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Raised
Thirteen years ago, Sadie’s father left her to live with a family of bears in the enchanted forest that surrounded her peculiar hometown.
Yesterday, the bears ate him.
In the wake of her father’s death, Sadie befriends a mysterious Wolf-Woman who is mourning a loss of her own. Together, they work to rebuild a sense of normalcy.
But “normal” looks different for everyone, and their magical town has its own ideas about how they should heal.
There’s a story in the town library that needs an ending.
There’s a golden thread that needs a knot.
And The Festival of The Fireflies is fast approaching.
Yesterday, the bears ate him.
In the wake of her father’s death, Sadie befriends a mysterious Wolf-Woman who is mourning a loss of her own. Together, they work to rebuild a sense of normalcy.
But “normal” looks different for everyone, and their magical town has its own ideas about how they should heal.
There’s a story in the town library that needs an ending.
There’s a golden thread that needs a knot.
And The Festival of The Fireflies is fast approaching.
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Raised is a complex and nuanced story: part vignette, part fairy tale, and deeply moving. The setting of the book is The Liminal Place—a mysterious town in mysterious woods where stories become real or, perhaps, what is real becomes a story. It’s a town where you might pay for a fancy dinner with a secret, where an apartment might contain a forest, and where a man may choose to live with the bears. The book uses this setting to build complex metaphors on its themes of grief, belonging, community, and love in a way that I found extremely effective.
The way the story is written is unique: told in longer parts rather than chapters, the book shifts between tales, perspectives, and ideas in a way that really made the book feel like a new fairy tale. The story often jumps around between ideas, timelines, and characters; resulting in a book that is both one big story and a collection of smaller ones woven into a larger whole. I really loved this aspect of the book: I enjoyed exploring Sadie and the Wolf Woman’s stories, but I also enjoyed pausing to glimpse into the stories of others in the town. Learning more about the people of a town made this world built of stories upon stories come to life and really helped build the foundation for the oft-fantastical metaphors to really shine. While it would be impossible to simplify the novel into any one of its themes, the one that resonated with me the strongest was the way identity and belonging was explored through the forest and the town, the animals and the people: from the father who leaves his daughter to find his home with the bears, to the child who learns the language of the forest, to the wolf who is a woman who is a wolf working to find her place in a world that wants her to choose one or the other. I’m not sure I can succinctly summarize my thoughts for a review, because this book gave me a lot to think about. Even when I wasn’t reading, I often found myself thinking about the world of this book: about the symbolism in its story, the way the metaphors it builds felt like they meant so many different things. As a queer woman, it was hard not to see stories of community and self-identity woven into the tale; though I suspect that the experience of this book would be very unique for each and every reader.
I do think that this book has a few small caveats. I wasn’t always fond of the pacing; while I often enjoyed the moment-to-moment reading experience, it wasn’t the kind of book that I could get lost in and read cover-to-cover; I think the pacing was a tad slow for what I was looking for. The plot didn’t really feel like it picked up until the end, resulting in a book that, while beautiful, occasionally felt like it wasn’t moving forward while also having a very abrupt ending. I loved the metaphors but wasn’t always sure what to make of the characters; in particular, I wanted to root more for Sadie, but at times I felt like she wasn’t as interesting as all of the other vignettes and stories around her, and at times I felt as though I was a bit distant from her. In particular, I wanted to love the relationship between Talia and Sadie so much more than I did. While the book often states the importance of the relationship to both women, the parts we saw on the page didn’t always feel like they were supporting that aim—in particular, though I know it was part of the larger journey for the character, the way Talia repeatedly spiraled into worries that Sadie was cheating for very little reason made it harder for me to understand her character.
Ultimately, I really did love my time with Raised. I loved the writing style, the way the book plays with the very fabric of stories, and the way so many symbols are layered and interwoven into a whole that is very much greater than the sum of its parts. That being said, I do think that the characterization of the main characters wasn’t always as compelling, and the pacing was a bit uneven. Altogether, this is an easy 4 out 5-star book. I really appreciate all that the book has given me to think about, and I think the way it plays with metaphor and symbolism will stick with me for a long time.
Thank you to Campfire Press for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
The way the story is written is unique: told in longer parts rather than chapters, the book shifts between tales, perspectives, and ideas in a way that really made the book feel like a new fairy tale. The story often jumps around between ideas, timelines, and characters; resulting in a book that is both one big story and a collection of smaller ones woven into a larger whole. I really loved this aspect of the book: I enjoyed exploring Sadie and the Wolf Woman’s stories, but I also enjoyed pausing to glimpse into the stories of others in the town. Learning more about the people of a town made this world built of stories upon stories come to life and really helped build the foundation for the oft-fantastical metaphors to really shine. While it would be impossible to simplify the novel into any one of its themes, the one that resonated with me the strongest was the way identity and belonging was explored through the forest and the town, the animals and the people: from the father who leaves his daughter to find his home with the bears, to the child who learns the language of the forest, to the wolf who is a woman who is a wolf working to find her place in a world that wants her to choose one or the other. I’m not sure I can succinctly summarize my thoughts for a review, because this book gave me a lot to think about. Even when I wasn’t reading, I often found myself thinking about the world of this book: about the symbolism in its story, the way the metaphors it builds felt like they meant so many different things. As a queer woman, it was hard not to see stories of community and self-identity woven into the tale; though I suspect that the experience of this book would be very unique for each and every reader.
I do think that this book has a few small caveats. I wasn’t always fond of the pacing; while I often enjoyed the moment-to-moment reading experience, it wasn’t the kind of book that I could get lost in and read cover-to-cover; I think the pacing was a tad slow for what I was looking for. The plot didn’t really feel like it picked up until the end, resulting in a book that, while beautiful, occasionally felt like it wasn’t moving forward while also having a very abrupt ending. I loved the metaphors but wasn’t always sure what to make of the characters; in particular, I wanted to root more for Sadie, but at times I felt like she wasn’t as interesting as all of the other vignettes and stories around her, and at times I felt as though I was a bit distant from her. In particular, I wanted to love the relationship between Talia and Sadie so much more than I did. While the book often states the importance of the relationship to both women, the parts we saw on the page didn’t always feel like they were supporting that aim—in particular, though I know it was part of the larger journey for the character, the way Talia repeatedly spiraled into worries that Sadie was cheating for very little reason made it harder for me to understand her character.
Ultimately, I really did love my time with Raised. I loved the writing style, the way the book plays with the very fabric of stories, and the way so many symbols are layered and interwoven into a whole that is very much greater than the sum of its parts. That being said, I do think that the characterization of the main characters wasn’t always as compelling, and the pacing was a bit uneven. Altogether, this is an easy 4 out 5-star book. I really appreciate all that the book has given me to think about, and I think the way it plays with metaphor and symbolism will stick with me for a long time.
Thank you to Campfire Press for providing a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of Raised grabbed my attention, and had every reason not to let go. Fairy tale vibes with conversations about grieving, complicate families, the relationship between nature and humanity, and a fantastic hook. Who wouldn't want to read a book about a girl who's father got eaten by magical bears? The actual experience of the read, like grieving, was a little more complicated than that.
Our initial introduction to the world and setting of Raised feels very much like the kind of fairy tale you would read to a younger audience. The lexile is low and approachable, there's a lot more telling than showing, and the style of the illustrations skew it little younger still. Then you walk smack into references and content that had had me reassessing the intended audience real quick. It threw me off for a bit, but is also where the book gets significantly stronger.
Sadie is an interesting protagonist, and her discomfort with the Liminal Space she grew up in is an interesting twist on expected fairy tale forms. There are some fascinating ruminations on the complicated legacy that comes from having loving parent/s who were unable to meet your needs and the cost emotional neglect. Her relationship with her girlfriend is one of the sweeter parts of the book.
The other protagonist, the Wolf Woman, has fascinating potential in her metaphor and relationship with the Liminal Space, but feels like she could use more space to finish developing her concept. Focus on other characters, including her sexual partners, swamps out a lot of space where she could develop further. Still, she's likeable and complicated enough that I would have read more on her gladly.
If this is the first book in a series, the large cast of reasonably developed and quirky characters would bring me back to see how the author uses them and develops their skills. There is so much potential here that doesn't quite hit the mark. For example, the final resolution feels a bit unresolved with a Deus Ex Machina that has little to nothing to do with the main characters making choices and a lot more to do with a background character with fragile connects to the leads.
Assuming that this is a solo book, it was decent read, and I could see myself picking up another book by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Our initial introduction to the world and setting of Raised feels very much like the kind of fairy tale you would read to a younger audience. The lexile is low and approachable, there's a lot more telling than showing, and the style of the illustrations skew it little younger still. Then you walk smack into references and content that had had me reassessing the intended audience real quick. It threw me off for a bit, but is also where the book gets significantly stronger.
Sadie is an interesting protagonist, and her discomfort with the Liminal Space she grew up in is an interesting twist on expected fairy tale forms. There are some fascinating ruminations on the complicated legacy that comes from having loving parent/s who were unable to meet your needs and the cost emotional neglect. Her relationship with her girlfriend is one of the sweeter parts of the book.
