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Our Wicked Histories
A teen girl’s attempt to make amends with her former friend group takes a sinister turn during a weekend getaway at an ancestral Irish estate in this atmospheric, literary horror from the author of Those We Drown.
There’s something in the lake at Wren Hall.
At least, that’s what the locals say. Not that Meg cares much about the rumors. When she’s asked to spend Halloween weekend at the Ireland retreat of the wealthy Wren twins, she recognizes the invitation for exactly what it is: her last, and only, chance to save her spot at Greyscott’s, the exclusive British art school she attended on scholarship until last summer. Clever, beautiful, and talented, the twins are the pride of Greyscott’s, and kindhearted Lottie Wren was once Meg’s closest friend. But not anymore.
None of Meg’s old friend group have talked to her since she left school—and they especially don’t talk about the incident that resulted in her suspension. Now, Meg is willing to do whatever it takes to earn their forgiveness.
But Wren Hall turns out to be far from the idyllic country manor Meg was expecting. The house is damp and drafty, the mirrors are all covered, and the weed-choked lake is at the center of legends that haunt the property to this day—a tainted legacy the estate seems unable to shake.
The truth is, people aren’t the only ones who keep secrets. Places can keep them too—and Wren Hall is drowning in them. When the past bleeds into the present and ancient sins rise to the surface, Meg must ask herself how well she really knows her one-time best friends...or whether any of them will survive the weekend.
There’s something in the lake at Wren Hall.
At least, that’s what the locals say. Not that Meg cares much about the rumors. When she’s asked to spend Halloween weekend at the Ireland retreat of the wealthy Wren twins, she recognizes the invitation for exactly what it is: her last, and only, chance to save her spot at Greyscott’s, the exclusive British art school she attended on scholarship until last summer. Clever, beautiful, and talented, the twins are the pride of Greyscott’s, and kindhearted Lottie Wren was once Meg’s closest friend. But not anymore.
None of Meg’s old friend group have talked to her since she left school—and they especially don’t talk about the incident that resulted in her suspension. Now, Meg is willing to do whatever it takes to earn their forgiveness.
But Wren Hall turns out to be far from the idyllic country manor Meg was expecting. The house is damp and drafty, the mirrors are all covered, and the weed-choked lake is at the center of legends that haunt the property to this day—a tainted legacy the estate seems unable to shake.
The truth is, people aren’t the only ones who keep secrets. Places can keep them too—and Wren Hall is drowning in them. When the past bleeds into the present and ancient sins rise to the surface, Meg must ask herself how well she really knows her one-time best friends...or whether any of them will survive the weekend.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2024
42 people are currently reading
9657 people want to read
About the author
Amy Goldsmith
3 books188 followersAmy Goldsmith is the author of THOSE WE DROWN, which was a Barnes & Noble YA Book Club selection, OUR WICKED HISTORIES, and the forthcoming PREDATORY NATURES. She has a lifelong love of all things spooky and lives on the Sussex coast with her family and beloved whippet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
July 26, 2024
I still have to read 3 more books to finish my reading challenge. But no worries. I have special fast reading method as GAMBLE- READING ! If you want to find out more, clink the link:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1H86f...
Embark on a journey into the eerie depths of this YA paranormal mystery, draped in the captivating allure of a haunted house theme. My adventure with this book kicked off with the magnetic pull of its splendid cover, a siren song that whispered, "Read me now, Nilufer, you fast reader, horror-obsessed nerd!" A sincere thank you to the publishers for granting my clicking impulse, turning it into a thrilling reality.
Beyond the enchanting cover, the narrative unfolds within the gothic, claustrophobic confines of a mysterious house, blending elements of a whodunnit mystery—a perfect convergence with my cherished thriller tropes, compelling me to dive into the story without a second thought.
The pacing of the story is commendable, steering clear of yawns or head-scratching moments, ensuring an uninterrupted and engaging reading experience. It avoids the pitfalls of boredom, slow burn, or dragging, making each page a seamless continuation of the mysterious journey.
However, amidst the laudable storytelling, the narrative falters in its portrayal of characters. The presence of dislikable characters, including the flawed protagonist Meg, adds a layer of complexity. Meg's bad-tempered nature and desperate attempts to fit into a higher social circle create a tension that permeates the narrative.
While the storytelling is praiseworthy, the major mystery succumbs to predictability, leaving me with an irresistible urge to reveal the perpetrator's identity to Meg. I found myself patiently waiting for her to catch up, playing the role of a spectator with prior knowledge of the conclusion.
Delving into the core narrative introduces Meg, a scholarship student at Greyscott Academy, whose path intertwines with the enigmatic Wren twins, Lottie and Sebastian. A scandal during the school's traditional ball propels Meg into a journey of redemption, forcing her to navigate the eerie secrets concealed within Wren Hall in Ireland.
In the end, the book presents an intriguing concept, notwithstanding its missteps. I've settled on a 3.5-star rating, rounding up to 4, acknowledging its fast-paced nature and the popcorn-read quality that captured my interest from the outset.
A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for generously providing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1H86f...
Embark on a journey into the eerie depths of this YA paranormal mystery, draped in the captivating allure of a haunted house theme. My adventure with this book kicked off with the magnetic pull of its splendid cover, a siren song that whispered, "Read me now, Nilufer, you fast reader, horror-obsessed nerd!" A sincere thank you to the publishers for granting my clicking impulse, turning it into a thrilling reality.
Beyond the enchanting cover, the narrative unfolds within the gothic, claustrophobic confines of a mysterious house, blending elements of a whodunnit mystery—a perfect convergence with my cherished thriller tropes, compelling me to dive into the story without a second thought.
The pacing of the story is commendable, steering clear of yawns or head-scratching moments, ensuring an uninterrupted and engaging reading experience. It avoids the pitfalls of boredom, slow burn, or dragging, making each page a seamless continuation of the mysterious journey.
