Small Favors

Small Favors

  • Downloads:2124
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-09-08 07:50:58
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Erin A. Craig
  • ISBN:0593306740
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Ellerie Downing lives in the quiet town of Amity Falls in the Blackspire Mountain range--five narrow peaks stretching into the sky like a grasping hand, bordered by a nearly impenetrable forest from which the early townsfolk fought off the devils in the woods。 To this day, visitors are few and rare。 But when a supply party goes missing, some worry that the monsters that once stalked the region have returned。

As fall turns to winter, more strange activities plague the town。 They point to a tribe of devilish and mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents' deepest desires, however grand and impossible, for just a small favor。 But their true intentions are much more sinister, and Ellerie finds herself in a race against time before all of Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves go up in flames。

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Reviews

Ashley

3。5 ⭐️

Grace

this was deliciously spooky, i'm obsessed this was deliciously spooky, i'm obsessed 。。。more

Maegan (wonderland。looking。glass)

DNF at 66%Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc in exchange for an honest review。 I wanted to love this book。 I really did。 I loved Craig’a debut novel, House of Salt and Sorrows, but this one just didn’t do it for me。 I couldn’t even finish this book。 I liked Ellerie and Whitaker and their relationship, but that’s the only thing I liked and understood。 I could not tell you what the plot of this story is。 All I know is there were some weird things happening in Amity Falls and there we DNF at 66%Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc in exchange for an honest review。 I wanted to love this book。 I really did。 I loved Craig’a debut novel, House of Salt and Sorrows, but this one just didn’t do it for me。 I couldn’t even finish this book。 I liked Ellerie and Whitaker and their relationship, but that’s the only thing I liked and understood。 I could not tell you what the plot of this story is。 All I know is there were some weird things happening in Amity Falls and there were lots of bees。 There’s absolutely no plot to this story。 The story jumped all over the place。 There were too many elements included that made following the characters difficult。 I have no idea what I read。 I can’t remember any of the elements that were in the story。 This book just wasn’t for me。 I hope other people will enjoy reading it more than I did。 。。。more

Nika

Erin A。 Craig´s second book is set in a unique and different world that doesn´t manage to uphold the eery atmosphere her first book gave us。 Yet it captures with a hunting story that is at times beautiful and soft and leaves you with the warm feeling of a sunny autumn afternoon and at other times leaves you chilled and paranoid。 The predictable parts in the story are easily forgiven by the absolutely surprising aspects and the creepy feeling that you get with every unexplainable event。 You turn Erin A。 Craig´s second book is set in a unique and different world that doesn´t manage to uphold the eery atmosphere her first book gave us。 Yet it captures with a hunting story that is at times beautiful and soft and leaves you with the warm feeling of a sunny autumn afternoon and at other times leaves you chilled and paranoid。 The predictable parts in the story are easily forgiven by the absolutely surprising aspects and the creepy feeling that you get with every unexplainable event。 You turn the page and wait for another person to break and ask yourself "What will happen next?"。 。。。more

Caroline Tew

Was wayyyy too slow and left some threads loose at the end, which wasn’t my favorite。 I really enjoyed the vibes but I saw the twist coming and it took much too long to get there。 Plus the ending happened too fast for my taste, after over 400 pages of buildup it didn’t feel satisfying。

