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thepagelady's review
4.0
The Lamplighter is a beautifully written gothic historical fiction horror story that will have you guessing till the very last page! It's not a fast paced story but its a chilling story about a young girl wanting to be heard and protect what she loves most! The characters are flawed and very life-like! The descriptions of the setting are fantastic and it makes it easy to see and feel everything that's going on! Overall it's a great story with a surprising ending!
elenadragon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
smolhousewitch's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I feel a bit...empty, after finishing this. Not necessarily in a bad way, but definitely in a "scraped raw and gutted" kind of way. I loved Tempe and was so heartbroken at what she persevered through. This is a slow read with a lot of tension - I was definitely stressed through the whole second half.
Recommended if you enjoy historical gothic horror and are ready for lots of tragedy. Thank you to NetGalley and Flux for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Recommended if you enjoy historical gothic horror and are ready for lots of tragedy. Thank you to NetGalley and Flux for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
prosepander's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
After her father’s untimely suicide, Temperance has taken up the mantle as Warbler’s sole lamplighter; providing guiding light to the town of Warbler as mysterious and treacherous fog consumes the sleepy town every night. When girls start to go missing in the mist, and the proper authorities are of no use, it’s up to Temperance to shed light once again. The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell is a story about asking for help and trusting those you love.
Usually, I’m not a consumer of Young Adult Fiction, but I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed The Lamplighter. Bell is very talented at building the suspenseful atmosphere of Warbler in the fog, and there were moments where I genuinely jumped. Additionally, Bell takes great care to put equal value to the different expressions of femininity Temperance and her sister (Yes, this is a dig at TV Arya and Sansa).
I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say the way the novel wrapped up made me wonder who exactly Bell was writing The Lamplighter for. There are persistent themes of sexism that go along with the time period of the setting, which add to the dread of the story, but the end seems to be a cautionary tale- but for who? For women who keep their secrets to themselves, or is this a story for men to read so they can better make connections between the misogyny of then and now?
tandewrites's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When a girl disappears after two lamps go out on Tempe’s watch, she scrambles for answers, hindered by the village authorities' call for her to be removed from her lamplighting work. More villagers vanish under her watch, and she discovers unsettling truths about the village's famous figureheads and her father, the former lamplighter. Her warnings are ignored, and she faces the choice to look the other way or risk speaking out and dooming herself and her sister to the missing girl's fate.
I had two main issues with this book, and both of them are the selling points in the official book description: the fog and the figureheads. They are the most prominent aspects of the book, yet somehow the most forgettable.
The town is infamous for people disappearing into the nightly fog, and the lamps being lit are synonymous with safety and protection. The atmosphere is eerie and poetically described, and the bare bones of the storyline's mystery were creative, so I thought I was going to be enthralled by some mystery fog as I have often been in the past. However, the fog just...didn't seem important. People seemed to disappear purely due to poor disability and not being able to find their way home if a lamp went out. However,it is revealed that the local sentient people-eating forest released the fog to lure in victims , and I am all for a plot twist, but I didn’t feel as if the book laid out the groundwork for this to be a believable twist. It came out of nowhere, and the lack of explanation and development due to how late it appeared in the plot made it fall flat for me.
The town is famous for its lucky ship figureheads. To my memory, we don't find out a huge amount about why they're lucky, or any particular desire for them, or really any mention of their significance outside of the plot twist. The girls who go missing get turned into the figureheads. How? I don't really know. There's a figurehead-in-progress in a workshop that looks vaguely like it's been carved to look like a girl, but it briefly comes alive to show that it is the girl. I don't know if they turn into wood, or if the carving captures their spirit somehow. Also, the other missing people are found in the forest getting consumed by tree roots . Are the forest and the figureheads connected? I don't actually know. I couldn't get a firm grasp on what was being said on the page, and any twist that could connect them happened so late in the story there was no time left for development and clarity.
