Hauntingly gothic love story.
I quite enjoyed this fast paced story. The writing flowed well which allowed for the story to progress quickly.
I liked all of the characters- I really loved Ingrid and her tarot readings and how Giovanis “power” worked. Speaking of him, he was hilarious. Every name he had for Elias was different and even more hilarious as the story moved along. He might have been my favorite honestly.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about the ending at first but now that I have thought about it, I think it was a perfect ending.

Jane Reye is a psychic artist and an orphan. She draws visions she sees of spirits and the supernatural. Now as an adult she cannot return to the school shes always called home and worse of all is the death of her lifelong friend. She receives and invitation for a study in the elusive Fairfax Hall manor. There she meets Elias, the proprietor, and soon realizes something isn’t what it seems.

A Jane Eyre reimagining with a haunted boarding house and ghosts.. umm yes please! This is definitely the pick for spooky season. And the cover alone makes me want to grab it.

I loved the characters, the plot, the slow build romance, the eeriness, the devastating haunting poetic-ness this story is. Jane finds herself drawn to Elias and all the things she’s faced in life. It’s definitely a gothic YA story that leaves it’s mark.

This was a deeply romantic and heart-felt YA paranormal gothic tale that I would highly recommend to young readers.

Jane and Elias had a sweet, slow-burn romance, and Ingrid and Giovanni rounded out the cast for a really enjoyable reading experience.

The book was full of mystery, demons, and haunted house vibes. If you're looking for a gothic read that is perfect for the upcoming spooky season, this is the perfect choice. I was teary eyed at the ending. Whew. I would definitely read more from this author.

Thank you so much Penguin Teen for the ARC!

I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect when I picked this up. It is pitched as a haunting paranormal Jane Eyre reimagining. The story kind of threw me off from the start it almost seemed like it was going to be a historical fiction but then it was very much a present day story but then had Victorian gothic story vibes? It felt a little disjointed and I wish it had been a historical fiction story.

The characters and the mystery were interesting and I did like the supernatural abilities and “magic”. The characters are an interesting mix and I think the author balanced the creepy elements with some fun banter and jokes. I did think that the story balanced the romance and the mystery well with the story not just focusing on the relationship between Jane and Elias. The middle of the story dragged a little bit plot wise but the ending almost seemed to happen too fast. I feel like the story needed an epilogue or it needs a sequel. I feel like I have so many unanswered questions.

Overall this was an interesting reimagining that was good but I wouldn’t say it blew my mind. I think I’d you’re a fan of Jane Eyre and paranormal romance then this would be a great book for you.

Thank you Penguin Teen for providing me with an eARC.

3.5/5 stars
One thing I have to mention is that I have never read Jane Eyre so I can’t say how similar this retelling is to the original story. Though I can say that Creagh is a fantastic, gothic writer and I loved their work. This story was very well written with dark but a hint of light tones to the story. I do have to say that in the beginning, it was a bit hard to get into because the story felt very black and white but once you get into the vibe of it, then it’s great. I enjoyed it more reading at night than compared to daylight. The setting was nice and I loved the world that was created in this book. Again, I don’t know how similar this book is to the original but I’m guessing it’s the FMC’s name and the romance as usually those are the main elements.

Jane is the FMC and is a hired psychic that works with others with special gifts. I couldn’t connect to her character but she had a great development in the story. Elias is the owner of the place where Jane works and I liked his character. He was mysterious and dark, which is what I love in the book BF. There were many side characters in this book and I liked them more than the FMC. The romance is light but not the best I have read. I felt it happened to quickly with not enough chemistry being built.

The ending was good and I enjoyed this story. From the look of the cover, it was honestly what I was expecting to read. I did have some minor issues but overall it was a great book. I recommend checking this book out as I know many of you guys would love it, especially during October.

*this e-arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me an arc for review.

I’m sad to say that this book fell very flat for me. It felt rushed, with stereotypical characters and the romance felt very forced. I didn’t connect or like any of the characters but I did enjoy the spooky house vibes the book gave me.

Strange Unearthly Things was a gothic read featuring past heartbreaks, a dark history and of course a large gothic estate with a dark past. I really enjoyed the premise of the story and that all of the characters had such unique personalities and worked together to help Elias who was tied to a demon and who's time to live was running out. This read like a perfect gothic novel with past heartbreak and current romance.

