Exactly as the blurb describes. Which is good and bad. If that is what you are looking for then excellent, however it meant there were few surprises or things I didn’t expect to happen. This book would appeal to teens more than YA I’d say, not that is was bad, it just didn’t require me to think at all. Everything was given to me on a plate. It is what it is and no more, which as I say, isn’t a bad thing if that’s the style of book you like, but for me, I like an extra layer. I was drawn into the story however, and the writing is very good, but even the creatures involved are you typical creatures with only minor additions. Not a bad read, but not one of my top reads by far. A few too many plot holes throughout the book as well, I don’t know if ill bother to pick up the sequel.

I picked a perfect time to read this! While it's set in early spring, the monsters in this book make it a great fall read. Winnie Wednesday lives in Hemlock Falls, where a secret society called the Luminaries hunt the nightmares manifested from the dreams of a sleeping spirit in the forest.

Winnie's family became outcasts after her father betrayed the Luminaries (made up of clans named after each day of the week), and Winnie is determined to earn the prestigious role of Hunter and win back the society's trust.

I enjoyed this book quite a lot, as Dennard is a skillful writer, and never fails to draw the reader in. Many of the monsters were typical, such as vampires, banshees, and werewolves; but with some fresh twists to them, like the vampires walking on needle-point stilt legs.

At times, Winnie's thoughts and actions made her feel younger to me than sixteen, and I think this book would appeal more to teens between 13-15, versus the older set of 16-19.

This story was quite engaging and the ex-best friend/love interest was compelling. The many plot holes interfered with my enjoyment, however:

Winnie’s family are made outcasts because of the betrayal of Winnie’s father, to the extent that her mother’s sister and first cousin treat them viciously… yet Winnie participating in the first Luminary trial is enough to overcome that, even with 6 years of the outcast sentence remaining? Maybe this will be explained in a later book in the series.

Other discrepancies can’t be resolved that way, I fear. For example, Winnie has been training on her own to be a Luminary hunter. To that end, she can run an 8-minute mile, recite entire paragraphs of the Compendium from memory, and spends all her free time drawing nightmare creatures… yet she doesn’t recognize a halfer (described and illustrated in the Compendium) and is easily winded running laps?

Another example: after the first hunter trial, Winnie recognizes she needs help training for the other trials and so she chooses her ex-best friend who dropped her like a hot potato when her family was outcast 4 years before? Even though her mom was Lead Hunter prior to being outcast?

I’m afraid I couldn’t get over contradictions like these in an otherwise interesting and novel story.

Now THIS is what I would consider a spooky season book! This is such an interesting YA novel that weaves magic throughout the entire tale. It brings to life nightmares one would never wish to meet in person and various clans to defend the rest of the world against that darkness. It reminded me of those early 2010’s days where I’d read a book of a young female MC who stays in the shadows until something happens that pulls the attention to them. And… I loved every second of it.

This book is fine. It’s a YA fantasy that is pretty straightforward. Nothing really keeps you at the edge of your seat, but it isn’t bad either. Winnie goes through 3 trials to become a hunter of nightmares (monsters) because her family are outcasts due to her father being caught up with the enemy, the Dianas, a few years ago. There is a bit of a plot twist, but you can see it from a mile away, even if Winnie cannot. Do you come into this as a quick and easy YA read, you won’t be disappointed. Just don’t expect literary genius.

I would like to thank the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this book. I read an advanced copy of this book, so the final edition of the book might be slightly different. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

I’ve been excited about this book since it was just a choose-your-own Twitter adventure, and I was ecstatic to be a part of the physical ARC tour and to be approved for an e-arc! I’m not usually a big urban fantasy fan/reader, but I love Susan Dennard and had so much fun with this story back on Twitter that I couldn’t help but be excited about this!

