A solid start to a YA series that's set to be a big hit. Atmospheric, pacy and intriguing, the world-building is great.

I tried Truthwitch a few years ago and didn't love it. It felt tropey and a bit recycled - but I was happy enough to give the author another shot. Unfortunately, I just don't think this author is for me. A lot of the tropes felt heavy, with no subtlety in who could be at the heart of the conflict or what was going to happen next. I just didn't care about the characters, and as someone who's always lead by interesting characters it left me with a flat feeling in response to this one. Not for me.

This....was a really disappointing read. This concept is a fun one that many have played with before and I was absolutely here for a good time. Unfortunately, this is *incredibly* childish, even for a YA book. Whilst books aimed at the 12-16 age bracket are incredibly important in this day and age of adults skewing YA novels, I wish they had something of a more substantial quality to read other than this. Also I think this is supposed to be older YA, which just leaves this... uncatoragisable. Is that even a word? It is now!

Before I get any further I want to mention the positive. And that is the illustrations throughout this book. Those small articles and drawings of the nightmares that Winnie is facing were beautifully done and the absolute highlight of the book for me. As well as the House Sigils at the back of the book, which added much needed information about the Luminaries as well as looking pretty..

Positives over, because unfortunately the entirety of the books plot is stated in the synopsis. I kept expecting there to be a twist, or just something new that hadn't been mentioned. But nope. Nothing. And whilst this is the first book in the series and most threads are expected to be left open, I do prefer my series' to have at least one or two threads completed by the end of book one, so this was a negative for me too.

There are multiple plot threads present in the book. A love story, the hunter trials we're told about before reading, and her dad's betrayal. Each of them are painfully predictable and not a single moment surprised me throughout. And the worldbuilding is incredibly lackluster. I couldn't tell you anything substantial about the Luminaries, or why it is even a bad thing that Winnie's dad was a "traitor" working for the Dianas. What is even bad about this group? I don't know because we weren't told.

Winnie herself has some attempt at character development, but this is difficult to do to a slice of processed white bread. She is incredibly bland, all the better for (white) teenage girls to project themselves onto, and the little development she does have feels like it is rolled back by the end of the book. This combined with the poor attempt at a romance plotline? And you've got yourself a Twilight-esque book right here.

All of this I could've dealt with (a little better) if the writing had been skilful. Instead we're given onomatopoeia, which feel very out of place in anything older than Middle Grade. "Rrrrippp, rrrrripppp. Velcro opens. Krrr, krrrr. Velcro closes." And the *clicking*. Winnie is constantly clicking her damn teeth. Why?! I get that it's a nervous tick for her, but she does it far too often and whilst Dennard might've been insinuating a light tapping of the teeth it instead feels like she's clacking them loudly. Completely different vibe.

I do think that some teens will adore this, just as I and many others enjoyed Twilight at the time of reading. But it *is* badly written, it *really* needed an editor, and whilst I probably will end up reading Hunting Moon - that's just because I like to torture myself. I really don't recommend picking this one up.

I loved Dennard's #LumiNerds threads on Twitter and this new insight into Winnie's world did not disappoint! Immediately bought book 2 upon finishing!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Luminaires by Susan Dennard. I've voluntarily read and reviewed this copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was absolutely spooky, magical and compelling. This was my first introduction to Susan Dennard's writing and I can't wait to read more of her work. The story was woven really well with a great introduction to this world and her well-layered characters. I loved the mystery surround various characters but also to the things that happened in the past. I'm very curious to find out how this story will continue. Definitely recommend if you love mysterious fantasy with a great premise and compelling characters.

Susan Dennard takes us to Hemlock Falls, a mysterious and dangerous place where the line between reality and nightmare is thin.
Winnie Wednesday, our protagonist, yearns to join the Luminaries, an ancient order tasked with protecting Hemlock Falls and humanity from the monsters that arise in the forest every night. However, her journey is marked by exclusion as her family has been dishonored by her father, a witch and traitor. At sixteen, Winnie has the chance to prove her loyalty through the perilous Luminary hunter trials and thus restore her family's honor. But the task is as lethal as it is challenging.
To achieve her goal, Winnie teams up with Jay Friday, the local bad boy and her ex-best friend. Jay, despite being promising as a hunter, harbors dark secrets about the forest's nightmares. Together, they unravel a hidden threat, shedding light on a danger that Hemlock Falls is unprepared to face.
The plot of "The Luminaries" is engaging, immersing us in a world where terrifying creatures and nightmares blend with reality. Dennard's skilled narrative creates a tense atmosphere, full of mysteries that captivate the imagination. The dynamic between Winnie and Jay adds emotional layers to the story, exploring lost friendships and buried secrets.
The author weaves a skillfully crafted narrative, revealing that not all monsters can be defeated and not all nightmares are confined to the darkness. "The Luminaries" is a captivating read, blending supernatural elements, suspense, and emotion, and Susan Dennard once again proves to be a master at creating rich worlds and complex characters. I sincerely thank NetGalley and Daphne Press for providing the opportunity to explore this book before the official release. This experience enriched my literary journey.

As a fan of the Witchlands series, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this new one as much. I'd sporadically followed the author's Twitter thread at the time but couldn't imagine how it would transition into a full-length novel. I shouldn't have worried. The book was absolutely gripping and I loved the world-building and characterisation. The Illumicrate edition is a work of art with gorgeous illustrations and explanations that enhance the reading experience. I already have the next book ready beside me and can't wait!

A most excellent read, would highly recommend, 10/10 and the cover is gorgeous. The start of a great series.

I have been sat on this book for so long that I’m so annoyed I didn’t read it a lot sooner to it’s release! Chapter lengths were pretty short which I love in a book and I have flown through it in less than a week which is very rare of me with having a full time job.

There were a few aspects in the book I didn’t like, the constant mentioning of Winnie’s teeth clicking, pushing up her glasses like every other sentence (though as someone who does wear glasses I can sympathise to the need to push them up constantly, but did it have to be written all the time?) and Mario’s popping gum. But that’s probably just me being a moaning Myrtle 😂

Other than that I really did love this book and am so excited for book 2.

Another one of my most anticipated releases. Just look at that cover! This story definitely kept me up, I felt really engaged with the characters and I loved the plot. I can't wait to read The Hunting Moon!

I was so excited when I first hear of this title and the cover. The UK cover is so eye-catching and it sounded up my street. Something a little creepy and urban fantasy (not read a good one of those in a while). Plus, I decided to save this and the sequel, The Hunting Moon, for Halloween as it would be perfect reading.

What I got was something really lacklustre and very “meh”. It felt as if it was trying too hard to be so many things that it didn’t work.

The writing was aimed for a much younger audience (more pre-teen or clean teen) rather than YA (the main character has just turned sixteen). I mean, do we need the sound effects of our lead clicking her teeth together every few pages? Or the ripping of Velcro or the zipping of her leather jacket every few pages?

The characters were… bland and boring. I know I should have cared but there was no reason to. We have this vaguely interesting world of Nightmares and the Hunters that keep them at bay, but if I don’t care about the characters, how am I meant to care about the dangers or the fact they are putting their lives in danger?

I did say the world and the Nightmares were interesting, and it was. But it was, also, very much info-dumped. I don’t mind this on some occasions, but everything was thrown at the reader and it made me recoil a little. Could we have it more gentle, ease us into it? Yes, i get why this is the case (because of the main character) but it was too much.

I have read that the sequel is meant to be much better so I will attempt to try that out in a month or so and, if it holds my attention, I will come back but I have very low hopes of that happening…

"The Luminaries" by Susan Dennard presents an intriguing premise, but it falls short of its potential. The story revolves around Winnie, a young girl trying to regain her family's lost status by becoming a Hunter, navigating the emotional trauma of her father's absence and betrayal, and reconnecting with her ex-friend, Jay. While the concept holds promise, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The narrative introduces several plot threads and obstacles, but none are explored fully or resolved, leaving readers feeling as though they've read an extended prologue rather than a complete story. The pacing of the book often wavers, making it challenging to stay engaged with the plot. While there are elements that suggest a fascinating world and plot, they are not fully realized.

