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The Wonder State
From the author of Girl One comes a spellbinding adventure about a strange power lurking in the Arkansas Ozarks, and the group of friends obsessed with finding it.
Five friends arrive back in Eternal Springs, Arkansas, the small town they all fled after high school graduation. Each is drawn home by a cryptic, scrawled two-word letter that reads, You promised.
It has been fifteen years since the summer that changed their lives, and they’re anxious to find out why Brandi called them back, especially when they vowed never to return.
But Brandi is missing. She’d been acting erratically for months, railing at whoever might listen about magic all around them. About a power they can’t see. And about strange houses that appear only when you need them . . .
Told in two enthralling timelines, The Wonder State is a gorgeous, immersive, speculative Gothic tale about searching for home. Sara Flannery Murphy has created another brilliant, genre-blurring novel―an adventure story laced with nostalgia, exploring belonging and the lasting power of community.
Five friends arrive back in Eternal Springs, Arkansas, the small town they all fled after high school graduation. Each is drawn home by a cryptic, scrawled two-word letter that reads, You promised.
It has been fifteen years since the summer that changed their lives, and they’re anxious to find out why Brandi called them back, especially when they vowed never to return.
But Brandi is missing. She’d been acting erratically for months, railing at whoever might listen about magic all around them. About a power they can’t see. And about strange houses that appear only when you need them . . .
Told in two enthralling timelines, The Wonder State is a gorgeous, immersive, speculative Gothic tale about searching for home. Sara Flannery Murphy has created another brilliant, genre-blurring novel―an adventure story laced with nostalgia, exploring belonging and the lasting power of community.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2023
37 people are currently reading
8936 people want to read
About the author
Sara Flannery Murphy
3 books368 followersSara Flannery Murphy was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. When she was growing up, her family divided their time between Little Rock and Eureka Springs, a small town in the Ozark Mountains. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis. Currently, Murphy lives in Utah with her husband and their two young sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
November 5, 2023
Sara Flannery Murphy is back with The Wonder State after her powerhouse Girl One, and what a book!
It is with mixed feelings that I write this review because while I really enjoyed this book, it does have some flaws.
The prose in this book is strong, and the narrator on the audiobook is mesmerizing.
Nestled in Arkansas, a group of friends reunite after urgently receiving the signal. Will these former classmates be able to find out what happened to their friend and solve their long-standing mystery?
During the first 10% of the book, I was really wondering where the book was going, and it was dragging a bit. I read the blurb, renewed my interest, and pressed on.
The characters are slowly discovering magical houses, and this is the type of fantasy that I enjoy the most: realistic fantasy. Sara Flannery Murphy doesn’t get lost in long explanations. She keeps to the plot, and she masterfully lays the groundwork for everything to come together in the end.
The houses are very imaginative, and Murphy makes the fantasy look effortless.
Plus, I am just a sucker for returning to the hometown trope.
Now, for some of the not-so-great stuff about this book….
The characters were entirely unremarkable. In another year, I won’t even remember their names and who did what. There are too many of them. Murphy went too wide instead of deep.
Additionally, the ending isn’t as strong as it should be. I’m not going to elaborate for fear of spoilers, but there is a specific book that I have in mind that does almost this exact ending but much better.
Overall, The Wonder State is a delight, and Sara Flannery Murphy is an author to watch.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
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It is with mixed feelings that I write this review because while I really enjoyed this book, it does have some flaws.
The prose in this book is strong, and the narrator on the audiobook is mesmerizing.
Nestled in Arkansas, a group of friends reunite after urgently receiving the signal. Will these former classmates be able to find out what happened to their friend and solve their long-standing mystery?
During the first 10% of the book, I was really wondering where the book was going, and it was dragging a bit. I read the blurb, renewed my interest, and pressed on.
The characters are slowly discovering magical houses, and this is the type of fantasy that I enjoy the most: realistic fantasy. Sara Flannery Murphy doesn’t get lost in long explanations. She keeps to the plot, and she masterfully lays the groundwork for everything to come together in the end.
The houses are very imaginative, and Murphy makes the fantasy look effortless.
Plus, I am just a sucker for returning to the hometown trope.
Now, for some of the not-so-great stuff about this book….
The characters were entirely unremarkable. In another year, I won’t even remember their names and who did what. There are too many of them. Murphy went too wide instead of deep.
Additionally, the ending isn’t as strong as it should be. I’m not going to elaborate for fear of spoilers, but there is a specific book that I have in mind that does almost this exact ending but much better.
Overall, The Wonder State is a delight, and Sara Flannery Murphy is an author to watch.
*Thanks, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
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September 18, 2023
”You were always the best part of me. If I could take back even one second of waiting for other people and other places and just be with you, I’d do it.”
I was not expecting this book to hit me squarely in the feels, but I am suing SFM for emotional damages, because this book was exquisite. Going in, I didn’t really have a clue of what to expect, as it is my first read from the author. Would it be dark, like a Stephen King, coming of age, battle the evil giant sort of way? Well, it definitely is a coming of age tale, but it is SO much more than your typical small town horror novel. While parts are dark, the overall feel is more suspenseful and surprisingly hopeful.
