This one just did not live up to the hype I made of it for myself. It’s a read I don’t find very memorable, but I did really like the authors writing style.

I wasn’t able to finish this book. Because of this, it is my policy not to review the book on my site or on Goodreads/Amazon. I also didn’t mark it DNF.

I devoured her tiger series. In fact, I bought the tiger series for my home bookshelf, there is something about this book that I just could not embrace. I could leave it sitting for long periods of time without reading.

I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This has been on my TBR pile for so long, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. I really enjoyed the storyline and seeing the characters change throughout the story was a great character development. The plot was great and kept my attention. I'm glad I got the chance to read this and will be on the lookout for more in the future!

I totally loved this story the descriptions of the various steampunk items in the otherworld was done so perfectly that i could picture them clearly. I did feel that at first Ember did not fit with the idea of a 17 year old more like a 13 or 14 year old but by the time she gets done in the otherworld she comes into her own. I really was routing for jack to be with ember and i like the fact that this not just a story about a witch in love with a lantern. This is also a story about a world on a brink of failing, a love story between vampires, werewolves and witches, a story about magic and heartache. I think colleen wove a fantastical tale based on a story we all know and love. Her spin on it was a delight to read.

I absolutely love Colleen Houck so I grabbed this book. I struggled to get into it the first time I attempted to read it. However, this time I flew through it. There was still a little bit of confusion in a couple places for me but it was such a good book.

I love all that revolve around horror or the hollow. I don't usually read horror and I don't know that I would really consider this horror but it was a such a great story. I truly hope there may be a book two in the future but I don't see how that would be possible either.

Well rounded and well ended. I look forward to her next book. I think I can officially say I have read all of this authors books and look forward to reading more.

Thank you for allowing me early access to this title. The following review is from my own thoughts and opinions n the title.

I was super excited that I was approved for this title. the cover was exquisite, the premise sounded creepy, and standalones are my FAVORITE! This book unfortunately feel flat for me. This was more on the younger side of YA, almost middle grade, and there was nothing life changing or creepy about it. The MC is just a run of the mill boring heroine that happens to be a witch. The romance was lacking (which is probably the only thing that I would have liked about the book but was just unnecessary instead.)

this was my first read from this author and it left me with no desire to pursue other titles. I would recommend the book during fall as it has a Halloween-ish vibe and witches. I would recommend it with the thought of someone who enjoys steampunk books that are a quick read.

I've liked Colleen Houck's books before, but at this point I think I'm past that stage of my life. I'm a very different person, and I don't enjoy her history of taking from cultures that aren't hers. So I won't be reading this one.

This one started off really promising. I thought the characters were interesting and it was a perfect read for October. But it took a weird turn and I felt like nothing happened for 100 pages... and then BAM so much stuff happened in the last 20 pages and it just felt very off pace. I think it had potential but it just didn’t work for me. Thank you netgalley for my free copy in exchange for a review.

I love witch books so was excited to give this spooky standalone a try. Ember is not the most well developed or easiest to root for character, and there was a love triangle, which isn't my favorite. But the story world is imaginative and well-described and there are plenty of spooky side characters to add ambiance.

I'd recommend this to younger readers who are looking for a fun, spooky read that's not too thrilling or scary.

I tried reading this book but sadly I didn't make it very far while reading this book. I think that the different point of views made it a bit difficult to understand . I usually love this author's books and I hoped that this one would work out for me.

I normally love Colleen Houck’s novels, and I was so excited to read The Lantern’s Ember, but I could not seem to get invested in the story, so it took me ages to get through it. Great idea, but could have used better execution.

The Lantern's Ember
By: Colleen Houck
Published by: Random House Children's / Delacorte Press

This is a unique and imaginative retelling of the Jack O' Lantern story with what felt like a steampunk Otherworld vibe. Jack accepted the lesser of two evils when his town was cursed by a witch. Ironically enough Jack takes it upon himself to look after a witch many, many years later. It is Jack's job to guard the crossroads and to keep the two worlds, ours which is full of colonial humans and the Otherworld, which is full of steampunk urban sprawl and any imaginable creature from ghosts to trolls and everything in between. Jack is instructed to keep an eye out for any witches, you see they are very valuable for their witchlight, the spark inside of them that can power the Otherworld's most other worldly electrical devises and such. Jack takes it upon himself to look over Ember a young witch who is being raised by her elderly aunt who understands magic but doesn't perform any, leaving Ember to make it up as she goes along. Such an inquisitive girl who grows into a very gifted young woman who wants to see her "guardian" and learn about the Otherworld. Thus starts her adventure with a vampire, pirates, people who are more machine than human, and her childhood friend Finney. This was a delightful story that will appeal to young adults as well as adults with rich, descriptive words leading the imagination on an out of this world adventure. All of the main characters have something to offer in the way of quality of character even if they start out being the "shadier" sort of character.

This definitely makes for a great fall read. Who can beat paranormal and romance on a fall day? First, the cover is gorgeous. The plot is also super unique. It should probably be classified more as middle grade than young adult though. Which is a shame because I feel like it would have been so much better with a bit more scariness to it.

I absolutely fell in love with this book and even created a bookmark of Jack and his horse. I love the feisty female character and how the story came together. Definitely recommend!

The cover of this is gorgeous however the story fell a little flat for me. I had high hopes for this one and I expected a little bit more.

I usually love Houck's books but this one wasn't for me. I had a hard time getting into the story. I still think that writing is great just found that this didn't fit my personality.

While I was hoping for a scarier read, I did really enjoy this story however! Especially the steampunk elements that she wove into the story! The character development was my favorite piece. As the story developed my love for the characters grew! I would recommend this book if you enjoy fun and thrilling reads!

I LOVED this book!!!
Soooo much.

It was so unique. And so flipping creative. And gahhh! I just every page.

The characters were compelling and fun to see what was going to happen to them. And even relatable at times.

I just found myself so lost in this one. And couldn't help but flip through the pages whenever I got the chance to sit down and read.

This story will pull you in quick. And leave you gobbling it up quicker.

Definitely a 5 star read

*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free copy in exchange for an honest review*


I had really high hopes for this book. I love a good spooky story, so this one seemed perfect. But it wasn’t. There is a good world that’s built and lore was good too but I felt like this book focused too much on romancey feels and less on the scariness.