I LOVED this book. Absolutely flew through it. The characters were well fleshed out. It makes logical sense, but I couldn’t predict what would happen next. A dark and dreary story, but it was enjoyable to read. I enjoyed the characters a lot and appreciated that everything they went through was reflected in them as characters. I look forward to more by this author.

A glorious debut, dark, haunting and chilling on so many levels

Temperance (Tempe) is a lamplighter, providing for her mother and her sister by lighting the dark and murky streets of Warbler after the mysterious demise of her father.

The village makes figureheads for ships, great carvings affixed to the bow of the ship which held great significance for seaman on their voyages. Often female, often mermaids, sailors believed these figureheads to appease the sea, enabling the avoidance of bad weather and subsequently, a safe return home. Likewise, the lamplighter provides safety for those who will walk the dark and desolate streets at night, if they ensure the lamps are all lit.

However, the era is not kind to women, and the village contains a threat that is a danger to women and girls. When a gilr disappears after two of the lmps Tempe has lit go out, the town council bray for her dismissal. Tempe knows more about the night than most in the town and to protect her job, investigates the disappearance, discovering more and more as she delves deeper, but can she get the twon to listen if even her Mother and sister will not?

Horror and YA are not my usual genres, but I adore historical fiction and gaslamp mysteries, so I had to give this book a try and I am so very glad I did.

The lamplighter is stunning. STUNNING. It is authentic to gothic horror/ gaslamp mysteries and has a dark ambience that envolps the reader in the murkey underbelly of Warbler. Bell writes at a pace to match the atmosphere, lulling the reader into a false sense of security and then reels in, hooked and unable to put the book down.

There are a lot of themes in this book that require trigger warnings and these are clearly laid out at the beginning. Bell does not hide these events or sugarcoat them and this is to be applauded as these were a stark reality of the 19th century and sadly, still are

Bell is very talented at creating an atmosphere, describing the depths of a characters soul and illustrating an era with well-researched narratives. An exceptional read and certainly one to be recommended

Thank you to Netgalley, North Star Editions, Flux and the author, Crystal J Bell for this outstanding ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This was really well written, lyrical and poignant.

The whole novel was atmospheric, very character driven with mysteries moving the plot along. Some themes that are addressed are sister dynamics, asking for help, responsibility and misogyny. I love how much insight we got into the main characters motivations. She definitely makes difficult choices with real consequences and grows throughout the novel, while staying true to who she is as a person.

I don’t see a lot of reviews mention the mystery throughout this book, which for me would be one of the predominant genres (besides fantasy). It’s very well paced and enough moments for you to doubt what you know and who you can trust. So engaging!

I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as young adult, since some of the content is quite heavy. Please check trigger warnings.

All in all, would definitely recommend if you want an eerie, magical realism, character driven story.
4.5 stars!

“I will not deny, though, that the fog does love to play tricks. It trails my every step. Encouraging me to tread where I should not.”

Warbler, a 19th century whaling village, is infamous for people mysteriously disappearing into the thick fog that envelops the town at night. Temperance is a young woman who assumes the role of the town’s lamplighter after her father is found dead, hanging from a lamppost. When young women start going missing, Tempe must confront her traumatic past and choose between maintaining her silence and speaking out, risking her livelihood, her safety, and the safety of her younger sister in the process.

Beautifully written and deeply atmospheric, this book absolutely delivers on the horror elements and takes some very dark twists and turns throughout. The choice of first-person narration immerses the reader in Temperance’s loneliness, grief, fear, and paranoia and serves to create a sense of oppressiveness, becoming claustrophobic at times. She’s an unreliable narrator and is quick to jump to conclusions as the mystery unfolds, and I was thoroughly engaged by picking apart what Tempe thought happened vs what might have actually happened.

I was frustrated by Tempe’s apparent inability to learn from her mistakes, however this definitely feeds into the mounting feelings of isolation and loss of control because of the choices she’s made.

I found the ending unsatisfying, and I would have rated it higher if it had ultimately all come together in a different way.

