ALA Booklist

Jack (aka June) O'Donnell IV lives in a place where the divide between the real world and that of ghosts and spirits is thin. These ethereal forces sustain a generations-old feud between the O'Donnells and the Angerts, but when June meets Saul Angert, she only knows he's beautiful and a kindred soul. The two embark on an odyssey to recover memories of those they loved, learn the truth of their shared history, and maybe put the long feud to rest. With a firm nod to Romeo and Juliet, this supernatural mystery is a gift to readers' imagination. There are coywolves (a mix of coyote and wolf) who steal shoes so that people can reach the spirit world; "Whites," puffballs that embody memories that act as clues; and relatable characters tethered and anchored by love. The first-person narrative supports a textured story that is an exploration of duty, family, and faith and yet doesn't forget the humor of everyday life. Try it with fans of John Green or Anna-Marie McLemore's The Weight of Feathers (2015).

Kirkus Reviews

In a town where magic is alive and cherries taste like the sun, the children of two rival families must break a curse that's haunted them for generations and learn what it means to live with loss.Jack O'Donnell IV—called Jack, Jackie, Junior, or June—knows two things for sure. First, she will always be her father's daughter, even though he passed when she was 8. Second, she must never, ever interact with the Angerts, or terrible things will happen to both families. But when Saul Angert returns to town and the two literally bump into each other, their chemistry is undeniable—as is the fact that they're suddenly able to enter their deceased loved ones' memories. As the recollections lead them closer to the truth about the O'Donnell-Angert vitriol, they also reveal that the father June grew up worshipping was more complicated than he seemed. Early on, readers will fall for the teens' witty repartee and June's father's tall tales, but Henry's (The Love That Split the World, 2016) beautifully crafted if largely white world, which is rich with a strong best friendship, a complicated writing teacher, and a dreamlike touch—becomes unwieldy as fantasy takes over. A potential treat for readers who enjoy magical realism, but there are stronger examples of the genre, such as Laura Ruby's Printz-winning Bone Gap. (Magical realism. 12-16)

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

In Five Fingers, Mich., ghosts and legend are as real as the generations-old rift between the O-Donnell and Angert families. When refined Saul Angert, 20, returns to town, 18-year-old Jack -June- O-Donnell IV begins to question the deeply held convictions and warnings passed down by her father in grand stories of adventure, magic, curses, and betrayal. Confronting memory and myth, June must accept that her -inheritance is grief and sunlight, and the ability to choose which to hold on to.- Through time slips, Henry (The Love That Split the World) lets June and Saul experience firsthand and interpret the seminal moments that formed their families and their attendant mythologies. The long line of -Jacks-in June-s family tree are captivating, allowing readers to more deeply understand her as a resilient and flawed character. Her connection and devotion to her deceased father is gorgeously portrayed, most notably her struggle to preserve his life and legacy as she forges her own path. Henry-s writing is lush and evocative, adding volumes to an already moving premise. Ages 12-up. Agent: Lana Popovic, Chalberg & Sussman. (May)

Voice of Youth Advocates (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Eighteen-year-old Jack O’Donnell IV (June) focuses her life on the O’Donnell vs. Angert family feud, tall tales, family legends, and her beloved (deceased) father’s wandering ways. Ghosts haunt her home, and the sinister Nameless exacts revenge on each generation of both families. A chance encounter with Saul Angert, who should be her mortal enemy, creates inner conflict and launches a search for truth as her crush grows into love. The couple weaves their way through supernatural experiences that reveal the joys and clashes of four generations. The revelations force June to choose between family history and responsibility for her future. Cross-generational encounters bog down the plot with cartoon-like ancestors. June’s high-achieving best friend, Hannah, exists only to bring June and Saul together. Hannah’s rival for valedictorian is supposed to illustrate the small town’s prejudice against gays, but that issue is not developed and so does not feel relevant. The writing teacher who hounds June to work harder once dated Saul, but there is no reason that the reader needs to know that. June’s mother, stepfather, and two half-brothers remain underdeveloped. Many of June’s conclusions about life, love, and moving on are clichés. It is hard to believe Saul’s promises to wait while June explores the world. June and Saul’s romance may draw fans of Henry’s 2016 The Love That Split the World (Penguin Random House, 2016/VOYA April 2016).—Lucy Schall.