swoonworthy. And it was beautifully written.
It was definitely a feel good book that I recommend!

4.5 rounded up to 5 Stars.

I am not sure why this book has so many negative reviews, because I loved it. EDGEWOOD is equal parts creepy and lyrical, haunting and delightful. I found the premise of this book to be completely unlike anything I have read before. Emeline is not a perfect main character, and some of her attitudes can be really frustrating, BUT she absolutely shines in her more vulnerable moments and I ended up really warming up to her. A cursed forest soothed only by music, a deadly fae court, and lost memories all combine to make a really excellent story that kept me hooked from start to finish. I loved the dynamic between Hawthorne and Emeline. I thought the tenor of this relationship and the angst was appropriate for the overall mood of the novel. I also appreciate the ways that the author has drawn upon her experience with her grandfather's dementia and how she captures just how difficult of a toll that takes not just on the person affected, but on their loved ones as well. Ciccarelli's love and grief for her grandfather shines through on the page and was something I thought was very moving. There are secrets and twists galore in this folksy dream of a book that I did not see coming, and paired with Ciccarelli's elegant writing, this one is a treasure. EDGEWOOD is a story about the choices and beauty in the edges of our lives, and I adored it so much.

“The forest swelled around her, vast and unpredictable. Here, something nameless and huge lay beneath the bracken, tangling with the roots of the old trees, pulsing beneath the soles of her feet. Here, the hungry song of the woods thrummed like a pulse. Calling to her.
The power of it terrified Emeline.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘵?”

For fans of House of Hollow and Small Favors, comes the newest in enchanting YA Fantasy with alluring prose and an ominous forest setting.

Recently published, Edgewood by Kristin Ciccarelli is about a woman’s quest to find her missing grandfather in the depths of the woods, a forest shrouded in folklore and tall tales. Emeline Lark tried to leave this world behind hoping to secure a record deal in the city, but she is forced to enter the court of the fabled Wood King and with the help of Hawthorne Fell, the tithe collector, she is able to make an exchange for her Grandfather’s freedom…
…for her voice.

This book contains some of my favorite YA Fantasy elements.
•Well-developed world building that is both easy to immerse yourself in, and still offers some fresh, unique elements.
•Dynamic characters that struggle with difficulties physically in their environment and emotionally from within.
•A mysterious ancient curse that threatens all involved and provides some fantastic twists.
•A forest setting that is both tempting and sinister, filled with magical creatures to fear and to love.

All of these elements plus a slow-burn romance made Edgewood easily bingeable, and a place I long to revisit. After reading the ebook, I had to check out the physical book for myself. That gorgeous cover and the lightly illustrated elements within only add to the story’s beauty. Be sure to check it out for yourself soon!

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What a beautiful book! It has something for everyone, fae, curses, witches, a dragon... or if you're like me it checks all the best boxes! I loved getting lost in this story and can't wait to share it with readers.

Wow, this book was not was I expected it to be. I knew it was fantasy but the story was so original, I was on the seat of my chair waiting to see what was going to happen next, and I absolutely loved it. I loved Emeline because I think that’s how I would have handled the whole situation. For the first half of the book I couldn’t tell if she was telling the truth or slowly going insane. 😂 I also loved her relationship with Hawthorn and the rest of the characters and although I think I wanted more from the ending, overall I really liked this story.

I am confused about my feelings and as such, I'll make y'all confused as well.
Like the great person I am.
(*whispering* I love y'all...)

Rating: ✨✨✨✨ 3.5

Okay, so, I added the book because it reminded me of how simple YA used to be. And I know simple is a word that can become a two-edged sword, because who in the world wants 'simple'??? We read to escape to a world so fanciful and unlike our own that having a simple storyline is boring and too vague. But At that moment I requested the ARC, I craved something clear and easy to understand, because with so many uncertain things in my life at the moment, having something structured and firm is a blessing.

So yes, this was a simple book. A story that if you didn't love, you would give three stars because perhaps giving it two would feel unfair, characters that would stay in your memory for maybe a week before fading away behind other books with more complex settings and such. Or this book is one that you loved and can't wait to have more people to talk with about everything that happened.

As you can see, I'm a bit of both.

I would call this the 5,3,2 review in the randomest of aspects (when m I ever not random-).

3 I liked.
2 I rather wished would've burned straight up in flames.
Oh! And a bonus reason as to whom I would recommend this too, so you can skip to those parts as you wish.

For the first section (OoooO, so fanciful pfft)there are the following:

~ I loved... the atmosphere. Have you ever been in a recently cleaned room, and you can just sense how pure the air feels? That's exactly how I felt while reading! It was so refreshing and even at times equally memorable. And don't even get me started on the Wood King's wardrobe, like boo, I'm here and ready to- I was going to say a climbing pun, but I couldn't branch it out.

I've asked Apollo for wisdom, and he still hasn't given me any, so blame it on him, porfavor.

~ I loved... the pacing of the storyline. Up until the end, but that's for the last section to tackle (or should I say, fertilize- Yo, I'm so done with myself). I enjoyed the ride it gave me, I wasn't too invested in how everything was unfolding so I had no issue in the story picking up about 10 pages in.

~I loved... the Ember horses. Um, how could I not??? Like, 911- this girl is in love- The fire, the ashy attitude, the careful and controlled flames, Lament? She was absolutely bloody amazing!! And I know this is a specific character, but I couldn't stop myself from mentioning how I would love an Ember horse of my own.
Also a dragon.
Pretty please.
I don't even ask for much, Universe!!
I only ask for clear skin (which you don't give), patience (which I still don't have), and good judgement (remains to be seen).

~I loved... the love interest. Mind you, not the love itself, but him. Alone, apart from the MC. In a different room. Never mind, make it a whole different building. Seriously, what was not to like about him (apart from his questionable taste, of course) ??? He cooks, he loves reading (am I- am I still alive at this point-) and he adores to draw. Like, I adore him. I understood many of his decisions (which can't be said about my relationship with the main girl), and actually saw the point of him being like he is!

~I loved... the end. That's really what pushed me into giving it a slightly higher rating, really. I tried with the MC, I tried with the magic, and even then, my rating was perhaps 3 (instead I gave it a 3.5, makes sense? What even is sense anymore???) . But then we had that finale and my breath kind of whooshed (that's such a funny word hehe) out of me, and I was like, WHAT- NO- WHAT?!?!??! CAN YOU EXPLAIN CAUSE I CAN'T- NO. So basically, I lost my way of communication.

Now, for the second section:

~I liked... the end (I'm so smart, I swear-). I'm sorry, I just had to mention it again. Sue me. If you don't want to read the book, maybe read about five pages from the beginning, five from the middle and the epilogue-

~I liked... The Mc's relationship with her grandfather. Okay, I cannot for the life of me tolerate the MC, but her grandfather??? Dude, HA! Those scenes between them were at the same time the most painful and the most wonderful I've read this month (not that I have read much, but let's pretend I did for the sake of the dramatics). The feels were sniffling beside me as she remembered how he used to be before, AND THE FREAKING TREE Y'ALL- THE. TREE. That's it, I'm done-

~I liked... how the ending chapters were written. In a way that made it more agonizing that it was going to be, given the foreshadowing and everything. The flashbacks were beautiful, the pain was felt and when the MC recognized what should've been obvious all along- is my heart quaking or did the book make me feel something-

And finally, the ranting section (MWUAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA):

I swear I'll never get tired of that laugh, it's so satisfying, you know?
Like killing someo-

~I would rather see spiked in a wall for everyone to admire as it burns to Hades... how apart from those instances mentioned above, I felt the book was too superficial for me to get into. Yes, the Woods were nice and all. Yes, the three mythical creatures were cute, but I felt like everything was black and white and for a fantasy novel, that's slightly sad. I didn't feel the extent of the magic, side characters didn't make my palms sweat or heart palpitate, I was just reading for the words not the emotions.