The balance between the past tense narrative as the gang discovers the houses and what magic they hold and the present tense search for Brandi and the truth of the 15 years they have been gone from town is perfectly done, and the atmosphere of the Arkansas Ozark felt like a character all in its own. An unexpected touch was how lovingly this book wraps up, with a HEA in every way imaginable. If you enjoy books that break genre barriers with a compulsive feel, do yourself a favor and check out The Wonder State.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
I was not expecting this book to hit me squarely in the feels, but I am suing SFM for emotional damages, because this book was exquisite. Going in, I didn’t really have a clue of what to expect, as it is my first read from the author. Would it be dark, like a Stephen King, coming of age, battle the evil giant sort of way? Well, it definitely is a coming of age tale, but it is SO much more than your typical small town horror novel. While parts are dark, the overall feel is more suspenseful and surprisingly hopeful.
The balance between the past tense narrative as the gang discovers the houses and what magic they hold and the present tense search for Brandi and the truth of the 15 years they have been gone from town is perfectly done, and the atmosphere of the Arkansas Ozark felt like a character all in its own. An unexpected touch was how lovingly this book wraps up, with a HEA in every way imaginable. If you enjoy books that break genre barriers with a compulsive feel, do yourself a favor and check out The Wonder State.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
July 18, 2023
If I had known this was a magical realism thriller, it's something I never would have picked up because magical realism never works for me. Give me a full blown fantasy or give me nothing. BUT- In this case, I'm so glad I read it because it was SO good!
This follows an unlikely friend group of teenagers in a small town in the Arkansas Ozarks who are looking for the historical houses over the town that have a bit of magic, designed by an architect who said she brought magic back from another world to build the houses. For example, one house you can only tell the truth, and another where you have incredibly good luck while inside it, and so on. Their quest to find all the houses ends in an unknown tragedy which causes everyone to leave town and never look back. Except one, Brandi. Brandi grew up in a trailer and never had the means to leave Eternal Springs so she stayed behind struggling with addiction while all her friends moved on and lost contact.
Fifteen years later, Brandi has gone missing. The whole group shows up back in town, making everyone suspicious. They think Brandi may have lured them as a form of revenge to make them feel guilty for abandoning her. The clues to finding out what happened to her are in the magical houses so they have to resume their teenage hunt to find them all and the truth about what happened to Brandi.
-
It took me a few chapters to get into this, but once I was in- I WAS IN. The concept of Theodora and all of these houses is so fascinating and I really felt transported to Eternal Springs while I was reading this. I got pretty invested in the mystery. I definitely didn't see the reveals coming at the end either so I was shocked.
I loved the sense of nostalgia in the past timeline. Although, I think the characters read so much younger than 16-18 years old and I had to keep reminding myself they were teenagers because the picture in my head was like 12-13 year olds. I also could have done without the romance. Other than that, this was such a solid book and I highly recommend!
thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review!
This follows an unlikely friend group of teenagers in a small town in the Arkansas Ozarks who are looking for the historical houses over the town that have a bit of magic, designed by an architect who said she brought magic back from another world to build the houses. For example, one house you can only tell the truth, and another where you have incredibly good luck while inside it, and so on. Their quest to find all the houses ends in an unknown tragedy which causes everyone to leave town and never look back. Except one, Brandi. Brandi grew up in a trailer and never had the means to leave Eternal Springs so she stayed behind struggling with addiction while all her friends moved on and lost contact.
Fifteen years later, Brandi has gone missing. The whole group shows up back in town, making everyone suspicious. They think Brandi may have lured them as a form of revenge to make them feel guilty for abandoning her. The clues to finding out what happened to her are in the magical houses so they have to resume their teenage hunt to find them all and the truth about what happened to Brandi.
-
It took me a few chapters to get into this, but once I was in- I WAS IN. The concept of Theodora and all of these houses is so fascinating and I really felt transported to Eternal Springs while I was reading this. I got pretty invested in the mystery. I definitely didn't see the reveals coming at the end either so I was shocked.
I loved the sense of nostalgia in the past timeline. Although, I think the characters read so much younger than 16-18 years old and I had to keep reminding myself they were teenagers because the picture in my head was like 12-13 year olds. I also could have done without the romance. Other than that, this was such a solid book and I highly recommend!
thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review!
April 24, 2023
Sara Flannery Murphy hits it out of the park again with another eerie, episodic puzzle box of a mystery - this time, set in the storied Arkansas Ozarks.
Fifteen years ago, a group of wayward teenagers formed an unlikely bond over a shared passion - to learn more about the historic homes designed by a complicated architect in their home of Eternal Springs. For this gang, discovering the unique, at times unexplainable, events that occurred in each of the Ozarks homes gave them purpose at the cusp of adulthood. Fifteen years later, the wealthiest, most driven, and most creative of the bunch have left town, and the mysterious houses, behind. But Brandi Addams never left Eternal Springs. She never forgot about the houses. And she summons her five childhood friends back home to finish what they started. And whether its because of childhood bonds - or the dark magic that hangs over the town - the five remaining members of the gang return back to Eternal Springs. Right as Brandi Addams mysteriously disappears without a trace.
