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A Fate Worse Than Drowning
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26For fans of A Dark and Drowning Tide and The Lighthouse Witches comes a queer speculative novel about a lighthouse keeper who made a devil's bargain to save her sister, but when a shipwrecked survivor washes ashore, she is left with an impossible choice...
One deal with the devil makes a fool. Two? A villain...
A year ago, Elle made a deal with the devil to save her sister. Now, they live on a desolate spit of land beyond Halifax harbor. Elle, as lighthouse keeper, steers unsuspecting sailors to their destruction; those are the terms of her bargain. Liney need never know the cost. Her safety is worth every drop of blood.
But a sinner's pact is not so simple. When the devil returns, demanding more – more shipwrecks, no survivors – Elle knows what she must do to keep Liney safe...
Another ship. Another crew killed in the devil's name.
Then a woman washes ashore. Is she a soul to be sacrificed, or part of a darker design? As Liney and the stranger grow closer, Elle faces an impossible kill, and break Liney's heart, or forfeit her own soul.
Danger arises from all the merciless sea, ruthless men on the mainland, and the infernal bargain itself…
Souls and sisterhood, fate and fire – what must be sacrificed for the devil to get his due?
One deal with the devil makes a fool. Two? A villain...
A year ago, Elle made a deal with the devil to save her sister. Now, they live on a desolate spit of land beyond Halifax harbor. Elle, as lighthouse keeper, steers unsuspecting sailors to their destruction; those are the terms of her bargain. Liney need never know the cost. Her safety is worth every drop of blood.
But a sinner's pact is not so simple. When the devil returns, demanding more – more shipwrecks, no survivors – Elle knows what she must do to keep Liney safe...
Another ship. Another crew killed in the devil's name.
Then a woman washes ashore. Is she a soul to be sacrificed, or part of a darker design? As Liney and the stranger grow closer, Elle faces an impossible kill, and break Liney's heart, or forfeit her own soul.
Danger arises from all the merciless sea, ruthless men on the mainland, and the infernal bargain itself…
Souls and sisterhood, fate and fire – what must be sacrificed for the devil to get his due?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 21, 2026
9469 people want to read
About the author
Sarah L. Hawthorn
4 books45 followersSarah L. Hawthorn is a Canadian horror and speculative fiction writer. Her debut novel, A FATE WORSE THAN DROWNING, will be published by Sourcebooks in 2026.
She holds a bachelor’s in public relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and has worked across federal, healthcare, secondary education, and tech fields. Their short fiction has been featured in The Arcanist and the Queer Blades anthology by From the Farther Trees Press.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys watercolour painting, video games, and swimming. Sarah lives in Halifax/Kjipuktuk, Nova Scotia, a maritime locale full of spooky folklore they've been devouring since elementary school.
She holds a bachelor’s in public relations from Mount Saint Vincent University and has worked across federal, healthcare, secondary education, and tech fields. Their short fiction has been featured in The Arcanist and the Queer Blades anthology by From the Farther Trees Press.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys watercolour painting, video games, and swimming. Sarah lives in Halifax/Kjipuktuk, Nova Scotia, a maritime locale full of spooky folklore they've been devouring since elementary school.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 29, 2025
"Everyone has read A FATE WORSE THAN DROWNING" a statistical anomaly. Average person hasn't yet read A FATE WORSE THAN DROWNING because it doesn't come out until 2026. Spooky Author Sarah, who lives in a haunted island lighthouse owned by the Devil and has read the book 10,000 times, is an outlier and should not have been counted.
Want to read
January 7, 2026Loading more horror and sci-fi/fantasy
Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoner Pen Press and the author, Sarah L. Hawthorn for the early eARC!
Publication date: July 21, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoner Pen Press and the author, Sarah L. Hawthorn for the early eARC!
Publication date: July 21, 2026
Want to read
December 21, 2025omg I love this cover so much
going on the TBR right now
going on the TBR right now
January 19, 2026
Is there a fate worse than drowning? The year is 1861 and Mary Eleanor “Elle” and her sister Caroline “Liney” have fled to live in the lighthouse on Devil’s Island - a small uninhabited island in the Halifax harbour.
Elle has made a deal with the Devil to save her and her sister’s lives. In return, Elle must sacrifice the lives of those on incoming ships and boats to the hellscape that is beneath the island.
Told from both Elle and Liney’s perspectives, it is a tale of sacrifice, sisterhood, love, smothering, pain, and debt.
I loved this book. It’s not my typical genre (historical fantasy vs the thrillers and mysteries I’m partial to), but having followed the author on her journey to creating her debut novel, I knew I needed to read it. Thank you Sarah for an advanced copy of your book. What an honour to read it.
This isn’t a book you can mindlessly read, skimming the paragraphs to get the gist. Its prose is intentional and beautifully written, and each paragraph helps shape the atmospheric, isolated world the author has created.
