Saint Juniper’s Folly

By: Jamie Steinberg

Three teenage lives intersect in the most magical of ways in Saint Juniper’s Folly. Jaime has felt the sting of rejection all his life, Taylor is still struggling with the recent loss of her mother and Theo wants more from life but is scared to grab it. The trio unite to unearth and rid the town Saint Juniper of a mystery that has been haunting the area for ages. Author Alex Crespo weaves a spellbinding debut that combines friendship, family and the occult.

Jaime has returned to Saint Juniper, Vermont – a place where he had spent the last eight years trying to forget. He has been back and forth between various foster homes, feeling unwanted and unloved. In fact, the entire town is familiar with him and his backstory, so he is not very eager to step back into the community. Unfortunately for him, he finds himself stuck within the confines of an eerie and rundown home – Blackwood. He has no idea why, but he is unable to step outside of the residence and his dreams are haunted by a woman who tells him that he is better off staying indoors than being amongst the real world. This is where the story intertwines with Theo and Taylor. Theo feels compelled to make his way through the woods, Saint Juniper’s Folly, where he stumbles upon Jaime. Theo is drawn to Jaime’s good looks and whatever it is that is keeping this boy from stepping outside. Luckily for Jaime, Theo can go in and out of Blackwood to help bring food and clothing to his new pal. Looking to assist Jaime with figuring out his freedom, Theo visits a local spiritual shop where Taylor, a fellow teen, works alongside her father – Elias. Still reeling from the loss of his wife due to magical circumstances, Elias refuses to let Taylor practice witchcraft. Grieving and still hoping to connect with her mother’s legacy, Taylor agrees to lend Jaime and Theo a hand with their mission.

While trying to break Jaime free from Blackwood, the three teens bond and build a real friendship with one another. In fact, Theo even realizes that he may have actual romantic feelings for Jaime – something that surprises the kid who seems to have it all but struggles with his dreams for a different life. Author Crespo does a great job of investing the reader in all forms of the idea of freedom – a past, a box and a stigma. It may feel a little fast paced, but there is a deadline looming as Blackwood is due to be torn down.

We all have our ghosts, but Theo, Jaime and Taylor have one in common that draws them together to face it head on. We all know that trauma bonds, but in Saint Juniper’s Folly, this trio takes it to another level. Readers will enjoy this magical and mysterious adventure.