However, amidst the laudable storytelling, the narrative falters in its portrayal of characters. The presence of dislikable characters, including the flawed protagonist Meg, adds a layer of complexity. Meg's bad-tempered nature and desperate attempts to fit into a higher social circle create a tension that permeates the narrative.
While the storytelling is praiseworthy, the major mystery succumbs to predictability, leaving me with an irresistible urge to reveal the perpetrator's identity to Meg. I found myself patiently waiting for her to catch up, playing the role of a spectator with prior knowledge of the conclusion.
Delving into the core narrative introduces Meg, a scholarship student at Greyscott Academy, whose path intertwines with the enigmatic Wren twins, Lottie and Sebastian. A scandal during the school's traditional ball propels Meg into a journey of redemption, forcing her to navigate the eerie secrets concealed within Wren Hall in Ireland.
In the end, the book presents an intriguing concept, notwithstanding its missteps. I've settled on a 3.5-star rating, rounding up to 4, acknowledging its fast-paced nature and the popcorn-read quality that captured my interest from the outset.
A heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for generously providing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 27, 2024
There’s something in the lake. It should have been filled years ago. That’s what the locals say at least.
Meg will do anything to earn her friend forgiveness. They haven’t talked to her since she got suspended.
So, when they all meet at Wren hall, she will do anything. Too bad Wren hall is hiding secrets. Will any of Meg or her friends survive the weekend?
I love gothic horror books, they are some of my favorites, and this book did not disappoint. This book is for the older end of the YA spectrum, but not because it is graphic, but because it is intense. The intensity of the writing just jumps off the page and the story felt so real. The book was so atmospheric it was great. The main character was a lot of fun, but she was a tad predictable at times. The cast of side characters were great, however there were quite a few of them. The dual timelines were great and easy to keep up with, it also kept the story interesting. Since this is a gothic story, the pacing is on the slower side, but there was plenty to hold my interest, so my mind didn’t wander. I also enjoyed that this story was pulled from Edgar Allen Poe, that was a nice touch, and I loved the author’s note.
If you are looking for an utterly immersive YA gothic horror, then you need to check this book out.
Thank you to @delacortepress and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
Meg will do anything to earn her friend forgiveness. They haven’t talked to her since she got suspended.
So, when they all meet at Wren hall, she will do anything. Too bad Wren hall is hiding secrets. Will any of Meg or her friends survive the weekend?
I love gothic horror books, they are some of my favorites, and this book did not disappoint. This book is for the older end of the YA spectrum, but not because it is graphic, but because it is intense. The intensity of the writing just jumps off the page and the story felt so real. The book was so atmospheric it was great. The main character was a lot of fun, but she was a tad predictable at times. The cast of side characters were great, however there were quite a few of them. The dual timelines were great and easy to keep up with, it also kept the story interesting. Since this is a gothic story, the pacing is on the slower side, but there was plenty to hold my interest, so my mind didn’t wander. I also enjoyed that this story was pulled from Edgar Allen Poe, that was a nice touch, and I loved the author’s note.
If you are looking for an utterly immersive YA gothic horror, then you need to check this book out.
Thank you to @delacortepress and @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.
August 21, 2024
''But Wren Hall turns out to be far from the idyllic country manor Meg was expecting. The house is damp and drafty, the mirrors are all covered, and the weed-choked lake is at the center of legends that haunt the property to this day—a tainted legacy the estate seems unable to shake.''
This was a bit disappointing. But I guess it's partially my fault for forcing myself to pick up everything tagged as gothic even if it's about teens? Still, the teens were not the issue. The story just wasn't interesting enough
This was a bit disappointing. But I guess it's partially my fault for forcing myself to pick up everything tagged as gothic even if it's about teens? Still, the teens were not the issue. The story just wasn't interesting enough
October 1, 2024
3.25 ⭐️
This book is really hard to decide rating on
It wasn't super bad but not super good either
But it wasn't meh and i sort of enjoyed reading it??
It feels a lot like the author's other book that i read last year (Those We Drown) like i loved the vibes and all but not the characters
So basically what happened: Meg is disgraced for an incident at her elite art school and her friends all shun her because of this, 3 months later she gets invited (to apologise for the incident and not get suspended from her fancy school bc she's not rich and also on a scholarship) to a Halloween party in a creepy old gothic mansion where bad and scary things proceed to happen 😓
The anxiety i had while reading this late at night literally left me like this 😨
eyes darting to all the shadowy depths of my room and the (unclosable) gap in my door where i imagined a gory face peeking through...
Im also a huge horror baby so i could be exaggerating but 🤷♀️
I mean i could handle slashers but not horror movies where dead or inanimate things come to life ykwim
Anyways
Mini rant time!!😀
firstly I hated how all the characters (aside from Charlie mainly) treated Meg so badly and I get how she got easily pissed because I would too. And don't even get me started on Seb, I hated him from the beginning 😑
Seriously the single thing i hated about Meg was the fact that she was hung up on Seb when he ignored her for 3 months for something that wasn't even her fault and one second he's being nice to her and the next he's all mad at her 🙄
ugh i wanted him to die so bad 😔
This was creepy and haunting but i definitely saw the end coming. Personally if I were Meg, the first thing I would've done when I noticed scary things happening was pack my bag and walk out of there, storm or no storm.
But no, she stayed to apologise to the biggest btch in the WORLD for something that WASN'T EVEN HER FAULT AHHHHHHH
I WOULD'VE DONE THAT TO LAURE AS WELL I HATE HER DHAHXKNAHDKABSJDJSBJ
This was written extremely well but again, the problem i have is with the characters
Ughhhh so annoying i wanted to reach in the book and slap them all 🤦♀️
Now getting onto the parts I liked: the spooky feelings, the banshee lore and thats it
Idk why i used so many emojis here
Sometimes im just in an emoji mood i guess
Im gonna go and read a less scary book now xx
This book is really hard to decide rating on
It wasn't super bad but not super good either
But it wasn't meh and i sort of enjoyed reading it??
It feels a lot like the author's other book that i read last year (Those We Drown) like i loved the vibes and all but not the characters
So basically what happened: Meg is disgraced for an incident at her elite art school and her friends all shun her because of this, 3 months later she gets invited (to apologise for the incident and not get suspended from her fancy school bc she's not rich and also on a scholarship) to a Halloween party in a creepy old gothic mansion where bad and scary things proceed to happen 😓
The anxiety i had while reading this late at night literally left me like this 😨
eyes darting to all the shadowy depths of my room and the (unclosable) gap in my door where i imagined a gory face peeking through...
Im also a huge horror baby so i could be exaggerating but 🤷♀️
I mean i could handle slashers but not horror movies where dead or inanimate things come to life ykwim
Anyways
Mini rant time!!😀
firstly I hated how all the characters (aside from Charlie mainly) treated Meg so badly and I get how she got easily pissed because I would too. And don't even get me started on Seb, I hated him from the beginning 😑
Seriously the single thing i hated about Meg was the fact that she was hung up on Seb when he ignored her for 3 months for something that wasn't even her fault and one second he's being nice to her and the next he's all mad at her 🙄
ugh i wanted him to die so bad 😔
This was creepy and haunting but i definitely saw the end coming. Personally if I were Meg, the first thing I would've done when I noticed scary things happening was pack my bag and walk out of there, storm or no storm.
But no, she stayed to apologise to the biggest btch in the WORLD for something that WASN'T EVEN HER FAULT AHHHHHHH
I WOULD'VE DONE THAT TO LAURE AS WELL I HATE HER DHAHXKNAHDKABSJDJSBJ
This was written extremely well but again, the problem i have is with the characters
Ughhhh so annoying i wanted to reach in the book and slap them all 🤦♀️
Now getting onto the parts I liked: the spooky feelings, the banshee lore and thats it
Idk why i used so many emojis here
Sometimes im just in an emoji mood i guess
Im gonna go and read a less scary book now xx
September 6, 2024
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ✰ 3.0 .𖥔 ݁ ˖
I didn't expect the whole romance to be the focal point that overshadowed the mystery and supernatural elements. It was literally all about a troubling, complicated teenage love story. I liked the mystery, it was creepy and haunted with eerie elements like the mysterious room in the house and the banshee creatures by the lake. But I wished for more depth in these subjects, not just some myth the characters had heard of. I thought they were going to find some heirloom or something, but there wasn’t any.
As for the murder mystery, I already guessed the suspect at the beginning because there wasn't much effort in hiding who the killer was. The killer's motive for the murder left me kind of disappointed. All the pressure the killer was under seemed pointless because that thing, people should at least have the dignity to control themselves over something so stupid. Poor the toxic friendships among the characters, there was clearly no real bonding between them. The ending wasn't my favorite either; it just ended abruptly, and one character didn’t get any karma, which was very unacceptable.
Overall, it’s a mediocre plot, maybe a little enjoyable but not heavy for a thriller or mystery. The love drama made it less compelling. The writing style is okay, and it's pretty fast-paced.
I didn't expect the whole romance to be the focal point that overshadowed the mystery and supernatural elements. It was literally all about a troubling, complicated teenage love story. I liked the mystery, it was creepy and haunted with eerie elements like the mysterious room in the house and the banshee creatures by the lake. But I wished for more depth in these subjects, not just some myth the characters had heard of. I thought they were going to find some heirloom or something, but there wasn’t any.
As for the murder mystery, I already guessed the suspect at the beginning because there wasn't much effort in hiding who the killer was. The killer's motive for the murder left me kind of disappointed. All the pressure the killer was under seemed pointless because that thing, people should at least have the dignity to control themselves over something so stupid. Poor the toxic friendships among the characters, there was clearly no real bonding between them. The ending wasn't my favorite either; it just ended abruptly, and one character didn’t get any karma, which was very unacceptable.
Overall, it’s a mediocre plot, maybe a little enjoyable but not heavy for a thriller or mystery. The love drama made it less compelling. The writing style is okay, and it's pretty fast-paced.
November 11, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. This novel was amazing?? The gothic atmosphere, the characters, the evocative writing, the excellent pace of the story. Everything was so tastefully well done for a dark academia novel. The perfect read for the fall season and any fans of a gothic dark academia tale. 5 stars.
April 14, 2024
Bly Manor meets Poe in this twisted tale that’s easy to get tangled up in upon reading the first page.
“Our Wicked Histories” details Meg’s fall from grace amongst the upper class peers from her school following an outburst that lead to her suspension. With the gloomy backdrop of an ancestral home her attempts to seek forgiveness are lost against the screams of someone lurking by the lake and when tragedy strikes all eyes are on her to lay blame but is the culprit something far more sinister?
What a great follow up to a debut!
This book has so many fun pieces and unfolds beautifully as we dive into the mystery of what happened at the ball which leaves our protagonist as the outcast and at the same time trying to figure out what is lurking outside. I have always been a fan of unreliable narrators and this book hits that sweet spot and just keeps going and I couldn’t read it fast enough.
With the plot taking place at different points in time we were able to see the layers to this group of people and how they came to be and how they fell apart which made the tension and suspicion so palpable when things took a turn for the worst giving everyone a motive. I really felt like we got a good feel of these characters as we moved through the book making a majority of the twists and turns really pay off.
I’m a big fan of mythology and this story very much felt like it could have belonged in a revamped fairytale while also having that lore lay in the background allowing the reader to wonder if that was another thing to question aka is it a monster or man and I think I loved that most.
This was a really great read and cements that this is an author to be excited about. I can’t wait to see where we may end up next!
*special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
“Our Wicked Histories” details Meg’s fall from grace amongst the upper class peers from her school following an outburst that lead to her suspension. With the gloomy backdrop of an ancestral home her attempts to seek forgiveness are lost against the screams of someone lurking by the lake and when tragedy strikes all eyes are on her to lay blame but is the culprit something far more sinister?
What a great follow up to a debut!
This book has so many fun pieces and unfolds beautifully as we dive into the mystery of what happened at the ball which leaves our protagonist as the outcast and at the same time trying to figure out what is lurking outside. I have always been a fan of unreliable narrators and this book hits that sweet spot and just keeps going and I couldn’t read it fast enough.
With the plot taking place at different points in time we were able to see the layers to this group of people and how they came to be and how they fell apart which made the tension and suspicion so palpable when things took a turn for the worst giving everyone a motive. I really felt like we got a good feel of these characters as we moved through the book making a majority of the twists and turns really pay off.
I’m a big fan of mythology and this story very much felt like it could have belonged in a revamped fairytale while also having that lore lay in the background allowing the reader to wonder if that was another thing to question aka is it a monster or man and I think I loved that most.
This was a really great read and cements that this is an author to be excited about. I can’t wait to see where we may end up next!
*special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
July 3, 2024
Not gonna lie…I hated most of our characters. I also thought Meg was a little too much ‘pick me’.
But Meg grew on me, the plot was fantastic, and I soon found myself lost in a very good mystery.
While a few of the secrets were obvious, I still very much enjoyed the read and found myself simply anxious to find out if I was right.
Definitely a solid read.
• ARC via Publisher
But Meg grew on me, the plot was fantastic, and I soon found myself lost in a very good mystery.
While a few of the secrets were obvious, I still very much enjoyed the read and found myself simply anxious to find out if I was right.
Definitely a solid read.
• ARC via Publisher
May 13, 2024
*Spoilers*
I tend to rate on the experience/enjoyment of reading the book, so the 2/5 here does not reference the writing or the talent of the author, which was perfectly fine and nicely polished. There were some downright spooky moments that gave me chills. It does however reflect how four major problems I encountered while reading ruined my enjoyment.
The first, Our Wicked Histories could not decide if it was a murder mystery or a paranormal mystery or what. I appreciate a little mixed genre, but the way the plot unfurled these issues felt like you're getting jerked around.
The second was that the "culprit" was telegraphed so badly from scene to scene that there was no surprise when we got to the end. My eARC copy contained a note from the author at the beginning re: writing inspired by the Fall of the House of Usher and perhaps this influenced my suspicions but this ultimately resulted in a thrill-less thriller.
The third was the absolute crime of abusing the "Oh and then I remembered what really happened" trope without any complicating circumstances. Meg could have been drugged. Lottie could have started feeding her the fake story right on the dock. Whatever, just there has to be a reason she has forgotten and then suddenly remembers what really happened. Not that she just comes to three months later when it's convenient for the plot.
Finally, the fact that the author and editorial team didn't catch how it was like two pages between Meg swearing off Seb and then Meg once again cuddling with him on the lake shore at the end was just annoying. Meg just bends to serve the plot as needed over and over again.
YA readers will enjoy the spookiness of this setting, but anyone looking for a tightly plotted mystery should look elsewhere
Thanks NetGalley for the read!
I tend to rate on the experience/enjoyment of reading the book, so the 2/5 here does not reference the writing or the talent of the author, which was perfectly fine and nicely polished. There were some downright spooky moments that gave me chills. It does however reflect how four major problems I encountered while reading ruined my enjoyment.
The first, Our Wicked Histories could not decide if it was a murder mystery or a paranormal mystery or what. I appreciate a little mixed genre, but the way the plot unfurled these issues felt like you're getting jerked around.
The second was that the "culprit" was telegraphed so badly from scene to scene that there was no surprise when we got to the end. My eARC copy contained a note from the author at the beginning re: writing inspired by the Fall of the House of Usher and perhaps this influenced my suspicions but this ultimately resulted in a thrill-less thriller.
The third was the absolute crime of abusing the "Oh and then I remembered what really happened" trope without any complicating circumstances. Meg could have been drugged. Lottie could have started feeding her the fake story right on the dock. Whatever, just there has to be a reason she has forgotten and then suddenly remembers what really happened. Not that she just comes to three months later when it's convenient for the plot.
Finally, the fact that the author and editorial team didn't catch how it was like two pages between Meg swearing off Seb and then Meg once again cuddling with him on the lake shore at the end was just annoying. Meg just bends to serve the plot as needed over and over again.
YA readers will enjoy the spookiness of this setting, but anyone looking for a tightly plotted mystery should look elsewhere
Thanks NetGalley for the read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2023
OUR WICKED HISTORIES has everything I loved from Goldsmith’s debut, THOSE WE DROWN, including:
🌊 gorgeous prose and imagery that transforms the mundane under disturbing shadows
🌊 the ability to use the same phrases over and over, each time twisting them with increasingly sinister meaning
🌊 gaslighting mixed with slipping sanity
🌊 mythology
🌊 large casts that drop like flies with no one to trust
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OUR WICKED HISTORIES cements Amy Goldsmith as an auto-buy author for me. For horror fans and anyone that loves gorgeous writing, this one had me losing sleep. The only thing that kept me from reading all night was being afraid to keep going in the dark.
I cannot wait for her next book. Thank you so much for the ARC!
🌊 gorgeous prose and imagery that transforms the mundane under disturbing shadows
🌊 the ability to use the same phrases over and over, each time twisting them with increasingly sinister meaning
🌊 gaslighting mixed with slipping sanity
🌊 mythology
🌊 large casts that drop like flies with no one to trust
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OUR WICKED HISTORIES cements Amy Goldsmith as an auto-buy author for me. For horror fans and anyone that loves gorgeous writing, this one had me losing sleep. The only thing that kept me from reading all night was being afraid to keep going in the dark.
