First published 2019
A widow stands before the specter of her dead husband, forced to confront what remains between them. Nearby, a young woman grapples with the weight of her family's ancient curse, searching for ways to break free from its grip. A girl discovers friendship with a bird touched by magic, only to face a choice that will change everything she knows. Kelly Regan Barnhill crafts stories where the fantastical bleeds into everyday life. Her characters navigate worlds where curses carry real power and the dead refuse to stay buried. Each woman and girl must find strength within herself when faced with loss, envy, and the boundaries of what seems possible. These tales explore how people endure when the familiar world cracks open to reveal something stranger underneath. The collection shows how imagination becomes a tool for survival when grief threatens to overwhelm and jealousy poisons relationships.
Genres: short-stories, literary-fiction, fantasy, magical-realism
Vibes: atmospheric, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, magical-realism
400 pages · Library Binding · Thorndike Press Large Print
Content warnings: death