The Fabled Earth is a historical novel set on Cumberland Island, Georgia. In 1932, a hunting party goes out of control and lives are irreparably changed. In 1959, three women (a painter, a folklorist, and an innkeeper) look into what happened at that faithful party.

I wanted to read this novel because I'm a Georgia native and the Cumberland Island setting was intriguing. I also love historical fiction and found the dual timeline story interesting.

This is an engrossing and well written novel with exceptional period details. The author does a wonderful job at depicting another time and place. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend The Fabled Earth to other historical fiction readers!

THE FABLED EARTH by Kimberly Brock is a work of historical fiction set on Cumberland Island off the coast of Southern Georgia. Events in the story take place in two time periods: 1932 when a young debutante (Joanna Burton), an aspiring artist (wonderfully named Cleo Woodbine), and wealthy young men are staying at a Carnegie family retreat named Plum Orchard. One evening, too much alcohol and scary storytelling results in death and transformed lives. The other time period is 1959 amidst the struggle for civil rights and integration. Cleo, now older and reclusive, still lives near the island and is visited by Joanna's daughter, Frances Flood, a folklorist, who forms a friendship with young Audrey Howell, newly widowed and running the local inn. History still resonates, and tensions exist between local families, including questions of class and race. Attraction and romance simmers, too, for all three women, as Brock includes a former railroad man (Tate Walker), a ghost tour guide (Rosey Devane) and an activist with native American roots (Will Tremmons). The publisher describes the book by saying, "Southern mythology and personal reckoning collide in this sweeping story..." – for me, the start was almost too slow (languid, like our stereotypes of the rural South), but I came to appreciate the haunting atmosphere and to care for the varied characters; plus, the audio book is fantastic.

Set on Cumberland Island in the Georgia coastal area, this book follows the lives of three women, Frances, who is dealing with the loss of her mother and attempting to fulfill her deadbed request; Audrey, only 20 years old and dealing with the tragic loss of her husband; and Cleo whose storyline basically threads everything together.

The novel juggles so many plotlines and was a bit overwhelming at times. As so many authors tend to do now, it flips back and forth between two separate timelines and then attempts to bring everything together at the end. The book is long and I am not 100% certain I completely understand everything that happened.

WoW......The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock was a beautifully written book with.an eye catching cover that just took my breath away, I was so sad to finish it. I just love getting into a book that grabs me from the very first few pages, especially as Kimberly is a new author to me and I will be looking to read more books by this new author to me.

The Fabled Earth is told in dual timelines of 1932 and 1959 and tells the story of Cleo Woodbine who is a painter. Back in 1959, Cleo has lived pretty much as a recluse, ever since what happened on a night in 1932 that changed all the lives of all were involved forever.

Then, Cleo is visited by the man who saved her life nearly thirty years earlier, a tempest is unleashed as the stories of the past gather and begin to regain their strength. Frances Flood is a folklorist come to Cumberland Island seeking the source of a legend, he also has information about her mother, who was among the guests at a long-ago hunting party. Audrey Howell, briefly a newlywed and now newly widowed, is running a local inn. When she develops an eerie double exposure photograph, some believe she's raised a ghost--someone who hasn't been seen since that fateful night in 1932.

I loved this book especially as its not a book I would of read or chosen - So glad the cover and title caught my eye.

I highly recommend this book.

Big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Focus / Harper Muse for my ARC.

Set on Cumberland Island, GA, this dual timeline novel is a mystical, magical Southern tale that weaves the characters together in until their truths are revealed. Kimberly’s descriptions set the scenes in motion and her settings become another character in the story. Many places in the South have a secret past that’s handed down from generation to generation with their own hidden histories. When The Fabled Earth reveals its history, lives will be changed. Don’t miss this lyrical Southern tale by Kimberly Brock.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this. What an enchanting gem overflowing with Southern lore, mythology, ghosts from the past, and all the feels of a book within a book. It’s about stories of lives told, real or not, where folktale meets the truth revealing mysteries and hidden secrets of the island. Of stories that need to be told, especially of one night in 1932 (which currently still lives on in 1959). There’s so many things I enjoyed starting with the atmospheric setting in and around Cumberland Island, strong female influences, the mystery aspect and a once-in-a-century storm. This is a great example of conflicts relating to the South at the time; -racism, classism and gender inequality. The dual timelines of 1932 and 1959 and multiple POVs tell the fascinating stories of Cleo, Audrey and Francis, and of decisions made that have a reckoning that follows them to the end of their days. This has to be my favorite historical of the year. Bravo to Brock for writing this incredibly immersive, escapist novel. 5 stars — Pub. 10/1/24

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Thank you, Partner @bibliolifestyle @harpermusebooks for the review copy of The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock.

