Katie McCabe is a fish out of water in a strange town after being sent to live with family she doesn't know when her sheriff father falls ill. When he suddenly passes away, orphaned Katie must learn to survive her new world, which includes dealing with the son of a powerful man who means to make her life even worse than she thought possible.

What a cast of characters this book has! And they each come to life with their own authenticity. Katie, though, is the star. She is so real she practically leaps off the page. Everyone of us has known her or been her. Though her journey is a tough one, she's a fighter and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Gardner handled the social themes and difficult subject matter with a masterful touch, so much so, the book could be used to teach youth about grief and surviving unexpected, unfortunate circumstances.

While this is an Upper MG title, it's well suited for young adults and even adults. I enjoyed how the author created a world that could be anywhere at any time and didn't overwhelm the narrative with technology and pop culture references. Rain Falling on Embers very much reminded me of books and movies when I grew up in the 80s and 90s. Can't beat that nostalgia.

Highly recommended. #KatieMcCabeSeries #NetGalley #RainFallingOnEmbers

Accustomed to being able to win her Dad over in whatever her latest thing is, Katie's life is suddenly thrown upside down when her rock solid dad gets sick. Due to his illness and her growing rebellion, her uncle convinces her dad that she needs to be sent to live with him for closer supervision.

Katie is unsettled enough at being sent away and adjusting to a new place and then a new school. However, things get worse quickly when her dad does not survive his illness.

To make matters worse, when she gets to the new school and town there are unexpected results and powers that be who create stressful and uncomfortable situations for Katie. Pretty soon, she is even kidnapped! Will she survive herself?

I think that the premise of the book is good, but the author tries to put so much extra in the story that it becomes overbearing on the plot. Overall a good story with a strong lead and growth but it could have a better pacing.

I received an ARC for a fair review.

Thirteen year old Katie McCabe is developing a rebellious spirit, for reasons she sort of understands and for others more deeply rooted in her life experiences, fears, and hopes that she can’t quite articulate. Having already lost her mother when she was younger, her life is turned upside down when her father sends her to live with her uncle and cousins. The author captures the chaotic feelings many teens carry, and thoughtfully addresses the added complication that losing the only person who has always been there for her brings. As she attempts to find some inner balance in her off-kilter outer world, Katie finds herself at odds with the town bully. Ending up in danger, it will take all Katie has in her if she wants to survive and build a new life with her new family. I appreciated that the author chose to give every character flaws. While some of the plot points are a bit contrived, they do not detract from the overall messages of the book.

Thank you to Vesuvian Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this powerful book.

Given that this book is part of a planned series, I assume more are to come. I'm glad others liked the book and will stick around to support the author because this is the end of the line for me. If you are one who expects well-fleshed out characters and a somewhat original plot, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.

After Katie and her friend set a shed on fire while sneaking a smoke, Katie's police officer dad sends her off to live with her uncle. We are led to believe it's because of Katie's behavior, but later we learn her dad has cancer. Katie doesn't settle in well in her new home. Her uncle and cousins are too straight-laced in an old-fashioned kind of way and she makes enemies with the son of the wealthiest man in town. So, rather than pull herself together and fly straight, she decides to be a problem kid at school, despite the fact that she did so well on the entrance test she got to skip a grade. Now that she has a bad reputation with everyone, no one believes her when she's falsely accused of stealing test answers. So. She retaliates on the kids who set her up. Gets caught. Then those kids retaliate on her. But the icing on the cake is Katie getting kidnapped by kids only to find herself stranded in the woods, overnight, helping a bear escape a trap and getting bitten by a venomous snake. Please.

It's been a long time since I've read a plot this loose and meandering. It's classic "throwing stuff at a wall to see what sticks." The dad's cancer was almost an afterthought. The rich guy's animosity toward Katie's family goes nowhere. The large chunk of plot devoted to a town festival is wasted time. How Katie breaks into a school after hours is not explained. How Katie has any survival skills is unknown. It goes on and on. Nothing is developed so we have no understanding of why things go the way they do. The characters are no better. Katie and Sarah's personalities changed constantly, sometimes on the same page. One minute Katie seems ok with her situation and the next she's in full-on rebellion mode. One minute Sarah is sweet and syrupy and the next she's a viper. We are talking Jekyll and Hyde with both characters. When an author really knows their characters, this doesn't happen.

Two stars for those who don't analyze what they read. How I wish that were me sometimes.

"Rain Falling on Embers" by Liana Gardner is a poignant and gripping coming-of-age novel that delves into the raw emotions of loss, survival, and self-discovery. Thirteen-year-old Katie McCabe's world is shattered when her father falls ill, and her life takes an unexpected turn as she is sent to live with her uncle in a foreign town. The sudden demise of her father leaves her adrift in a sea of grief, trying to navigate a world where she feels like she doesn't belong.

Gardner skillfully weaves a narrative that captures the essence of Katie's struggle to adapt to her new reality and find her place in a town that feels alien. The emotional turmoil is heightened when she crosses paths with the son of a powerful man connected to her family's past, adding an air of mystery and danger to the tale.

The story takes an intense turn when Katie is violently abducted and left stranded in the wilderness during a storm. Gardner's vivid descriptions and compelling prose draw readers into the heart-pounding journey of survival that Katie must undertake. The depth of her resilience and the strength she discovers within herself create a captivating and empowering narrative.

As Katie fights for her life, readers will be gripped by a roller-coaster of emotions, experiencing her fear, determination, and growth as she faces unimaginable challenges. Gardner's ability to evoke such powerful emotions in her readers is a testament to her storytelling prowess.

"Rain Falling on Embers" is a beautifully crafted tale of resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit. Liana Gardner's writing will leave readers enthralled, reflecting on the strength of the human soul and the power of hope even in the darkest of times. This novel is an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a touching and unforgettable journey of survival and self-discovery.