Winnie's character, the protagonist, is challenging to root for. Her constant anger and resentment make her difficult to sympathize with, and her self-centered attitude is off-putting. She fails to appreciate the kindness and support she receives from her family and friends. Her interactions with Jay, a childhood friend, are particularly frustrating as she takes advantage of his generosity and reacts ungratefully.

The impending romance between Winnie and Jay feels clichéd, lacking depth and originality. Their dynamics are predictable and do little to add to the story's engagement. Additionally, the writing contains excessive repetition, particularly regarding character descriptions and habits, such as the constant mentions of Jay's tiredness or Winnie's teeth clicking.

While the book shows potential in its final 15%, with a more engaging plot and character development, it leaves readers wondering if they need to read further in the series to see any improvement. The world-building, while intriguing, lacks clarity and depth, with various terms and concepts introduced but never fully explained. The story could benefit from more nuanced and subtle world-building and character development.

Overall, "The Luminaries" hints at an interesting world and plot but struggles to deliver on its potential. It may find its audience among readers who appreciate a less complex narrative and a protagonist who evolves over time. However, for those seeking a more immersive and well-rounded story, this book might not fully satisfy their expectations.

The Luminaries is a book that could be boiled down to "what if a Netflix tv show about teen monster hunters was a book instead?" That's pretty much all you need to know. I loved it to pieces.

Winnie Wednesday is delightfully scrappy and the book itself was gorgeously atmospheric. Was it predictable? Yes, but there's beauty in a story unfurling exactly the way you expect it. I think I was surprised once (by aunt Rachel), at the very end of the book. Overall, I found the story to be highly entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

An intriguing start to a fresh new series with characters you want to learn more about and a world that makes you ache to explore! Excited to read more books in this series! And more books by this author!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Right from the first chapter, I fell in love with this book. Susan Dennard sucked me right in.
Winnie Wednesday is looking to rejoin the Luminaries by completing the trials to become a hunter and redeem her fathers disgrace when he was revealed to be a Diana. I can’t believe this book started as a “Sooz your own adventure” on Twitter. I loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read the next one.

This was an OK read for me. It had a good sounding plot with a good air of mystery and intrigue but it just fell a bit flat for me. I found myself not really getting that invested in the story which I think was down to the characters. Out 2 main characters just didnt pull me in.

Edit: It has been months and I'm still thinking about this book; I enjoyed it THAT much!

Just when I thought I was growing out of my YA era, this book is (very Kindly) gifted to me by Netgalley and I'm reminded just why I fell in love with YA fantasy all those years ago. Don't get me wrong, I know that this book won't be everyones cup of tea, but in my humble opinion this book is perfection and everyone else is wrong aha.

The creatures, the characters, the world, everything just worked with this story. It was deliciously well-written and I couldn't help but fall straight into the plot. I mean an underdog story arc, where the FMC has been ruthlessly exiled from her community but has a plan to return??? What more could I want from Winnie?

To make a what could be a rambling review short, this was a great read that pleasantly surprised me. The pacing was great, the premise felt refreshingly unique and the side-romance was fun and exciting enough to keep me rooting for Winnie and Jay throughout.

If you're in the mood for a quick YA fantasy with some horror sprinkled in, than this is definitely the book for you.

Loved this one and will definitely look out for book 2 in the series. My only comment is that the wold-building needed a bit more explaining at certain points, but I hope more becomes clear in Book 2.

I unfortunately picked this up rather late due to a slump when I first started on it, but as soon as I picked it up again I breezed through this - in fact I read it in one sitting, which is rare for me these days.

Special mention goes to be absolutely spectacular illustrations in here, both the cover and the illustrations of the Nightmares are perfect, and so beautifully done. I love when there are illustrations in a book because you can really begin to see the settings in your head whilst reading.

I can't wait to see what happens next, and hope we get to explore more of Winnie's backstory, and learn some more about the Diana's too.

First let me begin with WOW! I was blown away completely by this book. I was gripped from the get go and adult responsibilities like work and friendships and sleep fell to the wayside. Read it now!! You will not regret it.