To begin with, I quite enjoyed all the nods to the original twitter adventures and appreciated that they were still well-hidden enough within the narrative that it wouldn’t bother people who didn’t get the references. It felt like such a fun bonus, and it did help draw me back into this story and world a bit faster. I also really liked how quick and breezy of a read this was, and it was honestly a great break to have in the middle of a busy exam period for me. It was also comforting, returning to this world I’d technically been a part of before, even if the book itself is quite different from the original story we saw on Twitter. It meant I didn’t feel like I was rereading an old favorite, but more experiencing a new, cleaner version of something I’d loved before.

In some cases, it did feel a bit simpler and younger than I had originally been expecting, though at the same time this is a YA book, and does slot perfectly within those expectations. I would say it’s a bit on the younger side of YA compared with some other books (and from what I remember of Truthwitch), and I feel like this is mainly due to the main character. She’s clearly young and naive at points, though this did endear me to her a bit! She’s still extremely driven and passionate about her dream, but she does make mistakes that many teenagers would, and while this can sometimes be frustrating, it does feel extremely realistic for her! 

Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book, even if it was a little less than I was expecting. I still can’t wait for the next installment, and to see what Illumicrate does with their special edition!

(Blog review is live on October 31)

I literally shouted WHAT?! not because the end was a shocking twist but because it went so fast I felt like I only read half a book and I am now Impatient give me book two immediately

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Luminaries releases November 1, 2022

“Culture runs thicker than blood.”

I had really high hopes going into this, but ultimately it fell very flat and was so lackluster.
While the intro chapters were atmospheric, the rest of the story becomes rather stagnant. Usually whatever I read, I have no issue imagining the world or scenery, but I was really struggling with The Luminaries to picture anything — the world building in this urban fantasy could have been developed further.
Honestly, not much more happens in the book than what is outlined in the synopsis which was disappointing. Told in a third person narration, with a lot of filler, this lacked the necessary action and tense to propel and grip a reader.
I have no issues reading from the YA genre, but the writing definitely read as lower YA which wasn’t my favourite.
There was a lot of repetition — popping of chewing gum, teeth clicking, the scent of bergamot and lime, zipping of her zipper, cleaning her smudged glasses. My goodness, to never hear the phrase teeth clicking ever again - it was like nails on a chalkboard for me.

I found the concept of the clans within The Luminaries to be interesting, especially given that all of their surnames are a different day of the week.
I wish the part where the decoding of the messages within the birthday cards was expanded upon because it was one of the only things that piqued my interest. If I were to pick up the next book in this series, it would only be because of that cryptic message that Winnie’s dad left.

Overall, not bad, but I was left wanting a lot more. I thought the world and characters could have been developed more since we still don’t really know a whole lot of anything deeper than surface level stuff.
Hopefully the next installment provides more insight, and dives into the Dianas / who the werewolf is. I love a good traitor/spy/secret inside person - something about villains and misunderstood characters always have me gravitating towards them.

*I didn’t follow the whole choose your own adventure thing on Twitter for this book, but I would assume that those who participated would have a greater investment or connection to this story.

[clan mottos]
Monday: Intellect at the fore. Knowledge is the path.
Tuesday: Strength of body and heart. We hold the line.
Wednesday: The cause above all else. Loyalty through and through.
Thursday: Always prepared. Never without a plan.
Friday: Integrity in all. Honesty to the end.
Saturday: Leadership in deed and word. Persuasion is power.
Sunday: Patience inside. Calm under pressure.


“They forged a bond that they truly believed could never be broken. But that’s the thing about the forest: it can break just about anything. And it did.”

“You either trust the forest or you don’t, Winnie. You have to make up your mind.”

“That’s why we’re called the Luminaries, Winne: we are lanterns the forest can never snuff out.”

As a reader of the original “Sooz your own adventure,” this was so much fun! All I can say is there better be a sequel.

This is, by far, the best book I've read all year.

The blurb was intriguing: who wouldn't be interested in a girl who has to fight to restore her family's reputation in deadly trials, and needs the help of her ex best friend to even have a chance at survival? The descriptions of the forest and the nightmares were so real I could have been standing in Hemlock Falls fighting for my own life, rather than safely reading on the couch. The scenery was ethereal and mysterious, perfect for spooky season.

