Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young-Review

Spells For Forgetting will quickly have YOU forgetting how much you need to sleep. Prepare to willingly give up your beauty rest to Saoirse Island and all of the secrets that she hides. I am not one who generally enjoy reading a “whodunnit”, simply not my cup of tea. Truth be told, I had no clue what this book was even about when I picked it up as it was recommended by a friend whose recommendations I always accept as worthy of a try. So I went into this book with no plot expectations.

The novel begins on a ferry to Saoirse Island with one of our many narrators, August. This book does have several points of view but oddly enough, it worked. I never felt lost in the flow of the story even though it could seem choppy if you only read the table of contents. It worked for this novel. In fact, I don’t think the novel would have worked any other way. But back to the island. Saoirse is a small and tightly knit community that survives off of tourism. Their local orchard and multitude of shops are what keep the families who call the island home, up and running. These are families who have been there for centuries. This island is their past, present, and future. Few people leave that life behind and few outsiders come in to stay.

The island has her own old world magic that has been passed down from generation to generation. Many of the shops feature herbal remedies and spells. Most of the stronger magic is kept for the locals though. With these metaphysical aspects it has been very interesting to me how the author has created a modern crime story, mixed with magical elements and history, while intertwining a story about family, blood ties, loyalty, and the sins of our fathers.

I could not put this book down. Just when I had it figured out it pulled the rug out from under me. Buy this book. Read this book. Read it again. Learn some of the very real lessons on humanity that can be found within the pages. Read it for the pure pleasure of reading and the thrill of trying to figure it out. Prepare to lose sleep. It will call you in just as the island of Saoirse calls to her inhabitants. It won’t release you until it is done with you.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0593358511/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1664934566&sr=8-1