The Accident Season

Written by Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Narrated by Colby Minifie

It's the accident season, the same time every year. Bones break, skin tears, bruises bloom.

The accident season has been part of seventeen-year-old Cara's life for as long as she can remember. Towards the end of October, foreshadowed by the deaths of many relatives before them, Cara's family becomes inexplicably accident-prone. They banish knives to locked drawers, cover sharp table edges with padding, switch off electrical items - but injuries follow wherever they go, and the accident season becomes an ever-growing obsession and fear.

But why are they so cursed? And how can they break free?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House UK Audio
• Release date: Jun 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781448198122

Reviews for The Accident Season

[readerscandyb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I bought this book strictly based off the fact that the paperback cover was gorgeous... Sadly, that was best part. For me, the story was a tad scattered. I felt like it lacked overall fluidity and came off as very meh. It felt like a chore to finish and that's never fun. The storyline was all over the place. You have ghosts and witches and changelings and one big mystery. I feel like the Author just tried way too hard at creating a world where reality meshes with fantasy and sadly it showed. The only thing that kept me reading was the forbidden love. It was a weak attempt at taboo, but it kept me interested enough to get through all 291 pages.

If you are looking for a ghost story or a halloween read then I'd recommend this one, other than that... I'd say pass.

[cassie.peters1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book.

[tamaranewman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Holy. Shit.

[glitzandshadows · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a strange and weirdly excellent little book.

[trekkiechickreads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book began with a lot of questions and there was an overall steady pace that answered some questions, brought up more, and kept the mystery throughout. I don't know if it was intended to be analyzed as deeply as I found myself but I began to wonder how much was supernatural and how much was one girls (and her family's) was of coping with the horrible accidents that had happened. The book started out rough but since this book was apart of a book club I participate in, I kept with it. It soon picked up and kept my interest to the very end. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy read that has you asking lots of questions. In the end, there seemed to be a healthy balance of resolution and mystery. The party scene chapter was by far my favorite and was very well written with its imagery and leaving the reader feeling like they were right there experiencing it all as the main character did.

[jennybeast · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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.

[majesdane-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A cute magical realism type book, with a few nice twists. Nothing super special, but interesting nonetheless.

[longdogmom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved this book. The writing was beautiful, and the whole story just moved me in a variety of ways. Painful and sad, but beautiful and hopeful... it was a very creative and interesting way to tell a coming of age story, as well as coming to terms with one's painful past. Can't wait to read more by this author.

[janjanfreeman · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This story is about siblings Cara, Alice, and Sam (who is technically their ex-stepbrother) as they unravel the secrets that have formed patches in their lives. Supported by Cara's best friend, Bea, the four of them are faced by challenges in school, life, love, and secrets. Their mother is convinced that the month of October is "Accident Season" and all precautions must be taken in order to protect each of them. They must wear protective layers, avoid using appliances such as the toaster, and check in with their mother frequently. But children will be children and accidents will happen. "Accidents happen. Our bones shatter, our skin splits, our bones break. We burn, we drown, we stay alive" (291). As a reader, it is difficult to categorize this book as it has quite a bit of mystery, fantasy, physical abuse, sexual abuse, taboo love, thriller, and ghosts. I wish I could say it all blends together well but, to be honest, it somewhat misses the mark. Perhaps it might have been better if it were shortened to a novella, as the plot does not begin to pick up until about page 170. In my opinion, the pages previous to that were redundant and often times boring. For example: When the main character (Cara) feels surprised, the phrases used were similar and repetitive: "Suddenly my face stings as if it’s been slapped" (152), "I feel like I have been slapped"(233), or "My cheek stings like it’s been slapped" (251). However, I will say, the metaphorical parallel storyline of the "changelings" did become a strong development of characters as the book progresses. Therefore, I am giving this 3/5 stars because the story finally becomes deep, dark, and interesting in the last few chapters of the book. Lastly, although there is sexual abuse referenced in the book, it is not discussed at length. The language and intimate situations are, in my opinion, rather mild, if any. Please note: this ARC was generously provided by Penguin Books First To Read Program in exchange for an honest review.