I am so sad that this was only an excerpt of the story because I NEED to know what happens. The story is set around an Inn that is a safe haven (nice play on words there Havenfall) for all the different worlds that exist, but most of them have been banished. The place is run by an innkeeper, and the story revolves around said innkeepers niece who hopes to one day take his place.

I was mystified as soon as I started reading. I want to know more about what lies beyond the portals, I want to know more about the inn, I want to find out what kind of a guy Brekken is, and why Taya is really going to Havenfall. Basically I have a lot of questions that need an answer and I can not wait until the book releases! Unless you wanna send me a full ARC now, **hint hint wonderful publishers**

[ review of sample extract from 'Havenfall' ]

I'm really intrigued by the world that's being established so far! I find it so cool that the story revolves around a magic portal because I feel like there aren't a lot of fantasy novels that focus on that aspect as their main story. The different worlds and the history behind the Havenfall Inn was so interesting to read about and I can't wait for the main character to explore them further in the rest of the book!

After only a few chapters, I already feel relatively invested in the MC's story and I want to know what happens next!
The author has a wonderful writing style and I'm so glad to have discovered her work.

Will definitely be coming back to the book when it's published next year :)

excerpt was very intriguing as we instantly know that Havenfall is a magical place that doesn’t appear to be ordinary in any way. This gateway is guarded by a family who pass the custodianship over to a member of the next generation. We meet Maddie who is written as someone not running away exactly but perhaps running towards would be a better description. Maddie understands tragedy and meets someone who seems to also have had events happen in her life that have shaped who she is. I thought the writing pulled me in and although I’m undecided whether or not Maddie will find what she’s looking for I'm really interested in discovering more about the realms and those who live there.

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to pick up something by Holland. Her writing feels sophisticated but accessible, nuanced yet explicit. Her prose sucked me in from the moment I began reading and didn’t let go until I ran out of material.

An excerpt and book summary leaves much to be imagined, but they’ve provided a rich and compelling start to the story of Havenfall. I got a taste of her solid world-building and the introductions of compelling characters. The protagonist Maddie is clearly complex and weighed down by the burdens of life. This is evident in her quote “The Maddie in the water looks serene and happy [...] and that’s not me.” But, it doesn’t feel overly melodramatic. She feels real - just as the setting Holland has created. Also – magic!

I can’t review much more because I only had access to the first 24 pages of her book, but I can say that I will be reading this book when it is released in the states.

**Will update this review after reading the complete book. Thanks to NetGalley for the excerpt**

I liked this fantasy world so much. The set up was atmospheric. I could not wait to learn more about the mysterious portal. Th characters were intriguing and i am excited to read this book! Sara Holland is one of my favorites!

This sample was amazing! I hope this is an updated cover because it was so good!! I can not wait to read the entire story!!

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the e-galley.


HAVENFALL is the story of an "Inn." that holds portals other realms, and the girl who's uncle runs the joint. During the yearly peace negotiant with two other worlds, someone opens a world that had been previously closed off and deemed dangerous and lets in a monster. With her uncle out of commission, Maddie must keep the inn together all while learning who to trust.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: Contrary to the synopsis, Maddie is very much in love with Brekken (a male), and the new girl, Taya, does not even blip on her radar so this queer baiting needs to stop.

That being said, I was hoping for some glimpses into the other realms. The book takes place at the inn about 98% of the book. The twists were easy to guess, but I still loved questioning whether I was right or not.

I loved the concept and Maddie was a good protagonist as far as protagonists go. Brekken was my man and I wished we saw more of him. MORE BREKKEN. SWOOOOOOOON

I needed more magic and more tension with some loose ends tied up a little prettier. I would read the second book, and this one when the final product is released.

I found this excerpt left me wanting to read the entire novel, always a good sign! I love the world that is be created and can't wait to read more about Havenfall.

Wow I cannot wait for this book! I haven't read anything by Sara Holland before but I saw this advertised in the Bloomsbury YA Booklet at YALC and was intrigued. It is definitely going on my 2020 tbr list - it almost feels like a shame to go back to the book I was reading now.

Thanks for the extract!

The story really captivated me, the characters that we meet are so interesting and the world building left me wanting to know more. I can't wait to read the rest!

This extract has me hooked! I'm so intrigued to see where this is going to go and can't wait for more!

Even after reading the first few pages of this extract I am entranced! I already feel connected to Maddie in this short section and want to know more about Havenfall and it's history! The world-building is beautifully done, and each scene is so vividly portrayed! I'm looking forward to reading the rest!!

Oh my, someone give me the whole thing already because this was so intriguing! The first two chapters start to introduce the world of Havenfall in both an easy and exciting way. I love the idea behind the inn and it being the middle ground between different worlds! I also liked the writing. I haven't read anything by Sara Holland before, but I think I might as well pick up Everless before this comes out. Honestly, I have so many questions from these two chapters alone and can't wait to read the whole thing and get some answers!

I was drawn in from the first page. I am very excited to handsell this book! Can’t wait to read the entire thing!

I love this extract and now I’m even more excited to read the full book! Sara sets up an exciting portal fantasy with mysterious happenings, a lavish history and a wonderfully atmospheric setting. This is definitely a title I’ll be watching out for over the coming months!

I thoroughly enjoyed this excerpt and would love to be able to read more!

Holland instantly draws you into this new and original magical world, and the reader learns some intriguing information about the protagonist's past without giving too much away. Personally, I really loved the concept of introducing a hidden town in the mountains, Haven, which acts as a gateway to other worlds. There is enough explanation which makes the world building easy to follow while definitely giving the novel endless possibilities of where the plot can go!

By the end of chapter 2, there are enough questions left unanswered which leaves the reader wanting to read on. It was also refreshing to see a narrative that focuses on two female characters in the opening chapters! Finally, there was some very pretty description and Holland certainly has a way with creating atmosphere!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for giving me the opportunity to read this extract!

I read an extract of the book and what can I say?

- Brother was murdered
- Mother is in prison because of murder
- Mother didn’t murder brother
- Monster from another realm killed brother
- there is magic in it!
- The writing is so fluent, I loved it in everless and still love it in her new series

Can’t wait for the real book to come out!

This was my first Sara Holland read and the extract didn’t disappoint. Whilst the prose was rather flowery and descriptive, it didn’t detract from the story for me. A flawed heroine, magic, multiple worlds, portals, shapeshifters, murder and a snarky stranger on a motorbike - what’s not to like?! Looking forward to the book’s release next year 📚

I hate that this was just a sampler! The story sucked me in from the very first word, and I hate to have to wait to read the rest of the story.

The plotline was very intriguing right away, and I'm very curious how it will continue.

I can't say much about characters and world-building as of now, the sampler gave little away about that.

As always, I loved Holland's writing.

Not fair...I need more. I loved the excerpt. When is the book fully released?

In just 2 chapters, Maddie and Havenfall have ne held captive. I have not read anything by this author before, but I want to now. She is very talented with describing places and people. The atmosphere of this book is shaping up to be very intense....I have suspicions of course, but it seems to be what the author intends.

Thanks NetGalley for the excerpt. I really enjoyed it.