Truly atmospheric of a remote island in the Azores, and it taught me a lot about the culture. I really like Grace and the world that is evolving around her.
Many thanks to Aristata Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a really really good book. I didn't expect to like this a lot since at first the story felt like it was running in circles but you just have to read the next chapters to find a way out.

I love how the characters were written. The author shows that these characters are just humans, that they are good and also bad, and none of them were the villain.

I appreciate the portrayal of the culture of Azores. Although at first it felt like the author wrote them in a negative way, but it's not really like that. Their culture, their people kind of reminded me of my own culture and people. I came from a country that was colonized by another "great conquer" (really hate that term as if there's great in colonizing other countries just for god, glory and gold lol sorry author). The olhado reminded me of something the same in my culture, it's called "balis", although entirely different because someone gets sick because someone with it greeted you when they or you have an empty stomach. The olhado thing really really connected me with the story.

Also the spiritual aspects of the story. It didn't asked you to believe that what was happening in the story were true. It just shows you how things were true in these people's lives and respecting their beliefs and participating in them won't cause you harm. I like that as i am not really spiritual person but i love cultures and people.

On the romance part. I'm actually satisfied with it. Although i'm kind of tired with the trope of the main character's partner being left in their homeland and later found out cheating on her while the main character was also doing the same. But i understand it in the storytelling perspective. I guess things just happens for things to happen. Then the "love triangle", i was so uncomfortable with the old guy yikes lol. But Magnus, my guy. I didn't expect him to be the "fell first, fell harder" kind of guy. I really really like his character. His character was at first like the stereotype of a jerk but he's more than that. The way the author wrote his character was so good. I wish i can write a character like him.

Then Grace, our main character. She really said "main character", the world revolves around her lol. But really if i was on her shoes i would think and feel the same about the things that's happening around her. And she's a little lonely so i guess that's what drawn her with the attention she got with all those drama.

Overall i learned a lot with how you deal with people and it's community and culture. I really like this book.

SPOILER:
Although the story didn't really uncovered what was the cause of the illness of the boy, i feel like it was the raw fish or something that someone asked Grace to eat on her boat ride to Azores. The story kinda dodged that plot but i know it's that thing. Still i like the mystery around it, it kind of gave me this secret mission to uncover the truth about that. Kind of engaged me a little more to the story.

This was an interesting novel full of myth, romance, secrets, strange characters, and island lore. I found it very interesting and a new author for me to follow.