I wanted to like this book better than I did. It had a really strong start with the link between the two sisters and the mystery of what they could do. I also liked the beginning where we first saw behind the veil. However, over time I started getting a bit bored with it. By the time I was about 55-60% through, I didn't really care about what was going to happen because I felt like I knew what was going to happen. For the most part, I had figured it out. There was one emotional scene at the end that I thought was done well, but overall I could take or leave this book.

This one is set in Sacramento which is close to me in location and I have always loved that area. It is set in 1885 with a gothic vibe. Love mysteries and the supernatural. The twin mediums definitely was a big draw.
The twins perform in a traveling stage show within the time of the suffragette movement in the west. Loved the historical and the paranormal mystery.

How do I accurately explain this story to you without giving anything away? Obviously, the story follows sisters Edie and Violet after they fled from home and their conservative father, when their mother died. They do seances for money, pretending to contact the dead for loved ones to get closure. But they also have secret talents, inherited from their mother, which they hide. Edie can cross over into the in between, through the Veil, and Violet can actually channel the dead. But it always comes with danger.

There is also a mysterious shadow on the other side of the Veil, causing problems and trying to find a way back to the living, to find its soul. But why? And how was the link severed? Who is this shadow linked to and who is the soul possessing??

Once the climax is reached, things took such an exciting turn. Edie tried to do everything by herself and realised in order to succeed she would need to trust her sister and others and accept the help they offer. We see the bond of the sisters restored, love bloom, dreams come true, the mystery of the shadow is solved, truths are finally revealed, and its all set in the backdrop; of an incredible plot filled with so many twists and turns! Worth the read...

If you love spooky historical urban fantasies, this will be one you wouldn't want to miss!!

Thank you to Netgalley for the copy to read and review. The above opinion is my own.

The story was gothic and fun while still maintaining an air of seriousness that I appreciated and enjoyed. The sisters have very different and distinct personalities that just mesh well together in this story. I loved the historical aspects as well as the otherworldly and mysterious ones and I think the author did a great job of blending everything together. The story was a little slow for me but it made sense to be that way. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an eARC and exchange for an honest review.

The book immerses its readers in a gripping narrative set in 1885 Sacramento. Blending the fight for women’s rights together with a supernatural mystery surrounding twin mediums, Edie and Violet, the story takes its readers on a journey of mediums, madness, and murder, combining historical elements and the paranormal into a captivating tale.

The plots centres around Edie and Violet, twins with spiritual abilities working in a traveling stage show. The characters, while embodying clichés, grow endearing, especially Edie with her fervor for the Suffragette movement and penchant for unconventional pursuits. The backdrop of an asylum adds a foreboding layer to the story, and the exploration within its walls heightens the intrigue. While the plot twists might have been challenging to predict, the complexity of the story's direction contributed to a rewarding reading experience.

All in all, the story offers an absorbing blend of historical and paranormal elements, combined with the fight for women’s rights in the late 19th century. While some plot elements could be perplexing, the strength of character development, the gripping narrative, the seamless fusion of historical, and supernatural aspects make it an engaging debut read.

Special thanks to NetGalley, Union Square & Co., and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.

If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning

The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond' takes readers on a captivating journey into the world of Edie and Violet Bond, teenage twins with extraordinary abilities as mediums. Their compelling narrative unfolds as they escape a grim fate, joining a traveling Spiritualist show to showcase their talents. What makes this book truly engaging is the seamless blend of mystery, the supernatural, and the challenges faced by young women in a bygone era. The plot takes a thrilling turn when a dark spirit from their past returns, leading to a suspenseful and intriguing investigation. The story's strength lies in the deep bond between the twins and their determination to uncover a killer. A must-read for those who enjoy historical mysteries with a touch of the supernatural."

I think that I am the problem. I don't know why I didn't like this book or love it even only that I feel very disconnected from it. I don't dislike it or have any really feelings about it at all. There's a good possibility that maybe I zoned out a little bit while listening and that's on me. I do think that I would have liked this book 10 years ago. But as it is I needed some queerness or something. I get that it's set in the 1800s but come on, Queer people existed then too as did people of color and this book was very very white. There is a note in the acknowledgments about how what women of color did a lot of work during the suffragette movement since so much of first way feminism was focused on Rich White women, but he would have loved to see that in the story as well.

An intoxicating tale of Mediums, Madness and Murder! Edie & Violet are two mediums in a traveling stage show with a secret - They’re the real deal. Whilst the concept was cliche I still rather enjoyed this twisting tale and grew to grow quite fond of the twins. Edie in particular, with her interest in the Suffragette movement and inclination to activities deemed not suitable for her gender made me enjoy following her mystery. Without going into spoilers the foreboding backdrop of the asylum at the centre of town almost became a character in itself and the activities discovered within its walls helped elevate the plot. I would have enjoyed reading more of these machinations and the spirit world but overall it was a pleasant read.

