Last August, I received my very first mystery book box from De Boekenbuit, called “Queen Bee” (unboxing). The featured book was one that immediately sparked my interested, namely Small Favors by Erin A. Craig. I’m happy to report that it met all my expectations!

Small Favors

Small Favors tells the story of Ellerie, a young woman who lives in a quiet town, tending to the family’s bees. Ellerie knows better than to wander into the forest that borders the town, because legend has it that evil might still stir behind the protective bells on the forest’s edge. When a supply party disappears, however, people start to question whether there isn’t something dark on the town’s side either. More and more strange things start happening, and chaos threatens to take over…Can the town still be saved from the monsters lurking in the woods? Or should they be more concerned with whatever is brewing in their midst?

A wonderful dark fantasy

I loved this book. As of the start, I was hooked by the dark atmosphere and dystopian nature of the story. It’s very much my brand of spooky: creepy enough to freak me out a bit (like, really, who comes up with an elk with toadstools growing on its head? Brrr, totally triggered my mycophobia.), without keeping me up a night. *chef’s kiss* Just perfect.

I adored the male main character. His very arrival in town simply spells trouble and the tension between him and Ellerie is written brilliantly. He also strongly reminded me of Rumpelstiltskin, with his strange obsession with names. Not to mention the magic and the habit to make deals 🙂 I had to get used to Ellerie herself though. She initially felt a bit too young for her actual age. She’s really focused on making her father proud of her and draws strange conclusions (e.g. “why didn’t the smell of fire wake me?” Er, Sweetie, you cannot smell anything when sleeping). She did grow on me though.

I also quite appreciated the general vibe of the story. Not only was it dark and mysterious, it was also a bit fairytale-like in the sense that it reminded me of Little Red Riding Hood, and also quite appealed to the witch in me due to the Town Rules. These rules are mentioned at the beginning of the book and linked to specific chapters and their rhythm really brought to mind the Wiccan Rede. I will also definitely make my own “Box of Luck” as one of my next DIY projects! Such an awesome idea <3 Without a doubt, four out of five gemstones:

A couple of reviews ago, I mentioned that I would try and highlight one word per book that I learned while reading the book. For this book, I chose the difference between “stall” and “stable”. I knew the word “stable”, of course, as the translation of the Dutch “stal” (although I have to admit that I didn’t realise that it was only used for the building in which horses are kept, and not any other livestock. So I suppose I should say it’s the translation of “paardenstal” instead.). Turns out “stall” exists as well in English, meaning “a compartment for a domestic animal in a stable or barn”.

Age Category: Young Adult, but very much suitable for an older audience as well.

Trigger Warnings (click here, may contain spoilers)

Mild. Warnings for violence and fire.

Do you want to discover more?

If my review inspired you to pick up the book, don’t hesitate to check it out at Goodreads or at the below online stores.

Amazon.nl: Hardcover edition

By the way, I’d like to stress how beautiful this edition is. The cover almost makes you smell honey, the layout of the book is gorgeous…Highly recommended!

If you would like a taste of the story before buying the book, check out this audio sample on the website of the publisher!

Similar to this

If you loved Small Favors as much as I did, I would also recommend Witch of Ware Woods, by Sonja F Blanco. It was the first ARC I’ve ever received and I’m still very much impressed by it. This novel is the first part in a new trilogy and it has a similar magical vibe with a strong focus on what it means to be a community. The genre is different though, while it’s also a YA fantasy, it’s not as dark nor dystopian. Highly recommended, so go and check out my review!

The darker aspects of Small Favors also reminded me of Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston. It has a very similar scary-things-in-the-woods feel, although there’s more witty banter and less a focus on the community. You can read my full review here.

Somehow, I was also reminded a bit of Burn our Bodies Down by Rory Power. Must be because of the dystopian aspects and the fire scene. I have to say though, while I was fine with the level of darkness in Small Favors, I struggled with Burn our Bodies Down and even had nightmares about it. Even though it’s YA, it’s not for the faint of heart! My review can be found here.

I cannot wait to read more by Erin A. Craig, so I will be diving into House of Salt and Sorrows asap. Have you already read this acclaimed novel? Edit: my review can now be found here.