Rebecca Mahoney

THE VALLEY AND THE FLOOD was a strange book. It was like a weird dream that sometimes makes sense and other times you can’t figure out what’s going on.

Since her best friend Gaby’s death, Rose has suffered from PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks. Driving through the Nevada desert one night, Rose’s car breaks down, and she hears a familiar voicemail messages playing over the radio. This leads Rose to a town called Lotus Valley, where she finds out from the quirky locals that her arrival show more is part of a prophecy about a flood that will destroy everything.

I appreciate how the author presented Rose’s struggles with PTSD and her grief over Gaby’s death, both realistically and through magical realism. The beginning of the book hooked me right away, but it wasn’t until 70% or so that things started making sense and the pieces of the puzzle clicked together. Up until that point, some of it was downright confusing and frustrating. This is an emotional journey for Rose, who ultimately just wants to make it home, but she has to face the prophecy first. show less

A girl struggles with love, duty and self-preservation as she fulfills her role as the last of an ancient family - keep a monster contained in a cave.

Alana lost her grandmother and broke up with her girlfriend, Charlie, leaving her heartbroken as she takes on her hereditary role of keeping the Memory Eater locked up. Years ago, her ancestress, Abigail, used a blood spell to bind the Memory Eater to a cave in Whistler after she decimated the memories of everyone on a ship to America. A deal show more was struck - the town and council wouldn't let her starve, and she wouldn't take more than she was offered. Now Alana's blood keeps the seal intact. But when the Memory Eater gets the better of Alana and escapes, it'll take every member of her community to help her save the town.

Charlie, Alana and her new guardians are rendered with depth and compassion, showing an unbreakable circle where mistakes are forgivable. Difficult themes of grief and justice are dealt with through magical realism in this book with a heart of gold.

A stunning story that pulls you in and lingers with you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

A young woman who has finally escaped her overbearing family finds the life she is trying to build turned upside down when she is bitten by a vampire.

I think the jacket copy makes this sound way more interesting than it is. I felt the characters were cookie cutter and the book's metaphors very ham-handed.

Received via NetGalley.