What type of setting would you like to see more of? I love books set in the South and would love to see and read more of them.
In 1932 on Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia, Cleo Woodbine has come to work as a companion to a visitor of the Carnagie family who still maintain an estate on the island. She also wants to explore the island that inspired her grandfather who wrote a classic book of fables as the resident artist of the Carnegies. What dramatic events will occur that will change the lives of so many?

In 1959, Cleo Woodbine is a famous artist and recluse who lives alone on Kingdom Come, a tiny strip of land where the servants from Cumberland Island once lived. Frances Flood has come to visit and find out the truth of what happened to her mother in 1932. Will she uncover secrets from the past?

My thoughts on this novel:
• This story is told in a very interesting way. There are three points of view in 1959 – Cleo, Frances, and Aubrey, a young widow that runs a local inn. The viewpoint told in 1932 is that of “Fable.” It was a great story, but I always wondered how much of it was true, and how much it was a “fable” told through Cleo’s eyes. 1932 was also the story of what happened when Cleo told a “fable” that impacted many lives.

• I enjoyed both the 1932 and 1959 stories equally.

• I loved the main characters and the stories of Cleo, Frances, and Aubrey. The secondary characters were also full-bodied and interesting as well.

• I liked how the mountain lion eludes hunters in both timelines and has lived for thirty years.

• The mystery of 1939 and what exactly happened intrigued me, but the richness of the rest of the story and characters also made me savor the story.

• I loved the setting. I am ready to visit Cumberland Island now. I looked up pictures of the island and both the natural setting and historic buildings are beautiful.

• A great author’s note at the end describes the author’s research into Cumberland Island and its history.

• I enjoyed how a circus train was brought into the story.

• It was interesting how the book goes through societal changes that are occurring and how they impact this community.

Favorite Quotes:
“She let herself recall the days when it had seemed their whole lives waiting beyond the horizon. But their story had turned out to be a fable, a cautionary tale.”

“I thought about Korea. Troops were integrated there. I saw what they could be like and what it should be. I figured it was maybe a place to start. But there’s some that just can’t stop fighting an old battle.”

“What did she know about any of this? Only that fear and blame ended up making monsters out of shadows, and fools out of even the most well-meaning men.”

Overall, The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock was a compelling well written story, with fascinating characters and a great historical mystery.

Title: The Fabled Earth
Author:  Kimberly Brock  
Genre: historical fiction   
Rating:  4.5 out of 5

1932. Cumberland Island off the coast of Southern Georgia is a strange place to encounter the opulence of the Gilded Age, but the last vestiges of the famed philanthropic Carnegie family still take up brief seasonal residence in their grand mansions there. This year's party at Plum Orchard is a lively young men from some of America's finest families come to experience the area's hunting beside a local guide; a beautiful debutante expecting to be engaged by the week's end, and a promising female artist who believes she has meaningful ties to her wealthy hosts. But when temptations arise and passions flare, an evening of revelry and storytelling goes horribly awry. Lives are both lost and ruined.

1959. Reclusive painter Cleo Woodbine has lived alone for decades on Kingdom Come, a tiny strip of land once occupied by the servants for the great houses on nearby Cumberland. When she is visited by the man who saved her life nearly thirty years earlier, a tempest is unleashed as the stories of the past gather and begin to regain their strength. Frances Flood is a folklorist come to Cumberland Island seeking the source of a legend - and also information about her mother, who was among the guests at a long-ago hunting party. Audrey Howell, briefly a newlywed and now newly widowed, is running a local inn. When she develops an eerie double exposure photograph, some believe she's raised a ghost--someone who hasn't been seen since that fateful night in 1932.

As a once-in-a-century storm threatens the natural landscape and shifting tides reveal what Cumberland Island has hidden all along, two timelines and the perspectives of three women intersect to illuminate the life-changing power of finding truth in a folktale.

I enjoyed both timelines of this novel a lot! The setting was such a large part of the story, from Kingdom Come itself, to the small town on the island, and Plum Orchard—all are vivid and memorable. I love how myth and fable are twisted into the story, adding depth and flavor, and all the characters are believable and poignant Such a good read!

Kimberly Brock is a bestselling author. The Fabled Earth is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Harper Muse in exchange for an honest review.)

While this book was richly written by a popular author, it was just not for me. It was very informative & just a tad slow paced for me.

The Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock is a book that will embed itself in your mind. This dual timeline novel weaves the stories of past and present so expertly, you cannot help but immerse yourself within its pages. With the backdrop of Cumberland Island, three characters seek answers and find the unexpected in a beautifully symphonic plot. Prepare to be mesmerized by the poetry of the setting, the complex characters, and the masterful story Brock unfolds before you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone

Kimberly Brock's Fabled Earth is a beautiful story that sweeps readers into Cumberland Island, Georgia's hauntingly beautiful and mysterious landscape. This dual-timeline novel, set in 1932 and 1959, masterfully intertwines Southern mythology, historical fiction, and personal reckonings, offering a deeply immersive reading experience.

Brock's vivid prose immerses you in Cumberland Island's unique and dangerous atmosphere, making the setting a central character in the novel. You can almost feel the island's untamed wilderness, the fading grandeur of the Carnegie mansions, and the tension between past and present.

At the heart of Fabled Earth are three compelling women—Cleo, Frances, and Audrey—whose lives are intricately connected across time. Brock weaves their narratives with an expert hand, revealing the complexities of their inner worlds while exploring broader themes of loss, legacy, and the weight of untold stories. Each woman faces her own reckoning, shaped by the island's mythology and the real tragedies that haunt its shores. Cleo, in particular, is a fascinating character, her reclusive life as a painter hiding a past filled with secrets. At the same time, Frances' search for truth and Audrey's eerie, ghostly photograph add mystery and intrigue to the story.

What makes Fabled Earth genuinely remarkable is how Brock blends Southern folklore with historical fact, creating a timeless story rooted in the land itself. Much like the characters, the island's secrets are revealed slowly, as the truth of what happened in 1932 is unraveled piece by piece. The result is a captivating mystery that keeps readers hooked until the final, breathtaking revelation.

In short, Fabled Earth is a beautifully told, atmospheric novel that offers a richly immersive escape and a thoughtful meditation on history, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of the past. Kimberly Brock has crafted a book that will linger with readers long after the last page is turned—an unforgettable journey into the heart of the American South. This book is a must-read for fans of Southern Gothic.

*The Fabled Earth is not just a novel; it's a masterpiece that will captivate you on every level. With its rich character development, evocative setting, and profound themes, this book is an unforgettable journey. While some elements may seem intricate, the overall experience is deeply satisfying and thought-provoking.

I **highly recommend** The Fabled Earth to anyone who loves historical and Southern fiction. Its unique blend of myth, memory, and personal transformation offers an enriching reading experience like no other. If you appreciate character-driven narratives or enjoy richly descriptive prose, this book is a must-read. It will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on you.

An impending storm, salty breezes, and a ramshackle cottage in the briny marsh of Cumberland Island is the backdrop for a family saga laced with folklore. Cumberland Island, off the coast of Georgia, is Kimberly Brock’s setting for this mysteriously tragic tale of an annual bonfire party gone awry. The novel unfolds from the perspective of three main characters. Cleo Woodbine’s account of the fateful night, aptly named Fable, set in 1932, alternates with her current life story told in the 1959 timeline. Readers are transported to the southern coastline in 1959 through two other main characters; Frances, connected by her mother to the bonfire tragedy and Audrey, a young, widowed photographer searching for purpose.
Brock’s pacing of the plot and smooth transitions through the two timelines adds palpable urgency. The Fable timeline, with cringeworthy details of Cleo’s experiences with the entitled young people, increases the suspense. Through Cleo’s moment by moment account Brock accurately captures the fears and emotions leading to turning points in the rowdy, roller coaster of events during the weekend of revelry near the river. The German folktale known as Lorelei is woven into the anxiousness and the tragic outcome surrounding the storytelling competition at the bonfire. Like the tale of Lorelei, the Fable timeline plunges readers into the murky waters to follow the siren, only to surface, gasping for air, as Cleo gets closer and closer to the truth.
Kimberly Brock’s search for truth in family stories wrapped in a sailor’s folktale makes The Fabled Earth a suspenseful mystery with a breathtaking view of new-found life on the rocky shore.

📖 Book Review: the Fabled Earth by Kimberly Brock 📖


Kimberly Brock has fashioned an enchanting Southern fiction set off the coast of Georgia. It’s 1959, Cleo Woodbine, a reclusive artist, has lived alone for over 30 years on a tiny patch of land, called Kingdom Come off Cumberland Island. Cleo is both admired for her paintings of the fantastical characters found in a famed book of folktales written by her grandfather, and feared for the “Glory” she is thought to concoct to make people see and believe what she wants.” One day a letter arrives, unleashing ghosts from the past. Cleo is transported to 1932, to a party on Plum Orchard, she and a group of young people set off for a night of revelry and storytelling around a bonfire. A series of unexpected events unfold - passions flare, lives are lost, reputations ruined, and the myth of the Revery river siren is born.

I was thoroughly taken in by this emersive tale about the messy ties that bind us to the past, loss, redemption, and the slippery fish that is memory. The Fabled Earth would make a perfect book club selection. Brock gives the reader an ensemble of richly drawn characters, some you will love and some you will love to hate. A story with a strong sense of place and the changing tides of time, and where stories blur the line between reality and myth. And no Southern tale would be complete without a long string of secrets to untangle.

Many thanks to the author @KimberlyBrock, @HarperMuse and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Actions have consequences that can last a lifetime as they resonant through the lives of every witness to an event in 1932. The circles will still be expanding in 1959 when an ousider questions the fables that have grown for the last 27 years. Each story started with a grain of truth, then grew to fit the needs of the person who owns that fable. Celine has lived here her whole adult life and knows how much truth has been told and how much is still hidden. When a young woman comes looking for her mother's truth, Celine will pull away the curtains to finally tell the whole truth.
Kimberly Brock has done an excellent job of building the stories and the charcters into a believable mix of every extreme you'd find in a Southern tourist laden town such as Cumberland Island. Both timelines bear the weight of the lives of those who'd never left the island and those who'd left the first chance they had. When you mix the back stories with the individual fables, you'll heave a long sigh when done. A book to be savored.

A master of Southern storytelling, Kimberly Brock, returns with her latest masterpiece, THE FABLED EARTH, following the success of The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare. Her unique storytelling style, blending Southern charm, historical fiction, mystery, and a touch of magic, will surely captivate readers.

From the striking front cover that evokes the Southern landscape to the picturesque haunted setting and the dual timelines that weave through the region's rich history—THE FABLED EARTH is a journey that will immerse readers in the unique culture and landscape of the South from beginning to end.

About...

Cumberland Island —Georgia Coast

1932. The Carnegie family comes seasonally to visit the island with the grand mansions, wealth, luxury, and America's finest families. Young men come to hunt. There are parties with debutantes hoping to be engaged to the next rich young man. A party at Plum Orchard turns deadly. A young heiress and a young female artist (her chaperone). By the end of the stay, two are dead.

1959. The reclusive artist Cleo Woodbine has lived for decades on a tiny strip of land (Kingdom Come) once occupied by servants for the rich near Cumberland. She is visited by a man who saved her life 30 years earlier.

Frances Flood is a folklorist who visits Cumberland Island to seek the source of a legend and information about her mother, who was among the guests at a long-ago hunting party.

Audrey Howell, a newlywed/now newly widowed, is running a local inn. When she develops an eerie double-exposure photograph, some believe a ghost—who hasn't been seen since that fateful night in 1932.

From the perspectives of three women and two timelines, their lives connect. A folktale meets reality when this rich, complex, and lyrical Southern tale unveils hidden truths of the past.

My thoughts...

MESMERIZING! Rich in history and character—Southern storytelling at its finest! Exquisite and lyrical, infused with mystery and intrigue, Kimberly DAZZLES! Top Books of 2024.

