Daughters of Arkham

Daughters of Arkham #1

by Justin Robinson, David A. Rodriguez, Charles Paul Wilson III (Illustrator)

In Arkham, Massachusetts, the line between the haves and the have-nots is steeped in colonial tradition that stretches back over four hundred years. The Daughters of Arkham, a secret society of wealthy women, stand at the center of it all. On the surface, their power is assured by blood and money. Beneath it, they hold pacts with strange entities beyond the understanding of mortals.

Fourteen-year-old Abigail Thorndike is the scion of the most important family in Arkham. When she becomes mysteriously pregnant, she is outcast, left alone to unravel the secrets of her haunted town. Abby must risk her status, her humanity, and the fate of her unborn child to stand against her family and the rising darkness to defend the very town that shunned her.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Cthulhu Mythos, Fiction

420 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2015

About the author

Much like film noir, Justin Robinson was born and raised in Los Angeles. He splits his time between editing comic books, writing prose and wondering what that disgusting smell is. Degrees in Anthropology and History prepared him for unemployment, but an obsession with horror fiction and a laundry list of phobias provided a more attractive option.

Reviews

[Leila · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are young adults dealing with young adult problems in this story... but alongside that, young adults dealing with extremely adult (and horrifying) problems. This story is a wonderful blend of YA fiction and eldritch horror, with characters that are easy to relate to... and grow attached to. I'm not familiar with every YA book out there by any means, but nearly all of the teenagers in this story are as complex as any adult, and I feel like that's actually not all that common in YA books (brooding boys with Secret Hearts Of Gold come to mind).

I have very few qualms with the story, and they hardly impacted my enjoyment of the book. I got particularly hung up on a character's name, and on the strange habit for everyone to shorten already shortened names (though to be fair, that does kind of get addressed in the writing). Small word choice issues, moments where I wondered "would a 14 year old actually think this or feel this?"

But then I realized... mostly, yes. 14 year old Abigail Thorndike and 14 year old me had very, VERY similar thoughts, especially with regards to boys and school. Halfway through the story, I stopped thinking of their specific ages and just thought of the characters as "teenagers", which helped me get past any hangups I had about their actions or thoughts.

There's a creeping sense of horror throughout the story, the sense that you are only ever privy to as much of the mystery as the characters are, and it constantly urged me to keep turning pages to get to the end of the story (where a very major mystery is still not solved, so I guess I have to wait for the second book!).

There's a very touching, and satisfying, moment between two of the (male) main characters near the end of the book, and I won't ruin it, but it did make me a little teary eyed.

I strongly suggest this book to anyone who likes a little Arkham horror in their lives, or anyone who's curious about what that actually means. The characters are sympathetic and interesting, the setting is gorgeous and vibrant, and I can't wait for what happens next in the lives of the Arkham teenagers.

[Dhiraj Bharude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Books like Daughters of Arkham are the reason I fell in love with reading. The story sucks you in very early on, and I found myself completely unable to think about anything else until I finished it, stealing every free second I had to just read one page! The dialogue and internal struggles of the main characters feel genuine, and they don't seem dumbed down like we so often see in YA fiction, which makes it a story that I'd reccomend to anyone over 12, not 12-18.
The storyline has some moments that are a little predictable (this IS YA fiction, afterall) but for the most part, I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things would unfold. The imagery throughout this story makes you feel like you're right there in Arkham, and makes all of the fantastical happenings seem very believable. There are so many unanswered questions at the end of this book, and I genuinely can not wait for the second book. Overall, this is a great story that has something for everyone and can't be confined to any specific genre.There's a creeping sense of horror throughout the story, the sense that you are only ever privy to as much of the mystery as the characters are, and it constantly urged me to keep turning pages to get to the end of the story (where a very major mystery is still not solved, so I guess I have to wait for the second book!).

There's a very touching, and satisfying, moment between two of the (male) main characters near the end of the book, and I won't ruin it, but it did make me a little teary eyed.

I strongly suggest this book to anyone who likes a little Arkham horror in their lives, or anyone who's curious about what that actually means. The characters are sympathetic and interesting, the setting is gorgeous and vibrant, and I can't wait for what happens next in the lives of the Arkham teenagers.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed Daughters of Arkham.
It was a pleasure getting lost in the beautiful scenery and rich history of this magically constructed otherworldly town; through truth be told if it were a tangible place to visit I don't know if I would step foot there, not after what I know now.

The story is told in 3rd person with many shorter chapters, most of which are dedicated to each individual character. "One more chapter" can be a dangerous game sometimes, haha. This approach gives you an interesting insite into the psyche of the individuals and an overall greater appreciation of the unfolding subplots. I love when you get little bits and pieces and the mystery unfolds in real time along with the main characters. A definite page turner! And while I found a major plotline of the story almost a little taboo, it made it that much more captivating, I had to know more. *I'm no prude!*

There were some fun things I appreciated too, like some cleverly sprinkled in foreshadowing and a healthy amount of great vocabulary. An ease of effortless character development and tons of easily relatable attributes even to those of regal lifestyles, which is hard to do but not here.

