Book of The Month discussion

The Yaga siblings--Bellatine, a young woodworker, and Isaac, a wayfaring street performer and con artist--have been estranged since childhood, separated both by resentment and by wide miles of American highway. But when they learn that they are to receive a mysterious inheritance, the siblings are reunited--only to discover that their bequest isn't land or money, but something far stranger: a sentient house on chicken legs.

Thistlefoot, as the house is called, has arrived from the Yagas' ancestral home in Russia--but not alone. A sinister figure known only as the Longshadow Man has tracked it to American shores, bearing with him violent secrets from the past: fiery memories that have hidden in Isaac and Bellatine's blood for generations. As the Yaga siblings embark with Thistlefoot on a final cross-country tour of their family's traveling theater show, the Longshadow Man follows in relentless pursuit, seeding destruction in his wake. Ultimately, time, magic, and legacy must collide--erupting in a powerful conflagration to determine who gets to remember the past and craft a new future.

An enchanted adventure illuminated by Jewish myth and adorned with lyrical prose as tantalizing and sweet as briar berries, Thistlefoot is an immersive modern fantasy saga by a bold new talent.

Please remember this is a discussion thread!

** Spoilers might be listed so read carefully
** Please use Spoiler Tags to hide spoiler comments!!

11 chapters

it's really good so far!!
(view spoiler)[ I'm just nervous about Isaac. I'm not sure what he's up to but he's so obsessed with money. I'm really hoping he doesn't turn on the sister OR the house!

and what's with the long shadow man? Was he in hiding while the house was or was he just causing his havoc elsewhere until the house came out from hiding? I wonder why the longshadow guy seems to want to destroy the house? so odd.

and his crappy potion sounds awful! horrible to feel like something on your back. . .*shudder* (hide spoiler)]

25 chapters

still really good
(view spoiler)[ I can't believe he hid that vial and she drank it?!?! So glady she's okay
I wonder how long New Orleans will hide them. so scary he could see through her eyes

I hope the team in the bus is okay. Rummy taking on everyone's emotions like burdens broke my heart

I'm still really hoping Isaac is a good guy but he's making me nervous (hide spoiler)]

35 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I can't believe he bounced - and left them!! and Shona needs to stop handling Bellantine like she's a bad guy! Ugh!

I like Rummy even more - he's so sweet. interesting that many of them have "powers"

I'm so glad Ballentine is letting hers go a little - she can definitely find a better way to live freer than she has been (hide spoiler)]

I'm done. This was SUCH a great story!

(view spoiler)[ I'm so sad that the house burned but I love that the brother and sister both let everything around them remember and/or fight

I'm so glad the bus crew were saved from hurting each other
so glad the statue lived!

the story of the Baba and her baby. Ugh, it absolutely broke my heart. what an important story to tell and tell and tell again. Never forget (hide spoiler)]

I've read book that say they are lyrical and haven't really loved them. Did you find that the story was geared toward children more than adults?

Question: Shadow Man (view spoiler)[ was he a good individual or bad (hide spoiler)]

I've ordered the book, now I'm not sure I will read it, I will have to really want to read a fairytail/myth/retelling story in order for me to really get into it.

This is definitely an adult story. It's not really lyrical, it's more magical realism than retelling.

I don't want to give too much but it's. . .so so good! I hope you read it! It's less a fable and more of a story about family, siblings and standing up to bullies. About standing up against bad even when it's hard. It's wrapped in history, one we shouldn't forget.

The Shadow Man (view spoiler)[ is more than just bad, he's evil. but there's more to him than that (hide spoiler)]

Well now that sounds much better, Ill look at it a little different now and maybe pick it up this month.

Fingers crossed that you love it too!