The Lamplighter by Crystal J. Bell is a haunting historical fiction tale.
Tempe is a stubborn and ambitious character who has plenty on her shoulders. We join her just as Warbler starts experiencing more missing locals and other incidents that shake the community.

A highlight of this debut YA novel is the way the narrative crescendoes as we follow Tempe's efforts to untangle Warbler's strange past and present. As the truth is uncovered, I found myself unable to put the novel down – I simply had to know what was going to unfold.

I would recommend this novel if you enjoy entry level horror, something a but spooky, and a strong female lead.

This story hooked me from the beginning. Temperance (or Tempe for short) is a young woman who works as the lamplighter for her small whaling community after the previous lamplighter, her father, committed suicide. As a working woman in the 1800s, Tempe deals with constant misogyny and scrutiny of her work, and this is not helped when strange disappearances begin to occur.

The writing was incredibly beautiful and haunting. It was slow paced, but there was always something going on to keep me invested in the story. There was a ton of world description and details, but it didn’t seem overbearing or unnecessary; every word genuinely helped to paint a picture or keep the story moving.

The characters sometimes had me frustrated and wanting to shake some sense into them for making dumb decisions, but that’s pretty realistic for 16-20ish year olds, so I can’t complain about that. I did enjoy the relationship between Tempe and her younger sister. It felt very reminiscent to real life sibling relationships; they bickered constantly but you could tell they really cared for one another.

I’m a sucker for a story with a bleak ending, and this was certainly one of the bleaker ones I’ve read. It was extremely well done, leaving the message that sometimes despite your best efforts things can go wrong. There was a small sliver of hope at the end, however, leaving it open to interpretation.

Overall, I definitely enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to anyone who enjoys spooky, dark mysteries. 4.5/5 stars!

Atmospheric and haunting. This book -- and the horrors of Warbler -- will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

This review was posted to my Goodreads account (see link) on December 10th 2023.

Intrigued by the cover and the interesting blurb I was let down, I’m sad to say. I was envisioning a gothic, autumnal horror story and I did not get that. I’m sure this has its audience who maybe got these themes I didn’t but it wasn’t the story for me.

I can say, however, the book is well-written and even though I did not get what I hoped, Bell has managed to create an atmosphere I could enjoy even if I didn't connect entirely with the story as a whole.

Received an ARC, and it was well worth it. A YA horror (light) novel, The Lamplighter's world is wonderfully and carefully constructed. The small port town of Warbler and it's internal politics and personalities feel as real as any small town in North America.

The book starts slow, and takes a while to find it's feet, but once it gets going the story is hard to put down.

The Lamplighter follows Temperance, a girl whose job is to light the town Warbler’s street lamps each night to guide the residents through the treacherously thick fog.

This book had such a cool concept and I loved the pros. It’s also a study in misogyny and the dangers of automatically dismissing someone’s warnings because they are a young woman.

While it’s more of a slow burn horror it packs a punch at the end. My god. The ending absolutely shocked me but after I took a minute to absorb what I’d read I kinda loved it. It was chilling and haunting but with a touch of hope. It also left an opening for a cool potential sequel if the author ever wants to revisit Warbler. (I need Pru and her book club to have their own story after that epilogue)

The Lamplighter is a great introduction to horror.

Title: The Lamplighter
Author: Crystal J. Bell
Genre: YA Horror
Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I can honestly say that I don’t give too many YA Horror novels 5 stars anymore - but THE LAMPLIGHTER has earned ALL of them! I LOVED this book. It is atmospheric, and spooky, and you think you know what is going to happen, but even if you can guess a part of it, you don’t guess the full extent.

The main character, Tempe, is the perfect heroine for this book. She’s tough, determined, and still has flaws that all make sense with what has happened to her in her life, and what is continuing to happen. I rooted for Tempe. I wanted her to win, and while her choices were sometimes not the best, you can understand them. I also felt like the author did a great job showing her weaknesses, showing when and how Tempe discovers and acknowledges them, and how she deals with them (or doesn’t). She is not a perfect character, and she doesn’t always make the right choice. But she tries her best, and you can see exactly where she’s coming from.

Warbler is a town that strays just shy of being a real historical town. It’s the kind of place you can imagine visiting on vacation, but once night falls, you can also imagine that’s its a little bit of a realm unto its own. The secondary characters, from the constable, to the town drunk, are all fully realized as well. And the villain is exactly what you’d want. He’s not particularly villainous on the outside. He isn’t the obvious choice. Except when he is. And it still won’t end like you think.

If you want something new to read in the YA horror without gore but with plenty of atmosphere and personality, this is a definite yes. I will be watching for Crystal J. Bell’s next book for certain!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in advance!

“Do monsters have reasons for the things they do?”

Temperance asks that question as she unravels a mystery in the whaling village of Warbler. The setting and description took me to a place that I could see as clearly as the fog would allow. The author does a great job describing the figureheads and unveiling the horror behind the village disappearances.

The underlying message of women choosing to work in the nineteenth century rather than marry is a fantastic secondary storyline, as Tempe is forced to take over her father’s occupation as lamplighter after his death. The YA passion, mystery, intrigue, and horror come together nicely in this young adult novel.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC! #TheLamplighter

Lamplighter review

An atmospheric debut about a girl who tries to protect her family and be heard in this historical fiction novel.
Temperance is a lamplighter, in a town where the fog is dangerous because people go missing. She’s tough, having to grow up quickly over her father committed suicide and her mother in a fugue state, she had to grow up to take care of her younger sister.
When she comes under scrutiny for unlit lamposts(through no fault of her own) and her position in town becomes precarious, she has to navigate saving her family. The ending, oof. Dont skip the epilogue!

This is creepy and compelling, though a slow paced read. Dont go in thinking it’s going to hit the ground running. It is a nice standalone read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The atmosphere in this book was very interesting, with lots of descriptive words and imagery, but just as intrinsic as it was, I felt like the author’s writing could get *so* descriptive with so many details that it pulled me out of the story. I could skim over the paragraph and wouldn’t have missed anything but description and description and description.

I wish I could have enjoyed this book more but it fell flat for me with its characters and their decisions. I couldn’t connect with them and I’d end up mad or angry with their choices rather than rooting for them. I didn’t care for the plot or for the ending. Still, I can see many people loving this book, but unfortunately I wasn’t one of them.

I actually tend to shy away from horror simply because I desperately need to sleep at night, but I was so drawn to this book for its description and cover (literally absolutely stunning—one of the best I’ve seen), and Crystal J. Bell did not disappoint! The writing and world-building were just perfect for the story of Temperance as she navigates a world that tries to silence her at every turn. I so wish that I had read this in October, because the vibes and atmosphere worked to create this gruesome yet gothic reality that just immersed you in the world of Warbler. I especially loved the town lore and its direct role in creating that horror-like feel for the plot and environment. I felt this sense of creepiness and sort of quiet haunting even in the tame parts of the story. As for the character of Temperance, man, oh man, this girl went through A LOT, and I think Crystal J. Bell did a great job in navigating topics of SA and mental health given the nature of horror. And while Tempe is stubborn at times and has a pattern to her mistakes, her tale is enigmatic and brave. I also was not expecting that ending and had to go over it a couple of times, and even after writing this, I’m still thinking about it. Overall, I think Crystal J. Bell’s The Lamplighter is a great read for anyone looking to get back into horror that will leave you reeling and questioning what you just read.

Thank you to North Star Editions, Flux and Crystal J. Bell for this ARC of The Lamplighter. This review was published on both Goodreads and NetGalley (12/5).

Enjoyed this story very much. Kept me reading into the night. Look forward to more from this author.

This book captivated me from start to finish. It skillfully weaves an eerie yet compelling narrative, portraying the protagonist's resilient battle against malevolent forces. The historic backdrop of Warbler adds a unique charm to the story, making me yearn to be immersed in its atmosphere indefinitely—minus the unsettling disappearance element. The author masterfully balances spookiness with a heartfelt tale of courage and love. I wholeheartedly recommend this book for those seeking a captivating and haunting experience.

I absolutely loved the writing of the debut author Crystal J Bell, when I started reading about the author I was quite surprised to find this book is her debut work. Because it was more than impressive comparatively.

The story was an absolute masterpiece, the description was so good and easy for me to visualise. I felt the terror in the midst of fog and felt comfort with people around Temperance (the main character of the book). Loved the sentiment, love, sisterhood, every relationship mentioned and non mentioned in the book.

I know the twist was coming all along, but the ending it was totally unexpected and most thrilling for me.

This is a slow burn, but it’s so worth it. It was as if I were in a seaport in the 1800s, and it’s clear the author has put a lot of time and effort into accuracy.
The ending blew me away. I’m still reeling.
I’m a sucker for a story with hints of horror and mythology, and this story delivers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lovely, lovely writing. Utterly gorgeous. Four stars for the prose alone—this book was like a movie, every word vivid and atmospheric. Without giving too much of the plot away (think tree spirits and sirens with a murder mystery blended in), it's also one of the most unique, fascinating fantasy books I have read.

I adored the idea of it, I really did, but the execution? It fell very flat. I loved the plot but it became very difficult to separate it from the ridiculousness of the characters at a certain point (50%). The fmc, Temperance, makes stupid choice after stupid choice after stupid choice, and it's the *same* stupid choice each time. She chooses to withhold critical information from every other character in an attempt to "protect" them, and then acts surprised when they don't understand her motivations. And they also happen to end up very *unprotected,* (dead) to say the least, because she's not giving them the necessary information. Now, in Tempe's defense, her sister, Prudence, is depicted as a patriarchy princess who would burn her family alive for a husband, and thus wouldn't trust a word coming from her mouth. However, this bit occurs much later in the book, and Prudence is fairly normal at the beginning, so I don't understand why not tell her anything? Not only is Tempe uncooperative, her lies/half-truths/whatever stories are immensely condescending and aggravating—unfortunately the opposite of whatever a silvertongue is, which makes me side with the patriarchy princess here.

Full disclosure here, Temperance was sexually assaulted. I don't believe she is required to disclose that to anyone against her will, but to make up some story about consensually kissing the assaulter and being rejected in an attempt to protect her sister's feelings??? She should have said something of equal weight, or at least that he was a thief or something so that Prudence could take the accusation seriously. How is hiding an abuser's identity protecting anyone??? Especially when said abuser is to be your sister's husband??? Tempe constantly makes illogical decision after illogical decision, and as I'm writing this review, I'm coming to dislike her even more.

The character ages were something else that threw me off. Temperance is 18-19, and Prudence is 16 (which honestly explains their immaturity so perhaps I should be less harsh). Why are they getting married?? Why are they considering marriage?? Women in the 1800s (and since they mention Austen, I'm assuming this is mid-1800s at that) got married between the ages of 20-22. Not only are these two considering marriage (or being forced to consider marriage, in Tempe's case), so are all the other girls their age. When Prudence becomes a mother at 17-18, all her friends are also mothers. i don't understand it. I suppose historical accuracy isn't something you look for in a fantasy book, but if it affects the characters' personalities to this point, I can't not mention it.

Another thing that felt off was the discussion on feminism, which was very in your face and preachy. I've never been against discussion of women's rights in fantasy, but the word choice was very modern and did not seem at all anything women in the 1800s would say. Especially not these specific women in the story, because these are some of the most male identified women in fiction I've come across. (With the exception of Tempe, actually. Her only good quality.)

To summarize: If the author came out with a poetry collection, I would be more than interested in reading, but this book was not for me.

"This is my life. Warbler is my home. Who am I to let women be harmed when I can do something about it?
Even if that means becoming a monster myself.
I'm my father's daughter, after all. [...]
There is an evil in Warbler, and I am the only one who knows about it."

First, there was a cover. A dark and mysterious, beautifully drawn cover, full of mist, roots, darkness and mysteries. It caught my eye. Enchanted me with its atmosphere. Couldn't pass the opportunity to check what story it hides.

And then, there was a story.
A story about a town near water, with great boats and not great people. A town inhabitet by evil and darkness, full of flaws, mistakes and fear. They walk through streets boldly, because Warbler is their place on Earth. No justice awaits for them, as they are the ones setting the rules.
Is there a place, in such world, for a young woman craving equity?

"The Lamplighter" is neither a happy nor bright story, but hells on Earth – it's a fucking good one. It's supposed to be YA horror, but I genuinely believe it could proudly stand at first place of adult category. The dread, the Gothic, the chills. You cannot make this up. I was served and satisfied, fall in love with Warbler's ghost tale, just to gladly have a heart broken, shattered and scattered through the orchard ground later. It's so good. I can't even find my words.

I live for such books.

a quick, atmospheric spooky little book that i devoured in one sitting. perfect for readers who want to dip their toes into the horror genre.


many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Dziękuję NetGalley za egzemplarz do recenzji 😊

Temperance przed czterema laty tragicznie straciła swego ojca. Została razem z młodszą siostrą oraz matką, która popadła w apatię. Dziewczyna podejmuje się fachu zapalaczki latarń - ważnego zawodu w ich nadmorskim miasteczku, które nocami spowija mgła tak gęsta, że pochłania wszystko... włącznie z tajemnicami.
Książka została oznaczona jako young adult i chociaż bohaterka jest postacią młodą, to cały klimat, sposób w jaki została napisana - nie ma tutaj nic typowo młodzieżówkowego. Początek jest ciężki do przejścia, ponieważ mamy dość ciekawy zarys, ale równocześnie do tego zapowiadanego w opisie zniknięcia dziewczyny z miasta, ciężko jest dobrnąć. Gdybym jednak nie była zaintrygowana i chętna na dowiedzenie się, czy czytam wyłącznie fikcję historyczną ubraną pod płaszcz dreszczowej tajemnicy, czy może jednak jest w tym niebezpieczna nuta magii, pewnie porzuciłabym miasto Warbler samemu sobie.
Tempe jest bohaterką-męczennicą. Bierze wszystko na swoje barki, skrywa cały ból głęboko w sobie, troszczy się o mamę i siostrę i najchętniej sama by zrobiła każdą, najmniejszą rzecz. Niepomna jest na rodzinę oraz Josiaha, swojego chłopaka. Do ostatka zachowuję się jakby była tylko ona przeciwko światu. Widzimy też dlaczego tak jest oraz dlaczego tak miało zostać, dlaczego jej tajemniczość tak mocno obróciła się przeciwko niej...

Idealne połączenie "Toksycznych dziewczyn" oraz "Ruiny" w historycznych ramach. Nie jest to książka idealna, ale kończy się intrygująco, co jest dużym plusem.

Thank you to Crystal J. Bell, North Star Editions, Flux, and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own~ This review will be posted on my NetGalley and Goodreads accounts. Review published 11/27.

The Lamplighter is an atmospheric, bone-chilling, and character driven story that grabs you from the very beginning and does not let go until the end. This book was very very hard to put down. The story follows the main character, Temperance, as the town lamplighter who is following in her father's footsteps after his untimely passing. Soon however, things in the town start to fall apart as girls go missing and Temperance is blamed for them. This book has a wide array of characters, both lovable and also very creepy. The author does a really good job of making you question who exactly is the culprit. The descriptions for the town and environment were so realistic it was very easy to place myself in the town and follow along with the main character. I am 50/50 on the ending of the story. After I finished it, I reread it again two times to make sure that's what I read. I think the ending will shock readers in a good way. The Lamplighter is a great book that pulls you into the story and holds onto you through every mysterious and terrifying event. If you're looking for a spooky book tied in with historical fiction this book is for you.