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Eden's Everdark
Still grieving the loss of her mother, Eden visits Safina Island, her ancestral home, as a healing balm. But when she discovers an old sketchbook that belonged to her mother, she’s haunted by the images she sees drawn there. A creepy mansion covered with roots and leaves. A monstrous dog with dagger-sharp teeth. And a tall woman with wind-blown hair and long, sharp nails who is as beautiful as she is terrifying.
Days later, exploring the island alone, Eden follows a black cat through a rift in the bright day. She stumbles into Everdark, a parallel world where the sun never rises, where spirits linger between death and the afterlife, and where everything from her mother’s drawings is all too real—especially the Witch of Everdark, who wants to make Eden her eternal daughter.
Can Eden find a way to defeat the witch’s magic? Or will she remain trapped in Everdark forever?
Days later, exploring the island alone, Eden follows a black cat through a rift in the bright day. She stumbles into Everdark, a parallel world where the sun never rises, where spirits linger between death and the afterlife, and where everything from her mother’s drawings is all too real—especially the Witch of Everdark, who wants to make Eden her eternal daughter.
Can Eden find a way to defeat the witch’s magic? Or will she remain trapped in Everdark forever?
Unknown Binding
First published September 6, 2022
20 people are currently reading
1135 people want to read
About the author
Karen Strong
10 books164 followersKaren Strong is the critically acclaimed author of several books for young readers. Her work has been praised by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and School Library Journal and has received recognition as a Southern Book Prize finalist, Ignyte Award finalist, and BCCB Blue Ribbon selection. Find her online at karen-strong.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
January 11, 2023
I read this because I am judging the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction division of the Cybils Awards. Announcement of the winners in all divisions will be announced on Feb 14 after which I’ll post full reviews.
https://www.cybils.com/
https://www.cybils.com/
November 22, 2021
I read an early copy of this and it was FANTASTIC. You all need to put it on your TBRs.
December 2, 2022
This is a fantasy that explores grief and connecting to your heritage. I really liked the family aspect of this and was hoping to see more of the present day island. I thought the world of Everdark was interesting though the nature of the world allowed the story to be a little repetitive.
August 4, 2022
What a treasure! I was immediately enthralled with this book – from the cover, to the first page, all the way through to the end. It hooked me and kept me wanting more.
At its heart, this is a book about grief and how hard it is to escape. But it is also a book that celebrates the beauty of family and our roots. There is culture and love packed into these pages. Even the regional dialect is a joy to read.
This book is so many things. It is creepy and atmospheric. Beautiful and haunting. It is a reminder of the past – the decadence of wealth and the barbarism of slavery. But it is about hope for the future.
Even though this is marketed as a Middle Grade novel, adult readers will inevitably take more from it than the younger audience – the regrettable result of having more experience with grief. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages.
Truly exceptional.
At its heart, this is a book about grief and how hard it is to escape. But it is also a book that celebrates the beauty of family and our roots. There is culture and love packed into these pages. Even the regional dialect is a joy to read.
This book is so many things. It is creepy and atmospheric. Beautiful and haunting. It is a reminder of the past – the decadence of wealth and the barbarism of slavery. But it is about hope for the future.
Even though this is marketed as a Middle Grade novel, adult readers will inevitably take more from it than the younger audience – the regrettable result of having more experience with grief. I highly recommend this book for readers of all ages.
Truly exceptional.
September 29, 2022
I subjected this to the hardest challenge a book can face, and it passed-I read it, engrossed and emotionally invested, while my car was failing inspection and The Price is Right was blaring overhead.
October 13, 2022
After her mother’s death, Eden and her father visit Safina Island, her mother’s childhood home. During her first day on the island, she finds her mother's old sketchbook, filled with haunting images. Days later, Eden follows a black cat into the forest, and stumbles into the world of Everdark, which looks eerily similar to her mother’s drawings. Now, the Witch of Everdark wants to make Eden her eternal daughter and keep her in Everdark forever.
