The Red Grove

by Tessa Fontaine

When her mother goes missing, a young woman uncovers the secrets beneath her protected community.

The women asked: How are they safe?

And Tamsen Nightingale said: In this red grove, no woman can be harmed. No violence may come upon her. No injury to her flesh from the flesh of another.

―The Story of the Sisters, Welcoming Incantation

The Red Grove is a special place, protected. Some say a spell was cast by the community’s founder, Tamsen Nightingale. Some say the mountain lions who stalk the nearby hills guard its mysteries and its people. Some say the mighty redwoods keep them safe.

Yet Luce’s mother, Gloria, has gone missing. A man came seeking answers among the Red Grove’s mysteries―a connection to the beyond―and died. And then Gloria vanished. The Red Grove is Luce’s whole world. She is devoted to its mission, its rituals and myths. But she knows that her mother, frustrated free spirit though she might be, wouldn’t just leave without a word, wouldn’t leave her little brother, Roo, and especially their aunt Gem, whose care in that suspended state of everdream depends on Gloria in every way. But as Luce tries to figure out what has happened to her mother, she discovers that this special place is not what it seems and that protection comes at a cost.

The debut novel by the acclaimed author of The Electric Woman, Tessa Fontaine's The Red Grove is an exploration of the legacies of violence, the price of safety, and the choices we make to protect what we love.

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fantasy, Adult

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 14, 2024

Reviews

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️


“The women asked: Who is safe?
And Tamsen Nightingale said: The women who shelter in this red grove are safe.
The women asked: How are they safe?
And Tamsen Nightingale said: In this red grove, no woman can be harmed. No violence may come upon her. No injury to her flesh from the flesh of another. The women asked: Who is welcome?
And Tamsen Nightingale said: Those who can walk in darkness are welcome and those who affix to the deeply woven roots are free.

—The Story of the Sisters, Welcoming Incantation”

Set in 1997, The Red Grove by Tessa Fontaine revolves around sixteen-year-old Luce Shelley who along with her mother Gloria, younger brother Roo and her aunt Gem, has spent the last eight year of her life as a part of the Red Grove, a secluded community in the redwood forests of California. Luce’s family moved to the Red Grove after an act of violence left her aunt in a vegetative state. The community, mostly comprised of women, offers a sanctuary for those seeking a haven from the violence of the outside world. Luce is deeply attached to her community, believing in its ideology and way of life. However, when her mother suddenly disappears after a disturbing incident with a visitor, Luce is compelled to question the very bonds that tie the community together and the truth behind the principles upon which the community was founded and is still governed, as laid down by its founder Tamsen Nightingale in the 1850s.

Beautiful writing, the atmospheric vibe and an interesting cast of characters render this an engaging read that revolves around themes of womanhood, secrets, belongingness and connection, trust and community. The narrative is shared from Luce’s perspective with the story of how the community originated shared in segments interspersed throughout the novel. The author deftly combines elements of family drama, coming of age, mystery (with a healthy dose of the surreal) and magical realism into a narrative that, though not quite cohesive, did hold my interest. I loved the vivid descriptions of the California redwoods, the deep connection between the community and its natural surroundings and their rituals. Luce is an endearing protagonist and though I did question a few of her choices, I was invested in her journey. Tamsen’s story was fascinating, as was the symbolism of the mountain lion. I thought the author did a remarkable job of depicting Luce’s dynamic with the members of her family and her community. However, the pacing of the novel is on the slower side and the story picks up only after the halfway mark. The story has strong feminist overtones and while I appreciated the themes that are addressed in this novel, I was a tad disappointed with the lack of intensity and depth with which certain aspects of the story were presented in the 1997 timeline. As far as the mystery is concerned, the final reveal is not entirely unpredictable, but I did like how the author chose to end the novel.

I paired my reading with the audiobook (4⭐) narrated by Erin Moon who did an amazing job breathing life into these characters and the story. The audio experience certainly elevated my experience with this novel.

Many thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the digital review copy via NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Red Grove was published on May 14, 2024.