Overall, The Lamplighter is an impressive debut by Crystal J. Bell, and I would gladly recommend it to anyone who enjoys gothic horror. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The author crystal bell creates a dramatic scene with ominous fog and figureheads representing the village's misfortune. In tempe's journey she is enriched by her loneliness and societal expectations, making her an intriguing protagonist. The Lamplighter is a captivating historical mystery with an engaging female character.

Thank you netgalley and flux for the ARC

EVERYONE GO BUY THIS BOOK IN MAY.

I was in a several month long reading slump until this book. It is such a thrilling page-turner, I was ADDICTED.

Besides just being an all-around enjoyable read, its highlights were:

-The Setting- Soo atmospheric and creepy. A small seaside town covered in a mysterious and lethal fog umm yes please!!
-Atmosphere- Everything from the haunting siren figureheads to the foggy winding paths through the forest to the ghostly apparitions following you about town. The author painted such a vivid atmosphere around the whole tale; I was terrified and excited the whole time.
-Feminist undertones- Nothing gets me more fired up than a woman not being believed when she is trying to do what's right.
-Prudence- Was giving Primrose Everdeen vibes. Wanted to protect this girl with my entire SOUL.

But the pièce de résistance was THAT ENDING. I'm angry, I'm sad, I'm happy, I'm hopeful. TOO MANY GD EMOTIONS.

All around a great read if you enjoy gothic mysteries with some light fantasy elements.

I got this ARC in exchange for honest review. So, here's my review.

First of all, I want to thank NetGalley for giving me the copy.

This book is telling about Temperance (Tempe), a woman lamplighter. She got underestimate because usually the lamplighter is a male. But, after her father death she became the lamplighter since, there is no men in her family The story was actually interesting, Tempe needs to discover a mystery. about the missing of one of the folks, Molly. Tempe gets blamed because she didn't report it immediately when she heard a scream. Unfortunately, I DNF it at 48%. The pace is too slow for me. But it's actually a good book.

So, it's 3.5/5 for me.

Prepare to be immersed in the haunting world of Tempe and the coastal whaling village where she lives. Every night, a hungry fog creeps into town and Tempe's job of lamplighter is the only thing protecting them from being consumed by the dark—literally, as people are mysteriously disappearing. Debut author Crystal J. Bell takes us on an atmospheric journey with hints of horror, lots of mystery, and plenty of heartbreak. This is a breakout voice to watch.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy.

There was so much potential here, the vibes, and plot seemed so good. It just didn't pan out in the way I thought it would. The voice was great, the writing not so much? It was very dull at times. I wanted it to be more than it ended up being.

An easy 5-star read!

The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell is a hauntingly atmospheric novel set in the 1800s, with an evocatively strong female lead named Temperance.

Long story short, going in blind on this story as if there's actual fog (no pun intended) is the best thing ever. The dreary setting, the horror genre, and the gothic plot simultaneously kept me hooked right through the mouth like a dumb fish.

Do I recommend it? Definitely, yes!

This book is as warm as the litted wicks as it is metaphorical. It is eerily gorgeous as if the locally-carved figureheads. Most importantly, it is all-too unique as the Byrnes family.

Chills, literal massive chills on this one.

I've been sitting with this ARC for a couple of months, trying so hard to push through, and unfortunately, I just can't.
Crystal J. Bell has such atmospheric and creepy writing, but it fails to keep my attention and make me feel connected to or interested in the characters.
I see that this author has potential, and once it has been edited out of typos and released into the world, I would consider picking it up again one day, but this was a a DNF for me.

Thank you Netgalley and Flux for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"The Lamplighter" by Crystal J. Bell is a haunting and atmospheric YA horror novel that grips you from the very first page, weaving a tale of mystery and suspense set in the eerie whaling village of Warbler. Since this is a horror novel, make sure to check out the trigger warnings for this book before going in.

