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Sometimes.. we have to make our own luck.

Welcome!

Today’s review is of a unique middle-grade read about a young girl who lives in a town where superstitions are very real and luck determines your fate. It’s a quick, absorbing read that will have you cheering our young main character on.

I will warn you though, a few things about Sadie’s story had my hackles raised and I did go on a bit of a rant about it but regardless, I did enjoy the read. I think many of you would as well.

For those who love coming-of-age stories that you can get lost in,
I would check this one out.

Enjoy!

(Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made through my links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

Fortune Falls by Jenny Goebel

First line: Petey’s sweaty little hand wriggled in mine.

My Review:

“In Fortune Falls, no inauspicious act went unpunished, from a stroll under a ladder to opening an umbrella indoors”

Welcome to Fortune Falls
Where the Lucky live happy, successful lives and the Unlucky are condemned to a life of loneliness and misery.

Born on Friday the Thirteenth, eleven year old Sadie is Unlucky.
And in a town where superstitions are all too real? That can get you killed.
She’ll just have to make her own luck if she doesn’t want to be sent away.. or die.

This is a compelling middle-grade read that I can see many enjoying.
But as much as I liked it.. It pssed me off.

While I believe the lesson behind this story was admirable, I found myself disliking this quaint little town full of heartless prats.
It’s one thing when children ostracize or bully one another for their differences, it is another entirely when an entire town, including the adults, condones, accepts, and almost encourages such behavior.

“I had to live my life expecting things to always break and go wrong.”

I felt horribly sad for Sadie right away. This kid has been through a lot in her young life. She hasn’t yet taken her luck test but, unless she does something to drastically change her circumstances, she knows how it will end. She’ll be carted off to a boarding school for Unlucky children who are considered a danger to themselves and others.. and that’s that.

How could it not pss me off?
These “Unlucky” children grow up ashamed of themselves, feared by others, and isolated to prevent their bad luck from disrupting the lives of those around them. Scared because they know that they’ll soon be torn from their families and friends because of something they can’t control.
It was just wrong.

“Bad luck feels like Fate keeping tabs on you, playing cruel jokes and pulling strings, laughing at your expense while it does everything within its far-reaching power to make your life miserable.”

Sadie’s story is a heartbreaking one but easy to get lost in. I was on her side, rooting for her with every page I turned. I had to keep reading. I had to know how everything turned out for this sweet girl. And I’m glad I did. There are so many wonderful things about this book that made it a good read. Little touches that make this horrible town magical and, in the end, Sadie gets the best kind of HEA.
The kind you make yourself.

Annnd.. that’s all folks.
Thank you for stopping by, I know my review was all over the place but hopefully it’s still piqued your interest.
Stay safe and Happy reading, my friends.

Do you believe the lessons we learn in books effect us IRL?

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