I’m so excited to be part of the TBR & Beyond tour for this book. Find the full tour schedule here.
About the book
The Lies of Alma Blackwell by Amanda Glaze
Genre: Young Adult Gothic Horror
Publishing Date: August 27, 2024
Synopsis:
For over a century, the Blackwells have protected the town of Hollow Cliff from vengeful spirits. Seventeen-year-old Nev is ready to take over for her ailing grandmother as the town’s witch protector—unlike her mother, who left when Nev was a child and never looked back. When a stranger arrives at Blackwell House of Spirits to fill a tour guide opening, Nev reluctantly offers him the job. Nev doesn’t trust Cal Murphy. He knows more than he’s letting on about Blackwell House—and about Nev herself. But Nev soon learns that she has been lied to her whole life. By following the trail of clues left behind in Blackwell House by her most powerful witch ancestor, Nev uncovers an unspeakable legacy of murder and lies…and realizes that a stranger may be the one person she can trust.
Book Review
The town of Blackwell has a secret: its ghosts are more than just a charming tourist attraction.
Teenager Nev is preparing to take over the role of protector of the town from her dying grandmother. But the charms that protect the village are weakening faster than ever, and there’s been another drowning. When Nev’s blood gets added to the spells, she hopes that will be enough to protect her friends and loved ones from the spirits.
But unsettling things begin to happen. When the son of a drowned man confronts her at a party, Nev begins to question what she’s been taught. Then a mysterious stranger shows up and applies for a job in Blackwell House. But Cal knows far more about Blackwell House and its mysteries than he should, and once he reveals an important lie, Nev’s life will never be the same again.
This spooky book builds up an atmospheric, creepy feeling as the reader gets to know Blackwell House and its inhabitants, past and present. The well-crafted plot leads the reader towards twists that turns everything Nev thought she knew upside down.
An engaging mystery that keeps the reader guessing against a backdrop of female witches with dubious intentions.
One of the best horror novels I’ve read this year.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and TBR & Beyond Tours for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
About the author
Amanda Glaze writes witchy books about determined girls. Her bestselling debut novel, The Second Death of Edie and Violet Bond, was a Barnes & Noble Book Club pick and a Rise Booklist Honoree. She grew up in Northern California where she spent most of her time with her nose in a book or putting on plays with friends. Since then, she’s lived many lives: as a bookseller, a theater director, and an Emmy award-winning film and television producer. When she’s not running off to the mountains, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two cat familiars.
Need more to read? Find all of my young adult recommendations here.
