The Luminaries

YA Book Chat

Join me and my friend Victoria as we dive into The Luminaries, by Susan Dennard.
If you enjoy books involving the forest, creepy monsters, redemption stories, trials involving surviving in a forest filled with nightmarish creatures, and friends to lovers, you will enjoy this book. Take a listen as Victoria and I talk all about it. You'll also hear why the teacher side of me really appreciated one particular line in the book. In addition, you'll learn about the incredible way the story for The Luminaries evolved.
First 15 minutes are spoiler free!
A little about The Luminaries:
Hemlock Falls isn't like other towns. You won't find it on a map, your phone won't work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you.
Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie's town―and the rest of humanity―from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night.
Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal―and restore her family's good name. Or die trying.
But in order to survive, Winnie enlists the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for.
Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.
A special thank you to Tor Teen for sending me an ARC, a finished hardcover copy, and laminated pin! Alexis and Annaliese, you are the best!
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