"Deep in Providence" is a slow-moving examination on love, grief, and loyalty wrapped in a coming-of-age tale. Following three teenagers as they attempt to come to terms with losing one of their own, "Deep in Providence" reckons with addiction, anger, sexuality, and unplanned pregnancy through the lens of a haunting. This book defies a lot of genres - I'd call it contemporary YA, but it takes place nebulously in the early aughts, and in places it is quite unsettling and frightening like a horror. The girls meddle in magic, trying to bring their lost friend back to life, but something is stalking them from the shadows.

All in all, I truly enjoyed this book. It's not about Big Plot - it follows their lives, the minutiae and the mundane - but deals with all the thorny strangeness of their emotions as they reckon with their families and their ambitions. "Deep in Providence" features a diverse cast and set of cultures, but is wonderfully rooted in a sense of place - that of Providence, Rhode Island. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes slower burns, who values character over a swiftly-moving plot.

Deep in Providence by Riss M. Neilson is a compelling story of loss, grief, and healing told through the intertwining points of view of Miliani, Natalie, and Inez—three teen girls who have just lost the fourth of their tight-knit friend group to a drunk-driving accident. In an attempt to deal with their grief, or perhaps as a way to run from it, the girls embark on a journey of spells and potions and magic passed down through generations of Filipino ancestors to try to bring their dead friend back to them, in any way they can.

While I find that balancing multiple points of view in a novel often hinders the narrative more than it helps, Neilson’s use of three narrators was one of the many strengths of this book. It not only allowed each character a distinctive voice, but it was used as a reminder that each of these girls is a uniquely subjective narrator, hiding secrets from themselves and from each other, and no one account is to be fully trusted. This sense of distrust, this feeling of being lost or displaced in the narrative, is vital to the story’s premise. Just as the girls are uncertain about the actions they must perform, the directions their paths will take, and the results of their magical meddling, the reader so too feels this uncertainty with a sinking dread in the pit of their stomach.

The setting builds off this sense of dread with the paranormal, while also conveying such a deep love for nature. Spirituality and magic are intrinsically intertwined with the natural world; to practice the magic, the characters must first have an appreciation for and understanding of the environment around them. The supernatural is not always to be trusted, though. The haunting, eerie consequences of the use of magic, which manifest in dark corners and charged objects, create an unsettling atmosphere within the story. This provides such rich tension in the novel, but it is not enough to propel the reader forward on its own.

Although the novel is expansive, covering all sorts of conflict in the girl’s lives outside of the ritual to bring their friend back, bringing her back is the main plot and driving force. When so much of that plot—like how the girls are supposed to achieve such a feat—is kept a mystery until it's already unfolding, the novel, especially through its midpoint, really slows down. It is hard to get a sense of the stakes, and therefore feel the threat of them, when they are so undefined for the girls and for the reader. The uncertain dread is central to the story, but it undercuts any tangible suspense or tension that could be built.

What really carries this book, or what made the book worth the read for me, were the everyday, non-magical tragedies and triumphs of these characters’ lives. I could have read three more books about them without any of the magic and I still would not have had enough. The novel expertly renders on the page the complicated realities of teenage pregnancy, parental addiction, overdose, sex work, and more. There is a poignant portrayal of Catholic guilt through a main characters’ physical relationship with her boyfriend, along with her difficulty making sense of where the magical tradition the girls embrace can fit with her faith. The girls also have moments of heartwarming companionship, with each other and with other meaningful people in their lives, and one of the girls has a second-chance romance with a former academic rival (which brought with it the best kind of banter). These moments lace the story with luminous threads of joy. How the characters interact and respond to their circumstances, light or dark, hold the true heart of the novel.

This extends even to its secondary characters, who bring life all the way to the edges of the page. One example is Natalie’s neighbor, Harriet, who feels like a solid pillar of the community and therefore the book. She’s a grounding force who has a quiet but strong presence, who stands to represent so much familiarity and warmth. She’s brusque and puts up a pretense of disdain, always watching, but she’s reliable and genuinely full of such care for the youth around her. She helps form the subtle generational narrative the book weaves in with the rest.

If you go into the book prepared for the slower pace, the journey through the emotional arcs of the girls’ lives is endlessly gratifying. There is so much I will be left thinking about for weeks to come.

Deep in Providence was an absolute page turner for me. The bond within the friendship often made me relate with my best friends and the the loved they showed one another I could relate to. The way the topic of grief, which is so difficult for most people, was covered was something to smile. Young people reading this will have an opportunity to feel their feelings, resonate within them, but also see that there is hope of surviving the tough things in life. If you’re looking for something mystical but moving, this is it.

