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Lauri Z. (Washington, DC)

Smothermoss
This book was one of the most intriguing books I have read in a long time. The story is woven with such sublime symbolic imagery that I had to slow down when I was reading it to take it all in. While the story is about two sisters living in Appalachia the author reveals many themes that I found relatable; among them are choices to be free from the ties that bind you, how the outside world creates narratives that can be woven into how one lives, if you listen closely enough, and how being different can be a blessing and a curse. The author did an extraordinary job with such subtlety of connecting me to the two sisters well beyond the end of the book, despite the fact that I live a very different life in a very different world.

Christine T. (Alma, WI)

Deep Mountain Magic
What a delightful, imaginative surprise. I loved the thoughtful weaving of old Appalachian magic with the stories of these sisters. This story felt deep and emotive. Alicia Aerling's storytelling truly evokes a unique sense of place. I felt like I was in the mountain and was stirred by the connection between the people, land, and folklore. This is a great fantasy read for lovers of wilderness and wildness. Loved it!

Carol F. (Lake Linden, MI)

Smothermoss
An intriguing story that captures you right from the first sentence. Two sisters who are at odds with each other until they discover that together they become stronger. Set in rural Appalachia the family is poor and the girls struggle to fit in at school.

The writing is so fluid that you want to keep reading to see how the narrative unfolds.
There is the otherworldly aspect to the story but I found it fit with the storyline and so had no difficulty accepting it. I would definitely read another book by Alisa Alering!

Jill

The Mountain
SMOTHERMOSS by Alisa Alering

The narration by Susan Bennett was very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC audiobook.

Sheila and Angie are step-sisters living in a rural area of 1980s Appalachia with their mother, Bonnie and Great Aunt Athena. Sheila, at the age of 17, carries a heavy burden of caring for the family rabbits, their aging great aunt, the gardens and the home along with going to school. However Angie, at the age of 12, is Shelia’s greatest worry. Angie fantasies about saving the world from evil—-obsessed with battling imaginary enemies, with nuclear war, the Russians, and the tarot-like cards she has created that speak to her in ways only she understands. Their mother works long hours at the asylum and the girls are left to defend for themselves a lot of the time.

I was drawn into this propulsive debut of dark rural gothic/fairytale magic/thriller, right from the beginning. The book is layered with nuance and subtle meanings. The writing is lyrical and beautifully executed. Tells the complex nature of sisterhood in rural Appalachia along with a bit of folklore living on the outskirts of this rural community and how the mountain plays a powerful role. Can’t wait to see what this author has for us next.

Jill

The Mountain
The narration by Susan Bennett was very well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the ARC audiobook.

Sheila and Angie are step-sisters living in a rural area of 1980s Appalachia with their mother, Bonnie and Great Aunt Athena. Sheila, at the age of 17, carries a heavy burden of caring for the family rabbits, their aging great aunt, the gardens and the home along with going to school. However Angie, at the age of 12, is Shelia’s greatest worry. Angie fantasies about saving the world from evil—-obsessed with battling imaginary enemies, with nuclear war, the Russians, and the tarot-like cards she has created that speak to her in ways only she understands. Their mother works long hours at the asylum and the girls are left to defend for themselves a lot of the time.

I was drawn into this propulsive debut of dark rural gothic/fairytale magic/thriller, right from the beginning. The book is layered with nuance and subtle meanings. The writing is lyrical and beautifully executed. Tells the complex nature of sisterhood in rural Appalachia along with a bit of folklore living on the outskirts of this rural community and how the mountain plays a powerful role. Can’t wait to see what this author has for us next.

Tracy B. (Pittsboro, NC)

Adolescent minds and magical
I remembered some of the adolescent fears that I had of the Russians and war. Magical thinking was a way that Angie was able to deal with the world. Sheila had the "rope" holding onto her.
The characters were vivid and very much alive to me. Outcasts, murder mystery, struggle to survive, often not knowing what is real or imagined. At first I struggled with the book then I was pulled into the life of this family. When it ended I wanted more. A cleverly written book.

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