Thanks to Netgalley.com and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for a review!
Okay, I have no idea why I waited so long to read this one. I’ve had it on my kindle app for weeks and weeks because the cover was so evocative and the plot sounded interesting but I just kept getting distracted by other books which weren’t nearly as good as this one (some of the books I was distracted by were very good, but most of the ones I’ve read haven’t been). I’m kicking myself for taking so long to get around to this. Van Allen has a real way with words, turning what should otherwise be a common turn-of-phrase or even a simple simile or metaphor into pure poetry. Seriously, I got shivers a couple of times while reading because her language was just so beautiful.
These were characters I could like and root for even when they did things I didn’t like (and for the most part the things they were doing that I didn’t like I could still understand why they thought they had to do it, which is just good character development). Aubrey with her crazy blue eyes, her outsider status, and her deeply-rooted belief in the Stitchery and its magic. Bitty with her standoffishness and cynicism against magic that slowly melted away as she let herself just be around her family. Meggie with her crazy quest even in the face of the pain her absence causes and her ever-changing look (I wish this was a movie because her character is a costume designer/hair designer’s dream). And Mariah, who was barely in this book and yet felt like such a big presence, like someone you really wish you could’ve gotten to know. And the Stitchery itself sounds wonderful and magical even in its current rundown state.
I must confess that I had never heard of Tarrytown itself and so was a little surprised to find out that it was so closely associated with Sleepy Hollow and all the mythology surrounding that area. I loved that there was more to their town than just Washington Irving’s story, that there were more urban legends and myths that could be explored. It was fascinating to learn about even though it wasn’t expounded upon that much in the novel itself (it made me want to go visit as well as doing some research into those legends).
I loved all the little descriptions of the knitwear produced or worn throughout the book. It felt so natural given the setting and the occupation of those in the Stichery. For some of the descriptions, I had to wrack my brain to remember what those particular patterns look like but more often than not I had to look it up on the internet to get a clearer picture. Most of all, it made me want to pick up some knitting needles and get to work, but sadly it’s been so long since I learned to knit that I’ve forgotten most of it and would need some refresher courses to help me along (I can still crochet though, so there’s that). It made me want to make something for someone and infuse some good thoughts, prayers, and maybe even a little magic into it (maybe a love spell for Benedict Cumberbatch? Too much?).
I’ve got to say, I wasn’t expecting the romance that unfolded (well, not at first. Once Vic came on the scene I was wishing with every fiber of my being that he and Audrey would end up together) but boy was it a doozy. It felt natural and beautiful and pretty hot even though it wasn’t overtly described (serious kudos to Van Allen for being able to make one kiss a million times steamier than anything in Fifty Shades of Grey or any other romance novel I’ve read. I think I’ll take some notes for my own writing) and yet was as evocative and sensual as any other love scene I’ve ever read (actually most of her scenes were better than most other scenes I’ve read. I think it had something to do with that things were only touched upon and not written out in lurid detail. It’s sorta like how horror movies are so much scarier if you don’t see the monster/ghost/baddie but catch only brief glimpses and the rest is left up to your imagination, but for romance instead). And seriously, I nearly cried at a pivotal point. I was so shocked by almost crying (I didn’t let myself cry because I was at work and that could be weird) even though I’d seen the sadness coming; I just hadn’t expected to be so heart-broken. Again, kudos to Van Allen for writing characters that seemed so real despite all the magic and mystery that I felt my heart break right along with one of them.
I was smiling as I finished the book, and that’s always a good sign for me.
Oh, and Lisa Van Allen, if you happen to read this, I would not be adverse to some kind of sequel revolving around the next generation of the Stitchery. I know it’s not really necessary but it could be fun, especially with Nessa’s pink hair coming in (and I want to know if Vic and Audrey have babies! Because I bet they’d be adorable). :)
And I didn’t even talk about the magic, which I found completely fabulous and unique from other books I’ve read. It wasn’t overblown or crazy or even all that unbelievable. I, like a lot of the characters in the book, found myself drawn in so that I believed in the magic of the Stitchery as well. Even though some bits reminded me slightly of Practical Magic, I think Van Allen handled the magical elements in such a way that they were light and believable (I certainly wish there was someone who could knit me a magical good luck charm).
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