~I would rather drown it in sulfur and then run over it with a truck... the main character. So she's nineteen years old, right? SO why did she feel ten for the whole book- juvenile decisions (and I make many of those so I would know), she criticized and belittled people for doing the same things she did so DING DONG boo, you're a hypocrite. For some moments I tolerated her and then BAM, as if I could ever forget how entitled she was. Honestly? This book would've been so much better without her in it.

And of course, on a closing note, I would say that it was a 'decent' book and not a 'OHMYGOD, STEAL ME AWAY, KILL ME, DO ANYTHING WITH ME-' book. It had nice moments but ultimately, things were resolved too quickly, some parts were bland and stagnant. Magic felt insipid at times,
HOWEVER:

If you're in a book slump and want something quick paced and that doesn't force you to think for the majority of it, not to mention nice and predictable, this book would be great for you!

(I just noticed I sounded so passive-aggressive)
(Oh well- *sprints away*)

"The steepest sacrifices make the strongest tithes."

Growing up, I was obsessed with fairytales. EDGEWOOD, the tale of Emeline Lark and her quest to save her grandfather, read like one, making every page a delight to read. The writing was lush and atmospheric, making me feel as though I was transported to the eerie woods filled with monsters and wonder. I absolutely loved the romance between her and Hawthorne, as I found their relationship tender yet passionate. Furthermore, the emphasis placed on memories and the impact when those you love begin to lose theirs brought depth, evoking an emotional response throughout the novel.

"He might not know her name or recognize her when she entered the room. He might not remember the day she was born or all the nights he carried her to bed as a child or that he'd planted a tree just for her. But it didn't matter. His forgetting didn't hurt anymore. He was her Pa, and she was his Emeline, and whether he remembered today or not, that didn't change. She remembered enough for the both of him."

As a standalone, I felt that Ciccarelli wrapped up most plot points, but there were a few loose threads that left me questioning, whatever happened to that? YA Fantasy purists should note that this reads differently from well-known stories about the fae, such as THE CRUEL PRINCE, but in my opinion, it was unique and offered a refreshing spin on the fantasy world that is commonly found within the genre. With an ending that is achingly beautiful, thus leaving me breathless, this masterfully woven story will stick with me for quite some time. I know that it is one that I will want to add to my shelves. Thank you, St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

PS, in the Author's Note, Ciccarelli shares that the story was inspired by own grandfather's loss of his memory, demonstrating the love poured into the novel by her personal connection.

Emeline is a 19 year-old musician, working hard to make a career with her music - and she may well be on the cusp of making her dream happen. But her grandfather, Pa, who raised her from infancy, is experiencing dementia, and needs more care than a traveling musician can provide; when Pa vanishes, Emeline rushes home to look for clues to his disappearance. She finds a small, pale marble - the sign of a tithe to the Forest King - but the Forest King is only a myth. Or is he?

Caught up in a world beyond or beside our own, a world that has been cursed and has gone horribly awry, Emeline discovers the answers to questions she's had all her life, about her family, about her music, and about the power of sacrifice. In a somewhat understated way, this is a powerful coming-of-age story, one that draws you in as it proceeds. Unlike many novels written today, this one ended on a note of completion - but I do hope to read more about Emeline and the denizens of the forest in a future novel. Recommended for high school and older; middle school students would enjoy the story, but those recommending this novel to middle school students should be aware that there are a couple of very sedate, not very detailed intimate encounters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed reading this book so much! I've only read one other book by Kristen Ciccarelli, and I enjoyed it, but I hadn't managed to read the rest of the series yet. I actually didn't connect that book with this one until after, but this was a really great read! And it's such a fantastic story dealing with memory loss, and the grief of losing someone you love to the various causes.

I loved this world with the Wood King and the woods. The fact that Emeline didn't believe in it-but was forced to-was just fantastic to read, and I really enjoyed watching her learn more about it, about the history-and the blight.

