Sisters of the Lost Marsh

So engrossing a tale and world that readers won’t want to come up for air. 

What’s more, women emerge as strong figures in control of their own fates in a world that doesn’t always offer them agency.

The story has a strong “and then” quality, as Willa rides off now here, now there; there’s a certain ebullience (vigorously enhanced by the irrepressible youngest sisters), a handful of mysteries, and plenty of mire-y, marsh-lit atmosphere to keep readers immersed.

In medieval village Hollow-in-the-Marsh, the Curse of the Six Daughters is said to afflict any family with six girls, such as that of 12-year-old Willa and her five sisters, who live on a farm with story-loving Grammy and mercurial, alcohol-reliant Dadder. Though reading is largely forbidden, Grammy hides a trove of books in their home, including Tales of the Marshes, a collection of folktales written by their late mother. Seeking to avoid the curse, Dadder arranges to marry off eldest sister Grace to a wealthy—and potentially cruel—older man in exchange for a valuable horse. But Grace disappears following the magical Full Moon Fayre, where a fortune teller advises her, "Run." A season later, she still hasn't returned; when Dadder becomes more threatening and considers marrying off another daughter to the same man, Willa sets off to join Grace, with Tales of the Marshes in tow. Via taut pacing, complex plotting and memorable heroines, Strange (The Ghost of Midnight Lake) renders a standout work of historical fantasy, weaving nuanced familial and social dynamics against an atmospheric marshland setting. All characters cue as white. 

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Strange (Secret of Nightingale Wood) immerses readers in a timeless historical fiction tale based on the real exploits of locals residing in Britain's Romney Marsh. The marsh is located in East Sussex where the author wholeheartedly conveys the loneliness and isolation of the villagers. Narrator Willa Fernsby, 12, is one of six motherless girls living on a farm with their abusive father and ahead-of-her-times grammy. Willa's dad is tortured by superstition and an elusive curse forces him to marry off his eldest daughter, Grace. When Grace runs away, Willa goes on a quest to bring her back and salvage her family. Readers will be swept up in the beguiling setting, rural folklore, witchcraft, adventure, and sisterhood. The ending paves the way for a sequel featuring further experiences of the Fernsby girls. This is an age-appropriate mystery for those who enjoy reading about divergent experiences of young women who don't fit the mold in history. VERDICT Strange has crafted a novel that is ideal for fans of Alcott's Little Women, and those who like stories of capable and tenacious girls overcoming adversity.—Laura Dooley-Taylor

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.