This was a very interesting sampler of the first few chapters that definitely had me wanting more.

I found the world to be incredibly interesting - our world with a magical realm hidden in the mountains. Such an interesting and original concept and I look forward to reading more about it when the book releases next year.

The blurb to Havenfall sounds really promising and this teaser left me so intrigued, i can't wait to pick up the whole book.

I was lucky enough to be able to preview a teaser excerpt of this exciting new YA book!

As this is only a teaser, I'll leave the synopsis from Bloomsbury (UK & ANZ) below for those who are interested:

"Summers at Havenfall’s famous Inn are Maddie Marrow's only solace from her dysfunctional existence. But the Inn is much more than a hotel, and life in Havenfall isn't without its secrets. Beneath the beautiful, sprawling manor in Colorado lie hidden gateways to other worlds, some long-sealed by ancient magic.

When a body is found on the grounds, the volatile peace brokered between these worlds is irrevocably compromised. What’s worse is that Maddie’s friend Brekken stands accused of the murder. With everything she loves at stake, Maddie must confront shocking truths about the dangers lurking beneath Havenfall – and discover who she really is."

I definitely felt like this book in the first couple of chapters had a mystery-murder feel to it, and the characters felt gritty and real from the get go!

I also 100% feel like the worldbuilding so early on is a great set-up and really got me hooked straight away! I loved how there is a subtle magic system so far, and not overly in-your-face. I felt that the chapters I read were fast-paced, and I hope that it is a sign of what is to come!

Based off what I have read so far, I'll give it a rating of 4/5 stars so far!

(This review will be shared as an 'upcoming release' post on my blog on Feb 18, 2020!)

The extract I reviewed was definitely too short :) - I wanted to learn more about Havenfall, it's Inn who's managed by Maddie's uncle, and Maddie herself. Being the daughter of a mother on death row, convicted for killing Maddie's older brother, is not easy and she looks forward to escaping to the bridge of three worlds. On her way there, Maddie's filled with unease, meeting two strangers who may impact the plot more than we're led to believe in the first chapter. I look forward to reading the entire book.

Ugh, only an excerpt! But a cracking one nonetheless. I’ve read Everless, and was less than impressed, but this book sounds fantastic. Maddie is an intriguing character, and so is Taya, the little we see of her. The setup of the inn at the ends of many worlds is one that feels immediately familiar and right. I can’t wait to read the rest of this book.

Thanks for the excerpt, NetGalley.

Very intruiging beginning to a an interesting book. The blurb sets the premise for a very promising story and the writing style is very easy and comfortable to read.
Would definitely buy Havenfall when it comes out.

As many commented, this is a teaser excerpt rather than a full book, so it is difficult to give a full review.

However, I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of this book and would like to read the rest. It fits firmly into the YA style, with a young heroine coping with the dissolution of her "normal" world by attempting to escape, quite literally, into the fantasy realm.

Here are some highlights:

- Character development. Those we encounter in the first few chapters are intriguing and realistic. Their troubles are unusual (such as Maddie's mom being on death row) and the layers of their motivations, hopes, and fears are peeled away gradually to reveal personalities that are believable and interesting. I also picked up some potential LGBT themes, but it's too early to tell for sure.

- World building. I love books which feature a collision between the regular modern world and the ancient and fantastical! Although we do not learn much about the fantasy worlds from the teaser, the small hints of these settings are quite promising.

- Writing style. The writing is natural and relatively fast-paced. The vocabulary is appropriate for a YA audience. Overall, the narration flows smoothly and keeps the reader engaged.

Aside from this, it is difficult to get a grasp on what the story will offer. However, it's off to a compelling start.

Very promising start to a next bestseller. I love this author but I can not give a full review since this book is just an extract. It did seem to feel the same as Sarah J. Maas.

I really enjoyed this extract. As much as I enjoyed Sara Holland's other books, Everless and Evermore, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read Havenfall. I don't typically enjoy contemporary settings in my fantasy books. But, that being said, I read this excerpt and was immediately drawn in. I actually really liked the contemporary elements in this story and Nathan's murder really hooked me. I love a good murder mystery and I can already tell there's so much more to this story than the typical "girl goes to fantasy world and saves everyone". I will definitely be adding this to my TBR.

A promising start! I was already gripped from the beginning. The writing style is rich and descriptive and I liked our protagonist, Maddie. In terms of world-building, I found it original and I'm excited to learn more about Havenfall and how it integrates into the real world. I will definitely pick up the book once it is released!

As this is only an extract, I cannot give a proper review. I will say, nice intro to the first chapter. I am quite interested to read more. Lovely cover with nice, vibrant colours.

