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Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
Lia Alexander Sinclair has just buried her aunt Melissa and is taking over her estate when she receives troubling news: her brother's sailing trip ended in disaster. His boat sank, and the only survivor of the tragedy is his son, Michael. Lia invites Michael to stay with her and her husband, Eric, at the sprawling estate while he recovers. Their plans are upended when Lia receives a notice that the state government plans to seize the property. She doesn't realize it yet, but she must open her mind to the magical truth behind all the unbelievable stories her aunt told her about the woods within the estate if she wants to save it. Only time will tell if she can do so in Karen Black's Arcadian Alcove.
The pace is steady, while the straightforward dialogue is easy for readers of all ages to follow. Karen Black's world-building weaves in classic mythical creatures like fairies and sprites, as well as hybrid beings born of her exceptional imagination. She balances moments of deep reflection, such as Lia's detailed grieving process, with heartwarming moments, such as when Lia's husband tries dropping subtle hints to Michael about the unusual activities in the woods around them. What sets Arcadian Alcove apart is Black's simple storytelling style, which combines playful elements that will easily attract younger readers, such as talking animals causing mischief, with realistic touches that will resonate with adults, like Michael's use of skills he learns from various television shows to help his aunt with her dilemma. She skillfully pairs these elements in a captivating adventure that fantasy genre enthusiasts will fall in love with.