After THE POSSESSIONS and GIRL ONE, it's clear that author Sara Flannery Murphy has a type: Her atmospheric stories deliver hazy, chilly worlds, complicated characters with dark pasts, and mysterious puzzle box plots that read like a binge-worthy TV series. With THE WONDER STATE, she sticks with the style but takes us to new territories. THE WONDER STATE has some strong Nancy Drew-like energy, a treat for readers who are nostalgic for the paperbacks that filled their youthful weekend reads. And nostalgia and youth are totally what's on the menu here. Plot-wise, this is an immersive slow burn, to the point where you might need to take notes on the early plot points as they build out. But as the tensions heat up and the mystery unfolds, what is discovered is not just a thrilling ride, but a warm and wistful exploration of the power of our childhood bonds, even when they naturally deteriorate. As we hop from the late 90s to 2015, we see how this group of amateur sleuths come together and fall apart. This novel is absolutely a love letter to the Ozarks and their natural, enigmatic beauty. But it's even more so a love letter to youth, the moments right before we lose our belief in magic and recognize that everything we want will not come true. I was rooting for the gang throughout the story, but I was especially rooting for troubled, tricky Brandi. This is a story about addiction - to what we can't see but completely feel. It's a story about our dreams, and the way they rot - or are fulfilled with strings. And it's a story about the friends we love and lose. Yes, THE WONDER STATE is Nancy Drew. But it's also THE INTERESTINGS. And even a little bit THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. It's a lot of story with a lot of love. It's a really great book.
Thank you to MCD Books for my gifted early copy!
Fifteen years ago, a group of wayward teenagers formed an unlikely bond over a shared passion - to learn more about the historic homes designed by a complicated architect in their home of Eternal Springs. For this gang, discovering the unique, at times unexplainable, events that occurred in each of the Ozarks homes gave them purpose at the cusp of adulthood. Fifteen years later, the wealthiest, most driven, and most creative of the bunch have left town, and the mysterious houses, behind. But Brandi Addams never left Eternal Springs. She never forgot about the houses. And she summons her five childhood friends back home to finish what they started. And whether its because of childhood bonds - or the dark magic that hangs over the town - the five remaining members of the gang return back to Eternal Springs. Right as Brandi Addams mysteriously disappears without a trace.
After THE POSSESSIONS and GIRL ONE, it's clear that author Sara Flannery Murphy has a type: Her atmospheric stories deliver hazy, chilly worlds, complicated characters with dark pasts, and mysterious puzzle box plots that read like a binge-worthy TV series. With THE WONDER STATE, she sticks with the style but takes us to new territories. THE WONDER STATE has some strong Nancy Drew-like energy, a treat for readers who are nostalgic for the paperbacks that filled their youthful weekend reads. And nostalgia and youth are totally what's on the menu here. Plot-wise, this is an immersive slow burn, to the point where you might need to take notes on the early plot points as they build out. But as the tensions heat up and the mystery unfolds, what is discovered is not just a thrilling ride, but a warm and wistful exploration of the power of our childhood bonds, even when they naturally deteriorate. As we hop from the late 90s to 2015, we see how this group of amateur sleuths come together and fall apart. This novel is absolutely a love letter to the Ozarks and their natural, enigmatic beauty. But it's even more so a love letter to youth, the moments right before we lose our belief in magic and recognize that everything we want will not come true. I was rooting for the gang throughout the story, but I was especially rooting for troubled, tricky Brandi. This is a story about addiction - to what we can't see but completely feel. It's a story about our dreams, and the way they rot - or are fulfilled with strings. And it's a story about the friends we love and lose. Yes, THE WONDER STATE is Nancy Drew. But it's also THE INTERESTINGS. And even a little bit THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE. It's a lot of story with a lot of love. It's a really great book.
Thank you to MCD Books for my gifted early copy!
January 14, 2023
It's The Big Chill meets Lev Grossman's The Magicians.
When a high school friend Brandi goes missing, Jay returns to her hometown Eternal Springs after a decade of running away from it. As teenagers, Jay and her friends broke into houses, looking for (and finding) enchanted homes built by the eccentric Theodora Trader, who claimed to be a traveler to other worlds. When their teenage quest exploded into flames, it was Brandi who took the blame -- and it was Brandi who remained in Eternal Springs.
Now called by a mysterious note, Jay and her friends must face their buried past and the buried magic of the town. Their best friend may be planning a trap for them -- or she may have been murdered -- or she may have found a portal to another world.
The Wonder State is my favorite book by Sara Flannery Murphy (so far). Like all her other books, Wonder State blends supernatural elements into more typical genres to make them fresh. WS blends fantasy, thriller, and the coming of age genre. What if your friends in high school had experienced the supernatural? What would you do with yourselves after you grew up and got day jobs? What would you do to get that sense of magic back? What if being an adult twisted it into something darker and more sinister?
But the two things that make this book stand out are its characters and its setting. Eternal Springs is a place that I'd love to visit, and all eight of the "magic" houses are unique, uncanny, and worthy of a Hollywood film treatment. As the story reached its conclusion, I found that I loved all the main characters in this book, even the villain(s). The story is full of twists and turns, and nearly every chapter you're discovering something new. I hope everyone gets a chance to read this book.
When a high school friend Brandi goes missing, Jay returns to her hometown Eternal Springs after a decade of running away from it. As teenagers, Jay and her friends broke into houses, looking for (and finding) enchanted homes built by the eccentric Theodora Trader, who claimed to be a traveler to other worlds. When their teenage quest exploded into flames, it was Brandi who took the blame -- and it was Brandi who remained in Eternal Springs.
