The Luminaries

Enchanting. I dived head first into this book and I was completely immersed in the story. Ah I loved it. It’s the sort of book that you start reading and immediately want to line up the next one because you know you’re going to love it so much and know you’re going to be left wanting more. Which I was!

The story was great. I loved the concept of the luminaries. The training to fight the nightmares, the overcoming obstacles and misfortunes, the sense of working towards something.

Winnie is a great character and she’s so easy to get to love. It was ace seeing her tackle the three trials to become a hunter and I was behind her the whole way. The audiobook helped with the sense of immersiveness for me as it was narrated so effortless, it took me nothing at all to slip into it.

Next one needed stat! I can’t wait to get back to Hemlock Falls.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

A new world filled with the wildest dreams and wildest creatures!

The book had mixed reviews when it was out in December, but the Audiobook is perfect. The book has a gorgeous cover and the narrator's voice makes it so engaging that I like Jake's character more.

The storyline was beautiful and the relief with this Fantasy book was that it did not end on a major cliffhanger. There are still unresolved topics, but I was content with how things were handled in book 1 and excited for the next part. Also, the blurb of the book gives you perfect insight so need nothing else to jump in.

Genre: #scifi #fantasy #teens #ya
Rating: 4/5 ⭐

Thankyou @netgalley @stdennard @torbooks @bolindaaudio @macmillankidsuk

#TheLuminaries #NetGalley

I really enjoyed listening to the audio book, the narrator did a great job
The actual story was a fast paced and exciting read. The characters were likeable and had great growth throughout the book.
Looking forward to the next book, can't wait to see what's in store

This was a fun, fast-paced read that hooked me from the first page!

Winnie is such a lovable main character that you can't help but root for her. The development her character went through was amazing especially knowing her sad backstory. The monsters in the forest are introduced to the reader mostly through Winnie reciting the Compendium, which is a detail I absolutely love.

The overall mystery aspect of the book is really well done and especially after that ending, I need to find out how Winnie's and Hemlock Fall's story continues!

The audiobook is narrated by Caitlin Davies, who did an awesome job of bringing this book to life. Her voice was such a pleasure to listen to and she made sure to make every character clearly distinguishable to the reader.

If you’re looking for a new fantasy novel to get stuck into that’s lots of fun and a great easy read, then I definitely recommend picking this one up - I was hooked!

Whilst there are myths and monsters going on, I’d still say this could be a great entry level fantasy because the themes aren’t overly complex and there’s no crazy world building to try and get your head around - it’s a bit more like a Buffy but with way more than vampires and a whole society to protect people from the monsters that live outside Hemlock Falls. I loved our lead character Winnie, although I did wish she was a bit less passive in the action scenes - I wanted her to bust out some serious moves but she’s more about the bravery and brains than muscle 🤣 Obviously there’s some slow burn friends to lovers going on with her and Jay which I’m hoping will get steamy in book two, but I really enjoyed their dynamic even without that! And I’m excited to unravel the mystery of the whisperers (not to be confused with TWD ones!) which was super creepy and intriguing.

Basically I really loved this one and am seriously looking forward to how it all unfolds in book two!

This was a fabulous fast-paced read! A highly enjoyable supernatural fantasy, full of mystery, action and lots of monsters.

Winnie Wednesday is brilliant - I loved following her heartwarming and thrilling story through the mysteriously eerie Hemlock Falls, as she tries to become a hunter (and re-claim her family’s disgraced reputation).

The book is the perfect start to what will hopefully be a great series. The premise is truly intriguing, world building fantastic and writing really good. I look forward to reading more from the Luminaries.

4.7 stars

The luminaries

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Okay I LOVED this, I went into this completely blind as I got it from my Illumicrate subscription but I also got the audio arc from net galley🥳

This book is such a cosy fantasy and I really enjoyed the whole book, I loved Winnies backstory and how determined she is.

Jay seems so in love i cant cope??

Emma and britta seem lush aswell i love them.

The nightmare descriptions are incredible and I can’t believe this book is only just over 300 pages?? I feel like there was so much action and just a lot to go through in such a short book.

The set up for book 2 was incredible, i am so excited to read book 2❤️

I just loved this book. The blurb piqued my interest and I'm so glad I decided to listen via audiobook. I'm a big fan of audiobooks they just bring the stories to life and the narrator had such a calming voice I was soon transported to Hemlock Falls.

Winnie Wednesday, what a brilliant name, and her family have been outcast by the Luminaries because of her father. They are shunned by almost everyone. On her 16th birthday she's allowed to take 3 trials to become an hunter.

Such a great cast of characters and I loved Winnie's attitude when things finally changed for her. I'm already looking forward to the second book in the series

4.5 stars

A great fantasy book filled with nightmarish creature and a clever, brave heroine.

The story is dark but permeated with a light feeling, which is a nice contrast I didn't experience before... it definitely works though.

The characters are well-rounded and lovable, and I've been really invested in the story since the start. The ending is satisfying and the message she decodes at the end... a complete surprise, I can't wait for book 2!!

A big shout out to the narrator Caitlin Davies who did a brilliant job bringing everyone to life with a unique personality, and delivered the descriptive parts in a very engaging way!

Definitely a book I recommend!

The Luminaries by Susan Denneard
Bolindaaudio
Thanks to Bolindaaudio for providing this ARC. I really enjoy the narration in this book. This was an excellent fast-paced read! A fantastic supernatural fantasy full of mystery, action, and plenty of monsters.

Winnie Wednesday is brilliant - I loved observing her heartwarming and thrilling story as she tries to become a hunter (and reclaim her family's disgraced reputation) through the strangely eerie Hemlock Falls.

It was over quicker than I expected.

I really enjoyed this YA fantasy! I thought The Luminaries was fast paced and full of mystery and action. Winnie was a likable main character who was strong willed and determined to help her family. I really liked the twins and how they did not care that Winnie was considered an outcast. Jay was an interesting character that definitely has secrets… one in particular is pretty easy to guess! I found the forest and all the nightmares were so intriguing and eerie! Although I enjoy the ending, I feel like there are so many secrets and mysteries to be uncovered still, and I can’t wait for the next book!

I was very gladly surprised! I absolutely devoured this! As soon as I started listening I was invested! The setting was so well set, and scary to certain degrees! But it really made me feel like I was part of the Luminaries community ! I am not sure which family I would belong to though!

The Luminaries by Susan Dennard Narrated by Caitlin Davies ...........I wasn't sure if I would like this book but the cover caught my eye I am so glad it did and it did not disappoint - It was beautifully written from start to finish and I Loved it. especially as it was fast paced and full of mystery, with lots of action and scary monsters.

Hemlock Falls isn't like other towns. You can not find it on a map, your up to date phone won't work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you.

So be aware before you venture in!!!!

Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join The Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie's town and the rest of humanity. This protects from the all monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night of the year.

Do you still want to venture in?

Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her 16th birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal and restore her family's good name – or die trying. But in order to survive, Winnie enlists the help of the one person who can help her train. He is called Jay Friday and known as the resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. However, together, he and Winnie will discover a danger that is lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is safe and prepared for it .

WoW.............So strap your self in and open your kindle or turn this audiobook on. It will not disappoint it was brilliant and I loved all the characters especially Winnie Wednesday She was excellent. But I wouldn't like to meet her in a dark alley, But I know she would have my back!!!!

The narrator Caitlin Davies was excellent and bought this book to life.

I highly recommend this book

From the cover I think I was expecting something a little older, but once I’d worked out this was Teen (Winnie, the protagonist is sixteen) I was along for the ride. Dennard gives us a vivid depiction of Hemlock Falls, where Nightmares rise from the mist in the forest each night, killing whatever crosses their path, unless the hunters of the Luminaries can get to them first. The forest is a character in and of itself, and if protagonist Winnie is to become a hunter as she desires, and restore her family name, she’ll have to learn to navigate it and trust it. I listened on audio which really brought the story to life and I’ll be looking out for the next installment.

The moment I started to get into the story, I was swirled into it straight away. As smooth as it started, the story about Luminaries and Winnies life seemed to flow as a river. There was enough of story telling and action, dialogue were easy to follow same as to follow the action that happened during the book.

Only one thing that annoyed me was Winnie and how sometimes she were acting, but throughout the story you can see her growing in character and personality.

The story started with so many questions why, how and all of them were answered in the book. I still have some questions about Jay, Winnies dad and Whisperer but I hope I will get a chance to know the answers to them later.

Im so glad I had a chance to read this book. And the narrator were amazing too

A lovely book, easy to listen too. And a great story. It had everything I loved in it! Magic and monster!

Thank you for the audiobook

I absolutely loved this novel. The narrator Catlain has the perfect voice and it made me want to keep listening.

The storyline is fantastic and kept me gripped throughout.
The chapters flew by really quickly and the characters were great.
I really liked Winnie.

I loved everything about this novel. It got me out of a reading stump.

Thank you again to the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the audiobook.