There's a lot of history, but it comes down to the Story Mage, and wow, did he have an impact on the world! First she had to learn his music, and then things got a lot more complicated as some harsh truths came to light!

Her relationship with Hawthorn, oh man, that hurt! That secret that he was keeping, and how much it affected everything, yeah, that was a pretty big deal. But how it all came together, loved how it worked out, and it was a really excellent ending!

This was a really fantastic read, and I can't wait to read more by Kristen Ciccarelli!

Unfortunately, this book didn’t work for me. It sounded right up my alley and I really wanted to love it. Sadly, it felt tedious to read it and I kept looking to see how many pages I had left because I just wanted it to end. I plowed through in the hopes it would get better, but the characters, their world and magic system, and the plot was underwhelming. I also didn’t care for the romantic aspect even a little bit. Hawthorne was beyond awful and Emeline was too immature. It could just be me, so don’t let my feelings prevent you from reading this book.

Emeline Lark is the protagonist of this dark fairytale and I love that name. This fantasy story has many familiar elements: a gifted girl, fairies, a magical and forbidden wood, a mysterious love interest, using music to save someone you love. Yet there was enough that was different to keep things engaging. There is a lot of plot and at times it gets a bit convoluted but it is still worth the read.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC for an honest review.

CWs: dementia, violence, death, implied SA (off-page and historical)

This was such an emotional story. Emeline’s emotions and fears about her grandfather were so strong, and so heartbreaking. Her love for him was incredible, and she was determined to do whatever she had to in order to save him.
I loved the fantasy elements here. It almost felt like I was reading a fairy tale. I thought the author did a great job of capturing the setting of the woods, and giving this fey kingdom a sense of otherworldliness.
Emeline was a complex character. She was striving to reach her goals and dreams of being a famous singer, and she was so close when her Pa went missing. The struggles she faced over following her dreams or rescuing her grandfather were really well written. I thought Emeline was a realistic character, and I was rooting for her the whole book.
I also liked Hawthorne’s character. He gave me some mysterious vibes from the beginning, and I was hooked on him. Sable and Grace were interesting characters too, and I would have loved to get more of them.
I thought the pacing was good in this one. The writing style flowed well, and it was easy to get swept up into the story of Emeline’s music.

🌹🗡Edgewood 🗡🌹

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (4 Stars)

I alternated between the Ebook and Audiobook! I enjoyed reading this in audio form more!
Narration: the narrator did an amazing job of reading this book, distinguishing between characters and keeping me interested!

No spoiler review 👇🏻

This book cover though!! It’s so stunning! I’m obsessed!

This is a YA fantasy stand alone book. It follows Emeline, a singer who moved away from her small town of Edgewood to pursue her dreams. Edgewood is a town with superstitions and many of the towns folk believe in the Wood King, whom they have to pay tithes too. Emeline has never believed in the town's superstitions. That is until her grandfather goes missing. Emeline returns home and discovers The Wood King and all the fantastical myths to be real. Emeline bargains with the Wood King, she’ll be his singer in return for her grandpa's safety….the only problem is the wood king had executed the last few singers as they displeased him. Emeline must fight for herself, the forest and her grandfather to survive the wood king….

This is a relatively low fantasy book so it was easy to get into this world. It’s a fun fantasy, with a beautifully described world and some romance. It’s also really cool the way music and magic are mixed in this book!

Reason for 4 stars. I found the beginning a bit slow. It took awhile to get to the fantasy world and it could have been cut down a lot at the beginning. Other parts felt a bit rushed and I wish we got to see more of them.

Overall it was a good YA stand alone fantasy.

🗡🌹🗡🌹🗡🌹🗡🌹

(3/9/2022) 4 stars.

Kristen Ciccarelli has created a modern day fairytale in her novel, Edgewood. Magical and whimsical, Edgewood follows Emeline, a young woman searching for someone she cares about after they've disappeared. The story has its dark moments, and the main love interest is sometimes unbearable. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and the world that Ciccarelli created. It's lush, emotional, and overall, very interesting.