Sisters Rose and Cecilia may have shared the same unstable childhood, but they’ve processed it differently and chosen opposite paths as young adults. When wild-child Cecelia decides to return to New York City, Rose hopes it’ll be an opportunity for them to reconnect and finally enjoy peaceful lives together. Instead, Rose finds herself more concerned about her sister than ever, especially after Cecilia joins a sketchy cabaret, the Avalon, and disappears one night. The more she digs into the Avalon, however, the more Rose finds herself being pulled into the group’s orbit too.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this e-arc.*

With her third novel, Tara Isabella Burton has created something truly special and unique. Here in Avalon is an urban fairy tale about sisters, magic, freedom, and being brave enough to choose a different kind of life.

Sisters Cecilia and Rose couldn't be more different. Cecilia, the older sister, is flighty and impulsive and irresponsible, while Rose has settled into a life of structure, routine, and an ordinary, mundane sort of happiness. When Cecilia returns to New York City after a whirlwind marriage, she insists to Rose that this time she's staying put. And just as Rose is beginning to believe her, Cecilia disappears again. This time, she's been swept away by a mysterious traveling cabaret troupe known as the Avalon -- a group that appears only at night on a red boat and has been linked to suspicious disappearances around the city. Following an impulse even she can barely understand, Rose decides to track down the Avalon in an effort to rescue her sister...and maybe even rescue herself.

Here in Avalon really does read like a fairy tale; Burton's writing is whimsical and enchanting and laced with dark magic as she explores the bonds of sisterhood and what it truly means to live a full, satisfying life. Burton gives readers so much to think about in regards to living an artistic, free-spirited life vs. a more pragmatic, structured one. The magic of it all really worked on me -- I think most people have, at one point or another, yearned to be whisked away from our ordinary lives into something more magical outside the bounds of "normal" society. The Avalon, like all the best (maybe not the right word choice, LOL) cults, is a place of both refuge and danger, depending on your perspective.

Here in Avalon is a book about how happiness looks different for everyone, and how truly loving someone means accepting who they are, even if it's not who you want them to be. It's beguiling and beautiful and swept me away while I was reading it, into a magical, ethereal world outside of reality. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.

Captivatingly haunting.

This book is not at all what I thought it would be from the description. I thought it would be jarring and perhaps violent, and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to read it. Instead was a beautiful, delicate tale of lost people, and longing, and love and hope.

It is steeped in experience of someone who knows their way around lore, and religion, and cults and the human need to belong. I didn’t know whether I was rooting for escape or of surrender for the characters.

The story left me feeling like I myself had awoken from a dream: the details gauzy and filmy and romantically vague, but with a sense that something wonderful had happened.

A lovely way to end the year.

What a fun ride. A glitzy, tragic New York City story of starting over, lost souls, and living a life you love.

Don’t let descriptions of cults and magic scare you off — there are those elements, but this is not a “fantasy” book. It’s more a sister story with a sort of gypsy/“fairy”/circus overlay!

I enjoyed it — thought it was fun and a captivating world, and liked the sisters’ joint and individual stories. The romance subplot(s) weren’t quite my cup of tea, and I didn’t get quiiiiite the level of resolution I hoped for, but it definitely kept my attention and I would recommend for a lighter read!

What a unique and fascinating read this was! As someone who has personal experience with both cult culture AND Avalonian mythology, this was an easy choice for me. At its core, this is a book about human connection, and the lengths we’ll go to find (and maintain) that feeling of being truly seen. Set against the backdrop of my hometown of NYC, Miz Burton provides a jarring mirror reflective of a sad but classic truth- that in a city full of so many people, it’s so easy to feel completely alone.

This isn’t the most comfortable read, and even borders on cringe level in several places, but the heart of the primary characters- two sisters who struggle to connect, is what kept me reading until the end. I truly cared about what might happen to them and that is a mark of a truly good story.

Throw in just enough of a mystery component that I *needed* to get to the reveal, and I found myself increasingly embroiled in the dark, tragic, befuddling, and wonderfully strange world that Burton creates.

Ultimately, I did spot some minor plot issues and the use of deus ex machina towards the end felt rushed and not completely earned, but overall, if you are a fan of mysteries, Romanticism, or have ever survived a cult, then this book is for you.

I wasn't sure if this was a book for me based on the description, but since I enjoyed another book by this author I checked it out.

Ultimately, while the book is well written and moves fast, I never really connected with the characters and didn't get pulled into the story enough to really enjoy it.

I enjoyed the premise of this book, its prose, its statements on art, and the touch of magic within. I don’t know that the character development was quite what I hoped for, though. And I ultimately felt dissatisfied with the ending, as it felt rushed, and like something was missing. A promising book that ultimately fell a bit short.

Here in Avalon by Tara Isabella Burton
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Two sisters. Rose and Cecilia were often neglected growing up, and they could not be more different now. Cecilia has spent her life searching for that something, wherever it takes her, while reliable Rose is always a safe landing for Cecilia. Then Cecilia find the people in the Avalon. And she disappears.
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What I liked:
-The intrigue in this story was fantastic! Looking for clues, searching, learning about the Avalon.
-I love stories with sisters. I didn’t have a sister growing up, so I’m fascinated by stories about them.
-I think Part 2 was my favorite part. I don’t want to give away spoilers but I loved Rose in that section, and how much she loves her sister but also her own reasons for what she does.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was drawn to this book because the description sounded like there was a touch of magical reality involved. I may have over anticipated what the story would be. I found it a little slow at first- the solid grown up sister, solid Rose, whose expected to take care of everything, and the flighty do as you please sister, Cecilia, that is always onto the next great adventure., until an ill-advised marriage sends her back home to her very grounded sister. Unable to resist the allure of something new and different, Cecelia gets involved with a cabaret outfit that mysteriously only comes out at night. And then disappears. As I got into the second part of the book, I found the story picked up and things moved along a lot faster as Rose tries to find out what happened to her sister, and gets sucked into the magical, possibly cult, world of Avalon. The tension was spot on. On her journey to find her sister, Rose reexamines her own life choices. It is definitely a fairy tale for adults. One must let got of what should happen in reality, and embrace the magical reality of what does happen. The ending was not exactly what I would have liked it to be, but it made sense in the end. I recommend this book. Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC.

4 stars

Tara Isabella Burton floored me with What the World Cannot Give last year, prompting me to add her to my auto-read list. The moment that I saw Here in Avalon ARCs had dropped, I could not click the Request button fast enough.

This contemporary fairy tale of buttoned up Rose and bohemian Cecilia completely captivated me from the first page and I found myself slowly being drawn into both the New York world inhabited by Rose and the Avalon cabaret that Cecilia becomes enamored with. Burton utilizes every aspect of the novel from plot to structure to characters to really speak to the distinctive nihilism experienced by millennials in an atmospheric yet concise manner. If you love the idea of a "just vibes" novel but yearn for one that actually has a plot, I would not hesitate to recommend this!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

This book took me by surprise. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into as this is the first book by the author that I've read, however, I enjoyed my travels aboard the Avalon. The first act was a little slow for me and being a very character driven novel, it was tough to dig into as I didn't really love any of the main characters. However, much like my beloved Schitts Creek, I fell hard for the sisters and their lives, the second act sweeping me away and third leaving me both broken hearted and filled with hope for finding my own magic in the every day life.

Sisters Cecilia and Rose had an unconventional upbringing, embracing art as a sacred component of life, but while Rose became more conventional and responsible, Cecilia has remained chaotic--falling in and out of love, moving all over the world, and too often relying on Rose to bail her out of whatever trouble she's in. Rose's successful and intolerant fiance, Caleb, is doubtful when Cecilia returns to Manhattan and takes up residence in the apartment where they grew up. And Cecilia seems likely to fulfill his dire predictions.

But even as Rose despairs of Cecilia's behavior, she begins to see frissons in her relationship with Caleb, and resents being forced to choose between her future husband and sister. When Cecilia disappears, presumably joining a group of fellow bohemians, Rose cannot shake her concern and gives up everything to find her.

Strange and strangely engaging, this novel captures not only contemporary Manhattan but a dreamlike alternate reality where nonconformists find each other. Rose and Cecilia are both deeply sympathetic characters. #HereInAvalon #NetGalley

What an interesting, unique story this turned out to be! While it began slowly and a bit confusing, the action quickly picked up and the story went in a completely unexpected direction. Rose and Cecelia, sisters, seemed to be at opposite ends of the spectrum but they are much more complex than that, and the nexus between them is Avalon, a magical ship that promises a different life. It seemed to be a possibly sinister situation but, like the rest of the novel, it also delighted, Rose is headed for a boring but predictable and stable life with her fiancee Caleb, Cecelia can't be pinned down from one moment to the next. The unpredictability of this plot made it all the more pleasureable.

This ARC was provided by the publisher and NetGalley, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

I will never claim that it would be hard to get me to join a cult. Honestly, If you're looking to start one, I might be an easy first target. What can I say, I love a group activity and matching outfits. This being said, the MOMENT I met the quirky and eccentric members of The Avalon, I was IN.

Rose and Cecilia are beautifully crafted caricatures of people we all know. Cecilia, the drifter is always looking for the next great things. Overcome with love and a seemingly naïve belief that the world is a beautiful story waiting to happen, Rose finds herself in contact with a mysterious group who is offering her a chance at a new life.

Her sister, Rose, whose pragmatic view of life has left her in a state of complacence and perceived satisfaction. This satisfaction is uprooted when she finds herself pursing a mysterious, potentially cult-ish, group of individuals who she believes has kidnapped her sister. Chasing the clues her sister left behind, Rose encounters the Avalon. A mysterious and magical late night cabaret.

Bound the remind the lost souls of the world that magic still exists, The Avalon presents moments of fleeting beauty if you're lucky enough to be found. Rose finds herself entranced by the mystery. Determined to find her sister, Rose takes a leap of faith and finds herself on the other side of magic.

Burton absolutely astounded me with this book. Only a few weeks ago, I read Burton's book The World Cannot Give, and I was impressed. I thought Burton did an incredible job creating an environment that captured the reader. The World Cannot Give hooked me, and I thought it was a form of writing that was familiar but unique. That book was Burton's warm up.

Here in Avalon, in my opinion was a flex of small-scale world building, character building and overall vibes. I honestly am not sure if I can effectively speak on the technical writing of this book because I was too busy EATING IT UP. If I look at it pragmatically, some people might say this book dips its toes into the "no plot just vibes" and my response would be, "some plot, IMMACULATE vibes".

I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to step away from the real world for a few fleeting moments. If you need a fleeting reminder that beauty can exist if only for a few pages at a time. This book will come to you highly recommended. One of my favorites of the year.

My only request to Burton would be - More please!

A tale of sisterly devotion that, while it might take a moment to get into, becomes its own immersive world. Rose and Cecilia were feral NYC children and now they're in their 20s. Rose has sublimated her desire to be an artist, turned into an impressive coder of apps, and is living with Caleb, her fiance in his well ordered home. Cecilia has drifted in and out of her life but now she's back and living in the rent stabilized apartment Rose still maintains. But she's not well and she's fled from a mysterious marriage to Paul, a teacher in Maine. And then Cecilia becomes wrapped into the Avalon, a troupe of songsters who pluck sad people and take them on a boat to....Rose is determined to find her, changing her own life in her quest. This unfolds like a flower, as the bits of the Avalon are revealed. The characters shine, the NYC atmospherics are terrific, and there are surprises at every corner- no spoilers from me. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I wasn't sure about this, even after I started reading it but then I found myself turning the pages, fascinated. It's an excellent read.

I really enjoyed Here In Avalon. I went in blind with this book so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Tara Isabella Burton has such a magical way of telling a story. The Avalon is a ship and a place of dreams and for those who need an escape.
Rose and Cecilia are two sisters who really only had each other growing up. Rose is so focused on being responsible, grown up and doing what she thinks she should be doing. Cecilia on the other hand is still child like. She can never stay in one place for long. She’s full of empathy and has such a talent for music.
When Cecilia disappears to what Rose suspects is to the Avalon, she goes to find the ship. What she finds is more than just her sister.

In the beginning, readers are introduced to Rose and Cecilia; they’re sisters that are each different, chasing opposite goals in life. Rose has her life together, has a wonderful fiancée, and a flexible job that she loves. Cecilia is thirty, hasn’t quite figured out her life, flakes out on Rose then disappears for months at a time without any contact whatsoever.

When Cecilia returns home after a long escapade, she promises Rose that she can be a different person and Rose desperately tries to trust and support her sister. Cecilia continues to disappoint Rose over and over again with her secrets and distrust. Rose is fed up with her sister’s hidden past and kicks her out of the only place they’ve called home.

Now Cecilia has disappeared…for good. Rose should’ve been there for her sister. Rose should’ve been her shoulder to cry on when Cecilia was feeling down. Rose should’ve listened to Cecilia when she was going on about a boat full of fairies that understood the stress she was experiencing, but Rose was too infuriated and too blind to see that she was losing her sister to a cult that promised a better life.

Has Rose lost touch with her own reality? Is she so lost and broken, without her sister, that she would give up everything she once loved to be reunited with Cecilia forever?

I was completely consumed with this book and finished it in one day. I glanced at the description that promised fantasy, a dangerous cult, and an enchanting story. This was everything I never knew I needed, being such a thriller chaser, but I loved how the last part of the book painted a beautiful picture inside my mind of the captivating scenery, and the characters with their charismatic personalities that pulled me into their realm with such force that I was saddened when it ended.

Rose and Cecilia are sisters who had an unconventional upbringing. As can be typical of this upbringing, one sister, Rose, is responsible, has a good job, is about to be married. The other sister, Cecilia, has never held down a real job and in pursuit of true love. When Cecilia comes back to NYC and claims she wants to settle down, Rose is skeptical. However, Cecilia does exactly as she states, she is working a job steadily, cleaning up after herself and being reliable. One day, Cecilia tells Rose about Avalon, a mysterious group of people who appear on a red boat. As Cecilia starts to come back to the apartment disheveled and doesn’t want to talk about where she has been, Rose becomes frustrated with her and storms out. But when Cecilia disappears without a trace it is up to Rose to find her. As Rose tries to find Cecilia and track down Avalon, she gets pulled into the same world as begins to become as lost as Cecilia. What will happen to the sisters?

This was my book by the author and I liked it. I could feel the anxiety felt by Rose as she struggled between loving her sister and wanting to care for her and the frustration of Cecilia’s actions. The bond between the sisters is both tender and caring and incredibly fragile at times. The author does a great job of letting the reader feel the tension go from tight to easy. As a reader, you can feel the yearning and longing by those who seek the Avalon. It is very good writing and bringing to life the characters and the story. I look forward to another book by Tara Isabella Burton.

This is like the vibes of The Night Circus, but mixed with sisters who read the Virgin Suicides and watched a lot of movies about NYC.

It's the tale of two sisters who grew up pretty much only relying on each other and finding magic in everything. Now adults Rose and Cecelia couldn't be more different. Rose made a name for herself with a 9 to 5 job and a basic , but caring fiancé. Cecilia gallivants around the world looking for things that catch her fancy. After a breakup Cecilia crashed in Rose's bachelorette pad until she tells Road she's running away with the faerie's.
Things get weird after that and I was confused about the ending, but sure .

This author always a good time because she's talented and whimsical and she dgaf what anyone thinks imo..

I would like to preface my review by saying thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me an ARC of Here in Avalon in exchange for my honest review.

When Rose's flighty sister, Cecelia, goes missing--Rose knows she has to find her. Rose finds clues left behind that may point her in the right direction, a place called Avalon. There is only one problem, the Avalon is secret and only open to special people. Can Rose go to Avalon and get Cecelia back? Or is she under the spell of Avalon?

I loved this book so much. It was full of magic and delight but still had that dark undertone to it. You're transported with Rose on her journey to the cabarets on the boat. You can feel the music and art though the written words on the pages. It's almost like Avalon is reaching out to the reader to enchant you. This is one of those books that becomes hard to put down because it's so twisty and turny you want to know what happens next.

Although, this book had a really solid ending, I can't help but feel sorry for Rose. She has sacrificed her whole life taking care of things on the behalf of her older sister. I hope this chronic people pleaser seeks out therapy for herself and got her own happy ending.

The magical realism of this book offers along with its culty undertone makes it an excellent read. Here in Avalon is set to be released on January 2nd, its the perfect book to start your New Year's off with!