Sounds interesting but I'm dying for something that doesn't have romance at all or at the very least is not heterosexual.

I had no idea what this was about I just wanted to read it because of the cover. Anybody? I love this cover!
This was a story about domestic violence against women and so much more. It started off strong and I was pulled in. This was weird and strange but worked for me. I liked the characters and the ending. Ollie who is the main character was a wonderful character and he really drove this story for me.
Thanks Tiny Fox Press via NetGalley.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Herrick's End</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>Herrick's End</i> by T. M. Blanchet is an intriguing fantasy novel that delves into a mysterious and eerie underworld.

<h4>The Details</h4>

Blanchet excels at creating a haunting and vividly detailed setting. Herrick's End is brought to life with rich descriptions that evoke a sense of dread and wonder, immersing readers in its eerie ambiance.

Furthermore, the protagonist, Ollie, is a relatable and well-rounded protagonist. His determination, vulnerability, and growth throughout the novel make him a character readers can easily root for.

The story is well-paced, with a blend of suspense, mystery, and supernatural elements that keep readers hooked. The twists and turns are cleverly executed, maintaining intrigue from start to finish.

Although Ollie is well-developed, some secondary characters could use more depth and complexity. Their roles sometimes feel more functional to the plot than integral to the story's emotional impact.

However, certain plot twists and revelations might be anticipated by astute readers, slightly reducing the overall surprise and impact of these moments.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall , <i>Herrick's End</i> by T. M. Blanchet is a captivating and atmospheric fantasy novel that combines a gripping plot with rich world-building and a strong protagonist. The novel's strengths in creating a haunting setting and exploring meaningful themes make it a standout read. Fans of dark fantasy and supernatural mysteries will find much to enjoy in this engaging and thought-provoking tale. Blanchet's storytelling prowess ensures that <i>Herrick's End</i> is a memorable journey into the unknown, filled with suspense and discovery.

I went into this book expecting some kind of other world. A little scary, but harmless and whimsical for the most part. What I actually got was a dark, gruesome, and unforgiving underworld which, arguably, was so much better. The writing was great — the main character’s feelings of desperation and despair seeped through the pages, so much so I could feel the oppressive darkness of Herrick’s End and the Neath. And yet, it manages to remain a fairly light read with a funny cast of characters and enjoyable dialogue.

The characters themselves were okay enough, not the best I’ve encountered but fun to follow along regardless. My biggest issue with them is that I hardly had time to get attached. For so much of the beginning of the story we’re focused on Ollie and Nell’s friendship, only for Nell to almost disappear altogether with zero impact or input on the plot. I probably would have enjoyed this a lot more if it had spent less time setting up a character that had little to do with the story and put that focus on the characters you’re meant to get attached to instead. It almost felt like the characters were put there just to tell the story, rather than experiencing it themselves.

That being said, the ending (and when I say ‘ending’ I mean 60% onwards) was so much fun and incredibly difficult to put down. I’m excited to see what the Neath has planned in the next book!

Overall this was a decent book. I liked the cover, which is what initially drew me to this title. The plot, however, felt unresolved. I realize that there is a 2nd book and that it was supposed to be more of a cliffhanger, but I just felt like it was more of an abrupt ending that left me a little “…huh…” if that makes sense? Overall an okay read.

I could not finish this book. I liked Ollie and the idea behind the book….but I did not like reading disparaging comments about weight and being fat. Eating disorders and abuse don’t make for an enjoyable read. It just hurt my heart for both Ollie and Nell. Ollie seems like a good kid and dealt an awful lot in life.

The book turned out differently from what I had anticipated based on the description. The initial section proved somewhat demanding to navigate, as the protagonist undergoes mistreatment before a connection with him can form. However, the narrative improves later on, transitioning into a continuous heist storyline, unraveling the enigmas of an inventive and greatly valued fantasy backdrop.My primary observation pertains to the presentation, which inadequately sets the stage for the book's content. The main character's struggles with an eating disorder, along with the prevalent themes of domestic abuse and the mourning of his mother, aren't peripheral aspects; they hold significant narrative weight.

Herrick's End by T.M. Blanchet is the first book in the young-adult fantasy series, The Neath. This book is a fast-paced that'll take you into the vast underworld that will leave you excited and terrified for more.

This book had great characters that make you want to connect with them on a deeper level, especially Ollie and even some of the secondary characters. I felt like I was a mini cheerleader for Ollie throughout the book and I really hope the author writes more in this world with Ollie as the main character! I am really forward to the next book in this series!!

The writing is amazing, you really felt like you were immersed in the book and the pace was great with some high tension in parts. I would highly recommend this book to any one looking for a young adult fantasy series - this book will not disappoint.

T.M. Blanchet’s Herrick's End is the thrilling, arresting tale of the loveable loser Ollie getting drawn into Boston’s supernatural underworld to search for his missing friend. I love underdog stories, and Ollie was a top-notch depiction of the unexpected hero. Blanchet’s swift pacing and smoothly flowing writing made Herrick’s End fun to read. The author’s attention to the worldbuilding made the Neath a tense and exciting place to explore. I can’t wait for the next book!

I don't think this was my type of book and I wasn't interested in this story whatsoever. Ollie was an okay guy, but the mystery in his story didn't intrigued me.

I dont know how I feel about this book. I think the author created the world well and the storyline was interesting at times, but I think there were some problematic and uncomfortable themes and I just couldn't get into it.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

I‘m sorry to say that I ended up DNFing it 45%.
I almost feel guilty since it‘s and ARC copy but I promised myself not to force myself when it comes to books that either don‘t hold my attention or are just bad. In this case the premise is interesting but the book was just fine. It I was actually intrigued by the concept of the secret fantasy underworld but the pacing is too slow and the MC‘s pov is not as engaging as I hoped because while I appreciated the overweight representation (we really need more of it in literature) at the same time I think it‘s time to start representing fat people in a more nuanced and positive way (the MC felt almost as a caricature at times).

Honestly, I wanted to get into this book, but it couldn't hold my attention. I had to DNF and do not think I will pick up this book again soon. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

Herricks End is one of those books that when you finish, you want to go right back to the start just so you can relive it again

<b>Herrick's End</b> is the story of Ollie, a guy who discovers another world while trying to help a friend. There's more to Ollie than meets the eye at first, and this is a pretty classic hero's journey storyline.

There's a lot to like about this debut novel from T.M. Blanchet: it's fast-paced, the world building is well done and interesting, and the characters care for and look after one another in a really wholesome way.

I did get some Nice Guy™ vibes from our protagonist, and his character growth seemed a little sudden and unexpected. I think what we were supposed to see was that he was a hero the whole time but didn't see himself the way others saw him, but my brain just didn't find that believable. I can't quite put my finger on why, but I was getting some fairly creepy vibes from him in the beginning. I was hoping for him to learn and grow, and while he <i>did</i>, I felt that he evolved his relationship with women because a woman was interested in him, not because he had reflected on how he viewed women and grown from it

Thank you to NetGalley and Tiny Fox Press!

Atmospheric with fabulous characterisation, the plot just didn’t thrill and enthrall me as much as I’d hoped.

Herrick's End left me with a lot of questions but I guess that's why it's a series. Even though it took me quite awhile to get through, I really enjoyed reading about Ollie and his adventure in Neath. It could have been a little shorter but I basically feel that way with every book I read these days.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

A beautifully written book. Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks to publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***