Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #602: The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: The brand-new series from the bestselling author of Practical Magic, following two brilliant young women in 1950s Cambridge, Massachusetts, as they become immersed in a mysterious secret group of witches at Radcliffe known as the Lilith Society.

Once upon a time, women were drowned in the river and the only witnesses were the crows in the trees. The Puritans blamed Eve for the sins of the world. That was when we began to meet in the name of Lilith, Adam’s first wife—banished for refusing to do as she was told.

We Fly Together…

By the 1950s, Cambridge, Massachusetts feels far removed from the legendary witch trials that marked its early days as a colony. Ava, a bright young woman from a small town in Maine, arrives for her first year at Radcliffe College. There, she meets Lauren, her opposite in every way—the wild and brazen daughter of a wealthy and well-established Cambridge family. But the two have more in common than they think. Both are recruited by the Lilith Society, a secret organization of witches at Radcliffe dating back to colonial times. As they learn more about their legacy, Ava and Lauren form a close bond that is put to the test as they learn to navigate their new power, friendship, and love.

While Radcliffe seems like a safe haven, the shadow of McCarthyism looms large, an ever-present threat to the flourishing creative and intellectual life in Cambridge. And as girls from the Lilith Society begin to go missing, Ava and Lauren realize the witch trials of the past may not be as deeply buried as they once believed.

The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman is expected out September 8, 2026 from Scribner.

Why am I waiting on this book? I've enjoyed reading magical realism titles from Alice Hoffman in the past. I like the idea that the past isn't as far away as is generally thought. And I am intrigued by the Lilith Society and what it will come to mean for the girls.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Happy Book Birthday to Salvacion by Sandra Proudman

 

From the publisher:

In this Latinx YA fantasy inspired by El Zorro, Lola de La Peña becomes the masked heroine Salvación in order to save her family and town from a man who would destroy it for the magic it contains...if she doesn't fall in love with a boy in his company first.

Lola de La Peña yearns to be free from the societal expectations of a young Mexican lady of her station. She spends her days pretending to be delicate and proper while watching her mamá cure the sick and injured with sal negra (black salt), a recently discovered magic that heals even the most mortal of sicknesses and wounds. But by night, she is Salvación, the free-spirit lady vigilante protecting the town of Coloma from those who threaten its peace and safety among the rising tension in Alta California after the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

But one night, a woman races into Coloma, barely alive, to tell the horrifying tale of how her town was obliterated by sal roja (red salt), a potent, deadly magic capable of obliterating anything it comes into contact with, and about the man who wields it: Damien Hernández. So when Hernández arrives the next day with a party of fifty strong and promises of returning Alta California to México, Lola knows it’s only a matter of time before he brings the region under his rule—all Hernández needs is the next full moon and the stolen, ancient amulet he carries to mine enough sal roja to conquer the land. Determined to protect everything she loves, Lola races against time as Salvación to stop his plans. What she didn’t count on was the distracting and infuriating Alejandro, who travels with Hernández but doesn't seem to share his ambitions. With the stakes higher than ever and Hernández getting closer to his goals, Lola will do anything to foil his plans, even teaming up with Alejandro—who she doesn’t fully trust but can’t help but fall in love with.

Salvacion by Sandra Proudman was released today from Wednesday Books.

I've started reading the book. I am about 25% through. I've been enjoying the blend of a Zorro type character and magical realism. Review to follow.

Book Review: The Wind on Her Tongue by Anita Kopacz

 

From the publisher:

In this lyrical and stirring companion to the “spellbinding” (Harper’s Bazaar) Shallow Waters, Oya—the Yoruban deity of the weather—is brought to life during 1870s America. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Sun.

Born in Cuba after her mother Yemaya’s adventures in the New World, Oya has inherited otherworldly powers from her Yoruba Orisha lineage. While Yemaya is known for her healing abilities, Oya’s influence over the storm proves to be destructive, posing a threat to her mother and the island’s safety.

Sent to New Orleans to study under Marie Laveau, the Queen of Voodoo, Oya begins a journey across the still young America, encountering a myriad of historical figures, including Mary Ellen Pleasant, Jesse James, Lew Hing, and more.

As Oya navigates the landscapes of racism, colorism, and classism, she grapples with her own identity and powers, striving to find her place in a fraught and complex society. A moving, vivid exploration of resilience, heritage, and the enduring spirit of a young woman coming into her own, The Wind on Her Tongue transports you to a world where magic and reality intertwine.

The Wind on Her Tongue by Anita Kopacz was published January 21, 2025 by Atria/Black Privilege Publishing.

My Thoughts:

It's an interesting story. Oya needs to learn how to control her great gift. Marie Laveau guides her with help from a set of twins. And then she is drawn to make a cross country journey.

I liked the book, but I liked the first part where Oya was in New Orleans better than the latter part of the book. It seemed richer in description. Later on, it felt more superficial to me. The story in San Francisco didn't seem as well described as the part in New Orleans until close to the end.

Otherwise, it was interesting to see how Oya learned to control her gift and what she could do with it once it was under control. Told from Oya's point of view, the voice was like a whisper in your ear for much of the book. It was as if she was telling you the story over a cup of tea. And it was interesting to get some of the bits about her mother. I didn't read the first book, but this seems to work as a standalone and also as a continuation. And, I felt the ending was a little abrupt. It came at a logical point in the story, but just seemed to come quickly. I suppose it paves the way for either more about her in another book or sets up the next book to be about the next generation.

I gave this book 4 stars. I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy magical realism stories. And I would also recommend it to people who like their magic to occur in historical settings. 

Have you read it? What did you think? Drop a line in the comments and share your thoughts with us.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not influence my review. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Book Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

 

From the publisher:

There’s power in a book…

They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. Girls who grew up too fast. And they’re sent to Wellwood House in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, to give them up for adoption, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened.

Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, terrified and alone. Under the watchful eye of the stern Miss Wellwood, she meets a dozen other girls in the same predicament. There’s Rose, a hippie who insists she’s going to find a way to keep her baby and escape to a commune. And Zinnia, a budding musician who plans to marry her baby’s father. And Holly, a wisp of a girl, barely fourteen, mute and pregnant by no-one-knows-who.

Everything the girls eat, every moment of their waking day, and everything they’re allowed to talk about is strictly controlled by adults who claim they know what’s best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid...and it’s usually paid in blood.

In Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, the author of How to Sell a Haunted House and The Final Girl Support Group delivers another searing, completely original novel and further cements his status as a “horror master” (NPR).

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix was published January 21, 2025 by Berkley.

My Thoughts: I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. After reading a few reviews prior to reading the book, I wasn't at all sure that I was going to like this book, but I did. I liked the girls and felt for them. They were united by the way that their families had treated them when they found out they were pregnant. Also living at the home united them. They all had the same experiences and the same close supervision.

The magic system was different. Magic always has a price in order for it to succeed. What the price in this case was, is interesting. I hadn't seen this cost quite this way before. And there were some clever bits related to this. In particular, the girls use the magic against some adults. This held consequences both for the adults and the girls, but afterwards, it was like the adults forgot about what happened.

The book had a slow beginning. This was mostly because of what was needed to set the scene. Still, I would have liked the magic to start sooner. After that. things move faster. And there are twists and surprises. I liked that it was not totally predictable nor was it preachy. I would have preferred a tad more humor as in his other books, But considering everything - the weightiness of the topic, the timeliness, it makes total sense. I also was not a fan of the graphic birthing scenes. 

I would recommend this book to people who have enjoyed Hendrix's other books. And I would also recommend this book for people who enjoy magical realism in a historical setting. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions nor my review.

Book Review: Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo

 

From the publisher:

A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this “wild, wondrous novel about the magic that is singing all around us” (Julia Phillips, author of Disappearing Earth)—in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.

If you call to the witches, they will come.

1943, El Paso, Texas: teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters and longing for a life of adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.

In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.

Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo was published October 8, 2024 by Atria/Primero Sueno Press.

My Thoughts: I gave this book 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. It's a good story with multiple time lines that is both a strength and a weakness at times. If the chapters had had headers with the year, it would have been a little easier to follow. But, this was not necessary to enjoy the book.

There are 3 eras that are visited in this book. I made the mistake of reading this on two devices. With the change in timelines, it felt a little confusing and like I was reading two different books. I think the multiple timelines was necessary for the story and in general worked well otherwise.

The way the magic system worked was intriguing. The importance of song to the magic was interesting. Some members of the coven were stronger in magic than the others. The nuns seemed to need Nena because of this. Later on, Nena needs Marta in the same way. They both find that magic has a price and it is not always what you expect to pay.

If you've read The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina and enjoyed it, that is a good indicator that you will also enjoy this book. Also, if you like historical fiction and magical realism you will most likely enjoy this book. It's definitely worth a read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my review and opinions.

