The Cherished

February 15, 2023
A slow-building character study about living up to a dangerous, unusual destiny. Sixteen-year-old Jo inherits a house in Vermont from her estranged paternal grandmother, Gammy Maureen, a place that holds memories of a traumatic past Jo struggles to recall. Although her pregnant mother and stepfather pressure her to sell, Jo remains curious about the possibilities of owning a home despite an ominous letter from Gammy indicating that there is difficult work to be done and that Jo, as a member of the Lavoie family, is responsible for carrying it out. The house's tenants, Hattie and her guardian, Tom, have been named as beneficiaries of a trust providing them with housing and financial support. As Jo learns more about the weird town where the house is located and her grandmother's role in it, a child's disappearance triggers echoes of past events. By the time Jo confronts the otherworldly forces whose stronghold on the town have been a constant threat, Jo's perspectives on her past, her family, and her future begin to shift. Claustrophobic observations build tension in a story that is slow to reveal secrets and deliver on threats. Unfortunately, insensitive language describing mental illness detracts from the vivid portrayal of how traumatic memories operate. Amid a White default, Jo refers to standing out due to her olive skin and frizzy black hair, inherited from an absent father of Syrian and Italian origin. Strange and intermittently suspenseful. (Horror. 13-18)

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March 6, 2023
When 16-year-old Jo Lavoie learns that she has inherited her estranged paternal grandmother’s estate, Jo’s mother and stepfather try persuading her to sell it, especially since the acquisition comes with a bizarre roster of demands (“Don’t you dare take this responsibility lightly. Don’t think you can sell and walk away.... This house has to stay in the family”). Though Jo decides to keep the property and move in, she quickly realizes that the current tenants Gammy mentioned in her letter seem to be hiding something, and that there’s a sinister aura surrounding the backyard shed. As otherworldly and horrifying happenings start occurring at the house, Jo discovers hidden truths that could explain the goings-on of her late father, who experienced schizophrenic hallucinations of the residence before his death. Outmoded descriptions of mental illness—the narrative implies that Gammy being “crazy as a sack of cats” caused Jo’s father’s schizophrenia—draw attention away from an otherwise solid, eerie premise. Still, Ward (Skinner Luce, for adults) wastes little time getting to the meat of this pulse-pounding thriller, pairing brisk pacing with frenetic plotting that adds a layer of unease to Jo’s harrowing situation. Most characters cue as white; Jo’s father is of Syrian and Italian descent. Ages 13–up. Agent: Matt Bialer, Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc.

April 1, 2023

Gr 9 Up-This novel follows 16-year-old Jo on her journey to Vermont to inherit the house and land left by her paternal grandmother. Jo's quest uncovers the truth about her father and the mysterious town, where she must confront dark fae and the myth of child-stealing. The plot is a captivating mix of mystery and mythology. The incorporation of dark fae elements and myth adds depth and intrigue to the story. However, the first half of the book reads slowly, and the resolution comes too quickly at the end, leaving some plot points underdeveloped. The focus of the story also appears to be on the relationship between Jo and her mother, rather than the main plot with her grandmother's land. Although the pacing might be slow at times, the strong characters and intriguing plot make the story worth reading. The book is a safe choice for readers who enjoy mystery and mythology, with very light horror. Jo is described as having an "olive complexion, and frizzy black hair" and a father of Italian and Syrian descent; other characters cue white. VERDICT An enjoyable read that will appeal to those looking for an engaging blend of fantasy and mystery.-Anna Taylor

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2023
Grades 8-11 Jo has never fit in--not with her tennis-loving mom and stepdad, nor at school. Perhaps that's what drives her to seriously consider the shocking news that she has inherited a farmhouse from her estranged paternal grandmother, despite the peculiar instructions that accompany the gift. Though her parents are determined to sell immediately, Jo insists on joining her mom on the trip to assess the property, eager to see her house and possibly convince her mom not to sell. Ward dresses her novel in the trappings of folk horror but delivers more of a slow-burn mystery rooted in family bonds and duty. Yes, a small, strange town with even stranger inhabitants awaits Jo, but horror doesn't enter the picture until near the story's end. The narrative devotes much more space to fuzzy flashbacks as Jo puzzles through childhood experiences with her loving but unstable father, who mixed fairy tales with increasing paranoia. An oppressive unease effectively pervades the novel until Jo at last finds purpose and belonging. Hand to those who enjoy atmospheric character studies.

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