Atmospheric, haunting and touching, Eden’s Everdark explores grief, love, and magic. Author Karen Strong writes a realistic, yet heartbreaking story about how a young girl navigates the loss of her mother, but also commemorates heritage and family. This is a tale of not only grief, but also the dark history of America’s past: slavery. Yet, despite all the grief and darkness, this book made for a hopeful and magical read, filled with family and love.
I adored this book! It was such a haunting and emotional read, with wonderful writing. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an eerie, yet also hopeful and magical, tale.
Reviewed by: Riya B., grade 8
Atmospheric, haunting and touching, Eden’s Everdark explores grief, love, and magic. Author Karen Strong writes a realistic, yet heartbreaking story about how a young girl navigates the loss of her mother, but also commemorates heritage and family. This is a tale of not only grief, but also the dark history of America’s past: slavery. Yet, despite all the grief and darkness, this book made for a hopeful and magical read, filled with family and love.
I adored this book! It was such a haunting and emotional read, with wonderful writing. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an eerie, yet also hopeful and magical, tale.
Reviewed by: Riya B., grade 8
September 15, 2022
Gorgeously life and death-affirming.
October 18, 2023
For a middle grade…creepy and I absolutely loved it
August 15, 2022
What starts out as a desire to meet family and gain footing after the loss of a mother turns into a trip to another realm, where death and magic refuse to let anyone go.
After her mother's passing, Eden has finally convinced her father to take her to meet her mother's side of the family. Her mother avoided returning to her home on the island, despite Eden's father claiming they are kind, warm-hearted people. And he isn't wrong. The family is more than excited to meet Eden and accept her without a second's thought. The island is also a wonderful place, where tourists enjoy frequenting. But when Eden discovers her mother's old sketchbook, the nightmares begin. The family claims they are nothing more than her mother's imagination, but also admit that the island and it's mansion, no doubt, hold too many tortured souls. Little do they realize that a witch has taken over the spirit world, which runs parallel to reality on the island. When Eden takes a walk between the trees, she accidentally stumbles through a rift between the worlds. Now, she's stuck in the Everdark and the witch refuses to let her go.
The setting is a real treat with the moss, trees, and humid climate that only the South can offer. This not only lays the perfect background for the haunted mansion and wild surroundings of the Everdark, but also makes meeting family for the first time a true adventure. The author has built a nice contrast between reality and the Everdark, one full of life and warmth, while the other holds darkness and evil. It was fun to venture through the different scenes. Plus, the Southern foods and culture were like added icing to a cake.
Eden comes across like a nice, down-to-earth girl, and it's no problem to understand her desire to learn more about her mother's family. The positive atmosphere the family and their neighbors radiate is inspiring, and makes the reader wish they could visit the island, too. They support each other and offer words of wisdom, which make everything feel like home.
This is a spooky read, but it doesn't feel like one until more than a few chapters in. So, horror fans of this age group might be a bit disappointed, at first, while fantasy/paranormal fans might be surprised at how creepy things get. I think the slide into the scarier side was nicely done and let the reader get a handle on Eden and her reality first. I would have liked some scenes more built out than they were (such as the festival happens but we never really get to see it, or the days in Everdark fly by, at first, but it's not clear what Eden's doing the entire time), but this is a well-written read and does flow smoothly with a quick-pace. It does keep the reader at the edge of their seat, wondering how Eden will make it through.
Fans of paranormal and fantasy with a creepy twist will enjoy this one quite a bit. I received a DRC and enjoyed diving into Eden's world quite a bit.
After her mother's passing, Eden has finally convinced her father to take her to meet her mother's side of the family. Her mother avoided returning to her home on the island, despite Eden's father claiming they are kind, warm-hearted people. And he isn't wrong. The family is more than excited to meet Eden and accept her without a second's thought. The island is also a wonderful place, where tourists enjoy frequenting. But when Eden discovers her mother's old sketchbook, the nightmares begin. The family claims they are nothing more than her mother's imagination, but also admit that the island and it's mansion, no doubt, hold too many tortured souls. Little do they realize that a witch has taken over the spirit world, which runs parallel to reality on the island. When Eden takes a walk between the trees, she accidentally stumbles through a rift between the worlds. Now, she's stuck in the Everdark and the witch refuses to let her go.