The dynamic between Elle and Liney is tense and often times at odds with one another. Elle’s resolve to protect her sister infringes on Liney’s freedom; and Liney’s desire for something more directly threatens Elle’s sacrifice. Their dual perspectives provide contrast - a light to the darkness.
The book has smart twists which don’t feel forced, but instead we are uncovering details alongside the protagonists.
Is there a fate worse than drowning? You’ll have to read to find out.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Sarah L. Hawthorn, and Net Galley for an e arc in exchange for an honest review. I will be pre ordering a physical copy and I recommend others do the same!
Elle has made a deal with the Devil to save her and her sister’s lives. In return, Elle must sacrifice the lives of those on incoming ships and boats to the hellscape that is beneath the island.
Told from both Elle and Liney’s perspectives, it is a tale of sacrifice, sisterhood, love, smothering, pain, and debt.
I loved this book. It’s not my typical genre (historical fantasy vs the thrillers and mysteries I’m partial to), but having followed the author on her journey to creating her debut novel, I knew I needed to read it. Thank you Sarah for an advanced copy of your book. What an honour to read it.
This isn’t a book you can mindlessly read, skimming the paragraphs to get the gist. Its prose is intentional and beautifully written, and each paragraph helps shape the atmospheric, isolated world the author has created.
The dynamic between Elle and Liney is tense and often times at odds with one another. Elle’s resolve to protect her sister infringes on Liney’s freedom; and Liney’s desire for something more directly threatens Elle’s sacrifice. Their dual perspectives provide contrast - a light to the darkness.
The book has smart twists which don’t feel forced, but instead we are uncovering details alongside the protagonists.
Is there a fate worse than drowning? You’ll have to read to find out.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Sarah L. Hawthorn, and Net Galley for an e arc in exchange for an honest review. I will be pre ordering a physical copy and I recommend others do the same!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
review to come once I can gather words fitting enough. I devoured this book. It evoked emotions and was very well written.
January 5, 2026
Wonderful world building, love the twist and turns within the story. Absolutely love the concept behind this book as well, thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this before it comes out. I definitely will be adding it to my bookshelves when it comes out
January 18, 2026
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and Sarah L Hawthorn for the ARC on NetGalley this one!
I was drawn in by the setting of the Devil Island Lighthouse and stayed for the emotional storylines of our two characters Elle and Liney. Although the book didn't end up going where I thought it might have, I was still pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this. I'm a big fan of emotionally-driven stories and this one definitely ticks that box.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning has undercurrents of dread and tragedy that definitely pulled me under and left me in its wake! Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this and felt like it's easily going to be a book I recommend to others around me that I know will really love this as well!
Definitely a 4.5 star but Goodreads doesn’t offer half stars 😫
I was drawn in by the setting of the Devil Island Lighthouse and stayed for the emotional storylines of our two characters Elle and Liney. Although the book didn't end up going where I thought it might have, I was still pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this. I'm a big fan of emotionally-driven stories and this one definitely ticks that box.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning has undercurrents of dread and tragedy that definitely pulled me under and left me in its wake! Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this and felt like it's easily going to be a book I recommend to others around me that I know will really love this as well!
Definitely a 4.5 star but Goodreads doesn’t offer half stars 😫
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January 6, 2026LET ME IN
December 24, 2025
A great premise and solid writing, though I thought the structure could have used some work. I won’t go as far as to say it was an inherent flaw, but I think the dual POV undercut a lot of the tension. While I did find Elle a compelling character, I think the story would have worked better overall if it had only been told from Liney’s perspective. Through Elle’s chapters, we learn all of the secrets, and so when Liney later unearths them herself it tends to feel redundant and underwhelming. That being said, I enjoyed the plot and the character work, so I’d be interested in reading what this author does next.
January 16, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, apparently I’ve stumbled into a very niche reading streak: two books back-to-back where someone goes delightfully murder-y for their sister in a dark, isolated setting. It’s… specific. But if the rest of my year meets this kind of quality? I’m not complaining.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning has the salt-stung dread and gothic unease of The Lighthouse (2019), fused with the beautifully reckless “deal with the devil” energy of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It’s soaked in murderous intent and sapphic yearning, then laced through with genuinely spectacular paranormal touches; without ever dropping the racing tension of a psychological thriller.
Okay, apparently I’ve stumbled into a very niche reading streak: two books back-to-back where someone goes delightfully murder-y for their sister in a dark, isolated setting. It’s… specific. But if the rest of my year meets this kind of quality? I’m not complaining.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning has the salt-stung dread and gothic unease of The Lighthouse (2019), fused with the beautifully reckless “deal with the devil” energy of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It’s soaked in murderous intent and sapphic yearning, then laced through with genuinely spectacular paranormal touches; without ever dropping the racing tension of a psychological thriller.
