Six of Sorrow-a standalone

By Amanda Linsmeier- new to me author

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐

Publication 6/25/24 Read 6/24/24

Format: e-book, 336 pgs. kindle

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC🩷 ! I voluntarily give an honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

✔️ YA/coming of age
✔️ fantasy
✔️ witches/magic spells
✔️ sisterhood/female friendship
✔️sapphic romance/LGBTQ+ rep
✔️family drama/found family
✔️mystery/thriller
✔️small town

Summary-Isabeau "Izzy" Monroe (16) had an unbreakable bond with five other girls born on the same day and connected in Sorrow, LA. Reuel is her only friend after a unknown rift that happened three years ago. Georgina, Cori, Solaina, and August ignore them and vice versa until one of them goes missing. They rally together to break the town's ancient, witch curse before they all disappear.

🤔My Thoughts-I liked Izzy as the narrator because she's truly clueless as to why her BFFs stopped speaking to her. Reuel was the only one who stayed, and we learned why as the story unfolds. The lore of Sorrow, the wishes, and all their mothers add to the mystery/suspense of what happened.

Overall, I enjoyed this queer, YA, mystery with true sisterhood but it had some repetition and drawn out scenes. The mentions of Georgina's stillborn brother, Reuel's deceased mother, and Ms. Kate having a twin kept being brought up. Also, the girls didn't need boyfriends because this book was about girl power. I still enjoyed it as a solid fantasy and sapphic romance.

A really fun, quick read, Six of Sorrow follows six girls who are seemingly cursed as they try to break the curse their mothers unknowingly put on them. This book was a fun read, although felt a little rushed at the end. It felt like every single conflict encountered throughout the entire story was all wrapped up in a neat bow within the last chapter. I wish there had been more development of the lore of Sorrow, or their curse, but it had a lot of buildup for a little bit of a flat ending for me.

Small town southern gothic YA with a perfectly creepy atmosphere, strong female characters, and that slightly witchy Louisiana vibe. Six estranged teens share the same birthday in the small town of Sorrow. On their sixteenth birthday, one girl goes missing and comes back changed. The girls come together to figure out exactly what is happening and how to stop it. Isabeau is a strong lead, the friendships are realistic and messy, and they don’t need a boy to save the day.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.

Thank you @penguinrandomhouse and @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was certainly a quick read and an interesting plot. The concept of six girls born on the same day seemingly fated to be friends, then seemingly cursed, is a pretty fabulous one. The plot played out nicely and was really enjoyable to follow. I had a few issues with the writing style, however. Personally, I don’t love present-tense books. This is an easy one to overcome though and I understand that’s entirely my own preference. The one that bugged me the most though was the clunky and unrefined use of foreshadowing. So many times someone would, say, look stressed, but then the author points out that “anyone would look stressed in this type of situation right?” as a way to theoretically explain away what was something else entirely. It was just super obvious and clunky and made you want to shake the main character for being so obviously obtuse. And the. There’s the big plot point of the main character’s original wish, which is then never addressed ever again? So the clunky foreshadowing-kinda-but-overly-obvious paired with that little point being completely forgotten about made it a bit of a struggle for me to get through, particularly the first half.

While that makes it sound like I didn’t like anything about the book that’s obviously not the case as I consumed it within 24 hours. Diverse representation was solid and the horror of high school, on top of the horror of ya know paranormal curses, was nicely demonstrated.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for accepting my request for an ACR of this book!
“We are surrounded by death”
2.75/5
After getting five chapters in I could finally pinpoint the vibes of this book, besides it having a tense overall theme it also reminded me of House of Hollow. When reading the book though I found it to jump from being tense to a slow pace. My other critique on it was that there was supposedly six main characters (Isabeau, Reuel, Georgina, Solaina, August, and Cori) it was made clear as I read on that Isabeau, Reuel, and Georgina were the main, main characters, even though we only got to really know Isabeau (because it was from her POV) but also a little bit of Reuel. I did enjoy the setting and getting to know the background of the town. I will say that I felt like it sounded like it was information dumping but not, since most of it came from the book in the story or Isabeau explaining to the reader.

Since I read a lot of books with a witchy theme, I couldn't pass this one up. Amanda Linsmeier is a new author for me.

Description:
For most of her life, Isabeau and her five best friends were inseparable—amazingly enough, the six girls even shared a birthday. Then a rift caused their friendships to fracture, and Iz lost everyone except Reuel, the only one who didn’t abandon her.

Until now. The night of their sixteenth birthday, Isabeau leaves Reuel sitting on her front porch and heads home—and in the morning, Reuel is missing. She’s gone for three days, and when she reappears, there’s something wrong with her. She’s sick. Really sick. And she doesn’t remember anything that happened while she was gone.

If there’s any bright side to the situation, it’s that Reuel’s peculiar disappearance brings the six girls back together. Their sisterhood feels as strong as it was years ago, but when another one of them disappears, they all agree that they must have more in common than simply their birthday. They all feel it. Something’s been waiting for them, and that something has come to claim them one by one.

Deep in their bones, they know—it’s just a matter of time until they they’re all taken. And if they don’t save themselves, no one will.

My Thoughts:
This fits perfectly in the YA genre, and I can see teens and young adults loving it. I fell into the story quickly and couldn't put the book down until I found out what was going on. It has kind of a creepy, horror feel to it with the girls disappearing and the smells and sickness. Loved the characters, especially Isabeau. I enjoyed how close the girls were with their friendship. The narrative is fast-paced and tense. It is a compelling read and I think anyone who likes a supernatural mystery will enjoy it.

Thanks to Delacorte Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

"Six of Sorrow" by Amanda Linsmeier is a compelling supernatural thriller that masterfully blends the eerie atmosphere of small-town life with the intensity of teenage friendships and mysterious disappearances. Set in Sorrow, Louisiana, the story revolves around six girls who were all born on the same day and shared an inseparable bond until a rift drove them apart. On their sixteenth birthday, the inexplicable disappearance of one of the girls, Reuel, sets off a chilling chain of events that reunites the group in a desperate attempt to uncover the truth behind the sinister occurrences.

Linsmeier's writing captures the essence of a spooky, witch-laden town with an undercurrent of dread that keeps readers on edge. The camaraderie and complex dynamics between the girls are beautifully portrayed, making their reunion both touching and fraught with tension. Each character is distinct, adding depth to the narrative and making the stakes feel personal and high.

The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists, as the girls realize that their shared birthday might not be their only connection. The supernatural elements are well-integrated, creating a sense of imminent danger that builds to a satisfying climax. The town of Sorrow itself feels like a character, its history and secrets adding layers to the mystery.

While the story is gripping, some aspects could have been explored more deeply. The resolution, while satisfying, felt a bit rushed, leaving a few loose ends that might have benefited from further development. Nonetheless, the overall experience is engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.

"Six of Sorrow" is perfect for fans of young adult horror and supernatural thrillers, offering a captivating blend of mystery, magic, and the enduring power of friendship. Many thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It's got a Practical Magic reference and therefore, I am sold on it. There's nothing like the friendship between teenage girls, and this is another great story capturing the complex dynamic. The capacity of teen girls for fury and forgiveness. That's the real magic.

I could have actually gone with this being about a hundred pages longer. There's a rich source of lore in this book and while I love that we focus on our main character in the present and how she finds her inner strength and conviction, but the history of Sorrow would be interesting as well. Don't worry, Iz's story is fully complete and her growth arc is beautiful, but I would not have blinked at spending more time in the lore.

I was genuinely unnerved at the last 20% or so of the book, as the threat became clearer and more powerful. I don't recommend reading this in the dark unless you're looking to get the creeps - I had to turn a light on when I finished and tried to go to bed.

