The Loneliest Place

Blight Harbor #3

by Lora Senf, Alfredo Cáceres (illustrator)

Evie ventures into the Dark Sun Side to rescue her loved ones, only to discover truths darker than she could have ever imagined in this thrilling finale to the Blight Harbor series that’s perfect for fans of Doll Bones and Small Spaces.

As summer comes to an end, Evie Von Rathe is determined to begin the search for her parents in earnest. Armed with her knowledge of the otherworldly, her mom’s violet glasses, and a pendant full of doors, Evie begins to piece together clues. When she realizes her mother’s bedtime story might be a roadmap to finding them, Evie follows it back to the Dark Sun Side.

But stories are funny things, and they change from one teller to the next.

The black nothing of the Radix is waiting, and it knows more than it’s ever let on. Evie will need every bit of courage she has for what’s coming. With Bird at her side, and maybe even a reluctant Lark as well, Evie has what she hopes is her last adventure under a purple sky.

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Audiobook, Supernatural

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2024

About the author

Hi, I'm Lora Senf!

I'm a reader and writer of dark and twisty stories for all ages. I owe my love of words to my parents and to the public library that was walking distance from my childhood home.

I find inspiration for my writing all over the place - from my kids' retellings of their dreams to road trips through Montana, and often in lonely buildings.

I love the reading and writing communities. I'm a member of Authors Guild and Horror Writers Association.

PENNIES - a Blight Harbor prequel - is coming September 23, 2025. I have a YA horror novel, UNNAMED BONES, coming out summer 2026 and more on the way.

I no longer review books, but I do yell about the books I love on social media - mostly Instagram.

I live in Washington State with my husband, our twins, and two cats who think they're people.

I'd love to hear from you! 🖤

Reviews

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful end to an amazing trilogy. I highly recommend this trilogy!!! It’s completely clean. :)


——————
YALL I officially own this whole trilogy ALL SIGNED

(The first two were a gift and signed TO ME - the last one is just a signed copy I bought at Barnes and noble yesterday)

[Wendy Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic wrap-up for a fantastic trilogy! Evie's previous journeys in the Dark Sun Side has been filled with terror, adventure, and unexpected friendship, and this book is packed with all of that and more. This is exactly the kind of book I would have wanted when I was a kid!

[imogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was genuinely terrified multiple times while reading this book. and then i cried at the end. evie von rathe you will always be famous !!!!

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. With only mild threat and the promise of a good outcome, it is about the level of horror I can cope with (yeah, I’m a peace-loving wimp). This is the 3rd of a trilogy and while each book is pretty contained there is an over arching plot line that resolves in this book. It is very satisfying. Rice, the 12 year old MC must play a game to find and rescue her parents and it is actually a series of puzzles which are very dangerous, but she has a knack for asking for help and receiving it. From the unlikeliest places.

This was a very satisfying series. Highly recommended.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect ending. This was so scary and so awesome.

[Geertje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imo this is one of the best middle-grade series out there. Highly recommend. It's especially good for spooky season.

[Sarah Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was my favourite in the series! So scary but also very heartwarming. Loved it!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first discovered Senf's Blight Harbor trilogy on Goodreads. Clackity, the first of the trio was fantastic. It was perfectly creepy, with beautiful illustrations which highlighted the weirdness of the story. It was the sort of book that I would have loved when I was younger - even as an adult, I appreciated the strangeness of the tale, and the creepiness of the tale. Evie's world has been an interesting place to spend some time. So how did the final instalment match up?

Overall, I still loved this book and Evie's story. Although I have marked it as illustrated, there are only a handful of illustrations throughout the book. I don't know if it is my imagination playing tricks on me, but I seem to think that the first book featured more illustrations than books 2 or 3.

