Book Report for Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone

Cover Story: Unfinished
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: Small World Secrets
Bonus Factor: Mysterious Loner Dude
Factor: Bones
Anti-Bonus Factor: Dan Scott Award for Awful Parenting
Relationship Status: Willing to Burn

Cover Story: Unfinished
I want to like this cover. It’s quite lovely and fierce in equal measure, but there’s a dissonance between the top of it, which looks unfinished, and the bottom, which looks much more complete. Additionally, the wolves seemingly protecting the female figure go against the story completely—the creatures in this book and the main character are mortal enemies. (Plus, the creatures look much more eldritch than that.)

The Deal:
Evaline Blackthorn is the bastard daughter of a traitor, and a warden without magic. She’s made a place for herself amongst the wardens—a group of magically inclined people who fight the evil vespertine and keep them from attacking the common folk—by being skilled at tailoring bone armor, but she doesn’t quite belong. When the opportunity arises to learn more about her mother and the truth surrounding her birth, she jumps at the opportunity, even if it means breaking her warden vows, in more ways than one.

BFF Charm: Yay
Evie and I hit it off from the get-go, as much as a fictional character can connect with a reader. She’s smart, talented, and driven, and willing to do what it takes to find out the truth, even when that means jeopardizing the fragile relationship she has with the father who holds her at arm’s length because of her mother’s transgressions. (Dudes, amirite?) She puts her life on the line for her best friend and gives into passion when she knows it’s the absolute worst thing she can do. She follows her gut, but also listens to her head and heart. I would give her a BFF charm in a heartbeat, but I have a feeling that if we knew each other in real life it would be an unrequited platonic love.

Swoonworthy Scale: 8
It was getting real hot in my house while I was reading Unholy Terrors, and that’s not just because Texas is stupid and has spooky summer when it should be fall. Evie’s enemies-to-lovers chemistry with a person who challenges her, frustrates her, and never denies that he is, in fact, a monster, is the kind of swoon I like most. Ravel keeps secrets, isn’t really trustworthy, and has grey morals, and I pretty much immediately inducted him into my personal Book Boyfriend Hall of Fame. #alwaysinlovewiththevillain

Talky Talk: Small World Secrets
Unholy Terrors is a dark, gothic novel featuring monsters with too many eyes and girls who wear armor made of and do magic with human bones. The characters and their relationships are the centerpiece of the novel, and as Evie’s knowledge of the world expands, so does the reader’s. The setting of the novel is a very small slice of the world, and it’s interesting to reflect on that after reading. We only got to see one particular way of life; elsewhere in this world, there are men and women who get to go about their day, oblivious to or uncaring about the dangers of Evie’s life. It makes for a much more engrossing, tense read, and heightened the emotional nature of the book nicely.

Bonus Factor: Mysterious Loner Dude
I already gushed about him above, but Ravel starts out as an MLD, a Fitzwilliam Darcy-type if Darcy was a man with fangs, claws, and a proclivity for drinking blood. (He’s not a vampire, but he’s not not a vampire.) Evie first spots Ravel literally lurking on the edge of a moor. There’s no scene with him walking out of a lake wearing a sopping-wet white shirt, but I can certainly imagine it.

Factor: Bones
I am a huge fan of a skull motif, and not just at Halloween time. Evie and the rest of the wardens are equally interested in bones, but in a much different manner. There’s a creep factor to knowing they’re wearing and using bones from humans—and some might say a disrespect—but it’s normal in this society. And super badass.

Anti-Bonus Factor: Dan Scott Award for Awful Parenting
Because of his anger at her mother, Evie’s dad treats her like an acquaintance, giving her the smallest of love breadcrumbs to keep her compliant. She calls him by his first name, or Commander, according to his wishes, and does everything she can to prove herself worthy of his pride. His “true” daughter, Briar, also treats Evie like dirt, and their father goes along with it. The fact that he thinks of them in such terms just cements what a terrible dad he is.

Relationship Status: Smitten
You’re not the type to show a lot of emotion, Book, but there’s definitely something between us. The spark I felt at first easily grew into a roaring blaze, and I’m sitting closer than I should be. But I’m willing to chance a burn to know you.

I had tried this author out when it came to her debut. Although it wasn’t something I enjoyed I wanted to give her latest book a shot! The cover was cool and I liked the sound of the blurb.

