Title: Black Bird of the Gallows
Author: Meg Kassel
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, 2017 (Sept 5)
Genre: YA Fantasy, YA Paranormal
**I received a copy of the book free from Netgalley and Chapter by Chapter Book Tours in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA’s Tumblr, or my Goodreads page
My Review:
I knew this book would blow my mind. Do you know how hard it was for me to wait and write this review? I finished this book but I knew I was part of the blog tour (I don’t schedule posts bc I really don’t know how and it seems weird to me), so I waited for my time to talk about this book.
Have you ever known you were going to love a book before you read it? Well, that’s how I felt with Black Bird of the Gallows. With the description/blurb, the cover, and the all-around “ness” of the book (i.e. The awesomeness), I didn’t have to read it to know I was going to love it. But I’m glad I did.
Can we just talk about this coverlove right now? I mean….WOW!! πππ
That doesn’t even do it justice…
Still looks prettier than any pic can show. Really it is. Those purples and blue tones (is this the year of the crow or what?)
Anyway, you lol know I could gush superficially for hours. But that’s not why we are here, is it?
Let’s talk about Black Bird…
Angie Dovage carries her grief with her everywhere: the loss of her mom to a drug overdose should have been a relief, as she’s now being raised by her stable father. However, she still hurts from the mother she loved despite the erratic behavior and the unastable environment. Her only outlet is her music: she hides as DJ Sparo at the local club, and with the help of her two friends, no one knows Angie and Sparo are the same person. And Angie likes it that way.
When the neighbors are found dead and a new family moves in, Angie tries not to notice Reece Fernandez, the handsome eldest son. But it’s hard not to notice him when strange things happen around him…at the bus stop during their first meeting, crows come out of nowhere and seem to attack Reece, yet he strangely stands there, completely calm. She also thinks it’s strange that he warns her about the bees…but she thinks maybe he just really doesn’t like bees.
As she gets to know Reece, she realizes that he wears a mask at school, but underneath the mask is the same grief Angie is hiding. She is drawn to Reece but cannot explain why. There’s also the strange man following both her and Reece…with a face that seems to change every few seconds, Angie knows he’s not human. But who, or what, is he? And what does that make Reece?
Logical solution? She decides to follow him and find out his secret.
But when she comes upon a car accident and Reece just standing there, looking like he is enraptured rather than disgusted or scared…Angie knows he needs to tell her the truth. What is Reece? And what is going on now that he’s here in her town: people are suddenly acting strange and psychotic – normal people that never showed signs of erratic behavior before.
What Angie gets is a lot more questions…but she does get her answer.
She knows what Reece is.
He is a harbinger. Of death.
Can she keep falling for him, knowing he isn’t human…knowing what he is?
While Angie fights her heart…the bees are coming. And it’s all happening no matter what Angie does.
Did I freak you out with that image? ::shivers::
Here’s an excerpt to get you in the mood for Black Bird if you’re still not convinced…
His soft voice clashes with the intensity of his gaze. βYouβre adorable when youβre trying to be mad at me. You neednβt work so hard at it, though. We arenβt meant to be adversaries.β
βI, umβ¦β My thoughts disband, leaving nothing for communication purposes. Iβm adorable? Adorable has many definitions. I think my dog is adorable, for example. βThatβ¦wasnβt what I was going to ask you.β
He inclines his head. βOkay, then. Ask.β
But that βadorableβ echoes through me, clinking around like a penny down a well. βWhat are we meant to be, then?β
His lips curls up at the corners. βThat wasnβt your question, either.β
I know…I’m mean. That wasn’t much at all, was it? π
Here’s a link to Goodreads for more info: Black Bird of the Gallows
Is It Classroom-Appropriate?
This one is hard because I would love to use this. However, it’s really not a book I could see incorporating into the curriculum. There’s some fabulous mythology that would make for great discussion, but it’s more of a paranormal thriller to be read outside the classroom. The romance is right on point, though some people I talked to thought it was creepy. I think it was beautiful. It’s an intense read with some deep questions about grief and life/death, but I would leave this one out of the classroom and instead push it as outside reading material. So for classroom use, I give Black Bird β β βββ.
I wouldn’t use it: it might creep some kids (and parents) out. But I definitely loved it myself. And I think the right reader will, too. The reader just has to be able to embrace darker characters.
Now of course Black Bird isn’t on Lexile.com. That would just make my life too easy. So I have to go with my best estimate for appropriate age level. There is some steamy feelings between our protagonist and our love interest, but nothing is explicit. All implied. I think mainly it is the dark subject matter that makes me stick with 14 and up. The book is a little too dark for MG readers in my opinion. I think high school readers will be fine, and an advanced reader will really enjoy this. Lovers of Twilight (I hate to admit it, but it’s true) and Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick would really enjoy this read. When in doubt, judge by previous reading material, and if they’ve read books centered around tragedy and death before, then there’s really nothing taboo in Black Bird to make me advise against reading it at a younger age…it just might spook some. That’s all.
End Result:
I absolutely adored this book. I adored it so much that I’m going to include purchase links after this so you may grab a copy ASAP. This was fresh, original, and addictive, and I wouldn’t mind more from Kassel with Reece and Angie. Kassel: bring it on! I want MORE!!!
I give Black Bird of the Gallows β β β β β !! And it deserves every one of them.
More Good Stuff???
Now the good part…how about a GIVEAWAY???
Three (3) winners will receive A Black Bird of the Gallows canvas tote bag (11βx14β) which includes a custom made crow pendant and ball chain, bookmark and stickers, $10 Amazon Gift Card (INT):
Seriously? YES!!
Here is the link to enter: Rafflecopter Giveaway
Go and enter now! Why wouldn’t you??
Now let me tell you a little about Miss Meg Kassel!