Now called by a mysterious note, Jay and her friends must face their buried past and the buried magic of the town. Their best friend may be planning a trap for them -- or she may have been murdered -- or she may have found a portal to another world.
The Wonder State is my favorite book by Sara Flannery Murphy (so far). Like all her other books, Wonder State blends supernatural elements into more typical genres to make them fresh. WS blends fantasy, thriller, and the coming of age genre. What if your friends in high school had experienced the supernatural? What would you do with yourselves after you grew up and got day jobs? What would you do to get that sense of magic back? What if being an adult twisted it into something darker and more sinister?
But the two things that make this book stand out are its characters and its setting. Eternal Springs is a place that I'd love to visit, and all eight of the "magic" houses are unique, uncanny, and worthy of a Hollywood film treatment. As the story reached its conclusion, I found that I loved all the main characters in this book, even the villain(s). The story is full of twists and turns, and nearly every chapter you're discovering something new. I hope everyone gets a chance to read this book.
March 29, 2024
I have been loving stories with magical realism lately and this one didn’t disappoint! This story was captivating and I was constantly wondering what would happen next. The premise of these magical houses just waiting to be discovered had me hooked.
And I loved the characters. Every one of them played a crucial role in the story. But I sure did underestimated a few of them!
If you like magical houses, found family, and mystery, this book is for you!
And I loved the characters. Every one of them played a crucial role in the story. But I sure did underestimated a few of them!
If you like magical houses, found family, and mystery, this book is for you!
June 7, 2023
There's something about The Wonder State by Sara Flannery Murphy that reminded me of The Secret History. A group of friends. A shared secret. A tragedy.
A group of friends are summoned by a cryptic letter from a high-school friend. When they all return, they have to confront their past and what they left behind. But...that's the simple summary. This is more about the desire to be somewhere else, to escape your circumstances, to have a better life. It's falling in love and wanting to stop time.
Come into this book with an openness for magic, for retribution, for friendship and rekindled love.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
A group of friends are summoned by a cryptic letter from a high-school friend. When they all return, they have to confront their past and what they left behind. But...that's the simple summary. This is more about the desire to be somewhere else, to escape your circumstances, to have a better life. It's falling in love and wanting to stop time.
Come into this book with an openness for magic, for retribution, for friendship and rekindled love.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
February 26, 2023
I wasn't hooked by this story at all but I am so, so glad I kept reading.
Five friends each receive a letter from an old high school friend telling them to return to their home town. The sixth member of their old group is missing and it's up to them to figure out what happened. Simple, right? Been done before. Except this story involves magic! That's normally not my taste but this was done so well.
Supernatural. Mystery. Jealousy. Suspicion. Red herrings. So freaking good.
Five friends each receive a letter from an old high school friend telling them to return to their home town. The sixth member of their old group is missing and it's up to them to figure out what happened. Simple, right? Been done before. Except this story involves magic! That's normally not my taste but this was done so well.
Supernatural. Mystery. Jealousy. Suspicion. Red herrings. So freaking good.
July 24, 2023
3.5 stars
I usually don't pick up novels that are in the vein of Sara Flannery Murphy's THE WONDER STATE. That being said, I ultimately had a good time with this journey. The story centers around a group of ihigh-school aged friends from all different social groups living in Eternal Springs, Arksanas and their life-changing summer and how its affected them as adults. When this group stumbles across a magical, almost unexplainable journey together, the group is forever changed. As the group begins to grow up and move into their respective careers and lives, one friend stayed behind. Brandi hasn't seen her friends in fifteen years, but has been in-and-out of rehab and acting erratically. When she calls her friends back home, the group has to dive into this world that they all closed the chapter on years ago to uncover the truth behind the magic they once encountered.
Oh that was the most vague synopsis ever, but THE WONDER STATE truly is a unique and magically mystery that readers should learn about on their own while reading this book. It took me about 75 pages to really get into it, but its a very slow moving story. Once I got hooked, I was immersed into the magic and the adventures this group embarked on. The ending wasn't my favorite, and at times I felt this book could've been cut shorter, but overall I would highly recommend this book for those who like anything paranormal. Also, the cover speaks to A LOT of what the magic is about so if you want more information, use your imagination with the cover. THE WONDER STATE is a very uniquely orginal story and I'm happy I read it.
I usually don't pick up novels that are in the vein of Sara Flannery Murphy's THE WONDER STATE. That being said, I ultimately had a good time with this journey. The story centers around a group of ihigh-school aged friends from all different social groups living in Eternal Springs, Arksanas and their life-changing summer and how its affected them as adults. When this group stumbles across a magical, almost unexplainable journey together, the group is forever changed. As the group begins to grow up and move into their respective careers and lives, one friend stayed behind. Brandi hasn't seen her friends in fifteen years, but has been in-and-out of rehab and acting erratically. When she calls her friends back home, the group has to dive into this world that they all closed the chapter on years ago to uncover the truth behind the magic they once encountered.
Oh that was the most vague synopsis ever, but THE WONDER STATE truly is a unique and magically mystery that readers should learn about on their own while reading this book. It took me about 75 pages to really get into it, but its a very slow moving story. Once I got hooked, I was immersed into the magic and the adventures this group embarked on. The ending wasn't my favorite, and at times I felt this book could've been cut shorter, but overall I would highly recommend this book for those who like anything paranormal. Also, the cover speaks to A LOT of what the magic is about so if you want more information, use your imagination with the cover. THE WONDER STATE is a very uniquely orginal story and I'm happy I read it.
