The day has finally arrived, my friends...PUBLICATION DAY!! This book caught my eye on NetGalley because that cover is *everything*, and I resolved to keep an eye on it. I kept coming back to its page on NetGalley, and more and more people kept liking the cover (it's past 300 likes as of today, April 11, 2024), so I decided I absolutely had to make room on my TBR list for it.

Why the heck did I wait so long?? This tale is fantastic! It ticks allll the boxes for me: A magical, mysterious world. Well-developed characters who embark on a perilous journey. Friendships. Foes. Danger. Beauty amidst sorrow. Errors in judgment. Chances for redemption.

You will cry. You will grieve. You will rail against the unfairness of it all. You will hope against hope that our heroes can prevail against the overarching darkness.

You will be enthralled.

I don't like to say too much about plots, usually, because I don't want to spoil anything, and this review is no exception. I recommend just going in blind. Fog & Fireflies is very much worth the hype, and I expect it to do extremely well. Author T.H. Lehnen's worldbuilding is so, so good. I really hope there will be another book set in this world!

5 well-deserved stars!!

I received both a physical and electronic ARC via Aspen & Thorn Press and NetGalley (thanks so much!). As always, the receipt of ARCs never influences my reviews in any way, and I am writing this voluntarily. Special thanks to Bryan at Aspen & Thorn Press for getting the physical copy out to me so quickly!

I’m sad to say that this didn’t work for me. With such a beautiful cover and interesting blurb, I thought I’d be immersed in a great fantasy adventure, but I wasn’t. The story was dreadfully boring and I had to DNF at 35%.

Personally, I think the author spent too much time world building when there really wasn’t any need to. It’s established quite early in the story that the children must protect their village from the fog because the fog is dangerous for adults. Then we’re introduce to countless villagers and guard children; on top of an injured character who doesn’t speak any English. There was just too much stuff going on and nothing going on at the same time. If you know what I mean.

I think this would have worked better as a series so all the ideas that the author had wouldn’t be jumbled up in one book. And with all that said, I’d still recommend. You may enjoy it more than me, especially if you love YA fantasy.

I was sceptical that this book could deliver on the vibes the description promised once I’d sunk my teeth into it, but I shouldn’t have doubted. Between the interesting characters and the intricacies of the world building which I don’t think can be fully understood in just one read through, I fell in love with this story and this world.
The writing is reminiscent of classic fairytales, and the subject matter would be right at home next to the likes of my favourites like Diana Wynne Jones and Neil Gaiman. The author carried me through the story like a current and I enjoyed every moment of the journey.

Ogma’s adventure in ‘Fog & Fireflies’ was a wonderful experience. The vivid writing and attention to detail provides a bird’s eye view into the setting and allows the book to read as a movie. Definitely worth a read!

The character POV changes were slightly confusing, but as you progress it further makes sense.

I most certainly recommend giving, ‘Fog & Fireflies’ by T.H. Lehnen a read!

This book was incredible. It was such a unique, haunting story from the beginning. Everything was so vivid and descriptive and I was fully immersed in the story from start to finish. I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy so I can reread it again and again. It was brilliant. I can’t wait for book 2!

*This cover is amazing and the synopsis had me intrigued and it did not disappoint.

Ogma is one of many children helping keep the adults safe from the fog by walking the wall of the village. They toll bells to alert when something is wrong. When creatures try to snatch some of the children from the wall Ogma decides to help, leaves her post and gets lost in the fog. She runs into a group of gnomes who shelter her. Then a caravan (they are called shepherds) finds her and she joins them.

What to expect:
*World building
*Magic
*Gnomes, wizards, puppets and puppeteers
*Adventure
*Found family


Happy to see this world will be expanded on. I think there is much more to be discovered in this world and the ending had closure but with an opening for more which I love.

*Thank you NetGalley, Aspen & Thorn Press, and T.H. Lehnen

T.H. Lehnen’s Fog & Fireflies is a delightfully magical tale that really drew me in right from the start. Loved how we don’t really know what is happening at the beginning and only meet a few characters and have to wonder what is going on, how things are revealed to us, learning what it means to be ‘old’ in this world. And then the delight of the shadow puppet show. This was just classic storytelling and as I said a truly magical tale. In some ways it reminded of fantasy movies from the 80s, such as The Dark Crystal. And if this were to be made into a movie or show that’s how I’d envision it being done. Not so much with live actors, but intricate puppetry or old school hand drawn animation. This might be a story geared toward a younger audience but I think it will truly appeal readers of all ages, especially those that are young at heart. I look forward to reading more by Lehnen. Thanks so much to Aspen & Thorn Press and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an ARC of Fog & Fireflies.

