“The Cost of All Things” tells the story of four friends: Ari, Kay, Markos, and Win. The narration shifts between their points of view, covering both the present and the past. These friends are grappling with the heartbreaking loss of Win, who died in a car accident. Each of them harbors secrets and memories they’d rather forget.
Ari, who was Win’s girlfriend, planned to study dance in New York to escape her quiet life on Cape Cod. Kay is one of Ari’s best friends, part of an inseparable trio with Diana until Win’s death disrupts their closeness. Markos, who was Win’s best friend, struggles with his grief differently from Ari and wants her to feel as hurt as he does.
In their world, they have access to hekamists, healers who can create spells for various problems, though these come at a cost and with consequences. Ari’s parents died when she was young, and her aunt arranged for a spell to erase the memory of that night. Now, she’s considering another spell to forget Win, despite the potential risks to her future.
Kay once took a spell to become prettier, which led to backlash from her peers. Wishing to keep her friends close, Kay decides to ask for a spell that ensures Ari and Diana will never leave her. This decision has unintended consequences for everyone involved.
Win’s perspective comes through flashbacks, as he was already struggling with depression before his death, unbeknownst to Ari. He debated using a spell to combat his depression but ultimately tried to manage it on his own.
Markos, unlike the reliable Win, is a chaotic force. His life is a balancing act that began to fall apart with Win’s death. He even went as far as destroying the treehouse he and Win used to play in, expressing his grief through violent outbursts.
As the story unfolds, revealing events leading up to and following Win’s death, each character isolates themselves partly due to their own actions and the spells they cast without the others knowing. Kay’s spell binding her friends causes complications, especially when Diana gets hurt attempting to leave. Ari, overwhelmed with grief, opts for a spell to forget Win, only to find she loses her ability to dance, further complicating her life.
The plot reaches its peak as the friends realize their mistakes and contemplate supporting each other through their sorrow. The novel ultimately explores various forms of love — romantic, platonic, and the love for what brings happiness — and the choices they face about holding onto or letting go of that love.
Maggie Lehrman masterfully keeps each character’s voice unique and engaging. Win’s deep love for Ari adds weight to his choices. Markos’s plight evokes empathy, while Ari’s layered character grapples with her passion for dance and her grief. Kay’s struggle to hold onto her friends is relatable and heartfelt.
“The Cost of All Things” would make a compelling film, set against the scenic backdrop of Cape Cod. Casting suggestions include Rowan Blanchard for Ari, Ki Hong Lee for Win, Ariel Winter for Kay, and Willow Shields for Diana. Tye Sheridan would be ideal for the morally complex Markos.
This novel is a touching exploration of love, loss, and friendship, challenging readers to consider what they would do with the love they hold dear—keep it or throw it away.
