Arcadia Falls is one of those books that I instantly found myself immersed in. The story begins with Meg and her daughter moving to a small cottage as she begins a new teaching job in Arcadia Falls. Her relationship with her daughter is strained and Meg is working hard to deal with all of the things that come with being a single mother. But soon after they arrive, Meg begins to see a darker undertone to both the school and its' history. It is almost as if the fairy tales written by one of the founders of the school have a semblance of truth to them.
This book isn't just Meg's story, but it is also the story of the two women who started the school years ago. I loved that it was a book within a book and felt that both stories were intriguing and wrapped up together in a way that worked perfectly for this book. The history of the school was interesting and I thought that the way the author set it up helped to add to the story. I loved the fairy tale aspects of this novel and felt that it gave an extra layer of atmosphere to this book. And this book had atmosphere in abundance. I mean there was the private school, the creepy fairy tales, a mysterious death...I was instantly pulled within this book's pages. I also felt that this was a book that I didn't want to put down. The mysterious aspects to the story had me hooked and I was invested in the characters. I thought the characters were written realistically especially the relationship between Meg and her daughter. This was just a good read for me. Plain and simple. This is definitely an author that I wouldn't hesitate to read more of!
Bottom Line: A must read for those who enjoy slightly creepy, atmospheric books!
Disclosure: I received this book from Library Thing Early Reviewers program for an honest review of course :)
*I read this book for the following challenges:
New Author Challenge
100+ Book Challenge
This has definitely been on my list to pick up! Thanks for reminding me -- I do like a creepy, atmospheric book!
ReplyDeleteI love a great creepy book...I want to read this one!
ReplyDeleteYou've been reading a lot of these creepy atmospheric reads lately! This one sounds good, too and I love the cover. And I also love a story with fairy tale elements. Have you read The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman?
ReplyDeleteCoffee and a Book Chick- I really liked this one and was glad that I got the chance to read it.
ReplyDeleteStaci- I hope you read and enjoy this one!!!
Trish- I have been reading a lot of creepy reads lately..they just have been calling to me :) Seriously I can't get enough so I'll have to check The Ice Queen out..thanks for the recommendation!
The book within a book aspect, along with all else you mention in this post, sound quite good! Terrific review, Sam! I hope to find some time (or make some time) to read this one. :)
ReplyDeleteI recently listened to this on audio, and loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the mood for creepy books. I've heard great things about Carol Goodman generally, and this book in particular, but it never seems to be around when I think of looking in the library for it. Time to try again!
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed all of the Goodman novels I've read (4 of them now), so I'm glad this one was good too! :)
ReplyDeleteSuko- I hope you get a chance to read it too!
ReplyDeleteCarrie- I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it as well. I think that the audio would be a good experience :)
Jenny- I hate when that happens. Especially when I go to the library with a specific book in mind and then it isn't there.
Eva- I definitely plan to read more by this author!
Sam, I am glad to read your review on this one as I hope to get to it in early 2011, as it never happened this year:( I like creepy.
ReplyDeleteDiane- I do hope you get to read it at some point. I'm looking forward to reading more by her in the near future!!
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