A Million Junes by Emily Henry ISBN: 9780448493978
Published by Penguin on May 15, 2018
Genres: Contemporary, Magical Realism, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: Audiobook
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Romeo and Juliet meets One Hundred Years of Solitude in Emily Henry's brilliant follow-up to The Love That Split the World, about the daughter and son of two long-feuding families who fall in love while trying to uncover the truth about the strange magic and harrowing curse that has plagued their bloodlines for generations.
In their hometown of Five Fingers, Michigan, the O'Donnells and the Angerts have mythic legacies. But for all the tall tales they weave, both founding families are tight-lipped about what caused the century-old rift between them, except to say it began with a cherry tree.
Eighteen-year-old Jack “June” O’Donnell doesn't need a better reason than that. She's an O'Donnell to her core, just like her late father was, and O'Donnells stay away from Angerts. Period.
But when Saul Angert, the son of June's father's mortal enemy, returns to town after three mysterious years away, June can't seem to avoid him. Soon the unthinkable happens: She finds she doesn't exactly hate the gruff, sarcastic boy she was born to loathe.
Saul’s arrival sparks a chain reaction, and as the magic, ghosts, and coywolves of Five Fingers conspire to reveal the truth about the dark moment that started the feud, June must question everything she knows about her family and the father she adored. And she must decide whether it's finally time for her—and all of the O'Donnells before her—to let go.
Characters: 8, the characters were additive for the most part and of course very human, very fallible, and very complex. I struggled to feel invested with June for awhile, because despite the magical realism present in her home life, the fact that she believed a bunch of obviously fictional stories as fact made her seem too young for me to relate to (at least, to relate to more than general loss and grief allowed). But she did have a wake-up moment, which then was a very real chain of “adjust my entire worldview” that I could relate to very much.
Atmosphere: 8, physically, emotionally, and most of all- the people- felt real enough to be immersive. I struggled to picture the setting (as I always do), with the exception of the Whites, but the actions and reactions were so believable that I still felt present in 90% of the story. And of course, the ups and downs and complexity of grief over past loss and ongoing loss hooked me.
Writing: 10, Emily Henry can turn a phrase beautifully. Sometimes it leans on the florid side, but not so often as to annoy me. Mostly it’s the way she balances opposites or uses beautiful language to describe an ugly thing. Her dialogue is a little lighter than description, which suits me fine. And she uses dialogue to advance characterization, which is what it’s there for. This is my 3rd, but not my last, book by her.
Plot: 8, there were a few spots where things dragged on but not enough to make me totally fritz out. Mostly toward the end, really. But otherwise, the pacing was moderate to slow, and consistent.
Intrigue: 9, I had my theories and thoughts on things and was curious to see how she’d pull it together without demonizing any character. Given the Romeo and Juliet elements, I was also unsure how far she’d go in that classic direction (the answer is: she does not use any R+J plot aside from the family vendettas, but she does have fun Easter Eggs, like Saul at one point referring to June as the sun/sunrise/morning).
Logic: 10, I’m sure someone else could find a plot hole, but I did not. Emily Henry just shines when it comes to making characters that are morally grey, relatable, loveable and terrible at the same time, and just so very, very human. People evolved and devolved and nobody broke character for the sake of convenience.
Enjoyment: 9, I wasn’t sure if this story was gonna wreck me (it did not, but possibly only because I listened on audiobook and am very distracted and busy with the moving stuff). But it did give me some ‘ooof’ moments, and overall I thought it was a lovely, contemplative novel that’s probably very healing for those going through recent loss of a loved one.
Oh YAY I am so glad you enjoyed this one! I have had it on my shelf for aaaages, I pre-ordered it after loving The Love That Split the World, so one of these days, I am definitely going to get to it heh. I mean, I hope, anyway!
The Love That Split the World was amazing! Have you read Beach Read? That was also good. Emily Henry tugs the heartstrings for sure! A Million Junes is lovely, and has magical realism, some growing-up themes, and a lot about grief and how we deal with loss. So, uh, be prepared when you read it is all I’m saying. 😉