Overall, this is one of the first times where I don't think I enjoyed anything about a book, so it's one star for me finishing it, and another because I've read books that physically pained me to read, and this one wasn't quite that bad. The characters were insufferable and made constant illogical decisions. The pacing was inconsistent, and therefore, so was the suspense. The conversations on misogyny (and later assault survivors) were poorly handled, and overall circular thinking became very tiresome.
But still, there are worse books out there.
When a girl disappears after two lamps go out on Tempe’s watch, she scrambles for answers, hindered by the village authorities' call for her to be removed from her lamplighting work. More villagers vanish under her watch, and she discovers unsettling truths about the village's famous figureheads and her father, the former lamplighter. Her warnings are ignored, and she faces the choice to look the other way or risk speaking out and dooming herself and her sister to the missing girl's fate.
I had two main issues with this book, and both of them are the selling points in the official book description: the fog and the figureheads. They are the most prominent aspects of the book, yet somehow the most forgettable.
The town is infamous for people disappearing into the nightly fog, and the lamps being lit are synonymous with safety and protection. The atmosphere is eerie and poetically described, and the bare bones of the storyline's mystery were creative, so I thought I was going to be enthralled by some mystery fog as I have often been in the past. However, the fog just...didn't seem important. People seemed to disappear purely due to poor disability and not being able to find their way home if a lamp went out. However,
The town is famous for its lucky ship figureheads. To my memory, we don't find out a huge amount about why they're lucky, or any particular desire for them, or really any mention of their significance outside of the plot twist.
Overall, this is one of the first times where I don't think I enjoyed anything about a book, so it's one star for me finishing it, and another because I've read books that physically pained me to read, and this one wasn't quite that bad. The characters were insufferable and made constant illogical decisions. The pacing was inconsistent, and therefore, so was the suspense. The conversations on misogyny (and later assault survivors) were poorly handled, and overall circular thinking became very tiresome.
But still, there are worse books out there.
elementarymydear's review
4.0
When I started this book I’d been in a bit of a reading slump, but I finished this book in a single day, that’s how much I was gripped by the story! I couldn’t put it down, I kept saying to myself “just one more chapter” because I was desperate to know what happened.
The book is a mix of genres, combining horror, mystery and historical fiction, and they all work brilliantly together. The historical setting sets the creepy atmosphere early on, and even before it’s revealed there is a sense that there is something uncanny going on.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
It took a few chapters to settle into the story and the pacing, but once it got going there was no way I was getting off this train! There were also really strong feminist themes, which I particularly enjoyed, as the different female characters fought for their own agency and place in the world. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say that I found it chilling!
Overall this was an atmospheric, absorbing read, filled with unexpected turns.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The book is a mix of genres, combining horror, mystery and historical fiction, and they all work brilliantly together. The historical setting sets the creepy atmosphere early on, and even before it’s revealed there is a sense that there is something uncanny going on.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
It took a few chapters to settle into the story and the pacing, but once it got going there was no way I was getting off this train! There were also really strong feminist themes, which I particularly enjoyed, as the different female characters fought for their own agency and place in the world. I won’t spoil the ending, but I will say that I found it chilling!
Overall this was an atmospheric, absorbing read, filled with unexpected turns.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
hedgehognerd's review against another edition
5.0
The Lamplighter is an amazing debut novel. The mystery and myths create an unsettling atmosphere that’s full of surprises. I absolutely loved the historical setting, a seaport called Warbler. The writing is descriptive and totally transportive. In terms of pacing this book is a slow burn and this provided a cozy reading experience. Saying that the story is far from cozy and definitely lives up to a YA horror. The ending is immaculate and really worth it. There are various themes that are explored, such as abuse, feminism and family ties. I liken the book to The Doll Factory. Definitely one I will recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
sarahgeereads's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️an ARC review⭐️
i’ve certainly fallen in love with gothic novels. i received this ARC from NetGalley and i am so glad.
this book was captivating. extremely atmospheric. i thought of Temperance even when i wasn’t reading. i loved the mystery element of the story, and the strong family connection.
definitely a must-read!!
Merged review:
⭐️an ARC review⭐️
i’ve certainly fallen in love with gothic novels. i received this ARC from NetGalley and i am so glad.
this book was captivating. extremely atmospheric. i thought of Temperance even when i wasn’t reading. i loved the mystery element of the story, and the strong family connection.
definitely a must-read!!
Merged review:
⭐️an ARC review⭐️
i’ve certainly fallen in love with gothic novels. i received this ARC from NetGalley and i am so glad.
this book was captivating. extremely atmospheric. i thought of Temperance even when i wasn’t reading. i loved the mystery element of the story, and the strong family connection.
definitely a must-read!!
i’ve certainly fallen in love with gothic novels. i received this ARC from NetGalley and i am so glad.
this book was captivating. extremely atmospheric. i thought of Temperance even when i wasn’t reading. i loved the mystery element of the story, and the strong family connection.
definitely a must-read!!
Merged review:
⭐️an ARC review⭐️
i’ve certainly fallen in love with gothic novels. i received this ARC from NetGalley and i am so glad.
this book was captivating. extremely atmospheric. i thought of Temperance even when i wasn’t reading. i loved the mystery element of the story, and the strong family connection.
definitely a must-read!!
Merged review:
⭐️an ARC review⭐️
i’ve certainly fallen in love with gothic novels. i received this ARC from NetGalley and i am so glad.
this book was captivating. extremely atmospheric. i thought of Temperance even when i wasn’t reading. i loved the mystery element of the story, and the strong family connection.
definitely a must-read!!
dbguide2's review
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
underscorebret's review against another edition
5.0
“Why is it so easy to allow the darkness to take precedence in our lives? To shape us?”
[Thank you to Netgalley, North Star Editions, and Crystal J. Bell for the eARC!]
I’m VERY picky with my five star reviews and five stars go to those books that I would recommend to literally any and everyone. This is one of those books. This book filled me with rage, sadness, relief, and pity all in less than 200 pages. The story is fantastic and reminds me of the movie “The Mist” crossed with an episode from the show “Supernatural.” The story, being set in the 19th century, focuses on the inequality between men and women. The main character, Temperance (Tempe), battles with internal challenges and holds in her emotions - as she fears if she relays the information she knows to be true to anyone - she risks being sent to an asylum. Gideon, the older man who takes a very odd interest in her MUCH younger sister, gave me the ick right away. The ending to this book filled me with so much rage, but I feel maybe that’s the point. This story - minus the supernatural bits - could very well have happened to multiple women throughout history. So while this story is a fantastic work of fiction, it brings to light (no pun intended) a past that was a bit darker than we like to think.
Merged review:
“Why is it so easy to allow the darkness to take precedence in our lives? To shape us?”
[Thank you to Netgalley, North Star Editions, and Crystal J. Bell for the eARC!]
I’m VERY picky with my five star reviews and five stars go to those books that I would recommend to literally any and everyone. This is one of those books. This book filled me with rage, sadness, relief, and pity all in less than 200 pages. The story is fantastic and reminds me of the movie “The Mist” crossed with an episode from the show “Supernatural.” The story, being set in the 19th century, focuses on the inequality between men and women. The main character, Temperance (Tempe), battles with internal challenges and holds in her emotions - as she fears if she relays the information she knows to be true to anyone - she risks being sent to an asylum. Gideon, the older man who takes a very odd interest in her MUCH younger sister, gave me the ick right away. The ending to this book filled me with so much rage, but I feel maybe that’s the point. This story - minus the supernatural bits - could very well have happened to multiple women throughout history. So while this story is a fantastic work of fiction, it brings to light (no pun intended) a past that was a bit darker than we like to think.
Merged review:
“Why is it so easy to allow the darkness to take precedence in our lives? To shape us?”
[Thank you to Netgalley, North Star Editions, and Crystal J. Bell for the eARC!]
