#Review - The Deepest Roots by Miranda Asebedo #YALIT #Fantasy

Series: Standalone
Format: E-Galley, 320 pages
Release Date: September 18, 2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Magical Realism

Contemporary with the slightest twist of magic, this stunning debut YA novel is a fresh and heartwarming story about the power of friendship.

Cottonwood Hollow, Kansas, is a strange place. For the past century, every girl has been born with a special talent, like the ability to Fix any object, Heal any wound, or Find what is missing.

Best friends Rome, Lux, and Mercy all have similar talents, but to them, their abilities often feel like a curse. Rome may be able to Fix anything she touches, but that won’t help her mom pay rent or make it any easier to confide in Lux and Mercy about what’s going on at home. And Rome isn’t the only one. Lux has been hiding bigger, more dangerous secrets.

As Rome struggles to keep her friendships close, she discovers the truth about life in Cottonwood Hollow—that friends are stronger than curses, that trust is worth the risk, and sometimes, what you’ve been looking for has been under your feet the whole time.

 

The Deepest Roots is the debut novel by author Miranda Asebedo. Miranda has come up with a fascinating world that is just slightly different from our own. Readers will be intrigued by the wide variety of different “curses,” how each curse works, and how each character interacts with her own curse in particular. While the contemporary elements of this novel are strong, the magical twist really makes The Deepest Roots stand out and will set it apart from other books in the contemporary space.  

Miranda Asebedo knows how to tell a story. Her characters are relatable, her setting of small-town Kansas is vivid and real, and her plot is compelling and well paced. The Deepest Roots is set in a place called Cottonwood Hollow, Kansas. This is the story of the girls of Cottonwood who were "cursed" by Emmeline Remington and what makes them different. The story really focuses on three characters in particular. Rome, Lux, and Mercy. Rome has a talent for fixing anything she puts her hands on. Lux is a siren which sometimes gets her into trouble. Mercy has an ability called enough. She always has enough of whatever people need. 

The story is told in the first person POV by 17-year old Rome Galveston. Rome, while attending school full-time, is also a part time mechanic. Things have always been hard for Rome. She lives with her mother, and please don't take offense when I say they live in a trailer park. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I lived in one for 5 years before moving to Florida. Her mother isn't a bad person. She's just had a run of bad luck which has led to the current conflict between mother and daughter. Rome’s two best friends are Lux and Mercy. 

While Rome struggles with telling people the truth about her issues, Lux lives in a home that others believe is a fairy tale. But, nobody knows what truly happens behind closed doors. Mercy lives in a nice house but has the constant pressure to be perfect so can eventually leave Cottonwood Hollow behind. The girls have been friends since forever and they've promised not to keep secrets from one another. When Rome discovers Lux’s secrets, trouble soon escalates and with their talents, it may not be enough to fix it all.

While Rome has no major issue with her talents, the same can't be said for her best friends. Lux believes her talents are a curse, and when you read the story, and find out the things that happens to her, you will agree with her. Mercy doesn't really have that many issues, but she is the one who seems to be left out when it comes to keeping the most secrets. While this is being sold as a magical realism, let's be realistic. 

It is a contemporary story, with a mystery involving a mysterious box that Mercy's sister discovers, which then becomes a race to find out if the box can solve not only Rome's issues, but Lux and Mercy's as well. There is a hint of romance in this book. It begins with Rome and a Evanston junior named Jett. It is pretty much a impress me if you can, otherwise, leave me the hell alone type of connection. Even Rome's boss Red, is a pretty decent character. He’s rough on the edges, but steps into Rome’s life as a protective father figure. He reminds us that not all men are worthless or uncaring or sex fiends who demand something from women in return for something they don't want.     

Overall, the story really does hinge on the relationship between the girls who once took a blood oath and have discovered that their curses were meant to help save their lives and make them less dependent on others to get by.

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