Dark secrets, dangerous woods, murder, magick and mayhem, everything you need for an engaging read. This is a wonderful debut from a very talented writer.
Blackbirch: The Beginning has the kind of smart, sharp prose that makes it stand head and shoulders above the usual YA read. I highly recommend it. Author K.M. Allan has created a credible magickal world tied to our own, and built the very odd and spooky town of Blackbirch. I was so taken by the setting and its part as a key character in the story that I had to google blackbirch trees. It was so easy to imagine the cast and story playing out in the eerie forest as Allan's story had me racing along the pages to find out what happens next.
There is no wasted space on these pages, the action, dialogue and back stories are fabulous. The young characters Josh, Sarah, Eve, Kallie, along with Max weave the plot and develop well across the pages as they hint that there is so much more to them than they seem.
I particularly liked the magickal history and premise that sits behind this world, it's clever and a great framework for the plot.
Allan's creation of the Blackbirch bookstore reflects her skill as a writer, this is the perfect reflection of the larger world she's created; on the surface, modern kitch and cheap souvenirs downstairs, but upstairs, the deeper story, real magickal tomes and powerful devices that open the door to... Well, no spoilers here.
I'm so glad I was able to read an ARC of this story, though I've now bought my own copy.
Put it on your TBR list.
Bring on book 2 - and hurry!