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[Elizabeth George]

This is a terrific book, and I highly recommend it. The writing is gorgeous, the sense of place is absolutely outstanding, and the characters are beautifully drawn. It's a book about a community of women and the disappearance of one of them. But it's more than that. It explores social groups, the power of communal psychology, violence against women, two tragic crimes, and high cost of both secrets and fear. The author creates a mystical, magical place in a huge growth of redwoods somewhere in California called The Red Grove, and she does it in such a way that everything about the imagined place is utterly real. She creates its history and its traditions and invites the reader to take part in its ceremonies. She speaks to the issue of women protecting other women from the brutalities that many women face in the real world, but she never engages in creating any kind of polemic. In the end, the reader is left thinking about whether the ends ever justify the means and what the possible consequences are when one decides that they do. Wonderful story, beautifully rendered.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

’The trees soon revealed startling secrets. I discovered that they are in a web of interdependence, linked by a system of underground channels, where they perceive and connect and relate with an ancient intricacy and wisdom that can no longer be denied … They pass their wisdom to their kin, generation after generation, sharing the knowledge of what helps and what harms.’
- Suzanne Simard, ’Finding the Mother Tree’

’The women asked: Who is safe?
And Tamsen Nightingale said: The women who shelter in
this red grove are safe.
The women asked: How are they safe?
And Tamsen Nightingale said: In this red grove, no woman
can be harmed. No violence may come upon her. No
injury to her flesh from the flesh of another.
The women asked: Who is welcome?
And Tamsen Nightingale said: Those who can walk in
darkness are welcome and those who affix to the deeply
woven roots are free.
-The Story of the Sisters, Welcoming Incantation

This is a beautifully written story about women, the things they endure, and the bonds they form to keep one another safe. Set in Northern California, this is an atmospheric read, the setting is more or less a commune of women who are drawn to nature, although there are men who are part of this story, this is essentially a story of and about women.

Set in a community where the premise is to provide a safe place for these women living there, and to provide an ‘open door’ to any women who need a safe haven, and within this community are welcomed, they place their faith in knowing that they can do anything, and leave their fears behind them.

I loved this from the first pages, loved how easily this flowed, how beautifully written, and how the story came together at the end.


Pub Date: 14 May 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up

I am still uncertain how I feel about this book. The Red Grove is horror adjacent/suspense that is supposedly feminist? The thing is, there are a few moments in the book that read as trans-exclusionary, but given the ending I'm also not sure what to make of that. And the book simply doesn't give the reader enough to go on to be certain what the intent of those elements is. I'm also not clear on how we are meant to interpret the ending.

The Red Grove is about this community where women supposedly can't be harmed for mystical reasons. It's intended to be a sort of utopia and haven from things like domestic violence. We follow a dysfunctional family including a psychic in a coma, her twin who supposedly interprets her comatose visions, and the twins two children- a true crime obsessed teen girl and a young boy. But then she disappears...

The writing is fairly engaging and there are creepy elements that work. But ultimately it's hard to talk about this one without spoilers, so warning that the rest of this review will be spoilery...

_______________________


So obviously men are not the only people who can enact harm on women, even if they are the statistical majority of perpetrators. The whole premise of this place is that women are safe from men. Except that the ending is all about the harm women can do to each other. I'm not sure how to read that.

Is this supposed to be raising an alarm about misandry? Commenting on the fact that violence can occur in queer relationships? (this seems tangential to the plot, but maybe part of the point) And the trans-exclusionary elements aren't commented on or part of the perceived problem with this place. The happy ending is that they let a minority of men have input. Is this feminist? I'm really not so sure. This isn't a bad book in terms of writing, but I nearly DNF'ed it a few times and I'm left feeling unsettled about the author's intent. And regardless of intent, I don't love that there are TERFy elements left unchallenged either overtly or subtly. The reviews for this are largely positive but also vague about the ending. I hope this review is helpful for people wondering if they should continue. I can't tell you what to do, but I can say I found the ending unsatisfying. The audio narration is great though. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gifted copy from the publisher, thanks!
All my opinions are my own.
----

The writing really immersed you in this.. it had a spooky, intense vibe and I couldn't get enough. Couldn't read as fast as I wanted to but I couldn't put it down when I did carve out some time.

I guessed something before it was revealed. It didn't affect my enjoyment but I still hoped I was wrong 😔.

The supernatural touches were nicely done 👌. I do wish there was more of it (love me good spooky/ghostly/Gothic type tales).

Some of the ending parts and the finale had me raising my eyebrows but I loved the idea of what Luce was doing at the end.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize. I love books that defy categories and authors who experiment with form and ideas. This is a dark story. Set in a grove of redwood trees, trees that are characters in the book, along with the women who live amongst them. It's about our connection to nature, the clash of myth and reality, and the novel flips back and forth between the 1990s and 1800s. The grove protects women from violence, which always hovers just outside the perimeter. It's also a love story between a daughter, Luce, and her adoptive mother, Gem. And the growing bond between brother and sister.