This had mentioned being along the same lines as a Miyazaki story, and I love those so I was excited for this. That being said, it didn’t quite live up to it.

The idea and some of the characters and creatures are really interesting. However, it started a bit slow and the pacing was just off a bit for me. Also, I understand wanting to keep some information to be revealed in later books, but I felt we weren’t given enough information. This tended to make the book just feel a bit convoluted at times.

The book also just kind of ends. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a cliffhanger, but there’s a lot left unanswered so I assume there is meant to be a sequel. Which I would read because I am interested in learning more about some of the characters.

This book is all about the setting vibes. It felt like I was exploring a primitive Wonderland. A Wonderland before it was Alice's Wonderland. The world is so visceral but shadowed in fog with a glimpse of what it used to be. With the fog being a major plot point in the central story but also gives the book horror elements. The more I explored the world the more questions I had. Lehnen did an excellent job answering my questions and then presenting me with new ones. There were times when the pacing was so slow and I found myself driving from the story, but it always pulled me back in immediately.

Aside from the setting and atmosphere, Ogma - the MC - was well-rounded and I truly did root for her. For once it felt like I was reading from a 14-year-old's perspective. A true MG book.

I was never sure what the plot was or where it was going though. It's not a plot-central book. There was some tension and some action with resolution and the end but it wasn't the main plot of the story or what pushed it forward. It's very much a book about Ogma surviving and traveling through the fog to get home and save her friends.

Reading Fog & Fireflies was like watching a movie! The way that T.H. Lehnen writes makes it so easy to visualize the story, making this book such a pleasure to read.

The story centers around a young girl named Ogma, who along with the other children of the town, are tasked with keeping everyone safe from a mysterious fog that is capable of kidnapping their people. For me, this was one of the more fascinating aspects of the book, that the youth were the ones empowered to keep their town safe. They are the fearless ones, as we all seem to become more scared as we get older.

I was invested in the world Lehnen built from the very first page, waiting impatiently to receive more and more answers about the hows and whys, while being given even more questions along the way. Meeting an interesting array of fantastical creatures and people, who have to navigate through some interesting and treacherous situations, kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire read.

My only criticism would be the length of some of the chapters which I’m hopeful will be addressed before final copies, as I read an advanced one.

Highly recommend this for anyone interested in beautiful prose and amazing world building, a wonderful fantasy read for ages 9+. Can’t wait for the sequels and to watch this on the big screen one day!!

Thanks to T.H. Lehnen, Aspen & Thorn Press and NetGalley for the ARC, opinions expressed are my own.

A unique fantasy world, leaving a lasting impression!

As highlighted in the blurb and other reviews, this novel offers a distinctive setting with an unconventional hierarchy. Here, children possess decision-making powers to protect the adults from a looming threat of a mysterious, magical fog that only negatively affects grown-ups, creating a different dynamic amongst the various characters. There’s an element of dark intrigue and oppressive anxiety that shapes the daily lives and habits of all, where the contrast between the innocence of youth and the burdens of adulthood is nicely portrayed.

The story follows Ogma, a brave 14-year-old girl on the brink of leadership, who demonstrates fierce love for her people and resilience in the face of adversity when their safety is threatened. I appreciated how Lehnen weaves together past and present, legend and lore, unveiling an ancient war among powerful wizards and its lingering negative repercussions.

Overall, the writing is engaging though at times, a bit meandering. However, while the protagonist is young, the story's fantastical elements seen in this richly imagined world will surely resonate with readers of all ages. With the promise of magic, wondrous beings, horrific monsters, awakening gods, and more books to come, this is a journey worth checking out!

Thank you to the author and Aspen & Thorn Press via NetGalley for an ebook in exchange for an honest review posted to GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6417285231

Fog & Fireflies is an ambitious book about a liminal world mired in deadly fog, where children have to sacrifice everything to protect adults, which is steeped in creative imagery and easy to love characters.

Unfortunately the latter half of the book seems to lose it's way in the fog a bit, and too much is kept to the chest for later books. A good read, but Ione I only liked when I could've loved. Perhaps next time.

*Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*

Fog & Fireflies by T. H. Lehnen is a wonderful YA dark fantasy novel.
The vividness of the writing, so sharp and crisp and rich, conveys marvelous imagery with only a few words.
I was sucked in by the first page and I thought the flow of the book was perfect, and it made for an easy read.
The characters are well described and developed I really enjoyed this adventure with them.
I can’t wait to read book two.

Thank You NetGalley and Aspen & Thorn Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A massive thank you to Aspen & Thorn Press for providing me with an arc of this wonderful book.

