THE SECOND DEATH OF EDIE AND VIOLET BOND, by Amanda Glaze, Union Square & Co., Oct. 4, 2022, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)
Twin mediums find themselves in the middle of a battle between light and dark in Amanda Glaze’s The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond.
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. —Synopsis provided by Union Square & Co.
The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is not only Amanda Glaze’s debut, it’s also inspired by her great-grandmother Edie Bond and her sister, Violet. The twin sisters were spiritualists who regularly conducted seances.
The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond builds on that inspiration, exploring sisterhood, 19th century societal expectations, and the rise of feminism within the spiritualist movement. And while that description may sound a little heavy, it’s not.
In The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond, Glaze has created a gripping historical fantasy that perfectly pairs “real life” with the supernatural. Glaze’s prose is warm and inviting with a touch of other-worldliness. Her world-building is strong and her pacing adds to the tension.
Though The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is about twins, it is told from Edie’s point of view. Because of this, she’s the more developed and interesting of the duo. It would have been interesting to explore Violet a bit more, but she’s still a well-rounded supporting character.
The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is a fairly quick read that’s perfect for this time of year.
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