Persephone's Curse

PERSEPHONE'S CURSE is an enthralling YA magical realism story. The book follows Winter (Winnie) and her three sisters, who have long been told that they are descended from Persephone and her daughter, Melinoe. They are all teenagers now, and they are not sure if they believe the stories - but Winnie can see ghosts, mostly just Farthing women from the past, and Clara seems to know things about what will happen. All the sisters can see Henry, the ghost tied to their attic who plays Monopoly with them and has been there always as they grew up.

After Beatrice comes back from college early, the sisters feel off-kilter. When Winnie learns a secret that Evelyn is keeping, she does something she regrets, setting them on a course to uncover their heritage and change their worlds forever.

What I loved: This is a poetically written story with writing that feels ethereal and dream-like throughout. The sisters seem mythical in some ways with ties to Little Women that are spelled out in the story. That being said, it felt like they captured the nuance and challenges of sisterhood well. It is challenging but wonderful to belong and be seen so thoroughly, and these four sisters are all of that to each other.

While the story is told from Winnie's perspective, the reader gets to know each of the sisters through the telling, and they each felt unique and whole. The characterizations were absolutely fantastic, and it was easy to love and be consumed in the knowing of each of the sisters. The secondary characters were likewise compelling, including their aunt who tells wonderful stories and Maybe, the unusual young woman who works at a dark magic shop. Interestingly, Henry felt the least full and the most peripheral, even as he is in the middle of the story, and I found this perspective most intriguing with a focus on the women/girls.

Themes around friendship/sisterhood, love, magic and stories, inheritance/ancestry, forgiveness, and home were all really compelling. This is a story that wraps around the reader and sticks with them, even after the last page is turned. The ending was ultimately satisfying with the plot wrapped up nicely.

Final verdict: PERSEPHONE'S CURSE is a riveting and consuming YA magical realism about sisterhood that I highly recommend! This would work well for fans of THE HAZEL WOOD, THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE, and THE RAVEN BOYS.

If you're looking for a book that heavily relies on the Greek lore - this book is not for you. If you're looking for a book that is heavily character driven and focus on sisterly bond - then pick up this book immediately.

The Farthing sisters are told repeatedly that they are descendants from the goddess Persephone. Which would make sense since the sisters all have some sort of magical ability and have a ghost that lives in their attic. When one of the Farthing sisters falls in love with Henry the ghost - the rest get concerned. Concerned that she will never leave the house. Concerned that she will never live a life of her own. Concerned that she will grow old and die alone, loving a ghost that will never age or never die. Out of love for her sister, Henry gets banished.

I really thought this book was going to be more heavy of the Greek mythology side but honestly, besides the couple of mentions of Persephone - this book could have been just another paranormal book. Instead, the heart of this book fell into the bond the sisters had with each other. The way they rely on each other and love each other. I was absolutely absorbed in their sisterly bond and their story. This wasn't about Persephone. This wasn't about magic. This was truly about the Farthing sisters.

Our main narrator, Winnie, tells the story of when Henry gets banished and the backlash that happens. But this is actually such a short part of the book. The beginning allows the reader to explore the sister's relationship up until the banishment. Throughout the whole book - it's the focus. The Farthing sisters. If you think the repetition is a lot in this review - it's just to truly drive the point of what this story is about. It's about family. It's about anger. It's about forgiveness. I honestly thought it was beautifully told.

Overall, Persephone's Curse by Katrina Leno isn't a story about Persephone at all. It's a story about Winnie, Bernadette, Clara, Evelyn, and Henry. Girl, girl, girl, girl, ghost. As it has always been. This is a story about a familial bond and the love of sisters. This is about the Farthing sisters. And it is something truly beautiful and wonderful. I found myself so emerged in their story - in their love that I forgot this was supposed to be a story woven with Persephone involved. The Farthing sister's have their own story - their own lineage.

AUDIO REVIEW
I was lucky enough to listen to this as an audiobook. Phoebe Strole is a fantastic narrator and this book was no exception. She truly captures the tone of this book and brings it to life. I loved listening to her as Winnie and I think this would be a great audiobook for anyone - beginner or advanced.

Story has it that the Farthing sisters are descendants of Persephone. The sisters have heard this tale from their aunt since they were children. There might be some truth to that tale as Henry, a ghost, lives in their attic. One of the sisters falls in love with him. Another one banishes him from their home. That's when things go crazy, and the sisters must use the magic they have to save not only Henry, the world, but themselves.

What worked: Little Women meets mythology and ghosts in this beautifully written contemporary tale with a dash of magic. I love the similarities between the Farthing sisters and the March sisters. Each has her own ability and in this novel, gift, that sets them apart.

The mythology of Persephone and the girls being descended from the Goddess of the Dead takes meaning due to not only them having a ghost in their house, but one of the sisters seeing all the Farthing ghosts.

Each sister has her own ability. Bernadette is always writing in a journal. Clara is artistic. Evelyn is musical. And the narrator of the novel, Winnie, is the empath.

Great pacing with quirky characters. There's magic in this story that is sure to sweep you along as the sisters try to break a curse before it overwhelms the world. Sister drama and a generational curse had me on that first page!

Practical Magic meets the Farthing sisters in New York City and the age-old curse that follows them.