Merging lyrical prose with eerie supernatural elements, "The Pecan Children" navigates the fine line between beauty and horror in a Southern orchard town reminiscent of the dreamlike magic seen in "Big Fish." As ghostly fires flicker and sentient kudzu vines entwine, secrets unravel and familiar patterns repeat, culminating in a mind-bending journey that defies straightforward storytelling. Fans of magical realism and Southern Gothic tales will find this novel captivating, while those averse to narrative twists may find it challenging. A haunting and thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

The absolute BEAUTY of this book!! If youre looking for folklore, dark, gothic imagery, character building/development, ALL THE SOUTHERN GOTH-this is for you. I am typically not a fan of folklore in 100% transparency. I find it depressing and not at all entertaining. With that being said, I almost feel like this could or should be described in another way. Dont sleep on this book!!!!

Gothic folklore entail a story a young woman during the pecan harvest season. However, what should be a great time of year, is also heartbreaking. Lil Clearwater is a strong woman refusing to bow down and sell her family’s deeply rooted pecan grove farm. Knowing she has a special connection and memories tied into her home, she will not just cave in and sell. However, when the arrival of her sister Sasha starts to sir things up, Lil has no other choice but to at least suffer through a reunion that may or may not be warranted.
Thrillers with magic realism makes this a story in coming to terms with the past and trying to make a future. Quinn Connor goes deep into a fantastical like essence that will have readers wanting to know what happens next. The story itself is great for libraries and book clubs, which are included towards the end of the book. A story that tails a line of beauty and horror, the Pecan Children is a must for thrill seekers and family magic.

Content Warnings: Mild Gore

The Pecan Children is a spooky, folkloric read that captured my attention from beginning to end. I loved all the characters and their various viewpoints, the mystery surrounding the town and the pond in the middle of which grows a tree that produces golden pecans, and the series of twists and revelations that each repaint all that comes before and after them. I read a lot, so I have a high respect for any story that surprises me, which this book did multiple times. The two romance stories woven throughout the story, one lesbian and one heterosexual, are both bittersweet and well-written – but I found even more powerful the stories of love that existed between the two sisters.

While I loved this book, some may not like that the folklore and some mysteries connected to it are not fully explained. Similarly, this is a non-linear narrative, in a sense, as there are moments that jump in time. Each shift in time is clearly communicated, but switches between 3rd-person narrative focus is not as clearly communicated. I didn’t find it hard to follow, but individual mileage may vary.

Okay, yes.

This book was very much about vibes. Southern Gothic and (sapphic) yearning and eeriness and mysterious and haunted - look, there's a lot to enjoy.

Twins Lil and Sasha have grown up on their family's pecan orchard, the last one left in their town as people sell and cut their ties with the dying town. But to Lil and Sasha, the orchard isn't just their home, but their <i>inheritance</b>, and something not so easily parted with. With lost-loves returning to town and Lil's insistence to give the town a revitalization with the annual Pecan Festival, not to mention fires that aren't there and mysterious children turning up, well, there's also a lot going on for Lil and Sasha.

As previously mentioned, this book is very heavy on vibes - in a good way! You can get heady with the characters in tree houses and dining rooms, it's a very atmospheric book that pulls you inside of it. The lyrical writing adds to this feeling, and I found it beautiful. There was a moment midway through the book that had me rereading the previous page in a state of, "Wait, what?" The book went somewhere I had not and could not have anticipated, but it did it so well. Honestly, this whole story was so good. A bit of a quieter read, a bit slower to start, but building up the atmosphere and the characters in ways that paid off for the rest of the story.

This was more folklore-fantasy than horror, but there were certainly some creepy elements to it as well, which I loved. Another standout was the characters - they kind of had to be, since this was ultimately very character-driven and emotion-driven - their yearning and longing were especially palpable!

I'm not familiar with the authors, but will certainly be keeping an eye out for them in the future.

<i>Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, and to NetGalley for the ARC.</i>

A lovely example of magical realism. I was transported into the small town, this book was full of Southern soul. Reading about the pecan harvest was so interesting. The book is strange and not all is clear, loved that element. Definitely one for those who like some creepy undertones and intrigue. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

What an interesting read! There were some moments where I felt similarities between this book and the Marvel show Wandavision. Not necessarily a bad thing though as I am a huge Marvel fan.
It did take a while for me to really feel engaged, but the slow pacing in the beginning ended up being necessary to setting the scene.
The plot is great and I really enjoyed this book. I was a little lost at times, even when things were being explained. As if there was too much suggestion and not enough blatancy.
I do look forward to more books from this duo in the future!

Small town living creates an image for everyone almost immediately. It’s where people are familiar with each other on a first-name basis. Business owners in the heart of the city are well established. Everyone attends the churches in town and enjoys local festivals. All others that are from different places fall into the “outcast” category. They tend to feel like misfits.

Lil is the good daughter that never left. After her mother passed, she stayed to take care of the pecan orchard. She felt like it was her duty even though she would have liked to do other things with her time. Her twin sister, Sasha, was an artist with more of a desire for excitement. She was free to go and explore photography and the big-city living with all sorts of relationships. When Sasha returned years later, her sister, Lil, was now set in her ways. While they were close as kids, their relationship had changed.

The words had me under some kind of spell where I was reading almost nonstop. My somewhat rigid thinking had to open up to the fantastical events with names of elegant homes on the pecan orchard fields. It was engaging with conversations the sisters had with each other. They were older and their parents had passed. Yet, they still were competing as rivals and maybe that was where I could relate in some ways. They both had past relationships making the reader hope for the best.

It was thought-provoking and the book questions at the end made me pause. There were lots of layers with parts about relationships, small-town living and being labeled as a queer. Sasha’s best friend had a bakery in town which made me want to go there. This imaginative story would make a dynamic discussion with book friends.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of June 4, 2024.

4.25 stars!

This book was very intriguing, weird and unique! I was super excited to read this one. When I read the blurb I thought the premise was really interesting and I couldn't wait to dive right into it.

The book absolutely draaaaagged in the first half. Like holy shit the pacing was slow. Although I suppose it is a necessary evil since it sets up a great image/atmosphere/vibe for the town. It fully redeems itself in the last half. Once it hits about 55% it turns into a super captivating and thrilling read. Albeit a bit confusing (to me anyways haha).

I really wish there was more of "horror" vibe to it. It felt more fantasy then horror IMO but did give southern gothic (which I loooved). The atmosphere was very well done.

Following the loss of her mother, Lil Clearwater assumes responsibility for the family’s pecan orchard until her twin, Sasha, returns from New York. Despite the town’s gradual decline, the twins adamantly refuse to sell their mother’s land, a decision that becomes increasingly challenging as more families depart.

The annual pecan festival reunites them with old friends, including Lil’s ex, Jason, and Autumn, Sasha’s cherished friend. However, the town’s facade begins to crack, revealing eerie occurrences like phantom fires and tales of children born from pecan trees, along with a mysterious figure known as the hungry man.

This book, akin to the unsettling charm of Twin Peaks, offers an enigmatic yet compelling narrative. While at times perplexing, the story eventually coalesces, leaving readers with lingering questions. Its eerie atmosphere makes it a must-read for those who relish peculiar and enchanting tales.

This was a wild ride! I did not expect it to be what it turned out to be so there were lots of yells, gasps, and shouting during my reading time. I read it in one sitting because it was difficult to put down. A very fun read!

I had no clue what to expect going into this book, but I was hooked from the start! The sinister undertones are well built in, and there's an eerie quality to the writing that constantly reminds you something is not right.

I loved the dynamic between the sisters - particularly their struggle between loyalty to one another, and to their own desires.

It's so hard to say much about this book without giving away some of the many, clever plot twists! A few were a bit difficult to grasp, and it did take a good portion of the book before I finally felt like I understood what was happening. But it all fit together in a really satisfying way, and it's definitely left me reeling!

Books with similar vibes - The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings, and In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt.

4.5/5⭐️

This story has been attempted before but not in this way. It’s a beautiful haunting novel about love, loss & family all in one. I absolutely love this writing style and the interlude in the story was exquisite.

It would have a full 5 if it ended a little better. I feel like the ending seemed a little dragged out & didn’t need to be as long as it was. However; the rest of the book is beautifully written and haunting.

I wish there was *more* of a horror aspect to this book as it ended up reading more like fantasy in the end. The pacing in the beginning read so much like a horror novel I was excited & quite scared of “The Hungry Man” and then ended up being a little disappointed in the arc of his character.

The characters are great. I love Wyn & I loved all the dialogue as well as the twists throughout the story.

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for the ARC!

I never actually thought about where the pecans I buy grow. By the time I finished, I knew a lot about those trees. Though this orchard is not like one you might stumble upon.
Lil has been caring for the family pecan orchard by herself since the death of her mother. Her twin, Sasha, left years ago, hoping to create a different life. But now she has come home and even though Lil doesn’t seem to want any help from her, she keeps busy doing numerous jobs in this very small town.
Suddenly, strange things start happening. Fires that are there one minute and gone the next, as well as someone who very much wants access to their orchard. An old flame or two reappearing and things that seem straightforward until you look closely under a pile of pecans.
I guessed some things and failed to figure out what was really going on. It was a story that I very much enjoyed. I didn’t love the ending, but as usual, I let the story percolate in my mind for a few days, and realized, that probably was exactly the way it should end.

Sisters, Sasha and Lil are trying to come back together as Lil always was stuck with the pecan orchard and its secrets, and Sasha went off to college and to find herself only to come back to the small town searching for her one rue love. But things are not always as they appear in this kudzu covered town.
This book takes you on a ride where you can’t always see the twists and turns coming up. It has so many surprises good and some even sad that you will stay up way past your bedtime to read. This book seemed a bit slow at first but I now know why you need to know the characters well before moving on. This was a awesome read.

There is something so captivating about the magical realism genre in that you are positioned as a reader to recognize that magic is possible even in realistic settings.

"The Pecan Children" follows two sisters who are fighting for the survival of their small town, which is being slowly consumed by rot and darkness. Interested in knowing more? I certainly was! 😉

I absolutely love it when a book takes a turn that my mind never predicted. "The Pecan Children does that and so much more. You think this is about saving a small town until phenomena like phantom fires and children being born from pecan trees start occurring.

Also, this book explores the bond between twin sisters, which I truly enjoyed. Their relationship was not always amicable, which led to character growth and tension that grounded this book in reality.

Regarding the pace, the first 30% of this book is aimed at getting the reader totally immersed in this small town that is slowly dying. I am from a small Southern town, so images of kudzu consuming the town and abandoned buildings helped me be fully present in the plot.

THEN, we get our first twist, and things start barreling forward. Once the first reveal happens, a lightbulb goes off in my mind as I realize all the small clues in the first 30 percent that led up to this moment. My advice: go in blind, trust the authors, and enjoy the magic.

If you liked "The Midnight Library," "Swamplandia!," or any magical realism books, you will be swept up by the setting and plot of this one. Overall, this was a unique read that transported me to a desperate town and left me with an ending I did not see coming!

My rating: 4.5⭐

This is such a unique and fun story. It did take a bit to get going, but once it did, I was hooked. The pecan harvest is such a unique experience.

THE PECAN CHILDREN by Quinn Connor

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Pecan Children

3.5 stars
A Southern Gothic with magical realism. Set on a pecan plantation in rural Arkansas where twin sisters grew up. Lil Clearwater works tirelessly in the pecan orchard left to her by her mother. Her balance is thrown off when her high school sweetheart returns to their depressed hometown. Sasha, Lil’s twin sister, has reluctantly returned back home from New York. Autumn, Sasha’s childhood crush is back in town also.

Confronted with ghosts of their past and family secrets. A quirky and haunting read, drenched in folklore.

The first half seemed a bit slow and second half was just okay for me. I did like the small southern town and the creepiness of the story. Many others have really liked this book. This is my first read from these authors and would read other books. Quinn Connor is one pen in two hands: Robyn Barrow and Alexandra Cronin.

This was a very interesting and unique southern gothic read sprinkled with magic and interesting characters. This will surely keep your attention. This gave my BIG Mexican Gothic VIBES! We follow Lil and Sasha through this book and the backdrop is a small town in Arkansas where mysterious things occur. Children literally fall from the pecan trees in this story and we have an eerie man who walks within the shadows who has a constant hunger.

The small town aspect gives you a little claustrophobic feel and the way that the authors wrote this book allows your to envision the book while you read. This book was a fast page turner and the characters were very well developed. This book will have your full attention to the very last page while you try to put together all the pieces.

Thank you @netgalley, @sourcebooks and author for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review. Pub Date: June 15, 2024.

I struggled to get into this one. I found it had a slow start. Neither the plot or the characters really hooked me in. I didn't love the writing style which felt overly descriptive to the derterment of narrative.

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.