This is more like a Jane Eyre reimagining than a retelling it. I liked it well enough—the characters, the setting, the romance—but I’m not jumping up and down for joy about it. I also have some questions and I’m wondering if I simply didn’t grasp a lot of concepts.

Going back to the characters I really like Jane and her friendship with Giovanni. They had a lot of scenes together and I really felt like I knew them, unlike how I felt about Ingrid. She seems like such a peripheral character because Jane isn’t necessarily with her a lot of times. I liked Jane and Elias together, and I loved the little twist and revelations in their story—who Elias is, what he’s done, what he’s willing to sacrifice. But at the same time I’m sort of… Not super sure how Jane ties in with everything because it felt a bit like Jane was talking two worlds (which I totally see that), but also that the author didn’t explain outright and let her readers guess and try to figure it out. The messages with Helen threw me off as well, but you could tell that these meant so much to Jane.

I actually liked the allusions to the original story—the red room and the burning house. However I’m not super satisfied with how the story ended, so it’s one of the main reasons this gets three stars.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

a modern day YA Jane Eyre retelling that’s, dare I say it?, even more gothic than the original???? yes ma’am this was made for ME!!! my favorite part of the book was easily the cast of characters and quirky friendship/team that came out of our group. obvi my fave was Ingrid bc you know i love a purple-haired, tarot reading icon. the romance was also kinda fun!! overall, it was just really well done and i loved it so much! add this to your fall tbr asap if you want all the gothic, paranormal, moody vibes.

Thank you to PRH and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

If you like modern gothic mysteries, you'll like this book. It was not at all what I was expecting -- I don't know exactly what it was, but in some ways it reminded me a bit of Supernatural and Black Butler. It is a loose retelling of Jane Eyre (hence the name of the main character in this book, and her last name). While the gothic mystery is the main plot, you also have a subplot of demons and ghosts as well. It was a fascinating mix of interesting ideas.

The main element however, was definitely the romance between Jane and Elias -- and what happens with them.

I will say a bit in the middle dragged a tad, but the beginning was very engaging, as was the ending. Reading the book as the plot unfolds is an experience that you don't want to miss, and the ambience Creagh creates with her writing helps give the book an extra layer of atmosphere. It was almost a strange cross between a victorian novel and a modern novel, and yet, it absolutely worked.

Overall, it was a creepy, mysterious gothic YA romance that I felt was different enough that I think people will really enjoy it's place in retellings of classic literature.

Eighteen-year-old Jane Reye is not your typical artist. Instead of florals or landscapes, Jane draws what she knows best: spirits and the supernatural. Orphaned Jane has been plagued with visions of the otherworldly for as long as she can remember, and now that she’s reached the legal age, she must leave the girls’ school that has been her home for as long as she can remember. This, coupled with the loss of her best friend, leaves Jane feeling adrift. So, when she gets invited to partake in a study at an English manor house, Jane jumps on it. Once Jane arrives at Fairfax Hall and meets its reclusive owner, Elias Thornfield, she realizes that this job requires her specific expertise. It’s clear there’s some presence at Fairfax Hall and it has its eyes set on Elias.

The premise of this sounded so eerie and interesting, but it sadly didn’t work for me. I thought Creagh nailed the Gothic atmosphere, and there were some moments that did feel very creepy, but the overall plot didn’t capture me. I found myself so bored throughout and even skim read most of it just so I could finish it quicker. The characters were fine, but I didn’t feel a connection towards any of them. I also thought the writing skewed a little too YA at times, and there were some bits of dialogue that had me rolling my eyes over how cringy they were. I will give Creagh credit for interpreting Jane Eyre in a way I’ve never seen done before, but unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite.

If you're a Jane Eyre fan like me, you'll want to pick this one up! It was an enjoyable, fast-paced book following Jane who is hired to solve a problem of demonic nature at an English estate. There she meets Elias, the man of the house, who she finds herself attracted to even though next to nothing is known about him. This was, I'd say, a mild thriller/liiiittle bit of horror novel--I don't *love* either genre because I scare easily, but this was all pretty mild. My main critique of the book is really with the characters--they didn't stand out as much as I wanted them to. Other than Jane, the characters were all pretty two-dimensional and I unfortunately didn't connect with them. I also had a ton of questions at the end of the book, which I simultaneously like and don't like, lol
Overall, this book didn't blow me away, but I think it's worth the read for any Jane Eyre fan!