When I tell you this is the contemporary fantasy I have been waiting for nearly all my life, I really and truly mean it.

Deep In Providence is a deeply evocative, atmospheric read that brings magic and faith to life in the most beautiful of ways. At its heart, this book is about three young girls on the cusp of great changes in their life, and having to deal with that alongside of grief and the ultimate lesson in mortality. The girls use a combination of the magic handed down to them from the generations that came before them and their own strength and tenacity to navigate issues like relationships, discrimination, guilt, drug use and abuse, and overall growing up Brown and Black in Rhode Island.

Riss M. Neilson is a masterful writer, and I truly cannot wait to read more from her.

Deep in Providence was a really deep novel. It featured so many topics that I don’t usually see in young adult novels, and they were all handled so beautifully.
The book had some really strong bonds, friendship and family were the main ones I noticed. Although, the friendship bonds were written so strongly, so it made it feel like this group of friends were family. The group of friends are so similar but also so different at the same, it was really real.
Although, I’m rating this book three stars. Not because I don’t like it, it was really good, but a few things stood out to me. In some parts the book dragged, and I couldn’t really get the inspiration to pick it up. Most of the time, this didn’t occur, but reading those specific parts made it difficult for me. I also had issues with feeling bonds with the characters, maybe I’m just not that similar to them, but I didn’t feel much for them when I was reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co for providing me with an eARC copy of this book.

Providence is my hometown and so this book already had a place in my heart. This is a book about magic, about friendship, and ultimately about being able to let go and move on even when it’s difficult. When Jasmine is killed in a car accident her three best friends are left reeling, and they are convinced that they can find a way to use magic to help her spirit find peace, and they’re willing to do this no matter what the cost is. As they start to strengthen their connection to the spirit world they also start to learn more about themselves, and what things they need to let go of in order to grow and find their own peace. Wow this is not a short buck, coming in at 480 pages, the length allows you to build a connection with each of the characters and become deeply invested in their journey and their struggles. It was so nice to see my hometown featured in such a great book.

Deep in Providence is the story of three friends attempting to defeat death and overcome grief, but all the while the secrets in their lives are coming to the surface. Neilson is adept at creating authentic relationships and complicated family dynamics. This book reminded me of another multi-perspective YA novel, Tigers, Not Daughters. I will say that at first I struggled with all of the magic, but as the story progressed I came to appreciate the details. The pacing/timeline was a bit slow for my tastes but nevertheless, Deep in Providence is a lyrical and multifaceted debut with just the right amounts of secrets, friendship, and magic! Thanks to the author for the ARC and thanks to Netgalley! 3.5 stars.

This book is raw and yet so good at the same time. I actually connected with the characters and I feel like a lot of other people will too!! Deep In Providence is about friendship, love, family relationships, grief and sexuality, and drug addiction etc. This book had really moved me in ways I expected and ways I didn’t and I highly recommend it and I love this story.

Deep in Providence is beautiful and haunting. It’s an exploration on grief and all of the wrong ways that we deal with it. I found myself with a heavy heart the entire time I was reading. Neilson has a profound way of weaving magic into the lives of these characters. Magic is something that we live with and it is something that helps us get through the tough times. It isn’t a magic switch that we use to solve our problems, it’s extension of ourselves and how we manage our lives.

**Quick Summary**: Best friends Miliani, Inez, Natalie and Jasmine have filled Providence, Rhode Island with memories of magic spells and mixing potions with the help of the magic taught to them by Miliani’s grandmother. But when Jasmine dies in an accident the city becomes filled with grief and the shadow of Jasmine’s friendship. Unable to accept her death as final, the friends vow to use their magic to bring her back, but a magic that powerful grows darker and more demanding than they ever could have imagined.

Deep in Providence will pull at your heartstrings in more ways than you can imagine. The exploration of grief, friendship, and love is nothing short of beautiful. Magic in novels shines brightest when it is used to emphasize the human condition and Neilson portrays grief intermingled with magic flawlessly. Though we don’t all turn to necromancy or trying to raise the dead, the way that the characters desperately try to do whatever it takes to bring back someone they love is a painfully raw human experience. The magic growing darker and more demanding is the perfect way to express what happens when we refuse to deal with our grief.

