School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Gr 9 Up —Welcome to Madrona, WA, population 723. Following the sudden death of their father, Rhonda and Evangeline Sylvan have fled New York upon learning Eva has inherited her Great Aunt Miriam's home and other property. Broke and grieving, both are looking for a fresh start; however, their arrival in Madrona is not met with smiles. Instead, there are hostile glares, whispers, and vile, cryptic messages painted on the dilapidated old house. More strange things begin to happen: a disabled vehicle, slashed tires, oh, and all the townspeople Eva meets end up comatose. Is she causing these terrible things to happen or is there something much more sinister in town? As the mystery unravels, Eva discovers that she is from a long line of witches who can dreamwalk. With more questions than answers, Eva must overcome guilt and anger in order to learn about her past and save not only her own future, but that of those affected by the mysterious sleep sickness plaguing the locals, her sister, and even her new almost-boyfriend Cal. Paasch's debut is a well-developed stand-alone novel with a compelling female protagonist and intricate plot. The supporting characters help weave a solid narrative that explores themes of grief, anger, regret, reputation, and familial legacy within a supernatural framework. VERDICT A thrilling and mysterious page-turner for high school readers, based on strong language usage.—Linsey Milillo

Horn Book

After the death of Eva Sylvan's beloved father (about which she feels lingering guilt), she and her half-sister, Rhonda, move from New York to the (fictional) small town of Madrona, Washington, and into a spooky, decrepit house willed to Eva by a great-aunt she never met. When people in Madrona learn that Eva and Rhonda are Sylvans, most seem to view them with fear (with the exception of a few new friends). And Eva becomes terrified that she might really be as monstrous a witch as people believed her great-aunt was when her dreams about the inhabitants of the town cause them to fall into comas -- including Rhonda. Eva must rely on her own wits and bravery to reach back into memories that have been hidden away and solve a years-old mystery about her family, the town, and a tragedy that involved two Madrona residents when they were children. This is a compelling combination of gothic YA fiction and psychological thriller. The magical elements of astral projection and battling shadows in dreams feel human and intimate rather than fantastical. A vibrant cast of characters populates Madrona, and Paasch clearly understands grief, guilt, and what moves the teenage heart. Sarah Berman

Kirkus Reviews

After their father's death, two sisters from New York seek an inheritance in Washington state.Rising high school junior Eva Sylvan and her 22-year-old sister, Rhonda, are reeling from their father's death. Half sisters through their mom-a mom who left with her new boyfriend and drug supplier when Eva was 11-the girls were raised by Eva's father as if they were both his own. With limited resources to keep them afloat in New York City now that their paramedic dad is gone, they learn that Eva's great-aunt left her a house in tiny, rural Madrona, Washington, and they head west. When they arrive, most of the residents are reluctant to welcome them; after all, Eva's reclusive great aunt was rumored to be a witch. In fact, people start slipping into mysterious comas after Eva dreams about them, and many locals suspect the arrival of Eva, another Sylvan, is to blame. Cal, a cute boy who befriends Eva, also seems to hide a secret. The mystical worldbuilding feels tangible as Eva accesses her dormant, inherited magic but is unsure what she is creating or witnessing. The book moves at an urgent pace, as Eva is determined to unravel the mystery through cryptic clues that her aunt has left. Though eerie in tone, the book weaves together the magical realm with the characters' grief and guilt, adding nuance to the suspenseful story. Most of the main characters are presumed White.A haunting and healing journey. (Fantasy. 12-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Packed with profound insights and ruminations on grief, Paasch’s stirring fantasy debut follows 16-year-old Eva Sylvan, who is reeling from her father’s death. Lacking the resources to continue living in N.Y.C., Eva and her 22-year-old half sister, Rhonda, travel to Madrona, Wash., to claim a heretofore unknown inheritance left for Eva by her great-aunt Miriam. The inheritance, and the house that comes with it, are not the fresh start they expected; instead, they’re shocked to find the residence in horrible condition. The townsfolk offer no aid, avoiding the girls and claiming that Miriam was a witch. To make things worse, people around town fall into unexplained comas almost immediately after appearing in Eva’s dreams, and, because she’s a Sylvan, the residents turn against her. Despite her pariah status, Eva finds comfort in her new friend, Bethany, who is Vietnamese, and falls for enigmatic Cal, who lives with anomic aphasia and aphantasia. With dignity and grace, Paasch methodically addresses the intense loneliness of grief and survivor’s guilt via Eva’s careful exploration of her budding supernatural powers and her tender developing relationships, wrapping it in an intriguing mystery tinged with horror and romance. Main characters cue as white. Ages 13–up. Agent: