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booksandladders's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
Content Warning: death of a loved one (mentioned, happened off screen), violence, gore, blood, isolation, betrayal, parental alienation
I remember participating in the polls for this on twitter and I am so glad I finally read this! A good mixture of fantastical elements, interesting lore, and good character development. This was definitely a good mixture of pacing with fast action-packed trials and some slow burn romances and relationship development.
I really liked Winnie and thought she was a good main character to follow. She had the right amount of want and ability to actually get things done. I appreciated the way she was trained, the way she learned on her own, and how she didn't want to give up on her dream. I am definitely interested to see how she blossoms even more in the rest of the series!
The background information and world-building is something I'm highly invested in. So many different moving pieces and the book doesn't treat us as though we can't figure out context and clues. I appreciated being dropped into the middle and learning pieces along the way. Winnie doesn't have it all figured out and neither do we, but we get to learn together.
The lingering questions about Winnie's dad, the obvious coverups throughout the community, and what's going to happen next make this a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Susan Dennard is a master of weaving different storylines together to create something really magical as a reader's experience.
This is definitely a recommendation from me! I am so glad I already had book 2 ready to go! I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to wait for book 3.
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Content Warning: death of a loved one (mentioned, happened off screen), violence, gore, blood, isolation, betrayal, parental alienation
I remember participating in the polls for this on twitter and I am so glad I finally read this! A good mixture of fantastical elements, interesting lore, and good character development. This was definitely a good mixture of pacing with fast action-packed trials and some slow burn romances and relationship development.
I really liked Winnie and thought she was a good main character to follow. She had the right amount of want and ability to actually get things done. I appreciated the way she was trained, the way she learned on her own, and how she didn't want to give up on her dream. I am definitely interested to see how she blossoms even more in the rest of the series!
The background information and world-building is something I'm highly invested in. So many different moving pieces and the book doesn't treat us as though we can't figure out context and clues. I appreciated being dropped into the middle and learning pieces along the way. Winnie doesn't have it all figured out and neither do we, but we get to learn together.
The lingering questions about Winnie's dad, the obvious coverups throughout the community, and what's going to happen next make this a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Susan Dennard is a master of weaving different storylines together to create something really magical as a reader's experience.
This is definitely a recommendation from me! I am so glad I already had book 2 ready to go! I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to wait for book 3.
Like my reviews? Buy me a Ko-Fi!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Bullying
booking_along's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this was okay.
i liked parts and ideas of this book but it felt more like a rough draft than a completely finished and refined book.
also i am utterly unsure about the age range this book is supposed to be for.
it has moments where it feels like it should be for the 16+ year age range of the YA readers but there are so many small things - like “sound effects” which that was just weird to read about how things are being opened and closed over and over again as of being shown in a coming strip or something?- that felt specifically done for younger readers.
also the plot idea was there but very underdeveloped. and while i don’t think this kind of story needs a whole complex world development- it would have been nice and a good addition to get more details and info. about the monsters about the whole weekday-name stuff and how there is apparently luminaries all over the world and this small town in the USA. why those places? what makes them special? and how do those places come to be and get found and kept hidden?
there are just the simple and basic questions that are not answered that could have been answered with a simple sentence or two and made the whole book better.
also i do not understand why a mother would purposefully stay in a place she is treated as less than dirt and has to know her kids that are still in school have to go through pretty bad bullying because of what has happened.
but instead of leaving and starting over…. they stay? in a place where everyone mistreats them? why?
never explained.
the already mentioned age range question is also present on the actual plot and how simple that is.
now hear me out i don’t mind a simple plot! i actually enjoy a simple plotted book between other reads because who doesn’t love a book where you do not have to concentrate the entire time to make sure nothing is missed? i need simpler stories so i didn’t mind the simple plot and how easy it was to see through it all.
but it didn’t feel like it was done in purpose by the author?
it felt like how the book was written was trying to hide the very obvious things -like the big reveal at the end and the jay stuff that could have been marked with light up neon lights and not be pointed out clearer what he is even when it’s never mentioned even at the end of this book.
so the mixture of everyone that read a few books being able to see where this book is going as soon as characters are introduced but at the same time never just coming out with it? that was a bit strange for me.
also the ending was completely abrupt.
it felt like it just ended without actually wrapping up. it felt like at least one chapter was missing?
the ending could have been done better!
all in all it was okay.
look this isn’t the best paranormal story out there but it’s fine!
the writing is good, the characters -besides their annoying and constantly mentioned quirks (winnie could have stopped clacking teeth after the first time and i did not need the poping sound of a gum constantly mentioned when a character is chewing gum and making bubbles with it…. just saying)- are okay and the idea and plot were okay.
it all was good.
just not great.