Book Review: Strange Folk by Alli Dyer

 

From the publisher:

A woman returns to her estranged, magical family in Appalachia, where a conjuring meant to protect the community may have summoned something sinister in this lush, shimmering, and wildly imaginative debut novel, perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Deborah Harkness, and Sarah Addison Allen.

Lee left Craw Valley at eighteen without a backward glance. She wanted no part of the generations of her family who tapped into the power of the land to heal and help their community. But when she abandons her new life in California and has nowhere else to go, Lee returns to Craw Valley with her children in tow to live with her grandmother, Belva.

Lee vows to stay far away from Belva’s world of magic, but when the target of one of her grandmother’s spells is discovered dead, Lee fears that Belva’s magic may have conjured something far more sinister.

As she and her family search for answers, Lee travels down a rabbit hole of strange phenomena and family secrets that force her to reckon with herself and rediscover her power in order to protect her family and the town she couldn’t leave behind.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the book. One of the things I liked about it is that the story was told from more than one perspective. Some chapters were from Lee's point of view and others from her daughter Meredith's  or another character. It was easy to follow the transitions since each chapter was labelled clearly. I also liked that it was four generations that were involved in the story.

All of the characters were very human. They  had their flaws and their strengths. Most of them had a strong family connection as well as a connection with the land. There were traditions for passing on the knowledge of the magic too.

Plot wise, I thought the story moved along at a good pace. I read it pretty fast because I wanted to know what would happen next. There was a twist towards the end of the book that surprised me, but worked pretty well.

Overall, I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. It's well written, but has minor faults just as the characters do. I don't want to go into detail because it would create spoilers. The book is definitely worth a read. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy witchy stories and magical realism. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinions.

Strange Folk by Alli Dyer was released August 6, 2024 from Atria Books.

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #514: The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

From the publisher:

A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child in this richly imagined and empowering story of motherhood, magic, and legacy in the vein of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and La Hacienda.

If you call to the witches, they will come.

1943, El Paso, Texas: teenager Nena spends her days caring for the small children of her older sisters, while longing for a life of freedom and adventure. The premonitions and fainting spells she has endured since childhood are getting worse, and Nena worries she’ll end up like the scary old curandera down the street. Nena prays for help, and when the mysterious Sister Benedicta arrives late one night, Nena follows her across the borders of space and time. In colonial Mexico, Nena grows into her power, finding love and learning that magic always comes with a price.

In the present day, Nena’s grandniece, Marta, balances a struggling legal aid practice with motherhood and the care of the now ninety-three-year-old Nena. When Marta agrees to help search for a daughter Nena left in the past, the two forge a fierce connection. Marta’s own supernatural powers emerge, awakening her to new possibilities that threaten the life she has constructed.

The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo is expected out October 8th, 2024 from Atria/Primero Sueno Press.

Why am I waiting on this book: I like the comparison to The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina. I'm curious about both Nena and Marta and the magic they have. I want to know how this will fit in with their ideas of family. And I enjoy well told magical realism.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists.Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #502: My Mother Cursed My Name by Anamely Salgado Reyes

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

From the publisher:

Three generations of fiercely strong and stubborn Mexican American women face grief head-on as they attempt to shed generational trauma and discover the true meaning of home in this lyrical novel that features magical realism in the tradition of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina and The House of the Spirits.

For generations, the Olivares women have sought to control their daughters’ destinies, starting with their names. In life, Olvido constantly clashed with her carefree daughter. Then teenage Angustias discovered she was pregnant and left her mother’s home in search of her own. Ten years later, Felicitas finally meets her estranged grandmother and is terribly disappointed when Olvido is nothing like a grandmother should be. She is strict, cold, and…dead.

Now, Olvido is convinced the only way her spirit will cross over is if she resolves her unfinished business—to make sure Angustias is in a better place regarding family, job, husband, and God, but maybe not in that order—and Felicitas is the only person who can see or hear her. Heartbroken about her mother’s passing and desperate to put Olvido’s tiny Texas home in her rearview mirror as quickly as possible, Angustias doesn’t understand why suddenly everyone in town seems to be conspiring to set her up with every eligible bachelor in town, offer her jobs, and invite her and Felicitas to church every Sunday.

As Olvido attempts to puppeteer her granddaughter to “fix” Angustias’s life from beyond the grave, Angustias tries desperately to find a better place for Felicitas, and Felicitas struggles to keep her ability to see the dead a secret from Angustias, all three Olivares girls are forced to learn how to actually listen to one another, to work to overcome generations’ worth of well-intentioned mistakes and learn the true definition of home.

My Mother Cursed My Name by Anamely Salgado Reyes is expected out July 30th, 2024 from Atria Books.

