Cover Image: Havenfall (excerpt)

Havenfall (excerpt)

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I was excited for this one, it's not quite what I imagined but it was a good beginning. I hope there's more action in later chapters.

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I was provided a short excerpt by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As the excerpt only provided the prologue and first chapter, I am unable to give an overall review.

The novel is based on an inn that resides on Earth, or Haven, which is considered a neutral meeting area for other worldly inhabits who have portals beneath Havenfall. No one can survive in the others world, except for in Haven. However, there are dark, soul sucking creatures that were loosed into the world and act as shape shifters.

Maddie, the narrator, wants to eventually become the new innkeeper, but she is plagued by tragedy in her past. In the first chapter, enough is amiss to know that something is going on at the inn, but we are not told what at this point in the novel .

The premise seems interesting and the first chapter was easy to get through. There are potential plot lines to keep me interested. However, it is hard to make a determination about a novel based on its first chapter, especially since first chapters are so heavily looked over now.

At this point, this seems more like a library borrow than a purchase for me.

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I enjoyed this. The worldbuilding was interesting, if a touch overwhelming in the beginning. I interested to see where the characters take us and how the plot develops as the story moves forward.

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From the short blurb I got from this story, it instantly sucked me and wouldn't let me go. Maddie coming back to Havenfall to see that it isn't as perfect as it seems was enlightening and enthralling. I cannot wait to get my hands on a finish copy of this book!

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**A sample of two chapters were provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

From what I’ve gleaned, the novel follows Maddie Marrow as she travels to Havenfall to prove herself to her Uncle Marcus that she would be the best successor to the family business. Havenfall is the only place where she can feel assertive and in control, whereas anywhere else, she is plagued by the shadow of her mother’s supposed crime of murdering Maddie’s older brother eleven years prior.

The beginning of the sample two chapters started with a summary of the different worlds connected to (or shut off from) our world aka Haven. I didn’t really take to these summaries. Perhaps they would have done better left as a glossary at the end of the novel seeing as “Havenfall” will eventually explain these places and their people in the text.

Which brings up another point. Because of these brief summaries, the first chapter of the novel flies by a little too quickly. The readers are given multitudes of exposition dependent on the summaries rather than slowly letting the reader acclimate to the new environment. I would understand if this novel was a part of the author’s previously explored universe, but “Havenfall” is supposed to be a stand-alone duology. Let the reader settle in.

That was where the second chapter did better. As Maddie traveled, she slowed down on rapid fire revelations about her life and family and focused more on the environment. I’m not usually one for present tense first person POV’s, but the prose was well written and detailed enough to give me an idea of where Maddie was at.

I already like Taya and secretly hope that she and Maddie start something either romantically or at the very least form a strong bond of friendship. I want to know more about the different worlds, and not through summaries blurbed at the beginning.

Overall, this was a decent start. I wasn’t entirely hooked seeing as I had to keep up with the blast of info at the start. Maybe the pacing for the second chapter will continue on throughout the novel?

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This was a very interesting beginning of a book, it quickly pulled me into the story, and it left me highly anticipating for the whole book when it comes out, you know I'm going to buy it right away.

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I love this excerpt so much. This was my first Sara Holland book and i couldn't wait to read the whole book.

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Can't wait to see where this story will go. A very strong start that is leaving you with wanting more.

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Havenfall by Sara Holland

After reading the excerpt, I am very excited to see where this story goes! Sara Holland always has such a wonderful way of building world's. They come alive on the page. I am sure that Havenfall will be no different!

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The excerpt does a nice job of describing the worlds in this book. We do get to meet Maddie, the protagonist. She is on her way to Havenfall, where her uncle is an innkeeper for a peace-keeping inn that exists between worlds. The first few chapters were interesting, with a lot of information. I'm hopeful that the rest of the book will have more action and more interaction- the last chapter in the excerpt was promising, as we got to meet another character with Maddie.

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I was so excited to read this! I loved the author's previous work (Everless) and was ecstatic to read a new series.

Heavenfall is full of promise, I just feel this preview was too short to deliver. It's too soon for me to form any real opinions. Despite that, I'm curious about this world and would like to see more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a preview of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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totally requested this based on that gorgeous cover. i go back and forth on excerpts, sometimes they make me cranky and need to get the full book in my hands asap, other times they are far too short and don't go deep enough for me to want to read the full story. i'm on the fence about this one, i think. i'm curious to see where it goes, but not champing at the bit to get to it either. beauty of excerpts i guess.

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Wasnt able to start this book because I'm really looking forward to reading the whole thing ! I can't start it and not have the rest ! It would drive me crazy!

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Havenfall has all the things I find fascinating within a book. A small quirky town, magical elements, and characters with a backstory. We follow Maddie our main character who has been shadowed by her families past and desires to get away for the summer and go to a little place called Havenfall where she feels most at home. Havenfall is a mysterious town where her uncle is the innkeeper of a inn that sits at the top of the mountain.The hotel and the characters within all come to life in this beautifully written book.

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I loved the preview of Sara Holland's upcoming novel. It's lush and intriguing while giving the comfort of a well written book. I cannot wait to read the entire book

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5/5! I LOVED this excerpt! I can't wait to read the entire novel!!!!! Is it March yet?? The characters and world-building were superbly done.

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I requested an excerpt of this novel and am, at the moment, unable to make a decision. The excerpt is pretty sure and unfortunately, it's not enough to make a decision. I guess that is okay considering that I am willing to buy the novel when it's released so I will give it 2.5 of 5.

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I fell in love with the cover of the book, but I really really loved the descriptions of the worlds and magic. I found myself wanting Taya and Maddie to eventually be in a relationship, but I wonder if that is just my wishful thinking. I can't wait till I get the full book!

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An interesting short little preview of the book. Haven sounds like an interesting place to start a new/between world story, but I'm not sure if its got me yet. Maybe too soon to tell. I will definitely add it to my TBR pile but it's a little ways down. Thanks for the opportunity to read the ARC Except.

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What an exciting concept! I loved how intricate the story line was. A very "Lord of the Rings meets Harry Potter" sort of feel. Maddie was instantly likable and relatable, with just enough trauma in her life to make me want to know more about her, and see where she was headed. The hint of danger really works well in this story. Quite sad this was only an excerpt, but it definitely made me want to carry on with the story, so I'll have to pick up my own copy. I definitely feel like this book was well on its way to being a 4-5 star read for me.

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