This book was started by Ariana Franklin, but she passed before completing the book; however, her daughter, Samantha Norman, took on the task of finishing the book. A lovely homage to her mother and she did a wonderful job of keeping these truly memorable characters alive. The story was riveting and the writing so vivid you could almost feel yourself sinking into the bog with every misstep. The story also mirrors reality, in that Allie must leave her mother and try to solve the case on her own, with the training given to her. It is a book about a bond between a daughter and a mother and how they help each other to grow. It is also a book about fear that mother's must face when watching their daughter's leaving into a world that is often pitted against them (dangers unfolding from all sides). Allie's character was wholly different from Adelia, she was determined, but also more emotional and empathetic. She is able to make fast friends with Huisa (a young woman who tells fantastical tales) and endears herself to all around her, including a Lord who lives nearby. While the story is descriptive it never feels as though it is dragging, it seems like each moment is meant to create an atmosphere of danger, but also community. The political aspects of Franklin's previous novels are also there, machinations in the background that move either for or against our protagonists. Converging with the plot for an explosive finale. I liked the relationships between the characters. The trust that they have for Allie, the protection they feel for her. Allie and Huisa's friendship was fast and loving. While sometimes Allie becomes bored and annoyed by everything around her, she is also happy to be there with loved ones and showing her independent nature. I really loved Huisa as a character as well, her honesty, her ability to twist a tale, her ease and charm. She is easy to laugh, and cares deeply for her family. It was also nice for Adelia and Rowley to have moments of love together, to talk about their desires for Allie, and to confront their own mortality. They cannot live forever, but they have their happiness together when they can and their daughter to live on after them. The only drawback I found was the ending of the book felt a bit lacking. I guessed quite quickly the true culprit, even with the red herrings, but more of an explanation would have felt better. The book round up so quickly, it felt flatter than the first 3/4's of the book. There was so much build up only to be quickly concluded without much explanation or exposition. That was the only meh issue for me, otherwise this was a gripping mystery in an ominous setting. A good ending to an immensely intriguing mystery series with an enchanting main character.
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