Fontaine's prose is as magical and creepy as her story:

"It works, Una had said, in the same way our earth spins slowly on its axis without careening off into space, and a migratory bird flies to the same spot each winter, halfway around the world. With the unknowable force of Mother Earth."

"The eyes of unseen things tracked people all the time."

Invested with the supernatural and with wild beasts and wild men and women who commit violent acts. This novel tries to find a safe place to land for all of us. And shimmers with what can lead us out of that darkness. Highly rec for readers who like mystery and magical realism and can handle rural violence that is never gratuitous nor too graphic. I'm not a fan of graphic violence but managed to read this and appreciate it and am now a fan of Fontaine's fiction.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had enjoyed the entire story as much as I enjoyed the last quarter.

I suppose I was dismayed by the simplicity of this. Ultimately, The Red Grove felt more like a standard thriller, while I had expected powerful social commentary on violence toward women. What did exist in the storyline regarding that topic felt rather forced and lacking in nuance. There was some fact dropping, as well as limited illustrations of the past experiences of the inhabitants of the community, but it all felt relatively superficial. I know you may be sick of me saying “as a survivor,” but when you carry personal experience into your reading, you do want to see that experience profoundly illustrated. So, as a survivor, I hoped for something more complex. As a woman who has researched this topic for years and has spoken to a multitude of female victims, I felt frustrated by all The Red Grove lacked.

I was also expecting something more lyrical. There were a few lovely lines, but it wasn’t maintained throughout the prose. While I know plain writing can still convey a meaningful story, this one remained uncomplicated and the storytelling style did nothing to boost my satisfaction.

Had I gone into this expecting a more straightforward thriller, perhaps I would have appreciated it more, although I think the middle would have felt dull to me either way. I loved the concept, and I did feel satiated by how the mystery unraveled. These factors did keep me from disliking the novel completely.

I am immensely grateful to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

[sums · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title!

This book exceeded all of my expectations. It’s atmospheric, compelling, and beautifully written. I wasn’t sure if I would like it in the beginning, but the unique elements of supernatural horror and mystery/thriller interwoven into the plot captivated me very quickly and I was unable to put it down until I read the entire thing.

What I loved about the plot was that it goes so far beyond its premise. There’s so much depth to the story, from the historical context to the aspects of magical realism, and the way everything feels so purposeful and intertwined. The way Fontaine incorporated so much rich background into her plot and characters, more so with Luce than the others, was so impressive. I loved the psychological complexity given to Luce’s character as well, and the exploration of her childhood and her relationship with her mother added so much depth to the narrative.

I feel like I could go on and on about the little details that made this book so intriguing. First of all, dual point-of-view? So fascinating and well-written. Then there was the underlying dystopian/utopian parallel and juxtaposition throughout the novel, and all the parallels in general, which really heightened the isolation and mysticism of the Red Grove. I’m also still thinking about the supernatural elements tied not only into the community’s folklore but the characters themselves, and how effectively that horror and fear for something unknown was conveyed. Really, there’s just so much to talk about.

Despite all of this, however, I did find myself getting lost in the dense writing from time to time, which kind of impacted my reading experience and maybe even my understanding of the plot. So while I loved the depth, the way it was delivered was a bit hard to consistently follow. Furthermore, I liked the mystery and its twists, but I’m not entirely a fan of the ending of the novel, and some of the details surrounding how the main conflict was resolved. It did feel a little vague when compared to the other parts of the novel, but it’s still good.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, and I can definitely see myself re-reading it to pick up on more of its intricate details. This is such a thought-provoking novel that is a great read for anyone who enjoys mystery/thriller imbued with history and the fine line that operates between reality and the supernatural. As a first-time reader of Tessa Fontaine, I’m really impressed, and I’d love to read more of her work in the future.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the beginning of this book, found myself tangled up in the magic of the red grove, felt the ache and the hope that would bring women there. I loved the mess in Gloria and in Luce, the pain and the beauty and flaws in their relationship. The entire cast was captivating.
Unfortunately, the ending kind of unraveled and I found myself unsatisfied with the resolution. There was no real emotional payoff. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

[Melissa Crytzer Fry]

Why no star rating when I really, truly enjoyed so much of this book? Quite simply: I don’t know how to rate it – mostly because I feel unqualified since part of this book is outside my genre preference. Which is to say: yes, I knowingly picked a book that had descriptors such as mystery, thriller, and mystery thriller because the story, itself, sounded deep and fascinating.

A protected community of women living in the redwoods. Mountain lions that guard it. Magical realism. Nature. Sign me up!

