Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This had so much potential and I actually really loved the first third/half but it went so downhill after that for me. I love the idea just not the execution.

This was a fun mix of horror and thriller as it slipped between real world danger and fantasy. I liked the three girls and thought that they were well written by Legrand. They were all different enough that it was obvious after the first few chapters who was talking. The moral questions Legrand asks were handled well and the intrigue and mystery was handled well with a good helping of misdirection being thrown in when the reader got too comfortable.

Sawkill Rock is an island steeped in mysteries and legends where girls have been vanishing for decades.
Marion has moved to Sawkill with her mother and sister after her father died.
There she meets Zoey and Val.

It wasn't until I started reading my NetGalley copy that I realised it was actually a sampler, which was rather disappointing.
What I read was intriguing and drew me in. I'm definitely interested in reading a full, finished copy.
I liked the writing style and the characters were different and I want to find out more about them.

I received a copy from Netgalley.

It’s been a long time since I read a book and thought what the fuck was that when I finished. I was rather looking forward to this one as well. I’ve heard of the author and have most of her YA books on my shelves. So I was quite excited when I got the approval for this one. I saw it featured around Halloween a lot on my YA twitter feed last year.

I usually like books that are quite different, especially ones that promise a spooky atmosphere and a strange plot. But in this case – I really just did not like this book at all. Right off the bat something didn’t sit well with me on this one. I didn’t connect with any of the characters and the style of the writing was weird. It had some really descriptive lines, some scenes almost boarding on poetic.

Then something would happen and try to be gory and freaky and it came across as more comical than anything. One thing I really did like was plus points for diversity in the characters – one character is asexual, and the other two girls hook up and there is some really hot girl/girl scenes.

The plot was too bizarre for words. I only kept reading because I wanted to know what was going on, but the more I read the more annoyed I got with it. This book was a major disappointment.

Thank you to Harper360 for approving my request to view the title.

A great sneak peek into this intriguing book - I will definitely be buying and reviewing the paperback later this year!

It's hard to say much based on just a sample but the little I read sounded really interesting and I ended up buying the full book!

Sawkill Girls, is one of my favourite books that I read last year. Filled with fierce females who’s relationships grew naturallly and authentically over time mixed with the dark undertones of the paranormal. It was the perfect combination of all the things I love in a book and Claire Legrand I squickly becoming one of my favourite authors,

I requested this because I recently read Claire Legrand's Furyborn and wanted more of the same - this of course is nothing like Furyborn but I still really enjoyed it and would recommend.

Sawkill Girls is a book about girls. In their various forms and feelings. And that intrigues me. Legrand is a varied author, who has dabbled in a few topics over the years, and draws me to her, a little like a moth to a flame. And after reading this sampler, I can understand why.

Her writing is emotional and raw, and with this particular story, it's made even clearer why so many people love her stories. 

Opening with Marion, we're introduced to the island of Sawkill Rock, a place where people go to escape. After a family tragedy, Marion and her mother and sister, are trying to get a new start, and from the very first page I was hooked. So hooked, I can't wait to get my hands on a copy and continue. And I imagine things can only get better!

Of course, because this was only a sampler, I don't have a full review for you guys, but if you like mystery and intrigue, you definitely have to pick it up!

I liked the cover and the blurb, but the writing style and the first couple of chapters just didn't do it for me.

I managed to grab a full arc of this book in the end!

I absolutely love Clare Legrand's writing and this was the perfect read for the Halloween month! It's creepy and extremely gripping. I read the entire book within two reading sessions, it had me constantly turning the pages to find out what happened next. It was such a difficult book to put down!

I highly recommend this and I really look forwards to reading more for Clare's work!

This extract hooked me in instantly. The writing is so beautifully atmospheric, I didn't want it to end. I can't wait to get my hands on the finished book.

I was excited to read this book already but these chapters have made that excitement go through the roof. Counting the days until my book arrives!!!

I'm super excited for this book! It sounds so creepy and so interesting! I have to buy this ASAP! I can't wait for it!

I was already excited for this book, but this short sampler has made me even more so! Even in these few short chapters, I feel like I've learned a lot about the characters and the town in which they live. I can see that there's a mystery here to be solved, and I definitely want to solve it. I've not read any of Legrand's writing before, but I like the style in this book. And it's only touched on very briefly in this sampler, but there's queer rep in this book!

Basically, I already wanted to read this book, and now I'm even more excited to be out in just a few days! I hope this book's going to do really well and put some more great queer rep out there into the world.

How does someone review a sample if not by telling if it did made me want to read the book right?

Well my Sawkill Girls sample (that I foolishly hoped would be the whole book) was like that one lone chocolate truffle you eat after your meal with your coffee: not enough. You immediately crave for a second then a third serving. Before you realize it you've eaten the whole box of truffles!
In other words: I need more words! I need the whole book!

I discovered Claire Legrand's writing with Furyborn and was instatly smitten, pulled into the magical realmshe had created.
The same happened with Sawkill Girls.

Claire Legrand has the knack to reel you into her stories from the first sentences.

I won't speak about the plot as you can read the synopsis but rather about what the sample made me feel, expact and want.

The opening of the sample focuses on Marion who lost her dad in a car accident and is moving to Sawkill island with her depressed mom and her younger sister Charlotte.
In barely a few page I could already see and smell the island and its spooky atmosphere. I could portray Marion as the responsible girl, too old for her age. Shouldering responsibilities she should not. Not at her age.
This is followed by an action scene sending your heart galloping as wildly as the spooked horse Marion happened to sit on.
Then you have an element of mystery and horror thrown back to the mix because you are wondering "What is Val?"

This! This is what I love in Claire Legrand's writing! Her mastery at changing pace in her story never losing her reader's attention and never losing him or her either, period.

I predict friendship between Zoey and Marion.

I predict Marion being something special too *what with her sudden headache arriving on the island and her screams of "Make it Stop!"

I predict Val being so much more than the polished Queen Bee when I read sentences like: "and awoke Val's deep-gut-appetite that belonged to herself, a little, but mostly to him."

I predict...a hole in my wallet LOL.

Since this is just the first 3 chapters I don't really have much to say.
I did get intrigued to where this story is going, since I went into blind.
I will be purchasing it as soon as I can to find out more.

Thoroughly intrigued by both the mysterious story and the gorgeous prose, will certainly be looking to write a full review when the book finds its way to me!

These first few chapters were very promising! I liked the whole kind of dark vibe I got from it and I feel it would be a great read for Halloween time!