If you're looking for something beautiful, mysterious and a little bit magical, then consider The Gloaming as your next read! I read The Gracekeepers by Kirsty Logan a few years ago and honestly I was kind of underwhelmed, I remember I thought there were too many perspectives for me to care deeply about the characters. Well The Gloaming is touted as a 'spiritual prequel to the Gracekeepers', which I just?? That doesn't make sense to me, but I think maybe I've just forgotten all of the details of The Gracekeepers and I'm missing some connection. But fear not, if you haven't read it, just read The Gloaming instead for a gorgeous fairytale-esque tale with a precious f/f relationship!

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Mara lives on an island, only accessible via fishing boat. Life there moves slowly and magic lingers in the air. When the inhabitants reach the end of their lives, they make the walk up to the cliff where their bodies turn to stone. There they stand, silent sentinels looking out towards the sea. Mara knows that's what's in store for her, along with her mother, father, sister Islay and little brother Bee. But when the sea turns against their family, Mara realises there is a world beyond her tiny island.

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The story is told in a fragmented, non-linear structure, flitting back and forth between past and present. We hear about the family's life before and after the island, hear from every member of the family. The chapters are short and choppy, but it still manages to feel substantial. When I think back on the book now, which I listened to, as I write my review, it's not so much the story I remember, but the hypnotic atmosphere. The beautiful and enigmatic Pearl. The crumbling house the family lives in. The merciless sea which still holds a magnetic allure despite its cruelty. Logan draws everything together to evoke an irresistible sense of magic.

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I think if you love the sea and you enjoy atmospheric books you should give this one a try, but be aware that there isn't that much plot. But if you can overlook that then sit back and let the magic of the island wash over you.