This book is the latest in the Waverly sister series. I read the first book “Garden Spells” a few years ago, and I fell in love with these characters and this author. Allen writes in a genre that I call magical realism. Although 98% of the book is based in reality, there is a magical element to her characters, the houses, and even the trees. Most of the magic is connected to nature in some way. For instance, in the Waverly sister books, the Waverly house has a personality and an opinion, and it will often refuse entry to people, conveniently drop books that hold vital information at just the right time, or sigh and breathe like a human. The apple tree in the garden blooms in the fall and throws apples at people that it doesn’t like. These small elements help to create a world that readers really love to get lost in.
“First Frost” is primarily focused on Bay, the teenage daughter of one of the Waverly sisters. Her Waverly gift (they all have one: her mom has a gift with hair and can make anyone feel tremendous, and her aunt can influence people’s emotions through the food that she makes) is that Bay knows where things belong. She can enter people’s houses and know just where everything goes (which has cost her many friendships because people think she is weird). At the beginning of the school year, she sees a senior named Josh Matteson, and immediately knows that she belongs with him. The tricky part is making him understand this truth. Bay is an underclassman who is often categorized as “weird,” and Josh is the most popular senior in school.
Woven into the story are subplots involving Bay’s aunt Claire and her candy company and her understanding her place in the family, along with Bay’s mom struggle with the desire to have another child. All of these stories come together and really show a unique view of the importance of family.
This is a story that I didn’t want to end. I love this world that Allen has created, and I have waited a long time for another Waverly sisters novel. This is definitely a series that I would recommend to any high school student or any reader in general. I think you will fall in love with these characters as much as I have.
“First Frost” is primarily focused on Bay, the teenage daughter of one of the Waverly sisters. Her Waverly gift (they all have one: her mom has a gift with hair and can make anyone feel tremendous, and her aunt can influence people’s emotions through the food that she makes) is that Bay knows where things belong. She can enter people’s houses and know just where everything goes (which has cost her many friendships because people think she is weird). At the beginning of the school year, she sees a senior named Josh Matteson, and immediately knows that she belongs with him. The tricky part is making him understand this truth. Bay is an underclassman who is often categorized as “weird,” and Josh is the most popular senior in school.
Woven into the story are subplots involving Bay’s aunt Claire and her candy company and her understanding her place in the family, along with Bay’s mom struggle with the desire to have another child. All of these stories come together and really show a unique view of the importance of family.
This is a story that I didn’t want to end. I love this world that Allen has created, and I have waited a long time for another Waverly sisters novel. This is definitely a series that I would recommend to any high school student or any reader in general. I think you will fall in love with these characters as much as I have.