And for the most part – up to the 70% mark – I was all in. The book, up to that point, was literary and flowing with majestic nature descriptions; it also was building up some fantastic thematic weight about community, women’s suffering at the hands of men, alongside their inherent strength, and it – surprisingly – had beautiful, alternating historic sections about the community’s founding mother that I gobbled up. It even touched on some environmental elements that were organic and lovely.

The writing, as noted, for this first chunk of the story, was absolutely gorgeous:

… in the dirt alongside the worms were the roots of redwood trees reaching as wide as the trees were tall, passing sugars and water back and forth, feeding the weak, holding the tallest of them upright, flashing memories to one another along the mycorrhizal network of a time before this time, when something had been set in motion. Gathering what was needed because it seemed it was beginning again.

Things went south for me, however, when the mystery was introduced. You know how most books have some type of a mystery component – a central question that needs to be answered, but often a slow-burn kind of unveiling, woven into the writing so that it is not entirely noticeable? I thought this might end up being one of those books, even with a “mom goes missing” plot.

It wasn’t. For me, this was the downfall: the standard interiority found in mysteries where the main protag makes her plan and continually second-guesses herself, where certain events fall into place with way too much convenience, or the events are just a bit too contrived for one to suspend disbelief.

When the mystery kicked in, the writing changed to more significantly commercial, and as a reader, I felt this jarring stylistic change and it screamed “mystery/thriller” plot contrivance.

Mystery readers may have zero qualms with this. They may actually love this aspect of the book best (and I hope they embrace this book). So, as noted – since I don’t read the genre – my opinion might be worth nothing more than a hill of beans. Give this a try, please!

But, honestly, the character-driven and thematic aspects of this book were strong enough to have carried the entire novel, making it fully literary, without any commercial aspects or adding the mystery, at all. It could have been a beautiful story about the difficult relationship between a mom and daughter, the ways society has failed women, the ways we use stories for survival, the healing power of nature, the power of believing in magic. I personally think it would have been stronger that way and hope the author will take that route on future novels. She certainly has the talent.

I could be wrong, but suspect maybe what Fontaine submitted was more on the literary side, and that she was advised to commercialize the story for sales purposes. If so, it’s a shame. That said, I’d give her a go again. The mountain lion symbolism and descriptions, the interconnectedness of humans to the Earth … it was superbly done.

My thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the gifted e-copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living among the trees meant trusting the network, even if it was so deep you couldn’t see it.

The Red Grove is about an insular community tucked away in the California redwoods where women are mystically protected from the violence of the world. Although there are certain portions of the outside world that call their community a cult and the women who live there witches, it’s a haven for women to flee to, where they can be assured of absolute safety from whatever it is they’re running from. Luce has lived in the Red Grove with her mother, brother, and comatose aunt since she was a little girl, growing up in what she’s always believed to be a utopia. But then her mother disappears, and she begins to question everything she knows about her home.

The Red Grove is one of those books that is mostly vibes, blending elements of magical realism, family drama, coming of age story, and mystery. Tessa Fontaine’s writing is lyrical and affecting as she explores the interconnectedness of family and community. There are some lovely metaphors about the strength of trees and women, and the roots that sustain and nurture them. She raises interesting questions about what it means to truly be protected, about the power of belief, and about consciousness itself, and provides a thought-provoking portrait of how women have historically been viewed when they decide to take their lives, and their power, into their own hands. I was fascinated by the Red Grove’s origin story and couldn’t wait to get back to the sections about Tamsen Nightingale.

The pacing is a bit uneven, slow and meandering, and ultimately I’m not sure that Fontaine was able to bring all of her ideas together into one cohesive story. Some parts of the conclusion seem to contradict the story’s central theme, and some elements require a lot of suspension of disbelief, even within the genre of magical realism. Nevertheless, The Red Grove is a richly atmospheric exploration of complex relationships, told with an ethereal, feminist bent that I found incredibly compelling. Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the early reading opportunity.

[Jocelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bored out of my gourd 90% of the time. Just when my attention would start to get caught… long monologue of boredom.

This was my first Nightworms subscription box book 😬

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Grove is a community founded in the 1800s for women who need shelter. It is told that the magic of the redwoods protects women from male violence so that they can live without fear. The story is set in the 1990s and follows Luce, a 16-year-old girl who moved to the redwoods with her mother, aunt, and little brother following a tragic act of violence. When Luce’s mother goes missing, she begins to uncover secrets of the grove that put her family and the community in danger.

