Eva Behnam lives in a cottage at the edge of the woods. She's not exactly a witch, she simply is from another race and world than the one where she lives now, and that Elassi heritage means she has powers that the people around her don't. So, they label her a witch.
At the beginning of the book, Eva is reeling from the worst sort of breakup, the kind where you discover the person you loved was only pretending to love you, but actually using you for some purpose of their own. By nature a healer, Eva is discovering that your own hurts are often the hardest to heal. But, by reaching out to those around her and helping them heal, she finds the rest and balm she needs herself.
This book is a celebration of kindness, helpfulness, friendship, patience, and perseverance. Although it hasn't eclipsed A Little Beside You as my favorite book by Jenni Sauer, I think it may be her most beautiful book yet, inside and out. If there was ever such a thing as cottage-core sci-fi, this is it.
Particularly Good Bits:
"My mother always said in every situation, you have two options: to either help or to hinder. There's nowhere in the middle to rest. And I'd rather help" (p. 50).
...the thing she hated most about friendship was allowing her friends to make choices she knew were the wrong ones (p. 71).
"You are not alone. And you don't have to ever apologize for hurting" (p. 83).
If This was a Movie, I Would Rate It: PG-13 for difficult topics including infant loss/miscarraige, spousal abuse and child abuse (mental, physical, and emotional), and attempted marital rape (very obliquely referenced). No cussing or smut, but some physical violence.
This has been my 44th book read from my TBR shelves for #TheUnreadShelfProject2023.
This sounds so sweet.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I could see you gobbling this one up. Women-supporting-women themes, good and kind men who step up to give help/sanctuary to women and children in crisis, past trauma given new perspective and a chance to heal... so much going on here!
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