I’m VERY picky with my five star reviews and five stars go to those books that I would recommend to literally any and everyone. This is one of those books. This book filled me with rage, sadness, relief, and pity all in less than 200 pages. The story is fantastic and reminds me of the movie “The Mist” crossed with an episode from the show “Supernatural.” The story, being set in the 19th century, focuses on the inequality between men and women. The main character, Temperance (Tempe), battles with internal challenges and holds in her emotions - as she fears if she relays the information she knows to be true to anyone - she risks being sent to an asylum. Gideon, the older man who takes a very odd interest in her MUCH younger sister, gave me the ick right away. The ending to this book filled me with so much rage, but I feel maybe that’s the point. This story - minus the supernatural bits - could very well have happened to multiple women throughout history. So while this story is a fantastic work of fiction, it brings to light (no pun intended) a past that was a bit darker than we like to think.
[Thank you to Netgalley, North Star Editions, and Crystal J. Bell for the eARC!]
I’m VERY picky with my five star reviews and five stars go to those books that I would recommend to literally any and everyone. This is one of those books. This book filled me with rage, sadness, relief, and pity all in less than 200 pages. The story is fantastic and reminds me of the movie “The Mist” crossed with an episode from the show “Supernatural.” The story, being set in the 19th century, focuses on the inequality between men and women. The main character, Temperance (Tempe), battles with internal challenges and holds in her emotions - as she fears if she relays the information she knows to be true to anyone - she risks being sent to an asylum. Gideon, the older man who takes a very odd interest in her MUCH younger sister, gave me the ick right away. The ending to this book filled me with so much rage, but I feel maybe that’s the point. This story - minus the supernatural bits - could very well have happened to multiple women throughout history. So while this story is a fantastic work of fiction, it brings to light (no pun intended) a past that was a bit darker than we like to think.
Merged review:
“Why is it so easy to allow the darkness to take precedence in our lives? To shape us?”
[Thank you to Netgalley, North Star Editions, and Crystal J. Bell for the eARC!]
I’m VERY picky with my five star reviews and five stars go to those books that I would recommend to literally any and everyone. This is one of those books. This book filled me with rage, sadness, relief, and pity all in less than 200 pages. The story is fantastic and reminds me of the movie “The Mist” crossed with an episode from the show “Supernatural.” The story, being set in the 19th century, focuses on the inequality between men and women. The main character, Temperance (Tempe), battles with internal challenges and holds in her emotions - as she fears if she relays the information she knows to be true to anyone - she risks being sent to an asylum. Gideon, the older man who takes a very odd interest in her MUCH younger sister, gave me the ick right away. The ending to this book filled me with so much rage, but I feel maybe that’s the point. This story - minus the supernatural bits - could very well have happened to multiple women throughout history. So while this story is a fantastic work of fiction, it brings to light (no pun intended) a past that was a bit darker than we like to think.
Merged review:
“Why is it so easy to allow the darkness to take precedence in our lives? To shape us?”
[Thank you to Netgalley, North Star Editions, and Crystal J. Bell for the eARC!]
I’m VERY picky with my five star reviews and five stars go to those books that I would recommend to literally any and everyone. This is one of those books. This book filled me with rage, sadness, relief, and pity all in less than 200 pages. The story is fantastic and reminds me of the movie “The Mist” crossed with an episode from the show “Supernatural.” The story, being set in the 19th century, focuses on the inequality between men and women. The main character, Temperance (Tempe), battles with internal challenges and holds in her emotions - as she fears if she relays the information she knows to be true to anyone - she risks being sent to an asylum. Gideon, the older man who takes a very odd interest in her MUCH younger sister, gave me the ick right away. The ending to this book filled me with so much rage, but I feel maybe that’s the point. This story - minus the supernatural bits - could very well have happened to multiple women throughout history. So while this story is a fantastic work of fiction, it brings to light (no pun intended) a past that was a bit darker than we like to think.