Wow, what a story! Another stunning book by Eowyn Ivey. The descriptions really take you to the wilderness of Alaska and you could feel the remoteness and danger and also the beauty of the place. It maybe lagged a little in the middle and the story certainly was a lot more brutal than what I was expecting, but it was beautifully written and had a lovely ending.

I really enjoyed reading the story of Birdie and Emmaleen, set in Alaska. A dark, somewhat magical story based on mythological ideas that explore the idea that humans and bears were once one.

The only criticism I have, without giving much away, is that there is a gap in time, that felt like quite a leap.

Beautiful, vivid imagery to get lost in.

I haven't read The Snow Child, but the writing of Black Woods, Blue Sky was so beautiful, I have now ordered it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Headline Books for an early copy of Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey.

What a book! I may have to reread it, or maybe listen to the audiobook when it is available as while I did appreciate the detail, prose, and descriptions of the Alaskan countryside I perhaps didn't absorb it fully due to being so caught up in the story, the love and foreboding of it all. I suspect it will be an excellent audiobook.

There was only a small cast of characters but each one was well-executed and I will miss them all, in different ways.

It is difficult to do a review for this novel, without giving anything away as it is a story that slowly releases its secrets to the reader and that is how it should be but if you loved The Snow Child then I feel I can promise that you will not be disappointed, I think it might actually be better!

I absolutely loved this book, I was immersed in the Atlanta wilderness which was described beautifully. This is the story of Birdie and her daughter Emaleen., she is a single mother , a little wild who falls in love with Arthur a recluse and loner. She goes to live in the wilderness with them . . We have some brilliant descriptions of the flowers and wildlife and the dangers of living in such a remote place, constantly watching for bears. We have an arrange of characters, Warren who is Arthur’s father with a story to tell , Della who looks out for Birdie , and a close community who look out for each other. This is like a fairytale and is described as a modern re telling of Beauty and the Beast , which I agree has similarities. What happens in the wilderness is fascinating, magical , frightening and emotional. Part of me was furious with Birdie for taking a six year old to such a remote place with so much danger , but she was besotted with Arthur and obviously loved her daughter. It’s a great read as is the The Snow Child which I read some years ago.

I liked the snow child, and this follow up is not a disappointment. There is something quite ethereal about the setting in the Alaskan wilds, where you may need a gun to step outside your cabin, but can also feel a closeness to nature spotting and naming the flora which abounds there. Birdie has had a rough start in life, and she is determined to live it more meaningfully away from the trailer park where she works and lives with her six year old daughter.
She falls for the strange man whose appearance and behaviour attract negative comments, when he starts to spend time in the bar where she works. Despite the misgivings of others she and her daughter follow him to his cabin in the wilds, where they must live a different life, it is back to nature, which she loves and adapts to, but there are other worrying developments which threaten their lives.
There is a certain amount of suspension of belief, as in the previous book, where we are led to believe in a kind of metamorphosis, but it is beautifully dealt with, and I was gripped by the possibilities unfolding dramatically on the page.

This is a beautifully written story with some wonderful characters and the settings come vividly to life, whether it is the bar or the wild and dramatic landscape. Della and Warren are wonderful creations and both truly have Birdie's wellbeing at heart.

I had to suspend disbelief to accept that Birdie would try to make a life with Arthur. Magical stories really do not appeal to me. I thought maybe there was to be a logical explanation when it was suggested that he arose from Emaleen's vivid imagination, but it was not to be.

This is a haunting emotional read.

Birdie, a single mum of a young daughter, Emaleen, wants to change her life to join Arthur who lives in the Alaskan wilderness. She is prepared to risk everything for love.

Emaleen soon realises all is not normal and that Arthur is not all he seems but it takes Birdie some time to accept his nature.

Then tragedy intervenes.

Emaleen returns to Alaska after graduation to investigate what actually happened in the childhood year and to come to terms with her loss.

The wildness and beauty of Alaska echo through the book. The characters shine through.

A real treat.

Eowyn Ivey is one of the greatest story tellers of this generation, her books and style of writing has me transfixed and almost feeling like a child.

The world building, the characters, the feelings that came with every turned page, Black Woods Blue Sky held my entire attention throughout. Emaleen is such a strong character, and being able to see her grow from a child to a young adult through Ivey’s detailed prose, creates a great connection for the reader, as we end up only wanting the best for her.

I do wish, we had found out more about Arthur, and how he came to exist - but there is definitely some magic in the unknown, allowing the reader to really use their imagination.

Thank you Headline, Tinder Press, and of course the author, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I will be recommending this to everyone when it is published 🖤💙

Eowyn Ivey has such a wonderful way with words: the characters, the plot, and the descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness that draw you in and make you feel like you're right there in the Alaskan tundra too. There's a haunting quality to Ivey's writing, and her books are guaranteed to stay with you (I read The Snow Child ten years ago, and it still creeps into my thoughts regularly).

It's difficult to review Black Woods Blue Sky without spoilers, and I've had to wait a few days to full digest what I read. At the time, I wasn't sure of the ending, but now I can see it was the right ending to the story Ivey wanted to tell. I thought I'd sussed the plot at least three times, only to be completely wrong - this book will definitely keep you on your toes.

The perfect book to read by candlelight whilst snuggled under a blanket on a cold winter evening.

This novel by Eowyn Ivey is a beautifully crafted novel that delves deeply into the complexities of human relationships and the realities of single parenthood. Ivey creates characters that feel entirely real, with each of them carrying their own set of flaws, fears, and desires. The story doesn’t shy away from showing these imperfections, making the characters relatable and raw. Their struggles and resilience pull readers in, making it easy to connect with them on an emotional level.

The portrayal of single parenthood in this novel is particularly striking. Ivey approaches it with both sensitivity and honesty, shedding light on the hardships and moments of doubt, as well as the love and strength that come with it. This grounded depiction brings a sense of authenticity to the story, honoring the emotional and practical challenges faced by single parents without romanticizing or oversimplifying them.

The setting in "Black Woods, Blue Sky" is equally captivating, with Ivey’s signature style bringing the natural world to life. Her descriptions of the landscape add depth and atmosphere, mirroring the characters' internal struggles and moments of peace.

Overall, "Black Woods, Blue Sky" is a moving and realistic exploration of family, resilience, and self-discovery. With flawed yet relatable characters and a vivid sense of place, Eowyn Ivey has crafted a story that lingers with you long after reading.

A beautiful magical realist fable which will appeal to fans of Ivey's debut, The Snow Child. Sad yet hopeful, and deeply imbued with the spirit of the Alaskan wilderness. The character of Emaleen, in particular, will stay with me for a long time.

An adult fairy tale ,if you loved the snow child this one is for you .We all need to believe in fairy tales .Love it .

I'm really not sure how to feedback on the book. Eowyn is a wonderful writer and the descriptions of the forest and characters are great, I could picture it and wanted to keep reading. But the story itself, well I'm not sure how I feel about it. Birdie lives with her daughter, Emmaleen, but is unhappy and becomes besotted with Arthur, a recluse who lives in the forest and hides a dark secret. Birdie and Emmaleen up their lives to o live in the wilderness with Arthur.
A strange tale of love but also darkness.

Birdie is something of a "wild child" (and got the nickname because she wanted to fly) but she has a child of her own, Emaleen. They live at an Alaskan roadside lodge where Birdie works tables and the bar. Drink and drugs are part of Birdie's life though she dotes on her daughter. Arthur is the quiet silent type and a recluse who rarely comes to town (such as it is). However he appears to know the land very well indeed. Many avoid him but Birdie becomes interested in him. He lives at a remote cabin in a wild area.

I was a little unsure of this book and the idea of "Beauty and the Beast reimagined" made me wonder just what this would be like. Equally I'd not read anything else by this author however I do like to find books that are fresh to me. The book follows the coming together of Arthur and Birdie and the consequences of that. I try and avoid reading much about the review copy books I get before I start them so that I am approaching them as an ordinary reader. Equally I do prefer not to give much away in reviews - I like to "discover" books for myself so my comments are quite general.

The setting of remote Alaska worked very well for me - wildlife, flowers and simply the grandeur of the country. However the real story is the people. There is quite a small cast in this book. Three I have already referred to however Warren must get a mention in this too. He is Arthur's father through adoption and his is a story that gradually gets told. Also featured are Syd and Della - they are not major parts but are significant in their ways.

While Birdie and Arthur are major players I have to say my favourite is Emaleen without doubt. All three of the main characters are very well written but I just loved Emaleen. This was a book that built up steadily for me and my enjoyment increased with that. I thought the last third of the book was exceptional. The feeling of completeness and development was wonderful and it just made me go "WOW". It really did seal my 5 star rating.

I really enjoyed The Snow Child so.i.had high hopes for this book

I truly was not disappointed what an immersive great read. I loved it

Thanks again for the opportunity to review

Excuse me a second whilst I just wipe the tears away from my eyes.
I'm not even sure who I'm crying for Emaleen, Birdie, Arthur or Warren.
Possibly all of them.
Ivey's books always have a magical quality about them, and she is consistently amazing in her storytelling.
There's such warm hearted moments in this book, and heart breaking one's.
It's beautiful.