Meg Kassel is an author of paranormal and speculative books for young adults. A New Jersey native, Meg graduated from Parsonβs School of Design and worked as a graphic designer before becoming a writer. She now lives in Maine with her husband and daughter and is busy at work on her next novel. She is the 2016 RWA Golden HeartΒ© winner in YA.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Amazon Australia | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
Link to Tour Schedule:
So what are you waiting for? Go enter the giveaway…and get yourself a copy of this amazingly beautiful and mesmerizing book!
Been seeing so much of this in the book blogger world!!! That cover though *heart eyes*
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That cover literally turned my eyes into hearts too! ππππ
I’m loving the crow era right now! Have you noticed the trend?
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Yeah I have. It’s funny. π
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Oooh this looks like a MUST READ! π
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Oh, Christine, you would like this one! Harbinger of death and there’s an embodiment of chaos!! It’s so good! If you read it, I need to know what you think!
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Yes, I will let you know. I am sure I’ll love it π
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So excited to find out! π
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Absolutely spot-on review Stephanie! I think this will be on my top ten list of favorite YA reads this year.π
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I’m so glad we agree! It is on my fave list, too! I’m glad you liked the review. Makes me so happy π
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Exactly my reactions! I loved this book so much and the cover is so gorgeous as you said! I posted my reveiw yesterday and had also to post 4 different pictures of the cover AND the inside of the book (I loved the begin of the chapters with the feather). So swoony!!!
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Ooh, I’m behind on my blog-hopping but I’ll catch up tomorrow and check out your review! Can’t wait to see what you thought – but I think we both pretty much feel the same…and that cover makes me love it even more!
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This sounds so good. It’s going onto my list.
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You WILL NOT regret it. I promise you.
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Awesome review!! You have me dying for a copy of this book!!! Ugh I’ve been seeing it pop up here and there and I just want to read it NOW! Hahaha
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This is one of those books that I would have been dying to read but had no excuse to put it ahead of other books…but the blog tour made it so I could justify it!
When you get the opportunity to read it, grab it!! It’s worth it!
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That seriously is such a great cover! And five Rainbow Brights?! That’s awesome! So glad you enjoyed it! I wish I would have gotten to this one this month.
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But you’ll get it it and you’ll love it too! I know – I hate when some books come before others. If it wasn’t for the blog tour stop, I would never have had time to read it! Thank goodness for blog tours! ππ
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I hope so! I need to do a massive cut on my TBR and get rid of all the books I’m not realistically going to get to. And yes!!! Blog tours are my favorite posts to do. πππ
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Omg, I know what you mean. There are so many always coming out and some get left behind, with a piece of my book-loving heart! My mom said I’ll never read all that I have…but isn’t that the ultimate goal? π
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It’s so true! And it makes me so sad when I can’t read them all! I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll never read all the books I own at this point. But I feel so guilty every time I look at the ones I’m not reading. πππ
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Omg me too! It breaks my heart when I see a book in my stacks that I really want to read but can’t imagine having time for…if life had been what it was 3 months ago, I would have had no money but plenty of reading time: I guess that is the way of life’
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It’s so true. Day jobs totally cramp our reading style but also give us book money, so what are you going to do? π€·ββοΈ
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Def need the book monies! I bought Language of Thorns and Tower of Dawn in one month just to attend the signings! I wish I knew buying a book for an event counted as a preorder bc then I could have gotten the preorder swag! βΉοΈ
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Oh no! I always use my event book orders for preorder swag! I wish I would have thought to ask you about it.
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It just never occurred to me! I always thought of preorders as those orders through Amazon or through the bookselllers on their website…I cannot BELIEVE I didn’t realize this counted! π€¦ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈπ€¦ββοΈ
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Next time! I didn’t submit my ToD preorder either. I can’t remember what the swag was, just that I wasn’t super excited by it.
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Oh, it was like a pouch or something. I would have loved the Bardugo swag though, and I would LOVE to find that wooden bookmark.
I NEED to mail out your bookplates! I hate having them sit there when they are for you!
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I have a stack of swag for you too! I really need to get around to mailing it out!
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You are so sweet! I’ll include a little something from all the events I’ve been to, though it’s not a lot! But I have always thought of you when there. β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
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I NEED to ship this still! Will you DM me your address on Twitter?
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Yes! And I’ll need yours! I’ll DM you now!
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Got it! Thanks, lovely! β€
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Thank you too!
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This book sounds fun and it is absolutely GORGEOUS, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
By the way, if you’re interested in scheduling posts, it’s super helpful and I could definitely show you how to do that. π
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Yeah, it just makes me so nervous! Like how do you know it will go up? Will it make a tweet saying I posted something before it’s up? So many questions…
Loved this book…hope there’s more to come bc I haven’t had enough!
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Understood! Iβve only ever had one or two times that it didnβt post… but I use that feature a LOT, so itβs really good. It wonβt tweet until itβs up, and then you never have to worry about having something up on time, either.
Awesome!
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Ok I’ll have to give it a go then!! Thank you!! βΊοΈπ
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Absolutely, good luck!
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I absolutely loved this book too!! Iβm so glad you did!
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We can totally gush about it now! πβ€οΈ
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Yay!! 5 stars all around!! I need a physical copie of this book!!
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Oh yes you do!! Christmas is coming!!
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Christmas list here I come!
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That’s right!! Might be a beautiful HC book coming from the States!
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π
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Great Review! π I pretty much enjoyed reading this book and I totally fell in love with that cover! I’m so glad you loved it too! This book left me wanting for more and it’s too bad that it’s only a stand-alone novel. BTW that beekeeper really gave me shivers and I’m not talking about that pic!
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Oh yeah! He freaked me out majorly. I must say Kassel has a hit here and I would love more from this world!
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