The setting is a real treat with the moss, trees, and humid climate that only the South can offer. This not only lays the perfect background for the haunted mansion and wild surroundings of the Everdark, but also makes meeting family for the first time a true adventure. The author has built a nice contrast between reality and the Everdark, one full of life and warmth, while the other holds darkness and evil. It was fun to venture through the different scenes. Plus, the Southern foods and culture were like added icing to a cake.
Eden comes across like a nice, down-to-earth girl, and it's no problem to understand her desire to learn more about her mother's family. The positive atmosphere the family and their neighbors radiate is inspiring, and makes the reader wish they could visit the island, too. They support each other and offer words of wisdom, which make everything feel like home.
This is a spooky read, but it doesn't feel like one until more than a few chapters in. So, horror fans of this age group might be a bit disappointed, at first, while fantasy/paranormal fans might be surprised at how creepy things get. I think the slide into the scarier side was nicely done and let the reader get a handle on Eden and her reality first. I would have liked some scenes more built out than they were (such as the festival happens but we never really get to see it, or the days in Everdark fly by, at first, but it's not clear what Eden's doing the entire time), but this is a well-written read and does flow smoothly with a quick-pace. It does keep the reader at the edge of their seat, wondering how Eden will make it through.
Fans of paranormal and fantasy with a creepy twist will enjoy this one quite a bit. I received a DRC and enjoyed diving into Eden's world quite a bit.
February 16, 2023
I am def not the target audience for that book so I can't blame the book if I just could't make myself care for this story. In the end, it was just okay and i should've DNF.
September 2, 2022
Eden's Everdark is a beautiful story about grief and healing, told in the tradition of the gothic South with rich tones of history and setting. I loved how the story followed an unforeseeable path, really letting me immerse myself in the story as I followed along with Eden on her adventure, taking it one page at a time.
When Eden's mother dies suddenly and unexpectedly, she convinces her father to visit her mother's birth place (and extended family)-- A beautiful island with a history of slavery and freedom. Her mother hasn't been back since she left as a young girl, and Eden is eager to make family connections and to learn more about her mother.
When she unearths a sketchbook with eerie images, she is sent on an unimaginable journey. I will let you discover that journey on your own, but it was surprising, and fascinating, and creepy, and all the things a good scary middle grade should be.
I especially appreciated watching Eden deal with her own grief as she moved through the story. Her growth and change was organic and believable. It was easy to relate to her and understand the choices she made. Beyond Eden, the characters were interesting and fun to learn about. Their histories and backstories were varied, but all of them helped to build the overall theme of grief and healing.
If you like stories with a rich setting; If you like scary (but not TOO scary); If you like middle grade books with heart; and especially if you are dealing with your own grief, then Eden's Everdark is for you. I highly recommend it!
[Note: my 13-yo daughter read this as well and I'll be adding her review soon]
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for a review, but the opinions are my own.
When Eden's mother dies suddenly and unexpectedly, she convinces her father to visit her mother's birth place (and extended family)-- A beautiful island with a history of slavery and freedom. Her mother hasn't been back since she left as a young girl, and Eden is eager to make family connections and to learn more about her mother.
When she unearths a sketchbook with eerie images, she is sent on an unimaginable journey. I will let you discover that journey on your own, but it was surprising, and fascinating, and creepy, and all the things a good scary middle grade should be.
I especially appreciated watching Eden deal with her own grief as she moved through the story. Her growth and change was organic and believable. It was easy to relate to her and understand the choices she made. Beyond Eden, the characters were interesting and fun to learn about. Their histories and backstories were varied, but all of them helped to build the overall theme of grief and healing.
