The Belonging

Wilde Grove #2

by Katherine Genet

A month to decide whether to follow the ancient path.

In Wilde Grove, the wheel is turning, and the veil between the worlds is thinning.

Having had just a few weeks to decide whether to take up the mantle of her inheritance in Wilde Grove, Erin is now beginning her training in the ways of magic and walking the path of the old gods.

Her family thinks she’s crazy. Her family thinks Wilde Grove is a cult.

But Erin is discovering that magic is real, and learning to control it will be the difference between rescuing her own past self stuck in a desperate initiation, or being doomed to live there too.

And then there’s the mess the present world is in – where does magic fit there?

Can something so ancient and wild actually be the answer?

The Belonging is the second book in the Wilde Grove series, following on from The Gathering. Like stories about the Otherworld and magic? You’ll love this series written by real-life Spiritworker and Druid Katherine Genet.

Genres: Fiction, Magic, Fantasy

486 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2021

Reviews

[julia ☆ [owls reads] · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one didn't quite work for me. It was a bit too long and all of the characters and the situations they found themselves in were too frustrating. I only really enjoyed Stephan and Winsome's arcs.

[Shannon K G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to love this series. I have questions from book 1 that weren't even touched on in book 2. So I guess book 3 at the earliest.
Some of these characters are just insufferable. (looking at you Erin!)

[Leah Hester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong follow up to the first book, The Belonging captures the essence of Erin's journey in particular, and sets up- I think- the true long, overarching narrative. My one complaint is there's still a lot of tonal whiplash in spots. It reads more smoothly and faster than the first book though. I think the tone shifts do still work, especially with the context of Erin's struggle, but at the same time it could take you out of it and make the read a bit frustrating in the middle. But it is, I think, worth it in the end. Excited to read the next!

[Laura Morrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich magical world that also inspires me in my own life.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I treasure this book series and am so thankful to have discovered it. While reading the series 2nd book, it made me think of how I felt when I first saw The Empire Strikes Back 4o years ago. After the wonder and glory of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back was a harder movie to watch. It was where the real hard work was done. It was darker and deeper. That is how I feel about The Belonging. It was harder for me to get into than The Gathering but I realized it was because the characters were doing the read hard work. It is a darker and deeper book than The Gathering but such a powerful story on each character’s evolution. I also plan to listen to the audio version of the book too as it’s a great way to “reread” the book.

Blessings.

[Tracy Blanchard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this book a bit more than Book 1 in the series, The Gathering, which I loved. I both read this book on my kindle and listened to it through Audible since it's so long. I'm not sure I would have gotten through it if I had just read it as a book. The narrator on Audible is pretty good.

I love so much about this series -- love all the spirituality, the walking between worlds, the animistic philosophy, the "celtically" influenced "shamanic" practices. Just dig all this. But the author has a penchant for her characters -- particularly the ingenue protaganist Erin, the young Minnie, and even Kria -- to go off on these internal monologues that are both way longer than necessary, and certainly way longer than is interesting, but also unfortunately just come off as very whiny. I thought about this a lot, because in some ways, that's true to real life, isn't it. We spin off into our own dark selves, our less mature places, our victim places, especially when we're young, as these three characters are. So it's not that it isn't real. But this is one of the reasons we turn to art, right? And editors! While the long whining monologues of many of the characters may be realistic, it's very much NOT interesting to read. In fact at some point it becomes quite maddening. And it makes me wonder if Ms. Genet has an editor.

I don't know if this is true or not, but I think she's publishing these books herself, or has created her own publishing company. I don't know that for sure, so please excuse me if I'm wrong. But if she has got an editor, I'd like to encourage that person to do some heavier editing. And if Ms. Genet doesn't have an editor, I'd like to encourage her to get one. She's got a lot of skill and talent and is writing so beautifully about something that is very hard to describe. She plays with time and "reality" in such interesting ways and is lifting up matters of great import. But every writer needs someone outside themselves to do the hard work of editing a book, who isn't so personally attached to the work and therefore can be more objective about what's working and what's not.

I both want to continue with this series very much and at the same time, don't have much patience left for the character of Erin. I think reading the book and listening to the audio is definitely the way to proceed.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice follow on to the first book. It’s a light read but does jump around a bit. There’s some nice character development of existing characters as well as the introduction of new characters to fill the grove. This book leans further into the world of witches and fairies in a small town while being set in modern times and dealing with the Covid 19 lockdowns. There is a nice storyline of the new vicar learning more about the grove and the witchcraft practiced by those within it and how the two seeming opposing beliefs might work together.

[Graisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in this series is also a great read, and something people need during these times. There are so many books taking place during the pandemic that are just dark. This has it's dark moments, but many light moments of learning and healing. I like how the romance in this series is building slowly.

[AJ Titter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the middle in the trilogy and I think it suffered from the slow middle. The story progresses along nicely from the first one, but it is just slow. There is conflict both in the character's life and in the world in general. This series isn't one of action, but more philosophical. However, this book in particular seems much more philosophical than the first one.

[Patricia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading book one I couldn't wait to get started on this one. It did not dissapoint. Drawing you into a world you feel part of, a connection with people that start to feel like your friends and family. The world around you fades away as you step into their world

[Laurie Bouvier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Belonging:Wilde Grove Book 2

Loved this book! The learning and emerging worlds...well worth every second spent in the Wildwood. Now I need the next one !! So glad I stumbled in this direction.

[Granny Swithins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first, I was hungry to get back to the original story and characters rather than new ones, but I guess that's the nature of a series.

I'm still waiting to inherit that cottage...

[Diane Christine lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine Genet (Wilde Grove

I love these books they follow my heart and beliefs in Spirit and Scripture we need books like this to become better humans and shine l will spread the word on your books. Thank you for sharing your books with us Katherine .😘

[Jo Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Really spoke to me as a light worker and the times we are in. Hope you enjoy the alliance to these people as well

[Effie Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh amazing.

Further in and I thought it would start to get similar to book 1, and whilst it was, it was different enough. What happens next?!!!!!

[julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has me hooked, already downloaded the sequel.

[Krow Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very impressed with the knowledge the author has which can only come from darned good research or experience! Very cool. I have finished the series and would read any work the author puts out.

[Rebecca Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I especially love Winsome, the vicar. She’s very plausible!
If you love very human supernatural stories the you’ll love this series.

[🌿Monica🌙 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so slooooow compared to the first. I did finish it, it just took awhile. I really hope the 3rd isn’t like this or this may be a DNF for me :(

[Stephanie Bennett · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Mina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the continuing story and am looking forward to the next book.

[Jo Horan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first book but this one not so much. It was too wordy. The character Kria became tedious.

[Kristi Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the growth of Winsome and how she learned to combine her religious faith with the pagan spirituality. I feel like they go hand in hand beautifully.

[Tonya Johansson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This second book goes into a little more detail as to what the hell is going on. It does have a habit to jump from incident to incident. So I had to keep up. Still well thought out characters. And a well written book. Cliff hanger. Miss Genet has done her homework for the Wiccan community.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great witchy series!