The most beautiful part about Deep in Providence was the way that the girls, especially Miliani, embraced the magic from her grandmother. I often think about how the magic that we live with every day is vastly misunderstood by the west but it's truly who we are. It lives with us every day and in moments of intense grief or high emotions, we turn to it more and more. When the girl's best friend dies, they desperately cling to the magic and though their lives splinter from the darkness, they are also pulled closer to their roots. In their roots they find what they are made of and eventually learn to heal. Turning inward to embrace these pieces of you is not easy or straightforward but it teaches us about where we came from.

A story about loss and life, family issues, friendship, and so many other important and relevant topics, Deep in Providence is a brilliant novel. It’s emotional and raw and magical, and its thought-provoking themes, dynamic characters, and unique plot made for an engrossing read. The story follows three teenage girls as they grieve the loss of their mutual friend, who died in a tragic car accident. Determined to bring Jasmine back, the girls work together using magic in the hopes that it’s not too late for her lingering spirit. But the more they work on their magic, the darker and more haunted life becomes.

The story is told from the perspectives of the three teens, Miliani, Inez, and Natalie, who lost their friend Jasmine. Each character is well developed, layered, and has a distinct voice, and I love that you get the thoughts and feelings of each girl. The story is not just about the girls dealing with the sudden and tragic death of their friend and fighting to bring her back using magic. It’s also about their personal journeys as they face complex, life-changing situations. Though Jasmine’s death and the plan to get her back are at the forefront of the story, Miliani, Inez, and Natalie each face so many other issues, including family pressures, drug addiction, relationship troubles, and more. Their stories are a fascinating and balanced blend of magic and realism, and I found each character’s journey unique and interesting.

The story takes place in Rhode Island, and as a native of the state, I loved reading about cities, attractions, and landmarks that I’ve frequented. Many of the places Miliani, Inez, and Natalie go to are less than a mile from my house, and I could easily picture these girls hanging out at the local park down the street from my house, heading to a beach a town over from me, and working on the same street where my dad grew up. Of course, if you aren’t a lifelong resident of Rhode Island like me, no need to worry. The writing, which pulls you right into the story, is engaging and immersive, and the author’s use of imagery, symbolism, and figurative language enhances the setting, mood, and tone.

The plot is as richly layered as the characters, and the way that it weaves real world issues into a magical and suspenseful story is masterful. I was equally invested in the real world issues, which include sex, sexuality, guilt, immigration issues, difficulties in relationships, drug use and abuse, and unexpected pregnancy, as I was in the magic. Both are fleshed out well and compelling.

The plot is also well-paced, and I enjoyed how the suspense and intensity increased as the story progressed. It definitely made for some nail-biting moments, especially as you get closer to the story’s climax, and the unexpected twists added to the intensity. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, something else happened that changed everything, and I love that! It’s not a predictable read, and it went in surprising (in a good way) directions. And the magic is so fascinating and complex, and I was eager to learn more about the inherited gifts and the friends’ use of it to bring back their best friend. It highlighted some interesting and thought-provoking ideas about the use and abuse of magic, as well as the ramifications of using magic you don’t understand even with good intentions.

A story about grief, loss, guilt, friendship, family, magic, and so much more, Deep in Providence is incredibly moving and powerful, and it’s a story that I’ll think about for a long time to come. I’m so grateful to the author and publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. Deep in Providence is a brilliant debut novel by Riss M. Neilson, and I look forward to reading more by this talented, thought-provoking storyteller.

I got chills from the very first sentence and I knew right then, this would be a story filled with emotions in the best way possible. I’m no psychic, but I’m so glad I was right.

Neilson crafts emotion, haunting, pain, love, joy, and complex characters in a way that wants you turning the page for “just one more chapter” (spoilers: you will stay up all night reading it). With such strong prose and descriptive imagery, I cannot wait for what she writes next!

Actual rating 4.5 stars

Aw, Deep in Providence is raw. Haunting. Magical. Painful. Sad. Hopeful. Emotional. And above all, splendidly written!

Three voices, Miliana’s, Inez’s, and Natalie’s, each so distinctive, each full of grief, each dealing with different things after their best friend Jas died in a car accident caused by a drunken driver. Determined to get Jas back, the girls start using their mystical abilities.

I don’t really believe in higher powers and am pretty down-to-earth. But this book, I can’t even. Riss just pulled me into a world full of plants and spells and magic, and I had to surrender. To those three beautiful girls, to the descriptive writing, even to the magic I never believed in. I immediately compared Deep in Providence to The Honeys by Ryan La Sala (not out yet). Although both young adult books couldn’t be more different, they’re also incredibly alike. Both books are on the darker side with grief as the central theme, and in the meantime, the stories are about so many other important issues. Deep in Providence is about love, friendship, and family relationships, and next to grief it deals with topics like sexuality, drug addiction, immigration, religion, and teen pregnancy.