I'm genuinely looking forward to book #2 of this trilogy. There's so many places the author can go with the story and I'm excited to see what he comes up with next. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great literary escape, it was very well done.

[Arcade Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you hear the term, "Young Adult" with regards to book series, it is usually steeped in images of the Twilight or Divergent series. What Justin Robinson has been able to do is give us (the readers) a fully thought-out story about young people that is both real and engaging.

Daughters of Arkham is one of those books that pulls you in from the very start! Abigail Thorndike , is an intriguing and genuine character who you want to want to see return in future books! And the town of Arkham itself is this beautiful mix of old Salem and Gotham City!

We loved this book and can't wait for a follow up!

[Lenissa]

Amazing

What did I just read? This book was absolutely amazing. Words can't begin to describe how I feel about this book. I read a lot of YA and this book is different from the rest. It's unlike any book I ever read from the genre. The characters felt real, they weren't perfect. The ending, man that ending. I need to know what's going to happen next.

[Malynnda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous YA book. I started it in the summer but misplaced it. Then I picked it back up and could put it down! I want book two!!!!

[Kayt Free · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of Arkham is the first book I've read in my adult life that I couldn't pick up before bedtime because I would either: read until 3am before I realized NO I HAVE TO STOP. I HAVE TO BE UP IN A FEW HOURS, or, if I did manage to pry myself away, couldn't sleep not from fear (though there is horror) but curiosity. DOA is the type of book that reminds me why I love reading so much.

Some others have commented that they were scared. I suppose I'm a little dark myself because it was the dark parts that were some of the most thrilling.

I think most thrilling though is how much, as an adult, I've taken away from the characters and their relationships to one another. Abby's courage genuinely inspires me and has encouraged me to push through a couple tough times already. I can only imagine how reading this book might positively affect a true young adult. I wish it were around when I was a teen.

Strange that a teenage fictional character would inspire you so, you might think, but not really considering the authors. Rodriguez especially, as I am most familiar with his work, has a genius for creating characters with such extraordinary depth that you can't help but relate to most if not all of them, and love them all dearly—and love to hate, sometimes. Even when the realness between them twists your heart because you just want things to be okay! But, like life, that's not the case 100% of the time.

It's the connection you feel to the characters along with the expert and thoughtful storytelling that will whisk you away to Arkham (and beyond) for hours and hours. You'll lose yourself in exploring this place's fantastic secrets along with the young adults who are complex humans, as they are in life.

I seriously cannot wait until Book Two to solve more of the mysteries yet unresolved—and a sort of new one at the very end!

[J. Ringo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping book by Robinson! With its mix of H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, Daniel Handler (think of The Basic Eight, not A Series of Unfortunate Events), and Roman Polanski, all mixed with a YA setting, it's a truly unique achievement. As someone who is, by all objective measures, too old to care about a group of 14-16 year old kids, I really wasn't too interested in this book and only read it because I'm a fan of Robinson's previous work (on a related note, I was previously unfamiliar with the work of David Rodriguez, but after reading this I'll definitely check out his canon), but the characters were so fully developed and three dimensional that I soon stopped thinking of them as "kids" and just began to think of them as regular people. If you're a fan of Lovecraft, King (in particular It and its setting of Derry, Maine), YA fiction, fluffernutters, or just good writing in general, then I'd definitely recommend this book to you.

Can't wait for the second book to come out!

[Danielle Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of my seat through the whole book, but not in a painful way. In a "holy crap, where is this going and this is awesome" kind of way. That doesn't give you much about the story...but I think that's okay because I didn't know anything going into the book and I was pleasantly entertained by the turns the story took.

Can't wait for the next book! :D

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I genuinely can't wait to read the next one!

[Mrs. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bough my book at the Gen Con and could not put it down. It's captivating and amazingly creative!

[Jessica Peveler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable addition to the Lovecraft universe. I was continually intrigued by where the plot was going and how dark it would get, given the age of the main characters and nature of the plot. Great balance, in the end. Looking forward to sequels.

Two drawbacks: authors' real-world references (stores, television, etc.) was out of place and interrupted the feel of the Arkham setting. Also, there were many editing and formatting errors (Kindle) that were distracting--probably the worst case I've ever seen in a book.

[Adam Shilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is very well written. The character development throughout the story makes the reader truly care what will happen by the end. While the story for the most part seems like it will resolve all questions by the finale it leaves a great ending that leaves the reader excitedly waiting for the nect installment of the series.

[Kallista · Rating 1 out of 5]

Seriously disappointing. Promising story, but very juvenile, boring characters and not enough depth.

[Katrina Roets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you're handed a book and it turns out to be nothing like you were expecting. That's what happened to me with Daughters of Arkham. For some reason, I was expecting something a bit more Batman related. I blame that on the fact that when I think Arkham, I think Arkham Asylum and that I picked this book up from the author at a convention. My brain was firmly in comic mode.



This book is not that. It's a very well written Young Adult horror novel. So well written that as someone who doesn't do a lot in the horror genre couldn't put it down. I was picking it up every opportunity I had. While the main characters may be teenagers, the authors took the time to really develop them so that you form a connection with them as a reader. There is just enough detail in every scene that you can see it in your head and that ending...woo boy...I need to get in touch with them about book 2 soon!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read

Fantastic descriptions. I know of Lovecraft’s importance in the genre of horror, and the idea of “cosmic horror” was always intriguing, if not ambiguous, to me. But I hadn’t expected how much I’d enjoy this book. It had great descriptions, of environment, creatures, and psychology. The atmosphere of unease permeated throughout the book, with brief scenes of horror and grandure. It was not gory or graphic, but created a disturbing atmosphere nonetheless.
The plot reached a resolution in the end, though there are several questions left unanswered, and last minute events to propagate the sequel. I enjoyed reading this book, and I look forward to reading the next. Anyone who wants a great book featuring cosmic horror and a Lovecraftian-inspired world (but didn’t want to read the racism), this is a great read for you.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Lovecraftian Tale

Abby has lived in Arkham her whole life. She will soon be inducted into the secret society known as the Daughters but she's weighing the cost. One night at a carnival changes her entire life...a night she can't remember. As the mystery spills it's secrets, Abby finds that the town of Arkham holds a special place for her but will the new knowledge cost her her sanity, her life or both?
This was a great read and builds as you follow Abby through her crazy life that reveals more and more as you near the end. Can't wait for book two of this series and neither will you!

[Stephanie Rhone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took a little while to get into, I actually started it a while back and put it down. I wish I would have pushed through cause it and after reading I totally understand why they started it the way they did. I was not expecting all the spookiness and creatures and mystery! This book gives you major "I need to know!" feelings, I couldn't put it down!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the horror, think it's a fitting story to have teens as main characters

[Sylri · Rating 3 out of 5]

So. Let me just say that this was the first YA book that I’ve read in a loooooooong long time.

A very long time.

And some of my problems with Daughters reminded me why I haven’t picked up a YA book in so long.

I’ve simply outgrown/grown tired of some teen problems, and I think they’re presented here in a way that will most likely be appreciated only by teens (not saying this is bad for a book aimed at teens, just is a heads up since YA seems to be read by a lot of adults).

Like the love triangle.

And I originally had a lot more to say about the love triangle bit, but I feel like it sounded way too harsh and made this review sound more negative than I meant for it to. So I'm gonna cut that bit out.

But yea. Trigger warning for love triangles if you're like me.

So that was my biggest gripe with the book. Freaking love triangles man.

The hardness of a pregnancy on a 14 year old also seemed to be a bit glossed over for me, but the book was probably pressed as it was with the points of view starting to spread out over Abby’s social circle.

But what were the good parts?

I really dig the setting!! I was drawn to this book initially because I wanted to see how a YA book would tackle the Cthulhu Mythos. I also wanted to read a scenario with an old ladies’ club pulling the strings of Arkham society.

And overall, I think it did a good job.
There were some savage and gory moments, which were awesome and what I signed up for.
Then there would be an odd mood whiplash where soon after Abby would be agonizing over what Bryce thought of her. I came to accept that I was just not the target audience for these moments, and I do realize that not all YA books are like this… but I suppose the category has its stereotypes for a reason.
But maybe this is why there aren’t more horror YA books - it’s hard to include the more stereotypical ‘teen’ moments without it clashing with the horrific ones.

Also kudos to the authors for coming up with their own unique monsters rather than just rehashing some of Lovecraft’s more commonly used creations!

Despite some of my annoyances, I fell in love with the characters and I want to see what happens to them next!! I look forward to seeing what’s in store for Abby & friends and her baby.

BUT JUSTICE FOR NATE BAXTER PLEASE!!! HE’S MY FAVORITE CHARACTER AND DESERVES BETTER.

[Nicholas Diak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of Arkham is a successful endeavor at taking only threadbare Lovecraft elements and re purposing them as a young adult novel, the first in a series. The novel reads as a YA detective-occult-thriller, and concerns the exploits of four friends looking into the town’s dark past, a town ruled by the titular Daughters. The lead character, Abby, is also pregnant after am amnesiac night at a carnival, and the town is full of Innsmouth-inspired fish-folk that only she can see. The characters and their detective work is the true highlight of the book, though the book falters in dealing with Abby’s pregnancy and having too many unresolved mysteries.

My full review can be read at Fanbase Press:

http://www.fanbasepress.com/index.php...

[Brittany Marin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters were compelling and the mystery behind it all was intriguing. It did take me a while to get into it and the story lagged a bit, which is probably why it took so long for me to finish. Repetitive language and descriptors didn't help, either. Overall, I enjoyed reading Daughters of Arkham.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story!

I'm ready for the next book now!
Fast paced, fun fantasy story.
Great characters; appreciate the way they are written.
Original yet familiar, 5 stars.
Didn't want to put it down.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. Interesting characters and plot, but much more YA than I was expecting and I found the ending a little quick and disappointing.