This final instalment sees Evie getting to the last stages of her journey to find, and rescue, her parents. As always, Evie has to overcome certain tests, and find her own courage. She has some help, but people keep reminding her that this is her journey and only she can decide it. As with the other novels, all of the characters are brilliantly created. Senf's books truly do pull you into their stories, and for me, that is the mark of a great writer. So why have I only awarded 4 stars? Well, for some reason, I found that I was hoping for a little more from this last instalment. Please don't take me wrong, this is a great book and a good way to bring the Blight Harbot trilogy to a close, but I felt this one wasn't quite as creepy as the previous two. Only a small niggle, and that may be the adult in me; for younger readers, this may be perfectly spooky, but I just wanted a tiny bit more.
Having said that, this was a great trilogy. I would definitely recommend it.

[Cera · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm scared too, but I don’t let scared make decisions for me."

A fair, good ending to a creepy and enjoyable trilogy. 🥰 It's everything we could want for our pretty penny in the end.



Quotable Quotations 🗣📢

"You will need a few pounds of high quality Himalaya sea salt and Ziploc bags. Do not scrimp and purchase store brand iodized tablet salt or generic sandwich baggies. Remains are particular about these things." 🤣

"For some people bravery is a thing they have at their fingertips. Ready and waiting to be called on. I was not one of those people. Everytime I got done using my bravery I immediately misplaced it and had to go looking the next time I need it. And then once I did find it, covered in cobwebs and dust bunnies, I'd have to remember how it worked all over again."

"My heart disagreed with my brain, but my brain was what I had to listen to right now."

"I love yous were important because you could never know. You always think you're going to see someone again, but you really, truly never know."

"Snakes don't have names. Names are undignified."

[Lire-une-passion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mais qu'est-ce que ce final était chouette ! Comme pour les deux précédents, il m'a fallu un petit temps d'adaptation au début, mais après, j'ai dévoré les pages. L'autrice a une imagination débordante. Evie est hyper attachante et l'univers vraiment addictif. Triste que ce soit déjà fini <3

[Harley Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great series. I'll definetly be recommending it to kids who are looking for something a little spooky, a little exciting, and a lot of fun!

[Samantha | Midwinter Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot express how much I love this story.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Final book in the Blight Harbor series. The author did a great job wrapping it up.
Evie is back and she decides to try to save her parents. Even if it means her own life/freedom is at risk.
She is joined by Bird and her new ghost friend from book two. I listened to this. The narrator is the same narrator and did a fantastic job. Characters from the previous books make an appearance again.
Evie must figure out a number of puzzles/games to get to her parents. She is a great character for young readers to read. She has some self doubts but is able to overcome her anxiety and persevere. She is smart and a strong problem solver while being independent. The pacing was good and I was fully engaged until the end. From a scare factor, I think most middle grade readers can handle. I found book one to be the most scary. No jump scares or gore. THere are spiders!

Definitely recommend to readers who have enjoyed the other books in the series.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ending to a great series. I love Evie! I enjoyed the way this story tied in so many characters from the other stories. Following the storybook was a unique way to go on this adventure.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect read for spooky season!
The third book in the Blight Harbour series doesn't disappoint. It's efficiently spooky, without being too much. It's well-written and as always I appreciate the author giving her main character anxiety. This is a great way for kids who experience anxiety to see a character facing difficult situations and using tools to work through rising panic attacks.
The supporting characters are also wonderful, especially Bird and Gray. The world building and magical system are done well.
This third book wraps up the series nicely, but also leaves room for a potential return.
A 5 star read for kids and adults alike.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC!

[Zachariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ending

[Trevor Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In an emotionally resonant conclusion, Lora Senf wraps up the Blight Harbor trilogy with The Loneliest Place. It's a suitable bookend to the series as it started with The Clackity, exploring more of the world of the Dark Sun Side and dealing with the final challenge of the Clackity and dealing with Evie Von Rathe's remaining challenge in the journey to her self-actualization.