Ashlie Kramer-Enriquez

Loved it! 😍

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and then bought a finished copy。 Thanks! All opinions are my own。Book: Small FavorsAuthor: Erin A。 CraigBook Series: StandaloneRating: 4/5Recommended For。。。: Young adult readers, fantasy, thriller, mysteryGenre: YA Fantasy ThrillerPublication Date: July 27, 2021Publisher: Delacorte PressPages: 464Recommended Age: 16+ (Animal death, Animal Gore, Religion, Gore, PTSD, Romance, and Language)Explanation of CWs: There is SO MUCH animal death in thi Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher and then bought a finished copy。 Thanks! All opinions are my own。Book: Small FavorsAuthor: Erin A。 CraigBook Series: StandaloneRating: 4/5Recommended For。。。: Young adult readers, fantasy, thriller, mysteryGenre: YA Fantasy ThrillerPublication Date: July 27, 2021Publisher: Delacorte PressPages: 464Recommended Age: 16+ (Animal death, Animal Gore, Religion, Gore, PTSD, Romance, and Language)Explanation of CWs: There is SO MUCH animal death in this book from bees to horses and chickens and more。 Also lots of detailed gore。 There is a couple of small PTSD moments as well as small amounts of language。Synopsis: Ellerie Downing lives in the quiet town of Amity Falls in the Blackspire Mountain range--five narrow peaks stretching into the sky like a grasping hand, bordered by a nearly impenetrable forest from which the early townsfolk fought off the devils in the woods。 To this day, visitors are few and rare。 But when a supply party goes missing, some worry that the monsters that once stalked the region have returned。As fall turns to winter, more strange activities plague the town。 They point to a tribe of devilish and mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents' deepest desires, however grand and impossible, for just a small favor。 But their true intentions are much more sinister, and Ellerie finds herself in a race against time before all of Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves go up in flames。Review: For the most part I thought this book was pretty good。 I thought the World building was very well done and the characters were also very well developed。 I liked the dynamic between the main character and her twin especially。 I also loved The Village/The Witch vibes I got from the story and I liked how ultimately the undoing was simple。However, things went fairly downhill within the last 150-ish pages。 I really did not like the explanation for the big bad of the book。 That explanation just came out of complete nowhere and there wasn't any build up to it whatsoever。 I also thought that the ending was very rushed and you turn around between a certain character hating our main character and then back to being best friends with them was completely out of left field。 I think the book would have been way better if it had kept to a very simple explanation of the events and not have invented a whole new monster。 Verdict: It was good but the best monsters are those that are the simplest。 。。。more

Allie

“There’s a power in names, don’t you think? Once your name is given away, you can’t help but be pulled along by those who have it。” Erin A。 Craig has absolutely done it again。 This was a buddy read with my bestie Yasmin and I absolutely adore this book。 It captivated me just as much as House of Salt and Sorrows did and I am absolutely excited for whatever the author has in store next because I can definitely say I am now OFFICIALLY under the spell that is Erin A。 Craig’s writing。Small “There’s a power in names, don’t you think? Once your name is given away, you can’t help but be pulled along by those who have it。” Erin A。 Craig has absolutely done it again。 This was a buddy read with my bestie Yasmin and I absolutely adore this book。 It captivated me just as much as House of Salt and Sorrows did and I am absolutely excited for whatever the author has in store next because I can definitely say I am now OFFICIALLY under the spell that is Erin A。 Craig’s writing。Small Favors was an excellent dark masterpiece loosely inspired by one of many’s favourite fairytale, Rumpelstiltskin。 The plot was absolutely amazing, though some may find hard and confusing to get into in the very beginning as it starts off by focusing on each and every one of the Downing family characters。 Our main character Ellerie is such a badass。 She reminds me of Sarah Fier from the Fear Street movies (1666 especially)。 The whole of Amity Falls reminded me of Fear Street 1666 really, simply because it’s a small town where they farm and sell/exchange their own goods, have their own council and rules and the whole town is barely far from what we now call modern at their time。I wouldn’t say this book was peak horror but it definitely spooked me with the details of the dark creatures lurking in the forest, the mysterious woman with long hands that has caused chaos and costed a life, mutated animals that was horrifying to even witness in real life。 It almost felt like they were zombies of dead animals to me。 Even the description of accidents was grotesque to read about。 Erin A。 Craig truly has a talent of describing every nuance when it comes to spooky spooks that certainly plays a major role to the story as a whole。It was such an atmospheric reading experience。 Her writing was absolutely amazing and poetic。 It was obscure yet beautiful at the same time。 Interesting characters truly was a bonus。 The ending was absolutely CRUSHING。 Everything leading up to the end was absolutely intense and unseen for me。 Some of the twists, I definitely had my suspicions of in the beginning but some truly shocked me。 Anything Erin A。 Craig has to put out, I will absolutely give it a go。 She definitely has a unique charm to her storytelling。Highly recommended if you are a fan of horror fantasy that is otherworldly beautiful and stunning。 If you enjoyed her debut, House of Salt and Sorrows then you’d definitely enjoy this beauty。 Again, big thanks to bestie, Yasmin for inviting me to read this book along with her。 SHE’S REALLY OUT HERE INFLUENCING ME TO READ ERIN A。 CRAIG’S BOOKS AND I REGRET NOTHING 🖤😭🤌🏻✨twitter ☆ instagram ☆ booktok 。。。more

