Catori has grown up in a very small town in Michigan where everyone knows everyone. Her family has run the cemetery for generations, and it is simply a part of her life.  While her mother has always relied on natural remedies passed down through the generations of their Gottwa tribe ancestry, Cat has decided modern medicine is her calling. She does not hesitate to leave her small community in order to advance her education as soon as she is done with high school.

Then the unthinkable happens, and Cat receives a call that her mother unexpectedly has died from an apparent heart attack. Rushing home, Cat discovers that there is more to her family's history than her mother ever told her. Maybe even more than her mother ever knew. And now she is facing a reality she could not have even come up in her worst nightmares.

I actually really enjoyed the mixing of genres in this story.  The idea that a specific, small (completely fictional) Native American tribe had been given the power to protect the world from power hungry fae was interesting. I thought Wildenstein did an excellent job of making Cat seem like a typical college student, with professional goals, while still connected to her family and small hometown.

The pace of this story was excellent. I could have easily sat all afternoon and read this straight through if only life would allow such a luxury.  While Cat has just enough naivete to be believable as a college student, she also isn't dumb. She asks questions, she seeks answers, all while trying to be considerate of those she loves. She wants to trust people, to see the good in them. Yet, she has lived long enough to be a little wary of new people, and she starts meeting quite a few new people.

The entire cast of this story is incredible. Wildenstein has a great talent for bringing her characters to life, no matter how minor their role is in the story. Its fascinating, and really helps this small town seem like one you might actually know along the Great Lakes.

I was not a big fan of Aylen and her family dynamic. While it certainly played as a wonderful paradox of Cat and her immediate family, Aylen's family was annoying. I wanted to smack her kids for their rudeness, and scream at Aylen for her lack of parenting attempts. All the while Aylen wanted to give advice to others... it was strange.

Overall, I do not really have many critiques with this book. There were times when I was questioning, but as the book continued it was clear the points that could have become plot holes were managed and all of it set up the next book well...

For some, the idea of a fictional Native American tribe was too much. And for others it was a hurtle they couldn't get over. Yet, fantasy worlds allow for this more than contemporary, so if you are ready for it, maybe it won't be such an issue.

I am giving this a five heart rating.  Partly because I didn't really have any expectations going into it, which allowed the story to sweep me away completely. And because Wildenstien truly has talent I haven't seen in a new author in a while. I enjoyed it, and couldn't find any major flaws. 

I would hold that this is a NA, which means it's a good choice for young adults 18+. While it isn't a heavy romance story, there are some interesting love stories starting to develop and I am guessing will play a bigger role in the next book. So for those younger, maybe hold off a bit... In this manner, I can see the reference to ACOTAR.

While this is a minor note for many, there is common swearing throughout this story as part of conversations. And it involves a ton of superstitions that some people might not care for.

For those are often into the fantasy and fae stories, this is going to be vastly different from other books you are picking up. If you are expecting a new world to escape to, this does not really have that... it's more of a story of what might happen if fae actually did walk among us today in this world.

For contemporary fans, realize that the Native American tribe that Cat is from is completely fictional.  It isn't that Wildenstein is ignoring the rich history Native Americans have, it appears she is rather trying to set up a fantasy world that runs parallel to our reality and needed to have more room to play than using a historical factual tribe (for this reason I refuse to go along with those shelving this book as historical ficiton...).

About the Author

Wondering Questions to Consider

The story deals with death, and life after death, heavily. These types of books are excellent ways to think about such topics ourselves. What is the purpose of life? Why live a certain way? What goals should you make if there is a life after death?

Also family and friendship are huge aspects of the story. How much do you know about your ancestry? How well to do you love and care for those closest to you? Do they know?

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