I enjoyed the sample and look forward to reading the rest

From just reading the sampler, I know that this book is going to be filled with magic, mystery and wonder! I look forward to reading about Makepeace's adventure and her journey to self discovery!

I would've appreciated knowing this was just a sampler rather than a full story. It's not very clear from the original page. I can't review a sampler fully to my own satisfaction, unfortunately, so I won't be posting this one on my blog until I read the full book.

The one thought I have coherently about this is I love the writing. It's atmospheric; there's something strangely eerie about the way this was written. It's downright creepy, as a matter of fact.

This preview made me so excited for the actual book! It's written beautifully!

If the rest of this book is as good as the first 5 chapters, it will be devoured in a day. Easily. I've not read much by the author but I've enjoyed, although not been blown away by, what I have read. Until now. With very dark undertones, it's right up my alley and I can't wait to read the rest!

I received only an excerpt of this book, so can't comment on the entire novel. The opening is jam-packed with events, but I can't really tell where this book is headed from what I read, other than that it will involve ghosts and guilt. Still, it was intriguing enough to make me want to read more, and I look forward to the book's release.

❝ Mother was like this sometimes. Conversations became riddles with traps in them, and your answers had consequences.❞

*This is based on a sample of the first 5 chapters

I am really happy to have read this sample, and also kind of sad because it's not the whole thing, haha. 

I think the story started out with just the right amount of trouble because Makepeace woke up screaming of for the third time. This is obviously a routine that Mother and Makepeace must play through often, but one that is getting old. It's not long before Mother makes a startling revelation about the source of her daughter's nightmares: ghosts.

When Mother uses an unconventional tactic to help Makepeace deal with the unseen forces it changes everything between them and sets in motion events which will change Makepeace's life forever. 

❝ Makepeace followed her home in silence, head bowed. She knew that Mother always had reasons for everything she did. But for the first time Makepeace found that she could not forgive her, and afterwards nothing was the same.❞

I really liked the writing style and overall tone of the story. I think I would probably compare it to something like The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco or The Beast is an Animal by Peternelle van Arsdale. 

I liked the careful detail put into creating the setting of this religious-driven world that Mother and Makepeace lived in. They strived to fit in and yet couldn't quite make it work. Grizehays, on the other hand, seemed to run by its own rules. 

I'd love to see where this story goes and I can't wait for this book to be out so I can enjoy the rest of it. I would highly recommend checking this one out!

I am a big fan of Frances Hardinge. She always pulls you into the story right off the bat and keeps you entertained until the very end. This book was no exception.

THIS CHICK HAS A BEAR IN HER HEART!

I only received the first few chapters to review, but I am already hooked and want to know what's going to happen to Makepeace and her ghost bear.

Gorgeous prose, imaginative world. This is only a short sampler so I can't speak for the rest of the novel, but from what I'm seeing here I think I will really like this one. I've enjoyed Hardinge's work in the past so I'm aware of the talent and skill she's capable of and I can't wait to read the full book!

Thank you for this sampler! I started it and actually had to force myself to stop reading and wait for the full version because I was getting addicted already. Hardinge is, as expected, creative and brilliant in her storytelling - I can't wait!

The cover is eye catching which I like the book is very different from what I expected it's way much more darker and interesting. You want to know what will happen to her when she meets her father's family and you can't help but feel angry and hurt for her. This is a very quick read I liked it but didn't fall in love with it but I do recommend it if you like dark books.

Since this book was in PDF form and only a free sample, I've decided not to read it due to my eye condition

It's hard to get the measure of a book from only five chapters, but there's an interesting plot here. I definitely plan to read the entire book when it releases.

I wasn't aware when requesting that this was a excerpt. I loved what I read and will be checking out the full book.

I love the way Hardinge words her descriptions. They're almost whimsical and I was immediately hooked. I can't speak to the entire story as this is only a portion but I'm intrigued and would definitely pick this one up based on this portion alone.

Since I only read a sample I can give the book three stars. But from what I read it looks like to be an interesting story and I look forward to find out how the story continues.

Rating for the first 5 chapters: 4/5

Though initially the story started out clunky in dialogue, the story smoothed as it went on and left me sufficiently hooked that only having five chapters made me sad - though the story is only being set up in those 5 chapters, it has laid the premise for an interesting tale, crossing history with fantasy and some truths. At times, the character came across older than a 12 year old, but this is certainly a story I'm going to look for at the publication date so that I can read the remaining chapters.

I'm looking forward to reading the full book when it comes out! It was great to get a peek at the first few chapters. Frances Hardinge creates powerful and unusual atmospheres with detailed characters and interesting plots. One of her books is always a treat and A Skinful of Shadows will not disappoint!