Black Woods, Blue Sky | 
pickFree-spirited Birdie is struggling as a single mother and waitress at a backwoods lodge in Alaska when she meets Arthur, a mysterious and reclusive man with unfathomable secrets. When Birdie and her 6-year-old daughter Emaleen move to Arthur's remote cabin, their idyllic wilderness existence comes face to face with the most dangerous thing in the woods. An atmospheric fantasy vividly and realistically told.
pickI gave Black Woods Blue Sky 4 stars. The vivid descriptions of Alaska made me want to visit even more. I struggled with Birdie—her selfishness and poor mothering made her hard to like, though I see how those traits served the story. Arthur and the bear, on the other hand, were magnificent. The novel left me wondering if the mysteries and magic it portrays could truly exist in real life.
pick“It was bewildering, how closely grief ran alongside joy.”
My first Ivey novel. Atmospheric! The setting of Alaskan wilderness is the MC, I would say. But then any book I‘ve read with an Alaskan setting utilizes the starkly primitive and foreboding quality of that region to create mood and foreshadowing. I hope to read more by Ivey.
#Read2025
#LitsyAtoZ
pickEowyn Ivey always makes the real world magical and the magical seem real. I wasn't sure I liked the last section of this one, up until the ending when I realized that everything happened just as it had to.
“Now are the woods all black, but still the sky is blue. May you always see a blue sky overhead, my young friend.”
#MotherandChild
#CharacterCharm
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
so-soI can see WHY people liked this…I just was not one of them. I‘m too literal of a person to really get into a book with a bear/man as a character, 😆 BUT, it did make me miss the mountains! (27)
Star: 3/5
pickI listened to this book on flights to and from Alaska, and it was the perfect complement to my trip.
📷: Mountain view as we flew out of Anchorage.
#audiobook #Alaska
so-soHmm. Intensely atmospheric. I felt like I could smell the wilderness when reading.
The lack of plot here leads me to docking points. But despite this being more of a love letter to Alaska rather than a “beauty & the beast” style story, I found myself caring about all of the characters, even through their shocking mistakes.
pickWhat an incredible read! Although this book will not be for everyone, I personally loved it. The book explores themes of loneliness, freedom, acceptance, and love, all happening in the beautiful and often brutal natural landscape of Alaska.
The ending wasn't quite what I expected, but having reflected on it for a few days now, it really was a perfect ending for this story.
pickThe beauty of the Alaskan wilderness is on full display here in this modern take on the Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Although Birdie has community support raising her daughter she feels stifled by their always watching eyes. When Arthur offers her an opportunity to live in solitude, nature and maybe even love, it seems like the answer she‘s needed to make a positive change for her and Emaleen. 3.5🌟
Thank you #NetGalley!
pickOhh, this was so good and atmospheric. Nine times out of ten if I‘m going call a book atmospheric it‘s going to be set in the PNW and you can‘t get more north than Alaska. I loved how this one ended. Werebears anyone 🐻
pickBirdie is a single mother who wants change so she moves with her daughter to a remote cabin owned by Arthur, a quiet man he barely knows. The life they find there is reinvigorating but also filled with challenges as they realize there are things about Arthur they don‘t know. I am drawn to books set in Alaska and love Ivey‘s writing. I still didn‘t fully love this book. Perhaps because the end seemed too small for such a fantastical tale.
pickThis was an auto-buy for me. I have loved her other two novels. This one did not disappoint. I did not love it as much as The Snow Child, but I still enjoyed this story of a mother, daughter, and a bear in Alaska. Like all of her work, there is a magical element. They read like a fairytale. 3.5 🌟
pickI absolutely loved this!! My book club read THE SNOW CHILD ages ago, but I didn‘t expect to stay up so late to finish this in practically one sitting! I‘m so glad this was a #BOTM pick for the month! I found this emotional, tragic fairytale set mostly in Alaska to be a completely riveting read! I loved the characters, the setting & the aura of magic surrounding it all! Some may find this to be Beauty & The Beast-ish, but it‘s selkie-ish to me!
pickWeird book, but I liked it!! @Blueberry did too so I consider that a win.
#bookofthemonth #botm #booksandnails
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Oh, man… Undoubtedly an unforgettable read showcasing the beauty and brutality of the Alaskan wilderness. It certainly left its mark on me, but it hurts. I preferred “The Snow Child” by this author. #BOTM
pick3.5 🌟 I think this is a pick for me? I don‘t know who I would recommend this book to. I need a Xanax after going on this journey in the Alaskan tundra. A fierce love for the natural world rippled through the pages of this dark, eccentric tale. I felt fear, sorrow, devastation, horror, tenderness, more horror at the character‘s decisions (was this a horror novel?) I felt all of the feels, which is something! I‘m going to go…process some more.
"Birdie knew her mistake as soon as she cracked open her eyes."
@ShyBookOwl
@FirstLineFridays
pickThis was excellent!
When the state of the world is brutal and winter is relentless, I buy books. And read fairy tales.
Picked up these two from the library. Going to start with the new Ivey one.
pickThis is a beautifully written and weirdly wonderful story. The Alaska setting plays a large part in this tale that feels like an adult fairy tale. There is love, both romantic and parental, coming of age and the adventure of living in an isolated location. I really enjoyed the characters, Birdie's searching for her place, Arthur's struggles and especially Emaleen's young wisdom and imagination. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC. 4.25/5!
The absolute BEST day of the month is when the Book of the Month choices drop! 🥳🎉 This month was very interesting in that I definitely picked more from the add-ons section then from the regular monthly picks! This is what I chose for february! Not included in the picture is the tagged book, because it wouldn't fit on the screen! 😂🤭💕
What did everyone else choose for this upcoming month? #botm
Couldn‘t pass up the Ivy! BOTM, have you sucked me back in?
Lots of great #BOTM picks for February! I went with these two 🩵
Birdie knew her mistake as soon as she cracked open her eyes.
I‘m reading the ARC for this book. I was so excited to be approved! #netgalley #arc
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
pickIf you enjoyed Eowyn Ivey‘s previous books, then put this on your tbr.
I loved the description of Alaska, the beauty and the roughness.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. Pub date: February 4, 2025.