There's so much to love in this book, whether it be Evie's epic quest to beat the Clackity and rescue those she loves or the way the book deals with themes of loneliness and sadness and friendship and love. Evie is such a wonderful character, full of confidence and self-doubt at the same time, smart but vulnerable, capable of great compassion but also great resolve. The book puts her character to the test, asking much of her but giving her a chance to act with remarkable consistency to the values she holds. She's such a beautifully compassionate protagonist, capable of all of the best of us while still dealing with her anxiety and confusion about not having answers to her life's most difficult questions.

The Blight Harbor series is undoubtedly one of the best in children's literature, and The Loneliest Place is a perfect conclusion for these characters. It builds on the themes of the previous two books while offering a satisfying end that resolves many of the series' emotional and plot threads. And perhaps best of all, it leaves me with a feeling of hope and love and family--far from being the loneliest place.

Disclosure statement: I received an advanced reader's copy of the novel from the author. My feelings about the book as expressed here are entirely my own and uninfluenced by either the publisher or the author.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so sad and confused about The Loneliest Place having only 80 ratings here and only 14 on Amazon. This series is pure gold, and this book is my favorite of the three. You have a kid who loves Coraline? Hand them this series! A kid who was disappointed by Empty Smiles, the third book of the Small Spaces series? (Hi it's me I'm the kid) HAND THEM THIS SERIES.

This book belongs up there with A Wrinkle in Time and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in the canon of sci-fi or fantasy adventures that are also philosophical, meaningful Christian allegories. It's not perfect, but it's pretty close.

I was more resolute than ever. Give me the worst odds. Give me an impossible neighborhood or a tower of ghosts. An icy tomb to countless people. I was Evie Von Rathe, and I was getting out, saving everyone, and rescuing my parents.

This entry takes us to different places in the Dark Sun Side than we've been to before. They're evocative, creepy, haunting, and a creative way to make something we were getting used to fresh again. Evie is a stronger heroine than ever and develops a deepening understanding of the Radix and Clackity. Old and new friends help her on her journey to do what the whole series was skirting around and slowly building towards: save her parents.

It was surreal and so wonderful that I forgot for a moment why I was there in the first place.

This book contains a lot of existential wonder in both the mysterious and often dangerous Dark Sun Side, and appreciation for the mundane pleasures of life in our own world. I always like a book that can take a spooky setting or character and show us the nuance. This series has a special fondness for taking the things we're traditionally afraid of - snakes, spiders, ghosts - and showing us another side. This is also a handbook in how to be mindful in scary situations. Evie repeatedly faces her fears and tackles new situations by calming her body down, deep breathing, and accepting what she can and can't control.

Why did I call it a Christian allegory? It's about how to behave in a way that promotes mercy and justice in a world full of cruelty and confusion. It's about having faith in a greater power than yourself and cultivating a confidence and sense of belonging in the universe. Also, there is just a lot of Christian symbolism and signifiers: churches, holy water, and especially wings and angels. But this isn't to detract non-Christian readers from enjoying, in fact, quite the opposite. This book presents a version of Christianity that is welcoming, open-minded, and holistic, and I enjoyed it very much as an agnostic reader.

Yeah, overall, just love this series and hope it gets the love it deserves eventually!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Evie is still dealing with the loss of her parents and is fighting the evil forces she fought in The Clackity and The Nighthouse Keeper, but things have settled down a bit. Her aunt Desdemona wants her to have a better summer, and not be as responsible for saving the world. Evie does have a few calm moments, like helping Lily bury a pet rabbit along with Lark, their ghost friend, and stopping by Mrs. Bradbury's to get her special candy that tastes like the buyer's fondest wish. When she goes to ask Irv about what she should do regarding saving her parents, he turns into the Clackity, and the game starts all over again. She ends up going to the Dark Side Sun and spending time in her childhood home. She's instructed to find "the loneliest place", and her parents are supposed to be there. She meets talking snakes, heads into the Winter land of her mother's book, and even meets Death (or one of them!) before climbing stairs to the Moon to try to find her parents. Will she finally be able to escape the power of the Clackity and bring her parents back to Blight Harbor?

This is the final book in the series, and spends a lot more time in Blight Harbor, following Evie's everyday life. This makes sense, especially at the end of the book when the Clackity is trying to make her feel that she is lonely and miserable, but she's able to look at all of the people besides her parents who love and support her. Definitely take a look at this one if you've read the other two.

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Loneliest Place by Lora Senf is a fitting and intense conclusion to the Blight Harbor trilogy. It delivers a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat while pulling at your heartstrings. As Evie Von Rathe embarks on her final quest to find her parents, the stakes have never been higher, and the darkness has never been more palpable. Senf masterfully balances the eerie atmosphere with moments of warmth and hope, making this book captivating.

The setting of the Dark Sun Side is richly imagined, and the twists that unfold as Evie follows her mother’s bedtime story are both surprising and satisfying. The narrative dives deeper into the mythos of Blight Harbor, revealing truths that are as fascinating as they are chilling. Evie’s journey is one of courage and determination, and her relationships with Bird and Lark add depth to the story, providing both companionship and tension.

What stands out most in this finale is Senf's ability to craft a timeless and fresh tale. Fans of middle-grade horror and adventure will appreciate the nods to classic stories while enjoying the unique twists that make this series stand out. The Loneliest Place wraps up Evie’s story in a way that feels earned, leaving readers both satisfied and a little haunted by the world Senf has created.

While the pacing occasionally slows in the middle, the final act more than makes up for it, delivering a thrilling and poignant conclusion. This book, and the series as a whole, is a must-read for fans of dark, imaginative adventures.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Loneliest Place is the final book in Lora Senf’s Blight Harbor trilogy and is a very good ending to Evie’s saga of finding her parents on The Dark Sun Side.

After finding her mom’s glasses and a special book in The Nighthouse, Evie is more determined than ever to prove that her parents didn’t die in their house fire, but instead were taken. Evie agrees to play Clackity’s last game in hopes of rescuing her parents. Clackity’s “games” are never good, or fair, but is Evie determined to beat it with the help of her friends in both the sunshine world and The Dark Sun Side.

I did enjoy the majority of the book and of how Evie persisted through Clackity’s very unfair and rule changing game. I think Evie Van Rathe is a great literary role model for young readers.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster and Atheneum Books for Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.


My (probably unpopular) opinions about Book 3:
While I did enjoy this book and really like how many returning characters are part of the story, I am not a fan of the ending. Don’t get me wrong. It is well written and definitely ties up all the loose ends for the trilogy. I just didn’t like the choice of how it ended…and to not give spoilers, I won’t explain more about why.

The Loneliest Place earns 4 stars from me. Definitely recommend this series to kids who like a little scary, a little spooky, a little other-worldly reads.

[Jamie Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie and her tattooed companion, Bird, have only been home from the Dark Sun Side from the Nighthouse when the Clackity reaches out with a chilling, and compelling, 'good fair deal'. Evie learned her parents hadn't died in the house fire, but the Clackity took them away from her. A mysterious book arrives that can only be read wearing Evie's mom's special glasses that lay out here task where she has to return to the Dark Sun Side and reach out to the Radix for help. Determined to save her parents, Evie gathers the things she needs, including gifts from the three witches in the stange neighborhood from the first book, librarian Lily, and help she finds along the way with each task and challenge the Clackity has set for her - win, and save her parrents or die are the stakes. Scared, unsure, but willing to put herself at risk, Evie tackles each challenge that sends her to mysterious places in the Dark Sun Side - a forest, a desert, an ocean, and The Winterlands - all beautiful, eerie, and dangerous. This final book in series is filled with riddles, dangers, and horror galore with new intersting creatures, the return of olf favorites like the Clackity and the Story Thief, but it doesn't lack on hope and promise. The Blight Harbor series is sure fit for horror fans, and a series that doesn't hide the need for family, friends, and trusting in yourself. Get into the hands of eager readers if you can.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book has beautiful imagery, and is really well written, and the scares seem pretty age appropriate - so why the *** rating?

The ending seemed to be an emotional cop out, and really undercut a lot of the story’s gravity. There’s even a moment before the final confrontation where the author seems to realize that and sets up what (I) felt was the truer, more honest, more valuable lesson about grief and processing it, then doubles back to the false (feeling) narrative. If this story was aimed for younger readers, I could understand, but at the target age, kids are able to grasp harder emotions and I think this really does a disservice to them.

The first and second book made me wish Blight Harbour was a series and not a trilogy, but having read the ending of this, I’m glad it ended because it really feels like it undercut the entire premise.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Loneliest Place is a fitting conclusion to the rich, spooky Blight Harbor Trilogy. Evie is convinced her parents didn’t pass away in the house fire that supposedly claimed her life. Inspired by finding her mother’s glasses and a special book, Evie breaks her promise to her Aunt Des and sets out to find her parents, following where the story leads with the help of her trusty companion Bird. Once again, she makes a bargain with The Clackity and will have to meet challenges and conquer her fears to reach her happy ending.

Brave and resourceful Evie shines on her journey through the Dark Sun Side, persevering again and again in the face of The Clackity’s games. The story effectively revisits elements from the past while continuing to expand the dark world that Evie needs to navigate. Her journey is a perfect mix of horror and heart for middle grade readers

[Robyn Tocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I eagerly snatched up the last book (for now) in Senf's "Blight Harbor" series and "The Loneliest Place" didn't disappoint! I loved the cover design and images inside, as I have with the other books.

Senf did a wonderful job wrapping up Evie's journey to find her parents in the Dark Sun Side. It was full of adventure, friendship, and moments that tested Evie's resolve. As someone who's dealt with anxiety since I was Evie's age, it was refreshing to see it written in such a way that would make it accessible to middle grade readers. Either they'll see themselves in Evie, or friends/classmates, and understand what they're going through.

The reunion at the end of "The Loneliest Place" was perfect, but I'm equally glad that Evie's aunt didn't get pushed out of the picture, either. Now Evie gets to have a big, happy family like she deserved since the tragic events several years before the first "Blight Harbor" book took place.

[Christian · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good and had some really fun and creative/inventive set pieces but it never returns to any of them and it ends abruptly. Plus, after 3 books, there was much we didn’t remember and the book didn’t help remind us. It would just pick up with characters and storylines we hadn’t read in 3 years. So I don’t think it worked very well as a final installment in the Clackity series. Hopefully there’s another sequel.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This probably deserves another star, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first 2 in the series. I'm not sure if it was my mood or it just seemed to similar to the previous adventures/tests with Evie overcoming one monster or riddle after another. The first book is solid on it's own, though, so definitely read that if you enjoy MG horror!

If half stars were available my ratings would look like this:
Bk 1 4.5
Bk 2 4.0
Bk 3 3.5

[Francesca Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the final journey back to Blight Harbor and the dark place with the purple sky, I felt it a bit derivative of the first two books which I felt were a derivative of Neil Gaiman's Coraline. I was hoping for something different other than more of the same type of challenges and obstacles for our young protagonist. It was well written and I enjoyed the characters and recommend this for the audience it was intended for.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Clackity was a fun middle grade horror novel. I felt like The Nighthouse Keeper was a disappointment in comparison. But The Loneliest Place draws in both books, revisiting events, characters, and places - while still expanding the world - in such a good way. With creepy middle grade horror elements and a heartwarming end, this was a great read.

[Laura Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words for how much I loved this book. I would give it 6 stars if I could. I have enjoyed all of the Blight Harbor books and didn't think I'd like one more than I liked THE CLACKITY, but this one is my favorite. Senf spins a world that is like a mashup between Roald Dahl and Tim Burton. Truly incredible. If you like wildly imaginative spooky stories with plenty of heart, pick this one up.