February 17, 2023
Strong 4 stars!
I decided to give this 4 stars about 40% into the story and it stuck with a 4 star.
This was a book that you could visualize the setting. I could picture Eternal Springs in my head and I could picture the houses and the stories they had. The mystery of what happened to Brandi was so engaging, as well as exploring the past with our characters. So many moments were absolutely heartbreaking to me. I was close to tears at the end... and that's always a big green flag for me.
Would definitely recommend buying or checking this book out from the library when it releases!
*Thank you to the publishers for granting me access to this advance copy!
I decided to give this 4 stars about 40% into the story and it stuck with a 4 star.
This was a book that you could visualize the setting. I could picture Eternal Springs in my head and I could picture the houses and the stories they had. The mystery of what happened to Brandi was so engaging, as well as exploring the past with our characters. So many moments were absolutely heartbreaking to me. I was close to tears at the end... and that's always a big green flag for me.
Would definitely recommend buying or checking this book out from the library when it releases!
*Thank you to the publishers for granting me access to this advance copy!
July 19, 2023
The Wonder State explores the time of your life when you want more than anything to live in a completely different world where no one knows you. Sara Flannery Murphy eloquently captures the drama, desire, and despair of being young and human. Her sense of place (Arkansas), her character development and her story telling skills are magical. A novel about friendship, loyalty, class, prejudice, and realizing that what's right underneath your feet might be the most valuable thing. Bravo!
August 12, 2023
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
This story went in a direction I didn’t see coming! I really liked the plot with the story being set in Arkansas and a group of friends coming back together years after mysterious events happened to find one of their own. It kinda reminded me of IT in that aspect, minus all the horror and killer clown! There were a few parts that I never saw coming and I like how it flipped back and forth from present to past. If you like magic, mystery, and friendship, I would definitely recommend this book!
This story went in a direction I didn’t see coming! I really liked the plot with the story being set in Arkansas and a group of friends coming back together years after mysterious events happened to find one of their own. It kinda reminded me of IT in that aspect, minus all the horror and killer clown! There were a few parts that I never saw coming and I like how it flipped back and forth from present to past. If you like magic, mystery, and friendship, I would definitely recommend this book!
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March 29, 2024DNF This is just hard to describe. It's basically Chick Lit. gone woo-woo. But regardless, I couldn't even follow the continual up and back switching in time etc. None of the characters seemed interesting either. Arkansas more so.
Overall it became a slog and fantasy translated to real- silly.
Overall it became a slog and fantasy translated to real- silly.
January 24, 2024
4.5 rounded up
There’s something about a magical semi-sentient house that just gets me, you know? I love a search for a portal to another world. I love magic confined to houses operating in limited conditions and circumstance. I love a group of plucky teenage misfits coming together for adventure, wonder and belief. I love that group now grown, summoned back to the place that started it all—to answer for their youthful indiscretions, choices, promises… with maybe a murder mystery all wrapped up in it, too.
The Wonder State by Sara Flannery Murphy was such an unexpected surprise. I haven’t heard anything about it since it came out last summer, and I went in pretty much blind. This was just scratching all the right itches for me. At its heart, it’s about friendship, about appreciating the place you’re from in all its small and wondrous ways. It’s about the magic that might be right here, under our noses, if we just look for it… just believe. It’s about the way we want to love and protect our earliest friendships even if we can’t, don’t have the capacity to do the type of saving we wish we could. It’s about the people we are when we’re young and if the choices we make then will always keep us tethered to the people we were, and if leaving is ever really a true escape.
I’m going through some stuff right now, and mentally I’m not totally present, but this book managed to hold my attention and be exactly the right kind of escapism that I needed at the time. Could the characters have been a bit more fleshed out? Maybe. Did things get tied up a bit too conveniently at the end? Sure. But, the end got me EMOTIONAL and I really enjoyed Flannery Murphy’s writing and will definitely read Girl One soon too, as that’s been on my tbr for the past year. I definitely recommend this one, and hope I see it getting some more love on here soon.
There’s something about a magical semi-sentient house that just gets me, you know? I love a search for a portal to another world. I love magic confined to houses operating in limited conditions and circumstance. I love a group of plucky teenage misfits coming together for adventure, wonder and belief. I love that group now grown, summoned back to the place that started it all—to answer for their youthful indiscretions, choices, promises… with maybe a murder mystery all wrapped up in it, too.
The Wonder State by Sara Flannery Murphy was such an unexpected surprise. I haven’t heard anything about it since it came out last summer, and I went in pretty much blind. This was just scratching all the right itches for me. At its heart, it’s about friendship, about appreciating the place you’re from in all its small and wondrous ways. It’s about the magic that might be right here, under our noses, if we just look for it… just believe. It’s about the way we want to love and protect our earliest friendships even if we can’t, don’t have the capacity to do the type of saving we wish we could. It’s about the people we are when we’re young and if the choices we make then will always keep us tethered to the people we were, and if leaving is ever really a true escape.
I’m going through some stuff right now, and mentally I’m not totally present, but this book managed to hold my attention and be exactly the right kind of escapism that I needed at the time. Could the characters have been a bit more fleshed out? Maybe. Did things get tied up a bit too conveniently at the end? Sure. But, the end got me EMOTIONAL and I really enjoyed Flannery Murphy’s writing and will definitely read Girl One soon too, as that’s been on my tbr for the past year. I definitely recommend this one, and hope I see it getting some more love on here soon.
