Love of literacy: book of the month

“The hungry song of the woods thrummed like a pulse. Calling to her.”

— Kristen Ciccarelli, Edgewood

For this month’s pick, we are diving back into the fantasy genre with Kristen Ciccarelli’s latest book, Edgewood.

Emeline Lark had never given much heed to the strange stories that surrounded her hometown of Edgewood. Fairy tales involving magical forests, shapeshifters and evil kings were meant for children. Yet no matter how much distance she tries to put between herself and Edgewood, that forest seems to follow her.

Right as Emeline is on the cusp of a promising music career, she receives a devastating phone call stating her ailing grandfather, Ewan Lark, is suspiciously missing. Emeline returns to Edgewood seeking answers and is forced to face the reality of Ewan’s illness while also confronting the truth about herself and a magic she refuses to believe in.

Ciccarelli beautifully weaves together this narrative in the same way Emeline weaves together her songs. Her prose is often quite lyrical as she paints a lush world filled with magic and lore. She creates an atmosphere that is so lush and descriptive — you can almost smell the forest and feel the moss under your feet. As a reader, I truly love her vivid writing style.

While this novel does feature a hauntingly beautiful romance, the heart of Edgewood revolves around Emeline’s relationship with her grandfather. She is struggling to come to terms with the fact that this man — the one who raised her and the most important person in her life—is forgetting her. It’s a heartbreaking illness that no amount of magic can cure. While the storyline of Edgewood has fantastical elements, Emeline’s struggles are deeply rooted in reality, making it relatable to the reader.

Edgewood is a beautifully written novel that tugged on my heartstrings, made me feel homesick, and gave me a twist that left me in tears. I definitely recommend reading it.

P.S. I’m not usually one to suggest judging a book by its cover. However, when it comes to Ciccarelli's Edgewood, the prose of the novel shines through in its stunning cover. It’s pretty, right?