Sunday, November 7, 2010

Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman


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

11 comments:

  1. This has definitely been on my list to pick up! Thanks for reminding me -- I do like a creepy, atmospheric book!

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  2. I love a great creepy book...I want to read this one!

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  3. You'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?

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  4. Coffee and a Book Chick- I really liked this one and was glad that I got the chance to read it.

    Staci- 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!

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  5. 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. :)

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  6. I recently listened to this on audio, and loved it!

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  7. I'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!

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  8. I've enjoyed all of the Goodman novels I've read (4 of them now), so I'm glad this one was good too! :)

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  9. Suko- I hope you get a chance to read it too!

    Carrie- 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!

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  10. 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.

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  11. Diane- 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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