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The Collagist

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After Romilly' s mother' s death of a strange fever years ago, neighbors and family fled her village. Bereft, her father becomes increasingly withdrawn, revealing little of their family history that Romilly longs to understand. When her beloved uncle mysteriously disappears from his boat on a cloudless night at sea, she senses her father' s growing terror— a terror she shares when she spies an enormous Being opening a sail-shaped flap of sky over their wheatfield. Romilly suspects these inexplicable events are connected, but how? With the help of unlikely allies— the healer Arra, Robbie the boisterous crow, and the kestrel Mira— Romilly must convince her father to dismantle the wall to his greatest secret, and that of the Being that exists in the world beyond.

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

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Karen Holmberg

3 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for Tara.
Author 24 books618 followers
April 24, 2024
My book blurb for this wonderful, award-winning debut:

In a timeless tale that is part magical myth, part wilderness story, a mysterious “Being” pens and carves the fate of several remote island villagers, just as the author, Karen Holmberg, deftly uses her poetic ability to craft a riveting coming-of-age journey of “closings and openings.” The Collagist will appeal to readers of all ages, and Romilly’s quest for independence and answers to family secrets will resonate with many young people. An absolutely stunning debut.
Profile Image for Robyn Dabney.
Author 4 books42 followers
September 7, 2023
The Collagist is a poignant and lyrical story that artfully weaves the intricate path between trauma and healing, illuminating the power of forgiveness with a touch of magic.

Romilly's deepest longing is to bridge the chasm that separates her from her grief-stricken father, a chasm that emerged in the wake of her mother's passing. However, when her uncle vanishes under mysterious circumstances, and the sky splits open to reveal a being from the Beyond, Romilly embarks on a quest to unearth the hidden truths within her world.

With intricate metaphors, whimsical magic, and a cast of empathetic characters, author Karen Holmberg deftly guides us through the universally resonant journey of trauma and secrets and the far-reaching anguish that death and loss can inflict upon a family. Above all, Holmberg illuminates the redemptive alchemy of forgiveness, honesty, and love required to mend our deepest hurts.
Profile Image for Amys Bookshelf Reviews.
869 reviews78 followers
April 23, 2024
Karen Holmberg writes a majestic stunning tale with The Collagist

In The Collagist, the reader is introduced to Romilly, a strong-willed girl who is trying to discover who she is and who her family is, as she recently lost her mother to a strange disease. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. There is a lot of family history and backstory that Romilly desperately wants to learn about. Her father starts to separate himself from the family, more and more, dealing with his own grief, and secrets. There is something in the air, something that you cannot see, but you can feel. Just because something can't be seen it doesn't mean its not there. The is a Being out there, and strange things start to happen, that can only be explained, but not necessarily believed, about the Being. Karen Holmberg has a great imagination. A grand suspenseful story. A very unpredictable story, my favorite kind! The story brings in the believable, even if almost impossible. The Collagist is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book to also write a review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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