Member Reviews
**A sample of two chapters were provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
From what I’ve gleaned, the novel follows Maddie Marrow as she travels to Havenfall to prove herself to her Uncle Marcus that she would be the best successor to the family business. Havenfall is the only place where she can feel assertive and in control, whereas anywhere else, she is plagued by the shadow of her mother’s supposed crime of murdering Maddie’s older brother eleven years prior.
The beginning of the sample two chapters started with a summary of the different worlds connected to (or shut off from) our world aka Haven. I didn’t really take to these summaries. Perhaps they would have done better left as a glossary at the end of the novel seeing as “Havenfall” will eventually explain these places and their people in the text.
Which brings up another point. Because of these brief summaries, the first chapter of the novel flies by a little too quickly. The readers are given multitudes of exposition dependent on the summaries rather than slowly letting the reader acclimate to the new environment. I would understand if this novel was a part of the author’s previously explored universe, but “Havenfall” is supposed to be a stand-alone duology. Let the reader settle in.
That was where the second chapter did better. As Maddie traveled, she slowed down on rapid fire revelations about her life and family and focused more on the environment. I’m not usually one for present tense first person POV’s, but the prose was well written and detailed enough to give me an idea of where Maddie was at.
I already like Taya and secretly hope that she and Maddie start something either romantically or at the very least form a strong bond of friendship. I want to know more about the different worlds, and not through summaries blurbed at the beginning.
Overall, this was a decent start. I wasn’t entirely hooked seeing as I had to keep up with the blast of info at the start. Maybe the pacing for the second chapter will continue on throughout the novel?
This was a very interesting beginning of a book, it quickly pulled me into the story, and it left me highly anticipating for the whole book when it comes out, you know I'm going to buy it right away.
I love this excerpt so much. This was my first Sara Holland book and i couldn't wait to read the whole book.
Can't wait to see where this story will go. A very strong start that is leaving you with wanting more.
Havenfall by Sara Holland
After reading the excerpt, I am very excited to see where this story goes! Sara Holland always has such a wonderful way of building world's. They come alive on the page. I am sure that Havenfall will be no different!
The excerpt does a nice job of describing the worlds in this book. We do get to meet Maddie, the protagonist. She is on her way to Havenfall, where her uncle is an innkeeper for a peace-keeping inn that exists between worlds. The first few chapters were interesting, with a lot of information. I'm hopeful that the rest of the book will have more action and more interaction- the last chapter in the excerpt was promising, as we got to meet another character with Maddie.
I was so excited to read this! I loved the author's previous work (Everless) and was ecstatic to read a new series.
Heavenfall is full of promise, I just feel this preview was too short to deliver. It's too soon for me to form any real opinions. Despite that, I'm curious about this world and would like to see more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a preview of this book in exchange for an honest review.
totally requested this based on that gorgeous cover. i go back and forth on excerpts, sometimes they make me cranky and need to get the full book in my hands asap, other times they are far too short and don't go deep enough for me to want to read the full story. i'm on the fence about this one, i think. i'm curious to see where it goes, but not champing at the bit to get to it either. beauty of excerpts i guess.
Wasnt able to start this book because I'm really looking forward to reading the whole thing ! I can't start it and not have the rest ! It would drive me crazy!
I loved the preview of Sara Holland's upcoming novel. It's lush and intriguing while giving the comfort of a well written book. I cannot wait to read the entire book
5/5! I LOVED this excerpt! I can't wait to read the entire novel!!!!! Is it March yet?? The characters and world-building were superbly done.
I requested an excerpt of this novel and am, at the moment, unable to make a decision. The excerpt is pretty sure and unfortunately, it's not enough to make a decision. I guess that is okay considering that I am willing to buy the novel when it's released so I will give it 2.5 of 5.
I fell in love with the cover of the book, but I really really loved the descriptions of the worlds and magic. I found myself wanting Taya and Maddie to eventually be in a relationship, but I wonder if that is just my wishful thinking. I can't wait till I get the full book!
An interesting short little preview of the book. Haven sounds like an interesting place to start a new/between world story, but I'm not sure if its got me yet. Maybe too soon to tell. I will definitely add it to my TBR pile but it's a little ways down. Thanks for the opportunity to read the ARC Except.
What an exciting concept! I loved how intricate the story line was. A very "Lord of the Rings meets Harry Potter" sort of feel. Maddie was instantly likable and relatable, with just enough trauma in her life to make me want to know more about her, and see where she was headed. The hint of danger really works well in this story. Quite sad this was only an excerpt, but it definitely made me want to carry on with the story, so I'll have to pick up my own copy. I definitely feel like this book was well on its way to being a 4-5 star read for me.
Great preview into a new wonderful world! Sara's books are amazing, now to dive into the whole book!
Havenfall actually wasn't really on my radar until people started hyping it up on Instagram. When I saw that the excerpt was here on Netgalley, I got really excited because I was interested in seeing what everyone was interested in. I love the idea of mixing fantasy and mystery together. From what I got to read in this sample, I really enjoyed the main characters so far and I'm interested in seeing how things work in this world with magic and politics and whatnot.
An interesting start to Havenfall by Sara Holland. I found the most fascinating part of the excerpt to be finding out about the other realms that the doors in the inn lead to. And there's also the mystery regarding Maddie's mother and the situation involving her brother's death. I think readers will be eager to see more about the other realms' people during this peace summit.
Oh man! If the rest of the book is as well-written and interesting as the excerpt of Havenfall I received, it is sure to be a hit! The inn at Havenfall is only mentioned in the first two chapters, never seen, yet it already feels as though it has a life of its own. Characters who are mentioned but have yet to reach the page already feel real, and main character Maddie’s personality really shines through. Her insecurities, fears, and hopes are expressed beautifully and realistically, so she already feels as though she’s someone the reader can easily get to know. The end of chapter two had me ready for more! I cannot wait for this book to be published on March 3 because I am dying to know what happens next!
I really enjoyed Everless, and this is looking like it'll be just as good! The writing style is so very up my alley and feels so familiar, and the world is quite immersive.