Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! While I haven’t read all of VE Schwab’s work, I’ve read a good chunk of it. So, this is definitely an anticipated release for me! And I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint.

Let me start off by saying that I wasn’t expecting this to get as spooky as it does? For that reason, I felt like it’s better suited for a fall release rather than a spring release. But I digress! Schwab does an excellent job setting the eerie tone for this book. It’s incredibly atmospheric, and there’s almost always a sense that something’s off when Olivia enters Gallant. You can almost feel the tension in the air as she tries to find her place in this new house.

However, I did want a bit more out of the characters. Olivia is pretty well fleshed out, but the rest of the cast of characters felt pretty one dimensional to me. I specifically wanted some of the house members to be a bit more rounded out, which would have added even more to the overall atmosphere of the book.

The ending also felt a bit abrupt, and I don’t know if that was just me or if it was a pacing thing. I just wanted a little more resolution at the end, something that helped bring a little more sense of closure to the Gallant house.

All in all, if you’re ready for a spooky read in March, I’d definitely recommend checking this out! Especially if you’re a fan of VE Schwab; this is a great addition to her ever growing list of works! 

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Dark and foreboding and wonderfully atmospheric, I almost feel like this would have been better suited as a fall release rather than a spring one. I 100% was sucked into this story, even if the ending felt a bit abrupt. Stay tuned for a full review to come next week!