First the positives. I liked the prose and the atmosphere of the book. I also like the characterization of the main character and her sister. However the story was a little dull for me. However I'm not in the target audience so take what I say with a grain of salt.

4.5 stars

Please please look out for this fantastic gothic horror coming out next year, and how gorgeously mysterious is that cover? Being gothic, this book is a slow burn atmospheric portrayal of an isolated seaside town riddled with local haunted stories and mysteries, as well as fully fleshed out characters who are flawed but are so real and easy to empathise with.

From page one, this book is bleak, and I mean bleaaaaak. Beautifully, mysteriously bleak.
I adore the setting of a Victorian seaside village with a load of local lore, particularly the fog that overwhelms the village every night, one that has allegedly claimed several missing people. I also felt immediately attached to Temperance, who lost her father to suicide, and subsequently completely takes over responsibility for her family's well being, a mother lost to grief and a younger sister. As the village lamplighter, a position Temperance assumes after her father's death, she provides safety to the villagers from the fog after sunset even though the village seems to find it difficult to trust a woman with the role. As an eldest daughter who takes on too much, she tries her damdenest to feed and protect her family from harm.
I mean come onnnnn, these are only crumbs of the entire meal that this book provides. The village's mysteries, Temperance and her family's character and trauma, there is so much going on.

While the slow burn is truly slow and I found it a little tedious to get to the halfway point, the picture painted by the build up makes the whirlwind of emotional turmoil and plot progression past that point so vivid and gripping.

The Lamplighter is a fantastic blend of horror/fantasy. Excellent atmospheric imagery given from Author Crystal J. Bell. (Releasing on May 21, 2024) The scene-setting through writing gives the story a steady beat to build momentum from, as well as a perfectly foggy setting to haunt as the story moved along. If you like spooky, dark stories with a FMC, this is for you! The Lamplighter is an instant classic to me. I’ll be purchasing when the book releases! Bravo to the Author, and thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this eARC!

3,5 stars
This book was truly not what I expected and I meant it in a good way. The atmosphere was chilling; it trapped you like the fog did with the characters. In fact, the fog was almost a character on its own, a constant presence, like a ghost watching you from the shadows. Speaking of characters, Tempe felt so real; she was not perfect by any means, she makes mistakes, and sometimes, at the begining, she is not brave enough to act, but the love she has for her family leads her to rise from the terrible situation she's in and fight like a hero, or more like a lamplighter, trying to dispel the shadows that threaten to consume her town.

I think the views about women in that time were well portrayed, though I'm no expert. It's not black and white; there are men in the story that are sexist by our standards, but are not portrayed as necesarily being evil for it, just as a product of their time. My favourite part was how not even the protagonist was completely free from its influence.

There are twist I didn't see coming and a villain with a very unique concept. I won't spoil but I wished to know more about them and their origin. In that part, I was left a little dissapointed but not that much. One could argue that leaving some things to the imagination leave room for more magical explanations.

A very interesting story and I thank netgalley for allowing me to read it in exhange for an honest review.

I'll publish a review in spanish soon.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell.

In the Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," there is a line that says, "we'll tell scary ghost stories..." you guys, this is one of those scary stories that they're talking about!

For some reason, reading this between Thanksgiving and Christmas felt apropos. This story is dark, and cold, and feels very Dickensian, like A Christmas Carol vibe.

Temperance is the town lamplighter, a position that I never appreciated until now. Without her, this small whaling town would fall very dangerous at sundown, and she takes her job very seriously, facing the cold for hours to light and check the lamps. But being a young women around bawdy sailors comes with it's own risk, especially after a string of young women start to go missing. Who is responsible for these missing girls, and how close are they to Temperance...

I was NOT expecting this book to go in the direction that it did, especially the further in we got. But I absolutely loved it. It has villains, magic, horror, and hope. This is definitely a scary story worthy of a fireside audience.

The Lamplighter was such an utterly unique read and although a slow paced storyline it kept me in its grips. This was a rich story in describing its setting and helped me to be immersed in the foggy seaside village of Warbler. I enjoyed Tempe's character as the Lamplighter immensely as she navigated her way through grief, love and keeping her family safe. The twist with the figureheads was absolutely fascinating and I loved all the horror and detail that went into this idea. I also really enjoyed that this was a read not of happy endings but of horrors. Although it was not a spooky read it had it's elements of unease as Tempe's world and her discoveries in the fog and the wood unravel. This was one of the most unique stories I've read in a long time!

I loved everything about this book. The setting, the characters, the plot…it was all so well executed. I have a lot of teen patrons at my library who love horror and I can’t wait to recommend this book to them.

You know that feeling of being right but everyone else won’t believe you. I felt that for this character the whole time. In a small town, Tempe works as a lamp lighter- supporting her younger sister (Pru) and mother after the death of her father. BAAM crazy stuff happens. Girls are going missing and with eyes looking to blame Tempe, it’s up to her to figure it. Doesn’t help that her father’s death looks feels off. I really liked the ending- it’s perfect for those who want something different than a perfect happy ending. Another one of those love the girls, hate the men story for me.

This was the perfect nighttime read! Like the fog in Warbler, Bell's prose is spooky and easy to get swept up and taken away in. This story feels like a delicious mix of an episode of Penny Dreadful with some Sarah Waters' historical fiction drama and atmosphere. The way Bell captures the dynamic and conflict between Tempe and her sister feels very real. I loved Pru too and found her very sympathetic, and Tempe's logic and reasoning for how she handled things understandable. The mystery had me guessing and suspicious of everyone, and I was thoroughly pleased with how it all wrapped up!

A few specific things I loved:

-Sweet Josiah
-Ruby
-Tempe's dedication to her work
-The feminist undertones
-That ending!!!

The Lamplighter is a book for fans of atmospheric, fantasy horror and lush writing. Its mysteries and its reveals crept up on me exactly like the fog that haunts Temperance, the protagonist. It is definitely a more slow-paced read, but I think the wait is worth it.

Without spoilers, Temperance’s story is set in a small, 19th century whaling town where people have been known to disappear inside the dense fog that covers the streets every night. As a lamplighter, it is Temperance’s job to not only light the streetlamps that puncture the fog, but also act as a watchwoman. So, when a girl goes missing during one of her patrols, Temperance is put under scrutiny by the townspeople. Isolated, fearing for her job and for the livelihoods of her mother and younger sister, who she cares for, Temperance must shine light on the mystery and bring down the evil that is secretly festering in her town.

My favourite aspects of this book are the writing, which is beautiful, and the ending. I can definitely see some readers not enjoying the ending, but I found it haunting and fitting. I guessed one of the earlier reveals quite quickly, but did not expect the ending at all and was impressed. In my experience, YA horrors often either have cop-out endings or feel underwhelming, but this did not!

I liked how active Temperance is as a character even though some of them were very careless and rash. There were also several moments where I was very frustrated at Temperance’s unwillingness to confide in and communicate with the people trying to help her, but I can also understand the fear she holds as a teen who feels like she has to handle everything on her own. She did grow throughout the story too.

Rating: 3.75/5
Trigger warning for depictions of suicide and sexual assault – not super graphic.

Thank you to Flux and Netgalley for the review copy.

It is my absolute pleasure to review this ARC. When I say this was hard to put down, I mean I stayed up until midnight reading it more than one night in a row. For this tired toddler mumma, that is quite an endorsement!

Set in a small whaling town surrounded by dark forest and pervaded at night by thick, sinister fog, the story follows Temperance, the town's lamplighter. She is embroiled in a murder mystery when a young woman goes missing... but for as long as people can remember, folk have sometimes disappeared in the fog, never to be seen again. Temperance has to battle with small-town prejudices, recent family tragedy, and a mysterious suitor for her sister's hand while she tries desperately to secure her future and keep her family safe.

Incredibly atmospheric, this YA fantasy horror clocks in at just under 200 pages. Despite the short length, this is a fully fledged novel, with detailed worldbuilding and multifaceted characters. A 𝘭𝘰𝘵 happens. The mystery kept me guessing right until the end. And oh my, what an ending!

Huge thank you to Crystal J. Bell, Flux and Netgalley for sending me a free copy of this book for an honest review. I really enjoyed it and it was honestly a step out of my comfort zone (I don't often read horror) in the best way.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 is out on May 21, 2024 🕯️

This review was also posted on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/C1JvmC-L_QO/) and Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6042102123) on 22 December 2023.

A fantastically set gothic horror mixed with old century prose and evil fog lurking minds. Our main character Tempe is so woefully in charge of keeping what remains of her family afloat and becomes the new town Lamplighter. It’s a beautifully written story where every single thing shown means something more. You must be the constant lookout and dive the deep. I absolutely loved it.

This is definitely a perfect spooky read. It thrilled me, kept me guessing. Had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It made me want to scream, had me cry, gave me good feelings and false senses of security, and then had me wanting to throw it across the room. As you can see, it was a very emotional experience. It may have been a wild ride, but it was one roller coaster I didn't want to get off of.

Thank you, Flux, for giving me the chance to review early. Thank you to the author for writing such an amazingly creepy read that I think is definitely worth everyone's time.

Now, let's dive into the review. I will try and keep it as spoiler free as possible. Even if I received an ARC, this is my HONEST OPINION.

My rating foe this read is 4.5💫 I rounded down. Storygraph, IG, Tiktok will have the correct rating.

The story is set in an early 19th century whaling town of Wharbler. It seems like any other seaport during that time period. A flurry of fisherman, crabbers, and whalers some local but many crews from foreign ships. Superstition locals whos whispers and hushed gossip tones are carried upon the damp salty air, dense fog which seems to roll in out of nowhere at times, that looks as if it could swallow you whole and the towns not so stereotypical Lamplighter.

This is our MFC Temperance Bryne. She is not like the rest of the young women in her time period. She took up the mantle as being the towns Lamplighter after he father's death. Quickly becoming the head of household at a young age, she throws herself into the life of the towns Lamplighter.

The town is, though, unlike any other. For when the dense fog rolls out each sundown. Engulfing all that light doesn't touch, girls and seaman alike vanish without a trace. It is the Lamplighter's job to help keep the town safe. The burden of this begins to weigh heavy on Tempe as young women begin to vanish. This makes us feel even worse for the MFC, who has put not only her life, love, and happiness on hold for her family but on hold for the rest of the town. Who treats her like RUBBISH! I struggled to like most of the cast as they were so mean to Temperance. I wanted to punch Pru in the face until the end, and I was like, " NOOOOOW, YOU BELIEVE TEMPERANCE!

There are a lot of creepy things that go on, trees that sprout out of nowhere from inside dead bodies, not to mention the voices in the Fog. Dead bodies, lost loves, and kidnapping of sorts. This story and I had a love-hate relationship. Ahah and Chapter 19.... I wanted to scream, jump around, throw the book across the room, and well, I cried.... if you know you know. That part I did predict was barely well, but for the most part, most twists and turns were a surprise. ESPECIALLY THE ENDING. This is the first time in AGESSSS. I had read a book with an ending like this, and I was fulfilled and upset all at the same time. The epilogue cliffhanger.... I want Lamplighter 2 now, please, and thank you!

I tried to keep things vague and as spoiler free as possible. This is a book I DEFINITELY recommend adding to your home library or as a gift for someone young in your life. I can't wait for more from this author and perhaps hopefully a book two or maybe a Novella to tie the cliffhanger and some questions I had. Haha. I mean I told my partner about the book and she doesn't read YA but even said that the premise of the book and plot seemed good and interesting that she would even consider reading it and she strays far away from anything considered young adult. So I applaud you and your creative story.

Again, thank you for the arc. It truly was a great read. You can find this review on Goodreads, Storygraph and Instagram. Along with a post and aesthetic book reel.

4.5 stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I was so fortunate to receive an ARC of this book and I loved it! It was so atmospheric and mysterious with a delicious amount of women empowerment & feminism! I literally had NO IDEA what to expect from this one when it came to the horror aspect. I wasn’t sure if it would have magical realism or not and it did not disappoint! I live for the feeling of not knowing what is going to happen next.

Warbler was so creepy and yet somehow so cozy all at once? The ambience was everything to me. I really like Temperance as a character and was so invested in her journey as she dedicated herself to figuring out who was causing a trail of murders in her small village. The whole concept of her being a lamplighter was so fun to read.

Overall I would 100% recommend this one for fans of thrillers / YA horror!!

Tempe is the towns lamplighter and her families only means of support after her father's death. When two girls disappear the town question her ability to do her job. Girls disappear in the fog is nothing new in this town.
The first thing that caught me about lamplighter was the description of the fog. I could feel Temperance's anxiety as she lighted the lamps of her New England fishing town. I felt her struggle trying to hold on to reality and her relationships as things around her crumble. I found it beautiful and haunting.
I was able to guess one of the twists pretty early and then was thrown for loop later on. It was quite an adventure! I would definitely recommend this for fans of YA, horror and historical fiction.
Thanks to netgalley for this arc.

“𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙢 𝙄 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩? 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛”

This book… this book! It’s a slow burning classic horror book that will keep you guessing and wanting more! I was lucky enough to be approved for an ARC and I have to say I’m obsessed! It was fantastic!

Brooding, dark and heartbreaking. Crystal weaves a creepy and oddly comforting story in the setting of Warbler, a 19th century coastal whaling village where villagers are disappearing in the fog that blankets Warbler every night.

It’s a perfect horror and I know I sound crazy but COSY. This book practically screamed at me to get my comfy pjs on, grab a hot beverage, chunky blanket and light some candles. A perfect read for these dark nights…

To me The Lamplighter radiates a perfect creepy atmosphere and I enjoyed every second.

This book felt like a fever dream but in the most positive way and the ending had me screaming at the top of my lungs at 2am. Yes - I stayed up late to finish this book.

The Lamplighteris set in the 19th Century (I think) and follows our protagonist Temperance - or Tempe for short. When Tempe's father unexpectedly dies, Tempe takes over her father's position as Lamplighter for the New England town of Warbler. Warbler is a coastal town that suffers from a heavy fog, that has led many sailors and inhabitants of the town astray, which is why the position of the Lamplighter is so important. But when several girl's start to go missing, Tempe soon realized that the fog is not the worst problem Warbler has.

I loved this book so much. It kept me up at night because I absolutely needed to find out what was going to happen in the end. The setting of this book and the Lore are what specifically stood out to me because as this is gothic horror, everything is just super atmospheric. I personally love books that are not outright terrifying but subtly creep under your skin - and this was just that.

I rated book four stars because I had a few minor issues:

1. Being a Lamplighter is traditionally "a man's job", and seeing as this book is set in the 19th century, emancipation is not really a thing in small towns yet. While I did enjoy the feminist commentary, it did feel a little on the nose sometimes. When I talked to a friend of mine about this she said something great: If you want the reader to pick up on the injustices, your world should do that for you". This really hit home because I thought there were a lot of great feminist quotes within the book and the world building was really well established, but when the quotes kept piling up, I was like "WE KNOW".

2. The Lore!! The Lore in this book was so, so interesting and I would have liked to learn more about it. But at this point I am also so curious about it, that I am really hoping for a second book, so maybe that was intended :)

Overall I would really recommend this book if you like Gothic (YA) Horror and are looking for a page-turning, atmospheric book.

Brilliant. Horrifying. Brilliantly horrifying? Or horrifyingly brilliant? We must hurry and choose, the fog is rolling in.

Set in the nineteenth-century whaling village of Warbler, Temperance takes pride in her role as the Lamplighter. The town is plagued with a dangerous fog that rolls in each night, leading to many casualties, her father included. After his traumatic death, Temp is determined to keep her village safe, even as they accuse her of negligence when two village girls go missing.

What a unique story! I was drawn in by the writing and vivid atmosphere, and stayed to solve the mystery that plagues Warbler. It reminds me of the horror game Dredge, a game where you play as a fisherman who risks insanity every night to earn a living. There is something haunting about New England fisherman towns, and this book captures it perfectly.

As captivating as the story is, I do wish it was shorter. This story is a slow burn, which many will love no doubt. Bell does a phenomenal job in capturing the feeling of insanity as Temp falls into the rabbit hole that is Warbler and its mysterious fog. For my reading experience, it came at the cost of suspense, but many would disagree, I’m sure. Either way, I highly recommend this book. I expect this to be very popular upon release. Perfect for entry level horror fans! I will be adding this book to my library.

Thank you to Netgalley and North Star Editions for this ARC.

The Lamplighter was just what I wanted it to be and more. When I read the synopsis of this book, I just knew it would be great. Such a captivating premise! And I am so happy to report that it did not disappoint.

Bell’s writing effortlessly transported me to the streets of Warbler, to its port, its forest, and its fog. The setting and tone of this story was pitch perfect with tons of atmospheric, ever-building tension. It was one of those books that immediately grabs you from page one, gets its roots into you, and doesn’t let go.

Tempe was easy to love as the main character but equally easy to feel frustration with as she stumbled her way through protecting her family and her town, through finding her courage and her voice in a time when women were easily dismissed and ignored.

The horror of being a woman with no voice and no respect was beautifully intertwined with the other horror elements of the story, leaving you as a reader in a state of tension and suspense with each turn of the page as more and more is revealed of the mysteries of Warbler.

I recommend The Lamplighter to anyone looking for a well-written, suspenseful and atmospheric story of grief, perseverance and finding your way out of the dark.

I will wait. Holding out for the light to catch.

What can I say but WOW. Sped through this in two days, The Lamplighter had me hooked from page one and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time!

The dreary Warbler setting is perfect for this mystery, with our main character Temperance. This story is a rollercoaster of emotion, with twists and reveals in every chapter. Tempe, as many people call her, is a proud lamplighter, taking over her father’s position after his death. Being a lamplighter is what it sounds like, lighting the street lamps at dusk, extinguishing them at dawn, but in this case, it’s to help the people of Warbler not get lost in the towns’ strange thick fog that rolls in every night. When a girl goes missing and everything Tempe knows and believes is called into question, she’s determined to get to the bottom line, no matter what. She doesn’t know who - or what - lies in the fog, but she’s determined to find out.

This book is perfect for any horror or gothic fan out there, looking to expand their bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!