Luisa Perkins

Such a captivating story! Fantasy isn’t my go-to genre, but I loved the ride of this tale. Thrilling, emotional, moving: all the best things in a well-told story. I was especially drawn to the theme of family relationships and how being loved by the wounded affects the choices we make, and the wounds we inherit. Life is hard to navigate, but look for the gifts. We have more power than we realize to claim the life we envision. The music threaded throughout this story is a lovely added bonus!

Earlier reviewers have capably - and enticingly - introduced Dispirited, Luisa Perkins's new work of Young Adult fiction. The characters immediately engaged me. Intrigued by the premise, I found myself invested in the successful resolution of the conflict. Like others, I couldn't put the book down and finished it in a single all-night session.

As one who has worked in New York City, resides in the Hudson Valley and lived through young adult children, I felt immediately at home in the story. The physical setting, historical context, and characters ring true. It speaks both to Ms. Perkins's skill as a storyteller and to her craft as a writer that the underlying conflict between good and true evil resonates just as authentically.

As others have noted, the principal protagonists are in high school and I would recommend the book for readers of a similar age.

Dispirited resolves in a way that I did not expect and which still leaves me somewhat unsettled. Perhaps that is why it is so satisfying.

Summersong is a delightfully modern, yet still traditional fairy tale with the plot of The Magic Flute as its basis. The heroine Una somehow finds the strength to realize she is being dominated by her fearful and powerful mother, and sets out to find a better life with her father, out in the woods outside New York City, where her 'people' are camped. This story features discussions of addiction, power, finding one's identity, loyalty, love, and belonging. It is particularly strong in its analysis of what characteristics are required for a loving relationship, with family members, as well as significant others. And what story isn't made better with music being central and magic? Luisa Perkins has done a masterful job bringing this story to life... definitely worth the read!

Confession: I didn't know much about The Magic Flute before this book (about all I knew is what's in the film Amadeus), and now I want to see Mozart's opera. I'm a huge fan of magic systems that involve music, and putting the story in contemporary New York was a stroke of genius. Perkins' writing is lyrical and haunting, and un-put-downable.

Clever title to introduce the reader to the idea that this book might have something to do with possession. Oh yes!

I will confess. I read the very first chapter, and put the book down for a week. It was that chilling. When I got brave enough to tackle the storyline I started up again, and quickly became engrossed. I really loved Rich...his charm and humility easily endeared his character to me, but then I got a little miffed at him...the reader will discover why.

Cathy was the perfect heroine for the job. Why NOT her? That is a nod to a very poignant part of the story.

I really loved how the author wove actual spiritual beliefs from different religions into a reality for this novel. It lent serious authenticity to the tale, and made for a heartfelt read to this spiritually-minded reader.

I also thought the author's imagery was well-handled. It was incredibly easy to imagine every scene, and her description of 'walking between worlds' was so apt that it almost seemed like it could work in real life. In fact, that's probably the best part of the novel...her story walks that line of reality and anecdotal evidence of a spirit world with such grace that it almost seems like it could have happened for real. That idea, naturally, is especially terrifying!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the paranormal, who loves a good haunting tale, who loves family history, who loves to get scared while reading in the dark under a blanket with a flashlight, or anyone who wants to be scared without being grossed out near Halloween. The light touch of romance was a definite perk, and while it is completely satisfying as a standalone novel, it would be cool if there was a sequel on the way.