Publisher: Sourcebooks
Format: Paperback ARC
Number of pages: 307 pages
Publishing: March 25th, 2025
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest reviewOpening Lines: "The tide brought back many things, but this was the first time it brought back a person..."
Days after turning twelve-years old, Everly "Benny" Benedict receives news that she is the sole heir to her five-time great grandmother's fortune, including her hotel in Greenport, New York. This is wonderful news for Benny and her mother, as after the death of her current grandmother, her mom has been barely making ends meet at her job waitressing. Unfortunately, there is one small stipulation in the will, Benny most follow a series of clues and solve riddles in order to receive her inheritance. With a two-week clock ticking, Benny uses a letter written in the 1800's addressed directly to her, to set out to solve the mystery regarding the location of a secret island and to break the curse that was cast 200-years ago. Benny receives help from Wally, the hotels caretaker, Thea a local historian and her grand-daughter Zara, as well as Ryan one of the local business owners' sons. Together the trio begin canvasing the island and hotel for information about this mysterious island, and to locate the next clue.
The Isle of Ever alternates between present day and 1825 in order to explain how Evelyn "Sparrow" Terry, Benny's great grandmother and her best friend come to find the mysterious island off the coast of Greenport, Long Island and their first encounter with Captain Jonas Trimble, a pirate captain. The story is a wonderful adventure/mystery that will keep you guessing. With a tagline line of the Pirates of the Caribbean meets Tuck Everlasting you can see why.
The story is equal parts fantasy and historical fiction with a focus on the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1825 and Blood Orange Moons. The pacing was perfect, having everything set around a two-week time frame helped keep things moving along. The stakes were high because if Benny couldn't find the island's location, she would forfeit her inheritance, and she really doesn't want to go back to a life of financial instability. The prospect of owning the hotel was also really important to Benny as she wants nothing more than to drop roots and continue her new friendship with Zara and Ryan.
The story is equal parts fantasy and historical fiction with a focus on the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1825 and Blood Orange Moons. The pacing was perfect, having everything set around a two-week time frame helped keep things moving along. The stakes were high because if Benny couldn't find the island's location, she would forfeit her inheritance, and she really doesn't want to go back to a life of financial instability. The prospect of owning the hotel was also really important to Benny as she wants nothing more than to drop roots and continue her new friendship with Zara and Ryan.
Calonita wonderfully weaves in Evelyn's letter's, diary, journal entries, articles, and texts to tell her story. The flashes between present and past come together naturally. There is so much fun to be had in following the trio with hunting for clues, solving the puzzles and riddles, I was reminded of The Westing Game. Unfortunately, the story ends on a cliff hanger, so we'll have to wait for the sequel's release. Overall, this was a wonderful new series from the author of Fairy Tale Reform School, Secrets of My Hollywood Life and the Royal Academy Series.
**A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the paperback ARC**
**A huge thank you to Sourcebooks for the paperback ARC**
I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE
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