If there is one book that I recommend wholly, entirely, with every part of my soul, it will be this one. I don't remember the last time I sobbed this hard and frequently for a book, nor the last time I felt so fully seen in one. Every word in this book is gorgeous, and you can tell Victoria put so much of herself into this book. It's completely, utterly, entirely worth it, and I don't think I could love it more. Some lines just hit me like a truck, and there are already scenes I've reread multiple times before even finishing the book itself, and I can think of so many others I'll be rereading in the days, weeks, years, lifetimes to come.

I don't think this is a book I can bear to break apart into pieces and analyze. Like [b:The Starless Sea|43575115|The Starless Sea|Erin Morgenstern|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1554996038l/43575115._SY75_.jpg|66444785] and [b:Strange the Dreamer|28449207|Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1)|Laini Taylor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519915549l/28449207._SY75_.jpg|48158509], so much of my love for this book is built in the emotional connection I've made to it, and breaking it up into explainable parts will never be able to sum up just how much this book hit me, means to me, and spoke to me. It is the blend of storytelling, characters, setting, concepts altogether, and that something more that some books just seem to have for me. But this is one of those books that has left me changed, makes the world feel a little bigger for a while, and while it hurts like a knife to the gut, I feel better for it. This is a story I can save in my soul to call on when I need it.

From the first page, Addie's story was one I was excited to embark on, from her bargain struck in 1714 to her ghostly presence on the streets of New York in 2014. This story never stumbled, never strayed, and while it may be considered 'slow' and others might say it needs time to really get going, I think it's pace and style are integral to understanding Addie and her life, to really sinking into the story Victoria has written. Additionally, while plot wise most of this story is build up, only for it all to come together in the final few chapters, it makes so much sense, both while reading and after reading. I honestly can't complain about any of it. If a book has me so invested that I'm already crying at 42%, that I'm barely able to turn the next page in fear of what happens next, that book is sure to be one of my favorites.

I already loved Victoria so so much before this book, but the fact that she was able to create this just increased that love even more, somehow. I cannot wait to buy every edition and version of this book, and reread it with you all!