Appalachian Folk Horror is really seeming to have it's moment in the sun! I hope that moment never ends, because as a Born and Raised in Appalachia card carrying member, I love this stuff.
And this book, in particular is just really- something else! It pulls on my memories, and introduces new ideas, mixing in with familiar myths involving wishes granted (with additional unseen consequences).
Jen Julian, a new author to me, really knocks this one out of the part. I love that she got a degree at a college where I also got a degree. We're just one degree apart (HA HA HA)
This cover just screams Appalachia - and without being gruesome, kinda gives me the creeps in a most delicious way. It was designed by
Lisa Marie Pompilio. Jo Wyckoff did Hand Lettering for the cover.
I like that this book allows one to just settle into it while reading.
No spoilers- just some teasers: Our main character- Vera Stoker grows up with stories of the Deer King. Her mother warns her off the Deer King, which likely makes him all the more attractive, and Vera- Moth is fascinated by the folks that come and go from Deer Lodge. Eventually, she lands a contract at Deer Haven- a season of work for a wish granted... (Could that be a BARGAIN? We all know that when bargains are made things may not go well for humans... at that point I was hooked! Bringing the modern to the mythical is something that's often tried - with varying success. Julian seems to have melded the two together as we move from former times at Deerlodge to the current day.
Readers move seamlessly between the reality of Moth's current life and her former situation- throughout the novel the uneasy sensation builds leaving readers with much to think about. What's real? Was it always real? Was it never real? If it wasn't as remembered, what really happened? Moth must come to terms with the past to free her for her future.
While reading this, images like this just kept popping up in my head, not as Deer lodge but of the residents of folks like Vera- Moth who live in proximity to , but without access to the lodge.
Now, all the pre-reviews and blurbs note that readers of T. Kingfisher and Alix E. Harrow will enjoy this book and I'd agree, but I also feel that if you're a fan of Seanen McGuire, - Jen Julian is an author you'll want to pick up- especially The Winter Folk. I definitely felt the "Every Heart a Doorway" vibes through this novel.
This novel doesn't come out until July- but with a wintery kind of theme, it's going to be perfect to bring a chill to that July air.
STATSFirst Published: 7/21/26
Pages: 384
Available as an Audio Book : YES unclear on time at present
Trigger Warnings: Body Horror, insects and other wild animals, death
(this is not a full list, read responsibly)
No comments:
Post a Comment