Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

Fantastic! Once I started, I couldn't put it down. This book explores grief and familial connection. A bit dark and whimsical - it's not one to be missed!

Eden's Everdark was a spooky but fun-filled trip into a culture that I had little knowledge of. The witchy elements combined perfectly with the historical facts that the author interspersed. Fun to read and I know students will enjoy it.

Eden's Everdark is a dark, captivating and haunting story. I could not put this story down because I needed to know what happened to Eden. This story would be a wonderful story to introduce to older elementary students or middle-aged students!

The idea of this younger, dark fantasy novel was so interesting. However, it just took so long to get into. There were also some weird bits like how the narrator called her dad Dr. Leopold in some places but then dad in others? Good concept, but not my favorite execution.

This book. It was gorgeous and lush and adventurous and atmospheric. I love the lyrical world that Strong created. As an adult who enjoys reading YA or middle grade, it was amazing to see this level of craft. Character development, pitch perfect tension, strong cultural roots. I so enjoyed this.

Lyrical and beautifully written, Strong’s book is a moving portrayal of grief and finding your way. The fantasy elements and spooky moments will keep young readers turning the page but the beautiful heart of the story will make this a reader favorite.

What starts out as a desire to meet family and gain footing after the loss of a mother turns into a trip to another realm, where death and magic refuse to let anyone go.

After her mother's passing, Eden has finally convinced her father to take her to meet her mother's side of the family. Her mother avoided returning to her home on the island, despite Eden's father claiming they are kind, warm-hearted people. And he isn't wrong. The family is more than excited to meet Eden and accept her without a second's thought. The island is also a wonderful place, where tourists enjoy frequenting. But when Eden discovers her mother's old sketchbook, the nightmares begin. The family claims they are nothing more than her mother's imagination, but also admit that the island and it's mansion, no doubt, hold too many tortured souls. Little do they realize that a witch has taken over the spirit world, which runs parallel to reality on the island. When Eden takes a walk between the trees, she accidentally stumbles through a rift between the worlds. Now, she's stuck in the Everdark and the witch refuses to let her go.

The setting is a real treat with the moss, trees, and humid climate that only the South can offer. This not only lays the perfect background for the haunted mansion and wild surroundings of the Everdark, but also makes meeting family for the first time a true adventure. The author has built a nice contrast between reality and the Everdark, one full of life and warmth, while the other holds darkness and evil. It was fun to venture through the different scenes. Plus, the Southern foods and culture were like added icing to a cake.

Eden comes across like a nice, down-to-earth girl, and it's no problem to understand her desire to learn more about her mother's family. The positive atmosphere the family and their neighbors radiate is inspiring, and makes the reader wish they could visit the island, too. They support each other and offer words of wisdom, which make everything feel like home.

This is a spooky read, but it doesn't feel like one until more than a few chapters in. So, horror fans of this age group might be a bit disappointed, at first, while fantasy/paranormal fans might be surprised at how creepy things get. I think the slide into the scarier side was nicely done and let the reader get a handle on Eden and her reality first. I would have liked some scenes more built out than they were (such as the festival happens but we never really get to see it, or the days in Everdark fly by, at first, but it's not clear what Eden's doing the entire time), but this is a well-written read and does flow smoothly with a quick-pace. It does keep the reader at the edge of their seat, wondering how Eden will make it through.

Fans of paranormal and fantasy with a creepy twist will enjoy this one quite a bit. I received a DRC and enjoyed diving into Eden's world quite a bit.

What a treasure! I was immediately enthralled with this book – from the cover, to the first page, all the way through to the end. It hooked me and kept me wanting more.

At its heart, this is a book about grief and how hard it is to escape. But it is also a book that celebrates the beauty of family and our roots. There is culture and love packed into these pages. Even the regional dialect is a joy to read.

This book is so many things. It is creepy and atmospheric. Beautiful and haunting. It is a reminder of the past – the decadence of wealth and the barbarism of slavery. But it is about hope for the future.

Even though this is marketed as a Middle Grade novel, adult readers will inevitably take more from it than the younger audience – the regrettable result of having more experience with grief. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages.

Truly exceptional.