There’s so much that works here. The setting is properly isolating, not just in a scenic way, but in a claustrophobic way, like the world has narrowed to a few rooms and a handful of choices, and every option is the wrong one. Even when we eventually escape the isolation of the island onto the mainland, Hawthorn does such a spectacular job of setting up the intrigue that nothing feels safe. Even outside of the paranormal core to this book we’re left watching every shadow. Waiting for the next danger, I loved it.
The mood is consistently eerie without relying on cheap shocks, and the spookiness feels earned rather than ornamental. Hawthorn also sets a brutal tempo: the book moves with intent, and it’s difficult to put down because it keeps you in that anxious, half-hypnotised “just one more chapter” state.
The dual points of view from Liney and Elle are a big part of that momentum, even though I wasn’t convinced at first. Up until around the halfway mark, I kept thinking the story would be cleaner and sharper as a single POV. But once the book settles into its rhythm, the split narration starts to feel like a pressure system: two angles tightening around the same dread, two versions of reality rubbing up against each other, and you can feel the story accelerating because you’re constantly bracing for where those perspectives will collide. It ends up adding urgency rather than diluting it. Especially as other characters begin taking more of a forefront, especially Mr Pratterman and Mr Douglas.
For a quite limited cast especially for the first chunk of novel, everyone is distinctive and compelling. Elle is the definition of protective older sister and watching the lengths and sacrifices she’s willing to make to keep Liney safe was so devastating and brilliant to read.
Elle was surprisingly delightful to follow, she’s naive and overly sweet which could have easily become bothersome. But in the setting it works brilliantly and how she works out the truth is really fun to read. Watching her come to terms with the bloodshed caused to keep her safe was just top notch.
As a villain Mr Pratterman (/our devil) wasn’t on page for a tonne of the book but his impact was tangible on the richter scale. Untangling the web of lies around him and his island was so satisfying, and he’s got plenty of spook to make him a standout in this genre.
My only real issue with this book was the number of red herrings. I absolutely get they have their place in a thriller of this sort, but this was bursting at the seams with them in places particularly at the 60% mark or so. We drop one character, Chamomile to be replaced by a functionally quite similar Bridget. To begin with it felt like this was going somewhere quite interesting, as the former is a ghost and the latter a survivor of a suspicious event. It feels like Hawthorn is going to lead us down a twisty path… but it goes kind of nowhere? There’s a few examples of this and enough threads untied to feel a bit… odd in the end? I’d have loved to see these more developed but given the book’s quite short length I can see why they weren’t really.
I genuinely loved this story and would love to see more from Hawthorn.
Okay, apparently I’ve stumbled into a very niche reading streak: two books back-to-back where someone goes delightfully murder-y for their sister in a dark, isolated setting. It’s… specific. But if the rest of my year meets this kind of quality? I’m not complaining.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning has the salt-stung dread and gothic unease of The Lighthouse (2019), fused with the beautifully reckless “deal with the devil” energy of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It’s soaked in murderous intent and sapphic yearning, then laced through with genuinely spectacular paranormal touches; without ever dropping the racing tension of a psychological thriller.
Okay, apparently I’ve stumbled into a very niche reading streak: two books back-to-back where someone goes delightfully murder-y for their sister in a dark, isolated setting. It’s… specific. But if the rest of my year meets this kind of quality? I’m not complaining.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning has the salt-stung dread and gothic unease of The Lighthouse (2019), fused with the beautifully reckless “deal with the devil” energy of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. It’s soaked in murderous intent and sapphic yearning, then laced through with genuinely spectacular paranormal touches; without ever dropping the racing tension of a psychological thriller.
There’s so much that works here. The setting is properly isolating, not just in a scenic way, but in a claustrophobic way, like the world has narrowed to a few rooms and a handful of choices, and every option is the wrong one. Even when we eventually escape the isolation of the island onto the mainland, Hawthorn does such a spectacular job of setting up the intrigue that nothing feels safe. Even outside of the paranormal core to this book we’re left watching every shadow. Waiting for the next danger, I loved it.
The mood is consistently eerie without relying on cheap shocks, and the spookiness feels earned rather than ornamental. Hawthorn also sets a brutal tempo: the book moves with intent, and it’s difficult to put down because it keeps you in that anxious, half-hypnotised “just one more chapter” state.
The dual points of view from Liney and Elle are a big part of that momentum, even though I wasn’t convinced at first. Up until around the halfway mark, I kept thinking the story would be cleaner and sharper as a single POV. But once the book settles into its rhythm, the split narration starts to feel like a pressure system: two angles tightening around the same dread, two versions of reality rubbing up against each other, and you can feel the story accelerating because you’re constantly bracing for where those perspectives will collide. It ends up adding urgency rather than diluting it. Especially as other characters begin taking more of a forefront, especially Mr Pratterman and Mr Douglas.
