demi_sewell's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Slow to start and throughout, but a good book till the end. The chapters are long but the story does hold you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic friendship, and Murder
maeverose's review against another edition
I hoped I would like this but it was just too slow for me, and the only part I really cared about was Lucia and Kate’s romance. It wasn’t worth it for me to trudge through the rest just for that.
I felt like we got Harry’s backstory too early on. After that there wasn’t as much mystery and I didn’t find anything that was happening all that scary or interesting. Maybe if I’d read further there would’ve been more mystery (I didn’t get to the point where they explained what happened to Elphine, for example), but I just didn’t care enough.
I liked this quote though:
“He never would notice that a downpour brings extra life to Mockbeggar. After the rain the trees are dark, the green pools deep in the woods are brimming, and the nettles are dripping under the weight of water. Even after the sky has cleared, the woods have their own rain. Whenever the breeze shakes the branches tiny showers fall from the leaves.”
Spoiler
Especially given Lucia’s friendship with him.I liked this quote though:
“He never would notice that a downpour brings extra life to Mockbeggar. After the rain the trees are dark, the green pools deep in the woods are brimming, and the nettles are dripping under the weight of water. Even after the sky has cleared, the woods have their own rain. Whenever the breeze shakes the branches tiny showers fall from the leaves.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism
Probably more than that but that’s all I noticed as far as I readsilene's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A spooky, not scary ghost story, Small Angels is about the power of stories, for both good and bad. It explores the boundaries between justice and revenge and forgiveness. It presents multiple flawed, endearing characters, even if you might want to shake sense into a few of them. The ending fits well, and the magic of the story lingers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, and Murder
zimmerlemon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Witchy, spooky - if you liked the practical magic series you’ll probably like this. Really interesting concept! My only qualm Interesting and vivid characters which is always a plus.
Spoiler
is that the ending was a touch anticlimactic in some ways, but it was close to what I was expecting so no major complaints lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Moderate: Death
starsnotshadows's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Just not my cup of tea at all. I think the premise has potential, but should be a much shorter book to be impactful. Many of the characters were not people I cared to root for, they weren't bad, they just weren't compelling.
The ending was not satisfying, and the "saviors" of the book felt like they came out of nowhere with little explanation
The ending was not satisfying, and the "saviors" of the book felt like they came out of nowhere with little explanation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder
slimepuppy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I could write thousands of words about how this book draws incredible parallels between the Gonnes' suffering and cycles of abuse, about the the engaging mystery and the sad, tragic stories we carry through our lives, how we become tethered to them.
We should all try to tell it different, and I think Small Angels does it beautifully.
We should all try to tell it different, and I think Small Angels does it beautifully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, and Toxic friendship
blackcatkai's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this book is a slow burn full of atmosphere. a story of legends, family, friendship, & toxic relationships. a forest with its own spirit & secrets & I loved every minute of it. it had creepy vibes, a little romance, and an ending that had me a bit emotional. I would love to see this adapted into a film or mini-series.
I will absolutely be reading more of Lauren Owen's work.
I will absolutely be reading more of Lauren Owen's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death
bigheartedbibliophile's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
- Summary: 💔💘🤯🕵🏻♀️☠
- SPOILERS
- It was pretty slow to start, but the last 100-150 pages were so interesting and captivating! I wish the beginning was more interesting. I’m sure a lot of people gave up on this book because of that, and it is quite long.
- I enjoyed the different perspectives throughout the story, and how the full mystery of Harry isn’t explained right away.
- The whole thing about a wedding is odd, but I guess it makes sense why they are back in Sam’s hometown.
- The woods of Mockbeggar are magical but can be dangerous if you aren’t careful...
- This story has love, sisterhood, haunting, wedding, death, lgbtq+, and so much more.
- I do recommend this story, because it is an interesting plot and mystery, and it’s worth getting through the beginning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
exlibrisabigaillee's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The lesson didn't stick with me as well as I thought it would. The characters were likable enough, I just didn't resonate with them super well. The story was very fun though, and I enjoyed the world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child death, Murder, Blood, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Lesbophobia, and Domestic abuse
One of the main families, the Gones, is very strict and emotionally abusive throughout the novel. One of the daughters finds solace with a friend who is very controlling and possessive. The Gones are in leagues with a spirit, of sorts, whoSpoiler
was a child murdered on the property years ago. His death is describedSpoiler
the possessive friend of the daughterSpoiler
the spirit, who takes the form of a boy the daughter's age, died as an adult and is not truly a childfalonmansfield's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Suicide