September 10, 2024
My friend finished and I can finally talk about this book...
I loved it. This was a 4.875/5 book for me, so let's just round up.
It wasn't perfect but it was a fast read full of fun characters, a premise I hadn't come across before that still had familiar elements, and was a great intro to fall reading.
I wish there was more information on the houses, but at the same time I'm also glad that we were just left to guess because too much information would have suspended my disbelief. The ending was kind of thrown together as a way to finish the book neatly, but you know what- I'm ok with it.
I think early on I just decided to like this book and went forward on that path. :)
I loved it. This was a 4.875/5 book for me, so let's just round up.
It wasn't perfect but it was a fast read full of fun characters, a premise I hadn't come across before that still had familiar elements, and was a great intro to fall reading.
I wish there was more information on the houses, but at the same time I'm also glad that we were just left to guess because too much information would have suspended my disbelief. The ending was kind of thrown together as a way to finish the book neatly, but you know what- I'm ok with it.
I think early on I just decided to like this book and went forward on that path. :)
July 15, 2023
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Engrossing, unique twist on the "estranged-friends-with-a-dark-secret-are-back-in-town-to-face-their-past" trope. Mostly fleshed-out characters with complex relationships.
Cons: Not much diversity. The one Black (and gay) character feels less developed than the others.
WARNING! Blood, gore, violence and some disturbing imagery. Adult abuse on kids (not of the sexual kind).
Will appeal to: Those who love a dark, yet poetical story steeped in magic. Those who enjoy adult-vs.-teen timelines.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
WONDERFUL RAINBOW
When I first read the synopsis of this book, it called to me...but after I placed my NG request, I realised that it was unclear if Brandi's mental health was damaged and she was hallucinating the houses, so by the time my acceptance email came, I was praying that TWS wasn't one of THOSE novels - you know, the ones where mental health issues are treated like plot devices. I'm pleased to say this wasn't the case, and actually, this book delivered even more than I expected it to. Also, if you've read Stephen King's It or Dan Hanks' Swashbucklers (which I enjoyed and reviewed last year), and you're wondering how much novelty a story about a group of estranged friends reuniting in the wake of a tragedy can hold, the answer is: a great deal. TWS is part mystery, part adult drama, part coming-of-age story (thanks to the dual timeline), flirting with portal fantasy by way of magical realism and a touch of horror. I know it sounds a bit too much, but the way Murphy weaves it all together, it works like a charm. [...]
Whole review here.
Pros: Engrossing, unique twist on the "estranged-friends-with-a-dark-secret-are-back-in-town-to-face-their-past" trope. Mostly fleshed-out characters with complex relationships.
Cons: Not much diversity. The one Black (and gay) character feels less developed than the others.
WARNING! Blood, gore, violence and some disturbing imagery. Adult abuse on kids (not of the sexual kind).
Will appeal to: Those who love a dark, yet poetical story steeped in magic. Those who enjoy adult-vs.-teen timelines.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
WONDERFUL RAINBOW
When I first read the synopsis of this book, it called to me...but after I placed my NG request, I realised that it was unclear if Brandi's mental health was damaged and she was hallucinating the houses, so by the time my acceptance email came, I was praying that TWS wasn't one of THOSE novels - you know, the ones where mental health issues are treated like plot devices. I'm pleased to say this wasn't the case, and actually, this book delivered even more than I expected it to. Also, if you've read Stephen King's It or Dan Hanks' Swashbucklers (which I enjoyed and reviewed last year), and you're wondering how much novelty a story about a group of estranged friends reuniting in the wake of a tragedy can hold, the answer is: a great deal. TWS is part mystery, part adult drama, part coming-of-age story (thanks to the dual timeline), flirting with portal fantasy by way of magical realism and a touch of horror. I know it sounds a bit too much, but the way Murphy weaves it all together, it works like a charm. [...]
Whole review here.
September 1, 2024
4.5 stars. This book is so interesting! Mystery with magic - a great combination. It's very atmospheric, set in a Ozark town that those of us from the area can recognize in the pages but would still be fully understood by those who've never been here. The story unravels little by little, and each chapter adds to the understanding of the series of events-no lulls, no filler, just great pacing and a creative, complex plot. It's dual timeline with lots of characters - those in my book club who listened to the audio said they had trouble keeping it all straight at times, so this is one to read physically. I highly recommend it!
September 10, 2023
Wow.
I thought all the timeline jumping would be too much, but honestly the unraveling of this story, like the deciphering of the journal, was too intoxicating to put down.
The tension build really got me. So many clues hidden in every instance, so much internalized disappointment to unpack. I felt like one of the gang in their disillusion, processing the way life’s cards are dealt, often unfairly. The way the author wrote about personal expectations and demons was deep-seated and lucid. Especially in the Forever House. The moments in those scenes really did last a lifetime.
I’m sure the runaround format might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I love a good treasure hunt and was committed to the end.
I thought all the timeline jumping would be too much, but honestly the unraveling of this story, like the deciphering of the journal, was too intoxicating to put down.
