The Witch of Willow Hall: A Book Review

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I started this book expecting nothing. It completely blew me away. Really. I LOVED this book and couldn’t put it down in the two days I read it. I feel like I’ve been waiting for a book like this for a long time, and it delivered with perfection.

Set in a nineteenth century gothic setting, this story follows Lydia Montrose, who doesn’t know she’s a witch. Her family flees scandalous rumors in Boston and makes a home in Willow Hall. Throughout the book, Lydia battles who she is and what she can do, as well as the hauntings at Willow Hall and her relationships with her sisters. And, of course, there is a beautiful, brooding, Heathcliff-like man (but kinder than Heathcliff) who helps the story along.

First, I love the gothic, creepy setting. Willow Hall is mysterious with its secrets and beautiful, empty halls. On the grounds, there is a pond in a forest, weeping willows, and the lingering motif of death. I love the continuous rain and all the secrecy. The setting draws you in with its originality and intrigue. I could read this book just for the setting!

But the characters are even better than the setting. They are completely original, unique, have depth, and you can’t help but love every single one. They seem like real people with real thoughts and desires and mannerisms! It is so refreshing to read. As a main character, Lydia is completely likable because she is not the special one. Overshadowed by her flirty and beautiful older sister, Lydia is sensible, smart, and caring, but isn’t very noticeable to others. However, she is interesting and lively and as a reader, I feel drawn to her. I also never got frustrated with her, which is big for me, as I often get frustrated with whiny, secret-keeping, big-headed characters. I just love Lydia.

I also love John Barrett. I love his brooding, kindness, sensibility, and loyalty. If you have some attraction for Heathcliff (you can admit it), you will love John. Always secretive, worrying and serious, but infinitely kind, he is the kind of man a girl could love. He’s so different from any other Prince Charming character, which adds to his charm and makes him fascinating. And I’ll admit, he’s officially my new book crush.

I love all the other characters too: Lydia’s sisters, Ada and Joe, the townspeople, and others (not of this world). As I mentioned before, they all have depth and desires driving their actions, even the smallest of characters. I also love the reality of Lydia’s relationship with her sisters, good and bad. It drives the story and gives it relatability and tension.

Hester Fox is a brilliant writer. Never were there cliches, as many nineteenth-century historical fictions thrive on. Her writing is fresh, clever, entertaining, and clear. This gothic mystery mixed with a bit of romance and horror is unlike anything I’ve read, and I am so thrilled to have read this book. I know, without a doubt, I will be rereading this.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 5
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Would I recommend? YES, for all those who love mystery, tension, romance, magic, and lovely writing.

This book will be released October 2nd, 2018.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Lantern's Ember: A Book Review

*I received an ARC from Delacorte Press (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.*

As a big fan of Colleen Houck’s Tiger’s Curse series, I was excited to start this Halloween spin-off tale. I was surprised at the difference in style between the two (having not read the Reawakened series, I can only compare to Tiger’s Curse).  For a quick summary of what this book is about, click here.

First, Houck chose to write in third person omniscient (looking into the point of view of all main characters). While it was interesting to get inside the heads of so many distinct characters like witches, lanterns, vampires, and humans, I felt I was missing the character depth I felt familiar with in Tiger’s Curse. Because of this, my connection to the main characters felt dry. Often, I asked myself, “This is interesting and all, but why should I care?” Additionally, so many characters were introduced at different parts of the novel that the omniscient view became disorienting. BUT, I thought the different “Halloween” characters were entertaining. Houck’s imagination created interesting characters based on folklore we all know: the boogeyman, jack o’ lanterns, witches, vampires, and Frankenstein’s monster. So I will give her that.

Another thing I struggled with was the worlds in which The Lantern’s Ember takes place: the mortal world and the Otherworld. I never felt like I could fully settle into the setting. Although it was consistent, it felt too strange and unbelievable to me. This is probably because it combined folklore, a world of corsets and bustles, science, and technology. It was a bit overwhelming.

As for the plot, Houck did well with making it feel like a fairytale retelling. However, I did lose interest before I reached the midpoint and didn’t regain it until 70% through the book. The middle section was, frankly, boring and missing some tension and character growth. Not to mention having random, long sections of exposition.

This all being said, I’m giving it three stars despite of its faults because of creativity and a satisfying ending. Here’s a further breakdown:

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 3

Would I recommend? Sure. I would especially recommend to those who love fantasy, Halloween, and folklore.

This book will be released September 11th, 2018.

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!