Girl power in it's best form, and the truth the friendships only end when we let them. Definitely recommend.

I loved the overall plot and mystery! The characters were entertaining and wholesome. The pacing was well done and the atmosphere of the whole book was unique!

Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier is a captivating and eerie book that had me flipping pages super fast so I could know what happens next.

Isabeau has always been close to her five best friends, all of whom share the same birthday. However, a rift had fractured their once inseparable bond, leaving Isabeau with only Reuel by her side. On the night of their sixteenth birthday, Reuel mysteriously disappears, only to reappear three days later with no memory of what happened and a strange illness. This event forces the girls to reunite and confront the dark forces that seem to be targeting them.

One of the highlights of the book is the relationship between Isabeau and Reuel. Their bond is beautifully portrayed and adds an emotional core to the story. The other girls, while intriguing, could have been more developed as characters overall. Georgina had the most character development, while August, Solaina, and Cori could have been a bit more fleshed out.

The small-town setting enhances the creepy and atmospheric vibe of the book. The gothic elements and the idea of a shared birthday among the girls contribute to the overall sense of dread and mystery. The town itself feels like a character, adding to the book's haunting ambiance.

I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging the moms' stories were as well. Usually, the adult characters in YA novels don't capture my interest, but here, their backgrounds and involvement in the unfolding mystery were compelling. It added an unexpected depth to the story.

Overall, Six of Sorrow is a quick yet haunting read that I'd recommend. It’s a perfect blend of horror, mystery, and emotional depth that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you enjoy stories with gothic vibes and a small-town setting, this book is definitely for you.

For a young adult horror novel, this definitely had its creepy moments and I wish I had been able to read this when I was younger because I think I would have appreciated it more.

Although the premise itself sounded intriguing, the inconsistent pacing and lack of characterization lost me. I didn’t dislike any of the characters, and I even found myself attached to a couple of them more than I expected, but for the most part they felt a little one-dimensional.

It was an enjoyable read and I would recommend it to those looking for a fun, spooky time. But it would have benefitted from additional backstory, a more drawn out ending, and lengthening of the book itself to provide the audience with real fodder for caring about each of these six girls.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Delacorte Press for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions.
I had never read Amanda Linsmeier before, but I was drawn to the cover of Six of Sorrow, and the premise also sounded appealing. I was immediately drawn into the book and the atmosphere Linsmeir created.
Isabeau is relatable as she is navigating the complex dynamics of growing up and growing apart from her close-knit friend group, and all the issues that can come with them all exploring different paths that take them into radically different friend groups within the social hierarchy of high school. She has one remaining close friend at the start, Reuel, but her disappearance serves as the catalyst for the events of the book.
The story leans into the interpersonal drama, with the friend group reassembling for Reuel’s sake, to investigate what’s going on with her, as well as dig into the town’s secrets. But there’s also intrigue and suspense, and I was excited to learn more about the town of Sorrow in the process.
This was a solid read, and I’m open to reading more from Amanda Linsmeier in the future. I’d recommend this to readers interested in a YA horror novel that also focuses on friendship.

SIX OF SORROW is an emotionally thrilling tale of love and loss and redemption. Of six strong girls who take their destinies into their own hands, who fight against the odds and discover more than they could possibly imagine about themselves, their families and the world around them.
Amanda Linsmeier’s ability to weave magic and intrigue through the pages will keep you thinking “one more chapter” until the end.
From the beautifully eerie setting of the town of Sorrow, to the mystery of six girls all born on the same day, SIX OF SORROW will easily become your next favorite read.

This was familiar and cozy and I loved it.

I absolutely love a witchy story, especially with a sapphic sprinkle in it. Did I find some parts to be predictable, yes but I still throughly enjoyed it.

This gives Practical Magic and Charmed vibes, kids of the 90's will love it.


Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

This book blew me away. It had gorgeous writing, spooky moments that freaked me out, and a cast of characters that I loved.

