I received an excerpt of Havenfall (the first two chapters).
I enjoyed this introduction to the world of Havenfall and I'm keen to read more. The first two chapters give quite a lot of background information about Maddie and her family, a very sad and dramatic history. It also introduces Haven, the inn, and the magic of the connected worlds. There's a little bit of info dumping about the other worlds, and I feel like (though I could be wrong) it gives a really obvious hint to at least one part of the story going forward, but I hope there is a lot more to discover about the magic and the visitors at the inn. I look forward to reading more about the magical and dangerous world of Havenfall.

3.5 stars.

This was an average read for me especially more so because I didn't like many of the choices Maddie went with, how she reacted to things and her thought processes.

What I liked:

- I really liked the setting and the whole lore of the realms and the world building.

- I loved Taya and how she questions everything rather than believe everyone like Maddie does.

- The whole truths that keep shifting and the underlying conspiracies definitely kept me reading through the end.

What I didn't like:

- The writing in the very beginning was very awkward and reminded me of how my 14 year old self used to write especially with the introduction of each detail to get the reader familiar with Maddie. There were many repeated sentences over and over again throughout the whole book. Plus, am I the only who's bothered with how many "ands" are in the book?

- Many of Maddie's actions were really foolish and many things could have easily been avoided honestly especially with her decision about the treaties before the end. A lot of going back and forth about events and for some reason Maddie refuses to think of the most logical stuff Taya tells her and dismisses them.

- I understand that it's a 1st POV but a lot of things happen off screen and just mentioned later on as a remark instead of an event happening like saving Sura and the Heiress's, Graylin's and Willow's reactions to the truths that was revealed.

- Some characters' actions/reactions aren't specified or ignored. Like what did Princess Enetta think about the Solarian issue or whatever happened to her afterwards? She just disappeared after the whole argument with the Silver Prince.

- I can't help but feel that the way they treat Solarians were somewhat racist.

Overall, despite me having more complaints than praises, the whole conspiracy and truths exposed in the end was the selling point of the book and kept me reading non-stop. I can't help but want the book in Taya's POV instead because I found her whole character and background much more interesting. I can't really guess what the focus of the next book is going to be about and that makes me excited to read it!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.

I couldn't connect to the writing here, and ultimately lost interest. I won't be continuing with this story.

This excerpt was so captivating !
The writing was really enjoyable, and the plot was already intriguing !
I can't wait to buy the book and read more of this.

Thank you to net galley for sending me a copy of havenfall. This is the second book I have read by this author and I still have yet to like it. I find myself skimming through the last pages. I would recommend if it sounds interesting.

I received the full eARC after this so I'll be reviewing the whole thing.

This was more of a 2.5 stars but I can't do half stars. This book wasn't for me, unfortunately.

The plot and world-building is good and unique, and the world-building itself seems to be the focus of the book. This feels more like a prequel than a First Book. However, there's not enough high-stakes intensity that usually goes hand-in-hand with the more life-altering situations that take place in this. The characters lack depth and good characterization, they felt really underdeveloped. I couldn't connect with any of them. The story was delivered somewhat monotonously and fell flat. Even the antagonist wasn't that great, since he only appears a handful of times and we never get to know him, his motives and motivations.

There's too much dialogue, inner monologue, and it's somewhat overly descriptive. The pacing is boringly slow. The other worlds are talked about so much, yet they're not explored-- obviously, they're going to be explored in future books but it didn't help this book. There's a lot of twists that are thrown, but they're spread out pretty evenly, at least, so it makes for a more interesting story. Also, some things didn't make sense (characters being surprised by certain things at Havenfall despite being there every summer for 10 years).

The diversity (bi main character with a married gay uncle) was great! It felt normalized rather than 'oh look at me' or either of them being the Token Bi/Gay character who's always going on about their sexuality.

I adored this excerpt and can't wait to read more about this contemporary fantasy world. I especially loved the MC's voice and the air of mystery about Havenfall.