For a quite limited cast especially for the first chunk of novel, everyone is distinctive and compelling. Elle is the definition of protective older sister and watching the lengths and sacrifices she’s willing to make to keep Liney safe was so devastating and brilliant to read.
Elle was surprisingly delightful to follow, she’s naive and overly sweet which could have easily become bothersome. But in the setting it works brilliantly and how she works out the truth is really fun to read. Watching her come to terms with the bloodshed caused to keep her safe was just top notch.
As a villain Mr Pratterman (/our devil) wasn’t on page for a tonne of the book but his impact was tangible on the richter scale. Untangling the web of lies around him and his island was so satisfying, and he’s got plenty of spook to make him a standout in this genre.
My only real issue with this book was the number of red herrings. I absolutely get they have their place in a thriller of this sort, but this was bursting at the seams with them in places particularly at the 60% mark or so. We drop one character, Chamomile to be replaced by a functionally quite similar Bridget. To begin with it felt like this was going somewhere quite interesting, as the former is a ghost and the latter a survivor of a suspicious event. It feels like Hawthorn is going to lead us down a twisty path… but it goes kind of nowhere? There’s a few examples of this and enough threads untied to feel a bit… odd in the end? I’d have loved to see these more developed but given the book’s quite short length I can see why they weren’t really.
I genuinely loved this story and would love to see more from Hawthorn.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review!
I loved this! I went into this expecting a spooky time with a morally grey main character and a complicated relationship between sisters. I got all that and more. Right off the bat Sarah L. Hawthorn creates such a great atmosphere - very uncomfortable, cold, and moist. A creaky old ligthouse? A ghost haunting the main character? A devil pulling all the strings? That, plus the paranoia that permeates off both sisters makes the sense of dread jump off the page.
The characters were really well done. Liney is such a lovely character. Like Elle, you just want her to be happy. She’s been pulled around from one unfortunate circumstance to another, and the journey she goes on throughout the book is so satisfying. Elle was a wild POV, but I really did like looking through her eyes, because despite everything she’s done I still found a lot of empathy for her. She is constantly filled with so much fear, desperation and hunger for power. I just kept reading and wondering, how far is she going to go?
I also really liked our supporting characters. Bridget and Douglas were a really nice addition, that actually made some of the chapters quite happy. It was a nice reprieve from the eerie atmosphere that is most of the book, but I was also constantly in fear that something bad would happen to them. Blakeny Pratterman is our devil antagonist, and his backstory was a treat to unravel. At first I wasn’t sure about him, since he seemed like just a guy, but I ended up really liking how his antagonistic nature grew through the book.
Considering the sisters are living in seclusion on an island, I wasn’t expecting a lot of social commentary, but I actually was pleasantly surprised at how much the author was able to address about 19th century social norms, most notably queer representation and female hysteria. I think addressing both of those things made Liney and Elle’s backstory much heavier and made Elle’s motivations a lot more sensible.
I will say, the one thing I wasn’t fully onboard for was the romance between Douglas and Elle. I think I would’ve preferred it if their relationship stayed platonic, and it could have been just as impactful. I did like Liney and Bridget’s relationship - it was bordering on instalove but their moments of bonding over sea creatures was really sweet, and I can 100% believe how they could fall in love so easily.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more from this author!
I loved this! I went into this expecting a spooky time with a morally grey main character and a complicated relationship between sisters. I got all that and more. Right off the bat Sarah L. Hawthorn creates such a great atmosphere - very uncomfortable, cold, and moist. A creaky old ligthouse? A ghost haunting the main character? A devil pulling all the strings? That, plus the paranoia that permeates off both sisters makes the sense of dread jump off the page.
The characters were really well done. Liney is such a lovely character. Like Elle, you just want her to be happy. She’s been pulled around from one unfortunate circumstance to another, and the journey she goes on throughout the book is so satisfying. Elle was a wild POV, but I really did like looking through her eyes, because despite everything she’s done I still found a lot of empathy for her. She is constantly filled with so much fear, desperation and hunger for power. I just kept reading and wondering, how far is she going to go?
I also really liked our supporting characters. Bridget and Douglas were a really nice addition, that actually made some of the chapters quite happy. It was a nice reprieve from the eerie atmosphere that is most of the book, but I was also constantly in fear that something bad would happen to them. Blakeny Pratterman is our devil antagonist, and his backstory was a treat to unravel. At first I wasn’t sure about him, since he seemed like just a guy, but I ended up really liking how his antagonistic nature grew through the book.
Considering the sisters are living in seclusion on an island, I wasn’t expecting a lot of social commentary, but I actually was pleasantly surprised at how much the author was able to address about 19th century social norms, most notably queer representation and female hysteria. I think addressing both of those things made Liney and Elle’s backstory much heavier and made Elle’s motivations a lot more sensible.