I cannot wait for her next book. Thank you so much for the ARC!
November 9, 2023
I love this book soooo much! It has every single things I would love in a book : creepy manor, equally creepy lake, local lore, suspense and thrills, ghost, Hallowe'en costumes , angry and angsty characters and relationships (yes they are all red flags maybe but so fun to read), etc etc and I just loveeee every page!
The dynamic between the characters was no joke. I love all the drama and tension and how the investigation go. Also love the classic horror scenes combined with eerie vibes of the manor--chef kiss.
ALL MY LOVE!
The dynamic between the characters was no joke. I love all the drama and tension and how the investigation go. Also love the classic horror scenes combined with eerie vibes of the manor--chef kiss.
ALL MY LOVE!
July 14, 2024
Got an arc from ALA 4.5/5 rounded up
Ngl I picked this up based solely on the pretty cover and I’m glad I did because DAMM. It’s deliciously spooky and managed to maintain the *~*Atmosphere*~* throughout rather than falling off at the end like some stories do as the supernatural elements come to light. It’s very BODIES BODIES BODIES meets THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR and if that’s sounds like a vibe to you you’ll probably enjoy this a lot!
Ngl I picked this up based solely on the pretty cover and I’m glad I did because DAMM. It’s deliciously spooky and managed to maintain the *~*Atmosphere*~* throughout rather than falling off at the end like some stories do as the supernatural elements come to light. It’s very BODIES BODIES BODIES meets THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR and if that’s sounds like a vibe to you you’ll probably enjoy this a lot!
June 5, 2024
OUR WICKED HISTORIES, is the second novel I have read by Amy Goldsmith. This is one that grabs you from the start, and makes you question all of your theories as the novel progresses.
Meg, a less-than-wealthy aspiring artist, wins a scholarship for a prestigious school that her mother is the head custodian for. Surrounded by entitled teenagers used to the rank and privilege that money provides, Meg feels like a "pretender", an outsider who clearly doesn't belong with these people. Much to her surprise, one of the popular Wren twins, Lottie, takes her under her wing immediately. With Lottie, Meg is moved into her "center circle", made to feel almost a part of the group. Of course, others resent this, and don't miss a chance to put her down as a "pity case". Lottie's brother, Seb, being the perfect persona of a handsome rich boy who gets what he wants, complicates matters in his own way . . .
I felt that we got great characterization for the main characters, and just enough of the side characters to make it feel fleshed out. Going by the age of the characters, their motivations and actions seemed realistic. The story flowed so well that I really thought about it, even when I WASN'T actively reading it! The one issue that I had was how impatient I was to find out WHAT exactly happened at a summer ball, that leads to the story we are told. A huge falling out between Meg and another of Lottie's group leads to Meg being possibly suspended from the school. This incident is referred to often, but not fully understood until the end. After a tumultuous summer of "social exile", Meg receives an invitation to Lottie and Seb's ancestral home--a decrepit "mansion" surrounded by a weedy bog, with an unsavory reputation. Also invited, were the rest of Lottie's "inner circle", and Seb.
The entire Wren family, who had no care for their workers in the past, have never been forgiven for the deaths and heartache they caused through their use and disposal of local workers who originally built this old home. The place is ominous from the beginning, with tales of a vengeful Banshee, and several deaths by drowning in the weed infested bog.
"What would be found if they drained it? What had made it what it was? Not just a body of water but something terrible.....Something that soaked into the mind like an ugly stain."
Overall, the atmosphere of this novel was top tier. I actually cared about what was happening to the characters, and couldn't wait to find out what was happening out there in the isolated land. The issue that bothered me was how suddenly things were remembered at the end of the story, in order to wrap things up. Personally, I feel the story would have been just as tense and gripping if we had known most of that incident from the beginning. A very solid novel that I honestly enjoyed!
Recommended.
*I received an arc of this novel through NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are uniquely my own.*
Meg, a less-than-wealthy aspiring artist, wins a scholarship for a prestigious school that her mother is the head custodian for. Surrounded by entitled teenagers used to the rank and privilege that money provides, Meg feels like a "pretender", an outsider who clearly doesn't belong with these people. Much to her surprise, one of the popular Wren twins, Lottie, takes her under her wing immediately. With Lottie, Meg is moved into her "center circle", made to feel almost a part of the group. Of course, others resent this, and don't miss a chance to put her down as a "pity case". Lottie's brother, Seb, being the perfect persona of a handsome rich boy who gets what he wants, complicates matters in his own way . . .
I felt that we got great characterization for the main characters, and just enough of the side characters to make it feel fleshed out. Going by the age of the characters, their motivations and actions seemed realistic. The story flowed so well that I really thought about it, even when I WASN'T actively reading it! The one issue that I had was how impatient I was to find out WHAT exactly happened at a summer ball, that leads to the story we are told. A huge falling out between Meg and another of Lottie's group leads to Meg being possibly suspended from the school. This incident is referred to often, but not fully understood until the end. After a tumultuous summer of "social exile", Meg receives an invitation to Lottie and Seb's ancestral home--a decrepit "mansion" surrounded by a weedy bog, with an unsavory reputation. Also invited, were the rest of Lottie's "inner circle", and Seb.
The entire Wren family, who had no care for their workers in the past, have never been forgiven for the deaths and heartache they caused through their use and disposal of local workers who originally built this old home. The place is ominous from the beginning, with tales of a vengeful Banshee, and several deaths by drowning in the weed infested bog.
"What would be found if they drained it? What had made it what it was? Not just a body of water but something terrible.....Something that soaked into the mind like an ugly stain."