As far as characters go, Winnie and Jay's awkward dance of "are we friends?" felt just like all uncomfortable interactions in high school should. Winnie was a badass, yet still stumbled and wasn't perfect by any means. She was the perfect heroine for such a unique story.

I'm excited to see this book listed as Luminaries #1, because I definitely need more from this world.

This is my first Susan Dennard book. I’ve seen her books referenced constantly, particularly amongst fans of Sarah J Maas and she’s been acknowledged by several of my favorite authors. This book sadly ended up being a bit of a let down for me; however, I think I went to this with unrealistic expectations

Winnie Wednesday and her family are outcasts. Ever since her father was outed as a Diana, Winnie, her mom and her brother have been ostracized by the Luminaries, the elite warriors who protect the town of Hemlock Falls from the monsters that live in the forest. Winnie plans to take the trials to become a hunter in order to restore her family honour. But out in the forest Winnie discovers a new kind of monster, and she soon must learn to fight for her own survival. Reluctantly she asks an old friend to train her. When he father betrayed her family, she never expected Jay to turn his back on her along with her other friends, but he did. Four years later Winnie and Jay must rebuild their friendship and learn to fight against the new evil lurking in the forest.

The Luminaries is a fun new paranormal series that will appeal to fans of Teen Wolf and First Kill. Susan Dennard has created a new world of Luminaries and Nightmares, but the real star of the show for me is the will they won't they budding romance between Winnie and Jay.

WOW, wow, wow! I remember seeing the tweets that inspired this book and it was so much fun to read. This is the first book in a while that I just couldn't put down. Dennard has such a gift for creating worlds you don't want to leave and characters you care so much about. This is a must read!

i really enjoyed this! i liked the world building and the story kept my attention throughout the whole book. i do feel like there’s a lot of answers we didn’t get (mainly about the werewolf and the whisperer) but since this is a series i guess we’ll get to know more later on. however i don’t think this is a book i’ll find myself rereading so i hope i remember enough by the time the sequel gets published!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing to read an ARC of The Luminaries bu Susan Dennard!!!

I enjoy this book. I liked the world building and the premise behind the story and how the author used twitter poles to write the book. The ending wasn’t as strong as the beginning, but it is still an enjoyable book and I assume a sequel will be coming out. I will have to check more books written by Susan Dennard.

In a world where monsters and nightmares exist and people train to hunt them down one girl is willing to do anything to regain her family’s honor even if it means entering into a competition she has in no way prepared for. In the town of Hemlock Falls there is a forest outside it filled with monsters that could kill you. Winnie Wednesday is part of the Wednesday Clan, there are different clans for everyday of the week, with hunters in each clan who take turns hunting down monsters on their particular day. Winnie’s family however has been outcasted and shunned when her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor. But now that her sixteenth birthday is here she can partake in the deadly Luminary hunter trials to prove to herself and to everyone that she is good enough and she can restore her family’s name or die trying. But after the first trial where she succeeds but based on a lie, she realizes that there is something much darker going on and that in order to survive the next two trials she’ll have to turn to the one person she doesn’t want to for help, Jay Friday, her ex-best friend who abandoned her four years ago when her family was shunned. Jay seems to know more about what is going on with the nightmares of the forest (monsters) than he should and he is willing to help her. Yet the further she gets in the trials the more she realizes that something is out there that could kill them all but no one seems to believe her. This is the first book in the series and it definitely feels like Winnie is a freshly turned 16 year old girl, the story felt lacking and it just didn’t live up to my expectations. The story felt kinda anti-climactic for what it actually is, I mean you have monster hunting families, a disgraced family and a girl willing to do whatever it takes to win and yet it didn’t feel as high stakes or gripping. There is of course my irritation with the back and forth between Winnie and Jay, yes I absolutely get that she’s a 16 year old girl and he was the boy she was in love with, but girl... the anger I feel for you, I would have been so angry with him despite what I can guess is the reason he pulled away ( which on another note, is hinted at but never really fleshed or further advanced so you just are left feeling meh about him as a person). Like I like Winnie, don’t get me wrong, I like how much she wants to prove herself and to save her family, and that despite being stubborn she’s willing to ask for help, but god girl please be a little angrier or something because the anger I feel for you, at how your being treated, at how your two best friends abandoned you and still treat you, makes me want to pull my hair out. I mean I get that you are shunned, but if these were your BEST FRIENDS they would have found a way to talk to you against all odds, even if something was happening, they would have found a way to talk to you. In a way I want Winnie to make new friends, because despite it all I don’t even want her to be friends or forgive Jay or Erica. Girl go make yourself some better friends, seriously I’m begging you. In the end, yes it was an interesting start to a series and yes it has potential, but compared to the author’s previous works this one felt younger and much more juvenile and yeah I would rec it if you’re looking for a fantasy story with monsters and tests.