I loved this beautifully written story about the struggles women face and the lengths they will go to ensure their safety. Fontaine blends elements of mystery, coming-of-age, and magical realism to tackle themes of grief, complicated mother-daughter relationships, female resilience, and our connection to nature. The narrative alternates between Luce’s and the founder of the grove and I thought everything came together brilliantly in the end. A compelling and atmospheric page-turner that I adored.

[Âme · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5✨

[Sage Moon]

Great message and concept, but the author pushed the message onto the reader too hard.

[Nikki Tewes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for the audiobook of The Red Grove. All thoughts and feelings expressed are my own.

Luce has spent most of her life in the protective community within the Red Grove. There have been generations of women who have lived here and felt protected from the outside world. She's been told that no harm can come to her within the grove. Luce believes it and she has no desire to ever leave. Luce's mother, Gloria, is more free spirited than her and feels stifled by the grove community. Gloria is a "seer" and takes clients from outside of the community. One day, one of her clients dies, suspicious things start happening, and then Gloria goes missing. Luce goes on a mission to find out what happened to her mother and uncovers secrets about the very community she has devoted her life to.

I loved that this was told in a dual timeline between the founding members of the community and Luce who is being groomed to become the next leader of the grove. There were some parts that you got to see Gloria's thoughts and feelings about early motherhood and I really felt that. I also love that Gloria never quite bought into the whole grove community. She was my favorite character.

Luce is definitely at the brink of adulthood, and still so naive. Her mother wanted so much more for her than the grove community. She wanted her to be able to experience life before she decided that she wanted to stay. I loved that because I felt the same as I was reading this. I really loved this family. I wish that we got to see a little more of the Red Grove community. I think the book focused so much on the family, that it took away from how creepy the community truly was.

[Estee · Rating 3 out of 5]

“A place where a girl was not protected or coddled, was not taught to be afraid. Where a girl could just be a human.”

This book is good. It’s a story about a girl and her brother and her mother and all the women that came before them. They are living in a magical safe commune of mostly women in an enchanted redwood grove. The stories of struggle and love and sisterhood are told between different timelines about the place and how it came to be.

I loved the idea of this book and the fantastical things that happened as Luce is trying to find her mother. I wanted to know more about Roo and Luce and their powers. And what is the story with Gram?

The ending of the book felt a little bit off to me. Anticlimactic maybe, but just a little bit too mundane as Luce makes connections with the other girls. I didn’t know that was important to her? It is probably a good thing that I wanted more of the book and wasn’t ready for it to end.

[Geonn Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot, although (and there's a chance this is just a "me" thing) for some reason it felt like it just WOULD NOT END. Just one more scene, one more chapter, just kind of petering out as it lost momentum. It could've been me, it could have been my mood, I'm just reporting the experience. Don't let that turn you away. 😊

[T’Kiyah Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

really fucked up and sad… but i think every woman should read this book

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

First off, I would not classify this as horror. This is a mystery story mixed with historical fiction. I liked the chapters set in the past more than the current ones. This is the story of the Red Grove community, a safe haven for women and children. It feels very much like a commune and seems like a great place to live, but also a place of secrets.

[Kelsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. I would consider this magical realism, lit fic, with some elements of suspense. The atmosphere was perfect, and the intrigue was there, but I felt like the story was fighting me off the whole time. I could not get immersed in it and had to keep putting it down. The plot painfully meandered, the multiple timelines did not build the story, the characters felt hollow, and the feminist themes kept fading in and out. Even though it had all the elements I would love in a story, this one just didn't end up working for me.

[Jesse Hassinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Tessa Fontaine's first foray into long-form fiction, "The Red Grove" does interesting things with a basic missing persons plot by placing the action in a feminist utopian society that has a historical precedent of disallowing any harm to come to the women who collect in this valley of ancient redwood trees. The founding of this refuge in the 19th century by Tamsen Nightingale - escaping near-death at the hands of her husband and his brothers - set in motion a place of almost supernatural safety for any woman who choses to live within its borders. Over 130 years later, precocious and free-spirited teenage Luce, is on her way to one day take over the reigns of the Red Grove, much to her mother - Gloria's - chagrin.

When Gloria doesn't come home one evening Luce and her young brother, Roo, have to figure out fact from myth and whether this magical land actually does protect the women who inhabit it, or whether the women, bound by this new supportive community universally divorced from the misogynistic patriarchy that rules everywhere else, are subconsciously making their own protection. As Luce upends some of the Red Grove's most sacred beliefs she realizes her mother was, also, discovering some of the outsized tales that enshrine the current ruling matriarch of the Red Grove.

