Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Paranormal
Length: 480 pages
Author: Erin A. Craig
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 27th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads
BOOK SUMMARY:
Ellerie Downing lives in the quiet town of Amity Falls in the Blackspire Mountain range–five narrow peaks stretching into the sky like a grasping hand, bordered by a nearly impenetrable forest from which the early townsfolk fought off the devils in the woods. To this day, visitors are few and rare. But when a supply party goes missing, some worry that the monsters that once stalked the region have returned.
As fall turns to winter, more strange activities plague the town. They point to a tribe of devilish and mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents’ deepest desires, however grand and impossible, for just a small favor. But their true intentions are much more sinister, and Ellerie finds herself in a race against time before all of Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves go up in flames.
PERFECTLY SPOOKY.
I think I enjoyed this read more than the author’s first book! What a delightfully creepy read perfect for autumn.
This is a slower read with this great building to a climax. Each chapter kept pulling me in and a subtle cliffhanger at the end led me deeper into the woods. I cringed at the descriptions (in a good way) of the mutilated creatures and eyes following the members of town. There was a nice sense of paranormal that fit in to the small community hidden by the mountains.
I liked the little dash of romance and the way that played into the overall plot. It had some twists and turns on its own and I love how it worked out. I also really liked that this was focused on a family. Ellerie and her siblings had to take care of themselves while their parents were gone. Some bonds between the siblings broke and others strengthened as the watchers brought chaos to their doorstep.
The only thing I wish this book had was a longer ending. Things wrapped up SUPER quickly (while things were still burning down around them) and I don’t feel like I got everything I needed. I’d explain further but I might accidentally spoil, so that was my biggest issue in the end. Otherwise, great read and I can’t wait to continue reading whatever comes next from this author!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Paranormal
- Language: very little
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: intense blood depictions, emesis, execution, gun violence, animal death and injury
Instagram || Goodreads
GoodeyReads 