Katie

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 This is my first review, so forgive me if it’s kinda jumbled, but I can’t NOT talk about this! (Huge spoilers ahead!)Firstly, I do think that Small Favors is a good book。 I don’t personally think it’s a four-and-a-half-stars-out-of-five book though, because there’s just a lot of glaringly obvious problems that piled up at the end and left me feeling really dissatisfied。 The biggest of these is the fact that the Downing parents having to leave Amity Falls and go to a hospital in the city was such This is my first review, so forgive me if it’s kinda jumbled, but I can’t NOT talk about this! (Huge spoilers ahead!)Firstly, I do think that Small Favors is a good book。 I don’t personally think it’s a four-and-a-half-stars-out-of-five book though, because there’s just a lot of glaringly obvious problems that piled up at the end and left me feeling really dissatisfied。 The biggest of these is the fact that the Downing parents having to leave Amity Falls and go to a hospital in the city was such a huge deal, but nothing ever actually comes from it。 I can’t really wrap my head around the fact that this was never resolved。 We do know that they’re safe, but we don’t know if the baby was born, if they were ever going to make the return journey, if Mrs。 Downing was going to fully recover…y’know, very basic questions that would usually be answered by the end of a book。 I suppose it’s assumed that the Downing sisters will find out when they get into the city themselves, but it’s not even certain that they’ll make it that far because we’re told on the last couple of pages that they only have rations for four of the seven days that it takes to get through the forest! This book was certainly meant to leave you with some questions, but it felt more like side plots and little details were thrown in just to be discarded。 An ending can be ambiguous without being unsatisfying。 That said, I do love Erin A。 Craig’s writing style! I loved how she wrote the Downing sisters relationships with one another and the unconditional love and trust that they shared。 I loved the romance, I loved the imagery she used, and I loved how the monsters that lurked in the forest sent a shiver down my spine when I read about Ellerie seeing something almost human waving at her through the window。 There’s enough good in Small Favors to make up several shorter books。 It’s just such a shame that almost everything fell apart at the last second。 (Aside from Whitaker’s return to being human and his reconciliation with Ellerie。 That made me pretty happy。) 。。。more

LaurenLoveReads

Small Favors by Erin A。 CraigMy Overall Feelings:Five stars。 Five stars。 Five stars!!!!What I Loved About This Book: Um。。。everything? From the very beginning I fell in love with this novel。 The atmospheric writing Erin A。 Craig supplies is so beautiful and haunting。 It was so creepy in certain parts but also so lovely in others。 I loved how connected I felt the whole time to the characters, and I loved how even though I was skeptical of pretty much everyone I found myself rooting for them despit Small Favors by Erin A。 CraigMy Overall Feelings:Five stars。 Five stars。 Five stars!!!!What I Loved About This Book: Um。。。everything? From the very beginning I fell in love with this novel。 The atmospheric writing Erin A。 Craig supplies is so beautiful and haunting。 It was so creepy in certain parts but also so lovely in others。 I loved how connected I felt the whole time to the characters, and I loved how even though I was skeptical of pretty much everyone I found myself rooting for them despite that。It is broken up into seasons which added so much。 I could really feel the heat of the Indian Summer and the bitter, miserable cold of winter。 The romance。 Has my whole heart。 I loved it。I am not going to lie, I normally do not love the young adult genre as a whole。 However, everything Erin A。 Craig writes is just my cup of tea。 I’m just sad it’s over and I have to wait for her next one to come out。 My heart actually ached when it was over。 I hardly ever cry reading books, but I found myself tearing up when I finished this one because I loved it so much。Is this my favorite book of the year?? I already want to reread it。What I Didn’t Love About This Book:Absolutely nothing。Would I Recommend?If you like atmospheric, dark, haunting fairytale retellings you need to pick this up。 Even if you don’t like those things I’m begging you to give this a try。 I’m obsessed。 。。。more

Yami

I don't even know man。 I can't even relay to you what I just read。 I wouldn't know where to start and there was so much detail in this book I would be typing for way too long。I honestly don't know how I feel about this book。 It is a true neutral, I didn't dislike and I didn't love it。 So if you're think qbout reading it, I say go for it。 I don't even know man。 I can't even relay to you what I just read。 I wouldn't know where to start and there was so much detail in this book I would be typing for way too long。I honestly don't know how I feel about this book。 It is a true neutral, I didn't dislike and I didn't love it。 So if you're think qbout reading it, I say go for it。 。。。more

Zoe Holborn

Haven’t devoured a book as quickly as I did this in a while。 It was well paced, full of twists and turns。 Would have been a five star but there were certain aspects in the ending I’d already guessed, would have been pushed to a five star if they’d been more of a surprise

Silvia C。

Unfortunately it was not for me。 The little house of on the prairie vibe does nothing for me。 The 25% of the book that I read was full of YA clichés, so I kept rolling my eye。 And I'm not really a fan of purple prose。It's not the book。 It's me。 I'm probably not part of the target demographic for this。 Make sure to check out other reviews for other opinions。 Unfortunately it was not for me。 The little house of on the prairie vibe does nothing for me。 The 25% of the book that I read was full of YA clichés, so I kept rolling my eye。 And I'm not really a fan of purple prose。It's not the book。 It's me。 I'm probably not part of the target demographic for this。 Make sure to check out other reviews for other opinions。 。。。more

Ivanna Trevino

I’m not a fan of horror books but this one is the only exception!

Genevieve

Small Favors // Erin A CraigReview to come

Kristyn

**4 out of 5 stars**I really enjoyed the setting of this book and how the author intertwined lessons from nature (particularly bees and the hive) with family ties and community。 I've been fascinated by the art of beekeeping and loved the details given as our main character, Ellerie Downing, helped her father care for them。 Not only that but the interesting folklore involved。 Loved it! And I would have loved to get more detail from that side of the story。 There was just enough action,, creepiness **4 out of 5 stars**I really enjoyed the setting of this book and how the author intertwined lessons from nature (particularly bees and the hive) with family ties and community。 I've been fascinated by the art of beekeeping and loved the details given as our main character, Ellerie Downing, helped her father care for them。 Not only that but the interesting folklore involved。 Loved it! And I would have loved to get more detail from that side of the story。 There was just enough action,, creepiness, and mystery going on to keep your attention all the way through。 I would definitely recommend to others and would read a sequel if one should appear 😉。 。。。more

