If you’re looking for a book to give you goosebumps as you read, you’re going to want to add this one to your TBR! Erin A. Craig is a master at creating the creepiest book atmospheres; I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading this book. Amity Falls is a masterfully crafted world where it’s not just about the monsters that might be hiding out in the woods, but the ones hiding within ourselves as well. You’ll find engaging and enigmatic characters that seem like friends, but might also be hiding some fiendish intent behind their easy smiles. And if you love The Village, you’re absolutely going to love this book.
Ellerie Downing is a young woman living in Amity Falls, a village that’s nestled within the Blackspire Mountain Range, isolated by the mountain range and a seemingly impenetrable forest. It’s said that the early settlers of the village battled devils in the woods, and when a supply crew goes missing, the villagers worry that the monster’s might have returned. As winter arrives, more strange things begin occurring, and all signs point to a devilish group that can fulfil the villagers deepest desires for a small favour. Unfortunately, their true intentions harbour some sinister intent. Ellerie will find herself racing to try to save her family, Amity Falls, and the boy she loves, before everything goes up in flames.
This story will reel you in from the start. It’s told in seasons, beginning at the height of the summer. Ellerie is learning beekeeping from her father, something she longs to be in charge of, but is facing the reality that she’s expected to marry and have kids, while her brother takes over everything. However, her brother has been missing most of the summer, and seems to be keeping secrets. Though they’re twins, they couldn’t be more different. Where Sam seems to be a little weak-willed, Ellerie is determined and follows through with her choices despite the consequences. Their personalities become more apparent as the seasons go on and devilish things begin happening.
I loved the worldbuilding taking place in this story because you truly get to know the village and the key players. The elders, the founding families, and the parson all play key roles in this story. Everyone knows each other, and helps contrive an incredible sense of community, but also makes betrayals sting that much more when they happen. Ellerie’s sense of duty to her family is strong, but with the failed supply run and the possibility of monsters, she’s weary of sending anymore men to their deaths. Her choice puts her at odds with her father, but she stands by her decision, supported by her mother. What stood out most strongly to me was that despite their disagreement, her father still sees her strength and ability to sustain the family farm when disaster strikes.
As the story progresses, it almost feels cinematic. We go from a peaceful-ish beginning to an ever-building chaos in the further seasons. Craig manages to write in this palpable tension that propels you to turn the page. Everyone starts to have issues, and the village folk seem to be making enemies of each other. The elders seem to be losing their ability to keep the peace, and the parson is using this to further his religious agenda. There’s no doubt that things are going to continue to get even worse before they get better. At one point, I found myself hunched over the book as if to brace myself for what was to come. The characters are being affected both psychologically and physically, and it’s a wonder what may be causing it all.
The monsters in this story are terribly wicked creatures, and I think readers will find them as fascinating as I did. The small favours seem so insignificant, but make such a huge impact both to the story and to the villagers.
Of course, my favourite aspect of this book was the romance. Much like the story, it starts off very subtly and then as the story intensifies, so does the romance between Ellerie and her stranger. I loved their interactions so much, particularly their beginning banter. His easy manner and Ellerie’s inherent distrust of him make for a great start to a romance. She finds herself seeking him out despite her better judgement.
The ending of this story seems a bit ambiguous, a little ominous, and will definitely make you wonder. I’m not usually a fan of ambiguous endings, but it works in this story. Overall, Craig has created a creepy masterpiece that is going to look lovely sitting next to my copy of A House of Salt and Sorrows. I can’t wait to see what creepy things she writes about next!
Small Favors is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of
Will you be picking up Small Favors? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Ellerie Downing lives in the quiet town of Amity Falls in the Blackspire Mountain range–five narrow peaks stretching into the sky like a grasping hand, bordered by a nearly impenetrable forest from which the early townsfolk fought off the devils in the woods. To this day, visitors are few and rare. But when a supply party goes missing, some worry that the monsters that once stalked the region have returned.
As fall turns to winter, more strange activities plague the town. They point to a tribe of devilish and mystical creatures who promise to fulfill the residents’ deepest desires, however grand and impossible, for just a small favor. But their true intentions are much more sinister, and Ellerie finds herself in a race against time before all of Amity Falls, her family, and the boy she loves go up in flames.
