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The Revelry
A story of best friends, bad luck and the consequences of breaking the rules in a town built on secrets and superstitions.
Growing up in Ember Grove, Bitsy Clark knows better than to break the rules around the Revelry, the mysterious end-of-year party in the woods. So when her best friend, Amy, persuades her to sneak in, Bitsy is full of misgivings.
Misgivings that she should have listened to, because it's after the Revelry that Bitsy's luck turns and her life starts to unravel. For Amy, it's the opposite, as if she's been blessed with good fortune.
Soon Bitsy is convinced that the Revelry has tied the two friends together in a curse that only she can break....
Growing up in Ember Grove, Bitsy Clark knows better than to break the rules around the Revelry, the mysterious end-of-year party in the woods. So when her best friend, Amy, persuades her to sneak in, Bitsy is full of misgivings.
Misgivings that she should have listened to, because it's after the Revelry that Bitsy's luck turns and her life starts to unravel. For Amy, it's the opposite, as if she's been blessed with good fortune.
Soon Bitsy is convinced that the Revelry has tied the two friends together in a curse that only she can break....
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First published January 6, 2022
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About the author
Katherine Webber
11 books692 followersKatherine Webber was born in Southern California in 1987. She has lived in Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Atlanta. She currently lives in London with her husband, Kevin, and their young daughter. In addition to her YA, Katherine also co-writes young fiction, as Katie Tsang, with Kevin.
Katherine studied Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis and Chinese literature and language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She has worked at an international translation company, a technology startup, and a reading charity. She now writes full time.
She loves an adventure, whether it is found in a book or in real life and has travelled to over 45 countries. Travel, books, and eating out are her favourite indulgences.
Katherine studied Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis and Chinese literature and language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She has worked at an international translation company, a technology startup, and a reading charity. She now writes full time.
She loves an adventure, whether it is found in a book or in real life and has travelled to over 45 countries. Travel, books, and eating out are her favourite indulgences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
November 20, 2021
Bitsy Clark has lived her entire life in Ember Grove. She knows how distrusting of strangers and how secretive of their rituals the town inhabitants are. However, this does not stop her befriending new girl, Amy, and them both sneaking into the the Revelry, the mysterious end-of-year party in the woods. When the morning arrives both feel changed - one for the better and one for the worse - and Bitsy becomes convinced that they are tied by a bond far more long-lasting and sinister than their tremulous friendship of the day before.
I had such a fun time with this thriller and my investment into understanding just what had occurred during the Revelry continued throughout the course of the novel. In fact, it became heightened as the events transcended into chaos and Bitsy's life began to alter at an ever-increasing rate. I was forever unsure of where the real motives, true answers, or characters to be trusted lay and this muddied all events and interactions.
The narrative of the story was perfectly encapsulated, I believe, by the gorgeous yet unsettling cover. It showcases female bonds, natural beauty, descending shadows, and the decay that lays behind it all - all of which heavily feature throughout the novel, too.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Katherine Webber, and the publisher, Walker Books, for this opportunity.
I had such a fun time with this thriller and my investment into understanding just what had occurred during the Revelry continued throughout the course of the novel. In fact, it became heightened as the events transcended into chaos and Bitsy's life began to alter at an ever-increasing rate. I was forever unsure of where the real motives, true answers, or characters to be trusted lay and this muddied all events and interactions.
The narrative of the story was perfectly encapsulated, I believe, by the gorgeous yet unsettling cover. It showcases female bonds, natural beauty, descending shadows, and the decay that lays behind it all - all of which heavily feature throughout the novel, too.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Katherine Webber, and the publisher, Walker Books, for this opportunity.
April 8, 2022
The Revelry is a tale of friendship, magic, and strange goings-on. Bitsy and Amy live in the small town of Ember Grove and have been friends for years.
Every year there is an end-of-year party held in the woods by the Lost Lake, which is only for the school leavers. Amy has been desperate to know about this elusive and secret party for years and when she discovers an invitation left discarded, she decides to gate crash it and asks Bitsy to join her.
Bitsy has heard all the warnings about the party including the superstitions and that one year a party goer went missing, never to be seen again, but Amy manages to persuade her.
After the party, the pair wake up and can’t remember anything about it, but Bitsy soon realises that the events that follow are caused by their attendance and that she needs to do something to set their lives back to normal.
The Revelry is an interesting read and the plot intriguing. The book is aimed at the YA market and given the basis of the plot, I would agree, however, the writing came across more towards the middle-grade market and given that there are no shocking or scary moments, I think it reads more like a middle-grade read too, just that the characters are older.
I love that you never quite know whether the book is surrounded by magic or that what is occurring is inside Bitsy’s head. It leaves plenty of scope for the reader to make their own minds up. I also loved the descriptions of the town, the woods, the missing lake, etc. All made for a very atmospheric read.
This is a decent, fun, and quick read with female friendship at the core.
Every year there is an end-of-year party held in the woods by the Lost Lake, which is only for the school leavers. Amy has been desperate to know about this elusive and secret party for years and when she discovers an invitation left discarded, she decides to gate crash it and asks Bitsy to join her.
Bitsy has heard all the warnings about the party including the superstitions and that one year a party goer went missing, never to be seen again, but Amy manages to persuade her.
After the party, the pair wake up and can’t remember anything about it, but Bitsy soon realises that the events that follow are caused by their attendance and that she needs to do something to set their lives back to normal.
The Revelry is an interesting read and the plot intriguing. The book is aimed at the YA market and given the basis of the plot, I would agree, however, the writing came across more towards the middle-grade market and given that there are no shocking or scary moments, I think it reads more like a middle-grade read too, just that the characters are older.
I love that you never quite know whether the book is surrounded by magic or that what is occurring is inside Bitsy’s head. It leaves plenty of scope for the reader to make their own minds up. I also loved the descriptions of the town, the woods, the missing lake, etc. All made for a very atmospheric read.
This is a decent, fun, and quick read with female friendship at the core.
March 29, 2022
This book The Revelry maybe for 14years but this is my type of book with the setting a little spooky and entirely a page turner.
Ember Grove is a town fulled by rumours and superstition. Local myths and half forgotten fables and the Revelry is the most important them all.
When people leave Ember Grove they don’t come back, even to visit. The Revelry is meant to be just for the graduating high school class.
A girl disappeared as she went to the Revelry and never came back.
One Night Can Change Your Life
A end of year party takes place in the woods. Bitsy and Amy enter the woods, but since returning from the woods weird mysterious things start to happen to Bitsy Clark.
I would like to Walker for sending me The Revelry to read and review.
Ember Grove is a town fulled by rumours and superstition. Local myths and half forgotten fables and the Revelry is the most important them all.
When people leave Ember Grove they don’t come back, even to visit. The Revelry is meant to be just for the graduating high school class.
A girl disappeared as she went to the Revelry and never came back.
One Night Can Change Your Life
A end of year party takes place in the woods. Bitsy and Amy enter the woods, but since returning from the woods weird mysterious things start to happen to Bitsy Clark.
I would like to Walker for sending me The Revelry to read and review.
March 21, 2023
Try Spellbook of the Lost and Found, The Darkest Part of the Forest or Ironspark instead
➸ Trigger warnings for .
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
➸ Trigger warnings for .
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
August 19, 2025
Oh I hate to do this because I love Katherine Webber but this book was so so so bad. The characters were cringy and the storyline (however interesting) was ruined by them. I couldn’t stand anyone and even tho the writing was good and captivating I definitely did not enjoy myself
October 21, 2023
Gods, being brutally honest here: I didn't like it too much. And let me tell you why.
(Maybe small spoilers ahead?)
I dislike Bitsy. She was whining a lot and was a horrible friend. Expecting everyone to turn to her hand. The friendship between bitsy and Amy was as toxic as nightshade. Constantly on each other. It didn't feel strong at all, but it felt rather forced. They were constantly blaming eachother for everything and fighting every other page. There was so many fighting it wasn't enjoyable for me anymore. Not the story about friendship I was hoping to read.
The ending was really rushed and weird. It was suddenly cut off as if the characters knew everything: but the reader did not.
I was hoping for Midsommar vibes with cult kind of things, but it just didn't give for me. I still think the idea is really wonderful, but it didn't come together for me.
(Maybe small spoilers ahead?)
I dislike Bitsy. She was whining a lot and was a horrible friend. Expecting everyone to turn to her hand. The friendship between bitsy and Amy was as toxic as nightshade. Constantly on each other. It didn't feel strong at all, but it felt rather forced. They were constantly blaming eachother for everything and fighting every other page. There was so many fighting it wasn't enjoyable for me anymore. Not the story about friendship I was hoping to read.
The ending was really rushed and weird. It was suddenly cut off as if the characters knew everything: but the reader did not.
I was hoping for Midsommar vibes with cult kind of things, but it just didn't give for me. I still think the idea is really wonderful, but it didn't come together for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2022
Even though I no longer get the boxes from the Book Box Club I do keep up with the books they include in their parcels. Mostly because they include often more unknown books and also because they include quite some books I never would have gotten myself. This is one of both. I haven't heard anyone about this book and didn't know it existed. I also don't know for sure if I would have gotten the book if I would have heard about it.
After finishing the book I'm a little in doubt what I actually think about it. The book has something addictive. I think it's the atmosphere, the presence of the magic, the questions that stay unanswered for such a long time. I was quite curious to find out what was going on and what had happened to the two girls. Therefore I kept on reading and couldn't put the book down, which was helped by the bigger font and the easy to read writing style.
However, the magic didn't really convince me in the end. I think I understand what the author tried to do with this book, I think I understand the idea behind the magic, but it all still feels a little wobbly. The magic system doesn't seem too solid. I wouldn't be able to explain to someone else how it works exactly, I also wouldn't be able to predict what would happen if the author presented me with a different case set in this world.
And although the author states that this book is about female friendship, I'm not entirely sure if the book succeeds when it comes to that. I do hope that in most cases the situation is not as bad as it is here. I understand the girls have been friends for such a long time and I understand the book shows us how they stay friends eventually despite everything, but we mostly see their friendship break, shatter and crack during the book, which made me a little uncomfortable.
I think that especially younger readers will for sure enjoy this book, but for readers needing their YA novels to be that little bit more, this book might not be it.
After finishing the book I'm a little in doubt what I actually think about it. The book has something addictive. I think it's the atmosphere, the presence of the magic, the questions that stay unanswered for such a long time. I was quite curious to find out what was going on and what had happened to the two girls. Therefore I kept on reading and couldn't put the book down, which was helped by the bigger font and the easy to read writing style.
However, the magic didn't really convince me in the end. I think I understand what the author tried to do with this book, I think I understand the idea behind the magic, but it all still feels a little wobbly. The magic system doesn't seem too solid. I wouldn't be able to explain to someone else how it works exactly, I also wouldn't be able to predict what would happen if the author presented me with a different case set in this world.
And although the author states that this book is about female friendship, I'm not entirely sure if the book succeeds when it comes to that. I do hope that in most cases the situation is not as bad as it is here. I understand the girls have been friends for such a long time and I understand the book shows us how they stay friends eventually despite everything, but we mostly see their friendship break, shatter and crack during the book, which made me a little uncomfortable.
I think that especially younger readers will for sure enjoy this book, but for readers needing their YA novels to be that little bit more, this book might not be it.
April 1, 2024
2.75⭐️
I get that this was the premise of the book, but the behavior of both characters were really annoying and everything got resolved way too easily. Then again this is younger ya so it’s to be expected. Still a fun read.
I get that this was the premise of the book, but the behavior of both characters were really annoying and everything got resolved way too easily. Then again this is younger ya so it’s to be expected. Still a fun read.
January 13, 2022
THE REVELRY is an eerie little book perfect to read in one go, but will linger into your dreams. It's about unremembered bargains linking two best friends and the strain it takes on their friendship, it's about a forest with too much power reaching out into ordinary lives.
This is one of those books that's very hard to classify. I eventually went with Contemporary Fantasy because the haunted wood and the strange goings on edge it enough into fantastical for me. However, they're very light fantastical elements vs the tone of two friends struggling - so more like PERFECTLY PREVENTABLE DEATHS in terms of the fantasy vs contemporary balance.
It is a super creepy woods. Some of the ways it works are subtle, things that could be written off as nothingness. Others are impossible to ignore - and sometimes deadly. Plus a wood that can't be navigated the same way twice? Has locations that appear and disappear? Definitely a wood to stay out of unless you want to lose your life...
I loved the focus on female friendship rather than romance (which feels vanishingly rare in YA at the moment, and made its inclusion and prominence here all the more special.) Bitsy is not in a relationship - it's not acespec rep, it's just that the boys she knows aren't interesting to her (she's had crushes in the past.)
Instead of involving boy trouble, the book is all about two long-term best friends who find their friendship under strain thanks to the forest's meddling - and made worse by Amy not believing Bitsy about the influence of the forest. I loved how strong their friendship was, how they still had each other's backs when push came to shove. And, fitting, the finale is all about them getting into trouble for each other - and then going the extra mile to rescue them.
This was the first YA of Katherine Webber's that I've read (having previously only read her MG), and it's made me even more excited for her co-written TWIN CROWNS.
This is one of those books that's very hard to classify. I eventually went with Contemporary Fantasy because the haunted wood and the strange goings on edge it enough into fantastical for me. However, they're very light fantastical elements vs the tone of two friends struggling - so more like PERFECTLY PREVENTABLE DEATHS in terms of the fantasy vs contemporary balance.
It is a super creepy woods. Some of the ways it works are subtle, things that could be written off as nothingness. Others are impossible to ignore - and sometimes deadly. Plus a wood that can't be navigated the same way twice? Has locations that appear and disappear? Definitely a wood to stay out of unless you want to lose your life...
I loved the focus on female friendship rather than romance (which feels vanishingly rare in YA at the moment, and made its inclusion and prominence here all the more special.) Bitsy is not in a relationship - it's not acespec rep, it's just that the boys she knows aren't interesting to her (she's had crushes in the past.)
Instead of involving boy trouble, the book is all about two long-term best friends who find their friendship under strain thanks to the forest's meddling - and made worse by Amy not believing Bitsy about the influence of the forest. I loved how strong their friendship was, how they still had each other's backs when push came to shove. And, fitting, the finale is all about them getting into trouble for each other - and then going the extra mile to rescue them.
This was the first YA of Katherine Webber's that I've read (having previously only read her MG), and it's made me even more excited for her co-written TWIN CROWNS.
January 21, 2022
Thank you so much to Walker Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
In Ember Grove, everyone attends a special party, called The Revelry, at the end of senior year. No-one talks about it but everyone knows it’s something special. Something that could even change your life. But sinister rumors surround the Revelry sometimes – sometimes kids even go missing. Bitsy Clark and her best friend Amy aren’t due to go to their own revelry yet, but when Amy finds an invitation by chance, she convinces Bitsy to go – despite Bitsy’s misgivings. After they venture out of the wood, they can’t remember anything about the night at all. Nor can they speak about it. Amy is fine with that but Bitsy needs to know what happened. As the two friends are pulled apart by more and more strange events, Bitsy is determined to solve the mystery.
The Revelry was a quick, fun read, with enough creep factor to really keep me entertained! I would have liked to see a few more shocking twists, but I do appreciate that this one read more like a light horror story than a real thriller or mystery. The friendship between Bitsy and Amy was a little bland (the fighting and immediate forgiveness over and over was a bit repetitive) but again, this one was just a great book to sit back and get lost in when you aren’t looking for anything too taxing!
In Ember Grove, everyone attends a special party, called The Revelry, at the end of senior year. No-one talks about it but everyone knows it’s something special. Something that could even change your life. But sinister rumors surround the Revelry sometimes – sometimes kids even go missing. Bitsy Clark and her best friend Amy aren’t due to go to their own revelry yet, but when Amy finds an invitation by chance, she convinces Bitsy to go – despite Bitsy’s misgivings. After they venture out of the wood, they can’t remember anything about the night at all. Nor can they speak about it. Amy is fine with that but Bitsy needs to know what happened. As the two friends are pulled apart by more and more strange events, Bitsy is determined to solve the mystery.
The Revelry was a quick, fun read, with enough creep factor to really keep me entertained! I would have liked to see a few more shocking twists, but I do appreciate that this one read more like a light horror story than a real thriller or mystery. The friendship between Bitsy and Amy was a little bland (the fighting and immediate forgiveness over and over was a bit repetitive) but again, this one was just a great book to sit back and get lost in when you aren’t looking for anything too taxing!
May 7, 2022
I read this in practically one sitting one weekend at the end of April — the story of two best friends who steal away to a party that’s not theirs, and then wake up, remembering nothing. And the only sign that it happened is how much their luck has changed, and the scar around their fingers.
It’s very creepy and unnerving, sparse in a way that lends itself to the story and the accepted creepiness of Ember Grove. Made me think of Deirdre Sullivan for the mix of normal and very not normal, and maybe even a splash of Holly Black too.
It’s speculative fiction that interrogates friendship and imbalanced privilege within it, plus how friendships survive with change and growth and jealousy. I always loved Katherine Webber’s complicated teen girl characters and in Revelry this really excels.
It’s very creepy and unnerving, sparse in a way that lends itself to the story and the accepted creepiness of Ember Grove. Made me think of Deirdre Sullivan for the mix of normal and very not normal, and maybe even a splash of Holly Black too.
It’s speculative fiction that interrogates friendship and imbalanced privilege within it, plus how friendships survive with change and growth and jealousy. I always loved Katherine Webber’s complicated teen girl characters and in Revelry this really excels.
Read
March 16, 2022[gifted]
A sparse, mysterious little book with a night at a woodland party at its centre. This reminded me a lot of YELLOWJACKETS, with its focus on female friendship, hallucinogenic revelries and morally grey teens.
A sparse, mysterious little book with a night at a woodland party at its centre. This reminded me a lot of YELLOWJACKETS, with its focus on female friendship, hallucinogenic revelries and morally grey teens.
February 7, 2022
Dit was een soort heksen-tiener-thriller! Was erg leuk, al is de naam Bitsy vreselijk en ik verbied iedereen om deze naam ooit nog te gebruiken.
March 17, 2025
Only given this book 📖 3 ⭐️
I was an easy read, but I just didn't jel with characters at all. It's probably because my mind has been all over place.
I was an easy read, but I just didn't jel with characters at all. It's probably because my mind has been all over place.
April 10, 2024
3.5/4?
I don't know.
I don't know.
January 11, 2022
"I'm a girl from Ember Grove. These are my woods. Before and after the Revelry, the woods are mine. I don't fear these woods" (p.66).
I have to be honest, and own up to the fact that I was originally drawn to this book because of the cover. Yep, I am a sucker for pretty colours. But, once I had read the synopsis, and realised that this was a book with weird, possibly creepy, woods at the heart of it, I was even more suckered into it.
The tale centres around two best friends, Bitsy and Amy. They live in a place called Ember Grove; a small community where weird things are the norm. Every year, students have an end-of-year party, called The Revelry, which is held in the woods. No one knows what goes on during this party, but the rumours or whisperings which surround it, suggest that your fate can be sealed, for good or bad. Amy persuades Bitsy to join her in gate-crashing the Revelry which takes place when they are sixteen. Although Amy seems to be unaffected by whatever happened, for Bitsy, she begins to feel that something happened there which is having effects on their every day lives. Bitsy's luck seems to have taken a dive, whilst Amy is enjoying good luck at every turn.
What I liked about this novel was how Webber brought in the myths and folklore which surrounds the town of Ember Grove. She has definitely given Ember Grove a firm sense of place, and history. Her writing style was also very good. I liked the way that she described the town, especially the woods. The reason that I have only put it at 3 stars, is that there aren't any great twists, and events seem to be resolved quite easily, in the end. Having said that, I did enjoy this book, and would recommend it for anyone wanting a light, young adult fantasy read.
I have to be honest, and own up to the fact that I was originally drawn to this book because of the cover. Yep, I am a sucker for pretty colours. But, once I had read the synopsis, and realised that this was a book with weird, possibly creepy, woods at the heart of it, I was even more suckered into it.
The tale centres around two best friends, Bitsy and Amy. They live in a place called Ember Grove; a small community where weird things are the norm. Every year, students have an end-of-year party, called The Revelry, which is held in the woods. No one knows what goes on during this party, but the rumours or whisperings which surround it, suggest that your fate can be sealed, for good or bad. Amy persuades Bitsy to join her in gate-crashing the Revelry which takes place when they are sixteen. Although Amy seems to be unaffected by whatever happened, for Bitsy, she begins to feel that something happened there which is having effects on their every day lives. Bitsy's luck seems to have taken a dive, whilst Amy is enjoying good luck at every turn.
What I liked about this novel was how Webber brought in the myths and folklore which surrounds the town of Ember Grove. She has definitely given Ember Grove a firm sense of place, and history. Her writing style was also very good. I liked the way that she described the town, especially the woods. The reason that I have only put it at 3 stars, is that there aren't any great twists, and events seem to be resolved quite easily, in the end. Having said that, I did enjoy this book, and would recommend it for anyone wanting a light, young adult fantasy read.
July 1, 2022
"𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙖 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙀𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨."
The Revelry is an eerie YA Fantasy where magic meets fortune. First off, this cover is an absolute beauty, it gives House of Hollow Vibes. Just by looking at the cover, you know something weird is about to happen. In the small town of Ember Grove, two friends' lives change by one spur-of-the-moment choice.
"𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚? 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧?"
A Revelry is an important event in each person's life, happening at the age of eighteen. Each person's Revelry is different but one thing everyone has in common is a song. Bitsy and Amy tested fate when they entered a Revelry at sixteen. I was particularly intrigued by the Revelry and the events that followed. Connected by this Revelry, Bitsy and Amy try to figure out why this is happening and how to fix it. Their normal teenage friendship soon turns into something else. Having flashbacks of the Revelry, Amy's doubts in Bitsy's recollection, Bitsy pieces together what happened that night at Lake Lost at midnight on her own and comes to a shocking revelation.
Unexplainable and eerie, dangerous and alluring are just a few words to describe the atmosphere of the book. Even though this was a quick read, I enjoyed every moment. Webber is a master storyteller and knows how to keep the reader's attention.
Reasons why you should read this book: there's magic, a curse, mysterious events, best friends drifting apart, rich descriptions, mystery, light horror, woods and secrets.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan SA for this gifted copy.
The Revelry is an eerie YA Fantasy where magic meets fortune. First off, this cover is an absolute beauty, it gives House of Hollow Vibes. Just by looking at the cover, you know something weird is about to happen. In the small town of Ember Grove, two friends' lives change by one spur-of-the-moment choice.
"𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚? 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧?"
A Revelry is an important event in each person's life, happening at the age of eighteen. Each person's Revelry is different but one thing everyone has in common is a song. Bitsy and Amy tested fate when they entered a Revelry at sixteen. I was particularly intrigued by the Revelry and the events that followed. Connected by this Revelry, Bitsy and Amy try to figure out why this is happening and how to fix it. Their normal teenage friendship soon turns into something else. Having flashbacks of the Revelry, Amy's doubts in Bitsy's recollection, Bitsy pieces together what happened that night at Lake Lost at midnight on her own and comes to a shocking revelation.
Unexplainable and eerie, dangerous and alluring are just a few words to describe the atmosphere of the book. Even though this was a quick read, I enjoyed every moment. Webber is a master storyteller and knows how to keep the reader's attention.
Reasons why you should read this book: there's magic, a curse, mysterious events, best friends drifting apart, rich descriptions, mystery, light horror, woods and secrets.
Many thanks to Pan Macmillan SA for this gifted copy.
July 3, 2022
so i picked this book up loving the cover, loving the description etc.. i already knew the main character (bitsy) was going to be annoying as hell just from the blurb - but i went with it anyway. sometimes books with annoying protagonists are still good.
this was NOT THE CASE for this lol. it was well written, no hate to the author. it was very addicting too. i also loved the setting. i am a sucker for cute small towns with goofy little names like Ember Grove. and i did enjoy the relationship that bitsy had with the forest. it was mysterious, natural and dangerous.
however, my issue with this book is BITSY. as i said, i knew she was going to be annoying - i spotted the “overlooked best friend” trope right away (which is an okay trope if it’s done well) but as i got further into the book she became more and more annoying.
she’s entitled, insecure, jealous, privileged, self absorbed and just a BAD FRIEND. this would all be fine if she had any character development throughout the book (which she did not) i’m all for flawed characters… if their flaws are acknowledged and potentially fought against. this is not done with Bitsy. she hates Amy because good things happen to her - granted bad things were happening to Bitsy, but she didn’t have to act like it was Amy’s fault!
Then there was Skyler. i liked parts about her but there was no real explanation for whyyyyy she was just chilling in the forest for like 50 years or something. well, it was the ~revelry~ but there wasn’t much information about what it really was…? which is funny, considering that it’s the name of the book.
also the dialogue made me cringe 75% of the time
🧌
this was NOT THE CASE for this lol. it was well written, no hate to the author. it was very addicting too. i also loved the setting. i am a sucker for cute small towns with goofy little names like Ember Grove. and i did enjoy the relationship that bitsy had with the forest. it was mysterious, natural and dangerous.
however, my issue with this book is BITSY. as i said, i knew she was going to be annoying - i spotted the “overlooked best friend” trope right away (which is an okay trope if it’s done well) but as i got further into the book she became more and more annoying.
she’s entitled, insecure, jealous, privileged, self absorbed and just a BAD FRIEND. this would all be fine if she had any character development throughout the book (which she did not) i’m all for flawed characters… if their flaws are acknowledged and potentially fought against. this is not done with Bitsy. she hates Amy because good things happen to her - granted bad things were happening to Bitsy, but she didn’t have to act like it was Amy’s fault!
Then there was Skyler. i liked parts about her but there was no real explanation for whyyyyy she was just chilling in the forest for like 50 years or something. well, it was the ~revelry~ but there wasn’t much information about what it really was…? which is funny, considering that it’s the name of the book.
also the dialogue made me cringe 75% of the time
🧌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2022
POV: Single.
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy.
Format: Audiobook.
Age Recommendation: 12+
"I am girl of Ember Grove, and these are my woods."
In the small town of Ember Grove, Bitsy Clarke knows better than to mess with the traditions of the town. Every year, students have an exclusive party called The Revelry. No one knows what happens at The Revelry, until it is your turn at the age of eighteen. Bitsy and her best friend Amy have thrown all traditions out the window and snuck into the celebrations at the age of sixteen. When Bitsy wakes the next day, she can't remember anything from the night before. Weird things start happening, what starts out as a run of bad luck starts to feel like a curse. As Bitsy's life goes from bad to worse, things only get better and better for her best friend.
A fast paced, intriguing read, you will fall in love with the imagery and magic surrounding The Revelry. It is a very light horror with focus being heavy on curses and woodlands. The relationships between the girls, the history, the scenery, everything was almost perfect. We had a beautiful pacing, building into something great - and then it rushed an ending. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that is definitely suited to a younger audience or those who enjoy a quick, but enjoyable read. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Holly Black should give this one a go and definitely read if you have already ready and of Webber's other books.
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy.
Format: Audiobook.
Age Recommendation: 12+
"I am girl of Ember Grove, and these are my woods."
In the small town of Ember Grove, Bitsy Clarke knows better than to mess with the traditions of the town. Every year, students have an exclusive party called The Revelry. No one knows what happens at The Revelry, until it is your turn at the age of eighteen. Bitsy and her best friend Amy have thrown all traditions out the window and snuck into the celebrations at the age of sixteen. When Bitsy wakes the next day, she can't remember anything from the night before. Weird things start happening, what starts out as a run of bad luck starts to feel like a curse. As Bitsy's life goes from bad to worse, things only get better and better for her best friend.
A fast paced, intriguing read, you will fall in love with the imagery and magic surrounding The Revelry. It is a very light horror with focus being heavy on curses and woodlands. The relationships between the girls, the history, the scenery, everything was almost perfect. We had a beautiful pacing, building into something great - and then it rushed an ending. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that is definitely suited to a younger audience or those who enjoy a quick, but enjoyable read. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater and Holly Black should give this one a go and definitely read if you have already ready and of Webber's other books.
November 28, 2021
In Ember Grove everyone knows about the 'Revelry', a secret celebration in the woods for graduating high school seniors, but no one talks about it. Best friends, Bitsy and Amy, are obsessively curious about it and decide to crash the party two years early. They set off for the woods at midnight but when Bitsy wakes up the next day, she has a feeling that something momentous has occurred but she can't remember anything about the previous night. Soon strange things begin to happen that drive a wedge between the two friends and Bitsy realises that there are far-reaching consequences to their decision to sneak into the Revelry.
The concept of 'The Revelry' sounds a bit like 'The Night Circus' or 'Caraval', but the fantasy elements are subtly woven in to the book for a surreal, uncanny atmosphere that reminded me of Maggie Stiefvater's books. An insightful portrayal of teenage friendships with a sinister, supernatural twist. Loved it!
The concept of 'The Revelry' sounds a bit like 'The Night Circus' or 'Caraval', but the fantasy elements are subtly woven in to the book for a surreal, uncanny atmosphere that reminded me of Maggie Stiefvater's books. An insightful portrayal of teenage friendships with a sinister, supernatural twist. Loved it!
February 13, 2022
I really liked this!
I love Katherine Webber's books and her writing. I really do.
This book was exactly what I expected it to be! The story about the revelry was very exciting and unique imo. I loved that the woods were such a strong theme throughout the whole book.
It's a story about friendship. That made me so happy. I loved that for once it wasn't about romantic love. I think there are enough books out there which deal with that. Just my opinion.
Bitsy Clark was an interesting character. Sometimes I found her a bit annoying, but it all made sense in the end, because the book was not only about friendship but also about self-awareness and developement. I really enjoyed this one!
I love Katherine Webber's books and her writing. I really do.
This book was exactly what I expected it to be! The story about the revelry was very exciting and unique imo. I loved that the woods were such a strong theme throughout the whole book.
It's a story about friendship. That made me so happy. I loved that for once it wasn't about romantic love. I think there are enough books out there which deal with that. Just my opinion.
Bitsy Clark was an interesting character. Sometimes I found her a bit annoying, but it all made sense in the end, because the book was not only about friendship but also about self-awareness and developement. I really enjoyed this one!
February 11, 2022
4.5 stars
January 20, 2025
I loved this, and then I didn't.
The ending was so rushed and kind of boring. The writing was otherwise great, and I found the story really interesting. I loved that the main characters were unlikeable, and if it weren't for the ending, this could have easily been a 5��� book for me. It really feels like there should have been like 50 more pages to this.
The ending was so rushed and kind of boring. The writing was otherwise great, and I found the story really interesting. I loved that the main characters were unlikeable, and if it weren't for the ending, this could have easily been a 5��� book for me. It really feels like there should have been like 50 more pages to this.
April 25, 2023
2.5 stars.
September 18, 2023
I really really like this book, short read and I still feel really connected with it for some reason. It was never boring and you could really feel the intense parts of the book
October 25, 2023
I was hoping for some small town hauntings, murder, secrets- but this is just so bland. The plot mostly goes nowhere, and the friendship between the two main characters never actually seems good or healthy.
March 15, 2024
Sparx reader book number 2 complete (don't judge me) I actually did enjoy this however I think the end was a bit rushed and the plot was very simple but I liked the idea of it and the characters were pretty good and I want to go to those woods
June 15, 2024
It was a cozy read, nothing really spooky but I liked the mystery behind it all. It was a fun and cozy ride about friendship and a curse
August 21, 2025
ik had dit in groep 5 echt waanzinnig gevonden
February 21, 2022
Starting off by first telling us what the Revelry is all about, we learn how important it is to everyone in town and how it holds your fate in its hands. It is said to contain links to if you're allowed to leave and is something that everyone in the town looks forward to. An event that is respected, followed and contains a lot of mystery. Rumours that flowers would sprout if you kissed someone during the Revelry in Ember Grove, and there have been small hints afterwards that this is the case, although we don't know if this is actually true, or just a coincidence.
The next thing to be established is the relationship that Bitsy has with Amy and what she has been convinced to do tonight. As everyone in the town grew up with the Revelry they question it but never take action. Always just choosing the easy route that hasn't brought anyone misfortune. As of yet. Amy, however, is different as she is a girl who didn't grow up in Ember Grove, and is naturally more curious about what happens, why it happens, and if this is some supernatural phenomenon, like any of us would, rather than just accepting it for what it is because it is what our parents, their parents, so on and so forth, did.
I loved this relationship and how they always had each other backs. They pushed each other, but never too far (they knew the other's limit), and seeing how this relationship grew from when they first met, and how different they were. Amy being the one who is nervous at first, and not accustomed to human contact, is now the one trying to convince Bitsy to infiltrate the Revelry and joined a theatre club. It is always nice seeing a friendship where you can actually tell the characters are best friends. Rather than just being told, we are shown everything that they do through, and how they react to it. Their reactions are what show how deep their friendship is and that is lovely to see.
Weird things start to happen once the Revelry has concluded, and also when it was going on. Bitsy loses her memory of what happened during the Revelry, gaining small chunks back, the meaning not understood. The weird things that start to happen have an effect on Bitsy, as she doesn't know what to do. She slowly realises just how mystical the woods are, and how maybe she shouldn't have interfered with the Revelry, but that is still her unconscious thinking that way. The supernatural occurrences don't stop and keep happening and are unexplainable by normal means, even if Bitsy wanted to try and explain. Emails don't send, messages don't go through, call drop off, she has a coughing fit every time she tries to mention that she went to the Revelry when it wasn't her turn, as life is playing a cruel trick on her because of those transgressions.
"Fine," I muttered under my breath. "I'll do it myself." - Bitsy
Bitsy decides to take things into her own hands and solve the mystery of what is happening. She feels like everyone around her isn't her friend anymore. Why she feels as trapped as she is and as if no one understands her. Why the devolvement starts to happen and slowly she learns more. Starts to piece things together, but every time it looks like something is going to be solved a new challenge comes down upon her and she now has to face that. Almost like something is intentionally stopping her from solving the mystery because it wants something...
The pacing of the devolvement was excellent. It didn't feel like things were being rushed and the emotions, feelings and everything in between felt like it was able to be fully fleshed out. A credit to Katherine for this as with the book not being too many pages, she didn't have much space to first create the happiness and then actually have proper development for the downfall of everything. You could understand what Bitsy and Amy were saying and why they both felt the way they did. Both their points made sense, and you could feel the frustration on both sides about them not getting through to the other.
The only thing that I didn't really like, why this book didn't get full marks, is because the ending felt rushed. Yes, most of the middle and the start were fleshed out excellently, but the ending felt anti-climatic. Even just an epilogue would have solved this issue I had. The final part of our heroes journey was symbolic, in it was solved with the same object as it was started with, but just because there is great meaning behind something doesn't necessarily mean that it is a good thing. I appreciated how it came full circle, but I believe that a lot more could have been done with the final act and ending of this book to make it feel like a more satisfactory conclusion.
Overall this book was good. It played with the emotions very well, especially since it isn't very long. I would recommend this book as a good book that is intriguing and solves that intrigue with a good explanation but just leaves a few loose ends for a satisfying but unfulfilling ending.
book: The Revelry
author: Katherine Webber
The next thing to be established is the relationship that Bitsy has with Amy and what she has been convinced to do tonight. As everyone in the town grew up with the Revelry they question it but never take action. Always just choosing the easy route that hasn't brought anyone misfortune. As of yet. Amy, however, is different as she is a girl who didn't grow up in Ember Grove, and is naturally more curious about what happens, why it happens, and if this is some supernatural phenomenon, like any of us would, rather than just accepting it for what it is because it is what our parents, their parents, so on and so forth, did.
I loved this relationship and how they always had each other backs. They pushed each other, but never too far (they knew the other's limit), and seeing how this relationship grew from when they first met, and how different they were. Amy being the one who is nervous at first, and not accustomed to human contact, is now the one trying to convince Bitsy to infiltrate the Revelry and joined a theatre club. It is always nice seeing a friendship where you can actually tell the characters are best friends. Rather than just being told, we are shown everything that they do through, and how they react to it. Their reactions are what show how deep their friendship is and that is lovely to see.
Weird things start to happen once the Revelry has concluded, and also when it was going on. Bitsy loses her memory of what happened during the Revelry, gaining small chunks back, the meaning not understood. The weird things that start to happen have an effect on Bitsy, as she doesn't know what to do. She slowly realises just how mystical the woods are, and how maybe she shouldn't have interfered with the Revelry, but that is still her unconscious thinking that way. The supernatural occurrences don't stop and keep happening and are unexplainable by normal means, even if Bitsy wanted to try and explain. Emails don't send, messages don't go through, call drop off, she has a coughing fit every time she tries to mention that she went to the Revelry when it wasn't her turn, as life is playing a cruel trick on her because of those transgressions.
"Fine," I muttered under my breath. "I'll do it myself." - Bitsy
Bitsy decides to take things into her own hands and solve the mystery of what is happening. She feels like everyone around her isn't her friend anymore. Why she feels as trapped as she is and as if no one understands her. Why the devolvement starts to happen and slowly she learns more. Starts to piece things together, but every time it looks like something is going to be solved a new challenge comes down upon her and she now has to face that. Almost like something is intentionally stopping her from solving the mystery because it wants something...
The pacing of the devolvement was excellent. It didn't feel like things were being rushed and the emotions, feelings and everything in between felt like it was able to be fully fleshed out. A credit to Katherine for this as with the book not being too many pages, she didn't have much space to first create the happiness and then actually have proper development for the downfall of everything. You could understand what Bitsy and Amy were saying and why they both felt the way they did. Both their points made sense, and you could feel the frustration on both sides about them not getting through to the other.
The only thing that I didn't really like, why this book didn't get full marks, is because the ending felt rushed. Yes, most of the middle and the start were fleshed out excellently, but the ending felt anti-climatic. Even just an epilogue would have solved this issue I had. The final part of our heroes journey was symbolic, in it was solved with the same object as it was started with, but just because there is great meaning behind something doesn't necessarily mean that it is a good thing. I appreciated how it came full circle, but I believe that a lot more could have been done with the final act and ending of this book to make it feel like a more satisfactory conclusion.
Overall this book was good. It played with the emotions very well, especially since it isn't very long. I would recommend this book as a good book that is intriguing and solves that intrigue with a good explanation but just leaves a few loose ends for a satisfying but unfulfilling ending.
book: The Revelry
author: Katherine Webber
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