Bell masterfully crafts a slow-burning narrative that unfolds against the backdrop of the 19th Century, with protagonist Temperance—known as Tempe—grappling with the weight of her responsibilities as the town's lamplighter. As a young woman in a male-dominated profession, Tempe faces relentless judgment and misogyny, adding layers of tension to her already precarious situation. The writing throughout this novel is extremely beautiful and poignant; however, be aware that this is a slow-paced novel, which definitely works with Bell’s writing and the story, but some readers may not like the slow pace.

The story's strength lies in its vivid and chilling descriptions, which transport you to the fog-shrouded streets of Warbler. Bell's portrayal of the village evokes a sense of unease and foreboding, setting the stage for the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. I could visualize the setting, which definitely added to the creepy atmosphere needed for a horror novel. I was immersed in the story, and that feeling of foreboding would just continue building as the plot thickened, and I almost felt like I was a part of the story.

The characters, though flawed, feel painfully lifelike, navigating the complexities of their relationships and the sinister forces at play in their small village. I really felt connected to Tempe and her experiences; the other characters felt incredibly realistic in their actions, especially with the small-town setting influencing them. Bell also deftly explores themes of feminism and empowerment, infusing the narrative with a sense of urgency and depth. Those who appreciate a slow-burning mystery will find much to enjoy in this book.

Overall, "The Lamplighter" is a captivating and immersive read that will keep you engrossed and guessing until the very end. With its evocative prose and atmospheric setting, it's a must-read for fans of gothic horror and mystery alike. While this may not be a book you consume in an entire sitting, this book is definitely one that will consume you and have you thinking about the story for days to come.

Admittedly, I struggled initially to get into this book. It was a slow burn in the beginning, a young women disquieted about the circumstances of her father’s death while filling his shoes to light the lampposts of Warbler and protect it’s people from the fog and the whalers that are brought to port. But as the chapters go on, there’s a little more hook, a little more question, and then suddenly I’m plunged into this truly mysterious horror that’s not like any other I’ve read, with an absolutely mind blowing and perfect ending, and a strong female protagonist in a man’s world.

“It’s an honor to bring light to the dark. Now she must follow the light out of her own fog of despair, as she faces the choice to look the other way or risk speaking out and possibly dooming herself and her sister to be among the lost.”

ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

TW: abuse, adult/minor relationship, alcoholism, animal death, blood, body horror, death, death of a loved one, fire/fire injury, grief, injury/injury detail, mental illness, misogyny, murder, pedophilia, physical abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, suicide, violence.

I truly loved how this book started off the plot. It left you wondering what was truly going on in the town of Warbler and what or who could be the culprit. While there were a few twists and turns that surprised me throughout the book, it was overall predictable and a bit of a let down by the end.

The characters personalities felt almost surface level and sometimes their decisions felt rash and unexplainable. I wish the reasons for their actions were explained a bit more to give them just a little bit more value than… I’m just going to do this. With that being said, I believe the author did a great job of describing gender dynamics for the time period it was set in and she clearly put in a lot of work to do the research to make sure it was accurate which I can appreciate.

The plot of the story was fairly well paced at the beginning but as it progressed, I felt that it was slow as some points, with some chapters that kind of felt like the same content was being repeated. I wasn’t quite sure how much time had truly passed between certain events which was a little difficult for me as well. There is also hinted abuse in the story which, in my opinion, didn’t really drive the plot forward and felt unnecessary in the long run. Overall, the plot was clearly well thought out and all the aspects that did drive the plot forward come full circle at the end which is great.

I want to preface this next part by mentioning that I am a grown adult (23) who is reading a book that is aimed for YA. I do understand that the following is more so just my preference and feelings towards the genres it was put into. In my opinion, I felt that the contents of the book that fit into these categories is appropriately written for YA readers:

I also thought that the “fantasy and magic” aspect of it was sub level as there wasn’t much explanation behind how it worked which I PERSONALLY like to have in a fantasy novel. I also feel that categorizing it as horror, which is the same category as Stephen King, may be a bit much for this book.

I think that this book is perfect for a younger YA reader who is looking to explore horror, mystery, and fantasy novels without having to get into the heavy stuff such as horrific explanations of things, world building, and magic systems. As an adult, I would recommend this book to people just starting to get into reading, someone looking to explore new genres on a basic level, or someone 14-17 years or age.