Justine

I really enjoyed this book。 I wanted more。

yasmin

“Sometimes, we have to overlook our own desires for the betterment of the hive as a whole。”as yall know, this is one of my absolute mOST anticipated releases of the year and, it is safe to say, that it didn’t disappoint。 💫Small Favors by @penchant4words is a fantasy retelling of Rumpelstiltskin。 yes, you heard me right。 there isn’t a rumpelstiltskin retelling book i’ve heard of before and when i heard about this, i am gENUINELY excited !! The story follows Ellerie Downing whom lived in a small t “Sometimes, we have to overlook our own desires for the betterment of the hive as a whole。”as yall know, this is one of my absolute mOST anticipated releases of the year and, it is safe to say, that it didn’t disappoint。 💫Small Favors by @penchant4words is a fantasy retelling of Rumpelstiltskin。 yes, you heard me right。 there isn’t a rumpelstiltskin retelling book i’ve heard of before and when i heard about this, i am gENUINELY excited !! The story follows Ellerie Downing whom lived in a small town called Amity Falls, surrounded by dark forests away from the city。 All her life she’s known to be familiar with her family’s beehives, seeking comfort and hanging out with her sisters and dreams of bigger things。 soon she realizes things has started to change。 dark creatures lurking within the forests, mutated animals, the whole town fell short on crops, supplies and when most of the townsfolk went out for a supply run and never came back, the townspeople gets more anxious。 strange things kept happening and。。 well。。 pick this up to know what happens next。 🙊i am comPLETLY in love with erin’s writing。 addictive and poetic。 amazing description and never forgets even the tiniest detail。 💫 i knew im gonna enjoy reading this one the moment i read the first chapter。 trust me, its good。 ❤️plot-wise, i think this one is amazingly crafted as trying to come up with a rumpelstiltskin based story with a horror + mystery vibe to it is not easy。 the storyline is amazing, it’s fast-paced as well。 the way she describes each and every strange event is just… simply immaculate。 💅🏼characters, i cant express myself how much i adORE the downing family in here (except for sam。 i was hoping for his character development, atleast, but oh well。 i didnt mind that ending too) i love how ellerie kept prioritise her priorities and always always thinks about her siblings and parents before anything else。 such an amazing character 💕😭 DONT FORGET WHITAKER THO。 I LOVE HIM。 👁👄👁i also really really like how the author includes the details on the town meeting, so the story isnt all about the downing family or ellerie herself, but the whole town in general ✨ the insights and characteristics of the townspeople is just every little detail that adds a cherry on top to the whole vibe 🙊 honestly, i am quite surprised the bees and honey does play a part in the story。 again, simply amazed at every little detail ❤️The atmosphere of this book? the vibe, the suspense? flawless。 the eerie and creeps really gave me goosebumps im not even kidding。 🥲 it reminds me a lot of fear streets !! (just without the gruesome goryness) if you enjoy fear street, PICK。 THIS。 UP。oh, i just wish theres a scene with the parents and they met up at the end or simply an epilogue because that would’ve been delightful 😭✨✨ however, the ending of this one aint bad by all means, its the perfect conclusion to the story as it gave the thrill and suspense feeling resembling as if you’re watching a movie。 exactly like that, we love ❤️this is one of the longest review i have ever written and if you read it till the end, thankyou , you’re the legends 💗 i will never shut up about this book。 i think its safe to say, erinacraig is becoming my auto-buy author 🧸💕 thankyou, for writing this masterpiece。 please, everyone, pick this up。 you wont regret it 💫(also, dont let the cover fool you, this is a horror book。 it aint a fun giddy kinda romance story so keep in mind of that 🙊)special shout out to @bibliorey for buddy reading this one with me。 [still am proud i manage to finish this one before you HAHAHWH 💅🏼] and also to @fatihahreads, @nfreads, for ranting with me as we coincidentally read the book at around a similar timeline 💕🕊aint forgetting deidre, @inabookdaze as my HOSAS cult and constantly talking about erin’s books w me 🙊🙊💗 cant wait to know your thoughts on this one !! rating : 5 / 5 ⭐️ 。。。more

Ishay

"Rule 7: Enter not the forest deep。 Beyond the Bells, the dark friends keep。"Do you like horror-fantasy books? How about small town, pine trees, monstrous/mystical creatures in the woods, strange happenings, secrets, mystery lady, imaginary friend, impossible wishes that was suddenly granted, romance with the outsider you didn't even know the name? Not to mention the beehives and flowers。 Imagine a Midsommar vibe, very enchanting but eerie (sheez 🥶)。 We follow the story of Ellerie who lives in a "Rule 7: Enter not the forest deep。 Beyond the Bells, the dark friends keep。"Do you like horror-fantasy books? How about small town, pine trees, monstrous/mystical creatures in the woods, strange happenings, secrets, mystery lady, imaginary friend, impossible wishes that was suddenly granted, romance with the outsider you didn't even know the name? Not to mention the beehives and flowers。 Imagine a Midsommar vibe, very enchanting but eerie (sheez 🥶)。 We follow the story of Ellerie who lives in a small town secluded from the outside world called Amity Falls, they live a very simple life, abiding the rules of the town made by the Elders, until strange things and mysteries start to happen。 Who would you trust? How much do you know everyone? Who is in your side? Who is your real enemy? Is it a dream, a hallucination? Are the whispers real? Are those silver eyes really watching you from the woods?The story is slow-paced (slow burn?) in a good way that it builds up enough suspense for the reader。 I have to be honest that I was kind of underwhelmed in the end。 The writing style is good, the plot is unique, but the end is lacking。 You know that feeling when the author did a great job in building up the tension and suspense, only to find out that the revelation is kinda rushed? Maybe it's just me but I expected much better。Nevertheless, I still enjoy it and rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars。 💛"There are more things in those woods than any of us could ever imagine。" - Small Favors 。。。more

