First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

The most amazing thing about SAA is she has a formula, but I cannot get enough of it. What dark magic is this?! They’re the closer thing I have to a guilty reading pleasure.

First Frost is a return to the Waverly family we first meet in Allen’s most popular book, Garden Spells. All the women in the family have a gift and their house and garden literally have a life of their own. This subtle use of magical realism is a trade mark of Allen’s wonderful books, as well as an irresistible Southern charm.

First Frost starts about 10 years after Garden Spells and we find Claire has put aside her catering business and is now a full-time producer of hard-candy. Sydney’s magical hair salon is thriving, and Evanelle is still giving people just what they’ll eventually need. The main character thought, is Sydney’s daughter Bay, who has the gift of knowing where things belong (which we learn can also be a curse!). There’s also a side-story about a stranger that walks into town without the best of intentions.

Reasons why it’s a solid 4-star: Bay is great. She’s a misfit, but a confident one, proud of her heritage. I also really liked the theme of “what makes a family” that pops up at different moments (Sydney and Violet’s baby, Evanelle and Fred, the Waverleys and their husbands, the question of wether you’re a true Waverley if you’re not gifted).

Reasons why it’s not a 5-star: I could have done with more Bay and less mysterious stranger and the book should be longer!

Comment about a spoiler [so far the Waverley had relatively domestic gifts. But now Claire’s daughter can see and communicate with dead people? That feels a bit beyond the cozy feeling of Allen’s stories.]

Are you a fan of Saran Addison Allen? What’s your favorite? I’m split between Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen.

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Other thoughts: Lessa’s Book Critiques, The Bluestocking Society, Annette’s Book Spot, Stacy’s Books, Capricious Reader, Booke’d Out, Workaday Reads, The Eclectic Reader, Always With a Book, Ex Libris (yours?)

Read for Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge:
“A book that you would consider a guilty pleasure.“

8 comments

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March 26, 2015 at 1:42 am

stacybuckeye

I agree with you! I would have loved more Bay and it was too short. And I did think the seeing of dead of people seemed to up the magic ante.

April 9, 2015 at 12:16 pm

Alex

I wonder where she’ll take it and what her audience will think if it. I don’t think there were are references to the after life before, and that’s always risky, especially coming from a cozy-novel writer.

March 26, 2015 at 1:45 am

Jenny @ Reading the End

I still haven’t read anything by Sarah Addison Allen, but I’m always in the market for a good comfort read! They seem harder to come by as an adult. It’s such a treat when one turns up.

April 9, 2015 at 12:18 pm

Start with Garden Spells and you’ll likely be hooked. I enjoy my comfort reads a lot, and I agree with you about how hard it is to find some as an adult, especially if you’re looking for a little substance.

March 27, 2015 at 12:36 am

shelleyrae @ Book'd Out