Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
300 Pages
Synopsis: A simple but forgotten truth: Where harbingers of death appear, the morgues will soon be full.
Angie Dovage can tell there’s more to Reece Fernandez than just the tall, brooding athlete who has her classmates swooning, but she can’t imagine his presence signals a tragedy that will devastate her small town. When something supernatural tries to attack her, Angie is thrown into a battle between good and evil she never saw coming. Right in the center of it is Reece—and he’s not human.
What’s more, she knows something most don’t. That the secrets her town holds could kill them all. But that’s only half as dangerous as falling in love with a harbinger of death.
Dark, haunting and romantic, Black Bird of the Gallows is a lush and beautifully told YA supernatural story that for the most part, hits all the right notes.
While the beginning of the book starts off as so many YA stories do: mysterious, brooding boy moves next door to plucky, outsider teen girl, after the first couple of chapters I wound up really liking both Angie and Reece. In addition to them both dealing with traumatic pasts, now they have to deal with a threat involving supernatural bees. *Shudder*. At first I thought this was going to be an annoying case of insta-love, it’s more like an instant attraction that develops into deeper feelings. I was completely invested in the two of them, and found myself fervently hoping they got their happy ending.
The best part of the book is the word-building and mythology. It’s creepy, yet beautiful, and I was completely enthralled throughout the entire book. The pace slowly built until the nerve-wracking ending, which I thought was a bit rushed, but ultimately satisfying.
Y’all know I read a lot of YA Fiction. Even when I like a book, sometimes it’s difficult to remember it. Black Bird of the Gallows is a story that I will remember days, weeks, and months from now. It’s imaginative and unique, and I HIGHLY recommend it for older teens and adults who love supernatural fiction and are looking for a story and characters they’ll fall in love with.
fragglerocking said:
YA fiction is really cool these days. I’m an oldie but have read a few good YA’s this sounds up my street.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s really in a renaissance of sorts. I’m 52, and read YA fiction regularly.😁
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meltotheany said:
Amazing review, love! I’m on the blog tour for this one and I’m so excited to celebrate it! 💓xx
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Melanie! I can’t wait for your post!🤗
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thesarahdoughty said:
Oooh nice.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
So god Sarah! I think you might like this!🤗
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
A 4.5 Stars from you? Now I really need to check this out soon. I’m actually looking forward to read it and I’m so glad you loved it. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’d love to know what you think when you’ve read it Raven!🤗
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
I’m planning to read it before the end of this book so I’m very excited to pick this up soon. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yay!🤗
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beetleypete said:
Good cover, nice plot. Worth its stars, by the sound of it.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
This definitely took me by surprise with how much I loved it Pete.☺️
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Carrie said:
Great review! I started this one off worrying that it was going to be another cookie cutter add the YA necessities book but I was glad it broke off and really stood out by the end.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie! I remember you saying in your review that you were getting ready to tick off boxes! I was the same way. It was surprising how much I really loved wound up loving this. Except for the bees. I hate bees, and would you believe that my next door neighbors bee hive that they started for their son who’s a Boy Scout, was vandalized the night I started reading this?? We had no clue until the next morning when I went to go for a walk and had to run back into the house because there were bees everywhere! 😱
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Carrie said:
Bees have never bothered me too much which is good because my neighbor has some bushes that seem to draw every bee in Indiana but I learned as a kid just grab the baking soda. LOL But when you get a book to take something that seems normal and not too creepy and make it creepy it’s always a good thing.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m such a baby! You should here me scream w h end one gets in the house!
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Carrie said:
Now you know freaking out would probably make you a bigger target, don’t you? The key is stay still and calm. 🙂 My big fear is heights and that’s more easily avoided than creepy crawly bugs though.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
My rationale side knows that, but my emotional side tends to take over.😟
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Carrie said:
Well I know I would not be able to invite you over for at least 6 months of the year, thanks to my neighbor bees are definitely not going extinct here, your surely going to see 1 or 2 all the time in the warm weather every time stepping outside and yes a few have gotten inside when they’re persistent. LOL
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Nope! I would definitely have to find a new place to live!😁
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Carrie said:
I wouldn’t want to leave all my other critters… raccoons, groundhogs, rabbits, deer, fox, chipmunks, all different species of birds etc etc. Always something to watch outside here. But yes there’s bugs galore to go with all that too.
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Run Wright said:
I’m not a big fan of supernatural fiction but I just won an Owlcrate box and will be reading the YA book they sent me in that genre.
I love your review though – even the books that I don’t think I would otherwise pick up, sound interesting when you review them 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much! You just made my whole day!😙That is so awesome! I love Owlcrate, but I can’t afford it. 😞
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Cal's Constant Raving Reviews said:
I’m also hosting a tour for this book, and I love this review. I love books when they stay with you a for a while after finishing them. They’re the best.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Cal! I’m looking forward to reading your post.😊
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raistlin0903 said:
Love the cover for this book. So far I haven’t read much YA fiction besides the Hunger Games, but this sounds really good. Fantastic review 😀
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Michel! The cover is striking. It’s the first thing that caught my eye.😊
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vinnieh said:
A fine review, Kim. And what a spooky gif too.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Vinnie!💁🏻
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vinnieh said:
It really added to wish you said.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
🤗
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vinnieh said:
That comment should have said what you said instead of wish.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I know what you meant Vinnie.☺️
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vinnieh said:
I’m glad, I must have been typing too quickly.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It happens to all of us Vinnie.
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vinnieh said:
Good to know it’s not just me.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😊
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KrystiYAandWine said:
Eeep!!! This sounds absolutely AMAZING! This is definitely on my TBR for the month. I cannot wait to read it. Such a wonderful review, Kim! <3<3<3
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It’s soo good Krysti!🤗
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Beware Of The Reader said:
Good thing I ordered this one 😉 Wonderful review!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you! I hope you love it!💁🏻
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theorangutanlibrarian said:
Ah this sounds so good!!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I really did love it!☺️
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Literary Dust said:
I’ve been eyeballing this one for a while, and your review makes me want to read it!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think you’d like this Candace!😊
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
This sure does sound wonderful and different from previous YA supernatural stories I’ve seen around! Got me intrigued. But that beautiful cover though! Is it just me or ravens are always so well done on covers? hhahahah
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
It is a beautiful cover.😊
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Jen said:
YES!!!!! I just reviewed this book earlier this week and LOVED!!!!!!! It was such an amazing debut and I’m dying to read all of her future releases in whatever genre she writes. This book reminded me why I loved paranormal back in the day and now I’m trying to find books like this one that will give me a similar feel. Oh the struggle is real lol. I’m so over the moon happy to see you loved it too!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I just read your review Jen and it was spot on! I read somewhere Meg is going to be releasing a novella for this.☺️
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Jen said:
Aw thank you! ♥ Ohhhh I just caught that info about the Novella too! I can’t wait! And it’s this year, so we don’t have to wait until next year, yay. I really clicked with her writing and I can’t wait to read all of her future releases! 🙂
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