First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen, originally published 2015, contains 294 pages. I recommend it to basically everyone, age 12-death.
The Waverly women are different. Every one of them is gifted in a special way, and 15-year-old Bay's gift is to see where everything belongs, people included. No wonder she takes a special interest in Josh, after she seems that the two of them belong together, in one way or the other. But her mother, Syndey, fears a repetition of history. While the pre-First Frost nervousness has a tight grip on the family, a silver-eyed stranger appears, Claire rethinks her life, the dead rise again and Bay herself has to make a tough decision.
This book is magical. In every way possible – even though you're not transmuted into a herd of sheep. My mother used to say that there was something like a beautiful imagination – in a sense that someone sees the world as it is, but in a more... well, in a wonderful kind of way. That the most simple thing are seen as brightest, that there's beauty in everything – and kindness and a good side in everyone. Sarah Addison Allen has that beautiful imagination, this book is like a fairy tale in real life, in a way. The way the world – our world, in a way – is described is wonderful and yet exactly as we see it every day, as are the description of the people. Of course, there are fantasy elements in it, but it's not like you simply can name them. They are delicate, discreet, almost as if they aren't magical powers, but quite normal – it's like when you know a person who's really good in something, so good you think it can't be real, but know at the same time that it isn't magic. This is the way these powers are described (only that it becomes clear over time that there is just a little magic in it).
Claire for example can cook very well – and make people feel things, whenever they eat her food. For example happiness, melancholy, love. She's a calm person, who likes to retreat in herself. She almost never asks for help, but gives it away freely to others. She loves her husband very much – who has his head in the clouds rather frequently, but never seems to notice anything unusual about her or the house they live in. I love how she always says that she's thankful that he loves her for who she is, not for the Waverly side of her. Her daughter Mariah is the exact opposite to her, which worries Claire a little. She's much more like Claire's sister, Sydney: she's the popular, outgoing type of girl, and her friend is all kinds of special. It took me awhile, but I got who she really is.
Sydney is more focused on what people think – not really about her, but about her daughter, Bay. I like how Sydney's past is done, it explains so much about her – and I adore how her struggles of motherhood is executed. I also love her relationship to her husband and to her sister, often described through Bay's eyes. I like how close they all are together.
Spoiler:
And I was so glad Sydney came around and helped Bay with Josh.
Josh himself is a really nice person, the one you'd want as son-in-law. He's lost and in a way even afraid, but he's also very kind, intelligent and absolutely fascinated by Bay. I like how he comes around after Halloween.
Another person I like is Phin. He's funny, I'm sorry that he doesn't show up more often. I like his sweetheart, Riva. How her relationship to bay is described by the fact that she almost always uses her first and last name, and all the other little things – and how Riva shows her she likes her at the party and then, later on, as she copies her with the note.
Bay herself is magical as well, in her own way. She can't make a haircut with effect, like her mother, her gift is not about what she can do, but what she knows. I like how this is shown in various situations, for example when she remembers how she looked at that woman and she told her something she's actually ashamed of. Bay is patient, but also a typical teenager, she breaks the rules when necessary etc. She's kind and intelligent, even if Josh makes her a little silly now and then.
The other characters in this book have each their own personalities, I like them – everyone of them, even the Great Bandini.
Spoiler:
One of my favourites is Anne, she might be actually one of the “bad guys” but here, it's not black and white – the opposite, the “bad guy” is actually just as... likeable as the protagonists. I like how Anne frees herself, how she – as a disappointed, down-to-earth woman, who hates her life and has let all hope go, starts a new life and suddenly gets everything she ever wanted: Magic. Simply, plainly that.
Mary and Lorelei seem very interesting as well. I'm definitely going to read the prequel, Garden Spells. This is such a wonderful, beautiful world. I want more.
There's something about the way this book is written, that deserves the Seal of Approval. I made clear that I'll give it to the books who can change someone – as I a) experienced myself b) on others or c) which I believe. This book has the power to... I don't know, to mend a broken heart. Don't get me wrong, this isn't, in fact, an “everything is perfect, fairy tale, happily ever after” book as you know it. There are real, day-to-day, tragic problems, like with V or with Anne, Sydney's past, the doubts, everything. But it's all on a small scale – meaning nothing that could change the world, only one's entire life – and there is so much... so much hope in it. So much harmony and love, even when there are huge conflicts. This book shows you that you're not alone and not responsible for everything, that some things just fall into place. And that there can be goodness that happens to you, just like that. No strings attached. It is... this book is truly beautiful, there is no other word for it.
And I love that tree. I want one, too.
I give stars for style, ideas, content, characters, for the gifts and for the beautiful, could-be-real-could-be-fairy-tale, beautiful way this book was written.