This was an OK read for me. It had a good sounding plot with a good air of mystery and intrigue but it just fell a bit flat for me. I found myself not really getting that invested in the story which I think was down to the characters. Out 2 main characters just didnt pull me in.

Edit: It has been months and I'm still thinking about this book; I enjoyed it THAT much!

Just when I thought I was growing out of my YA era, this book is (very Kindly) gifted to me by Netgalley and I'm reminded just why I fell in love with YA fantasy all those years ago. Don't get me wrong, I know that this book won't be everyones cup of tea, but in my humble opinion this book is perfection and everyone else is wrong aha.

The creatures, the characters, the world, everything just worked with this story. It was deliciously well-written and I couldn't help but fall straight into the plot. I mean an underdog story arc, where the FMC has been ruthlessly exiled from her community but has a plan to return??? What more could I want from Winnie?

To make a what could be a rambling review short, this was a great read that pleasantly surprised me. The pacing was great, the premise felt refreshingly unique and the side-romance was fun and exciting enough to keep me rooting for Winnie and Jay throughout.

If you're in the mood for a quick YA fantasy with some horror sprinkled in, than this is definitely the book for you.

Loved this one and will definitely look out for book 2 in the series. My only comment is that the wold-building needed a bit more explaining at certain points, but I hope more becomes clear in Book 2.

I unfortunately picked this up rather late due to a slump when I first started on it, but as soon as I picked it up again I breezed through this - in fact I read it in one sitting, which is rare for me these days.

Special mention goes to be absolutely spectacular illustrations in here, both the cover and the illustrations of the Nightmares are perfect, and so beautifully done. I love when there are illustrations in a book because you can really begin to see the settings in your head whilst reading.

I can't wait to see what happens next, and hope we get to explore more of Winnie's backstory, and learn some more about the Diana's too.

First let me begin with WOW! I was blown away completely by this book. I was gripped from the get go and adult responsibilities like work and friendships and sleep fell to the wayside. Read it now!! You will not regret it.

Unique characters throughout, a gripping storyline, and fantasy full plots. This book had me gripped from the start. However, I do think that there could have potentially been less focus on the trials and more potential world-building. But still, this is a solid 4 star read from me.

The Luminaries was a book i chewed through in a day. It had me hooked from start to finish. The world building was beyond amazing and i loved both the concept and the characters.

This book is brilliant. Full of twists and turns, excellent character building and a darkly, deceptive world. I recommend, I recommend, I recommend!

I have to admit I didn't expect to get hooked as soon as I started this but I was drawn straight into it. I really enjoyed immersive the story was, it felt like I was right there with Winnie. I really liked the premise of the story too, it's definitely unique to what I have read previously and I really appreciated that.

I loved Winnie as a main character. She's fierce and never wavered from who she is as a person. Something that at her age isn't easy. I also enjoyed watching her figure out who she truly is, this is something I think everyone can relate to as a teen (even in adulthood). As a glasses wearer I appreciated the little detail of Winnie constantly fixing her glasses, instead of wearing contact lenses.

I did think some of the plot twists were predictable but enjoyed them all the same. I look forward to seeing how all of this will play out in the next book! If you're looking for something to read during the spooky season and are a Fantasy lover definitely pick this up!

I really wanted to love this book!

I have been recommended the book quite a few times, and even though I had seen some extremely mixed reviews, I decided to give it a go.

One thing that was clear to me from very early in the book was that I was not the biggest fan of the writing style. It felt very young to me, and while I know I would have engulfed it like I did Twilight at the age of 14, I think I may now be a little too old. I love Young Adult books, but I felt the tone of this one was just a little bit more on the young side and perhaps slightly immature.

The premise of the book was extremely intriguing, and I really enjoyed the plot, although I feel some of the mystery was/is slightly predictable.

Additionally, there was something in the book I didn't quite understand - the main character's teeth kept clicking? I didn't quite get what that meant.

Overall, while I would recommend this book for other audiences, it wasn't for me personally.

The set up was promising but the execution didn’t work for me. We don’t get a very interesting protagonist to follow, and there were just too many magical elements jammed in there – it could have been done with half as many and it would still work. The worldbuilding is extremely light, with still a lot of elements kept vague but not in a good way. The so-called mysteries you can figure out right from the start – nothing that was confirmed for certain at the end of the story, but somehow I doubt that there will be a big twist somewhere.

I LOVED this book. Full of fun twists and a couple to root for from the very first page, I loved that the plot was so detailed and interesting. I really enjoyed the set up and structure of this book, and it has been a recent favourite of mine

This was my first Susan Dennard book and I was very intrigued by the premise of the book. Following Winnie as she begins trials to try to save her family's reputation in Hemlock Falls.

I enjoyed the trials and learning of the backstory to the point that begin the book. This book very much read as the first book in a series and was setting-up the rest of the series.

I was happy with where we left off for this book and can't wait to pick up the second book in the series.

I love the idea of this book but it just doesn’t quite work.

The story follows Winnie as she tries to reclaim her family’s lost status by becoming a Hunter, deal with the emotional trauma of her father’s absence and betrayal, and flirt with Jay, her ex close friend. And if you have read the blurb and my summary, then you have pretty much read the whole story! None of the plot threads raised get resolved, or explored fully – all of the obstacles are introduced and explained (a bit… I’m still not sure exactly what the deal is with the Dianas!). It feels almost like this is a very long prequel and first few chapters to a story that will actually follow in future books?

I got irritated with Winnie’s constant teeth clicking and felt she was being pretty obtuse about some of the ‘mysteries’ she faced – I’m pretty sure I know what Jay and Erica are, even though the story doesn’t confirm it!

In tone, the story feels like a middle grade or young teen book, especially with regards to the relationships and the parental vs. career path plot, but then some of the gory, gruesome content relating to monsters and deaths make the story feel too dark for the emotional age range.

I really do think there is scope for this to be an amazing book with regards to the world and plot we are teased with, but the pacing, characters and overall tone of the story could do with some evening out for it to achieve its full potential.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really enjoyed reading this book - the plot motors along at a good pace and the world is well built. I will say that there is some very obvious crumb-laying for a big twist, which was actually a bit annoying as the 'twist' wasn't revealed in this book so I feel like the author is going to make us wait for ages in the next book. Winnie's character also needs a bit more development but I'm invested enough to read on.

Wow! This book consumed me, I read it in two sittings (and only because I made the mistake of starting it in an evening and I had to sleep that night). I was so drawn into the world of Hemlock Falls, and the lives of Winnie and her family. I’d been in a bit of a funk after being disappointed with my first read of the month. I am going to see the author talk soon so that motivated me to start this, and the story motivated me to keep reading. I honestly loved it, I just want to know what’s next! This was another Netgalley ARC so I’m glad to have discovered this author (and she liked one on my Instagram posts - that definitely elicited a wee fan girl squeak from me!).

The one just didn’t work for me unfortunately. I’d been excited to read something by Dennard, and maybe I’ll try her writing again in the future, but probably not this series.
For me, The Luminaries just felt… flat. I felt like there was too much focus on dumping all of the world-building and family backstory, and not enough focus on the main character, Winnie, as she was actually living out the plot. That world-building itself didn’t really do much for me either, and I’m not sure why. Again, a bit flat.
The Luminaries isn’t a bad book by any means, it was fine. And I’m sure it’ll be a real favourite for other readers, but it just didn’t grab me the way I wanted it to

I'd never read the truthwitch series and I don't think I will be picking it up Susan Dennard is definitely not for me, I found her writing frustrating and the over use of onomatopoeia absolutely killed me, most middle grade books have abandoned this descriptive method. I found this and the over use of descriptive words like teeth clicking?! Really annoying maybe it could of done with a better editor?

This was an odd one. I really liked so many aspects of this; the concept of the Luminaries and their whole culture. I loved the trial aspect of the novel and Jay, with his issues was the perfect love interest for Winnie Wednesday.
Winnie has to face the three trials to become a hunter for the Luminaries in order to help her family out of the shame they've faced since her father was outed as a traitor.
This was a great, if simplistic YA plot and a fairly easy read.
One of the major things I struggled with was Winnie herself. God grief this girl is whinny and can't see what's obviously in front of her. I did like how she was proud of her glasses and refused to swap them and I hope that remains a feature of her personality. I really want her to become more positive and have more faith in herself in the coming books.
An easy YA fantasy with an interesting concept and world building.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing an arc in return for an honest review.

Ok, so this gave me like, vibes. I feel like the premise was similar to another bookbut for the life of me, I can't remember which one. Anyways, I liked it, although to me it was just another YA fantasy. Nothing amazingly special. I would definitely recommend though, and the writing was good. Was it just me or did I feel like the plot was just recycled a few times, ie. Winnie gets in danger, magically gets out of danger, everyone thinks she's amazing, rinse and repeat. And yes, I'm used to more badass MC's, so maybe I'm judging her a bit harshly. Finally, in my criticisms, it didn't have any hooks to get me into the story. It just described the blurb, nothing to bring me back to a sequel.
Gets a solid three stars. Liked the setting, characters, just needed a bit of work on plot and repetition.
This is the perfect book for anyone looking for a slightly gothic, mystery centred YA fantasy. There's some creepy monsters, cult like vibes, family secrets, slow burn, low spice.
Thanks to Daphne Press and Netgalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.