Teresa

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Erin A。 Craig for the opportunity to read Small Favors in exchange for an honest review。I requested this book because Erin Craig's debut novel, House of Salt and Sorrows, is a stunning work of art and one of my favorite novels of 2019。 When I heard Craig had another book coming out, I couldn't resist! This book is a lot longer than expected and took me a while to read。 It doesn't have the same flare as her debut novel, but it Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and Erin A。 Craig for the opportunity to read Small Favors in exchange for an honest review。I requested this book because Erin Craig's debut novel, House of Salt and Sorrows, is a stunning work of art and one of my favorite novels of 2019。 When I heard Craig had another book coming out, I couldn't resist! This book is a lot longer than expected and took me a while to read。 It doesn't have the same flare as her debut novel, but it certainly has its own intriguing air of mystery about it!The setting, Amity Falls, has a very provincial, early colonization feel to it, as well as being quite religious。 Ellerie Downing lives on a farm outside the main city, as most of the Amity Falls people do, and the whole place is surrounded by dense forest。 The winters are harsh, and early supply runs are crucial for the townspeople on an annual basis。When a supply run goes awry, as there are strange creatures in the forest with silver eyes killing the towns people, it is a tough debate on whether to hold fast to what they have, or risk more lives to get supplies before a harsh winter。 No more lives are to be risked。When a trapper comes to town, claiming to be staying by the river, he doesn't give his name, but Ellerie quickly becomes infatuated and insists on giving him a name: Whitaker。 Without the supply run, the town slowly falls into a dark, downward spiral。 People are blaming each other for theft and vandalism, even claiming to see people who are not actually there。 Could these figments be related to the silver-eyed creatures?Ellerie's friend, Rebecca, has some dilemmas (involving Ellerie's twin brother, Sam) that cause their friendship to fall apart, and Rebecca's dad goes so far as to set fire to the Downing farm, causing serious harm to their crops--and their mother。 Ellerie's father takes her pregnant mother, with Whitaker as an escort, through the mountains to a larger city for medical help。Meanwhile, Ellerie learns to tend the farm and be the caretaker for her father's bees。 All the while, the town is stuck with no supplies and the threat of monsters in the woods。 It sure doesn't help matters when Whitaker returns without Ellerie's parents。 Or when two new people arrive in a later season, claiming to be Ellerie's uncle and cousin。The mystery of the creatures really is the driving force for this book。 Some aspects of who/what they are are somewhat predictable, while the conclusion to this mystery was a bit different than expected。 It was interesting to see just how far the townspeople would go in their deranged madness, all of which started with a simple favor, strengthening the monsters and their need for chaos and destruction。This book felt a bit longer than it needed to be and had a lot of exposition, but the character relationships eventually became rather complex, and the mystery behind the monsters was a continual interest as the plot progressed。 This is a great book for older teen readers and kind of reminded me of the ways the Dark Pictures Anthology games are designed。 As I was reading, I really pictured this like one of those games。 It felt like a blast from the past, had its originality, but was also mundane, all at once。 Definitely better for older teens and fans of a slow-build monster-mystery。 。。。more

Karyn

So good but I’m hoping there is a second one。 I have so many unanswered questions!

Kala Hazelhoff

This book was so good。 Beautifully written。 I loved the spooky factor, and the fact that I couldn’t even pin down what exactly was so eerie! Great read for fans of the movie The Village。 Some people have said it is a little slow in parts, but I felt like once I got into the story, I didn’t want to put it down。

Mandy

I absolutely loved this book!

Carmensutra

DNF -- 60%This was SO BORING。 Read The Year of the Witching instead if you want spooky cult vibes DNF -- 60%This was SO BORING。 Read The Year of the Witching instead if you want spooky cult vibes 。。。more

Abbie

{edit: I originally rated this 4 stars, but I can't stop thinking about it and I'm such a 'feelings rater' that I'm back to give it 5 stars。}Man I loved this book, in all it's beekeeping, cosy seasons, magical fairytale, yearning-love-story glory。 Do I think there were moments that were slightly messy or a tad confusing? Maybe。 Did I still love this book? 100%。 A perfect start to spooky season。 {edit: I originally rated this 4 stars, but I can't stop thinking about it and I'm such a 'feelings rater' that I'm back to give it 5 stars。}Man I loved this book, in all it's beekeeping, cosy seasons, magical fairytale, yearning-love-story glory。 Do I think there were moments that were slightly messy or a tad confusing? Maybe。 Did I still love this book? 100%。 A perfect start to spooky season。 。。。more

