Reviews and Comments

Like with Expecting Better, it's got good references to studies if you can get past the commentary. I struggle with her voice as an author, and this, like almost all other parenting book out there, is incredibly heteronormative and gendered towards "mothers" so just something to keep an eye out for if that's not your family goal and/or configuration. Given her vaccine takes during COVID, I was a bit worried about the vaccine chapter but it seems to provide a good foundation on their tested safety, efficacy, and importance in childhood for those who are feeling a little more hesitancy around them. Give it a quick skim then keep it on your shelf for if/when issues or the need to reference arises

It's got everything I would want in a fantasy novel. Great beats, vivid landscapes and world building, an incredibly terrifying antagonist, and pretty great twists at the end. My partner is excited to read the rest of the trilogy. I'm actually somewhat wary because as a standalone this book works incredibly well

Brilliant writing and pacing, lovely ending, gut-wrenchingly difficult to get there though, given the vivid depictions of some really difficult traumas. Content warning for family violence, drug abuse, and bodily harm/death

Honestly having it as a reference is pretty ok. It's nice to have what essentially amounts to a lit review for various topics handy. I couldn't stand her commentary and opinion on every topic.

Great pacing, worldbuilding, and character development. Highly recommend. :)

Lovely quick YA read. There were parts in the ending that felt a little too storybook ending for me but it fits the genre. It's a refreshing take on magic and domesticity too :)