It took me a little while to get into this fantasy novel set in an alternative York. There’s a lot going on and the language took a bit of adjustment but there comes a point fairly early when it captures you and sweeps you along. Harper is a great character. Brave and yet at times timid, wanting to do the right thing but wanting a quiet life with her archives, and not always listening to those around her who may have better ideas.

There are murders with strange behaviours, magic of different sorts, supernatural creatures, a church in charge but yet ‘modern’ and some genuinely creepy moments. I also learned some new words and I particularly like ‘susurration’ a very onomatopoeic word. The ending is clever and satisfying but there are enough threads to enable future books to pick up the story. I liked the ‘villain’ being who it was and the story has enough depth to get you thinking.

An enjoyable read and a series I will look out for ~ I love York and liked exploring it through this lens.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Lovely and atmospheric. I found the mystery engaging. It is reminiscent of The Bone Season-- one of my all time fav series-- but it did feel wholly unique.
I am definitely looking forward to the next book!

The Hiding is a very lush, vast tale containing witches and witch hunters, magic, sisterhood, demons, magic, potions, and a love story that doesn't at all eclipse the core of the story. This was so much fun to read, and I thought several things were extremely done well; namely, the magic system and the bond between Harper and Grace. I would classify this as a mystery-horror-thriller-fantasy, and it excels at all four!

Thank you to Brigids Gate Press and NetGalley for providing an ARC!

Here’s my review for The Hiding by Alethea Lyons, a fantasy novel set in an alternate York with horror and fae vibes.
This novel is perfect for anyone who loves folklore, magic mixed with tech and found family.

The novel follows Harper, an orphaned woman with the gift of sight, who lives in a York, where it’s a crime to be a witch and there’s a strange standoff between the church and royalty. Ghosts and spirits lurk in the dark corners of The Shambles and a series of murders lead Harper to believe something far more supernatural is the root cause.
As Harper and her demon-killing adopted sister Grace race to uncover the truth, they team up with a forensic supernaturalist, a techie witch and a demon.

I enjoyed this novel – not just because it is set in York, one of my favourite places in the world, but also because Thea creates a complex, diverse and ultimately inclusive dynamic between her characters. I would describe this as Buffy meets Fringe, and there’s a definite overlap between fae folklore, science and magic, with a sprinkling of not-to-gory horror.

Thea's writing is full of action and detail that captures York and the scary, supernatural nightmare's Harper experiences. There were some twists and turns that made this a really captivating plot and I loved her characterisations in the snarky demon and particularly her antagonist. I look forward to reading more from Alethea in the future.

Thank you Alethea Lyons, Netgalley and Brigids Gate Press for this free ARC!

I loved this. The magic, the mystery, the sisters. ❤️ The magic system was really well done and I sense maybe a sequel on its way? 👀 Definitely worth the read!

This book is just lovely. From the first chapter, I was caught in the web of magical York, and seeing pictures on the author's social media of the locations indicated her skill with description - my visuals were exactly in line with the reality!

I've known folk who lead ghost-walks in London, so was particularly caught in that aspect of the tale. The world-building was slowly dripped rather than info-dumped, which I appreciated, and the characters were well-drawn. Sometimes I found myself getting frustrated with their actions, but this was because I cared about them, rather than because they were unrealistic - the equivalent of shouting 'don't go in there!' at a horror movie! Situations were rarely simply and I can't say I'd act differently.

I especially liked the mixed POV between the 'otherworld' and this. Nothing was clear-cut, not necessarily 'goodies' and 'baddies', but shades of grey in a both literal and metaphorical sense. Life is complex and so is death in this world. Politics may want to set clear lines, but it's not that straightforward, and the acknowledgment of that drew me in even more deeply.

I've already recommended this to friends who love York, and I know the magic of it will reach its audience as word gets around. Glad I had the opportunity to read this adventure!

The Hiding by Alethea Lyons is a gripping supernatural thriller that seamlessly blends elements of horror, mystery, and fantasy. Set in a world where humans coexist with supernatural beings, the story follows Harper, an arcane archivist haunted by disturbing dreams and visions. As she navigates the thin line between the human and supernatural realms, Harper teams up with her demon-hunting foster-sister, a forensic scientist, a spirit she accidentally summoned, and a techno-witch to unravel a series of grisly murders.

Lyons' talent for storytelling shines through in her vivid descriptions and intricate world-building. The dynamic cast of characters adds depth and diversity to the narrative, each bringing their unique skills and perspectives. The camaraderie and tension within the team create a compelling dynamic that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The pacing is relentless, with twists and turns aplenty to keep readers guessing. However, while the plot is engrossing, there are moments where the world-building feels slightly convoluted. Some readers may find themselves wishing for more clarity in certain scenes.

Overall, The Hiding is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of fantasy, especially dark fantasy, thanks to its richly imagined world and compelling characters. A big thank you to NetGalley, Alethea Lyons, and Brígids Gate Press for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about a young witch, a hunter of some sort. It reads like a slow burn romance, it takes too long to get to the heart of the action so much so that I could not finish reading the book.

Summary: Harper's visions lead her into a dangerous dance between the supernatural and human realms as a series of gruesome murders terrorize York. Teaming up with her demonhunter foster-sister, a forensic scientist, a summoned spirit, and a techno-witch, Harper must unravel the mystery before she becomes the next victim – or gets hanged as a witch.


Pros:
🌟 Four stars for this magical murder mystery! "The Hiding" boasts great prose that's more enchanting than a wizard's spell and a plot with more twists than a magical broomstick ride.

😄 The magic system is a gem – unique, detailed, and as captivating as a potion's swirl. Lyons weaves a world where supernatural elements and human intrigue coexist seamlessly.

👭 Harper and Grace's sisterly bond adds heart to the tale, proving that even in the midst of magical mayhem, sisterhood prevails.

Cons:
🧙‍♂️ If you're allergic to magic, potions, and demons, this might not be the ideal elixir for your taste buds. But hey, where's your sense of wonder?

💖 While the romance is a bit cliche, it's like a familiar spell that doesn't detract from the overall enchantment of this wonderful tale.


📚 In conclusion, "The Hiding" is a magical journey that blends mystery, sisterhood, and supernatural elements into a spellbinding potion. Alethea Lyons, you've brewed up a tale that's more captivating than a wizard chess match. Bravo! 🧙‍♀️📚

Disclaimer: A wand-sized thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for this ARC. All opinions are as uniquely mine as a potion brewed with unicorn tears. 🦄📚

I really enjoyed this story. The author creates beautiful prose that ensnared you vividly within the world she is creating. This is my first ghost based novel and I have to say I was very impressed. The story is layered well and the magical systems are unique and interesting. I loved the relationship between Harper and her sister and was impressed with how well all of the characters were written and developed within this story, allowing you to connect with the side characters you may not usually form a bond with. As someone who lives in the UK I really enjoyed that it was set in York and the ghostly elements of this story weren't just about how somewhere is haunted but far more intricate.

This was a spectacular debut and I look forward to more from this author

Time is running out for arcane archivist Harper as mystery and terror plague York.

Lyons is brilliant at writing flowery prose while still building mystifying suspense. I very much enjoyed the mystery of this story. The romance can be a bit cliché, but enjoyable and secondary to the fantasy. Overall, a worthwhile read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for this ARC.

This is a lovely witchy, creepy story where we follow Harper, a hidden witch, and her sister Grace in their investigation of supernatural murders. Well plotted, and quietly written, I would recommend this to fellow urban fantasy and mystery readers alike. Thank you to Alethea Lyons and Brigids Gate Press for the opportunity to read such a lovely story.

I kind of love the romance in the book and how cliche it is from the very beginning (it isn't as cliche as the story goes on but still sometimes) and how the world was built. If you like supernatural stories, this one is for you! Even though I have to add that it felt a bit like the stories you map out in your head when you can't sleep, at least for me. Doesn't make it bad though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available wide on March 5,2024!

This was a well written creepy gaslight book with solid characters and plot. I liked the relentless atmosphere of the book. The whodunit vibes mixed with the supernatural. Enjoyable read.

Thank you Alethea Lyons, Netgalley and Brigids Gate Press for this free ARC in exchange for a review.

I enjoyed this fantasy horror thriller. It was nice how the villain was three dimensional, and that there was none of the typical insta-love, and even though there is a crush, it doesn’t take away from, or take over the story.

It’s good how the main story was resolved in the end, yet there are still several mysteries to be solved, so I’m guessing there will be a sequel, and I plan to read it.

Lyons did such a crafty and spellbinding job creating a dark and sinister, supernatural world centered around a real-life city.

My only critique was how terribly cliche the romantic bits were. Especially in the beginning with the FMC tripping on a crowded street and the male hero just happened to be there to catch her? And her instant response to him was not "thank you" but introducing herself with her full name, because that's what you do with complete strangers? Is this a 90's rom-com?

Because of how crafty she was with everything else, I guess I expected more creativity from Lyons when it came to this.

Thank you Netgalley and Brigids Gates Press for the digital ARC.