If you like stories with a rich setting; If you like scary (but not TOO scary); If you like middle grade books with heart; and especially if you are dealing with your own grief, then Eden's Everdark is for you. I highly recommend it!
[Note: my 13-yo daughter read this as well and I'll be adding her review soon]
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for a review, but the opinions are my own.
September 1, 2023
2022 Cybils Middle Grade Fantasy finalist
This was really immersive and gripping, with very high personal stakes. Strong created a dark underworld with real jeopardy and menace, along with a complex villain who stays terrifying even when we learn sympathetic things about her. And although we never meet Eden's best friend (she's almost a framing device) I liked the assumption that Eden would have a supportive peer.
But ultimately But I think kids won't have these complaints so I'll recommend it to kids looking for a scary tale.
This was really immersive and gripping, with very high personal stakes. Strong created a dark underworld with real jeopardy and menace, along with a complex villain who stays terrifying even when we learn sympathetic things about her. And although we never meet Eden's best friend (she's almost a framing device) I liked the assumption that Eden would have a supportive peer.
But ultimately But I think kids won't have these complaints so I'll recommend it to kids looking for a scary tale.
July 2, 2022
Black Girl Magic goes to a darker version of Oz, Wonderland and Narnia. Eden visits her maternal side's home. While loving meeting her relatives and learning her heritage, she is is still deep in grief for her recently deceased mother. She sees a dark opening and enters a new, dark world and instantly tries to go back home. Eden is smart, kind, brave and resourceful as she tries to return back to the world of the living. Filled with hope, grief and resilience as well as magic, it's also just fun.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
Want to read
January 12, 2021"Twelve-year-old Eden Leopold, on a visit to her late mother's birthplace of Safina Island, Ga., discovers a creepy sketchbook that leads her to Everdark—a spirit world ruled by an evil witch who Eden must defeat in order to make it back home." x
OKAY
OKAY
January 29, 2023
2.5⭐️ I don’t know why exactly, but this just could not hold my attention. (Like having to *force* myself to pay attention while doing reading sprints with students…) I wanted to like it but it was a miss for me.
March 13, 2023
This. Book. Is. Everything. It is rich with history and love and pain and healing. I love Eden, who is struggling to find her way and her place after her mom's death. I love the richness of Safina Island and the depth of Everdark. I love the history that is sewn beautifully throughout the book. And that ending made me cry in the best way.
November 20, 2024
High three. It missed something for a grownup, but would probably be perfectly fine for the tweens who are more likely to read it. I did like the ancestral linkage and the brown skins, along with the accent that was prevalent in the speech.
November 20, 2023
Wow. This book is so much bigger than meets the eye. A young teen is wrestling with her grief and the symbolism and journey is unlike anything I’ve ever read about. Beautiful narrative.
March 8, 2023
I absolutely love middle grade books, they are the bulk of what I read. Even though I love them, it's incredibly rare when one surprises me. This book did and I just could not put it down.
February 6, 2023
Eden and her father travel to her mother’s home on Safina Island in Georgia after the sudden death of her mom. Eden discovers a sketchbook left in her mother’s old bedroom that depicts dark creatures, unlike her mother’s usual artwork. Eden is drawn to the darkness and while walking in the woods she follows a black cat through a portal to a world of ghosts, Everdark. Will Eden find a way back to her family?
January 15, 2023
A stellar, spine-tingling middle grade horror.
12 year old Eden takes her first trip to Safina Island, her mother’s hometown, not long after her mother’s death. She is welcomed with open arms and quickly falls in love with her extended family and the beautiful island, but after discovering some eerie sketches from her mom’s childhood, she is left unsettled by the place and what may have happened to her mother there. One day, while exploring the island, she stumbles through a sliver of night in the woods and into a world called Everdark, home of spirits, monsters, and a woman called the Witch of Everdark who wants to make Eden her daughter forever. Strong’s evocative world-building, of both the mystical Everdark and the Black community that has lived on Safina Island for centuries, effectively draws readers in. She also cleverly incorporates frank discussions of slavery and its legacy in the South without losing readers’ attention. This well-paced and suspenseful book is sure to appeal to horror fans, particularly of those who liked Neil Gaiman’s Coraline.
