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havenfall by sara holland is a ya fantasty fiction book. my copy came through from my illumicrate march ‘world’s collide’ box and is a beautiful copy with blue sprayed edges, signed bookplate and ribbon bookmark. here’s the synopsis:

“maddie morrow knows that havenfall is more than it seems. beneath the beautiful sprawling inn lie the hidden gateways to three ancient realms. byrn, fjordenkill and solaria. maddie’s destiny is here, rooted in her family’s promise to protect the fragile alliance between the worlds. but when a brutal murder shatters the peace and someone she loves stands accudsed maddie must step forward to protect the place – and the people – she cares for the most. her safe haven will never be the same again.”

affiliate link to purchase the book below

first impressions of havenfall by sara holland

i’ve seen this book all over bookstagram and i absolutely love the cover, it’s gorgeous. the book is pretty small for a hardback and just over 300 pages long. for me this is a great sized read and one i can tackle in just a few days i’m sure. the synopsis sounds really intriguing. i’ve read other work by sara holland before and enjoy her writing so my first impressions are positive.

the first few chapters

these were really full of detail in the writing and you already know a lot about maddie, where and why she’s going, a bit of a secret she’s carrying and that she’s kind of not supposed to be doing what she’s doing. she comes across as pretty introverted yet someone that has found and knows her place and just wants to be there. i completely empathise with her rebellious reasoning. the first couple of chapters introduce havenfall really well too and had a feeling of anticipation for what was waiting for maddie at the inn. even though it’s in a realm without magic, it felt magic, as maddie says.

havenfall book review (may contain spoilers)

Frustratingly, I ended up giving this book about three stars. It started off so well but throughout the middle I was just getting so frustrated with Maddie. She comes across as so naive and indecisive, the kind of person in real life that would really frustrating. I get that she’s only 17 and not every 17 year old knows exactly what they want to do with their life. I know they have moments of being distracted or not seeing the big picture. I also know I wasn’t like that at 17 and so it really frustrates me reading about something I actually can’t really empathise with. I just can’t get into the story as much or in the head of the character. Maybe that’s because I’m older? I don’t know. I know this frustration was shared.

I found some of the plot points really predictable too and quite obvious. When the reader finds things obvious ages before the protagonist I just find it’s not good planning really. Sometimes it felt like the book was trying to go into another direction but because of Maddie’s character I just ended up getting annoyed and frustrated with her not seeing what was truly obvious. I think my partner suggested I DNF (do not finish) the book at one point but I’d already invested my time into the first half and hoped it redeemed itself.

The book does redeem itself but not in the all compassing way I found, for example, Crescent City did, which I ended up giving a five star review because of how it pulled through and blew up in my face. Haven Fall just didn’t do that for me. There were a couple of little surprises and turn of events that weren’t completely predictable but it just didn’t lift the plot as much as I wanted it to.

In the end I didn’t hate the book but it isn’t one I’ll be rereading any time soon. The writing itself is really well done and interesting. The concept is brilliant and some of the side chracters are really compelling. I would like to know more about the world, a few more of the whys and perhaps a more confident Maddie or even another character taking the helm.

One of my goals for 2020 is to read 52 books or around one a week. Some might be new, some are ones I’ve had for a while or been meaning to read, some I haven’t quite finished yet and some will be recommendations from others. You can see all the books I’ve read so far on my Good Reads 2020 Reading Challenge.

hold back the tide by melinda salisbury was included in the book box club mythical monsters april box. it’s a book reminisent of the industrial past in the highlands of scotland. i read the book within a couple of days and it was book 22 on my 52 books reading challenge this year. i rated it 5 stars on good reads. you can purchase the book using my affiliate link on amazon below.

i really did love this book, it was gripping and chilling and had such a creepy atmosphere throughout. i would describe the book as subtle horror. it’s done in such a way that it’s not just the threat that keeps you reading but the mystery because you want to know the truth and the secondary antagonist is an excellent driving force too. at just over 300 pages this book is written well, it’s interesting and the feeling of sheer dread is intertwined with every sub plot. one thing i really appreciate is that the author doesn’t cop out at all for the sake of the readers feelings. she tells the story in it’s complete which i really liked.

alva, the main protagonist of the book is a really interesting character. the fact that it starts with her guide to living with a murderer is really interesting. you do see her as a little cold throughout the book, very isolated and alone, but ultimately you understand why she’s the way she is from the very first page. she’s mature beyond her years for this but it’s clear to tell she has a good heart and wants to be useful and helpful.

i found the feeling of isolation quite poignant with everything going on in the real world right now. it’s a struggle being and feeling isolated in a town with access to all of the things but being in the situation alva is in, a cut off village in the highlands, particularly right now, must be incredibly hard. thankfully, i don’t think anyone is dealing with what alva had to do. the description of the village, the mountain and the loch is done really well and i could imagine the setting throughout really clearly.

affiliate link for hold back the tide

despite the delay and the march world’s collide box coming a little later than scheduled it arrived on 6th april so only a little bit behind schedule. completely understandable with everything going on! i’d actually forgot the theme for this box because i’d been reading more about the april theme but still my box is here, i’m happy and i have a new book and a readalong to join in with. sadly one of the items has been delayed and aims to be sent in the april box later in the month. the previous box was themed ‘sparks fly’.

the worlds collide march box from illumicrate included

burning crowns mug designed by @rosiethorns88 featuring aelin and rowan from the throne of glass series. i love this mug, it’s stunning and the artwork is so good!
shrestha candle by amelia’s kitchen candles inspired by strange the dreamer
city of brass foiled print artwork by slaymate on tumblr
drink me keychain designed by @itsbabypears and inspired by alice in wonderland
his dark materials neckalce designed by @hannahhitchmanart and featuring pantalaimon and lee scoresby’s balloon. this is the item that has been delayed.
collectible coin featuring a faerie king and his queen – but the one i have just seems to feature jude duarte – which is fine it’s a lovely coin.

the book of the month is havenfall by sara holland and i was thrilled to receive this exclusive book with signed bookplate, ribbon bookmark and blue sprayed edges. i saw so many people reading this arc and it looked and sounded so good. i enjoyed some of sara hollands previous books too, everless being one of them, so i’m looking forward to reading this book. here’s the blurb:

“hidden deep in the mountains of colorado lies the inn at havenfall, a sanctuary that connects anciety wolrds, each with their own magic, together. for generations, the inn has protected all who seek regude within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never retgurn. for maddie morrow, summers at the inn are more than a chance to experience this magic first-hand. havenfall is an escape from reality and it’s where one day she hopes to inherit the role of innkeeper from her beloved uncle. but this summer, the impossible happens: a dead body is found, shattering everything the inn stands for. with her uncle gravely injured, and a dangerous creature on the loose, maddie suddenly finds herself responsible for the safety of everyone in havenfall…and she’ll do anything to uncover the truth.”

i think the best thing in the box is the mug for me. i love the design and i’m a huge fan of the throne of glass series. the artwork is great but i will have to switch out some of my older mugs to make space but it’s totally worth it. i love the collectible coins too although i don’t have very many. they’re magnetic so can be kept on the fridge for safe keeping. i also really love the little key chain. alice in wonderland was a big favourite of mine growing up so it’s lovely to have a bit of a keepsake like this.

the theme for april is squad goals which sounds really cool and i can’t wait to see what will be included in the next box. fandoms include squads from the witchlands, aurora rising, lord of the rings, gilded wolves and more. i love the witchlands and lord of the rings, i’m yet to read the other books but i’m sure the merch will encourage and inspire me to learn more about these series!