This one’s going on the favourites list!

Black River is a modern day sci-fi fantasy (light on the sci-fi) with a splash of horror. It follows Dusty, a 17 year old who one week starts going through some weird changes that make her question who she is. She has a hunger she can barely control, especially around Will who she just started to connect with.

The writing of this book absolutely sucked me in. Dusty's connection with the land and the world around her to quite literally ground herself felt visceral in the descriptions. I could almost hear the sounds of the forest and feel the soil between my toes.

I do wonder what it is that I still really enjoy about YA books as I'm getting into my 30s, but I couldn't put this book down. It's very vibey, and reminiscent of The Vampire Diaries (TV show as I’ve not read the books to compare) but maybe a little less melodramatic. There's a dark overtone because of the plot (if you don't like blood, this isn't for you) and some quite detailed descriptions that had me completely invested in what was happening to the characters.
The teens all feel like real people, with their own worries and anxieties - and the way the author ties it all into what's happening just made for a perfect book.

If I had any critiques at all, it would be that the third person switching perspectives is maybe a little confusing a couple times throughout the book. I was able to get my head around them but I could see how it might put someone else off.

Absolutely fantastic debut, from an Aussie author - I have a deep hunger for the next book as that cliffhanger… I need to know where it goes.
Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster (Australia) for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

‘Black River’ is an amazing YA debut by author Ruby Jean Cottle, which is an intriguing blend of fantasy, sci-fi, romance with a sprinkle of horror. All these genres are blended so well that you are left questioning what is happening just like the characters.

The story follows Dusty, a 17-year-old girl, who gets sick after forging in the woods with her sister. When she recovers, she finds that she and a couple of other local teens have changed, and now strange things are happening all over the mountain where they live. I love how the author has created such an original story and manages to take an old trope and gave it new life. I very much enjoyed that at first, we the reader, are just as confused as Dusty as to what is happening.

Dusty is very likeable as our protagonist, but she shines even more when surrounded by her friends who are amazing in their own ways. We have her sister Opi, who is younger but feels so much wiser at times, her best friend Mali, who is so supportive to Dusty but also has her own life and interests that don’t hinge on Dusty. We also have Will who is new to Black River and likes to keep to himself and Eli, who at first seems to be the typical jock but grew to be possibly my favourite character.
I genuinely enjoyed each different POV and wanted to hear more from all these characters. Normally multiple POV’s annoy me since inevitably there is one that is boring and feels like filler but this time, each one was valuable and helped give more depth to the story.

The author did such a lovely job describing the scenery so well, that it almost transports you to the mountain too. It helped give the story such atmosphere, which only enhanced all the mystery and creepy vibes.

I appreciated that by the end the author gave us some big answers to our questions but left enough mystery that I am very much looking forward to reading the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for this ARC.

Ruby Jean Cottle has crafted a truly captivating and original story in Black River. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into Dusty's world, a world both familiar and unsettlingly strange. The blend of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance is expertly woven together, creating a unique and thrilling reading experience unlike anything I've encountered lately.

Dusty is a wonderfully relatable protagonist. Her desire to escape into books and the wilderness resonated deeply, and watching her navigate the confusing changes happening to her was both fascinating and heartbreaking. The mystery surrounding her transformations kept me constantly guessing, and the hints of darker forces at play added a layer of suspense that had me eagerly turning the pages.

And then there's Will! The quiet and mysterious love interest immediately captured my attention. The connection between Dusty and Will is palpable, and the added element of a thirst beyond mere attraction adds an intriguing and slightly dangerous edge to their relationship.

Cottle's writing is beautifully descriptive, bringing the setting of Black River to life. I could almost feel the earth beneath my feet and smell the scent of the forest. The pacing is perfect, balancing moments of quiet introspection with heart-pounding action and suspense.

Black River is more than just a genre-bending YA novel, it's a story about self-discovery, embracing the unknown, and fighting for what you love. I was completely invested in Dusty's journey, and I'm already eagerly anticipating the next installment in this promising series. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance who are looking for something fresh and exciting!

This threw me back into high school, right into the wave of vampire books when Twilight was literally in everyone's bag.

I enjoyed the unique premise (there are vampires but it's not that simple) and the setting was delightfully atmospheric, acting as the supporting character to the mysterious events unfolding.

The pacing did slow at the midway point and I began to feel slightly bored with the characters cyclical struggles and lack of action.

I was really excited to get accepted for this book. The blurb caught my eye straight away, and jumped out as something I thought I'd love.
Blurb:
"A mystical new YA series that blends fantasy, sci-fi and romance.

All seventeen-year-old Dusty wants is to escape into books and the wilderness that surrounds her mountain home. What she doesn’t know is that there’s something waiting for her in the shadows of the forest.

One morning, Dusty wakes up with dirt on her feet. Then she realises that her body and senses are changing. And after a chance encounter with quiet and mysterious Will, she feels an attraction unlike anything she’s experienced before. It isn’t just an emotional connection making her heart beat faster—it’s a thirst.

But Dusty isn’t the only person experiencing strange events in Black River. Darker forces are at play, and Dusty must uncover the mystery—or risk losing everything and everyone she loves"

This book sadly became more of a not right now / did not finish for me. I find third person perspective stories to be a read that I find challenging at times, and for some reason this one I found a bit difficult. The writing style and the premise are presented really beautifully. The chapters I read had really intricate, and layered world building. The darker elements of the story were what kept pulling me in. The mystery that slowly unfolds was great. I think from what I read if you love fantasy this is definitely for you. I am hoping to try for a re-read in future.

A huge thank you to both Netgalley and the team at Simon & Schuster Australia for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I wasn't certain what to anticipate from the book's summary, but this captivating, intriguing, and somewhat unsettling narrative exceeded my expectations in the best possible way.

The book's unique tone and unexpected twists made it a compelling page-turner. I was thoroughly engaged and enjoyed it immensely. The cliffhanger ending has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

I’m not sure what I expected from the blurb of this book but this cool, fascinating and quite frankly creepy story wasn’t it, I was surprised in the best way.

This is a real page turner, the last 20% had me in a chokehold and I couldn’t put it down! The unexpected twists are the best part of the book.

What I loved:
- I liked Dusty as a main character, she acted like I think any 17 year old would if they suddenly woke up as a monster.
- the creepy atmospheric setting is described so well.

I’m already looking forward to the next instalment, hopefully we can hear more of Sarah’s story as we continue Dusty’s adventure. This ends on a fascinating cliffhanger and I need to know what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the opportunity to read this ARC.