I will say, the one thing I wasn’t fully onboard for was the romance between Douglas and Elle. I think I would’ve preferred it if their relationship stayed platonic, and it could have been just as impactful. I did like Liney and Bridget’s relationship - it was bordering on instalove but their moments of bonding over sea creatures was really sweet, and I can 100% believe how they could fall in love so easily.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more from this author!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want to start by saying I´m usually not into horror, but this worked beautifully (probably because it was more of the phsycological kind of horror, not so much the gory one).
The story begins with Elle, a woman in the 19th century who manages to escape with Liney, her sister, to an island after having to deal with an abusive relationship. But escape isn´t as easy as it seems and, to gain their freedom, Elle ended up making a deal with a demon (not your usual Tuesday afternoon, I guess).
This deal requires that Elle, more often than not, sacrifizes people for the island... Including the last lightkeeper, who unfortunately perished quite soon in the story (and how could you, Elle, that was my favorite character!).
There are things here that worked so well, and others that didn´t so much. Although, then again, I loved the narration and tale in general, so I´m more inclined to think it´s a me thing, rather than the book´s fault.
For things I liked, all the redemption arc of Elle was so well done. She didn´t strike me as a particularly likeable character, but she had her moments and despite being the archetype of an overly protective sister, you understood her motives. Liney is the other character who stood out the most; where Elle is sharp and aloof, Liney is naive and trusts too easily. The constrast works, to say the least.
Liked all the plot surrounding the deal, all the magic and murder put into it for the sake of power and evil. Douglas is, again, best character (though I still struggle to understand why he forgave Elle so readily. I would never lol)
Funny thing, what I didn´t like so much about this book was... the romance.
Liney and Bridget´s romance felt too insta love for my taste. We can probably say that´s exactly what the author intended, given Liney´s personality, and I´ll buy it (again, a me thing).
And Elle and Douglas´ romance felt more deserved (if slightly weird still, given the circumstances). But it ended like it ended, so I didn´t get get any satisfaction from that either.
My conclussion therefore: Don´t read this for romance. But, for historical supernatural plots with light horror is a 10 out of 10.
The story begins with Elle, a woman in the 19th century who manages to escape with Liney, her sister, to an island after having to deal with an abusive relationship. But escape isn´t as easy as it seems and, to gain their freedom, Elle ended up making a deal with a demon (not your usual Tuesday afternoon, I guess).
This deal requires that Elle, more often than not, sacrifizes people for the island... Including the last lightkeeper, who unfortunately perished quite soon in the story (and how could you, Elle, that was my favorite character!).
There are things here that worked so well, and others that didn´t so much. Although, then again, I loved the narration and tale in general, so I´m more inclined to think it´s a me thing, rather than the book´s fault.
For things I liked, all the redemption arc of Elle was so well done. She didn´t strike me as a particularly likeable character, but she had her moments and despite being the archetype of an overly protective sister, you understood her motives. Liney is the other character who stood out the most; where Elle is sharp and aloof, Liney is naive and trusts too easily. The constrast works, to say the least.
Liked all the plot surrounding the deal, all the magic and murder put into it for the sake of power and evil. Douglas is, again, best character (though I still struggle to understand why he forgave Elle so readily. I would never lol)
Funny thing, what I didn´t like so much about this book was... the romance.
Liney and Bridget´s romance felt too insta love for my taste. We can probably say that´s exactly what the author intended, given Liney´s personality, and I´ll buy it (again, a me thing).
And Elle and Douglas´ romance felt more deserved (if slightly weird still, given the circumstances). But it ended like it ended, so I didn´t get get any satisfaction from that either.
My conclussion therefore: Don´t read this for romance. But, for historical supernatural plots with light horror is a 10 out of 10.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
One deal with the devil makes a fool.
Two... makes a villain.
Elle made a deal with the devil to save her sister.
A deal that she made to keep both of them safe. Now they live on a desolate slip of Halifax, where Elle now has the grim duty of drawing unsuspecting sailors to their doom, all in the name of the devil. But her sister doesn't need to know... right? She just needs to understand that they're safe....
But a pact with the devil is never so simple.
The devil returns, demanding more souls.
More sacrifice.
More shipwrecks.
More death.
Elle believes she knows what she must do in order to keep Liney, her sister, safe. More ships sacrificed in the devil's name... until a woman washes up on the shore of the grim coast that Elle and her sister call home.
Is she a soul to be sacrificed? Or is she something more? Part of a darker, more sinister pot brewing?
Or perhaps even something else? Now Elle is faced with the impossible choice of whether she kills the woman and risks breaking her sister's heart, or to break her deal with the devil ... and give up her soul instead.