Never shying away from the difficult questions at the heart of this story, Tessa Fontaine is able to bewitch and beguile in equal measure, holding up the magic at the heart of the Red Grove while also dismantling the myths that are causing people to put their faith in magical thinking that actually can undermine the inherent power of the valley in which they live.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published May 14, 2024.

Luce Shelley is a teenager who loves true crime and lives with mother Gloria, little brother Roo and aunt Gem in a women’s refuge in an isolated redwood forest. Founded by Tamsen Nightingale, the community has existed for almost one hundred years and has nearly two hundred residents (some men are allowed). Gem has been catatonic since an attack by her boyfriend years ago, now she and Gloria work together as psychics. When one of their “seekers” dies at their home his son vows revenge. Then Gloria disappears. Luce works with Una, the group’s leader and uses her owns wits to locate her mother.

Interesting book. The whole time I was reading it I kept having the sense that Luce and her family were indigenous people….I don’t know why. I enjoyed the back story with Tamsen Nightingale, it felt more “real” to me than the parts set in modern day. Overall good but not great.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Red Grove by Tessa Fontaine is a trip! It’s an interesting viewpoint from the narrator Luce whose mother Gloria goes missing. I liked the narrative and almost cult like setting. The setting of 1997 was interesting with flashbacks to the 1800s. There are some shocking moments. I liked the focus on family however this novel lost me the further in. There’s some mystery elements dealing with female protection and the missing mother but maybe it was the young viewpoint that was detracting.

Thank you to the publisher for my ARC!

[Coffee Book Bliss · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t have a great review for this book, or even a regular one. Trying not to be against the general consensus here, but this book wasn’t for me.
It felt like not that great a mystery. I mean of course, people always take advantage of history and mold it according to their means. It wasn’t like you’d be shocked to know this.
And I felt that what Tamsen did wasn’t as bad that the whole precipice of the grove would come tumbling down.
Overall, I felt it was pretty slow and there could have been some mystery or atleast a small twist. Did nothing for me.

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixteen-year-old Luce Shelley lives with her mother Gloria, her brother Roo, and her invalid aunt Gem in Red Grove, a secluded community comprised mostly of women in the ancient redwood forest of northern California. This community provides a safe haven for women; they are told that they will always be safe from the dangers of society, especially the violence of men. Interwoven with Luce’s story, set in 1997, is the community’s origin story dating back to 1853.

One day Gloria goes missing. Luce knows that her mother wouldn’t just abandon them, especially not her twin sister who lives in a state of “unresponsive wakefulness” and relies on Gloria for her care. As Luce looks for her mother, she uncovers secrets about Red Grove. She discovers that her home may not really be as safe as she’s been taught.

One of the book’s central ideas is inter-connectedness. The trees are connected by a mycorrhizal network: “the roots of the redwood trees reaching as wide as the trees were tall, [were] passing sugars and water back and forth, feeding the weak, holding the tallest of them upright, flashing memories to one another along the mycorrhizal network.” But Luce later suggests that the women are also “embedded in the network of this forest.” She is asked, “’Did you know it isn’t just all the plant roots that are connected in the dirt. That it’s all the animals and bugs and people in the Red Grove too? Even the dead ones.’” The later parts of the novel suggest communication is possible between humans and nature and that even the dead can use this network to communicate.

Of course, the message is also that the community of Red Grove gains its strength from the connections among its members. Though they are told that their community has a magical protective shield, “the truth of their power, which was within them, their actions and tenderness [was] so much stronger than a myth.”

There’s a mystery of course: what happened to Gloria? But the book is also very much a coming-of-age story. Luce is very much devoted to Red Grove, its mission, rituals, and myths. In fact, she is being groomed to be the next leader, though Gloria has reservations. She has issues with Una, the current leader, believing that “any isolated community, no matter how noble its intentions, restricted you. It made the world too small.” For instance, she worries that Luce and Roo think of themselves as impervious to harm in Red Grove. When Luce uncovers secrets long hidden about events at Red Grove, she has to decide whether to keep those secrets or reveal them. She loses her innocence as she learns about the place that has been her home for half her life. And her understanding of her relationship with her mother matures.

Pacing is a problem. The book begins very slowly. Even after Gloria vanishes, nothing much happens. Only two-thirds of the way through the book is there any real tension. The chapters of the origin story, though interesting, do little to add to the suspense. Then the closing chapters are vague and will leave many readers feeling unsatisfied.

What bothered me as well is the magic realism/ supernatural elements. Some of the communication that occurs I did not find convincing. The so-called mother-tree hypothesis is very appealing, but the author implies a whole new purpose of these networks and I found it difficult to suspend my disbelief. Then we are supposed to believe that “’There is no such thing as coincidence. . . . Coincidence is communication. It always means something’”? The scenes involving the mummy are just too much! Each time the mummy was mentioned, my interest lessened.