THE FABLED EARTH is an evocative, rich Southern folklore and mythology tapestry. Brock weaves a hauntingly beautiful, all-encompassing narrative, as is the Southern landscape itself, making it a must-read for fans of these themes.

Brock captivates in this lush, rich, fully immersive, enthralling magical tale as the characters come alive on the page with their depth and complexity.

Come and meet the characters and strong women who survived the storms in Kimberly Brock's latest masterpiece, full of mystery, twists, and intrigue. THE FABLED EARTH is a perfect selection for book clubs and further discussions. Topics: race, class, prejudice, and the power of stories.

Audiobook...

The audiobook, narrated by the dazzling Cassandra Campbell (a favorite), is a must-listen! Brock and Campbell are a perfect match! Her voice, a favorite among many, was perfect for the three women, and I highly recommend it for an enhanced reading experience.

Recs...

Cleverly crafted and beautifully written—for fans of the author and those who enjoy works of Sarah Addison Allen, Alice Hoffman, Kate Morton, Delia Owens, and Patti Callahan Henry.

#AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A...

Sign up for my newsletter for my upcoming #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A ride with Kimberly, where we delve behind THE FABLED EARTH and explore the mind of this multi-talented author. Don't miss this exciting opportunity on Oct 1.

Special thanks to HarperCollins Focus and Harper Muse for an advanced review copy (e-book) and listening copy (audio) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
Oct 2024 Must-Read Books
Oct #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A
Oct Newsletter

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I thought this story was decent enough, however it didn't always hold my interest. If anything this book seemed to be very similar to both Where the Crawdads Sing and The Cliffs -- both of which have been picked by Reese Witherspoon for her Book Club BOTM picks. That makes me wonder if this book may be picked by Reese too. She does often pick books that are released on the first Tuesday of each month and this book is set to be released on Tuesday, October 1st. Coinicidentally Cassandra Campbell was also a narrator for all three of these books audio versions. With that being said, this story wasn't horrible but didn't hold my interest throughout all parts of the story unfortunately. I will probably pick this book up again later and try it at another date though.
Many thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

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This is my first book by Kimberly Brock. I almost didn't read/listen to it. I'm so very happy that I did. It was so good. A bit of magic mixed in with history. Descriptions that took my breath away. This book had so many feelings. It kept me turning the pages. Even a couple of things that I was afraid would not be cleared up certainly were. In the best way.

This is about three women. More but mostly three. Cleo, Audrey, and Frances. A few secondary characters that you will love. Maybe a couple you won't like but they may grow on you. But the story is about a town and a small island. About things that happened in the past that shaped how the future of the town would be. Back when people were discriminated against for the color of their skin and ethnic makeup. Be it Black or Indian.

You learn a lot about each women throughout. Each chapter is told from or about each one with Fables written in at times to keep you knowing what happened back when Cleo was young and had first come to the island. The friendships that some made. How the boys/men pretty much did what they wanted. They didn't have many cares. They drank and pretended to hunt. Had parties and bonfires. You get to know a few of the boys better.

The magic of the water. The tunnels that run under some buildings. The library. And the theatre. I loved reading about these things. It makes you feel like you are right there. The boarding house and the boy named Jimmy. I adored him.

This book is well researched. I listened to that Author's notes at the end of the audio and it was very interesting. I think she did a great job with this book. It's a wonderful story.

Thank you #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsFocus, #HarperMuse, for this ARC. This is my true thoughts about this book.

Five big stars.

I was soooo excited for this read, after really enjoying The Lost Book of Eleanor Dare when it released.

Alas, _The Fabled Earth_ wasn't up to par for me. The writing was stilted; I never got particularly invested in the characters; and the multiple narrators and time frames ended up confusing me more than anything. There was also more language than I personally desire, and a few allusions to content issues as well.

Ultimately a DNF at this time; a bummer, as Brock is a talented author. I'd recommend Eleanor Dare instead.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This tale of secrets and lies moves between 1932 and 1959 to tell the story not only of a family but also of Cumberland Island. Much has been sad about Brock's lyrical prose- this is a very atmospheric novel. It tilts at times to the purple but is pulled back. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.