Dark, twisty, and yet emotionally deep... A Fate Worse Than Drowning is a flawless combination of the historical, mixed with horror, a tinge of mystery, and just a dash of beautiful romance to finish things off. The lighthouse was such a beautiful way to blend that true element of horror into this novel, and I found myself falling more and more with not just the story, but the tale woven within, of the bond shared between sisters... and let's not even go into the ending... because that absolutely shattered me in the best of ways, and I cannot wait to find out what's happening next...
Thank you so much again to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this copy in advanced! I am voluntarily leaving this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
Two... makes a villain.
Elle made a deal with the devil to save her sister.
A deal that she made to keep both of them safe. Now they live on a desolate slip of Halifax, where Elle now has the grim duty of drawing unsuspecting sailors to their doom, all in the name of the devil. But her sister doesn't need to know... right? She just needs to understand that they're safe....
But a pact with the devil is never so simple.
The devil returns, demanding more souls.
More sacrifice.
More shipwrecks.
More death.
Elle believes she knows what she must do in order to keep Liney, her sister, safe. More ships sacrificed in the devil's name... until a woman washes up on the shore of the grim coast that Elle and her sister call home.
Is she a soul to be sacrificed? Or is she something more? Part of a darker, more sinister pot brewing?
Or perhaps even something else? Now Elle is faced with the impossible choice of whether she kills the woman and risks breaking her sister's heart, or to break her deal with the devil ... and give up her soul instead.
Dark, twisty, and yet emotionally deep... A Fate Worse Than Drowning is a flawless combination of the historical, mixed with horror, a tinge of mystery, and just a dash of beautiful romance to finish things off. The lighthouse was such a beautiful way to blend that true element of horror into this novel, and I found myself falling more and more with not just the story, but the tale woven within, of the bond shared between sisters... and let's not even go into the ending... because that absolutely shattered me in the best of ways, and I cannot wait to find out what's happening next...
Thank you so much again to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this copy in advanced! I am voluntarily leaving this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
✨
There were three things that made me excited for this book: the cover, the LGBTQ+ rep, and the blurb. A lighthouse keeper who makes a deal with the devil to keep her sister safe? Sign me up. I love lighthouse horror. (Also, if you liked this book, check out the game “Static Dread.” The two are so similar it’s crazy). There were so many cool elements, too. A ghost haunting one of the MCs, a tiny town in eastern Canada, Victorian gothic dread, a creepy lighthouse, sapphic and bi+ and nonbinary/gnc rep to name a few.
However, I feel like it just fell…flat.
Told in a dual POV of the two sisters, I felt as though the entire book just hinged on the miscommunication trope. Like… Elle. Just TALK to your sister. Tell her you were trying to protect her. Clearly she didn’t want to marry a man and you KNEW that. Elle was just annoying and overbearing and relied too much on lies. Liney on the other hand felt so whiny and childish. I get it. She grew up in her sister’s shadow and lived a very isolated life. But if you told me she was 15 instead of 18 I would’ve believed it.
So much just felt rushed, too. Like the whole devil thing just wrapped up in like a single page with an “oh, he’s not actually the devil btw!” Then there was Liney’s “imaginary friend” Chamomile. I’m still not even sure who or what she was.
There was no chemistry between Liney and her mysterious love interest. They kissed twice, declared love, then ran off to explore the world together. Elle decided she loved her ghost but died before that could be expanded on.
I really wanted to love this. It just felt so flat. The horror elements were barely even there. The characters annoyed me. I really didn’t like the miscommunication trope.
If you like creepy lighthouses, there are plenty of other books out there that do it slightly better in my opinion.
✨
There were three things that made me excited for this book: the cover, the LGBTQ+ rep, and the blurb. A lighthouse keeper who makes a deal with the devil to keep her sister safe? Sign me up. I love lighthouse horror. (Also, if you liked this book, check out the game “Static Dread.” The two are so similar it’s crazy). There were so many cool elements, too. A ghost haunting one of the MCs, a tiny town in eastern Canada, Victorian gothic dread, a creepy lighthouse, sapphic and bi+ and nonbinary/gnc rep to name a few.
However, I feel like it just fell…flat.
Told in a dual POV of the two sisters, I felt as though the entire book just hinged on the miscommunication trope. Like… Elle. Just TALK to your sister. Tell her you were trying to protect her. Clearly she didn’t want to marry a man and you KNEW that. Elle was just annoying and overbearing and relied too much on lies. Liney on the other hand felt so whiny and childish. I get it. She grew up in her sister’s shadow and lived a very isolated life. But if you told me she was 15 instead of 18 I would’ve believed it.
So much just felt rushed, too. Like the whole devil thing just wrapped up in like a single page with an “oh, he’s not actually the devil btw!” Then there was Liney’s “imaginary friend” Chamomile. I’m still not even sure who or what she was.
There was no chemistry between Liney and her mysterious love interest. They kissed twice, declared love, then ran off to explore the world together. Elle decided she loved her ghost but died before that could be expanded on.
I really wanted to love this. It just felt so flat. The horror elements were barely even there. The characters annoyed me. I really didn’t like the miscommunication trope.
If you like creepy lighthouses, there are plenty of other books out there that do it slightly better in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Fate Worse Than Drowning.
This book immediately caught my attention with its eerie premise.
A lighthouse keeper who made a deal with the devil to save her sister, only to spend her days guiding ships to their destruction. The atmosphere is heavy and unsettling in the best way, with the sea, the lighthouse, and the isolation all working together to create a constant sense of unease. It’s the kind of story that feels soaked in salt and guilt from the very first page.
The heart of the novel is the relationship between Elle and her sister, Liney. Their bond, and the lengths Elle is willing to go to protect Liney, raises some really compelling questions about love, sacrifice, and morality. The introduction of the shipwrecked stranger adds another layer of tension and forces Elle to confront whether there are any limits to what she’s willing to give up ... including her own soul.
That said, I found the pacing a bit uneven. Some sections lingered longer than necessary, while moments with high emotional or narrative impact could have been given more room to breathe. I also struggled at times to fully connect with the characters on a deeper emotional level, which made parts of the story feel more distant than I would have liked.
Overall, A Fate Worse Than Drowning is a haunting, thought-provoking read with strong themes and a beautifully bleak setting. While it didn’t completely pull me in from start to finish, it’s a solid choice for readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric speculative fiction with queer representation and morally complex choices.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of A Fate Worse Than Drowning.
This book immediately caught my attention with its eerie premise.
A lighthouse keeper who made a deal with the devil to save her sister, only to spend her days guiding ships to their destruction. The atmosphere is heavy and unsettling in the best way, with the sea, the lighthouse, and the isolation all working together to create a constant sense of unease. It’s the kind of story that feels soaked in salt and guilt from the very first page.
The heart of the novel is the relationship between Elle and her sister, Liney. Their bond, and the lengths Elle is willing to go to protect Liney, raises some really compelling questions about love, sacrifice, and morality. The introduction of the shipwrecked stranger adds another layer of tension and forces Elle to confront whether there are any limits to what she’s willing to give up ... including her own soul.
That said, I found the pacing a bit uneven. Some sections lingered longer than necessary, while moments with high emotional or narrative impact could have been given more room to breathe. I also struggled at times to fully connect with the characters on a deeper emotional level, which made parts of the story feel more distant than I would have liked.
Overall, A Fate Worse Than Drowning is a haunting, thought-provoking read with strong themes and a beautifully bleak setting. While it didn’t completely pull me in from start to finish, it’s a solid choice for readers who enjoy dark, atmospheric speculative fiction with queer representation and morally complex choices.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Fate Worse Than Drowning is a strong, horror-esque fantasy that leans heavily into spooky, unsettling vibes, (loved the idea of the lighthouse, very unique setting) and the writing was one of its biggest strengths. The atmosphere is incredibly well done—creepy, immersive, and tense in a way that really pulls you into the world. The worldbuilding is fantastic, and the author does an excellent job crafting a setting that feels ominous and alive, perfectly matching the darker tone of the story.
That said, the sibling relationship at the center of the book occasionally dragged the plot for me, as many of the conflicts could have been resolved through clearer communication. While I appreciated the emotional weight of their bond, it sometimes felt like it slowed the story more than it needed to. The love interest subplot also fell flat for me, and I couldn’t help but feel the story would have been stronger if it had focused solely on the sibling dynamic. Personally, I didn’t find the romance necessary, and it didn’t add much to the overall narrative.
The ending was very high-impact and intense, but it unfolded so quickly that it felt almost overwhelming. A lot happens in a short span of time, and I didn’t quite have the space as a reader to fully process everything before the story wrapped up. Still, despite these issues, the book shines in its atmosphere and worldbuilding and I highly recommend
That said, the sibling relationship at the center of the book occasionally dragged the plot for me, as many of the conflicts could have been resolved through clearer communication. While I appreciated the emotional weight of their bond, it sometimes felt like it slowed the story more than it needed to. The love interest subplot also fell flat for me, and I couldn’t help but feel the story would have been stronger if it had focused solely on the sibling dynamic. Personally, I didn’t find the romance necessary, and it didn’t add much to the overall narrative.
The ending was very high-impact and intense, but it unfolded so quickly that it felt almost overwhelming. A lot happens in a short span of time, and I didn’t quite have the space as a reader to fully process everything before the story wrapped up. Still, despite these issues, the book shines in its atmosphere and worldbuilding and I highly recommend
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5/5 stars.
Ever since I saw this book for the first time, I'd been wanting to read it. And I'm so happy that I got the chance to read this ARC! Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah L. Hawthorn and Poisoned Pen Press for this free copy.