The tension build really got me. So many clues hidden in every instance, so much internalized disappointment to unpack. I felt like one of the gang in their disillusion, processing the way life’s cards are dealt, often unfairly. The way the author wrote about personal expectations and demons was deep-seated and lucid. Especially in the Forever House. The moments in those scenes really did last a lifetime.
I’m sure the runaround format might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I love a good treasure hunt and was committed to the end.
May 26, 2025
Ok wow? That last 100+ pages really sold this for me. I had some hunches as to where I thought this was going but holy shit, that was so unexpected???
I loooved the magical realism, and I’m a sucker for magic. I felt a pull in this book while reading just as the characters did with each other, the houses and the magic surrounding them.
This book was not perfect but my god it had so much depth - addiction, friendship, secrets and their consequences, magic, neglect/abuse, classism, and so much more.
I’m a tad disappointed with the ending, you got all this way to learn about the final thing everyone was after for it to come to a close - I get why Sara did it that way, but ugh I wish we got to know all of it!!
I loooved the magical realism, and I’m a sucker for magic. I felt a pull in this book while reading just as the characters did with each other, the houses and the magic surrounding them.
This book was not perfect but my god it had so much depth - addiction, friendship, secrets and their consequences, magic, neglect/abuse, classism, and so much more.
I’m a tad disappointed with the ending, you got all this way to learn about the final thing everyone was after for it to come to a close - I get why Sara did it that way, but ugh I wish we got to know all of it!!
September 21, 2025
Hidden Gem honestly, never read anything like it.
December 8, 2023
I’m on a roll of 5-star books, how lucky am I? I loved this book! I cried, I gasped, I exclaimed aloud. I was truly rapt the whole time I read this, couldn’t want to pick it back up each time. So in awe of Sara Flannery Murphy’s MIND and the world she’s created here and all the twists and turns that come back around. A masterfully plotted book - it does what it’s trying to do SO well.
You might not see it at first in the magic of this story, but this book is political! Just so much appreciation for this one. I loved her book Girl One a couple years ago and want to read her first novel now too! (ALSO this needs to be made into a limited series or something, it would be amazing onscreen.)
You might not see it at first in the magic of this story, but this book is political! Just so much appreciation for this one. I loved her book Girl One a couple years ago and want to read her first novel now too! (ALSO this needs to be made into a limited series or something, it would be amazing onscreen.)
July 19, 2023
The Wonder State is a nostalgic trip back in time mixed with magical realism and messy humans. In telling the story of these six friends, the tangible hope of teen years--when anything feels possible and other worlds beyond your hometown feel within reach--meets the rough edges of adulthood and how things often don't go as planned.
As with her last two books, Murphy's world-building had me hooked within a few chapters, and I lost sleep to finish this one! The friendship (and distance) between Brandi and Jay felt so familiar. In true thriller style, the final quarter of the book held unexpected turns that keep you guessing.
As an Arkansas native, I also enjoyed all the nods to the wonder state!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC!
As with her last two books, Murphy's world-building had me hooked within a few chapters, and I lost sleep to finish this one! The friendship (and distance) between Brandi and Jay felt so familiar. In true thriller style, the final quarter of the book held unexpected turns that keep you guessing.
As an Arkansas native, I also enjoyed all the nods to the wonder state!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC!
September 28, 2023
A modern-day Gothic. Can't stop thinking about the Duplication House....Duplicationnn Haus...
February 18, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I am in love with this book.
I very much enjoy magical realism - the idea that magic is present in our everyday lives, and that we just have to appreciate it to be worthy of it. The Wonder State is an excellent example of this: Brandi, the girl who never left her hometown because she saw more to it than most, is worthy of its magic.
The six of them - Brandi, Jay, Hilma, Max, Charlie, and Iggy - all have very different reasons for investigating the possible magic infused in various houses throughout Eternal Springs. They’re about to graduate high school and go off into the unknown adult world. Why not take the last moments of their youth to discover if magic is truly real?
Their calls back to Eternal Springs after Brandi’s disappearance - and letters reminding them of their oath - remind them of their youthful enthusiasm for the magic in the mundane but at a cost: magic is fun as a child, duplicating glasses & playing Truth or Dare when you have to tell the truth, but magic is not inherently good or evil. That depends on the user.
Max uses the magic to make money. Charlie uses the magic to get his career off the ground. Iggy uses the magic to make sure his fiancée will never leave him. Brandi knows this is not how the magic is supposed to work and needs to shut it down. So she disappears, summoning her friends back for one last magical quest so they will learn their lessons.
The writing is fantastic, effortlessly weaving together two timelines (present day and their senior year at the beginning of the millennium). The characters are not always likable but they are dynamic and charismatic in their own way.
I cannot recommend this book enough. In fact, I think my husband will be reading it as soon as I put it down.
I am in love with this book.
I very much enjoy magical realism - the idea that magic is present in our everyday lives, and that we just have to appreciate it to be worthy of it. The Wonder State is an excellent example of this: Brandi, the girl who never left her hometown because she saw more to it than most, is worthy of its magic.
The six of them - Brandi, Jay, Hilma, Max, Charlie, and Iggy - all have very different reasons for investigating the possible magic infused in various houses throughout Eternal Springs. They’re about to graduate high school and go off into the unknown adult world. Why not take the last moments of their youth to discover if magic is truly real?
Their calls back to Eternal Springs after Brandi’s disappearance - and letters reminding them of their oath - remind them of their youthful enthusiasm for the magic in the mundane but at a cost: magic is fun as a child, duplicating glasses & playing Truth or Dare when you have to tell the truth, but magic is not inherently good or evil. That depends on the user.
Max uses the magic to make money. Charlie uses the magic to get his career off the ground. Iggy uses the magic to make sure his fiancée will never leave him. Brandi knows this is not how the magic is supposed to work and needs to shut it down. So she disappears, summoning her friends back for one last magical quest so they will learn their lessons.
The writing is fantastic, effortlessly weaving together two timelines (present day and their senior year at the beginning of the millennium). The characters are not always likable but they are dynamic and charismatic in their own way.
I cannot recommend this book enough. In fact, I think my husband will be reading it as soon as I put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book by Sara Flannery Murphy. I had read the Possesions by this author years ago and loved it, I’m planning on going back and reading Girl one after this title. The wonder state is dual timelines from when a group of teens set out to find very unique houses in their town. Brandi and Jay are best friends in a small town in Arkansas. Brandi lives in a trailer park and has a difficult life to say the least. Her and Jay meet twins that are in town for a year with their artist parents. They come from very different worlds but they all want to escape their current lives. They start looking for houses that a very eccentric woman had built around town that all have unique offerings. The timeline shifts from 2000 to 2015 when Brandi is in trouble and summons her old friends back to Eternal Springs based on a promise made when they were teens. The story is very unique, I loved the different offerings of the houses. There were a lot of characters in this book but it was pretty easy to follow along as most of the novel is told from Jays perspective. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author.
August 8, 2023
Oh man I LOVED THIS BOOK. Magical realism, coming of age, and mystery thriller — and the best version of all of them. Also, houses! I love houses and there’s so much houses!! And a GREAT villain twist! And a beautiful ending that manages not to be corny! I listened to the audiobook and the excellent performance added a lot as well. Highly recommend on all counts.
January 16, 2023
Thanks ro Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It had magic and mystery. Most compelling is the author's ability to create terrific characters entwined in complex relationships.
The author is clearly familiar with Appalachian Arkansas. She paints a compelling picture of the beauty and the despair of living in a small town.
I highly recommend you read this book. I will be keeping an eye out for future books by this aurhor
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It had magic and mystery. Most compelling is the author's ability to create terrific characters entwined in complex relationships.
The author is clearly familiar with Appalachian Arkansas. She paints a compelling picture of the beauty and the despair of living in a small town.
I highly recommend you read this book. I will be keeping an eye out for future books by this aurhor
December 7, 2023
For those of you that follow this author, it's worth picking this one up!! Although not my favorite of her their works, it was very entertaining! With a strong connection to the AR Ozarks, if you've ever been there, you will connect to the story. Full of mystery around every turn and a bit of magic, it was right up my alley. Well done, Sara!
*I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this read. Thank you to netgalley and Sara for pointing me there.
*I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of this read. Thank you to netgalley and Sara for pointing me there.
March 16, 2023
I had a hard time putting this book down! I thought I knew the twist, but I was still surprised by the ending! Well-written, relatable characters helped me to connect to a place I’ve never been but want to visit.
October 19, 2023
The frame for this story is one I really like. A group of childhood friends with a messy past reconvening years later as adults. You slowly learn what happened in the past as you follow them in the present as well.
I also really liked the concept of the magical houses. I love the idea of the Luck House and Oath House in particular. It must’ve been fun to play with as an author.
I wouldn’t say this is an especially twisty or shocking story, but it’s suspenseful and often creepy.
The six friends all felt distinct, which is a feat, and I wish I got more POVs than Jay’s. That could easily get unwieldy, but maybe Brandi or Hilma would have been nice to add in. I thought the way that the change in Brandi and Jay’s relationship was shown was great, and having Brandi’s thoughts would have been a nice addition. Maybe it would give away too much? But since it’s not a twisty story, I don’t think I’d mind.
My main complaint with the present day storyline is that it took too long for them to visit all the houses. With Brandi missing, I feel like the first thing to do would have been to check at all of the magical houses, especially the Forever House. That visit felt artificially delayed, though I understand the story reasons for doing that. I wish she had come up with a reason for them to not be able to go there at first. Maybe have a certain character lie and say it was burnt down.
It all came together pretty well in the end! Great October read.
I also really liked the concept of the magical houses. I love the idea of the Luck House and Oath House in particular. It must’ve been fun to play with as an author.
I wouldn’t say this is an especially twisty or shocking story, but it’s suspenseful and often creepy.
The six friends all felt distinct, which is a feat, and I wish I got more POVs than Jay’s. That could easily get unwieldy, but maybe Brandi or Hilma would have been nice to add in. I thought the way that the change in Brandi and Jay’s relationship was shown was great, and having Brandi’s thoughts would have been a nice addition. Maybe it would give away too much? But since it’s not a twisty story, I don’t think I’d mind.
My main complaint with the present day storyline is that it took too long for them to visit all the houses. With Brandi missing, I feel like the first thing to do would have been to check at all of the magical houses, especially the Forever House. That visit felt artificially delayed, though I understand the story reasons for doing that. I wish she had come up with a reason for them to not be able to go there at first. Maybe have a certain character lie and say it was burnt down.
It all came together pretty well in the end! Great October read.
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