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esmewasreading's review against another edition
3.5
I liked all the Lost boy similarities, but some parts felt unfinished and rushed.
gabizago's review
3.0
lauren_soderberg's review
5.0
Mayhem Brayburn has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. Stuck in a small town in Texas with her mother, Roxy, and abusive stepfather, Mayhem knows she was meant for more. When they finally flee the abuse and return to Roxy’s home town, Mayhem unearths what all Brayburn women intrinsically know: that she is powerful beyond what she ever thought was possible.
I loved everything about this book. There are strong female characters who are nuanced, complicated, and deep. There are interesting supernatural elements to the story that evoke both elements of witchcraft and vampirism. There’s an examination of familial lines, particularly matriarchal, and what it means to be a part of said bloodlines. There’s a beautiful budding romance that enhances the plot, and there’s an exploration of the idea of what it means to protect and what the costs of protecting are. There are so many achingly human parts to the story that it successfully manages to capture the nostalgia of youth and also the pain of growing up. In my mind, it’s difficult to quantify or categorize this novel, which is probably what I love most about it.
As part of the narrative, there are depictions of sexual and physical abuse, suicide, and murder, though all of these are treated the dignity, and are not overtly descriptive or explicit. All aforementioned depictions serve as drivers to the narrative itself, so nothing feels overtly prurient or exploitative.
In all, this is a book about growing up, finding yourself, and having the courage to become what you’re meant to be. Whether you’re typically a YA reader or not, add this to your TBR stack immediately.
**Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.**
bryanhoardsbooks's review
4.0
CW: Suicide, Domestic and Emotional Abuse, Sexual Assault, Drug Use, Kidnapping
When I saw this book on NetGalley, I knew that I had to hit that request button right away. Mayhem was definitely a tough read, but an important one. So when I read the Author’s note at the first few pages of the book, I know that the story will keep me awake. I included the Author’s note at the end of this blog post, so feel free to check it out.
Powerful, dark and magical. That’s how I would describe this book. Let me give you three reasons why Mayhem should be in your TBR list. How the story of the Brayburn women lit the way and how magic allowed them to find strength in their weakness.
1.) It talks about real-life issues
I always find it brave if an author decides to write a book about sensitive, real-life issues that aims to raise awareness and find comfort in the hands of the readers. Laure doesn’t only give us a glimpse of how violence and assault looks like, she also gives us a slice of reality by showing the trauma it leaves to the victims. Sometimes it feels like there’s no way out, but this book tells us otherwise. I know it writing this book was hard, but I truly applaud Laure for bringing the Brayburn women to life.
2.) Magic and destiny
Magic runs in the blood of Brayburn women, and Mayhem’s arc revolves around discovering what she’s made of, what she could do and who she could be. I love me a good discovering-my-purpose trope and I’m thrilled this book was infused with it. I understand that the main theme of the book was not magic, and maybe that’s why I wished there was more of it, but I really think seeing more of it would anchor the plot more. In the end, I still enjoyed how badass Mayhem is!
3.) It did not shy away from including flawed family dynamics
It’s not always rainbows and butterflies. I like it when a book shows an imperfect family because that makes it more realistic. The mother-daughter relationship as well the sibling bond it this book is flawed, but they still loved each other and willing to protect the people that they love. Flawed, but still flawless.
Overall, Mayhem was a good read! Though I didn’t connect with some parts, I truly understand the purpose why this book came into life and believe me when I say that I received the message. I truly hope that this book will give comfort to people who relate the most to the Brayburn women. This book is power, and this is for you. You are invincible. You are magic.
Thank you to Wednesday Books for giving me an early copy of the book. Huge shout out to Sarah Bonamino and the rest of the St. Martin’s Publishing Group team for including me in this blog tour!
Mayhem by Estelle Laure will hit the shelves on July 14th, worldwide!
Review is also published on Bryan Hoards Books
glitterkitter's review
3.0
(and i kinda wish this book had been from Neve's pov instead and that the book hadn't shoved her (and Jason and Kidd) aside as not being important bc they weren't from the right bloodline)
smittenforfiction's review against another edition
4.0
I am a horrible book reviewer. I wouldn't even blame you if you didn't read this. I haven't posted anything since July 6th. I don't even know why. Just, unproductive. Reading lots, but not writing much. I'm going to try and post a bunch of reviews over the next few days to get caught up, or maybe I'll do full reviews just for the ARCS and Blog Tours then mini-reviews for backlist books. Let me know if you have a preference on that. Today, I'm here with a book review for Mayhem by Estelle Laure.
About The Book
ladynightwolf's review
5.0
The second they pull up to the Brayburn farm, Mayhem feels an almost immediate connection to the family homestead, even as her mother seems hesitant. As she gets to know her aunt’s adopted kids, she begins to uncover things about her family, things her mother has tried to hide from her throughout her life. As the petals of her inheritance begin to unfurl, Mayhem begins to understand what it truly means to be a Brayburn. She also begins to fall in love with the town where her family’s legacy has been firmly rooted, and when she finds out about the Sand Snatcher, someone who has been stalking the beaches at night and kidnapping young teen girls, she feels compelled to do something about it. True power and impowerment is found, Loyalties are tested, the true meaning of “home” is explored, and the balance between good and evil is rocked in this epic beach read.
I absolutely LOVED this book! It’s the perfect summer read and reminds me so much of the books I enjoyed as a teen when chilling on the beach with my friends. Dark and empowering, “Mayhem” is a triumph in contemporary YA fantasy. It is a spiraling staircase of emotion, power, and learning who you truly are as a person during a pivotal time in your life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get totally lost in an awesome read. I will absolutely be picking up more from Laure in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book given in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions in this review are mine.
questsandcrimes's review
4.0
Mayhem is bitched as The Craft meets Lost Boys. I didn’t really get a lot of The Craft, but I definitely got Practical Magic vibes. Two sisters, a line of cursed women with magical powers, a house set away from all the others. I loved these aspects. I also loved that it was set in 1987.
Interspersed with Mayhem’s perspective, you get journal entries from past Brayburn women. These chapters provide background on how the Brayburn magic and legacy cane to be. It made everything more relatable.
I’ve never read Lost Boys, and I don’t remember much of the movie, so here’s my word of caution: people have said this is not inspired by Lost Boys, but it is a replica. I love a feminist rewrite. I LOVE IT. However, if it’s too similar it is cause for concern.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my review copy. It is an excellent audiobook. A narrator can make or break a book, and Chloe Cannon does such a fantastic job.