REVIEW - THE SECOND DEATH OF EDIE AND VIOLET BOND BY AMANDA GLAZE

  

Title: The Second Death Of Edie and Violet Bond
Author: Amanda Glaze
Publisher: Union Square & Co, A subsidiary of Sterling Books
Genre: Teens, YA, Historical Fiction
Release Date: 4th October 2022

BLURB from Goodreads
Sacramento, 1885
Edie and Violet Bond know the truth about death. The seventeen-year-old twins are powerful mediums, just like their mother—Violet can open the veil between life and death, and Edie can cross into the spirit world. But their abilities couldn’t save them when their mother died and their father threatened to commit them to a notorious asylum.

Now runaways, Edie and Violet are part of a traveling Spiritualist show, a tight-knit group of young women who demonstrate their real talents under the guise of communing with spirits. Each night, actresses, poets, musicians, and orators all make contact with spirits who happen to have something to say. . . notions that young ladies could never openly express. But when Violet’s act goes terribly wrong one night, Edie learns that the dark spirit responsible for their mother’s death has crossed into the land of the living. As they investigate the identity of her mysterious final client, they realize that someone is hunting mediums…and they may be next.Only by trusting in one another can the twins uncover a killer who will stop at nothing to cheat death. 

Goodreads Link

REVIEW
First of all I loved the cover, the colours and image, mysterious, hinting at something 'otherworldly' it would have me reaching for the book on the shelf wanting to learn more about the book.
I really enjoyed the interesting plot about the two girls being able to communicate with the other side, the era of men being in charge and there's the mention of the suffragette movement and its speakers. Theres lots going on, the girls and their gifts, the other women on the tour with them doing what they have to do to 'dumb down' their talents, the asylum with its shady goings on. The corruption where those with money or a bit of power turn a blind eye to using those less fortunate to further their own cause. There is also tha camaraderie between the different show acts, the way they cover for each other or look after each other at certain sections in the book. Of course theres some humour, the bicycle riding that Ruby, Edie and Violet get up to. Theres also some romance thrown in, Ruby disappearing on regular dates with various males, Violet being courted and of course Edie and her more gradual what starts out as mutual irritation, then friendship and finally romance.

I felt that this book really was a slow, slow burner to begin with but looking back having finished the book it perhaps needed the slower build up to the 'action'. It has all the snippets of information that you may think are somewhat irrelevant or 'image building' just pieces to help you visualise surroundings but once the pace picks up and gets in the nitty gritty parts of edge of your seat action, you remember those smaller snippets and the add an extra level to the whole story. It makes the book multi layered and all the more enjoyable to become immersed in to read. The backdrop and era of the setting of the book made it all the more of a 'believable' read. If some of these things were happening why not all!
The book takes you through a whole range of emotions. I found the subject of the veil, death and Violet & Edie dealing with it deeply fascinating. I found all the information about the different herbs and their uses really interesting, and engrossing to read about.
I adored the close relationship between the spiritual sisters. So strong together but when Violet wants to pursue acting Edie is immediately willing to encourage her sisters dream and step back to allow her to grow and shine despite it meaning loosing the life together they have so carefully built. The twins may not be identical to look at but they certainly have identical thoughts when it comes to saving each other from anything they are up against. The non verbal way the girls had of communicating was written into the everyday and the high action scenes so well and subtly, so totally believable.
I loved to character of Lawrence Everett, a skeptic when it comes to Violet & Edie's gifts. He is a perfect partner to Edie, helping her investigate the Asylum despite the dangers. Edie and Lawrence really do have to learn to trust each other fairly quickly.
I felt so broken and teary at the end of the edge of your seat stuff, the interactions between Edie & Violet willing to sacrifice everything for each other I also thought the final moment between Edie and her father were so touching too.
I enjoyed the 'Three Month later' chapter, kind of an epilogue that tied up all the loose ends whilst hinting at what was in store for Violet and Edie.

It definitely felt like a slow, slow starting pace with this book, setting the scene, then the pace changes slightly and you're slowly pulled further in with all the different characters and their individual back stories. When the faster pace and the 'action' starts it's full on and you don't want to put the book down!
I could honestly see this as a movie or TV mini series....I would watch it even though I have read the book already!