In some ways, a book about the lies that we tell in order to cope with our realities, in others, a book of secrets. Pleasingly mysterious and dances beautifully in the liminal space, where reality may or may not be hanging out. Good suspense, and a well told tale. ( )

I'm not sure how to describe this book. Its got magic realism and kinda ghost stuff happening and its a book about family and trauma and secrets. The idea of an accident season isn't really something I have encountered before and I thought it was very interesting even though the book wasn't specifically about that as much as I was expecting. I liked it. But I see how some people might find it off putting. The story gets a bit scrambled at times and its not always possible to tell whats really happening in the moment and what is happening in imaginings and memory and magic. And if you need a concrete ending an explanation of events this is not the place to go looking. ( )

teen fiction (suspense with paranormal elements and romantic twists; family secrets) ( )

The first half to two-thirds of this book was phenomenal. Then it took a turn toward the mundane that I found didn't live up to the promise of the earlier part of the novel. ( )

Sometimes, it’s better to believe in an insane notion than facing the horrible truth. It’s a coping mechanism many people employ to help them navigate through life. Other times, though, those beliefs can be more harmful than one might expect. Because physical scars may fade, but you can’t run away from the secrets you’ve kept – even from yourself – since childhood. This is the message I ultimately received from reading The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle, and I think it’s an incredibly important message.

The Accident Season begins with a conspiratorial feel, lathered with mystery and the paranormal, which kept me turning the pages. The story builds up for the first 80% of the book, showing how unlucky these characters are. I mean, you have to have been either cursed by a gypsy or be the world’s unluckiest family to have a whole month dedicated to accidents. However, the truth for the existence of this so-called “season” is soon revealed with the assistance of an unlikely – and forgotten – member of the family. Intense moments, powerful revelations, and tricky relationships combine to make an addictive read with an incredible balance between truth and fantasy.

Honestly, I loved this book. I loved the way the characters were crafted, the way the story ended, as well as the message the author wanted to send. Bad things do happen, adults do lie to their children, families aren’t always wonderful, but it’s never too late to set things right.

Young adult readers will enjoy this book, especially those who love their contemporary novels with a bit of a twist. Readers who enjoyed Lies Like Love by Louisa Reid or All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven will also find pleasure in reading The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyle.

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