Author : Sarah Addison Allen
Publication date : January 20th 2015 by St. Martin's Press
Sarah Addison Allen is one of my (very few) favorite authors. Ever since she charmed me with Garden Spells, I was confident enough to covet her other books. She has this gift of making the ordinary world magical enough, even without dragons and wizard. So, when Goodreads email me of her new books (months ago, mind you), I was extremely exited and yay, I finally got to read the book.
Set 10 years after Garden Spell, Claire Waverly's candy business was booming. Her sister, Sydney was now confident enough with her "magical gift" and own her own hair salon. Claire wondered if the candy business was right for her. Her family kept on wooing her to go back to cooking but on the other hand, the money was good and she needed it to fund her daughter's, Mariah future college expense and meanwhile there was a mysterious man roaming around Bascom who was asking people around about the Waverleys.
Does Allen still have her magical writing style? Yes. Is it sweet and crisp like Garden Spells? Yes. Is the plot is just as good? Yes, until you reach the end. I am sorry, but I can't help to compare it to its prequel. After all, it's my main reason to pick this book, because it's so good. First Frost on the other hand is lack of a strong ending. I was left with big question mark on my mind. While I understand that sometimes ending doesn't finished every business in the book, but in this case, it can't pull it off.
I think Sydney is not as strong as in Garden Spells. Maybe that's the point of this book, to show Sydney's weaknesses, I don't know. Well, she has been through a lot, she escaped near death experience, but in this book, she seems to lost this power. Sydney's daughter, Bay is also an important character of the book. She's around 15 and a very sweet girl. I am glad that Allen didn't portray her as a rebel teenager as YA books often do (it bores me to death, you know). Overall, I like this book, I only wish the ending be different. Now here's my favorite quote from First Frost:
Tyler isn't going anywhere. She knew her husband was as patient and happy as a leaf in the wind, blowing in whatever direction Claire went. But Claire had long ago realized, even after those constant dreams of her mother leaving faded away, that when you are abandoned as a child, you are never able to forget that people are capable of leaving, even if they never do.
3 stars for First Frost. I really like the writing style, the world building, the characters, but the storyline is a bit weak. I have this feeling that there will be a sequel of Waverley Family judging by ending of this book, and I really hope for it. I still crave for Waverley and yes, they have a special place in my heart. Now, let's talk about you! Have you read any of Sarah Addison Allen's work? Do you enjoy reading magical realism?
