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.

I think this is the lowest rating I have ever given for a book. So much so that I am not putting this on my blog. I am so disappointed with this book and had it not been for the fact I had to read this, I would have DNF it.

This had so much promise, the promise of witchcraft and magic and THE CRAFT!! So many comparisons, but I can't fathom why.
None of this worked for me even when it kicked off at the end I had no idea why it was kicking off. It all felt very disjointed, and I got lost multiple times in the audiobook.

I had no idea who has done what and why it was done and I don't know if I even believe what I was told. Even the bits I was excited to read about, like the witches and their history didn't work, it just plodded along a little bit slowly and just a bit dull.

I felt all the girls did was get drunk and take drugs, which I don't care if they were doing something more. The secret group etc, none of it was utilised and I am just really sad this fell flat for me.

Oh well, on to the next book

Overall this was an interesting YA/NA read. The characters were believable and the story was engrossing.

Grab this book for a bed side table read or perhaps it will grab you for a binge weekend read.

Thanks very much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. Absolutely loved it, superb, well-drawn characters, engaging plot. Huge fan of Lowe's books.

This was a total fail for me. Toxic friendships, hysteria and mystery should have been all I needed to be hooked by this story but instead I was just bored. I'm ok with unlikeable characters, in fact I welcome that trope but not only were these characters unlikeable but they were dull as dishwater too. Very disappointing.

This book wasn't quite what I was expecting, however I did still enjoy it. The characters were unlikeable and they all had their flaws but this added to the narrative and reasonings behind their actions and what happened.

Fantastically dark and creepy. Indulgent behaviour and hysteria running rampant. Such a well paced thrilling read.

A beautifully written novel with some great prose. The plot was interesting but I loved the characters and their development throughout the book

This was different than I expected not bad but different, really enjoyed it was a mix of creepy and disturbing and I enjoyed it.

This story of angry girls, toxic relationships, murder and witchcraft should have been 100% me, but I struggled to get through it. I really struggled to care about any of them or what they did, even when the acts themselves were compelling, and it ended up feeling a bit like a failed dark academia atmosphere to me. I was really disappointed.

It is a really cool premise but I found it dragging I places with unlikeable characters. I understand they aren't always meant to be liked but it is hard to continue reading when there isn't anyone you like.

This one - phoo! I loved it!! I would advise people going into this one that it's a slow burner but it packs a punch.
I love Lowe's writing style - especially that opening chapter. I'll admit that Violet did occasionally get on my nerves but I loved the way hers and Robin's friendship developed.
I'd definitely recommend if you like a slow burner thriller.

This page-turning, harrowing debut is the story of a girl trying to fit in, whose obsessive new friends and desperation to belong leads her to places she'd never imagined...dark, dangerous, and possibly even violent.

This book wasn’t exactly what I was expecting it to be but I did very much enjoy it. It follows Violet, a teenage girl who is trying to come to terms with the loss of her dad and younger sister in an accident. She moves to a new school and there she meets Alex, Grace and Robin. She’s soon a part of their clique, and yet someone always on the periphery because she doesn’t know all of the secrets. The school has a dark history, the site the school stands on is the scene of where a witch was supposedly burnt in the 17th century. The witchcraft forms a part of the girls’ obsessions and things get dark. Once I got into this novel I found it hard to put down. On the surface it’s another novel about girls gone bad but actually it has so much more depth to it than that; it’s a real exploration of what makes people tick and how others can get drawn into things that they know they shouldn’t be doing. I recommend this one!

‘The Furies’ by Katie Lowe is a debut novel that begins in the year 1998 where a sixteen-year-old girl is found dead on Elm Hollow Academy’s campus with no certain cause of death. One year earlier, Violet, a girl who moves into an all-girls private boarding school that is proudly built on arts, mythology and witchcraft. Violet is forced out of her comfort zone when she meets and eventually befriends a group of interesting girls.

When I read the description of this book, the private school setting immediately perked my interest— here’s just something about private schools and murder mysteries that intrigue me. To add to that you have elements of witchcraft and spells to the mix. If you are a fan of witch craft, magic and all that this is definitely a book you should consider looking at.

However, in my opinion slow paced and uneventful at times. It does take a while for the actually murder mystery plot to unfold. I noticed that there were some noticeable filler pages and scenes that did not interest me at all. I am ashamed to say that I skim read through a couple of paragraphs and even chapters.

The book started off being very atmospheric and the author managed to set the eerie mood early on— this darker tone continued throughout the book which is very much appreciated. Another trope that I like is the close-knit friendship-group-who-get-into-destastrous-things-and-stick-by-each-other-through-“everythiiiiing” trope which is a central element of this book. This book does feature a relatively small cast of characters which is my personal preference for murder mysteries.

One thing that I wished was more developed is the characterisation. In my opinion the characterisation was a bit on the weaker side. This could just be because I did not relate to any of the characters nor did I even remotely care for any of them in the end.

3 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction for providing me with an advanced reader’s cop of ‘The Furies’ by Katie Lowe

This story had such potential. It had all the things which would make it an incredible murder mystery but it just fell short for me. There was no atmosphere, no suspense and as such i didn't connect with Violet and the plot just didn't go anywhere.

[Forgot to post a review, but was reminded after reading and enjoying the author's latest novel, POSSESSION.]
THE FURIES is a very strong debut from Katie Lowe. Set on the prestigious Elm Hollow Academy's grounds, a new student becomes wrapped up in the games and power struggles of teenagers at any boarding school: popularity, cool, power.

The characters are realistic and well-drawn, the story is gripping and engaging throughout. A very strong debut, I enjoyed this a lot.

A story laced with witchcraft that is written authentically. Some shocking occurrences and characters who aren't all entirely likable. Not a story I would shout about, and from what I've read it's a concept that has been 'done a lot'... but it was an enjoyable read.

I am in charge of the senior library and work with a group of Reading Ambassadors from 16-18 to ensure that our boarding school library is modernised and meets the need of both our senior students and staff. It has been great to have the chance to talk about these books with our seniors and discuss what they want and need on their shelves. I was drawn to his book because I thought it would be something different from the usual school library fare and draw the students in with a tempting storyline and lots to discuss.
This book was a really enjoyable read with strong characters and a real sense of time and place. I enjoyed the ways that it maintained a cracking pace that kept me turning its pages and ensured that I had much to discuss with them after finishing. It was not only a lively and enjoyable novel but had lots of contemporary themes for our book group to pick up and spend hours discussing too.
I think it's important to choose books that interest as well as challenge our students and I can see this book being very popular with students and staff alike; this will be an excellent purchase as it has everything that we look for in a great read - a tempting premise, fantastic characters and a plot that keeps you gripped until you close its final page.

Such a shame that I didn’t love this one as much as I was hoping to. The prologue really gripped me so I had high hopes for this one! I didn’t connect to any of the characters and found some of them quite irritating! This book wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t great. It was quite easy to read. It’s a shame but I was disappointed by this one!