BUT hear me out here? not every single book needs to be the next best thing in existence! sometimes a book can just be a good read and a fun time and that’s it.
nothing too deep or mesmerizingly wonderful and world changing.
this was fine and a nice read.
if you want something simple and easy to read? a book that doesn’t need you to keep track or think while read?
this is a good one!
i liked parts and ideas of this book but it felt more like a rough draft than a completely finished and refined book.
also i am utterly unsure about the age range this book is supposed to be for.
it has moments where it feels like it should be for the 16+ year age range of the YA readers but there are so many small things - like “sound effects” which that was just weird to read about how things are being opened and closed over and over again as of being shown in a coming strip or something?- that felt specifically done for younger readers.
also the plot idea was there but very underdeveloped. and while i don’t think this kind of story needs a whole complex world development- it would have been nice and a good addition to get more details and info. about the monsters about the whole weekday-name stuff and how there is apparently luminaries all over the world and this small town in the USA. why those places? what makes them special? and how do those places come to be and get found and kept hidden?
there are just the simple and basic questions that are not answered that could have been answered with a simple sentence or two and made the whole book better.
also i do not understand why a mother would purposefully stay in a place she is treated as less than dirt and has to know her kids that are still in school have to go through pretty bad bullying because of what has happened.
but instead of leaving and starting over…. they stay? in a place where everyone mistreats them? why?
never explained.
the already mentioned age range question is also present on the actual plot and how simple that is.
now hear me out i don’t mind a simple plot! i actually enjoy a simple plotted book between other reads because who doesn’t love a book where you do not have to concentrate the entire time to make sure nothing is missed? i need simpler stories so i didn’t mind the simple plot and how easy it was to see through it all.
but it didn’t feel like it was done in purpose by the author?
it felt like how the book was written was trying to hide the very obvious things -like the big reveal at the end and the jay stuff that could have been marked with light up neon lights and not be pointed out clearer what he is even when it’s never mentioned even at the end of this book.
so the mixture of everyone that read a few books being able to see where this book is going as soon as characters are introduced but at the same time never just coming out with it? that was a bit strange for me.
also the ending was completely abrupt.
it felt like it just ended without actually wrapping up. it felt like at least one chapter was missing?
the ending could have been done better!
all in all it was okay.
look this isn’t the best paranormal story out there but it’s fine!
the writing is good, the characters -besides their annoying and constantly mentioned quirks (winnie could have stopped clacking teeth after the first time and i did not need the poping sound of a gum constantly mentioned when a character is chewing gum and making bubbles with it…. just saying)- are okay and the idea and plot were okay.
it all was good.
just not great.
BUT hear me out here? not every single book needs to be the next best thing in existence! sometimes a book can just be a good read and a fun time and that’s it.
nothing too deep or mesmerizingly wonderful and world changing.
this was fine and a nice read.
if you want something simple and easy to read? a book that doesn’t need you to keep track or think while read?
this is a good one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had been curious about this book for a while as I had witnessed part of its coming into existence by the author asking her twitter followers to vote where the story should head towards during the pandemic. So, when I found the audiobook available from my local library, I went for it.
As much as I loved the fast paced story telling and the interesting set up with woods that can produce any kind of monsters and you never truly know what you will encounter when you enter them, I found the characterisation of the main character and her getting back into the good graces of her towns people as well as her fellow pupils less than convincing.
I still flew through this book, as once started, I wanted to know what happened next and the narration itself is very bingeable. However, it is only the tiniest bit of the questions that are being raised that find an answer by the end of the first book.
As much as I loved the fast paced story telling and the interesting set up with woods that can produce any kind of monsters and you never truly know what you will encounter when you enter them, I found the characterisation of the main character and her getting back into the good graces of her towns people as well as her fellow pupils less than convincing.
