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A review by sarahmreads
Small Favors by Erin A. Craig
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I received a copy of this novel as an e-ARC from NetGalley and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I can't tell you guys the last time I read a thriller so engaging and convincing as this story. And for my first book by this author, I now want to read even more of what she writes.
Ellerie Downing lives in Amity Falls, an isolated village on the edge of the woods surrounding God's Grasp. She lives with her family of farmers and siblings that she both loves and hates. Suddenly, threats of unseen monsters and destruction loom on the edges of the village, and Ellerie is scared for the safety of her family, and the mysterious boy that appeared at the edge of town just as everything bad started to happen. What will Ellerie do to make sure those she loves are okay, and who will make it out alive?
The world-building of this story is insanely good. With the way the story is set, it gives off very much prairie gothic vibes, but the entire story itself reminded me so much of the movie "Midsommar." There's no technology and Amity Falls is completely isolated, but there is the underlying assumption that other advanced cities lie somewhere else beyond the forest and mountains, which I believe helped to add to the tension of the story. Amity Falls is also built on this network of rules, as it is such a small rural area, so you really get the feel of everyone knows everyone, even though the overload of names at the beginning can be a bit overwhelming.
Small Favors also does well with the building of the thriller and the lore of what is going on in Amity Falls. I honestly didn't know who to trust, or what to trust, or if there were people disguised as those they weren't. It was just so horrifically beautiful in its execution and really left me on the edge of my seat with the fear that exuded from the page.
Craig makes you fall in love with a good portion of these characters (the main ones at least) only to rip your heart out with all the DRAMA. Whitaker Price deserves ALL THE LOVE AND I WILL NOT TAKE ANY SLANDER ABOUT HIM. I teared up so much with so many moments between him and Ellerie, and I actually liked Ellerie a lot as a main character. Clever, bound to her family, caring, I didn't hate her at all.
I will admit one of the big plot twists was a bit predictable once the right clues came into place around 70-80% through but I am not complaining. The end at least felt a little anti-climatic for me, however, and I kind of wish we got some closure on some points which I won't get into cause of spoilers.
Small Favors is the next best thriller with an unassuming yet captivating cover that will lure you in with every page. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a change in the thriller genre.
I can't tell you guys the last time I read a thriller so engaging and convincing as this story. And for my first book by this author, I now want to read even more of what she writes.
Ellerie Downing lives in Amity Falls, an isolated village on the edge of the woods surrounding God's Grasp. She lives with her family of farmers and siblings that she both loves and hates. Suddenly, threats of unseen monsters and destruction loom on the edges of the village, and Ellerie is scared for the safety of her family, and the mysterious boy that appeared at the edge of town just as everything bad started to happen. What will Ellerie do to make sure those she loves are okay, and who will make it out alive?
The world-building of this story is insanely good. With the way the story is set, it gives off very much prairie gothic vibes, but the entire story itself reminded me so much of the movie "Midsommar." There's no technology and Amity Falls is completely isolated, but there is the underlying assumption that other advanced cities lie somewhere else beyond the forest and mountains, which I believe helped to add to the tension of the story. Amity Falls is also built on this network of rules, as it is such a small rural area, so you really get the feel of everyone knows everyone, even though the overload of names at the beginning can be a bit overwhelming.
Small Favors also does well with the building of the thriller and the lore of what is going on in Amity Falls. I honestly didn't know who to trust, or what to trust, or if there were people disguised as those they weren't. It was just so horrifically beautiful in its execution and really left me on the edge of my seat with the fear that exuded from the page.
Craig makes you fall in love with a good portion of these characters (the main ones at least) only to rip your heart out with all the DRAMA. Whitaker Price deserves ALL THE LOVE AND I WILL NOT TAKE ANY SLANDER ABOUT HIM. I teared up so much with so many moments between him and Ellerie, and I actually liked Ellerie a lot as a main character. Clever, bound to her family, caring, I didn't hate her at all.
I will admit one of the big plot twists was a bit predictable once the right clues came into place around 70-80% through but I am not complaining. The end at least felt a little anti-climatic for me, however, and I kind of wish we got some closure on some points which I won't get into cause of spoilers.
Small Favors is the next best thriller with an unassuming yet captivating cover that will lure you in with every page. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a change in the thriller genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Death