'Unique, enchanting, and haunting.'-Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of the Cursebreaker series From the critically-acclaimed author of House of Salt and Sorrows comes a mesmerizing and chilling fairy-talesque novel about Ellerie Downing, a young woman in a small town with monsters lurking in the trees and dark desires hidden in the shadows-in Amity Falls, nothing is more dangerous than a wish come true.

I can’t wait to see what Craig comes up with next. While marketed to teens, it has a strong crossover appeal for new adults and adults, as well. Small Favors is a strong sophomore novel. And though the ending isn’t exactly happy, it is satisfying, which is much better. Like things keep going from bad to worse dark. Ellerie is a character you want to root for, and this book needs it.īecause Small Favors is dark. She has to prove herself again and again, and yet she keeps going. The girl who dreams of something more but is limited by her sex. The smells, sounds, and even textures envelope you.Įllerie is the girl we all know. From the opening pages right to the end, you feel as if you’re inside Amity Falls. This Gothic read is full of atmosphere and mystery. Craig ( House of Salt and Sorrows) is excellent with the details. Small Favors is one of those immersive novels that you don’t want to put down but need to every once and a while. 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. These seemingly trifling demands, however, hide sinister intentions. The creatures are real, and they’re offering to fulfill the residents’ deepest desires, however grand, for just a small favor.

Strange activities begin to plague the town, and as the seasons change, it’s clear that something is terribly wrong. When some townsfolk go missing on a trip to fetch supplies, a heavy unease settles over the Falls. 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.Įarly 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. Life in isolated Amity Falls, surrounded by an impenetrable forest, has a predictable sameness. Craig, is a fresh take on the classic folk horror tale.Įllerie Downing is waiting for something to happen. Small Favors, a new young adult novel by Erin A. Craig, Delacorte Press, July 27, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)

Erin craig small favors