I only read the first two chapters and I am already intrigued. I loved the author's first two novels, Nevermore and Neverless, I have been waiting to read her new novel since then. I love the fact that it mixes the modern world with a fantasy world and the character seems really interesting. I can't wait to read the rest of the novel.

I don't know anything about this book. I didn't even read the synopsis before requesting it. I just loved Sara Holland book Everless.
But the first few chapters of this has really got my attention. It instantly gripped me. This will jump to the top of my TBR when it is released. I'm excited to see how this develops.

I need the rest of it! I was granted access to the excerpt of Havenfall and I could not put it down! I recently read the Everless series by Holland, which made me a huge fan of her writing. This will be the perfect book for young adults who want a fantasy story, without it being too over the top. I cannot wait for the release next year! I am curious on how the different worlds work too: different worlds, different suns & moons, different weather, but only doored gateways and Havenfall between them.

Being able to read an extract from Havenfall about 5 months before the release of the book is both amazing and cruel. This book promises a great story but only being able to read 2 chapters and having to wait 5 months before I can read more is very cruel. I cannot wait to read what troubles await Maddie at Havenfall and to get a better understanding of the different realms and the secrets they hold. This book will definitely be at the top of my 2020 TBR list and will be recommended to every single person who asks me what to read next.

After Everless, I really wanted to read more by Sara Holland. Evermore wasnt as great a read as Everless was, but I stll like her writing style.

And I have to say, this extract certainly made me curious for the rest of the book. I can't wait to read more.

Having read Everless, I was excited to see what Sara Holland had in store next - and this doesn’t disappoint. From the extract there are hints of mystery, intrigue and magic rolled up in a potential (I hope) love interest who could be incredibly interesting to read about. Honestly, biker chicks are awesome. I love the concept too, which explores a more contemporary setting mixed with a delicious hint of fantasy. One to look out for.

I'm very excited for the release of Havenfall, I really enjoyed reading the authors previous books. This extract offers the reader a look at the first few chapters and I must admit, they were good! I'm hooked already.
It's going to take a few chapters to fully invest in the story and learn about the magic system but I think this could be a novel I would really love. I want to know more about everything! I can't wait to get my hands on the full book.

An extract.
The blurb tells you more than one reads in this teaser provided through NetGalley.
2 chapters can reveal nothing of the plot or the books direction. I tend not to read info on book covers or accompanying reviews and comments.
The book blurb easily sells the book to fans of the author or followers of this exciting genre. The plot reveal of a murder peaks my interest too.
Now the extract is a completely different animal. I wonder if the author envisaged her book would be judged by the prologue and two chapters. I certainly would never pre-read this much in a bookstore ahead of buying any book.
For me the magic is more subliminal and less direct.
A known author sells me the books of the familiar. A crime thriller, murder mystery or police procedural is also halfway there to grabbing my interest. The cover occasionally, meeting an unread author may prompt me to read their work and an interesting location might tempt me in.
Then along came NetGalley and my book senses are overwhelmed and my diet truly expanded and diverse. My initial interest and desire to read an author or a new title does not guarantee they will stay ahead in my TBR list.
This extract is too short to formulate any clear review or fashion my reading choices going forward.
Sara Holland is a new author to me so it was like a free hit or reading a short story to gauge her style and writing appeal.
I do not like too much made up stuff and fantasy so I am a hard act to please.
The concept of a portal; a neutral zone where worlds can meet but not encroach was a pleasing one. The problem of learning a new vocabulary of aliens and other worlds did not seem daunting and the early revelations seemed well paced easily comprehensible. Indeed the gatekeeper’s role seemed no more taxing than a Brexit negotiator. I could absorb the magic and fantasy along the way and I immediately valued Sara as an excellent storyteller.
What I really want to champion though is the familiar world Maddie Morrow inhabits. It is bland and tired. Normal and uninspiring. Colourless and restrictive. So we meet Maddie on her way from visiting her Mum on death row for a crime she is covering up. Intrigue and backstory please. At a bus depot to visit her Dad and settle down into an existence of boredom and restrictive ambition. She opts to take a run down bus to Havenfall where her Uncle Marcus holds sway and perhaps has nurtured her to take on a more important position and fulfilling life.
Maddie acts as narrator. Her simple journey introduces mystery and reveals the truth of Havenfall and the inn she has visited each summer. A place of magic and alternative realities where Adjacent Realms strive to keep the peace and ensure continued interdependence. A place that holds Maddie’s future if she can overcome and understand her past.
So in truth the quality of the writing, the exquisite storytelling and elevated language draws you into the book and set the novel up as a MUST read.

It only a couple chapters so it’s hard to judge off of but I found myself skimming through what I was reading. I think this book could be really good if you had more than the first couple chapters to go off on. I think this book will be a slow beginning but will pick up quickly.