This book moved me in a way I didn’t expect in advance, and I highly recommend it! And Riss, I closed my eyes and imagined that your dedication was already in my early copy, and I loved it!

I literally couldn’t put it down. It was so beautifully written. I mean the way I cared about every single character main or not. I binged it! It was so good! Not one single character felt flat. If you read only one book this year, make it this one! Riss an incredible talent who deserves all the success. I’m so thankful I got to read this beautiful novel!

As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I needed to have it because it's based in Rhode Island! As much as I love my tiny state, it never gets the recognition it deserves. Deep in Providence does an excellent job of recognizing it, especially the varied cultural experience that happens in such a small space. As a resident, I loved seeing familiar places.

This book is labeled as YA fantasy, which is it, but it is also so much more than that. Deep in Providence tackles death, friendship, religion, magic, family, the immigrant experience, drug addiction, sexual assault, bisexuality and class favoritism all in one novel. And the author pulled it off brilliantly. There is a lot going on, but that's high school. The characters felt so authentic with fully-fleshed out lives, families, and history.

With all of this turmoil, the girls turn to magic to have some power over their experience. The magic system is based in Filipino culture, and it felt like real magic. Not sparkly, flashy magic. The spells were more elemental with herbs and intention versus wands and glitter. I liked that. This gave me strong feels of The Craft (if you are old enough to remember that movie.)

Deep in Providence lands in stores on May 31, and if you like witchy, diverse stories, you NEED this on your list.

*spoiler free review*

I was super excited to read the ARC because the book looked absolutely intriguing with spirits, magic, female friendships and mystery. I LOVED THIS STORY! I seriously could barely put it down. The characters were so deeply filled out they came alive on the page and in my heart. When I tell you I cried more than once reading this excellently plotted story of 3 friends sharing and moving through the grief of losing their 4th friend. The ways in which the characters separately tried to reconcile their own actions and emotions while also weaving their own personal and family struggles through the action was beautifully written. I often felt like I was there with the girls the writing was so vibrant! The way that the author created each character with so much depth and personality makes me want to read anything she has ever written! This book isnt even out and I already can't wait for the sequel!!

It was such a beautiful read. I felt seen between the pages, and not just to one single character, but I saw a piece of myself in every characters and their struggles/condition. This book covered a lot of grounds. Dealing with grief, how to keep living even if you felt everything is falling apart around you, teen drama (read all the TW before proceed, please), friendships, beliefs, and family problems. It was haunting, healing, magical. and brilliant. I love every single pages of this book and it was such an eventful, healing journey!

< thank you publisher for sending me eARC via Netgalley in exchange with honest review >

Riss Neilson's incredible debut chronicles the journeys of three young women haunted by the death of their friend. By turns haunting, joyful, suspenseful, and devastating, the book beautifully renders both the place of Providence, Rhode Island, as experienced by these characters, and their shifting understandings of themselves and their connections to each other. It was wonderful to see a book deeply invested in magic that didn't function on a binary of good or bad/real or not real. I couldn't put it down.

A spell-binding debut I read all in one day. Part sweeping family saga, and part age old tale of how deep the roots of friendship and love really run. This is a genuinely incredible book I won’t soon forget.

Miliani, Natalie and Inez feel like real people. They are girls that could have grown up with me. I love this book.

I had a difficult time categorizing this novel, because while it is well-written and intriguing, it doesn't fit any one genre or idea. The premise is that one of the girls in a group of friends has met an untimely death, and in their grief, they feel that they have an obligation to bring her back from the dead. Each of the friends has their own reasons for wanting their dead friend back, and they have all dabbled in the occult, so the idea doesn't seem so foreign to them. However, I as the reader (and not an avid reader of books about the occult) had a very difficult time figuring out why these otherwise intelligent girls thought their spell would work, given the setting was a modern-day city and there wasn't a precedent for this having happened successfully. As I read, I was willing to suspend my disbelief and follow the story. However, I did not feel compelled to root for Jasmine as she wasn't especially fleshed out. I also didn't care for any of the friends who were selfish and in denial. That may have been the author's intention, and I can get behind a flawed narrator. I think there were too many loose ends to wrap up successfully and it all seemed rushed at the end. Meanwhile, the remainder of the book felt like it dragged on and no one seemed to care about anyone else, even though they professed to be best friends.

I think the target audience (Teens, fans of the occult, fans of LGBTQ+ storylines) would find enough elements to hold their attention, but the lack of relatable characters and the lengthy timeline definitely turned me off. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.