Small Favors

Sisters Ellerie and Sam live with their family in Amity Falls, an isolated mountain settlement where life follows predictable seasonal patterns. Their routine existence changes when a series of bizarre natural phenomena begin plaguing the town. As winter approaches, the townspeople face mounting hardships including failed crops, missing livestock, and growing paranoia about dark forces at work. Ellerie takes on new responsibilities as a beekeeper while trying to make sense of the escalating troubles and the growing tensions between neighbors. Strange gifts start appearing on doorsteps throughout Amity Falls, leading to increasingly erratic behavior among the residents. The gifts seem connected to an old folk tale about creatures who strike bargains with humans, though the true nature of what stalks the town remains unclear. The novel explores themes of isolation, community trust, and the price of desire through a dark fairy tale lens. At its core, it examines how fear and desperation can transform both individuals and entire communities.

Most readers describe this as a slow-burn horror story that builds tension through atmospheric details rather than overt scares. The pace picks up significantly in the final third. Readers praised: - The creepy, unsettling atmosphere of the isolated mountain town - Strong sister relationships and family dynamics - The author's descriptive writing style - The winter setting that enhances the claustrophobic mood Common criticisms: - Too slow-paced for the first half - Underdeveloped romance subplot - Some plot threads left unresolved - Ending felt rushed compared to the buildup "The dread creeps up on you," noted one Goodreads reviewer. "By the time things go wrong, you're too invested to look away." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (24,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 Several readers compared it to M. Night Shyamalan's "The Village" in terms of atmosphere and isolated community dynamics.

House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig A gothic tale where twelve sisters face a deadly curse in their isolated manor by the sea.

The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab A folklore-inspired story follows a girl in a remote village where children begin to disappear as an ancient legend resurfaces.

The Bone Houses by Emily-Lloyd Jones A gravedigger's daughter must protect her village from the dead who rise each night from their graves in the nearby forest.

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw Three sisters, drowned as witches centuries ago, return each summer to a harbor town to lure young men to their deaths.

Among the Beasts & Briars by Ashley Poston A palace gardener's daughter ventures into a cursed wood to break a centuries-old spell threatening her kingdom.

🌲 The eerie small town of Amity Falls was inspired by author Erin A. Craig's own experiences growing up in a rural Michigan community surrounded by dense forests. 🎭 Before becoming an author, Erin A. Craig worked as a stage manager for professional ballet companies, which influenced her storytelling style and attention to atmospheric details. 🌟 The book draws inspiration from traditional fairy tales, particularly "Rumpelstiltskin," but subverts common tropes by exploring darker themes and psychological horror. 🎨 The novel's striking cover art, featuring delicate flowers and sinister thorns, was designed by artist Katt Phatt, who perfectly captured the story's blend of beauty and horror. 📚 Small Favors was named one of Barnes & Noble's Most Anticipated YA Books of 2021 and debuted on the New York Times bestseller list in its first week of release.