This is a two chapter teaser from netgalley. I am intrigued. I have not read the author before, other than it being overly wordy, it did not seem hard to follow. With the sample having only two chapters it is hard to tell much about the character growth, the total world building, or who or what I didn’t like. However I am intrigued to read more.

Author: Sara Holland, author of Everless

Publication Date: March 3rd, 2020

Extract Length: Chapters 1 & 2

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Place

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction



A young adult fantasy fiction tale set-in modern-day Colorado on top of a mountain town surrounded by enchanted fog, sits the magical inn of Havenfall. The gateway between the realms has been entrusted to human caretakers for generations to ensure peace between the mystical beings. But something dark stirs in the shadows, threatening the very peace protecting the realms from utter chaos.

Author Sara Holland has created yet another wonderful and enchanting best seller. The world in which young Maddie Marrow must overcome her greatest fears, presents a beautiful message of courage, truth, and finding one’s identity. Although the advanced ebook extract only provided the first two chapters, the conflict and emotional pull emitting from Maddie was enough to get me interested into the story.

Fantasy plots and magical beings have always been my go-to for stories to read; this arc reminds me of a darker and intense version of the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. Maddie’s fears over her family dynamic and desire for a place to call her own is relatable. The narrative and dialogue aren’t forced but flow naturally with the story.

Readers will be introduced to a world of magical and otherworldly creatures’ intent on survival, but also on the brink of collapse as Maddie desperately searches for a way to save all the realms; while proving her mother innocent of a terrible crime.

Sound like your kind of story? Mine too. I am fully invested into finding out what happens and was more than disappointed when I finished chapter two.

Havenfall is set to be published on March 3rd, 2020 by Bloomsbury Publishing. Be sure to follow Bloomsbury Publishing and Sara Holland for updates about the upcoming release.

Love this excerpt!!! Need this book ASAP!!!! First couple of chapters are very intriguing....... excited to see what is next. I love Sara’s writing style and cannot wait to get lost in this story!!!!

The plot kickstarted in an interestingly gripping way that I couldn't stop myself once I started reading these sample chapters. Intro to Maddy's world was pretty awesome and the story progression was very good. Eagerly waiting for the release to read the full story. I expect the book to cross 4 stars out of 5.

Sara Holland is the master of the unique and this simple excerpt has me so hungry for more! Looking forward to the release of this beauty.

This two chapter sampler was just enough to hook me and make me want to read the full book! I'm really intrigued by Maddie's family and what happened with her mother, and I totally feel like there will be some sort of relationship with her and Taya. Just from this chapter sampler alone I feel like this will be not only a fun read, but also some real depth. I'm excited to read the full book!

Really loved this excerpt from the book- I was pulled in from chapter one and I can’t wait to read the whole thing. Even in two short chapters the start of a world of magic is being built. Will definitely pick up the book when it’s published to see what happens.

This except really made me more excited for this book! I cannot wait for it! I am such a huge fan of Sara Holland and her books that this one is top of my TBR pile

I really enjoyed Sara’s book Everless so I was excited when I saw a sample available of her new book Havenfall. Although it was only 2 chapters, it has already piqued my interest.
I’m looking forward to reading the whole book, seeing how the characters develop and finding out where the plot takes us.

This short extract from Havenfall gives us a glimpse into a very intriguing world where Maddie lives, in modern times, but there is an alternate universe with magic! The portal or gateway to this magical world is in the mountains of Colorado in a town called Havenfall. There is mention about a boy in this world named Brekken who Maddie is dying to see, but there is also a girl named Taya that we get introduced to right away. Could there be a love triangle brewing? Overall I'm interested in reading the rest of this story because the world building seems fascinating.

As this was only an extract, I don't feel I can give an accurate rating, so I will give it a 4 star, although I'm pretty sure if I were able to read the whole book it would be a 5 star read!

This story drew me straight in, magic, mystery, different races from various realms coming together for the greater good. All tied within the mundane human world, a hidden place filled with magic and intrigue. Two chapters were enough to get me hooked and I can't wait to read the entire book!

I need the rest of this book! Cannot wait for it to release next year -- this feels like a breath of fresh air for YA fantasy.

I am so sad that this was only an excerpt of the story because I NEED to know what happens. The story is set around an Inn that is a safe haven (nice play on words there Havenfall) for all the different worlds that exist, but most of them have been banished. The place is run by an innkeeper, and the story revolves around said innkeepers niece who hopes to one day take his place.

I was mystified as soon as I started reading. I want to know more about what lies beyond the portals, I want to know more about the inn, I want to find out what kind of a guy Brekken is, and why Taya is really going to Havenfall. Basically I have a lot of questions that need an answer and I can not wait until the book releases! Unless you wanna send me a full ARC now, **hint hint wonderful publishers**

[ review of sample extract from 'Havenfall' ]

I'm really intrigued by the world that's being established so far! I find it so cool that the story revolves around a magic portal because I feel like there aren't a lot of fantasy novels that focus on that aspect as their main story. The different worlds and the history behind the Havenfall Inn was so interesting to read about and I can't wait for the main character to explore them further in the rest of the book!

After only a few chapters, I already feel relatively invested in the MC's story and I want to know what happens next!
The author has a wonderful writing style and I'm so glad to have discovered her work.

Will definitely be coming back to the book when it's published next year :)

excerpt was very intriguing as we instantly know that Havenfall is a magical place that doesn’t appear to be ordinary in any way. This gateway is guarded by a family who pass the custodianship over to a member of the next generation. We meet Maddie who is written as someone not running away exactly but perhaps running towards would be a better description. Maddie understands tragedy and meets someone who seems to also have had events happen in her life that have shaped who she is. I thought the writing pulled me in and although I’m undecided whether or not Maddie will find what she’s looking for I'm really interested in discovering more about the realms and those who live there.

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to pick up something by Holland. Her writing feels sophisticated but accessible, nuanced yet explicit. Her prose sucked me in from the moment I began reading and didn’t let go until I ran out of material.

An excerpt and book summary leaves much to be imagined, but they’ve provided a rich and compelling start to the story of Havenfall. I got a taste of her solid world-building and the introductions of compelling characters. The protagonist Maddie is clearly complex and weighed down by the burdens of life. This is evident in her quote “The Maddie in the water looks serene and happy [...] and that’s not me.” But, it doesn’t feel overly melodramatic. She feels real - just as the setting Holland has created. Also – magic!

I can’t review much more because I only had access to the first 24 pages of her book, but I can say that I will be reading this book when it is released in the states.

**Will update this review after reading the complete book. Thanks to NetGalley for the excerpt**

I liked this fantasy world so much. The set up was atmospheric. I could not wait to learn more about the mysterious portal. Th characters were intriguing and i am excited to read this book! Sara Holland is one of my favorites!

This sample was amazing! I hope this is an updated cover because it was so good!! I can not wait to read the entire story!!

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the e-galley.


HAVENFALL is the story of an "Inn." that holds portals other realms, and the girl who's uncle runs the joint. During the yearly peace negotiant with two other worlds, someone opens a world that had been previously closed off and deemed dangerous and lets in a monster. With her uncle out of commission, Maddie must keep the inn together all while learning who to trust.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Contrary to the synopsis, Maddie is very much in love with Brekken (a male), and the new girl, Taya, does not even blip on her radar so this queer baiting needs to stop.

That being said, I was hoping for some glimpses into the other realms. The book takes place at the inn about 98% of the book. The twists were easy to guess, but I still loved questioning whether I was right or not.

I loved the concept and Maddie was a good protagonist as far as protagonists go. Brekken was my man and I wished we saw more of him. MORE BREKKEN. SWOOOOOOOON

I needed more magic and more tension with some loose ends tied up a little prettier. I would read the second book, and this one when the final product is released.

I found this excerpt left me wanting to read the entire novel, always a good sign! I love the world that is be created and can't wait to read more about Havenfall.