The other protagonist, the Wolf Woman, has fascinating potential in her metaphor and relationship with the Liminal Space, but feels like she could use more space to finish developing her concept. Focus on other characters, including her sexual partners, swamps out a lot of space where she could develop further. Still, she's likeable and complicated enough that I would have read more on her gladly.
If this is the first book in a series, the large cast of reasonably developed and quirky characters would bring me back to see how the author uses them and develops their skills. There is so much potential here that doesn't quite hit the mark. For example, the final resolution feels a bit unresolved with a Deus Ex Machina that has little to nothing to do with the main characters making choices and a lot more to do with a background character with fragile connects to the leads.
Assuming that this is a solo book, it was decent read, and I could see myself picking up another book by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy
Raised is a compelling and engaging read that captures the reader’s attention from the beginning. The story unfolds with emotional depth and thoughtful storytelling, making it both enjoyable and meaningful.
The characters feel authentic and well-developed, allowing readers to connect with their experiences and growth throughout the book. The author does a great job balancing introspection, tension, and moments of reflection, which keeps the narrative interesting and engaging.
The pacing flows smoothly, and the writing style is clear and immersive. It’s the kind of book that invites readers to reflect on personal journeys, resilience, and the experiences that shape who we become.
I would recommend Raised to readers who enjoy thoughtful storytelling with emotional depth and strong character development.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters feel authentic and well-developed, allowing readers to connect with their experiences and growth throughout the book. The author does a great job balancing introspection, tension, and moments of reflection, which keeps the narrative interesting and engaging.
The pacing flows smoothly, and the writing style is clear and immersive. It’s the kind of book that invites readers to reflect on personal journeys, resilience, and the experiences that shape who we become.
I would recommend Raised to readers who enjoy thoughtful storytelling with emotional depth and strong character development.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is an extraordinary book. You will enter a world touched by magic — you may long to go there — with characters who will remind you of your closest friends, yourself. There will be a treehouse restaurant that lets you pay with a secret that cannot be told. There will be a golden thread that appears, and reappears.
You will meet the impossibly handsome milkman, the aspiring comic book artist, the woman who is also a wolf, the mushroom girl, and Sadie who is their close friend. Bears and wolves, the forest itself,
overlap the human world.
This book drew me in, and in. There is a touch of Dandelion Wine here. Part of the magic is in the world created, and part of the magic is in the voice, the clear, nuanced voice.
You will meet the impossibly handsome milkman, the aspiring comic book artist, the woman who is also a wolf, the mushroom girl, and Sadie who is their close friend. Bears and wolves, the forest itself,
overlap the human world.
This book drew me in, and in. There is a touch of Dandelion Wine here. Part of the magic is in the world created, and part of the magic is in the voice, the clear, nuanced voice.
Did Not Finish
March 28, 2026dnf at 30%. I know I should just persevere through this since it's an arc but it's just soooooooooo boring. I can tell the writing style is supposed to be weirldy charming but unfortunately it's doing nothing for me. The story itself was very Welcome-to-Nightvale vibes, which I am a fan of, but either that kind of story doesn't work well as a book or this author just isn't able to pull it off. Plotwise I think this is supposed to be "cozy" which to me just means "no plot," hence why it's boring.
April 6, 2026
Delightfully eccentric, bittersweet and witty.
Stylistically similar to a children's storybook, this story follows a wide cast of characters in a small town where everything is simultaneously mundane and extraordinary. The subject matter is anything but immature, though, as the characters explore grief, identity, love and community.
This story reminded me a bit of Wes Anderson’s style of melancholic whimsy, though it has a much heavier dose of fantasy.
It was a really enjoyable read that made me laugh out loud several times and tear up a time or two.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my Advanced Reader Copy.
Stylistically similar to a children's storybook, this story follows a wide cast of characters in a small town where everything is simultaneously mundane and extraordinary. The subject matter is anything but immature, though, as the characters explore grief, identity, love and community.
This story reminded me a bit of Wes Anderson’s style of melancholic whimsy, though it has a much heavier dose of fantasy.
It was a really enjoyable read that made me laugh out loud several times and tear up a time or two.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my Advanced Reader Copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Raised is a beautifully written story about grief, liminal identity, and the magic of small details.
It felt like reading the book version of a Studio Ghibli film. Eva gently, and lovingly, explores ideas about nature, humanity, grief, our proximity to our animal selves, and the importance of telling stories but never loses the magical golden thread that is her voice. It’s a warm hug of a book and I’m so glad I read it when I did.
It felt like reading the book version of a Studio Ghibli film. Eva gently, and lovingly, explores ideas about nature, humanity, grief, our proximity to our animal selves, and the importance of telling stories but never loses the magical golden thread that is her voice. It’s a warm hug of a book and I’m so glad I read it when I did.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews