Review – Small Favors by Eric A. Craig (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Length: 469 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: July 27, 2021
ASIN: B08M5M9BQV
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: eGalley from NetGalley
Rating: 4/5 stars
“Ellerie Downing is waiting for something to happen. Life in isolated Amity Falls, surrounded by an impenetrable forest, has a predictable sameness. Her days are filled with tending to her family’s beehives, chasing after her sisters, and dreaming of bigger things while her twin, Samuel, is free to roam as he wishes.
Early town settlers fought off monstrous creatures in the woods, and whispers that the creatures still exist keep the Downings and their neighbors from venturing too far. When some townsfolk go missing on a trip to fetch supplies, a heavy unease settles over the Falls.
Strange activities begin to plague the town, and as the seasons change, it’s clear that something is terribly wrong. The creatures are real, and they’re offering to fulfill the residents’ deepest desires, however grand, for just a small favor. These seemingly trifling demands, however, hide sinister intentions. Soon Ellerie finds herself in a race against time to stop Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves from going up in flames.”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got a copy of this book through NetGalley to review.
Thoughts: This was a very well done historical fantasy/horror story. It’s set in a small isolated valley town surrounded by a dense pine forest. Things get tense when people are killed by something in the woods and strange things start to happen around town. We spend most of our time with Ellerie and her family, as they try to survive both a hard winter without supplies and the strangeness that begins to infect the town.
It was odd for me to read this so soon after reading “What We Harvest” because a lot of the vibes and themes in these two books end up being very similar. This is a strangely compelling and creepy read. I enjoyed the strange isolated town and the mystery behind what dwelled in the woods. Ellerie and her family were also well done, engaging characters.
This was a 5 star read for me up to the last 25% or so. I found the explanation as to what was causing all the strangeness to be a bit unsatisfying. However, the book is well written, engaging, and creepy without ever being terrifying. I enjoyed it more than “The House of Salt and Sorrows”, which I gave 3 stars too.
My Summary (4/5): Overall this was a well written story with a nice slow burn mystery and some strange magical creepiness. I really loved the first two third’s or so, but found the ending to be a bit unsatisfying. Still, I don’t regret reading it and would recommend to those who enjoy a creepy fantasy with a slow burn mystery and just a bit of terror.