Overall, the atmosphere of this novel was top tier. I actually cared about what was happening to the characters, and couldn't wait to find out what was happening out there in the isolated land. The issue that bothered me was how suddenly things were remembered at the end of the story, in order to wrap things up. Personally, I feel the story would have been just as tense and gripping if we had known most of that incident from the beginning. A very solid novel that I honestly enjoyed!
Recommended.
*I received an arc of this novel through NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are uniquely my own.*
December 11, 2023
“Our Wicked Histories” is an adrenalizing and evocative story. This book was a thriller that I enjoyed reading page after page because the author created a wonderfully woven mystery story involving secrets, betrayal, and friendship. Wren Hall has an ominous lake whose stories are terrifying. The complex journey in which Meg attempts to be accepted by her friends again and understand Wren Hall leads to an intriguing character development. It does an excellent job of mixing horrors with psychology, thus creating a fascinating revelation of personal and historical puzzles. The story has many unforeseen turns that make you question the integrity of the characters and the actual story of Wren Hall. If you enjoy suspense and moody scary, this story is a must-read!
Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
November 20, 2023
what I liked:
-the setting!
-the scares. I had to stop reading at night
-how the truth is unravelled at a perfect pace
- the banshee lore
i read this in one sitting because i had to know what was coming next. this is one to watch out for next summer. gothic perfection!
-the setting!
-the scares. I had to stop reading at night
-how the truth is unravelled at a perfect pace
- the banshee lore
i read this in one sitting because i had to know what was coming next. this is one to watch out for next summer. gothic perfection!
October 12, 2024
The only thing I liked about this book was the cover.
October 19, 2025
⋆˚࿔⚝ 5 stars! ₊ 🪞⊹˚
ᝰ.ᐟ slight spoilers
ᯓ ℌ𝔞𝔩𝔬 - 𝔇𝔢𝔭𝔢𝔠𝔥𝔢 𝔐𝔬𝔡𝔢
⁀➴ Fear Death By Water
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ this was insanely good?!
I mean a YA horror WITH Irish folklore, a ghost story in an ancestral home, a haunted house, and it’s set during Halloween?? um yeah, I literally couldn't put it down.
the entire atmosphere was just so amazing too!! I loved the descriptions of everything—I even actually got scared during some scenes..
the suspense was incredible in my opinion—about what happened at the Summer Ball, what was happening at Wren Hall, who was guilty, etc!!
my only real con was that the characters were so insufferable omg—except Charlie, he's my favorite <3
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁༉‧₊˚.
Meg ₊⊹
⤷ ʙʟᴜᴇ ᴊᴇᴀɴꜱ - ʟᴀɴᴀ ᴅᴇʟ ʀᴇʏ
girl was so painfully oblivious to EVERYTHING.
wdym you get nightmares about a banshee, you SEE the the thing CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT and you're still like "nah. can't be real. I don't believe in those things. they're just stories."?? girl you experienced them first-hand wdym you don't believe in them??
also don't even get me started on the Seb-Laure love triangle that was going on, good lord. how was she still so in love with that man?? he can do no wrong in her eyes..
Laure AND his own twin sister has told her how many times how he plays women, and you still think you're special? Meg please..
Lottie ₊⊹
⤷ ꜱᴡɪᴍᴍɪɴɢ ᴘᴏᴏʟ - ᴍᴀʀɪᴇ ᴍᴀᴅᴇʟᴇɪɴᴇ
she caught me off guard real good
but I gotta say I did really like her as a character. If I was a rich prestigious art student, I'd probably be like Lottie ngl.
but mrs girl genuinely freaked me out as we got deeper into the story at Wren Hall..
Seb ₊⊹
⤷ ʙᴜʀɪᴇᴅ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ʙʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ - ʜɪᴍ
the most unbearable out of them all.
genuinely how did he get away with playing in these girls faces.. no way.
I get that he was hot, witty, charming and you know how it goes. I mean was his poetry and wooing really THAT good?..
oh well. I kept expecting him to be behind everything because he looked SO guilty (and also because I just didn't like him anyways)
Laure ₊⊹
⤷ ʟᴏꜱᴛ - ʙᴏʏ ʜᴀʀꜱʜᴇʀ
you know, she might just be second to Seb in being the most unbearable. WHY are you being a bitch to Meg because of a MAN?? girl we're better than this please.
although she was getting some character development then oops..
agh I wish she and Meg could've had that conversation they wanted to have the night of the Halloween party.
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
ᝰ.ᐟ slight spoilers
ᯓ ℌ𝔞𝔩𝔬 - 𝔇𝔢𝔭𝔢𝔠𝔥𝔢 𝔐𝔬𝔡𝔢
⁀➴ Fear Death By Water
⊱ ۫ ׅ ✧ this was insanely good?!
I mean a YA horror WITH Irish folklore, a ghost story in an ancestral home, a haunted house, and it’s set during Halloween?? um yeah, I literally couldn't put it down.
the entire atmosphere was just so amazing too!! I loved the descriptions of everything—I even actually got scared during some scenes..
the suspense was incredible in my opinion—about what happened at the Summer Ball, what was happening at Wren Hall, who was guilty, etc!!
my only real con was that the characters were so insufferable omg—except Charlie, he's my favorite <3
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁༉‧₊˚.
Meg ₊⊹
⤷ ʙʟᴜᴇ ᴊᴇᴀɴꜱ - ʟᴀɴᴀ ᴅᴇʟ ʀᴇʏ
girl was so painfully oblivious to EVERYTHING.
wdym you get nightmares about a banshee, you SEE the the thing CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT and you're still like "nah. can't be real. I don't believe in those things. they're just stories."?? girl you experienced them first-hand wdym you don't believe in them??
also don't even get me started on the Seb-Laure love triangle that was going on, good lord. how was she still so in love with that man?? he can do no wrong in her eyes..
Laure AND his own twin sister has told her how many times how he plays women, and you still think you're special? Meg please..
Lottie ₊⊹
⤷ ꜱᴡɪᴍᴍɪɴɢ ᴘᴏᴏʟ - ᴍᴀʀɪᴇ ᴍᴀᴅᴇʟᴇɪɴᴇ
she caught me off guard real good
but I gotta say I did really like her as a character. If I was a rich prestigious art student, I'd probably be like Lottie ngl.
but mrs girl genuinely freaked me out as we got deeper into the story at Wren Hall..
Seb ₊⊹
⤷ ʙᴜʀɪᴇᴅ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ʙʏ ʟᴏᴠᴇ - ʜɪᴍ
the most unbearable out of them all.
genuinely how did he get away with playing in these girls faces.. no way.
I get that he was hot, witty, charming and you know how it goes. I mean was his poetry and wooing really THAT good?..
oh well. I kept expecting him to be behind everything because he looked SO guilty (and also because I just didn't like him anyways)
Laure ₊⊹
⤷ ʟᴏꜱᴛ - ʙᴏʏ ʜᴀʀꜱʜᴇʀ
you know, she might just be second to Seb in being the most unbearable. WHY are you being a bitch to Meg because of a MAN?? girl we're better than this please.
although she was getting some character development then oops..
agh I wish she and Meg could've had that conversation they wanted to have the night of the Halloween party.
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
June 17, 2024
thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
⭐️=3.75 | 😘=3 | 🤬=3.75 | ⚔️=4.5 | 🍺/🚬=2 | 15+
summary: scary banshee scary haunted Irish lake possibly evil twins mysterious murder and almost-murder in the past forgotten memories very basic class commentary hilariously stereotyped gay side character
thoughts: had a really good twist! this was overall pretty okay—very atmospheric and gothic and creepy—but the time-switching structuring was occasionally confusing and hard to keep track of. I still liked this, though––it just didn’t blow me away or anything.
⭐️=3.75 | 😘=3 | 🤬=3.75 | ⚔️=4.5 | 🍺/🚬=2 | 15+
summary: scary banshee scary haunted Irish lake possibly evil twins mysterious murder and almost-murder in the past forgotten memories very basic class commentary hilariously stereotyped gay side character
thoughts: had a really good twist! this was overall pretty okay—very atmospheric and gothic and creepy—but the time-switching structuring was occasionally confusing and hard to keep track of. I still liked this, though––it just didn’t blow me away or anything.
November 5, 2024
I was hooked on this mystery and how everything was unfolding. I did figure out the twist, but that’s okay. I loved the atmosphere, the Cruel Intentions, and the haunting. Perfect for fall!
August 20, 2024
I liked it. I really did. My main issue was how the drama overshadowed the spooky elements. I had to remind myself it's a YA novel and drama is just how things are for these books. It definitely had a very spooky/creepy/dank atmosphere.
July 19, 2024
This was a great young adult gothic horror story. This book was very atmospheric and the author’s writing was captivating. I found the story to be a bit slow to start out but it had enough elements to keep me intrigued until it picked up. I loved the eerie setting and also how the author incorporated mythology and folklore into this story. Overall this was a good read, that’s perfect for the spooky season.
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the gifted copy.
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the gifted copy.
November 12, 2023
Our Wicked Histories is a stunning look at our own personal histories mixed with those who came before us. How places remember that history while our minds try to move on.
I loved the Irish folklore with Samhain and the Bean sí. The setting of the Wren’s ancestral home and the incorporation of Britain’s overlooked dark history with the Irish famine added the appropriate horror. I could have done without the school drama, especially Sebastian’s fickleness, but everything else was perfectly haunting and also informative.
This had all of Goldsmith’s signature atmospheric writing from her debut, Those We Drown. I love how deftly she weaves mythology and folklore into her modern-day tales. She’s crafting her place amongst YA gothic horror fiction and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the Irish folklore with Samhain and the Bean sí. The setting of the Wren’s ancestral home and the incorporation of Britain’s overlooked dark history with the Irish famine added the appropriate horror. I could have done without the school drama, especially Sebastian’s fickleness, but everything else was perfectly haunting and also informative.
This had all of Goldsmith’s signature atmospheric writing from her debut, Those We Drown. I love how deftly she weaves mythology and folklore into her modern-day tales. She’s crafting her place amongst YA gothic horror fiction and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2024
Our Wicked Histories is an excellent sophomore novel by Amy Goldsmith. She has created fully fleshed out characters with a gnarly social hierarchy, placed them all inside a gothic Irish castle, included dark foreshadowing and a dual timeline which added to the tension of a *possible* murder. The mystery and dark shadows within this book are an absolute delight. Despite getting annoyed with the MC often, I found her incredibly believable, the poor choices she made furthering the plot into the viciousness of the supernatural and non-supernatural entities of this book. I’ve got to admit though, you couldn’t pay me to try to stick around and be friends with this group of characters. And for that reason, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the nuance of them trying to coexist together, particularly when things stopped going their way.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an ARC for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an ARC for my honest review.
November 15, 2023
Our Wicked Histories is much more Gothic than I usually read, but I loved it. The setting — from the estate to the lake to the folly — was so atmospheric and creepy. While the plot started out strong, it felt both dragged out and underdeveloped. I wish there was less time spent on flashbacks and more emphasis on strengthening the current timeline. There are still some moments I'm genuinely confused about; I'm sure the ambiguity is intended, but a little more clarity on some things would have tied things together in a stronger way.
September 27, 2024
I liked the bones of this. I just think maybe the execution could have been better, and perhaps the story overall condensed.
Some of the writing was beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But at other times the story dragged so much and I couldn't get stuck in, despite this checking all the boxes on paper.
Some of the writing was beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But at other times the story dragged so much and I couldn't get stuck in, despite this checking all the boxes on paper.