The book is told from one point-of-view and it comes from Everline. She was very curious about her mother’s betrayal to the wardens and would do anything to figure out. She has a step-sister who is a jerk a lot of the time and is the opposite of how she is. Her friend was always there for her which was nice to see, but she also didn’t play a huge part or have a lot of development besides to move the story along and be there for plot twists.

I can’t say that I liked the characters. Everline was insufferable at times. She only had a one track mind and didn’t care who got hurt in the process of her wanting to figure out her past. I at least liked that she was more open to understanding the vespertines than those she worked with. Her relationship with one was meh and I didn’t feel the chemistry.

This story has the perfect vibe for this season and I liked seeing vespertines being used in a different way.

Overall, this one wasn’t for me. I don’t think I will try another from this author as I have realized her writing just isn’t for me!

Aesthetically, this book is beautiful. The descriptions are so lush and visceral and full of sensory detail. The reader can see and taste and smell and feel everything that is happening.

That said, some of the writing feels repetitive, with concepts restated more than necessary. That pushes the reading level to the younger edge of YA… but the content—with lots of blood magic, eldritch monsters, cult-like religious fervor, and mildly explicit sexual content—is definitely older YA or NA. As a reviewer, I might hesitate in knowing who to recommend this book to.

Everline Blackthorn is a warden - a member of a society trained from childhood to defend the realm from vespertines, vicious animal-like creatures from the Thousandfold, which exist, apparently, to destroy, and particularly, to destroy humans. Then, one day, she kills a vespertine who is different, who appears to be nearly human beneath her monstrous visage, and Everline begins to question her entire world, and to consider breaking her vows to the wardens to discover the truth, even if her half-sister Briar will stop at nothing to prevent her. Then her best - her only - friend Lux is taken by Ravel, another of those unusual vespertines, and Everline will stop at nothing to get her back.

There are several plot lines interwoven in this novel: the truth of the vespertines, the romance between Everline and Ravel, saving Lux, and finding the truth about her mother, who died at Everline's birth, and about whom her father will not speak, save to say that he broke his own vows to Briar's mother when he fell in love with Everline's mother. All of these plot lines ultimately lead in the same direction, and yet, in some ways, they trip over each other. There is loyalty, love, and betrayal in this novel, which can be overwhelming at times. Still, it was an interesting and engaging read, and if there is a sequel, hopefully it will be just a bit more cohesive. Recommended for high school to adult readers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Everline is part of the holy warriors, the wardens. Omens start to occur and Everline tries to figure out why they are happening, and directing defying orders. The plot was lacking and the characters were underdeveloped. The world building is great in theory but doesn’t come together for the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for an ARC.

Unfortunately, there was just something about this book that wouldn't let me get into it. It was like mixing water and oil together. The characters didn't connect well with me and usually, I can fall into a book very easily, but not this one. It would be unfair of me to give a bad review since I genuinely think this is a "me" issue but nothing aside from the cover held my interest for long. Maybe I'll revisit this book in the future.

The title by the author, attracted me because of the cover, title, and description of dealing with intelligent monsters. As a monster fan, I wanted to know how the story unfolded and how the symbiotic relationship was going to unfold between this vespertine and the warden of the novel. I am thrilled to have been selected of a galley read of this title, unfortunately due to time constraints the title was not downloaded onto my reading device before being archived. My current star rating of the novel is reflected of my anticipated opinions when I eventually get to read the books.

I love Lyndall Clipstone’s writing style. It’s all vibes, atmosphere, imagery, and beautiful prose. I feel like Unholy Terrors is taking the lush, gorgeous, gothic beauty of the World’s Edge duology and inverting it into something stark and barren–something dangerous, deadly, and sharp. Yet the gothic feel, atmosphere, vibes, imagery, and beautiful prose came along with it. Instead of a crumbling lakeside manor and flowing gowns we’re surrounded by endless moors, crumbling ruins, fields of asphodel, and armor made from leather and bones.

I don’t know what to call it but it's awesome and I’m here for it.

I’m also digging the plot, which reminds me a little of Margaret Rogerson and Tamsyn Muir (just a splash), but just as influences since Clipstone has such a strong voice and presence all on her own. It’s so evident how much Clipstone loves gothic fiction and how devoted a student she is to it. Genre fiction is an ever-evolving thing, which means you’re always going to find touches of other author’s works in the work of their contemporaries. In a market flush with dark fantasy it is inevitable that ideas will bleed into one another. I don’t ever see this as a bad thing. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all.

