I really liked this book, although it felt a little too long. This books is so eloquently written that I didn't really mind how long it was. The characters were well thought out and I was rooting for Ellerie to solve the mystery and survive.

I was sent an ARC of this book by the publisher in return for an honest review, thank you publisher!!

Man, this book was awesome!!!

Ellorie Downing lives in a tiny town where everybody knows everybody, and everyone's business. In such a secluded place, with a nearly impenetrable forest, visitors are extremely rare. But then a few new trappers are noted to have come into town, and when a supply run turns into a gruesome scene with tales of old monsters roaming the woods again, the winter looks like it will be a nightmare.

This book was just so so atmospheric and spooky, I loved the entire vibe of the whole book! I loved the plot twists and characters, how close knit the main family was, and the way that the plot was not too strung out, not too heavy handed. This is definitely such a hidden treasure and more people should read it around spooky season. I don't know what took me so long to read it, but so happy I was able to. Absolutely loved it! 4/5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Small Favors.

I absolutely devoured House of Salt and Sorrows, so when I saw that Erin A. Craig had a new story coming out, I knew I had to read it. She has such an ability to create haunting atmospheres, using fairy tales as inspiration, set in different worlds or time periods.

Small Favors takes place in the small village of Amity Falls, long ago (seemingly, we never find out the exact time period, and it has a bit of a “The Village” vibe at the beginning, making you wonder if the rest of the world is the same.) We meet Ellerie Downing and her family- her loving parents, twin brother Sam, sisters Merry and Sadie. We learn the rules of the town, which seem to work fairly well at keeping peace and harmony, until they don’t. Darkness and disaster soon fall on this small, isolated town, neighbors turning on neighbors, odd events escalating, suspicion abounds.

Broken up into seasons, starting at the end of Summer, we spend a year in Amity Falls, and see how quickly things can change, how broken people can become. We feel their hope and despair, how isolated and alone they truly are. While I didn’t particularly enjoy the ending to this story, I did savor the journey there.

Trigger Warnings: Murder, Fire, Arson, Gore, Religious Fervor, Monsters, Animal Death

I’ve had Small Favors in my TBR for well over a year. I actually own a signed hardcover copy of the book that I’d pre-ordered back before it came out. Now the book is out in paperback and I’m just now getting around to reading it. Go me.

Erin A. Craig likes to do fairy tale retellings and from what I can gather, this one is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. At least that is what I’d guess from the favors – that was Rumpelstiltskin’s schtick after all. However, she does it in an unexpected way that makes you stop and think about it. It isn’t obvious at first.

I love the setting of Amity Falls – an idyllic little town that is mostly self-contained, but still requires a little bit of help from the outside world. I honestly wonder if perhaps Amity Falls isn’t one of those quaint towns frozen in the past – no electricity, no motor vehicles, none of the modern world’s trappings, while the city that lies beyond God’s Grasp is as modern as they come with all the normal things you’d find – cell phones, motor vehicles, electricity, solar panels, etc..

As part of this setting, I loved the aesthetic of the Downing Farm, where five bee hives and a field of flowers with which to provide them pollen were found. It’s funny that I loved the aesthetic of it so much when I’m not a fan of farms or countryside in real life.

Small Favors gives us a taste of what life is like in a small town when the darkness that is always present in the hearts of men is given a chance to fester. It seems by the end of the book nearly every family in town has turned against at least one other family. There is also the issue of Parson Briard, who seems to be taking his religious fervor a bit too far. Between Briard and the Lathetons, the religious fervor in town when it comes to what is going on makes a pretty big impact.

I enjoyed this book right up until the end of the book. The book ends in a way that many horror novels/movies do – with a smattering of survivors (no, I won’t tell you who) making their way away from the horrors of what they’ve just experienced. In all honesty, I’d have liked to have seen an epilogue to at least let us know if Ellerie, Merry, and Sadie ever saw their parents again, but I can also live without it.

If you’re looking for a fairy tale retelling that moves into dark fantasy/horror, I highly recommend Small Favors as a starting point.

Another haunting title from Craig. Small Favors is like The Mist for YA Fantasy, and I am here for it.

*V.E. Schwab's The Near Witch meets The Village meets Lord of the Flies*

Ellerie Downing just wants a simple life--to maybe meet someone, take care of her family's bees--all within the borders of her isolated mountain town, Amity Falls. However, when the annual supply train goes missing and the townsfolk begin to report strange creatures in the dark, the peace Amity Falls once knew is at risk. As the weather grows harsher and supplies grow more scarce, friends and neighbors begin to turn against one another. But Ellerie knows that it is something more than that, that something darker and far more sinister is to blame for the strange events that have plagued the town and its people. She must uncover the truth before it's too late, or else her family and Amity Falls are doomed.

Small Favors was my first introduction to Erin A. Craig, but holy s*** I need to pick up her other books. This book was so graphic (not like that), the writing so descriptive and beautiful that it captured every bit of scenery without bogging down the pace of the story. The story was both familiar and inventive. The characters were complex and their interactions constantly had me asking what was going to happen next, because everything really depended on the actions of the characters rather than the outside force. And THE ENDING, my lanta, was like a hellscape nightmare and I loved every second of it. Small Favors is definitely a must read for lovers of YA Horror!

When comparing the synopsis and how the story of Small Favors was executed as a novel, I have to say that I was definitely expecting something different. I anticipated more horror and/or faster pacing. In reality, while there definitely was some horror, there wasn’t as much as I’d expected, and the story also played out across three seasons rather than over the course of a few days, or even a few weeks.

I was really into the horror scenes, but found that they were few and far between and that the story stretched out a bit too long. That being said, I kind of sense that this was done for the sake of the plot and to let certain things play out the way that they did. I just wish that more would have happened within the time span used to tell the story is perhaps what I’m trying to say. Please keep in mind that this is an account of my personal experience with the book and that you might experience things differently.

I did enjoy reading about some of the characters, and found myself eager for scenes with them. Unfortunately, the main characters, also the story’s narrator, was not one of those characters. While I did appreciate having access to her inner thoughts, I didn’t find her to be as developed as some of the other characters. Her personality felt a little flat to me. Lastly, I think that aside from the horror scenes, and some of the side characters, my other favourite thing about Small Favors was the setting and atmosphere.

I think it was strategic how the valley the main character lives in is surrounded by an ominous forest. It made me feel trapped at times, alongside the characters, and definitely heightened that horror vibe. And lastly, a thing that caused unease for me was that I was unable to tell what time period Small Favors was set in. All in all, this book did give me goosebumps at times and made me feel a little uncomfortable, so I recommend it if that’s your jam!

Loved this book so much, I bought a copy for my shelf!!

Description
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the critically-acclaimed author of House of Salt and Sorrows comes a mesmerizing and chilling fairy-talesque novel about Ellerie Downing, a young woman in a small town with monsters lurking in the trees and dark desires hidden in the shadows—in Amity Falls, nothing is more dangerous than a wish come true.

"Unique, enchanting, and haunting."—Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of the Cursebreaker series

“Full of beasts, bargains, and blood, Small Favors is a folk horror tale that feels like a classic but is utterly fresh. Sweet, dark, and complex as wildflower honey.”—Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf

"A deliciously dark fairy tale filled with bone-chilling horror and breathtaking romance that will keep you turning the pages long into the night."—Kara Thomas, author of The Cheerleaders and That Weekend

“As dark and romantic as it haunting, Small Favors is an eerie fairytale that I couldn’t put down.”—Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching

Ellerie Downing is waiting for something to happen. Life in isolated Amity Falls, surrounded by an impenetrable forest, has a predictable sameness. Her days are filled with tending to her family's beehives, chasing after her sisters, and dreaming of bigger things while her twin, Samuel, is free to roam as he wishes.

Early town settlers fought off monstrous creatures in the woods, and whispers that the creatures still exist keep the Downings and their neighbors from venturing too far. When some townsfolk go missing on a trip to fetch supplies, a heavy unease settles over the Falls.

Strange activities begin to plague the town, and as the seasons change, it's clear that something is terribly wrong. The creatures are real, and they're offering to fulfill the residents' deepest desires, however grand, for just a small favor. These seemingly trifling demands, however, hide sinister intentions. Soon Ellerie finds herself in a race against time to stop Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves from going up in flames.

Erin A. Craig stole the crown as the queen of creepy with her YA debut House of Salt and Sorrows. The queen continues to reign supreme with her equally creepy and equally creative sophomore novel, Small Favors.
Monsters are stalking the woods around Ellerie Downings small village and holding the residents of Amity Falls captive within. When supplies start to dwindle and with her mother in dire need of medical attention Ellerie's father makes the difficult decision to brave the woods, leaving Ellerie and her twin brother to look after their two younger sisters. With the town in mayhem and her brother acting out of character, Ellerie is left alone to confront the fact that sometimes monster's aren't what we expect them to be.

I was unable to read this title due to archive date coming before downloading. Thank you for the opportunity.

This title a very interesting one, out of my typical reading comfort zone but I found it generally enjoyable.

Erin A. Craig is a powerhouse new talent! I devoured both of her books in a matter of days. Her skill at suspense and horror makes her reads both exciting and terrifying. But her real talent lies in her characters! Their internal lives, their needs and wants and goals are always so compelling. The settings and spaces Craig creates fill me with an intense longing to be inside them, but with just enough fear to know better.

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got a copy of this book through NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: This was a very well done historical fantasy/horror story. It's set in a small isolated valley town surrounded by a dense pine forest. Things get tense when people are killed by something in the woods and strange things start to happen around town. We spend most of our time with Ellerie and her family, as they try to survive both a hard winter without supplies and the strangeness that begins to infect the town.

It was odd for me to read this so soon after reading "What We Harvest" because a lot of the vibes and themes in these two books end up being very similar. This is a strangely compelling and creepy read. I enjoyed the strange isolated town and the mystery behind what dwelled in the woods. Ellerie and her family were also well done, engaging characters.