Clarissa

I had no idea what is as getting into with this book。 It was so captivating! The suspense had me on edge! I really enjoyed reading this。 I was still a little confused about some things but overall I think this was a fantastic read! Definitely recommend it especially during fall if you're looking for a spooky read hehe。 I had no idea what is as getting into with this book。 It was so captivating! The suspense had me on edge! I really enjoyed reading this。 I was still a little confused about some things but overall I think this was a fantastic read! Definitely recommend it especially during fall if you're looking for a spooky read hehe。 。。。more

Christianna Buckler

I literally read this book in ONE day, I couldn’t put it down for a second。 It was SO good。 It can be difficult to find YA books that are actually written WELL and I was so excited to find this。 A great read for sure!!!

N。F Afrina)

I entered this book with my expectations on the floor and I wouldn't recommend diving into this book any other way。 As always, Erin has a way of mushing whimsical and creepiness in a bowl and making me so confused, I keep feeding myself pages until the end。 This book was such a fast-paced read for me。 I'm a fast reader but some books just have pages that glide over each other like you're running on soap。 This is the book。I didn't know this is actually a Rumpelstiltskin retelling at the start and I entered this book with my expectations on the floor and I wouldn't recommend diving into this book any other way。 As always, Erin has a way of mushing whimsical and creepiness in a bowl and making me so confused, I keep feeding myself pages until the end。 This book was such a fast-paced read for me。 I'm a fast reader but some books just have pages that glide over each other like you're running on soap。 This is the book。I didn't know this is actually a Rumpelstiltskin retelling at the start and was pleasantly surprised when I got the reference。 Of course, the favours and Whitaer's evasiveness about names。。。 it made sense。I have a soft spot for family relationships in books and Small Favours revolves around the Downing family。 I loved how Ellerie took rein as the older sibling after her parents left for medicine and Samuel deem himself useless。 Despite everything and despite her feelings for Whitaker, she proved time and again that her family was her priority and I admire that。 The small town drama in the book was also so realistic。 The quarrels and the finger-pointing was like what would usually happen in an extended family because of their proximity in relationship。 Everyone knew each other and kept tabs in neon in their memories。 It was so, so simple to wreak havoc when the foundation is already chaotic and tainted with silent grudge。The most annoying thing in the book was Sam。 He was infuriating and I wanted to stab him in every scene he appeared in。 Insecure men are literally the worst type of creatures。 I hated him and he was insufferable but I admit that it added to the plot。If I were to compare this to House of Salt and Sorrows, I'd say that Small Favors was more put together and more cohesive。 The romance was also more convincing and I actually liked Whitaker。 Though I should say that the plot was a bit similar to House of Salt and Sorrows because I kind of know the lines that Erin would not cross in her plot twists。 But it's good because the culprit and the ending actually makes sense with the hints sprinkled around。 So, everything feels like a puzzle piece in the end。I read this on my birthday because my friend Jill sent it to me and I'm happy I did so :) 。。。more

Dana Al-Basha دانة الباشا

In the secluded town of Amity Falls, Ellerie has the chance to have her secret wishes come true, but there is a price to pay in this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin。

Cassie

This author continues to have an absolute stranglehold on atmosphere - it’s so good。 I was also expecting this would be more like HOSAS - pure fantasy - so the Americana mythology of it all was a pleasant surprise。 That said, Ellerie was not as engaging a character as Annaleigh from HOSAS。 She cares for her family in the same way, but is so much more of a pushover。 I would have liked to see a little more selfishness on her part, especially when dealing with Sam。 Also, the resolution with Sam was This author continues to have an absolute stranglehold on atmosphere - it’s so good。 I was also expecting this would be more like HOSAS - pure fantasy - so the Americana mythology of it all was a pleasant surprise。 That said, Ellerie was not as engaging a character as Annaleigh from HOSAS。 She cares for her family in the same way, but is so much more of a pushover。 I would have liked to see a little more selfishness on her part, especially when dealing with Sam。 Also, the resolution with Sam was largely unsatisfactory - it would have been nice to see some sort of final confrontation。 I liked the way the favors tied together, but again, would have liked more visibility into how things built up。 Again: overall, good, but I don’t know if this is something I’d ever go back and reread (unlike HOSAS)。 。。。more