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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Was wayyyy too slow and left some threads loose at the end, which wasn’t my favorite. I really enjoyed the vibes but I saw the twist coming and it took much too long to get there. Plus the ending happened too fast for my taste, after over 400 pages of buildup it didn’t feel satisfying.
i would rate it 1000 stars if i could, the best book i have read this year and last year combined
Another strong work by Craig. I preferred her first book, and I am excited to read the follow-up in that story.
This one just didn’t quite come together for me. It was pretty obvious that Whitaker was one of the “monsters,” and I was disappointed that Ellerie didn’t figure it out sooner. I also found it strange that her parents didn’t return or even send word? They talked about ordering things, but there was no postal service or other types of messengers to deliver news? I felt the prolonged build-up of all the ‘bad vibes’ took too long. And who actually killed the men on the supply run(s)? Was it the mutant wolves/bears or did they turn on each other? Maybe I missed it, but I don’t think it was ever made clear. And the metaphor of the bees ended up falling a bit flat because Ellerie ultimately didn’t make it right for the hive (the community), she just made it so the ‘watchers’ couldn’t watch what they created. But it ends up kind of the same, because what would happen if they watched? It would be over, and they would leave.
I liked the character of Ellerie and her sisters. I was saddened by the turn of events for Sam. I have no qualms with the writing; Craig writes beautifully. I just think the story could have been tighter.
This one just didn’t quite come together for me. It was pretty obvious that Whitaker was one of the “monsters,” and I was disappointed that Ellerie didn’t figure it out sooner. I also found it strange that her parents didn’t return or even send word? They talked about ordering things, but there was no postal service or other types of messengers to deliver news? I felt the prolonged build-up of all the ‘bad vibes’ took too long. And who actually killed the men on the supply run(s)? Was it the mutant wolves/bears or did they turn on each other? Maybe I missed it, but I don’t think it was ever made clear. And the metaphor of the bees ended up falling a bit flat because Ellerie ultimately didn’t make it right for the hive (the community), she just made it so the ‘watchers’ couldn’t watch what they created. But it ends up kind of the same, because what would happen if they watched? It would be over, and they would leave.
I liked the character of Ellerie and her sisters. I was saddened by the turn of events for Sam. I have no qualms with the writing; Craig writes beautifully. I just think the story could have been tighter.
Another fun, scary read from Erin Craig. Ellerie and her family are sweet, for the most part, and who can help but fall for Whitaker? The story, the setting, the characters, it’s all so readable and delicious.
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
Loveable characters:
Yes
Ellerie can be so infuriating. She is brave don’t get me wrong but woefully naive and can be stock still in moments where some initiative was needed. I love the boy she falls for, he’s charming and isn’t afraid to trust her, to be brave to the fact of being able to save him.
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Nice book to read during your holiday as it is also easy to put down and continue later on. I was a little disappointed that the book started quite slow and continued this way until the last couple of chapters, then everything happened really fast, rushed even.
“There’s a power in names, don’t you think? Once your name is given away, you can’t help but be pulled along by those who have it.”
Erin A. Craig has absolutely done it again. This was a buddy read with my bestie Yasmin and I absolutely adore this book. It captivated me just as much as House of Salt and Sorrows did and I am absolutely excited for whatever the author has in store next because I can definitely say I am now OFFICIALLY under the spell that is Erin A. Craig’s writing.
Small Favors was an excellent dark masterpiece loosely inspired by one of many’s favourite fairytale, Rumpelstiltskin. The plot was absolutely amazing, though some may find hard and confusing to get into in the very beginning as it starts off by focusing on each and every one of the Downing family characters. Our main character Ellerie is such a badass. She reminds me of Sarah Fier from the Fear Street movies (1666 especially). The whole of Amity Falls reminded me of Fear Street 1666 really, simply because it’s a small town where they farm and sell/exchange their own goods, have their own council and rules and the whole town is barely far from what we now call modern at their time.
I wouldn’t say this book was peak horror but it definitely spooked me with the details of the dark creatures lurking in the forest, the mysterious woman with long hands that has caused chaos and costed a life, mutated animals that was horrifying to even witness in real life. It almost felt like they were zombies of dead animals to me. Even the description of accidents was grotesque to read about. Erin A. Craig truly has a talent of describing every nuance when it comes to spooky spooks that certainly plays a major role to the story as a whole.
It was such an atmospheric reading experience. Her writing was absolutely amazing and poetic. It was obscure yet beautiful at the same time. Interesting characters truly was a bonus. The ending was absolutely CRUSHING. Everything leading up to the end was absolutely intense and unseen for me. Some of the twists, I definitely had my suspicions of in the beginning but some truly shocked me. Anything Erin A. Craig has to put out, I will absolutely give it a go. She definitely has a unique charm to her storytelling.
Highly recommended if you are a fan of horror fantasy that is otherworldly beautiful and stunning. If you enjoyed her debut, House of Salt and Sorrows then you’d definitely enjoy this beauty. Again, big thanks to bestie, Yasmin for inviting me to read this book along with her. SHE’S REALLY OUT HERE INFLUENCING ME TO READ ERIN A. CRAIG’S BOOKS AND I REGRET NOTHING
