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by Quinn Connor
For fans of The Midnight Library and Demon Copperhead comes a breathtaking story of magical realism about two sisters, deeply tied to their small Southern town, fighting to break free of the darkness swallowing the land—and its endless cycle of pecan harvests—whole.
How long will you hold on when your world is gone?
In a small southern pecan town, the annual harvest is a time of both celebration and heartbreak. Even as families are forced to sell their orchards and move away, Lil Clearwater, keeper of a secret covenant with her land, swears she never will. When her twin Sasha returns to the dwindling town in hopes of reconnecting with the girl her heart never forgot, the sisters struggle to bridge their differences and share the immense burden of protecting their home from hungry forces intent on uprooting everything they love.
But there is rot hiding deep beneath the surface. Ghostly fires light up the night, and troubling local folklore is revealed to be all too true. Confronted with the phantoms of their pasts and the devastating threat to their future, the sisters come to the stark realization that in the kudzu-choked South, nothing is ever as it appears.
You can see the full discussion in our legacy forum here. This discussion will contain spoilers!
Some of the recent comments posted about The Pecan Children:
At what point did you suspect time didn’t flow normally around Clearwater Orchard? What hints did you find, either while reading or in hindsight?
I think the fires that people saw - the ones that weren't really there - or hadn't happened yet - were my first indication. Then the closed road made more sense - not that it was still closed but that they were working on it but it was ... - taking.mytime
At what point in the book did you begin to suspect Theon was more than he initially appeared? What do you think he represents?
I was very skeptical of Theon and was not sure in the beginning that he was not just a figment of Lil's imagination. Maybe her overworked mind playing tricks on her. I realized after the Jason incident that he was a shape shifter. Then looking ... - taking.mytime
Autumn feels she’s “never more peaceful than when she’s baking.” Why do you suppose this is? Is there some activity you’ve taken up that engenders this feeling in you that you turn to when you’re stressed?
Autumn feels needed when she bakes. Regardless of where she is it brings her home. It is her way of reaching out and helping others. It is relaxing for her. I sleep when I am extremely stressed. It is my way of escaping. And I will often wake with a ... - taking.mytime
Did the characters’ endings feel earned? What do you imagine happens to Lil, Sasha, Autumn, and Wyn after the epilogue? What feeling lingered with you at the end of the book?
I liked that Lil got to leave - altho believe she will be back. The rest of them staying was no surprise. They will stay caught in the time loop for as long as it exists. - taking.mytime
Early in the book Sasha thinks, “She could flee. She could hitchhike straight out of here to that…city where the fresh starts are.” Why do you suppose she doesn’t?
I agree with the others Sasha is waiting for Autumn They have a history together that she can't put aside. - caroln
"A sultry Southern gothic…With lyrical prose and a rich seam of folklore, Connor artfully braids satisfying mystery and romance subplots, creating an abiding sense of unease. This story of crumbling grandeur and family secrets will leave readers hungry for more." ―Publishers Weekly
"A captivating blend of horror, southern charm, and unapologetic queer representation that redefines the boundaries of family and love...a fresh and compelling take on both horror and family dynamics, leaving readers spellbound until the very last page. It's a masterful exploration of the intersection between darkness and light, tradition and progress, making it a must-read for fans of literary horror and inclusive storytelling." ―Booklist
"Tangled in the twisted roots of where the past and present meet, The Pecan Children is a haunting story of survival, limned with touches of magic. Fans of Delia Owens and Alix E. Harrow will enjoy this beautifully written, modern-day southern gothic wrapped in pecan vines, heartache, and hope." ―Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café
"With creeping claustrophobia and a filter of the surreal over lushly detailed lives, The Pecan Children captures both the magic and despair of trying to hold onto home when the world is determined to take it away from you." ― Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Mister Magic
"With lyricism that commands attention, The Pecan Children offers a soulful exploration of the familial on an untamed and lush stage of what remains of the gathering commons." ―Monica Brashears, author of House of Cotton
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Quinn Connor is one pen in two hands: Robyn Barrow and Alexandra Cronin. An Arkansan and a Texan, when they aren't writing, they're arguing about the differences between queso and cheese dip. Both writers from young ages, Robyn and Alexandra met in college and together developed their unique co-writing voice. They are very thankful that no matter what, there's always one other person in the world who cares about their characters as much as they do. Robyn is a PhD candidate in art history at the University of Pennsylvania. When she isn't scavenging cheese and free wine at lectures, she spends her days happily exploring crumbling medieval churches. Alexandra is a North Texas transplant living in Brooklyn with her monstrous cat, Prosper, working in PR to fund her writing habit. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city for a new favorite restaurant, topping off her tea, and amassing a collection of winter coats. Unless Robyn is trekking in Iceland, or Alexandra is chasing down rumors of homemade pasta in Park Slope, they write every day. It's their preferred form of conversation.
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