This was very close to 4 stars for me but the pacing felt slightly odd. The last chapter was so epic, I really wish the middle was condensed a little bit more and instead the ending was extended.

While I truly wasn't expecting the plot twist, due to the quick ending I didn't have enough time to simmer in my shock before the book ended, but I am really looking forward to further books in this universe as the world building was fantastic.

Fog & Fireflies is a deeply imaginative, heartfelt book about the fear of growing up and getting older.

I really enjoyed the pacing for this one. One of my biggest pet peeves is books that drag on and on without ever getting anywhere, but I appreciated how this story moved along and pulls readers in from the first page. The atmosphere is spooky and fun, even though this would be terrifying in reality. Ogma is a brave and intelligent lead character, and I enjoyed reading from her perspective. I think she’s everything you could want in a hero.

I think this story’s underlying theme and message is one that will stick with readers for a long time. I can see this being one of those classics you can return to again and again.

I received this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Fog and fireflies is a fantasy novel about a young girl named Ogma who is trapped in an enchanted fog and tries to go home.
I loved the writing style, and the worldbuilding felt very unique and well thought out. I loved all the characters, and I think they were so beautifully written especially wheeler, Dunkirk, and Ogma.

Overall, if you liked Studio Ghibli and Lockwood and Co, then you'll definitely enjoy this book.5 stars, loved it, and I can't wait for the next book.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read an arc of this book for an honest review.

What a delightfully strange book. I chose this book cause I thought the cover looked cool , but the story is just as fun! In a world where the fog only goes after adults, children are the protectors of villages. They guard the walls and fight off the fog when it gets too close. But something, or someone is taking all of the children leaving the adults vulnerable. The world building in this YA fantasy is so good and intriguing, it's like I can imagine being there. There's so many quirky people and creatures that you learn about as you follow the story from the point of view from Ogma, what I can guess is maybe 6 or 7. She's on a mission to save all her friends when she gets lost in the fog herself. There are only 10 chapters but they are really long, almost too long so the format was a little funky but overall it was quite an enjoyable book. One that I took a gamble on.

I really enjoyed this book. The story is incredibly unique and complex. It’s a true modern fairytale with imaginative characters, wild adventures, and deep mysteries. The author keeps all the great parts of YA — clean action sequences and emotional characters who are trying to find themselves while they save the world — and leaves out the weird dark stuff and raunchiness of modern YA. The pacing is somewhat slow and it doesn’t become a page-turner until about 40% through, but the ending is worth the wait. Definitely a recommended read.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Aspen & Thorn Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First thing that drew me to the book was the cover, second thing was the story. I was excited to read a debut book by an indie author as its my personal opinion they don’t get enough praise.

One thing I enjoyed: The world building. If you can draw me into the world of your story and i can picture it in my head, basically having a movie in my head, then you have done well with me.

One thing I did not enjoy: The pacing of the story. There was a bit of a lull about midway through the book. But once you get past that then the pace becomes more even again.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book.

This book was something special. I wasn't expecting much while I dove into it, I've had a string of flops lately, I was expecting another, but boy was I blown away when I read this one.
I normally read books based on older characters, but the MC in this book is a teenager and I absolutely adored her, she was full of sass, strength and held everyone she knew as close to her as family. She felt emotions deeply but also showed how powerful her inner strength was in times of trouble.
The story is based around a village surrounded by a spooky fog, there are others of course, but this particular village is central to the story, they communicate on patrol using bells, now I couldn't shake the idea of cowbells for a while, not sure why, but I'm sure they were more like jingly bells.
The world is rich with phantom creatures, beautiful tree folk, wizards, animal type humans, fog dwelling beasts, puppeteers, and intense yet endearing mystery!
I loved following the journey of the characters, I felt invested in their lives and was holding my breath waiting for answers to come!
This book gave me a sense of a misfit family, all of these people who have been raised together but aren't related, taking care of each other. It felt bittersweet, knowing that it was forced upon them, being separated from any kin, and made to live a life to protect adults. To be a parent figure to other youngsters, any bonds made likely to be separated once again.. Thus the family is ever expanding, but the stories told will last for many seasons.
They share a living space, cozy and take their mission very seriously so when it all goes to shit, they all have each others backs. The bonds made in this book stand the test of time and distance.
I wasn't expecting the mega curveball ending, that was a right knock out! Well played, my friend. I truly hope there's a follow up book to this because I loved it so much. It wasn't so much as a cliffhanger, I just feel like I want to be lost in the fog with this story a while longer yet, like there's more to say!
I will recommend this book, and really hope it gains some further attention, as it was such a pleasant and mysterious read! A nice clean one too!
A well deserved 4* shiny stars from me!
"Now, we sail the fog!"