Hey everyone! Today I'm thrilled to share a review of After Our Castle by Kellyn Roth! This is the sixth book in The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy, and the third Ivy-centric book in the series -- and today just happens to be release day! Before I get into my review, here's some info on the book!
ABOUT THE BOOK
And they lived … well, happily ever after.
A year into a blissfully happy marriage, Violet Angel admits to a dose of skepticism. She’s not married, granted—but as the closest friend of the bride and groom, she feels she has a perspective no one but the people directly involved could have. There’s no such thing as a happy ending, and it’s only a matter of time before the castle in the sky plummets to earth.
If only Violet were always wrong instead of just mostly wrong. Ivy McAllen doesn’t believe she and her new husband are out of the honeymoon period—if they are, she isn’t going to admit it to herself—but there are certainly areas of adjustment that she hadn’t expected.
Changes at the village of Keefmore and in Ivy’s life lead to complications, and Violet spirals further and further from reality. When a castle in the sky turns out to be more cloud than stronghold, finding a foothold proves more than a little difficult.
MY REVIEW
This book really takes a deep-dive into not only Ivy's growth as a character, but also Violet's spiral from reality. I loved the themes involving the importance of open and honest conversation, of handling difficult topics even if doing so is painful; and also the give-and-take struggle of friends drifting apart (when to hold on and when to let go). In some respects, this did struggle to keep my attention for the first 30% or so, but after that I really enjoyed it and the pace picked up. As always, the representation of mental struggles as well as Violet's descent into madness were interesting and accurate (and after this, I'd kind of like to see a Violet-centric story about her eventual redemption OR final decline, I mean...anyone read "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman...?) I did really enjoy the scene where God grants Ivy an answer to what she's looking for -- I can't go into detail, you'll just have to read it -- as well as the strength Ivy had to possess in the end of the story; I found those to be particularly moving and impactful.
Overall, if you enjoy the Chronicles of Alice & Ivy, you'll have to pick this one up too. Them's the rules.
Do you plan on picking up a copy of After Our Castle?
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