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daisydoesdream's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
warrior_girl_2001's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mil_lie's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
wanderingreadingsoul's review against another edition
3.0
This book grabbed me with it's pretty cover. Don't judge a book by it's cover really goes for this book as it was a complete disappointment.
The writing is alright. I can't really complain about her style, but the story-telling leaves a lot to be desired. The plot and setting are not built on as it should be. It felt like a lazy attempt at a story for me. The characters had no depth. The MC is an annoying, frustrating, self-pitying girl who I could not garner any sympathy or empathy towards. The book was saved by Taya and Brekken who I felt were carrying the story. The second half of the book picked up the pace a little and I want to read the second book simply in the hope that I will get answers that were not in this one. The ending though felt rushed and sudden.
I really did have to make myself get through this book like it was a chore.
The writing is alright. I can't really complain about her style, but the story-telling leaves a lot to be desired. The plot and setting are not built on as it should be. It felt like a lazy attempt at a story for me. The characters had no depth. The MC is an annoying, frustrating, self-pitying girl who I could not garner any sympathy or empathy towards. The book was saved by Taya and Brekken who I felt were carrying the story. The second half of the book picked up the pace a little and I want to read the second book simply in the hope that I will get answers that were not in this one. The ending though felt rushed and sudden.
I really did have to make myself get through this book like it was a chore.
egbert's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
moniska89's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
deaniewink's review against another edition
3.0
I finished Havenfall in a few hours.
I would have liked to have had more time building each world or inserting more depth into each character because it didn’t take me long at all to zip through this book. I enjoyed it for the most part but it felt more like a palate cleanser than a recipe for a book hangover.
It may have had something to do with the fact that it was a short story so things had to move quickly but it was painfully clear to me through the entire book what was happening, who the bad guys vs good guys were, what the plot-twist was going to be, etc. and that made it harder to lose myself in it.
I also found it difficult not to want to smack the main character upside the head a few times when she continued to make obviously dumb decisions. She’d begged to be taken seriously and was determined to take over the inn but when the time came to step up, she crumbled. I know the character is still a child but things like that annoy me. Some would say I shouldn’t be reading YA if I get triggered by childish decisions but I can’t help myself.
Ranting aside, I definitely plan on reading the next book in this series when it’s available. The premise behind the worlds, the treaty, and where they all stand has me intrigued. I hope the next book is a little longer, just to satisfy my hunger for imagery and my cynical nature, but I’m ready to see where Sara Holland takes us next.
I would have liked to have had more time building each world or inserting more depth into each character because it didn’t take me long at all to zip through this book. I enjoyed it for the most part but it felt more like a palate cleanser than a recipe for a book hangover.
It may have had something to do with the fact that it was a short story so things had to move quickly but it was painfully clear to me through the entire book what was happening, who the bad guys vs good guys were, what the plot-twist was going to be, etc. and that made it harder to lose myself in it.
I also found it difficult not to want to smack the main character upside the head a few times when she continued to make obviously dumb decisions. She’d begged to be taken seriously and was determined to take over the inn but when the time came to step up, she crumbled. I know the character is still a child but things like that annoy me. Some would say I shouldn’t be reading YA if I get triggered by childish decisions but I can’t help myself.
Ranting aside, I definitely plan on reading the next book in this series when it’s available. The premise behind the worlds, the treaty, and where they all stand has me intrigued. I hope the next book is a little longer, just to satisfy my hunger for imagery and my cynical nature, but I’m ready to see where Sara Holland takes us next.
rachelmariereads's review against another edition
3.0
(2.75 stars)
I really wanted to love this book. The premise sounds amazing. Havenfall is an inn nestled in the Rocky Mountains. It houses the portals between the 3 realms: Haven (earth), Fiordenkill, and Byrn. There used to be a fourth realm, Solaria, which was walled off decades ago. Maddie Morrow is working at the inn, hoping to take over her uncle’s role as Innkeeper when he retires. But just as the summer peace summit begins a monster attacks, a body is found, and with her uncle gravely injured, Maddie must step up to save Havenfall.
This book had so much potential but it didn’t live up to it. Maddie is not a very likable character. From the beginning she claims that she wants to be Innkeeper, and yet when that responsibility is thrust on her she wants nothing to do with it. She has no confidence, and while that could make her relatable, it just makes her mopey and frustrating to listen to.
The plot was incredibly convoluted. In addition to trying to solve the murder, Maddie is also dealing with a missing love interest, uncovering the truth about Solaria, and a mysterious magical object trade. It’s not clear how all of these plot points line up until the final act, and for the majority of the novel it's difficult to keep track of everything.
Maddie makes almost entirely wrong decisions throughout this book. It’s so frustrating to watch her fumble about, especially when it seems glaringly obvious as a reader what’s really going on. The bad guy was apparent from his introduction and even when her friends cast their doubts, Maddie still trusted him. It made no sense. All of the other characters in the book were incredibly flat and given character traits only when it seemed convenient.
Maddie and several side characters are LGBTQ+, and it was nice to see that representation done well in here. And despite everything… the finale of this book was good. It was such a frustrating journey but the last quarter of Havenfall really felt like I was reading a different book. The plot lines came together and set up a fascinating premise for the sequel. Despite my misgivings, I am planning to pick up the sequel, Phoenix Flame.
I really wanted to love this book. The premise sounds amazing. Havenfall is an inn nestled in the Rocky Mountains. It houses the portals between the 3 realms: Haven (earth), Fiordenkill, and Byrn. There used to be a fourth realm, Solaria, which was walled off decades ago. Maddie Morrow is working at the inn, hoping to take over her uncle’s role as Innkeeper when he retires. But just as the summer peace summit begins a monster attacks, a body is found, and with her uncle gravely injured, Maddie must step up to save Havenfall.
This book had so much potential but it didn’t live up to it. Maddie is not a very likable character. From the beginning she claims that she wants to be Innkeeper, and yet when that responsibility is thrust on her she wants nothing to do with it. She has no confidence, and while that could make her relatable, it just makes her mopey and frustrating to listen to.
The plot was incredibly convoluted. In addition to trying to solve the murder, Maddie is also dealing with a missing love interest, uncovering the truth about Solaria, and a mysterious magical object trade. It’s not clear how all of these plot points line up until the final act, and for the majority of the novel it's difficult to keep track of everything.
Maddie makes almost entirely wrong decisions throughout this book. It’s so frustrating to watch her fumble about, especially when it seems glaringly obvious as a reader what’s really going on. The bad guy was apparent from his introduction and even when her friends cast their doubts, Maddie still trusted him. It made no sense. All of the other characters in the book were incredibly flat and given character traits only when it seemed convenient.
Maddie and several side characters are LGBTQ+, and it was nice to see that representation done well in here. And despite everything… the finale of this book was good. It was such a frustrating journey but the last quarter of Havenfall really felt like I was reading a different book. The plot lines came together and set up a fascinating premise for the sequel. Despite my misgivings, I am planning to pick up the sequel, Phoenix Flame.
whitreadslit's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book for free from Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
After reading and loving Sara Holland’s first series, Everless, I had high hopes for her newest book. I feel like my expectations were met, and I am excited to see where she takes the world of Havenfall in the future.
First, I really loved the world building in this book. The concept of having multiple worlds that all converge in the basement of an inn in Colorado was such a fun concept. And the fact that it is a safe space, where anyone can meet with someone from another world in peace is a really great place to begin this series. I love that the inn of Havenfall itself is a little magical, even though Earth itself isn’t. We don’t learn a ton about the worlds of Fiordenkill, Byrn, and Solaria, but I’m hopeful that we will find out more about them in future books.
Our main character, Maddie, was quite believable as a teenage girl that is suddenly thrust into a position of power. She laments a lot about not getting to just laze away her summer, and that was absolutely believable to me. What 16 year old wants to be put in charge of delicate political talks? I certainly wouldn’t have! At the same time, it was cool to get to watch her mature and grow as the story went along. Her relationships with Brekken and Taya were fun, and I still don’t know who I want her to end up with.
After reading and loving Sara Holland’s first series, Everless, I had high hopes for her newest book. I feel like my expectations were met, and I am excited to see where she takes the world of Havenfall in the future.
First, I really loved the world building in this book. The concept of having multiple worlds that all converge in the basement of an inn in Colorado was such a fun concept. And the fact that it is a safe space, where anyone can meet with someone from another world in peace is a really great place to begin this series. I love that the inn of Havenfall itself is a little magical, even though Earth itself isn’t. We don’t learn a ton about the worlds of Fiordenkill, Byrn, and Solaria, but I’m hopeful that we will find out more about them in future books.
Our main character, Maddie, was quite believable as a teenage girl that is suddenly thrust into a position of power. She laments a lot about not getting to just laze away her summer, and that was absolutely believable to me. What 16 year old wants to be put in charge of delicate political talks? I certainly wouldn’t have! At the same time, it was cool to get to watch her mature and grow as the story went along. Her relationships with Brekken and Taya were fun, and I still don’t know who I want her to end up with.
meckert's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0