I absolutely love the blend of fantasy, historical fiction, paranormal, and mystery in this one: it's got a little bit of so many things, and all of them meld together seamlessly, creating an amazingly atmospheric story about sisterhood -- it's even got a little romance in there for those who love that sort of thing!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

the book’s captivating blend of historical fiction and paranormal mystery kept me thoroughly engaged. The intriguing premise of gifted mediums, a dark spirit, and a hunt for a killer made for an enthralling read. The author's strong voice and effortless prose added to the enjoyment, while the sweet romance added a delightful touch. Although I would have appreciated a touch more creepiness, overall, this book is a perfect choice for fans of atmospheric stories, and I eagerly await more adventures featuring these fascinating sisters."

This is definitely an entertaining read! I love historical fiction, and finding out that Glaze based this off of family members was even more interesting than it being completely made up. Glaze's voice is strong and her prose is easy and enjoyable to read. There's a sweet, simple little romance that didn't distract from the narrative. I would've loved a little bit more creepy spooky but that's just me. This paranormal mystery was great, perfect for Halloween season and I could definitely read more of these sisters' stories.

*eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review

🔮Twin Sister Spirit Mediums
🔮Historical Fiction
🔮Late 1800s Time Period
🔮Supernatural Elements
🔮Mysterious
🔮Debut Novel

This book has been on my NetGalley tbr for a while and I finally got around to reading it. I was drawn to the gorgeous cover of The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond, and I also thought the premise sounded interesting. This story follows twin sister mediums, Edie and Violet, as they seek to solve the mysterious deaths happening around them, including the death of their mother.

I enjoyed reading this story. I loved the historical setting and the supernatural elements throughout the book. Edie and Violet had a strong sisterly relationship that added a lot of heart to the story. I felt for these characters, and I thought Edie and Violet were strong and vibrant protagonists. I also loved the background the author gave for how she was inspired to create this story. I found that super interesting.

There were some parts in the story that dragged a little, but the plot did pick up more towards the end. I think this was a good debut novel and I really liked the author’s writing. I would definitely pick up another book from her. I would recommend this book to lovers of supernatural historical fiction.

3.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley & Union Square & Co. for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

A fun historical-fiction/mystery/supernatural romp involving seances and a pair of twin sisters. A strong book with a story story and interesting magic system involving herbs.

My only issues were the strange pacing and flat side characters. The mystery had me hooked the entire time, however.

The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond by Amanda Glaze are twin spirit mediums (need I say more!?) who open a door that perhaps they should not have. Great writing really places you "in" the historical setting. Good book!

I love the mix between historical fiction and paranormal, so this book began great and ended gret. It could've been a favorite, but it lacked some pacing during the middle. The way the author tells this story is beautiful, with a narrative that works its way through the characters and what they're facing. There is a romance, and I also loved the way it was presented and developed. For a debut, this is an impressive book. I'm looking forward to read more of the author's stories!

An intriguing historical fantasy. My biggest complaint is that a lot of the discussion the book is trying to have are pretty surface level. I would have really loved to see some deeper conversations. The pacing is also a little off.

In 1885 Sacramento, amidst the fight for women’s rights, runaway twins work for a performance troupe as psychics. Edie is reserved while her twin Violet is theatrical. They conduct a seance for an elderly woman who recently lost her cat. While pretending that the cat’s spirit is with them in the room, Edie senses the Veil thinning and a cold, uncomfortable feeling enters the room. She douses the smoldering lavender and the feeling goes away. They’ve helped their customer feel comfort but they’re shaken. Edie’s and Violet’s mother had spiritualist powers and she helped her daughters learn how to be safe with the powers they inherited from her. When their mother dies due to a shadow spirit, their preacher father threatens to send them to an asylum so they run away. They join up with the troupe and meet like-minded women trying to make a living. Edie and Violet become embroiled in a mystery that’s bigger than they ever imagined and much more dangerous than they planned on. Riveting, suspenseful and fun to read, 5 stars!

Likes/dislikes:
I appreciate the author’s note explaining how she based this story on her deceased great grandmother and her twin sister, who both happened to be spiritualists. I was riveted throughout the entire book because the story is interesting and I love the characters. The danger and suspense are intense. The ethnicity is mixed with white, Italian and Black.

Language: PG for 4 swears and no f-bombs
Mature content: PG for a lesbian couple mentioned. Edie (female) and Laws (male)kissing.
Violence: PG-13 for An angry shadow spirit threatening spiritualists, kidnapping and trapping and a bloody death.

If you enjoyed the diviners by Libba Bray, then this is definitely for you. Merging supernatural elements with sisterly bonds, family and hope, this book has a lot going for it. I liked the pacing and the atmosphere. It was fast, enjoyable, and I liked the magic system quite a lot!

This book took me on a wild journey. I loved it was based on two real life people. I found they came alive amongst the pages and I could imagine them walking around and sitting next to me. The author also obviously did so much research to make the book as good as she could, and it showed. Saying that, it didn’t drag and the author only included what applied to the story and atmosphere.

I really enjoyed this one and I’m excited to see what the author writes next. Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher, for a chance to read and review this book.