The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond

by Amanda Glaze

Overview

Deliciously chilling and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful.”
—Nina LaCour, Printz Award–winning author of We Are Okay
 
Sacramento, 1885  
Edie and Violet Bond know the truth about death. The seventeen-year-old twins are powerful mediums, just like their mother—Violet can open the veil between life and death, and Edie can cross into the spirit world. But their abilities couldn’t save them when their mother died and their father threatened to commit them to a notorious asylum.   
 
Now runaways, Edie and Violet are part of a traveling Spiritualist show, a tight-knit group of young women who demonstrate their real talents under the guise of communing with spirits. Each night, actresses, poets, musicians, and orators all make contact with spirits who happen to have something to say. . . notions that young ladies could never openly express.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781454946793
Publisher:	Union Square & Co.
Publication date:	10/17/2023
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Amanda Glaze is the bestselling author of The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond, a B&N Book Club pick, and a Rise Booklist Honoree. She grew up in Northern California where she spent most of her time with her nose in a book or putting on plays with friends. Since then, she’s lived many lives: as a bookseller, a theater director, and an Emmy award-winning film and television producer. When she’s not running off to the mountains, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two cat familiars. Find her online at amandaglaze.com.

Editorial Reviews

A 2024 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Selection

“Jam-packed with sisterly love, 19th-century Spiritualism, romance, mystery and nascent feminism, The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is a delicious historic novel for 21st-century book lovers of all stripes . . . . this debut novel from Amanda Glaze gives readers an energetic and exciting story that offers both passionate philosophical discourse and spooky séances.” —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review 

“The timely, gripping themes of sisterhood and fighting misogyny will resonate . . . . An impressive and eerie debut that will keep readers looking over their shoulders." —Kirkus Reviews

"This is a fun historical fantasy with an edge of creepy chiller." —Booklist

“Glaze unflinchingly addresses themes of gender and social inequity in 19th-century America, with Edie using her powers to push back against the restrictions, biases, and laws meant to control and oppress women and marginalized people. The social commentary is explored against a vividly eerie setting, while the central supernatural mystery, infused with elements of romance and action, propels the plot toward a haunting climax.” —Publishers Weekly

“One of the most memorable titles you’ll read this month.” —Paste Magazine

“Spooky historical fiction featuring twin mediums? This one is chef’s kiss perfect for this month.” —The Honey Pop

“Chilling, suspenseful and romantic, THE SECOND DEATH OF EDIE AND VIOLET BOND combines all the best elements of historical fiction in this timely feminist novel.” —The Young Folks

“Glaze’s background in film shines through in this cinematic and spine-tingling debut . . . The delicious slow burn builds to a climax full of twists and turns and a satisfying evolution for our heroines.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“By turns fun and ­terrifying, this suspenseful historical adventure hits all the sweet spots on sisterhood, the supernatural, and budding romance.” —School Library Journal

“In crisp, colorful prose, Glaze brings 19th century California to vivid life. . . . Glaze offers thrilling, page-turning suspense – and a terrifying villain – as the novel hurtles to its dramatic conclusion.” —Buffalo News

“It’s a race to find a killer before finding death themselves in The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond.” —Daily Mom

“Glaze’s top-notch work of risk and courage proves once again that an author’s debut can present extraordinary narrative and insight.” —Historical Novel Society

"Quick, witty, and delightfully creative, THE SECOND DEATH OF EDIE AND VIOLET BOND is a sensation." —Elana K. Arnold, Printz Honor Award-winning author of Damsel
 
"Eerily atmospheric, expertly paced, and with a luscious world you'll want to escape into, fans of The Night Circus will devour Violet and Edie's story just like I did. A stunning debut!" —Gretchen McNeil, author of Ten and #murdertrending

“Amanda Glaze’s debut novel is that rarest of things: a vivid historical tinged with magic, a moving story about the bond between two sisters, a tense, romantic thriller, and a prescient, feminist exploration of the courage it takes for women to set themselves free." —Laura Ruby, Two-Time National Book Award Finalist and author of Bone Gap
 
"The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond is a magical, magnificent work of historical fiction. With pitch-perfect dialogue and a sharp eye for detail, Amanda Glaze beautifully brings 1880s Sacramento to life. This is a story I won't soon forget and a new voice you don't want to miss." —Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of Little & Lion

From the Publisher

2022-06-28
It’s 1885, and runaway twins join a traveling group of mediums after fleeing their extremist minister father to avoid being placed in an asylum.

Seventeen-year-old Edie and Violet Bond were born identical with green eyes and auburn hair, but over time, Edie’s hair has become nearly white. Their mother died under mysterious circumstances a year ago, and each sister has some of her innate spiritual abilities: Edie is able to cross the Veil between life and death, while Violet channels spirits. Mr. Huddle, the head of their traveling group of Spiritualists, has them performing in Sacramento, California, where the woman who organized the Women’s Suffrage Association is causing a stir by fighting for equality. Misogyny abounds as women are being locked up in asylums for baseless reasons by their “male guardians”—fathers, husbands, or brothers. Edie displays delightful moxie, performing trance lectures on stage and using this platform to preach equality under the guise of channeling Benjamin Franklin and other male thinkers. When the father they escaped turns up in an unexpected place, the sisters uncover horrible truths. The atmospheric and haunting tone feels ominous as the twins encounter things they can’t quite explain, while the plot intensifies as Edie holds back secrets from Violet that could have devastating consequences. The timely, gripping themes of sisterhood and fighting misogyny will resonate. Characters default to White.

An impressive and eerie debut that will keep readers looking over their shoulders. (author’s note) (Paranormal thriller. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews