Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino
Release Date: June 21st, 2022
Publisher: Page Street Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror
Pages: 352
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | Indiebound
Synopsis
Salem’s Lot meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this horror-fantasy retelling of Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market.”
Lou never believed in superstitions or magic–until her teenage aunt Neela is kidnapped to the goblin market.
The market is a place Lou has only read about–twisted streets, offerings of sweet fruits and incredible jewels. Everything–from the food and wares, to the goblins themselves–is a haunting temptation for any human who manages to find their way in.
Determined to save Neela, Lou learns songs and spells and tricks that will help her navigate this dangerous world and slip past a goblin’s defenses–but she only has three days to find Neela before the market disappears and her aunt becomes one of them forever.
If she isn’t careful, the market might just end up claiming her too.
Content warnings: on-page gore, on-page body horror, violence, trauma
Top 5 Reasons to Read Not Good for Maidens
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours and author Tori Bovalino for providing me with a copy of this book!
- Tori Bovalino is a master of making you frightened and uncomfortable as you read. If you are truly looking for a horror story, this is the place to be.
- Bovalino’s expert writing immediately draws you into the story she has created and there is never a dull moment.
- The LGBTQ+ rep is blatant and the terminology is used in the book as well.
- Extremely interesting character arcs and developments. Each character was so unique and had their own personality.
- A fully realized plot with a descriptive setting and well-thought-out theme.
Tori Bovalino grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and never knew she wanted to live abroad until she was already in London. She’s awful at picking favorites, but her consistent go-to books are Pride and Prejudice, Fire, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. She’s enamored with books that make her cry.
Tori holds a BA in English fiction writing and anthropology and a minor in German from the University of Pittsburgh and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway, University of London. She is currently on the Creative and practice-based PhD course at RHUL, researching the relationship between Russian folklore and YA fantasy novels. In her free time, Tori enjoys reading (duh), embroidering, and traveling.
She is represented by Dr. Uwe Stender and Amelia Appel at TriadaUS Literary Agency. She writes short stories, poetry, and novels.
TBR and Beyond Tours Schedule: Not Good For Maidens
June 13th
Kait Plus Books – Interview
Nine Bookish Lives – Promotional Post
Brinn’s Books – Review, Favorite Quotes
Becky’s Book Blog – Review
June 14th
Confessions of a YA Reader – Promotional Post
Althea Is Reading – Review
Clouded Galaxy Reads – Review
June 15th
Book Notes by Athina – Promotional Post
Ink Slinger – 15 Reactions While Reading Not Good for Maidens
Beneath A Thousand Skies – Review
Metaphors and Miscellanea – Review & Favorite Quotes
June 16th
Quills and Stardust – Interview
Inking & Thinking – Review & Playlist
Stuck in the Stacks – Review
Modest Hiccup – Top 5 Reasons to Read Not Good for Maidens & Mood Board
June 17th
Phannie the ginger bookworm – 15 Reactions While Reading Not Good for Maidens
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post
Justice For Readers – Top 5 Reasons to Read Not Good for Maidens
Gwendalyn’s Books – Review
June 18th
stories with saima – Review
Lu is lost in books – Review
The Bookish Coven – Promotional Post
The Nerdy Nook – Review & Favorite Quotes
June 19th
A Court of Coffee and Books – Interview
Stuck in Fiction – Promotional Post
Unabridged Adventures – Review & Favorite Quotes
Literary Liza – Review & Favorite Quotes
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