In the author's note,  Katherine Arden calls the time period of WWI "darkly surreal" and I must agree, especially considering the care and knowledge the author put into this recreation of a time that is less understood by many than, of course, WWII.  

A brother and a sister separated by this war.  Laura is in Nova Scotia when a ship explodes, killing many, including her parents and destroying her home.  Soon after, she receives a box of her brothers belongings, including his jacket and tags, a note saying that Freddie is missing and presumed dead.   After some strange occurrences, Laura travels to France with a few friends to once again take up the mantel of the nurse and search for her brother.

Freddie, meanwhile, finds himself trapped and only survives with the help of a soldier from the enemy's side. To save this person, he sacrifices himself, but not in the way you may think.  Will Laura find him? And, what will she risk in the process?

I have feelings!!!!! Romantic, devastating.. . This book is not just "one of my favorites"... this has to be the best book I have read in quite some time.  I can not wrap my head around the author's ability to in this one book, break my heart, and then completely rebuild it.  The attention to every single harmful effect of war on all different people juxtaposed with a touch of magical realism that scorched me completely... this is absolutely brilliant.  I'm honestly speechless, and  I know I'm going to now be searching for the next book that hits this hard, this deeply and yet has me holding onto it for dear life. 

Out February 13, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!