The novel has some interesting ideas. It inspires thinking about how women are viewed when they take control of their own lives and whether isolated communities such as Red Grove can be successful or are even a good idea. However, the novel’s pacing and its more outlandish elements definitely affected my enjoyment.

Note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DCYakabuski).

[Lisa M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

My cult reading spree continues. A friend recommended this. It's a library book so it was automatically next on the list. There is a lot going on in this novel--changing points of view, three different eras, family issues, cult issues, and the supernatural. I can appreciate why each of these elements was included--each seems justified and to serve a specific purpose--but I'm not sure the book carried each of the out successfully. I think this was especially true for the later two issues. Throughout the book we learn about the philosophy of the cult and how it has evolved over time. We learn that some of its values including offering support to those in need (i.e., clothes, food, housing assistance,) freedom to explore and make one's own choices, radical justice, and "re-enactments" which remind members of what gendered violence can be. We also learn of the social norms, which include NO outsiders--even in life/death situations--and the more ugly things that happen behind the scenes. But about 3/4 of the way through the book Fontaine off-handedly mentions how the cult eats together twice a week. It's clear Fontaine developed the cult in her mind but had difficulty conveying it fully on the page. We appreciate what the concept of the cult is but not how it operates fully. Secondly, I'm not sure I fully understand the reason for the paranormal element. At times it is implied that it is an extension of the redwood forest, but how does that explain the unusual connection the twins had before that? Is it just twins being twins? I'm not someone who necessarily needs or desires answers such as this but it felt like the author was trying to suggest something that was not fully conveyed.

Also, we don't really understand why or how Luce was selected to be the next leader/to be trained as the next leader.

We do not necessarily come to know each of the characters intimately. It was difficult to empathize with Gloria sometimes--especially when she chose to carry out a second pregnancy after clearly not wanting her first (nothing having changed since she had her first) but I appreciated the honest portrayal of women and motherhood. Not every woman wants or should be a mom.

I loved the concept of the cult but it was definitely dulled by the fact they let men in. I'm not sure what the purpose of this decision was in the author's mind and it seems the antithesis of the cult. I have come to enjoy speculative fiction that deals with gendered violence. I'm not sure this book really accomplishes that. Does the book say anything complex or important about gendered violence? Sure it acknowledges that it is common and looks like different things. But what does it say when the supposed safe space isn't safe? Sam's comments about the parasites were a great summation of the book--vulnerable people believing they are safe because they are told they are, but this may not be true. I was disappointed in this, it felt almost exploitative and like a cheap cop out.

If you take out the fact that this seems to imply it's a feminist novel, this is an effective cult read. Some may question the categorization as a cult but given what happens when people choose to go to the outside for help, I'll count it. Also the leader definitely gives cult leader vibes. Although more about why Gloria's business was allowed would have been appreciated. The cruelty in the final scenes--phew! Una, the cult leader, is EVIL!

The supernatural elements of this were the strongest aspects. Very eerie--and I read a lot of traditional horror. I would encourage Fontaine to lean into this in the future. Strangely, not the first cult book I read with an effigy used to communicate with a missing person!

A very gripping read though. I gasped and put my hand over my mouth at one point. So if you just want a tense read and can overlook these faults, this may be for you!

[Maddie Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

“‘It wasn't very safe, and certainly something could have happened, but it didn't. That's the thing. Usually it doesn't. The world is big and fun. There was risk in it, and the risk was part of what made it feel so good.’”

“There's no magic. No curse. No protective shield. Violence against women has happened everywhere since the beginning of human time. In the Red Grove, too. But we've chosen to believe we can do better, and so we have.”

“All that she knew about serial killers and rapists and human traffickers and pedophiles, all the suffering she'd heard women tell about their own lives at reenact-ments, all of it was still true. It was real. What had happened to Gem was real.
And what was also true was that out past the boundary of the Red Grove, there were college psychology courses— ha, she could probably use a few of those—-and aquariums with real beluga whales and the salt flats of Utah and wild horses on some island in North Carolina and billions of people, and most of them—not all, but most—would not hurt you.”

