Read more
"Unsettling in the best way, The Cherished is a captivating read that pulls you in and won''t let go. Wonderfully atmospheric and compelling!" -- Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author "For fans of Guillermo Del Toro''s Pan''s Labyrinth , Lebanese-American author Ward draws from her experience to create a frightening story exploring identity, grief, and what it means to be family." -- Robin Roe, author of Dark Room Etiquette "[A] pulse-pounding thriller, pairing brisk pacing with frenetic plotting that adds a layer of unease to Jo''s harrowing situation." -- Publishers Weekly "A captivating mix of mystery and mythology." -- School Library Journal "A slow-burn mystery rooted in family bonds and duty... An oppressive unease effectively pervades the novel until Jo at last finds purpose and belonging. Hand to those who enjoy atmospheric character studies." -- Booklist "An exploration of belonging, a tale of generational trauma, and a fantasy thriller oozing with mystery around every corner." -- Mugglenet "[An] atmospheric, creepy fantasy... a thoroughly engaging read." -- YA Books Central "A spine-tingling, slow-burn horror mystery... a reflective story that uses elements of fantasy to tell a tale of the self-discovery and courage of a young girl." -- Pine Reads Review
About the author
Patricia Ward was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, moving to the United States when she was eighteen. She is the author of The Bullet Collection, Skinner Luce, and the young adult novels The Cherished and Mercy. Ward is also a book artist specializing in miniature books and dioramas. She lives with her family in Vermont. You can find Patricia at patriciasarrafianward.com.
Summary
Perfect for fans of Sawkill Girls, Bone Gap, and Dark and Shallow Lies, this suspenseful contemporary mystery delves into a small town’s supernatural, multigenerational curse—and the girl determined to break it.
Mercy was named for her mother’s hopes.
Mercy, in the hope that the Sorrowing—the curse that Mercy and her family had lived with for generations—might take pity on them.
But Mercy’s name never did her any good, and it certainly didn’t save her mother.
The Sorrowing ensures that Mercy, her family, and the core families in Arbor Falls aren’t able to grow, dream, or prosper. It makes sure they stay exactly as they are—mired in the mud. Mercy has learned to live with the truth: the only way to escape the Sorrowing is to accept it.
Until the Bowens move back to town.
The Bowens are a cursed family, too, and they should know better than to test the Sorrowing. Instead, their ignorance sets off a wave of fury that promises to destroy everything.
Now, Mercy will have to unearth the horrors that unfolded that terrible night the Sorrowing was born—to face the despicable secrets of her town and break the curse before it breaks everything she has left.
An immersive mystery laced with supernatural dread that's perfect for fans of of Courtney Gould and Kyrie McCauley, Mercy slowly and relentlessly digs into the buried crimes of a small, insular town and provokes questions about the lies we silently allow and the duty current generations have in exposing the harms of the past.