The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell was a fun story with a creative idea and setting. I loved the theme and the first half of the book. The mystery had me intrigued and the terror and wonder of what is making people go missing in this small whaling town was a totally brilliant idea.

However, I did not enjoy much of the second half of the book. I got irritated a lot with Tempe and the choices that she made, which ultimately led to an ending that made me frustrated. I guess I just wanted more from the ending, or more suspense and thrill. I felt like I knew what was going to happen in the last 25% of the book which was saddening as there was so much potential.

These are just my thoughts though! Please read this story and build your own ideas and opinions!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this lovely story.

The Lamplighter' blurb had me in an instant, but I simply couldn't get around the typo's and language of the book. I always finish my books, however, when the grammer and spelling are concerned I simply cannot push through.

Review on Goodreads (GR)
My review :

◡̈ 3 stars
ׂ╰┈➤ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
●・○・●・○・●
┊ ┊ ⋆˚ This book is a debut novel from Crystal J.Bell
┊ ┊ ⋆˚ It is a very atmospheric read (horror).
┊ ┊ ⋆˚ I genuinely had mixed feelings while reading this, maybe it's because I don't like to read horror stories. I do recommend this book if you enjoy horror books, this one was well-written nonetheless.
┊ ┊ ⋆˚  The cover is so pretty, look at it

⁀➷ Trigger Warnings (TW) : abuse, adult/minor relationship, alcoholism, body horror, death, death of a loved one, injury/injury detail, misogyny, murder, pedophilia, physical abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, suicide, violence.

⁀➷I'm my father's daughter, after all.

The ending blew my mind, oh my god

While I appreciate NetGalley providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I'm afraid I cannot endorse it.
⭐️
The narrative pace suffered from significant lulls, and the dialogue lacked vibrancy, hindering the development of suspense. I was particularly troubled by the author's portrayal of assault. The protagonist's fabricated account to her sister regarding the perpetrator's actions felt incongruous and undermined the gravity of the situation. While discussing such sensitive topics presents challenges, if the intent is to convey concern for the sister's well-being, advocating honesty would have resonated more deeply.
She literally lies to her sister telling her that she had a consensual kiss with the man and then he rejected her…the truth was that he assaulted her and she spit in his face causing him to apologise? In what world would that be the case? And why on earth would she lie to her sister like this if the end goal is protecting her from that man?
Despite positive feedback on Goodreads, I struggled to find redeeming qualities.
The purported romantic connection between the protagonist and Josiah lacked emotional depth, failing to convince of their supposed childhood bond as well.
That being said, the premise held promise, and the cover art is undeniably captivating.
However, these isolated strengths are insufficient to overcome the narrative's shortcomings.

I really loved this historical modern mystery with a fantasy element.
The murder mystery central to the plot was a compelling story that made me want to keep reading.
I will certainly be looking out for this authors next book.

Lampposts. Murder. Glass Cages. Cast Iron.

"It's an honor to bring light to the dark."

Absolutely adore this writing style, it's so engaging! "A whisper as loud as a swarm of bees", crashing waves, and buoyant ships anchored in the harbor. Very atmospheric.

Black locust, dancing, balls, missing girls, Temperance and Josiah. Wraiths in the fog. Secret admirers. Monsters in the dark.

Voices coming from the fog. Ravenous. Flames being snuffed out. The Gathering.

A shifty character claiming the love of her sister. Suspicion. Intrigue. Tempe playing detective, no one taking her seriously while a dark storm is rolling in with the tide and the eery fog.

Pru. Gideon. Visions of Da at the lamppost. Falling candles. Ghosts of the missing girls pleading for their murderer to receive his commupence.

"A fire in your blood. In your spirit."

Girls turned to wood. Deadly bargains. Black wrist bruises. A failed arson rid the world of a cruel beast. This was truly a horrifying read, and I look forward to the next books that this author pens. 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!