A beautiful and empathetic exploration of a separatist utopia—from its violent conception to its violent downfall. Fontaine writes generations of abused and traumatized women with utmost compassion. There is no doubt or question WHY these women have sheltered themselves in this promised utopia for almost one hundred years: the world is a dangerous place, especially for women, and the community they have created in spite of it is beautiful. However, she is also careful to detail the constant retraumatization that is necessary to preserve the ideas behind this separatist utopia. From the dramatized re-enactments to Luce’s all-too-common and relatable habit of immersing herself in true crime horror stories, Fontaine reminds us just how exhausting, consuming, and self-mutilating it is to maintain fear. For a community that drives its members to walk through the dark so they may no longer fear it, the Red Grove is sure to constantly remind its residents of the horror that drove them there. There is no true healing here. They keep Gem alive like an open wound, refusing to come to terms with or move past her assault. It is only by letting her die that Luce can finally begin to live.

I appreciated Fontaine’s novel as an indictment of radical feminism without dismissing feminism. She laid bare so many of the thoughts I’ve tried and failed to articulate to myself.

It could have been a little faster paced but I loved the characters, the setting, and the message.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Red Grove" is a tense, deeply resonant novel that tackles themes of grief, resilience, and the quest for safety in a world that often feels perilous for women. The story follows Luce, a sixteen-year-old girl who, after a tragic event involving her aunt, is uprooted to the enigmatic Red Grove. Here, women inexplicably flourish and remain protected from male harm, but as Luce discovers, even havens harbor secrets.

This novel is incredibly timely, tapping into the recent discourse around women's safety—akin to the viral "bear versus man in the forest" question. "The Red Grove" arrives as a poignant exploration of the lengths women go to secure a sense of security, perfectly capturing the anxieties and resilience inherent in such a pursuit.

Luce’s journey is a powerful testament to the emotional weight carried by those who are forced to grow up too quickly. The narrative deftly weaves through her grief for a mother who was intermittently present, and the heavy responsibilities that have been thrust upon her young shoulders.

The writing is both evocative and insightful, painting a vivid picture of a world that is at once magical and fraught with danger. I loved both the fantastical and horror-adjacent elements with very real and pressing social issues. I feel this made it not just a story about survival but a profound commentary on the struggles women face, as well as a testament to the strength and resilience of women, wrapped in a tale that is as enchanting as it is necessary.

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told in dual timelines, I found myself more drawn into the backstory and history of Red Grove than the present-day mystery of trying to find Luce’s mom. This was likely because the sisterhood and connection between the characters in the past felt more genuine or better told. While there were some interesting dynamics between Gloria, Luce, and Gem, these connections seemed primarily used to catalyze the uncovering of Red Grove’s secrets. They didn’t always seem necessary or important to readers.

It was my understanding that Gloria had powers, and it’s quite clear. She never really wanted to be a parent and probably wouldn’t have been if the attack against her sister didn’t take place. So, everything in her life feels like she’s doing it out of obligation. Gem is someone who could physically take care of herself and was even taking care of Gloria’s child until she was attacked. We get a small section where Gloria talks about her relationship with her sister. But ultimately, it felt like the author gave her a sister as a way to make Luce and Gloria’s mother-daughter relationship seem more troubled. Gloria could’ve still been a young mother struggling with postpartum depression and having trouble raising her kids, not really a fan of going to Red Grove, but ended up there out of lack of resources and seeing it as a community that would help her. We didn’t need Gem as a character. Even if you keep the sister plot, the death in the beginning felt unnecessary for Gloria to “disappear.” This place already had unwanted attention, and she knew it had its secrets and was against Red Grove. She already wanted to talk to a reporter.

I would’ve preferred to find out that more people were going missing or dying, and Red Grove was covering it up. I also wondered if these kids were going to school, working, or driving off campus. What does the day-to-day look like? These little details matter. We read about them performing historic reenactments, yet no one else in the town caught on or became suspicious? Then we get into the paranormal and the strange, while saying it’s not magical at the same time. Then they’re seeing a mummy, and we’re discussing interconnectedness, the story of the dead through the living and nature. The story brings us back to the power and danger of community and groupthink, and the reality that sometimes women hurt women to protect themselves from men.

I honestly think I would’ve loved this book if it was just about how Red Grove came to be in the past. Following the story of the sisters, their journey, beating the brutality of having to fight for survival not only in the elements but against the brothers, would’ve been amazing. What this book gave me, I could’ve done without. The whole ending with Una and her minions was obvious from the beginning. While I couldn’t stand Luce and thought she was naive, this book was partially about her coming of age, as well as Gloria wanting more for herself and her children. It explores sacrifice in parenting and sisterhood, and what it takes to build a community and what it looks like when one falls apart. This isn’t one of my favorite reads, but that doesn’t mean someone else won’t enjoy it.