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laila4343's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
asreadbykat's review
4.0
True Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Content/Trigger Warnings: Non-graphic violence, brief descriptions and discussions of death and murder
My Thoughts:
I originally picked up this book for two reasons: a couple of Booktubers I enjoy recommended it, and I fell in love with the cover. Of course, the synopsis interested me as well. Psychic powers, Samhain, and ancient creatures? Sign me up!
I'm happy to say that this impulse buy was definitely worth it. The surface plot is a perfect autumn/Halloween/Samhain story for young readers: a young girl who just manifested her psychometric powers meets a strange boy with secrets and a dark story to tell, and they must solve everything before Halloween. It's a great introduction to Samhain, the origins of Halloween, and some of the traditional Irish and/or UK type of spirits. The mystery is also sufficiently suspenseful, and there were some twists even I didn't see coming.
However, what I loved most about this novel is the hidden story: about lonely souls finally finding where they belong. Anna feels out of place in her home because her powers don't seem to match, while Colin has never had a true home and has just lost his family. The real beauty of this story is both of them navigating their feelings separately and in their own ways and arriving at the same answer. More than supernatural creatures and ancient legends, this is a story about different kinds of acceptance, family, and what "home" really is.
This would honestly be a 5 star book, but I took off half a star because I felt the climax was solved too neatly and some of the emotional punch was taken out of the ending by a certain plot point. But that doesn't ruin the story, so it didn't affect my judgement on it too much.
If you want a good story to read on a cozy fall evening, this is one I'd recommend if you like middle grade books.
Content/Trigger Warnings: Non-graphic violence, brief descriptions and discussions of death and murder
My Thoughts:
I originally picked up this book for two reasons: a couple of Booktubers I enjoy recommended it, and I fell in love with the cover. Of course, the synopsis interested me as well. Psychic powers, Samhain, and ancient creatures? Sign me up!
I'm happy to say that this impulse buy was definitely worth it. The surface plot is a perfect autumn/Halloween/Samhain story for young readers: a young girl who just manifested her psychometric powers meets a strange boy with secrets and a dark story to tell, and they must solve everything before Halloween. It's a great introduction to Samhain, the origins of Halloween, and some of the traditional Irish and/or UK type of spirits. The mystery is also sufficiently suspenseful, and there were some twists even I didn't see coming.
However, what I loved most about this novel is the hidden story: about lonely souls finally finding where they belong. Anna feels out of place in her home because her powers don't seem to match, while Colin has never had a true home and has just lost his family. The real beauty of this story is both of them navigating their feelings separately and in their own ways and arriving at the same answer. More than supernatural creatures and ancient legends, this is a story about different kinds of acceptance, family, and what "home" really is.
This would honestly be a 5 star book, but I took off half a star because I felt the climax was solved too neatly and some of the emotional punch was taken out of the ending by a certain plot point. But that doesn't ruin the story, so it didn't affect my judgement on it too much.
If you want a good story to read on a cozy fall evening, this is one I'd recommend if you like middle grade books.
pashpunk7's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
fountain_ken's review against another edition
2.25
Not for me. This felt like a slog to get through. Read for the Supernatural comparison because my friends love the series but all I can stomach is midgrade spooky vibes. And I love mythology in midgrade, I love Percy Jackson!! But this? This wasn't it. Strange pacing. Too much world building but also not enough.
brittster622's review
4.0
Ravenfall is a story filled with supernatural mystery and a that good creepy mysterious vibe. I loved Ravenfall Inn as it's one was those sentient type houses that changes and adjusts at time to its residents much like the Encanto and the hotel from Nevermoor. It's a story about fitting in when you don't feel special enough to compared with those around you. It's also a great story about sticking with your friends and learning to rely on each other instead of trying to do everything yourself.
emburklin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
katie1031's review
3.0
3.5
This was the perfect fun, magical, spooky read. I'll probably pick up the second book this upcoming fall as this book would be perfect for that season
This was the perfect fun, magical, spooky read. I'll probably pick up the second book this upcoming fall as this book would be perfect for that season
kablecar's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Supernatural meets the Encanto house, but Irish.
ekhildenbrand's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I am eager to read the next one in the series!