I didn't finish this one but from what I read, I did enjoy it. It wasn't amazing, but it was a decent read. I'm not sure why all the ratings are two stars. I think it's definitely at least a three star rating. I think this is just going to be one of those book you have to read and try for yourself to see if you like it.

The cover was better than the story. The premise is cool- teen inherits creepy old home in the middle of nowhere from her estranged grandmother. That's kind of where it ends for me. The writing left something to be desired. My eyes glazed over for so much of it, parts that went on and on and on about things that were not the least bit interesting or important. Lots of plot holes. I have so many questions. I thought there was so much potential here, but it just fell flat. 2 stars

I wanted to love this book especially because the synopsis was so intriguing but I found myself bored. I put it down and picked it up so many times. It just wasn’t for me.

I know that there may be a group of people who feel that the short, stilted sentences, followed by long almost run-on sentences, add to the ambiance of the story, but it just did not work for me. It was very difficult to remain engaged with the story, especially when odd excerpts would suddenly appear. I would like to attribute the inconsistencies of this work to the possibility that this arc is unedited, but it's really difficult to do so.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting going into this book but I was honestly, but pleasantly surprised. After reading a lot of negative reviews I didn't have high hopes but I actually enjoyed it! I loved the setting and the creepy atmosphere, farm houses on lots of land have always freaked me out quite a few times. I was not expecting the fantastical elements but they were actually really interesting and added a lot to the story. I loved the character of Jo and her rebel attitude, reminded me a lot of myself at that age. I honestly think my favorite parts of the story though were the family dilemmas and character growth. I almost wish there was going to be a second book following Jo in her new life. The only reason I gave the book 3 stars was because at certain times it did drag a little and I was getting bored. Luckily this was a fast read so I wasn't bored for long before something exciting happened.

Thanks to Harper Teen for the gifted copy for my review!

Cherished was…different. While I empathized with Jo and her relationship with her family, I didn’t care about her journey to fulfill her “duty.” The truth about Tom and Hattie was an interesting twist but just enough to save the story. It feels as if something is missing as if the story is unfinished. I struggled to stay engaged but liked the over concept of the story. I know that some will love this story however, it simply was not for me.

Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and the author, Patricia Ward

I really wanted to like this, as YA horror is one of my favorite genres. This one fell really flat for me, after having read some really strong entries in YA recently.

I did not like the writing here. I do think I understand what the author was going for, which was perhaps a stream of consciousness situation, but it was unfortunate that I didn't like Jo at all, and the whole thing kind of felt very stereotypical teenager who hates her mom.

It was fine. It was sadly, forgettable, and I think teens that like this genre may pick it up. The cover is beautiful, so extra points for that.

"The Cherished" by Patricia Ward is a decent story that explores themes of love and loss, but unfortunately, it didn't quite resonate with me. While the premise was intriguing and the writing style competent, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters and fully engage with the plot. Ward's attention to detail and descriptive prose were commendable, creating a vivid backdrop for the story. However, I felt that the pacing was inconsistent, with certain parts dragging on while others felt rushed. "The Cherished" may appeal to readers who enjoy heartfelt stories with a touch of romance, it ultimately didn't hit the mark for me as a five-star read but still an enjoyable dip into the story itself.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a book where I didn’t really care for any of the main characters. I’m not sure what the author wanted Jo to come across as – she wants to be worldly and treated like the young adult she’s close to being, but so much of her inner monologue and actions are extremely childish. Her mother, Abigail, is in a class all her own with her comments. How the father’s mental state is portrayed via Jo had me cringing as well. A myriad of other things cropped up throughout the book as well that I was not a big fan of, mainly how they were discussed or represented. There are other reviewers that have gone into detail about how people are portrayed in this book, if that is something that could be a trigger for you I would recommend checking a variety of them. If the way Jo & Abigail act at the end of the book were all through the story this would’ve been a much more enjoyable character experience. Yes, they sort of grow as characters through the book but it isn’t until shit hits the fan that they actually behave like they remotely care about each other.

From the synopsis I was expecting horror and thriller – I don’t really feel like the book delivered on either of those. I would say suspense at best? Maybe it’s me but I was expecting this book to be darker – it did have its moments but not enough for it to hit the mark on horror or thriller. The reasons behind the fairies and the missing children were interesting but sad. I think that the original fairies could’ve been utilized a little bit more but maybe there will be a second book that does just that?

I would like to thank HarperCollins for the chance to read another interesting story that includes fairies. While this book may have not hit high marks for me it was still an interesting story and a quick read. All opinions are my own. Rounded from 2.5 stars.

I really enjoyed the genre blend of YA, horror, and dark fantasy in this one! I think the book comparisons were definitely accurate and set me up well to enjoy the story. Definitely felt a little younger than I think it was meant to feel but overall I enjoyed this one. Thank you so much Netgalley and Harper Collins for my review copy!

When Jo inherits her grandmother's house and property, she finds it odd. The memories of her dad and grandmother in that house were not the best memories. Her dad was was mentally unstable and her grandmother snapped and hit her with a rake when she was little. So when she got the letter regarding the property, it took her by surprise. Her parents are not too happy with the extra burden either. They are dead set on selling the property despite the fact that in the will, it states that the property must remain in the family.

When her and her mom go to assess the house and get it ready for selling, they are met with a little girl, who is now Jo's responsibility and a maintenance man who doesn't look like he is even human. Something about the house just doesn't sit right with Jo. According to her grandmother, she belongs here and now it is her turn to take care of the tenants and "do what must be done."

I did enjoy this book however, it took off a little slow for me. I enjoyed the story but felt like there could be more to develop the characters. When it did begin to pick up, it was about over half way through for me. The ending felt a little rushed for me. It felt as though details were left out of the story. It started off slowly building and then rushed to cross the finish line. Despite that, I would recommend this book to any YA reader who is looking for a quick creepy read.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me this book in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.

This was interesting. Not the best most well written and the characters were mostly annoying but the premise was interesting. Probably more like 2.5 stars but I’ll round up.

I was trying to get really into this one, since I knew it was about to get really spooky. However, within the first few pages there were some instances of some really ableist language, so I DNFed shortly after.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this wasn't it lol. It was an interesting read. I feel like this reads more young. YA than older YA which is totally fine but I felt like the FMC was younger than 16 most of the time. If you are looking for a quick fairy/gothicesque read, check this one out!

I cannot believe this book exists in the year of our lord 2023 lol. Other reviews will tell you how poorly its been received as a problematic work, but I found the angst to be contrived, and the writing to be juvenile. I expected so much better from a modern YA story. DNF @ 30%.

This book is beautifully written and had my captivated from beginning to end! I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

Be very quiet, don’t make any noise, and definitely do not go into the old house! This was an amazing and creepy dark fantasy/horror YA story. With vibes from The Hazel Wood, Wilder Girls, and White Smoke it’s sure to keep you flipping pages until the end.

One day Jo ends up receiving notice that her paternal grandmother has passed away, and left her house to Jo. Jo’s mom and step-dad are set on doing what they think is best, ignoring Jo’s wishes, and she and her mom make a trip to “get the estate in order” for sale. Little does she know, her grandmother’s cryptic instructions in the will are soon going to make more sense than she ever imagined.

This was an atmospheric, spooky read that is perfect for fans of thrilling dark fantasy or ya horror. I can’t wait to grab a physical copy for my shelves, and for a reread during Spooky Season!

Jo is 16 years old living with her very pregnant mother and stepfather. When Jo finds out she has inherited her grandmother’s farm. She is surprised but also wants to go and see “her” farm. She doesn’t want to sell as her parents want to. After all, it belongs to her now. Her mother insist on going down to the house to clean it up for selling. Her mother will meet the real estate seller. Jo’s grandmother writes Jo a strange letter telling her among other things that she will know what to do. She goes to the farm with her mother. Amazed that the place has two houses but one is boarded up. When they go into Grammy’s house, they see the house is full of dust and stuff.
She meets Hattie who is watching tv.. She will also meet Tom who runs the farm. Her mother gets sick and stays in bed. Jo takes care of her in spite of their mother’s irritable reaction to everything. Jo decides to check out the old house that is locked and boarded up. As she realizes that she needs to find a key, Hattie tells her not to go in that house. She ends up going inside the house and to the basement. She doesn’t understand what she is seeing. She wants to know why there is such secrecy about this old house. Will she learn the secrets? Will she understand why the small town want her to stay in the town and not leaving. What will Jo do? The more she learns the more she still can’t remember what went on when she was there with her biological father. She wishes she could. Will she remember? Will she know what she has to do?

The book is a slow read especially in the beginning . It’s a book of horror that is done as a mystery. It’s a coming-of-age, Claustrophobic observations build tension in a story that is slow to reveal secrets and deliver on threats. Unfortunately, insensitive language describing mental illness detracts from the vivid portrayal of how traumatic memories operate. Jo refers to standing out due to her olive skin and frizzy black hair, inherited from an absent father of Syrian and Italian origin. It is a strange and suspenseful novel.

Treading on the well-worn trope of a passed-over inheritance, The Cherished brings a unique perspective on fairy tale horror. What appears to be a simple bequeath of property turns into something more dangerous. The story is a slow burn with a long setup from Jo first getting the letter to traveling to the house. I thought it was quite frustrating that her grandmother wasn’t forthcoming and that no one would tell Jo the truth about what was going on at the farm. When the secret is revealed, it’s a sad and shocking situation that haunts not just Jo’s family, but everyone in town.

The book shows the importance of family despite different bloodlines, and it works for the most part. There’s an understanding that family can be found no matter where someone is from. On the other hand, the portrayal of mental illness comes across as outdated. Jo’s father is depicted as having a mental illness, and the way he is treated and spoken about by other characters is quite hurtful. He is also a man of colour, and there was derogatory language about his appearance. I wish that these subject matters had been treated more mindfully considering the young adult audience of this book.

I'm a little torn with my review...

The plot has several layers, and there's a lot of history to unravel throughout the story, but I also think it takes away from the overall story.

And the level of responsibility placed on Jo's shoulders by all of the adults is absolutely absurd... It's basically one toxic relationship after another.