It’s a beautiful book with a strong enemies to lovers arc, strong female friendships, two main characters with daddy issues (I’ve been waiting all review to write that line), a really cool magic system, and stunning prose. Also? Poetry quotes from Plath, Rilke, and Gluck. I mean, come on. That’s really cool.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Dark Fantasy/Gothic Fiction/Paranormal Romance/Romantasy/Standalone/YA Fantasy/YA Romantasy/YA Fiction

I think that Unholy Terrors is an original YA take on the new monster romance craze. Unfortunately, this did not end up being a book that I enjoyed. What started out as a unique world got bogged down in overly descriptive language which made the plot drag. And while based on the content, I assume that this book is intended toward older teens, the protagonist frequently acted like a young child by making, in my opinion, irrational decisions. Furthermore, despite the author's highly descriptive prose, I felt that the world building was rather sparse in this book.

Despite not personally enjoying this one, I do think Unholy Terrors may appeal to Clipstone's fans as well as fans of monster romance and traditional YA fantasy romance

Lyndall Clipstone's writing is so lyrical I couldn't put the book down. The vibes of the book were perfect for October a great gothic YA fantasy romance. This book was a enemies to lovers slow burn romance and Evie and Ravels relationship was so beautifully written. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of Lyndall Clipstone.

Firstly this book is beautifully written, it is a masterclass in visual storytelling, the entire time I was reading this book it felt so much more like watching than reading.

That being said this one fell just a little short of the mark for me, while it is beautiful and lyrical and has so much virility it's also slightly lacking in worldbuilding, and the monologues are a bit long for my liking.

Now that being said I will continue to read everything I can get my hands on by this author just because of how beautiful the worlds she creats are.

As for the story itself, well I think you should just read it for yourself, and if you happen to love a strong female main character that grows as the story goes then you really need to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mcmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of this e-book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thouhts and opinions are my own.

Angsty, gothic ya fantasy romance…It goes a little long and really could have been shortened a bit…and there was a fair amount of repetition (I may now have a permanent eye twitch when hearing the word “treacle” used as a descriptor…) but overall I enjoyed it, it hit the spot for moody, spooky season vibes.

Clipstone is one of those authors that you either love their writing or you don’t.

And I firmly sit on the side of enjoying her atmospheric style of writing.

It is true that there isn’t a lot of world building here but there doesn’t need to be- the story doesn’t have a need for some drawn out explanation of how this world came to be.

Yes we are in Everline’s thoughts a lot. But I really enjoy the story telling from her perspective and from her feelings.

I also really enjoyed the ending of this. It’s a closure of the events but not an overly “omg I love you and everything is so wonderful let’s frolic into the sunset”. It’s more of a beginning.

To sum up my thoughts, I really enjoyed this. Definitely not everyone’s cup of tea but I love a dark, strange world full of love and death.

The vibes were on point. If you're looking for something goth and grimy with a ton of blood magic (Which I was) and don't much care about more than that, this might be for you. For me, the characterization and world-building fell short. I didn't feel as if the characters had any depth to them at all. The writing was beautiful, but didn't have the substance in it to satisfy my personal reading tastes.

Title:  Unholy Terrors   
Author: Lyndall Clipstone    
Genre: Fantasy, YA    
Rating:  4 out of 5

Everline Blackthorn has devoted her life to the wardens—a sect of holy warriors who guard against monsters known as the vespertine.

When a series of strange omens occur, Everline disobeys orders to investigate, and uncovers a startling truth in the form of Ravel Severin: a rogue vespertine who reveals the monsters have secrets of their own.

Ravel promises the help she needs— for a price. Vespertine magic requires blood, and if Everline wants Ravel to guide her across the dangerous moorland, she will have to allow him to feed from her.

It’s a sin for a warden to feed a vespertine— let alone love one— and as Everline and Ravel travel further across the moorland, she realizes the question isn’t whether she will survive the journey, but if she will return unchanged. Or if she wants to.

This felt like a very atmospheric novel:  dark, secretive, a gloomy landscape. I never did really understand the culture and its history, so I never had a good feel for the characters and the why behind all their rituals. While the characters were moving from place to place, I f let like they were just going in circles---and the idea that these two opposing forces had strongholds located so very close together didn’t make sense to me, either.

I would have liked to see more character development:  Everline was the only one I had any sort of insight in, and her rash impulses never made sense to me, either, not for someone who’s supposed to be such a warrior and focused on being a good little warden. I enjoyed the read, but it was lacking in some areas.

Lyndall Clipstone is from Australia. Unholy Terrors is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Macmillan Children’s/Henry Holt and Co. in exchange for an honest review.)

Final Rating: 3.5

This book is very much an all vibes minimal plot kind of book, which I've found to be the case with a lot of gothic fantasy. I loved the vibes this book had, but my biggest issue is that the pacing was...not the best. We spent chapters upon chapters in a single location over the course of a few hours with internal monologues and conversations, then short bursts of action and a lot of it was pretty repetitive. The world building also wasn't really there, and again was mostly vibes (lots of fog, rain, ruined chapels, and empty moors). That said, I did find the characters and magic system incredibly interesting and they helped make up for my dislike of the pacing and lack of world building. I did enjoy the enemies to lovers, tension-filled, slow burn romance, and the way that the romance played out was fun to read about!

Myth: 3.5/5

Clipstone has beautiful prose, as we’ve come to expect. I did find parts of this one hit a little too frequently on the same feelings. These were definitely deep-seated character wounds, so I get it, but it got a little too noticeable.

The monster/monster hunter vibe was strong, creating a luscious tension throughout the journey. Though I had a hard time with the map, the characters seemed to go back and forth between the ‘camps’ a lot and I didn’t have a sense of how long that journey took.

Magic: 3/5

I got vampire/vampire hunter vibes, except the vampires in this case — the vespertine were more wolflike. It didn’t seem like there was a lot of reason behind why the holy sect of warriors that Everline belonged to hunted them — but that’s fair enough. There aren’t always good reasons in the world for why we do things that “have always been.”

Overall: 3.5/5

Beautiful words and a very atmospheric focus on monster/monster hunter and a romantic pull.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Publishing for allowing me to read and review Unholy Terrors! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had first received a cool sampler from Owlcrate. I did enjoy the sampler. I was stoked to read more about these characters but when I received an e-arc of this book and continued reading, my thoughts had changed quite a bit.

I like Clipstone's writing and storytelling. It's dark, mysterious, and has an autumn vibe to it. I truly enjoyed her previous works the World at Lake's Edge duology. Lyndall Clipstone knows how to write about sad grumpy monster boys and the flawed girls who want to be with them. The duology was captivating and kept me entranced. Sadly, Unholy Terrors did not. I feel like the purple prose was a bit much this time, and it hindered the pacing of the story. I did put this one down a few times but I was able to finish it.

I did enjoy reading about Everline and Ravel. The romance, the tension, and the forbidden enemies to something more between them was great. That's what kept my curiosity peaked and I wanted to know what would come of them in the end. I'm drawn to stories with a 'Reylo' vibe, and I think Clipstone did a good job emulating that between the two. As much as I wanted to like the other secondary characters, they didn't get enough development for me to care about them. Most of the character development went to Everline and Ravel, and maybe Briar, Everline's half-sister.

Overall, while I think this one was a slight miss for me, I do think Unholy Terrors is worth giving a shot.

3.75 rounded to 4 stars

Unholy Terrors is one of my most anticipated YA releases this year and it did not disappoint me!

First of all I am the biggest sucker for dark atmospheric writing and Lyndall Clipstone delivers on every page.

The world is darkly enchanting full of ruthless holy warriors and depraved unholy monsters. In other words, it was the perfect setting for this delightful enemies to lovers romance.

I cannot stress enough how much I loved both Everline and Ravel. They were both compelling as singular characters with their own motivations throughout their character arcs as well as together as a couple. Their chemistry was so well done and their forbidden longing for each other, *Chefs Kiss*.

Everline's Journey of self discovery and acceptance of one's true self even if it goes against the grain was what made me love her as our FMC. I also really appreciate the journey she went through with her family relationships and how those changed/the specific way they changed as the story progressed.

If you are looking for a Upper YA/NA that is a dark decadent swoony enemies to lovers with monster boys and vicious girls then I highly recommend Unholy Terrors!

Unholy Terrors is a fantastic October release from Lyndall Clipstone— lyrical, monstrous, haunting and mysterious. If you like a gorgeously atmospheric world and monstrous characters who still pull at your heart strings, this is for you.

From the off, the premise of Unholy Terrors really intrigued me. It really reminded me of a mix of Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson and The Luminaries by Susan Dennard, mixed in with Lyndall’s beautiful prose. As a lover of so-called ‘purple prose’, the descriptions and atmosphere really were my favorite parts. Honestly, I do wish the characters would have been fleshed out a little more and the consequences for some of the plot points are larger aspect, but overall the atmosphere really kept me interested. If you pick up books mainly for the vibes (as I often do!) I’d really recommend it.