August 9, 2024
I'll start by saying that horror isn't my usual genre but I absolutely loved this book. It's not full horror, as it has romance and fantasy aspects, which may be why I enjoyed it so much.
There are rumours that there is something in the lake.
Meg and her friends have fallen out after an incident where she got suspended. She wants their forgiveness and agrees to visit Wren Hall to make amends. It soon becomes apparent that everything is not what it seems at this ancestral home. The setting of this story helps create suspense and fear. You never know what will happen next. The friendship group is intriguing as there are fractures and backstories between each character which added to the drama and mystery of what was happening as you never really knew until the end. I enjoyed not knowing if Seb could be trusted even up to the end.
I enjoyed the folklore and location of the house on the haunted lake. I love learning about mysteries and local tales so this was great.
This book was a brilliant entrance for me into horror as a genre and I definitely want to pick up more gothic horror books.
I hadn't read anything by Amy before but I do have Those We Drown to read which I'll be getting straight to!
Thank you to Ink Road Books for sending me an early copy to read as part of the blog tour!
There are rumours that there is something in the lake.
Meg and her friends have fallen out after an incident where she got suspended. She wants their forgiveness and agrees to visit Wren Hall to make amends. It soon becomes apparent that everything is not what it seems at this ancestral home. The setting of this story helps create suspense and fear. You never know what will happen next. The friendship group is intriguing as there are fractures and backstories between each character which added to the drama and mystery of what was happening as you never really knew until the end. I enjoyed not knowing if Seb could be trusted even up to the end.
I enjoyed the folklore and location of the house on the haunted lake. I love learning about mysteries and local tales so this was great.
This book was a brilliant entrance for me into horror as a genre and I definitely want to pick up more gothic horror books.
I hadn't read anything by Amy before but I do have Those We Drown to read which I'll be getting straight to!
Thank you to Ink Road Books for sending me an early copy to read as part of the blog tour!
July 29, 2024
4.5 rounded up!
When Meg is invited out to the Wren twins’ family estate in Ireland for Halloween, she sees it as the perfect chance for her to mend their friendship (and get back her spot back at her fancy school Greyscott’s) after falling out over the summer. However, the manor is far from idyllic and screams can be heard in the middle of the night. Will Meg make it out unscathed?
OUR WICKED HISTORIES by Amy Goldsmith was such a chilling, atmospheric story.
The rundown estate in the Irish countryside surrounding a lake of buried statues…an absolutely wonderfully spooky setting, and the characters were so complex and riddled with secrets.
Flashbacks are interwoven throughout the story in a seamless and intricate way, and I couldn’t help myself from being dazzled by the Wren twins.
It was such a great YA Gothic Horror that kept me guessing until the end!
Thanks to Delacorte Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
Publication Day: July 30
When Meg is invited out to the Wren twins’ family estate in Ireland for Halloween, she sees it as the perfect chance for her to mend their friendship (and get back her spot back at her fancy school Greyscott’s) after falling out over the summer. However, the manor is far from idyllic and screams can be heard in the middle of the night. Will Meg make it out unscathed?
OUR WICKED HISTORIES by Amy Goldsmith was such a chilling, atmospheric story.
The rundown estate in the Irish countryside surrounding a lake of buried statues…an absolutely wonderfully spooky setting, and the characters were so complex and riddled with secrets.
Flashbacks are interwoven throughout the story in a seamless and intricate way, and I couldn’t help myself from being dazzled by the Wren twins.
It was such a great YA Gothic Horror that kept me guessing until the end!
Thanks to Delacorte Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
Publication Day: July 30
December 15, 2024
Our Wicked Histories was a spooky read with incredible atmosphere! This YA book has really solid writing. I was super impressed with the author’s ability to juggle 8 main characters. Normally, 8 main characters is a terrible decision for a book because it’s too hard for your average reader to develop a concept for each character in their heads, and keep them straight for the duration of the book. Amy Goldsmith does a fantastic job distinguishing between characters by expertly weaving stories from their past in with the present timeline. Because of this, I understood who each character was quickly, leaving her ample time to further develop the characters over the course of the book.
While Our Wicked Histories is technically gothic horror, it definitely dwells way more on YA friendship drama (and romance) than the blurb makes it seem. However, the writing was enjoyable enough to read that I didn’t mind the unexpected direction it took. I would totally read more by Amy Goldsmith in the future!
While Our Wicked Histories is technically gothic horror, it definitely dwells way more on YA friendship drama (and romance) than the blurb makes it seem. However, the writing was enjoyable enough to read that I didn’t mind the unexpected direction it took. I would totally read more by Amy Goldsmith in the future!
September 8, 2024
How much do you trust your friends?
School can be such a tumultuous time mentally with all the different social hierarchies and trying to fit in while also being true to one’s self.
This book was an eerie, slow building unraveling. It made you think about what you were doing at that age, but maybe not to this extreme. It was a non-linear tale that wove together past and present to put the pieces back together at the same time as the protagonist was uncovering things.
Very visual and descriptive that I could sense the foreboding feelings as well as the chill from the rain. It was the perfect story to read during a cloudy/rainy day to add even more ambience.
A creepy tale to make you question your own loyalties and how far you would go to get what you want.
Thank you so much to the author, Amy Goldsmith, Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this eARC of Our Wicked Histories!
School can be such a tumultuous time mentally with all the different social hierarchies and trying to fit in while also being true to one’s self.
This book was an eerie, slow building unraveling. It made you think about what you were doing at that age, but maybe not to this extreme. It was a non-linear tale that wove together past and present to put the pieces back together at the same time as the protagonist was uncovering things.
Very visual and descriptive that I could sense the foreboding feelings as well as the chill from the rain. It was the perfect story to read during a cloudy/rainy day to add even more ambience.
A creepy tale to make you question your own loyalties and how far you would go to get what you want.
Thank you so much to the author, Amy Goldsmith, Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this eARC of Our Wicked Histories!
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