The Article below was published in Vol. 135, Issue 2 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on October 18, 2019
By Leah Moss ’20
A&E Editor
- Give the Dark My Love by Beth Revis
Give the Dark my Love tells the story of an aspiring young alchemist named Nedra who must turn to the dark, forbidden world of necromancy when a deadly plague wreaks havoc on her island and threatens the lives of her beloved family. The novel is beautifully written and dives deep into human nature and the sacrifices someone might make in order to protect those they love. There’s political intrigue, a touch of romance, and plenty of twists and turns that you’ll never see coming. The sequel, Bid My Soul Farewell (which is equally as amazing and emotionally-impactful) came out in late September, so you can binge-read this beautifully dark duology all at once.
- The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd Jones
The Bone Houses is a novel like no other! The main character, Ryn, is a gravedigger in a world in which the dead don’t necessarily stay dead, so she is tasked with keeping zombie-like creatures called “Bone Houses” at bay, even as they grow more and more aggressive. The story is quite gripping from the very first pages and is absolutely perfect for the Halloween season.
- Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin
Halloween is often associated with “witchy” things, and Serpent and Dove fits that theme perfectly. Set in France, it tells the story of a young witch and witch hunter who are forced to marry one another, despite the fact that they’re sworn enemies. If you like enemies-to-lovers romances, religious conflict, and witchcraft, this is the perfect book for you.
- The Cellar by Natasha Preston
Natasha Preston is known for her thrilling, creepy stories, and The Cellar is definitely one of them. Told in three alternating POVs, the story is about a girl who is kidnapped one night and kept locked away in a cellar with three other girls. The girls must band together to survive their captivity and escape. This book definitely isn’t an easy read and tackles some dark subjects; but in the end, it’s worth a read this Halloween season.
- The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco
The Bone Witch, like Give the Dark my Love, also tackles the subject of necromancy, but in a totally different way. The lush, atmospheric story is told in an interesting way, as the main character recalls her life’s story to a visiting bard. Chupeco shows her talent at writing as she creates a world that is as magical as it is dark, and then populates it with complex characters that you can’t help but care about. It’s so easy to get lost in the worldbuilding, especially as she develops it over the course of the trilogy.
Leah Moss can be reached at mossld@mx.lakeforest.edu