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tor Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was a mesh of so many different supernatural things and I enjoyed it. It was less dark then I expected, but I enjoyed the ride, and it all had a really good flow.

Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more to be welcomed back into the Luminaries - the hunter society that she, her brother, and her mother were banned from after her father was discovered to be their enemy. Her plan is simple: complete the first trial, then the second, and the third and the Council will have to revoke their ten year ban. When her first trial goes horribly wrong and an assumption turns into a lie, Winnie and her family are welcomed back, but things are not the same. Winnie is angry that people that wouldn't talk to her family for the past four years is now acting like their best friends. The threat of a werewolf and a secret note from her dad throws Winnie's world upside down. Will everyone survive?

The Luminaries’ world is a dark one. They are monster hunters that protect the rest of the world from nightmares including werewolves, banshees, and vampires. Winnie wants nothing more than to be hunter - unfortunately for her she and her family are considered outcasts ever since her father was convicted of being a traitor. Can she prove that she can be a hunter and save her family from the shame of being outcasts?

This was a great YA novel. It definitely starts with all the 16 year old teenage angst and bad parenting choices but then morphs into a dark urban thriller. It is fast paced and I read this one in a day. My biggest complaint is this one ends without wrapping up a lot of loose ends. I believe this is the beginning of a series but I have so many questions! Mostly like when is book 2 going to be released so I can know what happens?

"That's why we're called the Luminaries, Winnie: we are the lanterns the forest can never snuff out"

The forest near the town of Hemlock Falls is full of monsters every night. They are the nightmares dreamed up by the Spirit that sleeps below the town. A secret society called The Luminaries guards the forest and stops the monsters from escaping. The Luminaries is broken up into Seven clans named after the days of the week that they are assigned to protect.

Winnie Wednesday, along with her mother and brother were outcast from the Wednesday clan four years ago when her father was revealed to be a spy for the rival Diana's. After four years as the pariah of Hemlock Falls on her 16th birthday, Winnie is allowed to compete in the hunter trials and hopefully win back the towns trust in her family and be allowed to hunt the monsters.

Until then Winnie has been on corpse duty. Clearing the forest of monster bodies and the bodies of the humans they kill.

The town is worried about a Werewolf loose in the forest and Winnie has seem the Werewolf but it pretty sure it's not actually the monster they really need to be afraid of. Winnie has seen the strange phenomenon that moves through the forest, warping and destroying which she calls the Whisperer but no one is taking her seriously, solely focusing on the Werewolf.

The book is full of nightmarish creatures harpies, banshees, manicures, Sylphids, ballisks and other creepies but also a bunch of humans who I don't totally trust.

YA Urban fantasy with elements of horror

This is my first Susan Denard novel and I am looking forward to book two in this series.

If you love Lovely, dark and deep and Wicked walking by Claudia Cain you will probably also like this.

Thank you to MacMillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for the review copy of The Luminaries