Such a captivating and exciting excerpt to grasp the readers and entice them for more. This excerpt truly lays the foundation of the world Holland has created, leaving you grasping for more and having to buy the book.

I only read the excerpt and this wasn't enough now it's time to buy and read the entire book.

I need to know how it ends

I absolutely love Sara Holland's Everless series and was so excited to even get an excerpt from her new work. I really enjoyed this little bit of the story and can't wait to read more!

This excerpt was so intruiging! The first two chapters really drew me in and I must continue the book now! The world seems really interesting and I can't wait to learn more about it as well as the characters!

Thank you Bloomsbury/Netgalley for providing the excerpt to review.

This was a fantastic excerpt. Very well written, captivating and intriguing. I cant wait to read the rest.

Another great YA novel from Sarah Holland, Havenfall introduces a very different concept to the fantasy genre. I really liked the idea that there was a central hub to all these different worlds on Earth but I felt that some of the characters needed a bit more depth and there could have been a bit 'more' to the story.

Honestly, when I requested this excerpt I didn't expect that I would eventually get approved for the full arc, and yet here I am reviewing the introductory sample as I continue to read the rest of the story. I kind of have inconsistent hopes for Sara Holland's <em>Havenfall.</em> And it all ties in heavily to what I know of her writing and what I've read from the excerpt.

To begin, I didn't really like Holland's first novel, <em>Everless</em>. For many reasons, it just seemed subpar to me. But, as I'd finished the first novel I eventually figured I might as well read the second and lo' and behold I actually really loved it (barring one annoyance, of course). Secondly, I don't know what to think of <em>Havenfall</em> so far?

I think, ultimately, I just feel that I haven't read enough to determine what I exactly think of it. In that respect, I'm glad to have the rest of the book now to read. I'll just have to see where the story takes me before I make a final decision. I do <i>really</i> love the cover, though.

<em>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</em>

My first thought, is that this is going to be like an isekai, where main character falls into magical world somehow and has to figure out the rules of the world. Or maybe not, since it’s a magical inn.

Here’s what intrigues me: the mother of the main character is on death row for murder, because a monster did it and she can’t tell anyone or risk exposing the other worlds. This makes things interesting, and makes me want to read on.

Here’s what I’m not so sure about: is the main character eventually going to have to reveal the other worlds to the human world? This makes me think of cliches, and makes me question if I’m truly going to love this book.

What is this book going to become? I have no idea. Nor do I have any idea if I’m going to truly love this book, or think it’s just ok, until I get to the end. Until the book or series is over, I really couldn’t tell you whether I think the book is worth it or not.

Am I going to read the rest of the book? Heck yeah! I wanna see where this goes, and of course, I’m gonna finish it to see what happens. But as for liking it, I can’t really say yet.

I was only given an excerpt, but from all the buzz and the first bit I was able to read, this seems like a very intriguing book!
I’d have to read everything for a better judgement, but as of what I’ve previewed in the excerpt, the book seems good!

Ill have a full review on www.librariumdream.blogspot.com now that I have the full audio book.

I have to say the excerpt was well written and leaves the reader wanting more.

A mix of magic and mayhem that leaves the reader looking forward to the rest of the novel.
I'm hoping Maddie gets a little more interesting because she seemed a bit plain to be a main character but we shall see.

This is nothing like Hollands other novels and I`m looking to see how her writing style has grown. There does seem to be some stereotypical cliches that flood the YA community but that is to be expected.

This book has such an interesting concept. I really enjoyed what I read in this excerpt and I’m looking forward to picking up the finished copy when it comes out!

I was excited for this one, it's not quite what I imagined but it was a good beginning. I hope there's more action in later chapters.

I enjoyed this. The worldbuilding was interesting, if a touch overwhelming in the beginning. I interested to see where the characters take us and how the plot develops as the story moves forward.