This was a beautiful read, it really felt like Ilse was neurodiverse and that resonated with me and I suppose in the end, she was - in also loved that the end showed us what happened in the future! Something i wish more authors did

A chilling, thrilling story of a girl born without fear and a world where fear is literal currency to keep the village she lives in safe.

In order to save her sister's life, she is forced to enter a cursed wood.

This was a powerful narrative of the power - and lack - women possess. The female characters in this book are denied their agency by the men, scorned for the very thing that keeps them all safe.

Our main character goes on a journey of discovery and along the way makes a little family of her own - Hans was too sweet for this cruel world.

It has everything you could want, magic, a fantastic world of saints and god like beasts, going to the ends of the world for those you love and the sweetest f/f romance you ever did see.

The ending while very bittersweet was also fulfilling, a great book all round.

Thank you for this arc.

This was brilliant! I was suprised to be honest.. it was so well written.
The plot was enjoyable and the story kept you engaged especially as id found myself in a book slump and this was a perfect read to get me out.
Likeable well written characters.

This was an incredible read. It’s hauntingly beautiful, the characters are incredibly well written and fleshed out, and the twists just keep coming.

Born without fear, FMC has to venture into the cursed woods next to her village to try find her fear and save her sister. The book follows her journey through the forest, with a few companions along the way. The plot was really well built - detailed but not complicated, twisty but not convoluted. It keeps you on your toes with what’s coming next. The characters are interesting and three dimensional, and the sapphic romance was very well portrayed - it didn’t feel shoehorned in, and was beautifully written.

It felt very poignant at times with how women are depicted. The sacrifices the women (and girls) make to keep their village safe, whilst the men live normally. It’s an excellent commentary on the role of women in society. There was one scene at the end (how the final ‘battle’ played out) which was truly breathtaking.

4.5/5, rounded up to 5.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

This book is hauntingly beautiful, and it is easily my new favourite book. I fear nothing shall ever surpass how I feel about this book. It has everything that I need, and all I desire is to read and reread this book for the rest of eternity. If I were to die with this book in my hands, I would be at my happiest, I am in love with this book. If I ever, ever shut up about this, then something is terribly wrong.

Emily Cooper has woven an intricate web of complex, unique characters, characters whom I deeply love and care about. Characters who live in such a peculiar world.

Fear is survival in Heulensee, the force that protects the village - women offer up their fear to the Saint of Fear, and the village is protected from the monsters of the forest. The Saint of Fear came to protect Heulensee from the horrors of the Hexenwald forest …. Or did it? Monstrous things emerge from the forest when the sky turns red, and the Saint of Fear demands that women and girls offer up their fear to it - in return, it will save Heulensee. But first, it will feast on their fear.

This book is a brilliant exploration of the sacrifices of women and girls, and the world that moulds them. Heulensee is accustomed to sacrificing them, their fates interwoven with a beast. But Ilse Odenwald is not afraid.

I was only able to read the first couple of chapters due to a download problem (on my kindle it appears as three words on a line and then a line repeated. It’s not for the whole book; the start is fine but then it goes strange for quite some time before returning to normal ) making it hard for me to focus.

Which is a shame because what I did manage to read was absolutely mesmerising. It featured such a unique concept of a village that was protected by a kind of Spirit guard that used the woman’s fear as a food source to power itself and destroy the attacking creatures that came from the woods. The main character Ilse doesn’t feel fear and the story focusses around that.

The world building is perfect - lots of information without being overwhelming, the characters intriguing and the plot fascinating. I’m gutted about the download problem and will be seeking to get my own copy when it’s released, as I would love to read it properly.

Season of Fear" by Emily Cooper is a wonderfully haunting novel that draws striking correlations between its story and modern-day society. At its heart, the book serves as a poignant commentary on how women can often become just another statistic when faced with adversity. However, it also showcases the incredible strength and resilience that emerges when they band together to achieve great things.

One of the standout elements of the book is the sacred sisterly bond that permeates the story. This bond is a testament to the power of unity and the unwavering support that women can offer one another in the face of challenges. It beautifully illustrates how these connections can provide strength and encouragement, leading to remarkable accomplishments.

The protagonist's journey is both inspiring and relatable. Initially reluctant to accept any help, she strives to tackle her challenges alone. Yet, as the story unfolds, she learns the value of camaraderie and the power of friendship through her bond with Hans. This relationship evolves into a cornerstone of the narrative, highlighting the importance of support and trust.

One of the most compelling themes in "Season of Fear" is the courage to confront one's own fears and the mysterious things that lurk in the darkness. The book beautifully illustrates that sometimes, our greatest fears are not as terrifying as they seem, and facing them head-on can lead to profound personal growth.

Emily Cooper's masterful descriptions of the forest transport readers right into its depths, making the setting come alive with vivid imagery. The relationships created and nurtured throughout the story add depth and warmth, making it easy to become emotionally invested in the characters' journeys.

Overall, "Season of Fear" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read that leaves a lasting impact. It's a testament to the power of unity, friendship, and the courage to face the unknown.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for the ARC copy of this book.

Season of Fear is a haunting, delightfully twisted tale of Ilse, a girl born without fear, who must forsake family, tradition, and the life that she has known to enter the Hexenwald, a forest where only monsters dwell, to stop a false god from destroying everyone she loves.

Season of Fear was beautifully written with an intriguing plot, memorable characters, and gave the powerful message that true family isn't always linked by shared blood.

The author leaned heavily into the themes of empowerment, feminism and found family, and while this contributes greatly to the overall success of the book, I felt the finale fell flat, and was somewhat lacking.

this is such a phenomenal read, Emily's writing is so enchanting and engaging, I felt so seen and simultaneously so angry and intrigued and wholeheartedly invested. season of fear is for the Labour (the cacophony) girlies for sure. this is a story that I'll be thinking about probably until I die. I can't wait to recommend this to literally everyone I've ever met.

This was a really intriguing and tense read. It was wonderfully dark and mysterious, with interesting dynamic relationships, and a narrative that kept me eagerly reading on to see what would happen. Aside from the amazing prose, the themes of accepting yourself for who you are and refusing to give in to others expectations of you shone through, leaving an inspiring and hopeful message. I loved the queer representation and the w/w relationship was wonderfully written. Overall, a really great read.