I still flew through this book, as once started, I wanted to know what happened next and the narration itself is very bingeable. However, it is only the tiniest bit of the questions that are being raised that find an answer by the end of the first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Gore
snipinfool's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Nightmares that arose from forests all over the world were kept in check by age-old defenders, called Luminaries. Within these forests, fourteen spirits lived and slept. The monsters created from their dreams were exterminated each night so the rest of the world could live in peace. In the US, Hemlock Falls was the town nearest the forest where the spirit was found. Hemlock Falls was hidden from maps, landlines did not work there, cell phone service was sketchy, and the overall feel was different from that over the normal world. Luminaries were born into a house named after a day of the week. Each house had specific duties within the society. Strict rules were in place to keep the residents safe and their purpose hidden from the rest of the world. Winnie Wednesday came from a family of hunters. She wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and become one as well. Unfortunately, Winnie's father had broken a serious Luminary rule and disappeared shortly after. Winnie, along with her mother and brother, were cast out of the Luminaries for a period of ten years as punishment. They were found to be negligent of knowing about Winnie's father's activities. They could still live in Hemlock Falls, but they were no longer able to hold certain positions/jobs or attend any family activities.
At sixteen, Luminaries could participate in three successive hunter trials to become a nightmare hunter. If one failed a trial, they lost their only chance of completing the tests. Winnie planned to enter the trials in hopes of restoring her family's name by becoming a hunter. There were no rules stating an outcast could not participate. Because they had been exiled, Winnie did not have the benefit of the training the other participants had. She hoped the training she did on her own would be enough to keep from being killed by the nightly horrors. When Winnie wandered the forest looking for monsters in the first trail, she encountered a creature that she had never seen in the Nightmare Compendium, a listing and description of all known nightmarish creatures. Would anyone believe what she saw?
This was just ok. The plot was an interesting premise, but the story was dull and somewhat one note. I didn't feel connected to the characters. Most of the book focused on Winnie and her anxiety about participating in the three trials. The reader got to know a little about her mother and brother, but I wanted to know more about them. The additional characters only served to show how poorly Winnie and her family were treated and how their life was miserable. There was mention of Winnie's father and potential contact, but that goes no where in the story. Maybe that will come up in a sequel. The story seemed to glide along the surface without the details that would make one want to pick it up again once you set it down. I might not have finished it had it not been a book club selection.
At sixteen, Luminaries could participate in three successive hunter trials to become a nightmare hunter. If one failed a trial, they lost their only chance of completing the tests. Winnie planned to enter the trials in hopes of restoring her family's name by becoming a hunter. There were no rules stating an outcast could not participate. Because they had been exiled, Winnie did not have the benefit of the training the other participants had. She hoped the training she did on her own would be enough to keep from being killed by the nightly horrors. When Winnie wandered the forest looking for monsters in the first trail, she encountered a creature that she had never seen in the Nightmare Compendium, a listing and description of all known nightmarish creatures. Would anyone believe what she saw?
This was just ok. The plot was an interesting premise, but the story was dull and somewhat one note. I didn't feel connected to the characters. Most of the book focused on Winnie and her anxiety about participating in the three trials. The reader got to know a little about her mother and brother, but I wanted to know more about them. The additional characters only served to show how poorly Winnie and her family were treated and how their life was miserable. There was mention of Winnie's father and potential contact, but that goes no where in the story. Maybe that will come up in a sequel. The story seemed to glide along the surface without the details that would make one want to pick it up again once you set it down. I might not have finished it had it not been a book club selection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Bullying, and Death
Minor: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Alcohol
disnelyse's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Gore
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, and Bullying
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
bookish_paws's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Bullying and Emotional abuse
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol and Vomit
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
honestly don't really know what happened. this was really promising but it felt too pop-culturey. there wasn't enough eeriness and spookiness like there was at the start, i kind of hated all of the characters except for darian and andrew. it was interesting me but also not interesting me at the same time. maybe i'll go back to it, i don't know. maybe it's because i reread crooked kingdom before this and it put me in a slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying
hylian_narwhal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, and Injury/Injury detail
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Drug use
Minor: Medical content