The Book of Speculation

At it's core, this is a story about a family curse. The book alternates between two timelines. The past timeline details the events that led to the family being cursed and its immediate repercussions. In the present, the latest descendant discovers this curse on his family and takes steps to break it. But breaking the curse might break him.

Woven around this skeleton are any number of fantastical elements: a travelling circus, mermaids, and tarot cards. Tying it all together is a book, handed down through generations, lost and found, until it shows up right where it needs to be.

This book was slow and atmospheric. There isn't a lot of action, it's more about relationships that are built up and tested, strained and repaired and sometimes broken entirely. It's about the ways your family and history can trap you. The things you need to do to break free and live your own life.

I really loved this book. The family saga is epic, and the magic is woven in so subtly you could almost miss it. It wasn't until I was more than halfway through the book that I was sure there was any magic at all, but once I saw it, it permeated the story. The way water rushes to fill all empty spaces.

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