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the cover and I'm so glad I decided to read it. I loved the magical side that the author created, I loved the spookiness and the uncertainty of what was making the girls so ill. This was one of those books that I could surprisingly see playing out like a movie in my head, which doesn't happen often. The author did such a great job of describing all of the details so it was easy for me to picture and really added a lot to the story for me. I loved all of the characters especially Iz and how much love she had for all of her friends. A lot of her childhood and growing up I could relate to in many different ways so I felt a special connection with her character.

I'm so excited to have a new favorite author to auto buy everything she writes. This is a book that's going to stick with me and I'll be thinking about for awhile.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It was clear something “other” was happening when six girls were born on the same day, especially when they all went to school together. And their mothers were keeping so many secrets, I needed to know what secrets they were keeping.

It took me a while to get into Iz’s frame of mind as she seemed a bit immature at first. But as the story settled in, she seemed to find her place in the story. I liked the creepy vibe, and that girls were falling sick with no clear indication as to what was causing it.

Overall, a fun read.

i think this story was very good, there is a few faults -pacing, generic characters etc. it was interesting enough to grab my attention with out making me feel too bored. rating 3/5 stars

In the town of Sorrow, Isabeau & her five best friends were inseparable for years, until one day something happened and the group fractured.....then it was just Isabeau & Reuel. What was even weirder was the fact that all six of the girls had the exact same birthdate. The night of their sixteenth birthday, Isabeau & Reuel go to the cemetery to spend time together and celebrate their shared birthdays. Afterwards, Isabeau leaves Reuel sitting on her front porch and goes home, only to find out the next morning that Reuel has gone missing. Reuel stays gone for two days, and when she reappears, there’s something really wrong with her. She’s very sick and she doesn’t remember anything that happened while she was gone. The only bright side to Reuel's disappearance is that it reunites the six girls. When another one of them disappears, they all agree that they must have more in common than simply their birthday. They all feel like something's watching them & waiting for them, and that something has come to claim them one by one.

This book was so good. It was creepy - in a good way - and definitely suspenseful. It had a bit of a "Yellowjackets" vibe to it only darker. I loved the entire cast of characters and thought the premise was fresh and & original. I think I would characterize this best as light horror, so if you enjoy this genre, then you will definitely want to check this out. Even though it was technically a YA book, adults will enjoy this one as well.

I received a free copy of this book from @delacortepress through @netgalley I am leaving this review voluntarily. 

📚Six of Sorrows by Amanda Linsmeier Six girls from Sorrow Island born on the same day. All of them were best friends until a few years ago.  Now on their 16th birthday one goes missing only to return sick, then another goes missing and the other girls start having strange visions and dreams. As the other girls try to figure out what is happening their parents seem to be trying to hide something. 

This is a spooky, atmostpheric YA book filled with magic, mystery and lgbtq representation. I loved the strong female protagonist whose character grows as the book proceeds. The group of friends are all diverse and have their own personalities and aren't just robotic copies of each other. The power of friendship and self discovery are key in this witchy tale. I loved the historical information the girls delve into as they try to solve the mystery of what is happening to their friends and may happen to them. 

I really loved this twisty turny female centered mystery.  Its got great creepy elements and didn't fly off into something too improbable, which it totally could have done. If you like YA and magic you may enjoy this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte for an early copy. The whole premise of this story sounded very intriguing to me but unfortunately overall, it fell flat for me. I did like the mystery, and it was a quick and easy read. I really liked the girl’s friendship when they rekindled. This book really shows you how strong love can be. As good of a message that there was, I honestly don’t have many thoughts towards the story. I liked parts of it and I had issues with other parts but I don’t really have too many positive or negative things to say.

If you are into witchcraft and mystery, this book is right up your alley, and it comes out in less than a week! If this sounds like something you will enjoy, make sure to mark your calendars for June 25th.