Why am I waiting on this book: I like stories with magical realism. I like the multigenerational aspect of this one as well. I want to know what happens to the three main characters.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists.Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #476: Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: Legend goes that long ago a Flores woman offended the old gods, and their family was cursed as a result. Now, every woman born to the family has a touch of magic.

 
Sage Flores has been running from her family—and their “gifts”—ever since her younger sister Sky died. Eight years later, Sage reluctantly returns to her hometown. Like slipping into an old, comforting sweater, Sage takes back her job at Cranberry Rose Company and uses her ability to communicate with plants to discover unusual heritage specimens in the surrounding lands.

What should be a simple task is complicated by her partner in botany sleuthing: Tennessee Reyes. He broke her heart in high school, and she never fully recovered. Working together is reminding her of all their past tender, genuine moments—and new feelings for this mature sexy man are starting to take root in her heart.

With rare plants to find, a dead sister who keeps bringing her coffee, and another sister whose anger fills the sky with lightning, Sage doesn’t have time for romance. But being with Tenn is like standing in the middle of a field on the cusp of a summer thunderstorm—supercharged and inevitable.

Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland is expected out September 12th, 2023 from Berkley.

Why am I waiting on this book? I like books with magical realism. I like the idea that the sisters all have different gifts. I wonder how a ghost is bringing Sage coffee. And I wonder where the romance plot will go and how it will affect and be affected  by the magic. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Book Review: Bindle Punk Bruja by Desideria Mesa

 

From the publisher:

Boardwalk Empire meets The Vanishing Half with a touch of earth magic in this sexy and action-packed historical fantasy set in the luminous Golden Twenties from debut author Desideria Mesa, where a part-time reporter and club owner takes on crooked city councilmen, mysterious and deadly mobsters, and society’s deeply rooted sexism and racism, all while keeping her true identity and magical abilities hidden—inspired by an ancient Mexican folktale.

Yo soy quien soy. I am who I am.

Luna—or depending on who’s asking, Rose—is the white-passing daughter of an immigrant mother who has seen what happens to people from her culture. This world is prejudicial, and she must hide her identity in pursuit of owning an illegal jazz club. Using her cunning powers, Rose negotiates with dangerous criminals as she climbs up Kansas City’s bootlegging ladder. Luna, however, runs the risk of losing everything if the crooked city councilmen and ruthless mobsters discover her ties to an immigrant boxcar community that secretly houses witches. Last thing she wants is to put her entire family in danger.

But this bruja with ever-growing magical abilities can never resist a good fight. With her new identity, Rose, an unabashed flapper, defies societal expectations all the while struggling to keep her true self and witchcraft in check. However, the harder she tries to avoid scrutiny, the more her efforts eventually capture unwanted attention. Soon, she finds herself surrounded by greed and every brand of bigotry—from local gangsters who want a piece of the action and businessmen who hate her diverse staff to the Ku Klux Klan and Al Capone. Will her earth magic be enough to save her friends and family? As much as she hates to admit it, she may need to learn to have faith in others—and learning to trust may prove to be her biggest ambition yet.

My thoughts:

Luna is a strong female protagonist. This is very much her story. And while I didn't like all the choices she made, I did like her overall. 

I found Luna's magic as well as her grandmother's magic interesting. Her grandmother is capable of bigger acts of magic than Luna at the moment, but she encourages Luna to practice and learn to better use her magic. I liked that family ties were a strong part of the book. And that magic was accepted as a natural part of the world.

I was surprised at Luna owning a club as Rosa. It would be difficult because she was a woman. And then she also employed minorities like her own brother. There were men who wanted to take control of her club and barring success, they wanted to put her out of business. And there were good men as well who helped her to set new goals and meet them. But, it is a dangerous world she lives and works in. I was a little surprised at the appearance of the KKK, but in retrospect, they would have probably thought Luna would be an easy target.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I gave it 4 stars out of 5. I liked the characters associated with Luna in general. I enjoyed seeing how her choices turned out. And I liked the way she weathered the struggles she faced.

If you like stories with a strong, magical female protagonist and stories that are set in the 1920s, then this would be a good book for you.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

Book Review: The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

 

Magic happens whether you want it to or not. Sally doesn't want anything to do with magic and especially the family curse. She raised her daughters this way. They had no idea what was going on when the curse activated. And that opened a Pandora's box of events. 

I looked forward to visiting with these characters. I was not disappointed. I pretty much loved them all. I liked that many, if not all of them, experienced growth in this book. 

Parts of the book were slower than others, but it suited the story. By the time you get to the end it was flying. 

I liked the continuation of the difference between the Owens natural magic and the darker magic that was found in the book. And I liked the way the author tied up all the loose ends in the series in this finale.

I gave this book 5 stars. I enjoyed reading it and will miss the characters. If you have read other books in the series and enjoyed them, this one is a must read. If this is your first book in the series: it could be read as a standalone, but reading the other books first will make it a richer experience. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Teaser Tuesday: The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Though Jet didn't work in the library officially, she was a great favorite with the young patrons. She had the ability to know what people were thinking, and therefore understood that boys who were rude were usually fearful and that quiet girls often had a lot to say. She frequently stopped by to help young people choose books, guiding them to stories that contained magic of the best sort, practical magic that was folded into the everyday world, tales in which people stumbled into enchantments, often while walking down the street in their own hometown, or when they stepped into closets that contained other worlds, or waited for a train that would take them to a place they'd never before imagined.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

 

From the publisher: 

The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers—not for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed into a ceiba tree, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings and powers. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea’s line. Determined to save what’s left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, her descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked back.

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Cordóva was published September 7th, 2021 by Atria Books.

My thoughts: 

This book is a wonderful piece of magical realism. Magic happens in the characters lives and they accept it as normal. It starts with how they receive their invitations to receive their inheritances and grows from there. It's very well done.

The point of view switches among characters. In the case of Orquídea, it also alternates between her past and present. I had no problem following whose eyes we were looking through at any particular time. 

The characters themselves are intriguing. And it was interesting to watch how they dealt with their inheritances and the danger when it presented itself. For some there is an outward sign of the inheritance. And I think all of them undergo some kind of transformation even if it only affects their world view.

The story is beautifully told. Overall I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you enjoy magical realism, you will probably enjoy this book. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Teaser Tuesday: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

 

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

He'd stare at boys his age huddle in whispers and dare each other to reach into the water and fish out the shiny pennies from the reflecting pool that was supposed to be the Nile River. He wanted to tell them what Orquídea once had--that you shouldn't steal other people's wishes because that's when everything goes wrong. (35% through on my Kindle)

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova was published September 7th, 2021 by Atria Books. This teaser is from an ARC and therefore may be different in the final edition.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #370: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low or empty, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers—even for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Tatinelly’s daughter, Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea’s line. Determined to save what’s left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, the four descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked backed.

Alternating between Orquídea’s past and her descendants’ present, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is an enchanting novel about what we knowingly and unknowingly inherit from our ancestors, the ties that bind, and reclaiming your power.

Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Isabel Allende, and Sarah Addison Allen, this is a gorgeously written novel about a family searching for the truth hidden in their past and the power they’ve inherited, from the author of the acclaimed and “giddily exciting” (The New York Times Book Review) Brooklyn Brujas series.

The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina by Zoraida Córdova is expected to be published September 7th, 2021 by Atria. 

Why am I waiting on this book? I like magical realism. And I like that it uses Alice Hoffman and Isabel Allende in the blurb. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #328: A Wild Winter Swan by Gregory Maguire

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From Goodreads:

Following her brother's death and her mother's emotional breakdown, Laura now lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, in a lonely townhouse she shares with her old-world, strict, often querulous grandparents. But the arrangement may be temporary. The quiet, awkward teenager has been getting into trouble at home and has been expelled from her high school for throwing a record album at a popular girl who bullied her. When Christmas is over and the new year begins, Laura may find herself at boarding school in Montreal. 

Nearly unmoored from reality through her panic and submerged grief, Laura is startled when a handsome swan boy with only one wing lands on her roof. Hiding him from her ever-bickering grandparents, Laura tries to build the swan boy a wing so he can fly home. But the task is too difficult to accomplish herself. Little does Laura know that her struggle to find help for her new friend parallels that of her grandparents, who are desperate for a distant relative’s financial aid to save the family store. 

As he explores themes of class, isolation, family, and the dangerous yearning to be saved by a power greater than ourselves, Gregory Maguire conjures a haunting, beautiful tale of magical realism that illuminates one young woman’s heartbreak and hope as she begins the inevitable journey to adulthood.

A Wild Winter Swan by Gregory Maguire is expected to be released October 6th, 2020 by William Morrow.

Why am I waiting on this book? I love retellings. This is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Wild Swans." I know there are other retellings of this tale out there, but this is the first one in novel-length I've seen in a while. And it will make a good fall read. 

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments.so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!