This was a 5 star read for me up to the last 25% or so. I found the explanation as to what was causing all the strangeness to be a bit unsatisfying. However, the book is well written, engaging, and creepy without ever being terrifying. I enjoyed it more than "The House of Salt and Sorrows", which I gave 3 stars too.

My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well written story with a nice slow burn mystery and some strange magical creepiness. I really loved the first two third’s or so, but found the ending to be a bit unsatisfying. Still, I don’t regret reading it and would recommend to those who enjoy a creepy fantasy with a slow burn mystery and just a bit of terror.

Ellerie Downing an her family live in quiet Amity Falls, bordered by a dense forest and tall mountains. The townsfolk take turns making supply runs to provide for everyone. When the next run never returns and a massacre in the woods is discovered, people begin to worry what may be hiding in the forest.

I've been a fan of Erin Craig's writing style since House of Salt and Sorrow, so I was excited to dive into another one of her retellings (Rumpelstiltskin). She just knows how to write suspense and tension so well. I was sucked into this small town and was trapped there with these characters, although it did take some time for the story to truly develop. A lot of ground work had to be laid before we got to anything exciting. I loved the secluded small town vibes and Craig's atmospheric writing really enhanced that aspect of the story. The book dragged a bit for me at times, so I do think it could have been a bit shorter, and still gotten the overall vibe and plot across. Ellorie was an interesting character. She needed to grow up very quickly as hardships fell upon her family, but I did like her development as the story went on. I liked the mystery behind Whitaker, but did find is storyline to be a bit predictable. I was also a big fan of the sister relationships in this, and how loving and caring they were to one another.

Overall, I enjoyed the secluded small town, but do think this could have been shorter.

I’ve been in a huge fantasy mood lately and this seemed like a natural pick for my next read.

Only to read this and not really get any fantasy elements. Just small snippets. And I thought the horror elements were touched upon but felt like a missed opportunity! But that’s not even the worst of it.

Nothing really happened for 3/4 of the book. That first huge chunk of the book was mostly just basic drama. The tension was not built at all; any tension that was written, quickly plateaued. The climax felt wholly anti-climactic and the tension was completely missing from those scenes. Or it could have been me just very underwhelmed.

The writing wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t exactly great either. Ellerie, we’re told, is this smart young girl who seems to have a good head on her shoulders yet her behavior does not always show that. The idea of the ‘small favors’ doesn’t come up until after the halfway point of the book yet we’re told towards the end that favors were happening the whole time.

And I think the ending was terrible. I can’t really explain why, but I was left frustrated and a little confused.

I think the bones and the core premise/ idea of this book was really good. It just wasn’t executed well and not built upon well at all. I think if it was in third person and we got little snippets of the other villagers making deals, the tension would have been better and may have actually made the pacing faster and actually built up to something.

Ultimately, everything just fell flat and I think the author may have lost her way a little when trying to execute this idea.

I read House of Salt and Sorrows last year and loved it! I wondered if Small Favors would be a hit or miss for me.

It's a hit! This seemingly idyllic, small village is upended by several crazy occurences and reports of very dark things in the woods around the town. As the town is swept into a frenzy, Ellerie must try and protect her family. But who is she protecting them from?

Just as in House of Salt and Sorrows, there is a creepy, macabre feeling throughout the story that ebbs and flows but is never too far away.

Craig has proven herself to be a wonderful storyteller and while this isn't a horror book, you can definitely get sufficiently spooked along the way. You may want to have a 4-leaf clover with you for luck while you're reading this one.

Thank you to #DelacortePress and #Netgalley for the copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

In beautifully written prose, Erin A. Craig weaves a subtly chilling tale. This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin follows Ellerie, a girl who loves her small town. The arrival of a stranger heralds some changes and oddities that eventually tear apart the idyllic nature of the settlement. Full of twists that kept me guessing, I highly recommend this book to all who love folklore and horror.

This was my first book by Erin and I really loved her writing. I will be reading her other book house of salt and sorrows once I get the chance. I loved the setting this book took place in it was very creepy and had an ominous feeling. Very fast paced and formatted. The characters were well written and the plot kept me guessing until the very end, which is great because I didn’t spoil it for myself. I see why Erin first book was such a success.

I tried so hard to get through this book. I picked it up and put it down multiple times, but only made it halfway before giving up. I feel like the story tries to do too much, which made it feel impossible for me to connect with the story.

Small Favors is a quiet YA horror novel that entirely sucked me in. It's creepy and atmospheric with slow-building tension, small town secrets, and fraught relationships. Definitely worth a read.

Ellery lives in an isolated small town governed by rules created by the founders. It's a close knit community where neighbors are always there to lend a helping hand. But things start going very wrong. It starts with the deformed animals, the rotting crops, and then relationships going awry. Through it all Ellery struggles to keep her family together and help them survive. I don't want to say too much more, but I loved a lot about this. It was creepy and fascinating. Towards the later part of the book I thought the pacing could have been better and we got explanations of some things a tad too early in my opinion. Dragging it out a bit more would have kept up the suspense. But overall, a very strong book and I love seeing this kind of slow burn horror show up in YA.