This book is exquisite since the first page. Following Elle and Liney, we go through a supernatural tale of two sisters and the lengths we go to save those we love, and the consequences of playing with the darkness. I loved Liney's silent strength, even when sick and delicate, she is determined and stubborn, but my favorite was definitely Elle. Such a complex character, so flawed yet so enchanting in a dark way. And I loved the relationship that develops with Douglas.
The writing is a salt-speckled delight. I felt brought to the island, to its windy rocky shores, the wild sea waves and the almighty lighthouse standing tall against the elements. The book is chilling and tragic, and I definitely recommend you get this book as soon as it's out.
Ever since I saw this book for the first time, I'd been wanting to read it. And I'm so happy that I got the chance to read this ARC! Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah L. Hawthorn and Poisoned Pen Press for this free copy.
This book is exquisite since the first page. Following Elle and Liney, we go through a supernatural tale of two sisters and the lengths we go to save those we love, and the consequences of playing with the darkness. I loved Liney's silent strength, even when sick and delicate, she is determined and stubborn, but my favorite was definitely Elle. Such a complex character, so flawed yet so enchanting in a dark way. And I loved the relationship that develops with Douglas.
The writing is a salt-speckled delight. I felt brought to the island, to its windy rocky shores, the wild sea waves and the almighty lighthouse standing tall against the elements. The book is chilling and tragic, and I definitely recommend you get this book as soon as it's out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley & Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning is so beautifully written. It gives a very spooky atmospheric vibe and the author really knows how to give her words life. I did feel very immersed the whole time.
Although the premise of the book was a huge part of the reason I requested this book, unfortunately it really felt flat for me. The pacing, the insta-love type romance, the whole twist felt so rushed to me.
Nonetheless it is a good read and I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, creepy read.
A Fate Worse Than Drowning is so beautifully written. It gives a very spooky atmospheric vibe and the author really knows how to give her words life. I did feel very immersed the whole time.
Although the premise of the book was a huge part of the reason I requested this book, unfortunately it really felt flat for me. The pacing, the insta-love type romance, the whole twist felt so rushed to me.
Nonetheless it is a good read and I’d recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, creepy read.
Read
January 14, 2026A Fate Worse than Drowning by new to me author Sarah L. Hawthorn published by PPPress.
This book had me in knots. It's a horror story, ok I get it. The story starts out with fish getting gutted - ok its a horror story and I get that too. But the storyline, making a pact with the lord of he doublesticks? And keeping all to herself and being forced living on an isolate, desolate island and playing siren?? I just don't getit.
When you like a story where there isn't much common sense, but hanebüchene entertainment this is your story.
This book had me in knots. It's a horror story, ok I get it. The story starts out with fish getting gutted - ok its a horror story and I get that too. But the storyline, making a pact with the lord of he doublesticks? And keeping all to herself and being forced living on an isolate, desolate island and playing siren?? I just don't getit.
When you like a story where there isn't much common sense, but hanebüchene entertainment this is your story.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love doomed sibling books so much. Bonus if the romance is actually interesting and adds something to the plot.
This book was a fantastic blend of almost folk/fairytale horror, fantasy and historical. Having a lighthouse setting on the island created such an isolating and eerie atmosphere that was perfect for balancing the pacing enough to get to know the sisters and their dynamics with their potential love interests too.
The writer had a great balance of plot, pacing, nuanced characters and romance.
This book was a fantastic blend of almost folk/fairytale horror, fantasy and historical. Having a lighthouse setting on the island created such an isolating and eerie atmosphere that was perfect for balancing the pacing enough to get to know the sisters and their dynamics with their potential love interests too.
The writer had a great balance of plot, pacing, nuanced characters and romance.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Excellent excellent. A wonderful twisty turny novel with magic weaved throughout. Strong female characters and a great read. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
to-read-lgbtq
December 29, 2025entered goodreads giveaway (excited for fantasy/horror)
January 15, 2026
This is a dark, atmospheric read with a strong premise. The isolated lighthouse setting and the idea of a devil’s bargain create a steady sense of unease, and the writing is solid throughout. I appreciated the focus on sisterhood, sacrifice, and moral tension, and the queer elements.
The pacing and structure didn’t always work for me, and I think the emotional impact could have been stronger with more time spent developing the characters and relationships. Still, it was an easy, moody read with an interesting concept, and I’d be curious to see where the author goes next.
The pacing and structure didn’t always work for me, and I think the emotional impact could have been stronger with more time spent developing the characters and relationships. Still, it was an easy, moody read with an interesting concept, and I’d be curious to see where the author goes next.
January 13, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC.
Fantastic world building and some great twists. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be buying it when its released!
Fantastic world building and some great twists. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be buying it when its released!
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