A deliciously dark and lyrical gothic romance. A quick, delightful read perfect for cozying up on a couch with the rain pattering down and a cup of tea in hand.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for sending me an arc in exchange for review.


I didn’t enjoy this, the writing style was hard for me to follow and the pacing was just off to the point where I got bored.

"Strange Unearthly Things" by Kelly Creagh is a captivating young adult novel that is perfect for fans of the supernatural genre. The story follows the life of Jane Reye, an eighteen-year-old psychic artist who has the ability to draw spirits and the supernatural. After receiving an invitation to participate in a study at the English manor Fairfax Hall, Jane finds herself caught up in a mystery that could change her life forever.

The plot of the novel is well-developed and engaging, keeping the reader hooked from the very beginning. The author has done an excellent job of building tension and suspense throughout the story, making it a real page-turner. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, particularly Jane, who is both brave and vulnerable at the same time.

The setting of the novel, with its eerie and mysterious manner, adds to the overall mood of the story and creates a sense of foreboding that keeps the reader on edge. The supernatural elements of the plot are well-integrated and add to the overall atmosphere of the story without feeling forced or overdone.

Creagh's writing style is descriptive and engaging, drawing the reader into the story and making them feel like they are a part of it. The novel's pacing is well-balanced, with just the right amount of action and suspense to keep the story moving forward.

Overall, "Strange Unearthly Things" is an excellent young adult novel that will surely please supernatural fans. It is well-written, engaging, and has all the elements of a great story. It is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a touch of the supernatural.

I've been a HUGE fan of Kelly's ever since her Nevermore series way back in 2008 and I have been WAITING for the day that she recreates it. She is the queen of gothic, spooky retellings that take place in haunted houses (see her Edgar Allan Poe & Phantom of the Opera books) and I'll be damned if this didn't surpass my expectations. Her writing style is completely unique, beautiful, and haunting and I always live for her descriptions. Jane was a fabulous protagonist, spunky and independent, but her mysterious past and ability to see ghosts gave her that extra edge. And even though this is a Jane Eyre story, you don't know how it'll end, I can promise you that. If Halloween is your vibe, you will not want to miss this!

I really enjoyed this book! It was such a cool plot, and kept me pretty hooked throughout. I loved the whole “Jane Eyre paranormal retelling” vibe, and the setting of Fairfax Hall. This is a great YA with the perfect bit of romance to mix in with a great plot. I did find it a bit hard getting completely attached to the characters. I liked Jane but didn’t feel like I “knew her” that well to connect with her. Giovanni and Ingrid were good side characters, especially for comedic relief, but I still wasn’t totally in love with them either. I feel like deepening the characters internal narratives and conversations would help improve this, but I understand that it’s young adult, and I’ve been reading lots of NA recently. I loved the plot with Thea and Elias and how Jane was (?) Thea. Kind of. Thea’s soul is like Janes. That was a great twist/reveal. I found Mr, Poole knowing everything to be predictable, but I suspected he was the villain for a while. Overall, really solid and good book that I’d recommend to people. Not a new favorite, but I think a possible sequel with flashbacks of Thea and Elias (Jane ?) and learning more about the few questions with them and Mr. Poole has the potential to be amazing!!

A devastatingly haunting love story that reverberates through the ages.

Jane's a psychic who has been hired - along with two other companions with gifts - to rid Fairfax Hall of an unwanted presence. But Jane isn't there long before she begins to suspect that it's the owner, Elias Thornfield, who's haunted, not the manor itself. The secrets Elias is keeping threaten to undo them all.

I love the energy of the group of friends who form, even though they don't get off to the best start. Giovanni's an unrelenting flirt built like a Greek god with a gift for seeing glimpses of the lives of people he touches. Ingrid's a purple-haired punk tarot card reader who can see glimpses of possible futures during readings. Together with Jane and a mysterious housekeeper, Mr. Poole, they form caring band. Even better, their interactions at times are hilarious. I love how the author juxtaposed the modern slang of the teens against the 18th century speech of Elias.

Jane finds herself drawn to Elias for reasons she can't quite explain, even though she keeps calling him a dumpster fire. Their connection carried the story as literal demons try to rip them apart.

This book left me teary and gave me a book hangover, in the best way. I didn't want to leave Jane's world behind!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.