12 year old Eden takes her first trip to Safina Island, her mother’s hometown, not long after her mother’s death. She is welcomed with open arms and quickly falls in love with her extended family and the beautiful island, but after discovering some eerie sketches from her mom’s childhood, she is left unsettled by the place and what may have happened to her mother there. One day, while exploring the island, she stumbles through a sliver of night in the woods and into a world called Everdark, home of spirits, monsters, and a woman called the Witch of Everdark who wants to make Eden her daughter forever. Strong’s evocative world-building, of both the mystical Everdark and the Black community that has lived on Safina Island for centuries, effectively draws readers in. She also cleverly incorporates frank discussions of slavery and its legacy in the South without losing readers’ attention. This well-paced and suspenseful book is sure to appeal to horror fans, particularly of those who liked Neil Gaiman’s Coraline.
August 18, 2022
The description alone made me want to conjure up a spell & deliver this book to every 11 year old in my life.
So, when I received an advance copy, I was thrilled beyond words.
This spooky middle grade book delivers. It’s creepy, page-turning, unexpected, makes you oooh & can’t be put down once you open the page. I was invested from page 1. Themes of loss, grief, & love are interwoven with such tenderness. It’s set in coastal GA & unlike any other story about family, roots, heritage & history of this region. The setting is perhaps my favorite “character” of the story, in fact. That’s how artfully Karen brings the world to life!
Karen is an incomparable middle grade storyteller. This new book is going to be a spooky favorite this fall.
So, when I received an advance copy, I was thrilled beyond words.
This spooky middle grade book delivers. It’s creepy, page-turning, unexpected, makes you oooh & can’t be put down once you open the page. I was invested from page 1. Themes of loss, grief, & love are interwoven with such tenderness. It’s set in coastal GA & unlike any other story about family, roots, heritage & history of this region. The setting is perhaps my favorite “character” of the story, in fact. That’s how artfully Karen brings the world to life!
Karen is an incomparable middle grade storyteller. This new book is going to be a spooky favorite this fall.
July 27, 2025
I had such an interesting experience with this audiobook. I thought the story was wonderful, but for some reason I found my mind constantly wandering while listening. It just couldn't consistently keep my attention. That said, I did enjoy it and was still able to follow the plot despite zoning out for about 30% of it. My thought is that the writing could be stronger to keep readers engaged, but everything else was there. I would give this 3 stars for experience, but add one extra for the quality story.
November 30, 2022
Just finished this! Wow! 5 ⭐️ for sure. Karen Strong’s writing style is stunning. Everything was so vivid, it felt like I was right there with Eden and the other characters. An incredible book with mystery, magic, and empowerment, all rolled into one incredible plot. This will definitely be shared with my students for our next first chapter read-aloud!
July 13, 2022
As haunting as it is heartfelt, Eden’s Everdark is a fantastically eerie tale of bound spirits and eternal night, rooted in family and blooming with love. Strong’s writing absolutely shines with magic.
September 12, 2022
Eden's Everdark was INCREDIBLE. I could not put this book down, I was hooked from the first page and read the entire book in under 24 hours. I loved the exploration of grief, history, culture, and community; and how they all intertwined in this story. I recommend this book to any gothic lovers.
October 2, 2022
This book was so good!! I had an advance reader’s copy and had a hard time putting it down. You get to know Sel better. And I was hoping the the story would end with this book (it doesn’t), I hope we don’t have to wait 2 years to find out what happens!!
September 9, 2023
I read this book because my twelve year old daughter loved it so much and insisted I read it. What an incredible book! Interesting characters and imagery! A most wonderful villain! So creative and engrossing. I absolutely loved it!
July 18, 2022
Sooooo strangely beautiful. Eerie, magical, suspenseful. I want to recommend this to every kid looking for a new fantasy story.
October 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews