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Dreaming Darkly
Ivy Bloodgood’s mother is dead, and she should probably be sad about it. But she isn’t. Myra Bloodgood was confusing mix of protective and abusive, a manipulative personality who never told the truth—about where she came from, who Ivy’s father was, or why they were living their lives on the run.
Now that Ivy has been sent to Darkhaven, an island off the New England coast, to live with a rich uncle she didn’t know existed, she is forced to reckon with her mother’s past. Ivy can tell right away there are long-held family secrets buried within these walls, but when she wakes up from one of her nightmares covered in someone else’s blood, Ivy fears that whatever demons her mother battled while she was alive have come to roost in her own mind. Scared that she can no longer trust what she sees, Ivy seeks the help of a boy who thinks her episodes are connected to the sordid history of Darkhaven—but what they don’t know might kill them both.
A moody and twisty gothic mystery with an impossible romance, Dreaming Darkly is an atmospheric, fast-paced page-turner written by comics veteran Caitlin Kittredge.
Now that Ivy has been sent to Darkhaven, an island off the New England coast, to live with a rich uncle she didn’t know existed, she is forced to reckon with her mother’s past. Ivy can tell right away there are long-held family secrets buried within these walls, but when she wakes up from one of her nightmares covered in someone else’s blood, Ivy fears that whatever demons her mother battled while she was alive have come to roost in her own mind. Scared that she can no longer trust what she sees, Ivy seeks the help of a boy who thinks her episodes are connected to the sordid history of Darkhaven—but what they don’t know might kill them both.
A moody and twisty gothic mystery with an impossible romance, Dreaming Darkly is an atmospheric, fast-paced page-turner written by comics veteran Caitlin Kittredge.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2019
26 people are currently reading
4767 people want to read
About the author
Caitlin Kittredge
171 books1,119 followersCaitlin started writing novels at age 13. Her first was a Star Wars tie-in. Fortunately, she branched out from there and after a few years trying to be a screenwriter, a comic book writer and the author of copious amounts of fanfiction, she tried to write a novel again. Her epic dark fantasy (thankfully) never saw the light of day but while she was struggling with elves and sorcerers she got the idea of writing a story about a werewolf who fought crime.
Two years and many, many drafts later, she pitched Night Life to a bevy of agents and one of them, Rachel Vater, sold the series to St. Martin’s.
Caitlin collects comic books, print books, vintage clothes, and bad habits. She loves tea, loud music, the color black (especially mixed with the color pink) and ghost stories. She can drive a stick shift, play the violin and knows more English curses than American ones.
Caitlin lives in Olympia, WA with two pushy cats.
http://us.macmillan.com/bonegods/Cait...
Two years and many, many drafts later, she pitched Night Life to a bevy of agents and one of them, Rachel Vater, sold the series to St. Martin’s.
Caitlin collects comic books, print books, vintage clothes, and bad habits. She loves tea, loud music, the color black (especially mixed with the color pink) and ghost stories. She can drive a stick shift, play the violin and knows more English curses than American ones.
Caitlin lives in Olympia, WA with two pushy cats.
http://us.macmillan.com/bonegods/Cait...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
April 16, 2019
This sort of synopsis is exactly the sort of thing I love to read so I was all in.
I liked Ivy. She’s resilient and tough, but secretly a marshmallow. Doyle and Valerie and Betty were all great secondary characters I loved the (mostly) supportive female relationships.
Plot wise, it was okay. It started out strong, but my interest quickly started to fade once I realized that I was more than half way through and nothing had really happened. The explanation slash reveal was sort of lacking; however there were a couple of things that did surprise me. It’s those things made this a 3 star rating instead of 2.
Overall, I would have liked a bit more tension and more from the ending, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading.
**Huge thanks to Katherine Tegen Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I liked Ivy. She’s resilient and tough, but secretly a marshmallow. Doyle and Valerie and Betty were all great secondary characters I loved the (mostly) supportive female relationships.
Plot wise, it was okay. It started out strong, but my interest quickly started to fade once I realized that I was more than half way through and nothing had really happened. The explanation slash reveal was sort of lacking; however there were a couple of things that did surprise me. It’s those things made this a 3 star rating instead of 2.
Overall, I would have liked a bit more tension and more from the ending, but it was interesting enough to keep me reading.
**Huge thanks to Katherine Tegen Books for providing the arc free of charge**
March 22, 2019
3.5 stars
Ivy Bloodgood is aged beyond her seventeen years thanks to a rough childhood with a mentally ill mom with a transient lifestyle.
Ivy is shocked to learn after her mother's suicide the surprising secrets that were kept from her; most of all that she has an uncle Simon on Darkhaven, an island off the coast of Maine, living in the crumbling Bloodgood mansion. Her mother's childhood home will now become her own.
As soon as Ivy steps foot on Darkhaven there is a sense of foreboding. The creepy housekeeper Mrs. MacLeod doesn't exactly make a great first impression and is quick to lay down some ground rules:
"This island is seven miles long, but for your purposes the road ends at three and a half. You stay on the Bloodgood side of Darkhaven, am I clear? The Ramseys don't like trespassers, and the state of Maine gives them ample right to shoot you if you cross the property line." *
The Ramsey family has lived on Darkhaven as long as the Bloodgoods though there is a serious feud between the two that spans generations. Of course Ivy immediately wanders the island without considering its property lines and runs into Doyle Ramsey, the resident cocky high school guy and sworn enemy of her family.
It's Doyle who begins to share with Ivy the history of the Bloodgoods and the Ramseys, which includes some cold-blooded murder and a good old-fashioned curse.
Ivy begins an uneasy friendship with Doyle while trying to get her uncle Simon to open up with the truth about the family curse and her mother's illness. Simon seems to be just as skilled as her mother with keeping secrets so she enlists the help of Doyle to find out the truth... and quickly, because Ivy fears she's beginning to battle the same inner demons as her mother.
"And it was clear to me there was something dark about my family's island, something that gathered tragedy to it like a magnet. Thirty years ago four people had vanished without a trace. My great-grandfather had massacred the Ramseys. My mother had gone mad there. And now Neil Ramsey was dead, and near as I could tell, somebody was following me, on Darkhaven and now the mainland." *
Dreaming Darkly was an impressive YA gothic mystery full of family secrets, curses, and rumors that had me glued to my reading chair! I loved the atmosphere and the mystery.
I'm going to sound like a broken record here if you've read several of my previous reviews in the YA genre: my only complaint is that the story suffers slightly because of the fast pace and lack of character development. We get a lot of history since it's important to the plot but would've been even better with more detail. Also, the instant attraction between Ivy and Doyle is believable but the trust Ivy immediately places in Doyle is tough to believe because of her past; I would've appreciated further character development. I adore that the author didn't give us a romance because it would've been completely out of place in this story.
If you need a creepy gothic mystery in your life, this book is worth picking up!
Thanks to Katherine Tegen Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a DRC in exchange for my honest review. Dreaming Darkly is scheduled for release on April 9, 2019.
*Quotes included are from a digital advance readers copy and are subject to change upon final publication.
For more full reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Ivy Bloodgood is aged beyond her seventeen years thanks to a rough childhood with a mentally ill mom with a transient lifestyle.
Ivy is shocked to learn after her mother's suicide the surprising secrets that were kept from her; most of all that she has an uncle Simon on Darkhaven, an island off the coast of Maine, living in the crumbling Bloodgood mansion. Her mother's childhood home will now become her own.
As soon as Ivy steps foot on Darkhaven there is a sense of foreboding. The creepy housekeeper Mrs. MacLeod doesn't exactly make a great first impression and is quick to lay down some ground rules:
"This island is seven miles long, but for your purposes the road ends at three and a half. You stay on the Bloodgood side of Darkhaven, am I clear? The Ramseys don't like trespassers, and the state of Maine gives them ample right to shoot you if you cross the property line." *
The Ramsey family has lived on Darkhaven as long as the Bloodgoods though there is a serious feud between the two that spans generations. Of course Ivy immediately wanders the island without considering its property lines and runs into Doyle Ramsey, the resident cocky high school guy and sworn enemy of her family.
It's Doyle who begins to share with Ivy the history of the Bloodgoods and the Ramseys, which includes some cold-blooded murder and a good old-fashioned curse.
Ivy begins an uneasy friendship with Doyle while trying to get her uncle Simon to open up with the truth about the family curse and her mother's illness. Simon seems to be just as skilled as her mother with keeping secrets so she enlists the help of Doyle to find out the truth... and quickly, because Ivy fears she's beginning to battle the same inner demons as her mother.
"And it was clear to me there was something dark about my family's island, something that gathered tragedy to it like a magnet. Thirty years ago four people had vanished without a trace. My great-grandfather had massacred the Ramseys. My mother had gone mad there. And now Neil Ramsey was dead, and near as I could tell, somebody was following me, on Darkhaven and now the mainland." *
Dreaming Darkly was an impressive YA gothic mystery full of family secrets, curses, and rumors that had me glued to my reading chair! I loved the atmosphere and the mystery.
I'm going to sound like a broken record here if you've read several of my previous reviews in the YA genre: my only complaint is that the story suffers slightly because of the fast pace and lack of character development. We get a lot of history since it's important to the plot but would've been even better with more detail. Also, the instant attraction between Ivy and Doyle is believable but the trust Ivy immediately places in Doyle is tough to believe because of her past; I would've appreciated further character development. I adore that the author didn't give us a romance because it would've been completely out of place in this story.
If you need a creepy gothic mystery in your life, this book is worth picking up!
Thanks to Katherine Tegen Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a DRC in exchange for my honest review. Dreaming Darkly is scheduled for release on April 9, 2019.
*Quotes included are from a digital advance readers copy and are subject to change upon final publication.
For more full reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
October 11, 2019
"And I tell you, death will come for you three times. Once in your past and twice more in your future."
tw: mention of suicide, abuse, attempted murder (by drowning), murder
Looking for an underrated creepy read to add to your ever growing TBR this month? Well, here's one for you. Dreaming Darkly is a mysterious, dark, gothic read, about a young girl piecing together her past and the dangerous secrets her family carries when she gets shipped back to an island her family grew up on called Darkhaven. After the death of her mother, Ivy, is forced to go back to the island her mother fled before losing her mind. As Ivy starts to meet people on the island and in the teeny tiny town she has to attend school in, she beings to unravel the secrets of her family and the island all the while fearing that she might be following in her mother's footsteps and losing her mind as well. Believe me when I tell you Darkhaven will give you all the creepy vibes this October.
"It was clear to me there was something dark about my family's island, something that gathered tragedy to it like a magnet."
I really enjoyed all the characters in this one, good and bad, but what really stood out for me was the world building. It was incredible. As soon as Ivy got to Darkhaven I knew I was in for a creepy, good time. Darkhaven is equal parts haunting and dare I say cozy? I mean, imagine living in a mansion on an island tucked away in a quaint little town. Yes, please. There are some parts that are just downright creepy and it worked even more with the atmosphere of the island. It takes a lot for a me to get creeped out while reading a book, but this one did the job. My favorite part of all was once Ivy got to the island and started having nightmares. The story really takes off when she begins to question what's real and what isn't and sets out to figure out the curse that plagues her family, the blood feud between their neighbors, and is trying not get murdered all at the same time. We love an unreliable narrator over here.
"Everyone pretty much goes through life assuming they’re fine, until they’re not."
As for why I had to knock a few stars off...I did find the ending to be pretty predictable, but I usually always do when it comes to mysteries. It was still a somewhat enjoyable ending that tied up all the loose ends nicely. My biggest issue with this one was the pacing. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this book but the ending felt super rushed. The plot twists of the ending were pretty good but I was definitely bummed that the big end scene was over so quickly. All in all, if you are looking for that perfectly creepy, atmospheric read for this month Dreaming Darkly is definitely a strong contender. You'll be able to fly though this one in no time!
Blog | Twitter
tw: mention of suicide, abuse, attempted murder (by drowning), murder
Looking for an underrated creepy read to add to your ever growing TBR this month? Well, here's one for you. Dreaming Darkly is a mysterious, dark, gothic read, about a young girl piecing together her past and the dangerous secrets her family carries when she gets shipped back to an island her family grew up on called Darkhaven. After the death of her mother, Ivy, is forced to go back to the island her mother fled before losing her mind. As Ivy starts to meet people on the island and in the teeny tiny town she has to attend school in, she beings to unravel the secrets of her family and the island all the while fearing that she might be following in her mother's footsteps and losing her mind as well. Believe me when I tell you Darkhaven will give you all the creepy vibes this October.
"It was clear to me there was something dark about my family's island, something that gathered tragedy to it like a magnet."
I really enjoyed all the characters in this one, good and bad, but what really stood out for me was the world building. It was incredible. As soon as Ivy got to Darkhaven I knew I was in for a creepy, good time. Darkhaven is equal parts haunting and dare I say cozy? I mean, imagine living in a mansion on an island tucked away in a quaint little town. Yes, please. There are some parts that are just downright creepy and it worked even more with the atmosphere of the island. It takes a lot for a me to get creeped out while reading a book, but this one did the job. My favorite part of all was once Ivy got to the island and started having nightmares. The story really takes off when she begins to question what's real and what isn't and sets out to figure out the curse that plagues her family, the blood feud between their neighbors, and is trying not get murdered all at the same time. We love an unreliable narrator over here.
"Everyone pretty much goes through life assuming they’re fine, until they’re not."
As for why I had to knock a few stars off...I did find the ending to be pretty predictable, but I usually always do when it comes to mysteries. It was still a somewhat enjoyable ending that tied up all the loose ends nicely. My biggest issue with this one was the pacing. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of this book but the ending felt super rushed. The plot twists of the ending were pretty good but I was definitely bummed that the big end scene was over so quickly. All in all, if you are looking for that perfectly creepy, atmospheric read for this month Dreaming Darkly is definitely a strong contender. You'll be able to fly though this one in no time!
Blog | Twitter
April 3, 2019
3.5 stars
Gothic mystery novels are a favorite of mine, and Dreaming Darkly is an eerie novel that, albeit a bit predictable and dramatic at times, was an exciting read overall.
After the death of Ivy's mother, she's sent back to her family's old manor on a private island off the coast of Maine. When she gets there, she finds that not everything and everyone is at it seems, and strange dreams start feeling a bit too real. I found this story really intriguing from the very first page. Ivy's life with her mom, her mom's mysterious past, her family's history are all really interesting. I found myself flying to the pages to find out every detail I could about this ominous family tree. This mystery aspect is done really well, with a good combination of twists and turns that are scattered throughout.
The atmosphere in the book is fantastic as well. The imagery of this secluded island full of secrets and lies and murders is vivid and hair-raising. It makes the story all the more intense as you know these characters are isolated from the real world. Left on their own with family members who are essentially strangers. Strangers that she keeps being warned about...
So why did I not rate this 4 stars? While I enjoyed the moody, dark vibe in this book, I found the story itself to be quite predictable. While I never figured out all the details, I had a good idea from pretty early on what was happening to Ivy - why she was having these hallucinations and lucid dreams. I kept wanting to scream at her for being so trusting, especially after living the life she lived with her mother - she should have known better. I also found her outbursts to be a bit melodramatic. She's portrayed as a hard-ass, tough-skinned scam artist who lived a rough crime-filled life, yet she reacts like a 6 year old when someone calls her names.
All in all, Dreaming Darkly is dark and cryptic, with a terrible family secret that will leave you turning the pages.
Gothic mystery novels are a favorite of mine, and Dreaming Darkly is an eerie novel that, albeit a bit predictable and dramatic at times, was an exciting read overall.
After the death of Ivy's mother, she's sent back to her family's old manor on a private island off the coast of Maine. When she gets there, she finds that not everything and everyone is at it seems, and strange dreams start feeling a bit too real. I found this story really intriguing from the very first page. Ivy's life with her mom, her mom's mysterious past, her family's history are all really interesting. I found myself flying to the pages to find out every detail I could about this ominous family tree. This mystery aspect is done really well, with a good combination of twists and turns that are scattered throughout.
The atmosphere in the book is fantastic as well. The imagery of this secluded island full of secrets and lies and murders is vivid and hair-raising. It makes the story all the more intense as you know these characters are isolated from the real world. Left on their own with family members who are essentially strangers. Strangers that she keeps being warned about...
So why did I not rate this 4 stars? While I enjoyed the moody, dark vibe in this book, I found the story itself to be quite predictable. While I never figured out all the details, I had a good idea from pretty early on what was happening to Ivy - why she was having these hallucinations and lucid dreams. I kept wanting to scream at her for being so trusting, especially after living the life she lived with her mother - she should have known better. I also found her outbursts to be a bit melodramatic. She's portrayed as a hard-ass, tough-skinned scam artist who lived a rough crime-filled life, yet she reacts like a 6 year old when someone calls her names.
All in all, Dreaming Darkly is dark and cryptic, with a terrible family secret that will leave you turning the pages.
June 25, 2019
It was ok, I guess. Some things were really predictable, and the rhythm was kind of slow at times, which is why I don't rate it with 4 ⭐️ It was an interesting mystery, though. Different that the typical YA mysteries.
November 23, 2025
Read: November 2025
Rating: 5/5 stars, best of 2025
The Plot: Teenager Ivy Bloodgood is sent to live with her estranged uncle on a mysterious island following the death of her mother. Soon she is caught up in old island rivalries, legends of curses and murders, and the pervasive threat of mental illness that is said to run through the Bloodgood women.
What I liked
- Ivy is well-written; she has a tough exterior due to her hard upbringing, but you can see her vulnerabilities underneath it despite it all.
- The setting. As a reader it was easy to picture the gloomy, forested run-down island that was the setting for most of the action.
- The references to Jane Eyre and Rebecca were a nice touch to pay homage to the obvious influence they had on Dreaming Darkly. I also liked the snarky Twilight reference!
- I was kept guessing most of the way through the novel as to whether there would be any paranormal/supernatural elements to the plot. There are numerous times that Kittredge uses wolf imagery to refer to the Ramsey family that also inhabit the island. And with a surname like Bloodgood, I wasn't certain if there would be a vampire connection somewhere in Ivy's family. I liked that hint of the paranormal hiding under the surface.
- The secondary characters were decent and their friendships with Ivy kept her grounded in reality when she was away from the influence of her uncle.
- Doyle. I thought he was going to become a cliched love interest and it was nice to see it forming into something a bit deeper towards the end.
There wasn't a lot I didn't like! It was a bit slow to get started but once the plot started to really come together, I finished the second half of the book in just a few hours because I couldn't put it down.
Rating: 5/5 stars, best of 2025
The Plot: Teenager Ivy Bloodgood is sent to live with her estranged uncle on a mysterious island following the death of her mother. Soon she is caught up in old island rivalries, legends of curses and murders, and the pervasive threat of mental illness that is said to run through the Bloodgood women.
What I liked
- Ivy is well-written; she has a tough exterior due to her hard upbringing, but you can see her vulnerabilities underneath it despite it all.
- The setting. As a reader it was easy to picture the gloomy, forested run-down island that was the setting for most of the action.
- The references to Jane Eyre and Rebecca were a nice touch to pay homage to the obvious influence they had on Dreaming Darkly. I also liked the snarky Twilight reference!
- I was kept guessing most of the way through the novel as to whether there would be any paranormal/supernatural elements to the plot. There are numerous times that Kittredge uses wolf imagery to refer to the Ramsey family that also inhabit the island. And with a surname like Bloodgood, I wasn't certain if there would be a vampire connection somewhere in Ivy's family. I liked that hint of the paranormal hiding under the surface.
- The secondary characters were decent and their friendships with Ivy kept her grounded in reality when she was away from the influence of her uncle.
- Doyle. I thought he was going to become a cliched love interest and it was nice to see it forming into something a bit deeper towards the end.
There wasn't a lot I didn't like! It was a bit slow to get started but once the plot started to really come together, I finished the second half of the book in just a few hours because I couldn't put it down.
November 13, 2019
When Ivy's mom dies, she moves to Maine to go live with her mysterious Uncle Simon Bloodgood and his mean housekeeper Mrs Mccloud. It is only when she stays there that something dark and sinister is lurking in the shadows and driving her mad. Can Ivy survive in time before its too late? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good but creepy YA horror thriller. If you enjoy these types of stories, be sure to look for this book at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good but creepy YA horror thriller. If you enjoy these types of stories, be sure to look for this book at your local library and wherever books are sold.
April 25, 2019
Synopsis-
Ivy Bloodgood’s mother is dead, and she should probably be sad about it.
But she isn’t. Mariah Bloodgood was a confusing mix of protective and abusive, a manipulative personality who never told the truth- about where she came from, who Ivy’s father was, or why they were living their lives on the run.
Now that Ivy has been sent to Darkhaven, an island off the New England coast, to live with a rich uncle she didn’t know existed, she is forced to reckon with her mother’s past. Ivy can tell right away there are long-held family secrets buried within these walls, but when she wakes up from one of her nightmares covered in someone else’s blood, Ivy fears that whatever demons her mother battled while she was alive have come to roost in her own mind. Scared that she can no longer trust what she sees, Ivy seeks the help of a boy who thinks her episodes are connected to the sordid history of Darkhaven- but what they don’t know might kill them both.
“You deal with your issues when s child is involved,” Simon replied. “You don’t pass them on.”
I loved this book! Who doesn’t love a good mystery though? I will admit that the ending came a little too fast. It could have been stretched out a bit more but other than that it was awesome! And that plot twist near the end. Holy cow!
5/5 Stars!
Ivy Bloodgood’s mother is dead, and she should probably be sad about it.
But she isn’t. Mariah Bloodgood was a confusing mix of protective and abusive, a manipulative personality who never told the truth- about where she came from, who Ivy’s father was, or why they were living their lives on the run.
Now that Ivy has been sent to Darkhaven, an island off the New England coast, to live with a rich uncle she didn’t know existed, she is forced to reckon with her mother’s past. Ivy can tell right away there are long-held family secrets buried within these walls, but when she wakes up from one of her nightmares covered in someone else’s blood, Ivy fears that whatever demons her mother battled while she was alive have come to roost in her own mind. Scared that she can no longer trust what she sees, Ivy seeks the help of a boy who thinks her episodes are connected to the sordid history of Darkhaven- but what they don’t know might kill them both.
“You deal with your issues when s child is involved,” Simon replied. “You don’t pass them on.”
I loved this book! Who doesn’t love a good mystery though? I will admit that the ending came a little too fast. It could have been stretched out a bit more but other than that it was awesome! And that plot twist near the end. Holy cow!
5/5 Stars!
September 1, 2021
Exactly my type of read! This has all the elements I want in a book. Engaging writing style, gothic tones, originality, and not overly descriptive. The story rolled at a seamless pace. 5 stars from me, which is very rare (I'm super critical). I want to read this author's other work. I will be recommending this book as much as I can.
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**Check me out on Bookstagram/Instagram! I'm @Iheartya311
**Looking to make new book friends? Join LiterALLy BOOKiSh on Facebook to read reviews, play games, join discussions and more!
April 11, 2019
It was a quick read, and I did enjoy it.
RTC
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May 29, 2019This was ... pretty compelling, I guess, and intensely creepy in places. I didn't love how it handled mental illness in general, even if the plot resolution went in a better direction than it might have done from that point of view. I mostly enjoyed the style, and found it atmospheric and engaging, but my overall impression was a little mixed.
August 1, 2019
I tend to look more carefully at books set in Maine as I live there. aside from a bit of geography shifting and one gotcha that slipped by the editors, this is a very satisfying read with two appealing main characters, a female friend with very relatable flaws and a plot that unwinds in a most satisfying manner.
April 16, 2019
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult, Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Dreaming Darkly is a story about cursed families, dead bodies, feuding neighbors, and scary mansions that hold all sorts of mysteries. 16-year old Ivy Bloodgood (will be 17 during the story) has just lost her mother, and now finds herself on a creepy island called Darkhaven along with an uncle she's never known, a house keeper who is straight out of a creepy horror novel, a mansion that is crumbling into the ocean, and a neighbor who is eager for Ivy to run as fast as she can away from the Darkhaven and its bizarre history before it's too late.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult, Thriller, Suspense
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Dreaming Darkly is a story about cursed families, dead bodies, feuding neighbors, and scary mansions that hold all sorts of mysteries. 16-year old Ivy Bloodgood (will be 17 during the story) has just lost her mother, and now finds herself on a creepy island called Darkhaven along with an uncle she's never known, a house keeper who is straight out of a creepy horror novel, a mansion that is crumbling into the ocean, and a neighbor who is eager for Ivy to run as fast as she can away from the Darkhaven and its bizarre history before it's too late.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
June 30, 2020
*4.5 STARS*
April 20, 2019
Extending my deepest gratitude to Edelweiss and Katherine Tegen Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. However, this does not affect any opinions or feedback stated concerning the book whatsoever.
A MUST READ OF 2019! DEFINITELY A FIVE-STAR READ!
Well, at least, in my opinion. This book is way better than what I expected it to be; gritty, surprising, heartrending, mind-boggling and overall phenomenal. I seriously had no love of and expectation from this before I started spending my time with it. Much to my surprise, I fell deeply in love with how brave and smart the direction of the plot had gone to. The amount of badassery in this spectacular gem never once failed to amaze me. It only has taken me to a mysterious place full of brooding schemes and conspiracies that kept me intrigued and on board the whole time I was poring over all the details, as if every word counts. It left me immersed so deeply that I have completely forgotten how time flies so fast and days go by without any warning. It did not only that, but it also undeniably consumed me whole.
"..resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die."
The overall plot was extremely fast-paced and some events had left me highly strung. I would not take into account what exactly pushed me in that state so as not to give out any spoilers. At first, I had some worries that it might make me slightly uncomfortable because of the first line stated in the book.
"I was eight years old when my mother tried to kill me."
It left me wondering what lies ahead for my delicate heart or if my subtle psyche can handle the heaviness of the subject. But then, moments after plowing through it, I found myself craving for more and totally enmeshed in how quaint and gripping the story had become. Be forewarned, albeit rather discretionary, that you must keep the lights on when you plan to read this at night. Every event stood out and decisions made by the mc left me impressed so much so that I cared for her more and more every chapter I moved on to. The story is both satisfying and terrifying. It ended way better than I ever imagined. Suffice it to say, the story made me want to come and visit Darkhaven Island, if there ever exists one. I could use some little exploration for refreshment any time of the day.
"Everyone pretty much goes through life assuming they’re fine, until they’re not."
The writing is smooth, fairly detailed, and easy to understand. It did not leave any trifling details and every chapter had something new to offer. It was simple and straightforward, without having to stress more than enough details just to be able to get things clear and perspicuous for the readers to actually take in. Everything was explained thoroughly and the history mentioned was just about adequate to further support the overall storyline of the book. The writing is also eloquent and nearly impactful that it provoked me into feeling something every once in a while, be they anger, resentment, worry or upset. It got me engrossed, captivated and lured into figuring out Darkhaven Island and what lurked behind its dwindling richness that was once filled with glamour and effervescence.
The book has a slightly different take on its main character, Ivy Bloodgood. She knew how to make her way around people, con her way out of every difficult situation and stand up unswerving to what she believed in, whenever circumstances required her to do so. Although at times she could get pretty annoying due to her stubborness and whiny comments on anything she was not happy with, I got truly absorbed in supporting her decisions all the way through to the finish line unwaveringly. Plus, the romance that developed in the story is both cute and on point it was like I was being tickled until my breathing gave out from having to laugh sheepishly. I loved the way the two got themselves involved with each other's affairs whenever they were caught in some critical situations. Also, I would have to express my great love and enthusiasm of the railleries between the two that was quite humorous and appealing. There were also times when dialogues came off as hilarious in the middle of some threatening predicaments.
Other supporting characters were very pleasing to know more, especially Ivy's good friends Betty and Valerie, different when it came to some of their personalities and preferences but both portrayed goodwill and compassion in their own distinctive ways. I only have so much love for them. The fact that Betty's character arc reminds me so much of Betty La Fea; geeky, with huge, dark-rimmed glasses, silent type at first but really resembles an explosion when one gets to know her more, loves to talk so much so that she overshares series of non sequiturs without noticing, is enough to make me love her at such a great deal. I admit it though, just wrapping my head about it makes it agonizingly sidesplitting and absurd I cannot even get my mind off of her since. Valerie, on the other hand, for the help she had offered and given Ivy while they were on a little trip to uncover something that I should not share at your own disposal because, 'spoilers and everything.' I also adored Officer Brant for showing his deep concern with Ivy's well-being in some parts of the book and when the ending revealed something about what he did for a certain someone, I admired him even more. Everyone else's character arcs were also interesting to follow but some left me scarred for life. But hey, isn't it a good indication that you must also follow my path and devour this book right this instant? If not, then I do not know what else will do.
"You sell the lie by never believing it’s not the absolute truth as you spin your story."
Now, the worldbuilding. The island setting was so grand, mystifying and new compared to the ones I have read that align with this mind-bending genre. Delving into it was quite haunting and at times felt so surreal. It was being depicted as a place that is filled with danger and ominous signs here and there, no matter how sequestered it is from the rest of civilization. Darkhaven Island shown in the book is also the kind of island that is fascinating to wander about because the author did not reveal too much specific details at the start concerning what brought about the frightening aura the place itself congealed. It remained a mystery to me up until everything was wrapped up in the end. The setting also made me try hard to be stoical for what felt like a long time because I was so eager to decipher the mystery behind the deaths and apparent nightmares that were seemingly caused by strange occurrences or entities or any other reasons there could possibly be. I loved every last bit of it being spooky and imaginative. It was everything I never thought I needed in a YA mystery book. Hats off to Kittredge for this brilliantly written literary piece! I loved it down to its last line and I am certain you most probably will too.
So what are you waiting for, dear readers? Douse yourselves in a satisfying treat and read this book if you haven't already!
A MUST READ OF 2019! DEFINITELY A FIVE-STAR READ!
Well, at least, in my opinion. This book is way better than what I expected it to be; gritty, surprising, heartrending, mind-boggling and overall phenomenal. I seriously had no love of and expectation from this before I started spending my time with it. Much to my surprise, I fell deeply in love with how brave and smart the direction of the plot had gone to. The amount of badassery in this spectacular gem never once failed to amaze me. It only has taken me to a mysterious place full of brooding schemes and conspiracies that kept me intrigued and on board the whole time I was poring over all the details, as if every word counts. It left me immersed so deeply that I have completely forgotten how time flies so fast and days go by without any warning. It did not only that, but it also undeniably consumed me whole.
"..resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die."
The overall plot was extremely fast-paced and some events had left me highly strung. I would not take into account what exactly pushed me in that state so as not to give out any spoilers. At first, I had some worries that it might make me slightly uncomfortable because of the first line stated in the book.
"I was eight years old when my mother tried to kill me."
It left me wondering what lies ahead for my delicate heart or if my subtle psyche can handle the heaviness of the subject. But then, moments after plowing through it, I found myself craving for more and totally enmeshed in how quaint and gripping the story had become. Be forewarned, albeit rather discretionary, that you must keep the lights on when you plan to read this at night. Every event stood out and decisions made by the mc left me impressed so much so that I cared for her more and more every chapter I moved on to. The story is both satisfying and terrifying. It ended way better than I ever imagined. Suffice it to say, the story made me want to come and visit Darkhaven Island, if there ever exists one. I could use some little exploration for refreshment any time of the day.
"Everyone pretty much goes through life assuming they’re fine, until they’re not."
The writing is smooth, fairly detailed, and easy to understand. It did not leave any trifling details and every chapter had something new to offer. It was simple and straightforward, without having to stress more than enough details just to be able to get things clear and perspicuous for the readers to actually take in. Everything was explained thoroughly and the history mentioned was just about adequate to further support the overall storyline of the book. The writing is also eloquent and nearly impactful that it provoked me into feeling something every once in a while, be they anger, resentment, worry or upset. It got me engrossed, captivated and lured into figuring out Darkhaven Island and what lurked behind its dwindling richness that was once filled with glamour and effervescence.
The book has a slightly different take on its main character, Ivy Bloodgood. She knew how to make her way around people, con her way out of every difficult situation and stand up unswerving to what she believed in, whenever circumstances required her to do so. Although at times she could get pretty annoying due to her stubborness and whiny comments on anything she was not happy with, I got truly absorbed in supporting her decisions all the way through to the finish line unwaveringly. Plus, the romance that developed in the story is both cute and on point it was like I was being tickled until my breathing gave out from having to laugh sheepishly. I loved the way the two got themselves involved with each other's affairs whenever they were caught in some critical situations. Also, I would have to express my great love and enthusiasm of the railleries between the two that was quite humorous and appealing. There were also times when dialogues came off as hilarious in the middle of some threatening predicaments.
Other supporting characters were very pleasing to know more, especially Ivy's good friends Betty and Valerie, different when it came to some of their personalities and preferences but both portrayed goodwill and compassion in their own distinctive ways. I only have so much love for them. The fact that Betty's character arc reminds me so much of Betty La Fea; geeky, with huge, dark-rimmed glasses, silent type at first but really resembles an explosion when one gets to know her more, loves to talk so much so that she overshares series of non sequiturs without noticing, is enough to make me love her at such a great deal. I admit it though, just wrapping my head about it makes it agonizingly sidesplitting and absurd I cannot even get my mind off of her since. Valerie, on the other hand, for the help she had offered and given Ivy while they were on a little trip to uncover something that I should not share at your own disposal because, 'spoilers and everything.' I also adored Officer Brant for showing his deep concern with Ivy's well-being in some parts of the book and when the ending revealed something about what he did for a certain someone, I admired him even more. Everyone else's character arcs were also interesting to follow but some left me scarred for life. But hey, isn't it a good indication that you must also follow my path and devour this book right this instant? If not, then I do not know what else will do.
"You sell the lie by never believing it’s not the absolute truth as you spin your story."
Now, the worldbuilding. The island setting was so grand, mystifying and new compared to the ones I have read that align with this mind-bending genre. Delving into it was quite haunting and at times felt so surreal. It was being depicted as a place that is filled with danger and ominous signs here and there, no matter how sequestered it is from the rest of civilization. Darkhaven Island shown in the book is also the kind of island that is fascinating to wander about because the author did not reveal too much specific details at the start concerning what brought about the frightening aura the place itself congealed. It remained a mystery to me up until everything was wrapped up in the end. The setting also made me try hard to be stoical for what felt like a long time because I was so eager to decipher the mystery behind the deaths and apparent nightmares that were seemingly caused by strange occurrences or entities or any other reasons there could possibly be. I loved every last bit of it being spooky and imaginative. It was everything I never thought I needed in a YA mystery book. Hats off to Kittredge for this brilliantly written literary piece! I loved it down to its last line and I am certain you most probably will too.
So what are you waiting for, dear readers? Douse yourselves in a satisfying treat and read this book if you haven't already!
July 6, 2022
This was book was just OK. The dust jacket summary made it sound all spooky and gothic and mysterious; but all I got out of it was an unlikeable MC and yet another predictable angsty teen romance novel. But take this with a grain of salt: might not necessarily be a fault of the book itself, and might be because I'm not really its target audience.
I also didn't really like the author's writing style. I spent way too much time being confused about what the heck had just happened because the writing was so unclear. Although, maybe that was the point, because the book is written in first-person and the main character spends 90% of the book being confused. But for me it was a Bad confused, not the Good confused you get from reading a good mystery. I also felt like some of the character dialogue was awkward. Definitely made me cringe more than once and just want to skip those scenes altogether. I finished it mostly because I wanted to know if my predictions were correct (they were) and not because I was actually interested in the story.
I was wrong about one thing though. I was seriously expecting werewolves and spoiler alert: there weren't any. Which was actually kind of a bummer. I mean, the author foreshadows a werewolf reveal for nearly the entirety of the book, and personally I think having werewolves actually might have helped this book be a tad more enjoyable. In this essay I will.....
**Kind-of-not-really-spoilers ahead**
IN CHAPTER 1, when Ivy Bloodgood (our MC. What a name!) first arrives on spooooky Darkhaven island they immediately almost run over something that is definitely not a human,
"My eyes shot open in time to see a dark shape flash across the road and disappear into the woods on the other side. It was as tall as a man, black, and faster than a blink." (pg 11)
and we know it's not human because on the very next page, Ivy's caregiver dismisses it as one of the Ramsey's animals, the rival family who shares the island with the Bloodgoods.
"I've told 'em a thousand times to keep their animals to their side of the island." (pg 12)
Three chapters later, but still the same day as the "animal" encounter, we meet the Love Interest, Doyle, and get a Little Red Riding Hood and a Twilight reference within 4 pages of each other.
1. "'Okay,' I said out loud... 'enough of this Red Riding Hood bullshit.'
'So is this the part where you say, "My, what big teeth you have"?'
I screamed." (pg 33)
2. "I rolled my eyes hard, letting go of his fingers. 'Dial it back, Twilight. I'm serious.'
Doyle spread his hands. 'I'm offended. I'm much hotter than a vampire covered in stripper glitter.'" (pg 37)
Additionally, multiple members of the Ramsey clan are called "dog" and "mutt" and "alpha male type" way too often to be coincidence, especially when someone is talking about Doyle,
"You tell your mutt of a son to stay away from Ivy." (pg 69)
and the author even takes the time to mention wolves while Ivy is wandering around the island and about to meet up with, you guessed it, Doyle.
"An eerie wolf howl cut through the woods on the wind, and I sank deeper inside my coat. Obviously, there were no wolves in Maine. Especially not on a tiny island." (pg 184)
Like, come. on. At this point I was just baffled that the Ramsey clan or at least Doyle wasn't secretly a werewolf destined to be rivals with the Bloodgoods for all eternity because they were vampires! Or some bullshit. Kittredge spends so much time setting up the werewolf plot but doesn't do anything with it. WHY KITTREDGE? WHERE ARE MY WOLVES?
Anyway...
TL;DR - Predictable. Main character is annoying. Confusing, cringey writing. Disappointing lack of werewolves.
I also didn't really like the author's writing style. I spent way too much time being confused about what the heck had just happened because the writing was so unclear. Although, maybe that was the point, because the book is written in first-person and the main character spends 90% of the book being confused. But for me it was a Bad confused, not the Good confused you get from reading a good mystery. I also felt like some of the character dialogue was awkward. Definitely made me cringe more than once and just want to skip those scenes altogether. I finished it mostly because I wanted to know if my predictions were correct (they were) and not because I was actually interested in the story.
I was wrong about one thing though. I was seriously expecting werewolves and spoiler alert: there weren't any. Which was actually kind of a bummer. I mean, the author foreshadows a werewolf reveal for nearly the entirety of the book, and personally I think having werewolves actually might have helped this book be a tad more enjoyable. In this essay I will.....
**Kind-of-not-really-spoilers ahead**
IN CHAPTER 1, when Ivy Bloodgood (our MC. What a name!) first arrives on spooooky Darkhaven island they immediately almost run over something that is definitely not a human,
"My eyes shot open in time to see a dark shape flash across the road and disappear into the woods on the other side. It was as tall as a man, black, and faster than a blink." (pg 11)
and we know it's not human because on the very next page, Ivy's caregiver dismisses it as one of the Ramsey's animals, the rival family who shares the island with the Bloodgoods.
"I've told 'em a thousand times to keep their animals to their side of the island." (pg 12)
Three chapters later, but still the same day as the "animal" encounter, we meet the Love Interest, Doyle, and get a Little Red Riding Hood and a Twilight reference within 4 pages of each other.
1. "'Okay,' I said out loud... 'enough of this Red Riding Hood bullshit.'
'So is this the part where you say, "My, what big teeth you have"?'
I screamed." (pg 33)
2. "I rolled my eyes hard, letting go of his fingers. 'Dial it back, Twilight. I'm serious.'
Doyle spread his hands. 'I'm offended. I'm much hotter than a vampire covered in stripper glitter.'" (pg 37)
Additionally, multiple members of the Ramsey clan are called "dog" and "mutt" and "alpha male type" way too often to be coincidence, especially when someone is talking about Doyle,
"You tell your mutt of a son to stay away from Ivy." (pg 69)
and the author even takes the time to mention wolves while Ivy is wandering around the island and about to meet up with, you guessed it, Doyle.
"An eerie wolf howl cut through the woods on the wind, and I sank deeper inside my coat. Obviously, there were no wolves in Maine. Especially not on a tiny island." (pg 184)
Like, come. on. At this point I was just baffled that the Ramsey clan or at least Doyle wasn't secretly a werewolf destined to be rivals with the Bloodgoods for all eternity because they were vampires! Or some bullshit. Kittredge spends so much time setting up the werewolf plot but doesn't do anything with it. WHY KITTREDGE? WHERE ARE MY WOLVES?
Anyway...
TL;DR - Predictable. Main character is annoying. Confusing, cringey writing. Disappointing lack of werewolves.
March 12, 2019
After her mother's suicide, sixteen-year-old Ivy Bloodgood finds herself on a small island in Maine living with an uncle she didn't know she had. First thing she's told is to stay on the Bloodgood part of the island and leave the Ramsey part of the island alone. But then she meets Doyle Ramsey. He is someone she can talk to when things are getting scary and creepy with her uncle.
Ivy is having hallucinations - seeing strange things, finding dead bodies and bones - and is told that she has a heritage of mental illness. Her grandmother was confined to a mental hospital and killed herself there. Her mother had always been off. She tried to drown Ivy in the bathtub when Ivy was young. She did drugs and took out her anger on Ivy. She dragged Ivy from place to place and workd as a grifter and con artist. Her childhood made Ivy resilient, but it also made her unwilling to trust anyone.
Ivy has never known who her father was. She decides to see if she can solve that mystery and track down anyone who might have known her mother before she ran from the island. Her explorations lead her to the grandmother her uncle said was dead. The grandmother is in a mental institution with paranoid schizophrenia and the beginnings of dementia. That her uncle lied to her gives her reason to doubt most of what he tells her.
This was a creepy story. The descriptions of Ivy's hallucinations were chilling. Ivy really needs to rely on her resilience to find out what is really going on in her new home. Doyle's assistance is a vital part of her quest. I really liked Ivy. I admired her strength. I also like Doyle who was a good kid in a tough situation.
Fans of creepy stories and Gothic mysteries will enjoy this one.
Ivy is having hallucinations - seeing strange things, finding dead bodies and bones - and is told that she has a heritage of mental illness. Her grandmother was confined to a mental hospital and killed herself there. Her mother had always been off. She tried to drown Ivy in the bathtub when Ivy was young. She did drugs and took out her anger on Ivy. She dragged Ivy from place to place and workd as a grifter and con artist. Her childhood made Ivy resilient, but it also made her unwilling to trust anyone.
Ivy has never known who her father was. She decides to see if she can solve that mystery and track down anyone who might have known her mother before she ran from the island. Her explorations lead her to the grandmother her uncle said was dead. The grandmother is in a mental institution with paranoid schizophrenia and the beginnings of dementia. That her uncle lied to her gives her reason to doubt most of what he tells her.
This was a creepy story. The descriptions of Ivy's hallucinations were chilling. Ivy really needs to rely on her resilience to find out what is really going on in her new home. Doyle's assistance is a vital part of her quest. I really liked Ivy. I admired her strength. I also like Doyle who was a good kid in a tough situation.
Fans of creepy stories and Gothic mysteries will enjoy this one.
April 2, 2019
Thank you to Edelweiss for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Ivy Bloodgood has had it rough. She and her mother,Mayra, never stayed in one place for long; stealing and scamming what they needed to survive before moving on. Not to mention the fact that her mother once tried to kill her. When Ivy walks into their most recent space and sees that Mayra has killed herself, she's not really surprised. After all, she had serious issues.
Ivy is sent to live with the Uncle she never knew she had. Her Uncle who lives in a Manor on a small, private island shared with the Ramsey clan. But there are dark secrets on the island. Secrets someone doesn't want her to uncover. Or is she dreaming it all? Is her family really cursed, or is Ivy headed for the Mental Health ward like her mother and grandmother before her?
I admit that I stayed up until 2 AM to finish this book. I grew up reading gothic novels, and I really enjoyed this delightfully creepy story . . . even more so because there weren't any werewolves or vampires.
The Bloodgoods and the Ramseys have never gotten along (think Hatfield and McCoys). They blame each other for everything that happens on the island. Ivy and Doyle Ramsey strike up a cautious friendship as soon as Ivy arrives. Doyle isn't like the other members of his family . . . neither is Ivy, really. Romance is there, but it's not really the main focus of the story. There aren't any hot an heavy moments, and her heart isn't torn between two unlikely lovers. I enjoyed that part, too.
There are ghosts . . . or ARE there??? There are missing hikers and the devil. There's a long lost family member and family secrets. No attic wives, but you can't have everything.
I will definitely be purchasing this one for my library collection.
Ivy Bloodgood has had it rough. She and her mother,Mayra, never stayed in one place for long; stealing and scamming what they needed to survive before moving on. Not to mention the fact that her mother once tried to kill her. When Ivy walks into their most recent space and sees that Mayra has killed herself, she's not really surprised. After all, she had serious issues.
Ivy is sent to live with the Uncle she never knew she had. Her Uncle who lives in a Manor on a small, private island shared with the Ramsey clan. But there are dark secrets on the island. Secrets someone doesn't want her to uncover. Or is she dreaming it all? Is her family really cursed, or is Ivy headed for the Mental Health ward like her mother and grandmother before her?
I admit that I stayed up until 2 AM to finish this book. I grew up reading gothic novels, and I really enjoyed this delightfully creepy story . . . even more so because there weren't any werewolves or vampires.
The Bloodgoods and the Ramseys have never gotten along (think Hatfield and McCoys). They blame each other for everything that happens on the island. Ivy and Doyle Ramsey strike up a cautious friendship as soon as Ivy arrives. Doyle isn't like the other members of his family . . . neither is Ivy, really. Romance is there, but it's not really the main focus of the story. There aren't any hot an heavy moments, and her heart isn't torn between two unlikely lovers. I enjoyed that part, too.
There are ghosts . . . or ARE there??? There are missing hikers and the devil. There's a long lost family member and family secrets. No attic wives, but you can't have everything.
I will definitely be purchasing this one for my library collection.
June 26, 2021
It was okay, I'm just not the target audience for this book, once again it's a me thing not the book fault. But this one is the kind of YA that should be read by young adults only if you're more then 20 I don't think this is the book for you.
July 30, 2019
3.5 stars
May 16, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quicker read that left me guessing into fairly far in to the book. The main characters were likeable and I found myself rooting for them and the forbidden love troupe. I loved the growth/character arc from beginning to end. I loved the mystery and suspence mixed with the paranormal. Would definitely recommend this standalone read.
August 5, 2018
*3.5 stars*
Family secrets and hidden treasure lurk in the shadows of this small island town setting up a gothic style mystery with deadly consequences.
“Dreaming Darkly” brings Ivy to a small island off the coast of Maine where she is to live with her Uncle after her mother’s suicide but things quickly unravel as she learns of a longstanding curse upon the family and a bloody feud that goes back generations with the neighbors and it doesn’t take long before she’s confronted with the horrors of the past as she races against those who wish to destroy her future.
This book was doing so well up until the final act and it’s a shame that it falls into the usual traps of the horror type genre which took a solid book and turned into something of a cliché.
I really enjoyed the unreliable narrator component to this and how it managed to blur the lines to where you weren’t sure if this was indeed a family curse or undiagnosed mental illness and that back and forth between science and fantasy really helped create this tension as you tried to make sense of the weird occurrences happening around Ivy and her mother before her.
The feud aspect was less Romeo and Juliet and more Hatfield and McCoy’s as we quickly learn this fight goes back to the islands origin and has left plenty of bodies in its wake as both sides struggle to hold onto power and fortune no matter the cost. Though there’s some red herrings in this that plot wise didn’t go very far or matter much in the overall plot it was interesting to see how far each of the surviving members were willing to go both in turning the other way or gearing up to fight when the time came.
Like I mentioned above this book is great during the first two parts and it’s not until you start getting answers that it all falls apart but that being said it’s not a bad read especially if you’re home alone and the weather is dark and dreary and you’re looking for a good scare.
**special thanks to the publishers and edelweiss for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
Family secrets and hidden treasure lurk in the shadows of this small island town setting up a gothic style mystery with deadly consequences.
“Dreaming Darkly” brings Ivy to a small island off the coast of Maine where she is to live with her Uncle after her mother’s suicide but things quickly unravel as she learns of a longstanding curse upon the family and a bloody feud that goes back generations with the neighbors and it doesn’t take long before she’s confronted with the horrors of the past as she races against those who wish to destroy her future.
This book was doing so well up until the final act and it’s a shame that it falls into the usual traps of the horror type genre which took a solid book and turned into something of a cliché.
I really enjoyed the unreliable narrator component to this and how it managed to blur the lines to where you weren’t sure if this was indeed a family curse or undiagnosed mental illness and that back and forth between science and fantasy really helped create this tension as you tried to make sense of the weird occurrences happening around Ivy and her mother before her.
The feud aspect was less Romeo and Juliet and more Hatfield and McCoy’s as we quickly learn this fight goes back to the islands origin and has left plenty of bodies in its wake as both sides struggle to hold onto power and fortune no matter the cost. Though there’s some red herrings in this that plot wise didn’t go very far or matter much in the overall plot it was interesting to see how far each of the surviving members were willing to go both in turning the other way or gearing up to fight when the time came.
Like I mentioned above this book is great during the first two parts and it’s not until you start getting answers that it all falls apart but that being said it’s not a bad read especially if you’re home alone and the weather is dark and dreary and you’re looking for a good scare.
**special thanks to the publishers and edelweiss for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
September 16, 2019
A clever, dark thriller that kept me up until the wee hours, never guessing how the end would turn out!
Reeling from the death of her mother, Ivy Bloodgood is sent to a private island off of Maine to live with Simon, her mom’s younger brother.
The mystery of Darkhaven, the family manor, and Ivy’s own bloodline, is wrapped in layers of secrets and lies. But one thing is certain, madness runs in their genes, as evidenced by her mother and grandmother’s suicides.
So is Ivy crazy when she starts to dream of dead bodies and wakes covered in blood? But in the next instant there is no body, no blood?
As the narrator, Ivy is sharp and tough, a product of her mother’s abuse. She’s also smart-mouthed, funny as hell and resourceful. I laughed out loud many a time over her quick wit and snarky comments.
Ivy’s attraction to Doyle Ramsay, the neighboring landowner’s son, is offset by her need for a real friend.
Their mutual struggles with family and a growing recognition that something is amiss at Darkhaven puts romance on a back burner, but as the reader, I liked their hard won camaraderie.
Right up to the end, the suspense was palpable until the very last secret was unveiled. And then I could finally breathe!
Reeling from the death of her mother, Ivy Bloodgood is sent to a private island off of Maine to live with Simon, her mom’s younger brother.
The mystery of Darkhaven, the family manor, and Ivy’s own bloodline, is wrapped in layers of secrets and lies. But one thing is certain, madness runs in their genes, as evidenced by her mother and grandmother’s suicides.
So is Ivy crazy when she starts to dream of dead bodies and wakes covered in blood? But in the next instant there is no body, no blood?
As the narrator, Ivy is sharp and tough, a product of her mother’s abuse. She’s also smart-mouthed, funny as hell and resourceful. I laughed out loud many a time over her quick wit and snarky comments.
Ivy’s attraction to Doyle Ramsay, the neighboring landowner’s son, is offset by her need for a real friend.
Their mutual struggles with family and a growing recognition that something is amiss at Darkhaven puts romance on a back burner, but as the reader, I liked their hard won camaraderie.
Right up to the end, the suspense was palpable until the very last secret was unveiled. And then I could finally breathe!
Read
September 5, 2018Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper for the e-arc.
3 stars.
Ivy is brought to the small island of Darkhaven after her mother's suicide. She discovers a curse on her family that spans decades and things start to awry as secrets are uncovered and relationships severed.
I'm a fan of girl on a small island type books. I mean, how can you not be? Things always seem to go all nutty. It makes me think that I need to visit some cursed and thinly populated island. Who knows what stories I could churn out. Ivy has sass, which I love. She takes nobody's crap. Having led a grifter's life with her mother, she's learned a thing or two. The male interest, Doyle (I can't say that name without thinking of Big Daddy) is eh. He's hot, of course, so there's that.
Pretty much 3/4 of the book was interesting and I was glued to my kindle waiting to see what would happen next. Unfortunately, the ending did not live up to expectations. It seemed rushed and needed to be a bit more fleshed out. I did enjoy the twist, but I think I was expecting more of a horror vibe that never really came to fruition.
3 stars.
Ivy is brought to the small island of Darkhaven after her mother's suicide. She discovers a curse on her family that spans decades and things start to awry as secrets are uncovered and relationships severed.
I'm a fan of girl on a small island type books. I mean, how can you not be? Things always seem to go all nutty. It makes me think that I need to visit some cursed and thinly populated island. Who knows what stories I could churn out. Ivy has sass, which I love. She takes nobody's crap. Having led a grifter's life with her mother, she's learned a thing or two. The male interest, Doyle (I can't say that name without thinking of Big Daddy) is eh. He's hot, of course, so there's that.
Pretty much 3/4 of the book was interesting and I was glued to my kindle waiting to see what would happen next. Unfortunately, the ending did not live up to expectations. It seemed rushed and needed to be a bit more fleshed out. I did enjoy the twist, but I think I was expecting more of a horror vibe that never really came to fruition.
October 21, 2019
Oof. I accept that I am probably not the target audience for this book, but I found every single thing about this book to be insufferable. Every character is terrible. The plot was unfocused and I'm not really sure, but I think we are supposed to forgive the protag's mom for being abusive because she was being drugged by a person posing as her brother. Anyway! At first I liked the protagonist's spunky, take-no-prisoners attitude, but after about 20 pages it really started going downhill. The one thing I did like was the cool, misty gray setting on an island in Maine. Otherwise, pass!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2019
This was so well written! I enjoyed this gothic horror book so much. It spooked me a couple times and considering the book I read before this one it blew it out of the water.
June 19, 2021
I went into Caitlin Kittredge's Dreaming Darkly thinking I was going to get a YA vampire novel, so imagine my surprise when there was not a single vampire to be found! Lol. I'm not sure where I got the idea that this one had vampires in it but despite the lack, I found myself deeply riveted with the story!
Ivy has not had a good life. Her mother wasn't a good parent, she tried to kill Ivy when she was a child, so when her mother dies, Ivy isn't exactly heartbroken. Though she is being forced to move across the country to live with an uncle she didn't know existed until a lawyer told her son. It's okay though, she has just over a year until she's eighteen and then she plans on moving as far away from the little island of Darkhaven as she can get.
Ivy walks into quite a predicament when she comes to the tiny island called Darkhaven. Two families live on it, the Bloodgoods and the Ramseys. And they are natural born enemies. You don't cross property lines and you certainly don't fraternize with the other as well. So, naturally, Ivy finds herself drawn to Doyle, the charming teenage son of Liam Ramsey.
Strange things are happening in Ivy's new home. She finds herself having terrible nightmares and she's waking up in places other than where she fell asleep. Then Ivy has a nightmare involving a dead man...and the next day that man is mysteriously missing. But the weirdness is far from over, it's only just beginning. Soon Ivy is trying to uncover the mystery behind the family she never knew she had. The one her mother ran away from before Ivy was even born.
I'll admit that even though I was mislead in my belief that this was a vampire story, the creepy mystery held me riveted! This was most definitely what you call a page-turner! There was so much strangeness, so much oddity that you just had to solve the mystery for yourself. Whether it's an ancient family curse or a hereditary trend of insanity in the family, trying to uncover the truths from the lies will be fete in and of itself!
I was quick to catch onto certain things, of course, the reasons behind all these events was still a mystery yet to be solved. And while the reveal of the big why felt a little mundane after so much build-up, I still enjoyed the journey it took to get there. And minus a crook claiming he could've gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids, I felt like the ending was a little a'la Scooby Doo! Which you all know how much I love that dog and show, it didn't really bother me one bit.
As far as romance goes, I can say that it was hardly there. Yes, there was the general flirting coupled with some teenage angst and drama but it had a cutesy sorta The Breakfast Club feel to it where the unlikely characters become the best of friends...or the fact that they really become friends and don't care what the other students think.
Dreaming Darkly was a surprising read, I will give you that! The title is very telling since Ivy is riddled with waking nightmares and can't tell dream from reality. This is a book that will have you second guessing yourself to the very end! It was a spine-gripping read that I devoured in nearly one sitting--real life tends to prevent the one-day reads nowadays but this is definitely a story to devour in one sitting!
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
Ivy has not had a good life. Her mother wasn't a good parent, she tried to kill Ivy when she was a child, so when her mother dies, Ivy isn't exactly heartbroken. Though she is being forced to move across the country to live with an uncle she didn't know existed until a lawyer told her son. It's okay though, she has just over a year until she's eighteen and then she plans on moving as far away from the little island of Darkhaven as she can get.
Ivy walks into quite a predicament when she comes to the tiny island called Darkhaven. Two families live on it, the Bloodgoods and the Ramseys. And they are natural born enemies. You don't cross property lines and you certainly don't fraternize with the other as well. So, naturally, Ivy finds herself drawn to Doyle, the charming teenage son of Liam Ramsey.
Strange things are happening in Ivy's new home. She finds herself having terrible nightmares and she's waking up in places other than where she fell asleep. Then Ivy has a nightmare involving a dead man...and the next day that man is mysteriously missing. But the weirdness is far from over, it's only just beginning. Soon Ivy is trying to uncover the mystery behind the family she never knew she had. The one her mother ran away from before Ivy was even born.
I'll admit that even though I was mislead in my belief that this was a vampire story, the creepy mystery held me riveted! This was most definitely what you call a page-turner! There was so much strangeness, so much oddity that you just had to solve the mystery for yourself. Whether it's an ancient family curse or a hereditary trend of insanity in the family, trying to uncover the truths from the lies will be fete in and of itself!
I was quick to catch onto certain things, of course, the reasons behind all these events was still a mystery yet to be solved. And while the reveal of the big why felt a little mundane after so much build-up, I still enjoyed the journey it took to get there. And minus a crook claiming he could've gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids, I felt like the ending was a little a'la Scooby Doo! Which you all know how much I love that dog and show, it didn't really bother me one bit.
As far as romance goes, I can say that it was hardly there. Yes, there was the general flirting coupled with some teenage angst and drama but it had a cutesy sorta The Breakfast Club feel to it where the unlikely characters become the best of friends...or the fact that they really become friends and don't care what the other students think.
Dreaming Darkly was a surprising read, I will give you that! The title is very telling since Ivy is riddled with waking nightmares and can't tell dream from reality. This is a book that will have you second guessing yourself to the very end! It was a spine-gripping read that I devoured in nearly one sitting--real life tends to prevent the one-day reads nowadays but this is definitely a story to devour in one sitting!
Overall Rating 4/5 stars
December 19, 2024
Dreaming Darkly was an exciting book but disturbing at times. Ivy Bloodgood's mother has died of suicide after harming Ivy physically and mentally for the 17 years of Ivy’s life. After her mother’s death, she is thrown on Darkhaven island with her uncle, Simon. He is the only one left in the family. The first look she got of the island, she knew something was curiously suspicious. The first friend she made before school started was a caring boy, Doyle. Their friendship was difficult because both their families have had conflict and even came down to murder. Soon after Ivy arrived, she started having delusional dreams that felt like clues leading to her family's past. Doyle warns Ivy that her uncle, Simon, is not safe. She starts to believe this rumour is true when he lies about her grandmother being dead. Doyle and Ivy stay loyal all the way until they find out Doyle’s father and Simon have been drugging Ivy in order to get the map that leads to their families' loot. Finally, Ivy and Doyle escape this horrid island.
I gave this book 5 stars because it was so immersive and I couldn’t stop reading. I haven’t read a book as descriptive. There were surprises throughout the whole novel and I was always left wondering what might happen next. This book is great if you're in a mood to feel sorrow but Ivy and Doyle also create a love story that you will be cheering for while you flip through every page. Ivy is seen as a girl trying to find her way through her maturing life with her uncle..or maybe father. Doyle in some way heals her by having her trust someone and not just deal with her emotions alone anymore. I’m so impressed how the author mixed disturbance with so much emotion.
Overall, this book was one of my favorites, although I do have something to share with readers who may have a specific genre they like. I chose this book close to Halloween because I wanted something a little scary. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone too young because even myself, a highschool student, was disturbed at times. The author uses very descriptive words to make imagery of Ivy’s dreams so they feel real to even the reader. I couldn’t stop thinking about them and I loved this feeling because it made me want to keep reading. On the other hand, you or someone you know might not want to read a book that is so intense. It also does mention suicide multiple times. And that may be triggering for people. But the small components that may be bad about this book are towered over by all the amazing characters that will catch you by surprise every second.
“You sell the lie by never believing it’s not the absolute truth as you spin your story." I think this quote wraps up exactly what Ivy was going through. She is a fantastic liar and she knows it. But when you lie to others it is very hard to not lie to yourself. You're creating a whole imaginary world for yourself by telling lies and you could start seeing yourself somewhere but you're not actually there…This quote is reliable, while also scary to think about. Many might think this novel was predictable but I have to admit, I stayed up late to finish the chapter and see what happens next. If you are looking for a fantasy book this is not it. Yes, two families murdering each other is not relatable but the emotions the characters feel is so strong that I felt like I knew them in real life.
I gave this book 5 stars because it was so immersive and I couldn’t stop reading. I haven’t read a book as descriptive. There were surprises throughout the whole novel and I was always left wondering what might happen next. This book is great if you're in a mood to feel sorrow but Ivy and Doyle also create a love story that you will be cheering for while you flip through every page. Ivy is seen as a girl trying to find her way through her maturing life with her uncle..or maybe father. Doyle in some way heals her by having her trust someone and not just deal with her emotions alone anymore. I’m so impressed how the author mixed disturbance with so much emotion.
Overall, this book was one of my favorites, although I do have something to share with readers who may have a specific genre they like. I chose this book close to Halloween because I wanted something a little scary. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone too young because even myself, a highschool student, was disturbed at times. The author uses very descriptive words to make imagery of Ivy’s dreams so they feel real to even the reader. I couldn’t stop thinking about them and I loved this feeling because it made me want to keep reading. On the other hand, you or someone you know might not want to read a book that is so intense. It also does mention suicide multiple times. And that may be triggering for people. But the small components that may be bad about this book are towered over by all the amazing characters that will catch you by surprise every second.
“You sell the lie by never believing it’s not the absolute truth as you spin your story." I think this quote wraps up exactly what Ivy was going through. She is a fantastic liar and she knows it. But when you lie to others it is very hard to not lie to yourself. You're creating a whole imaginary world for yourself by telling lies and you could start seeing yourself somewhere but you're not actually there…This quote is reliable, while also scary to think about. Many might think this novel was predictable but I have to admit, I stayed up late to finish the chapter and see what happens next. If you are looking for a fantasy book this is not it. Yes, two families murdering each other is not relatable but the emotions the characters feel is so strong that I felt like I knew them in real life.
Read
January 1, 2021Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and links and everything.
Unfortunately I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. I didn’t hate it or anything, but it just didn’t work for me like I wanted. And like the premise is great! Creepy island is one of those things that almost always gets me to bite! Family secrets! Maybe something paranormal, maybe not! That should all be things I like!
But we just didn’t click. Honestly this took me so long to read that I’m really glad I took notes and I probably should have just let it go. Some of that probably was that I was in a bit of a reading slump, but a lot of it was definitely me not clicking with the book.
Quick complaints to get them out of the way – there were a few things that really through my suspension of disbelief, like logistically. Information at some points is too easy for Ivy to find. I don’t think you can just go to an old orphanage and be given access to the archives for 1986 because you say you have a genealogy project. And I’m not a doctor, but I think you bleed when you get shot, even if it’s a “through and through”, and I don’t think you can diagnose that by looking, especially when you’re seventeen.
Also I’m pretty sure there are black people in Maine. And queer people. And fat people. Would have been nice to see those.
I also have… not great feelings on the depiction of mental illness. It’s kind of a weird thing of good people not actually being mentally ill, but victims of abuse, and actually mentally ill people being abusive. I don’t think that’s what the author meant to do but that’s where it ends up. There’s a really gross comment about someone who died by suicide being “weak” and taking “the easy way out” and that’s not really ever addressed.
Plus there was a gross crack about something having “enough sugar to give me type 2 diabetes”. You don’t get diabetes because you eat sugar, but nice ableism. At one point, as well, Ivy uses the g-word to reference a Romani woman. Racial slurs, not so cool. The woman’s one scene was also super stereotypical and shallow.
Generally, though, my feelings about this are just meh. The romance was super underwhelming for me, the plot got a little dull and a little predictable, and it just didn’t draw me in. Honestly I think other people might really like this, because the atmosphere can be great and I liked the way things were confusing and Ivy was never sure what was real or not. Expect it to be more along the lines of a Gothic romance (not Romance like the genre, Gothic romance like Rebecca or Crimson Peak) than a strict thriller, though. It’s about a three out of five for me.
Representation: Ivy’s mother is mentally ill, but she’s very abusive and she’s about it so it’s a little… not great.
Trigger warnings: Child abuse, ableism, suicide, repeated use of the g-word, cheating, drugging, violence, and gun violence specifically.
Unfortunately I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. I didn’t hate it or anything, but it just didn’t work for me like I wanted. And like the premise is great! Creepy island is one of those things that almost always gets me to bite! Family secrets! Maybe something paranormal, maybe not! That should all be things I like!
But we just didn’t click. Honestly this took me so long to read that I’m really glad I took notes and I probably should have just let it go. Some of that probably was that I was in a bit of a reading slump, but a lot of it was definitely me not clicking with the book.
Quick complaints to get them out of the way – there were a few things that really through my suspension of disbelief, like logistically. Information at some points is too easy for Ivy to find. I don’t think you can just go to an old orphanage and be given access to the archives for 1986 because you say you have a genealogy project. And I’m not a doctor, but I think you bleed when you get shot, even if it’s a “through and through”, and I don’t think you can diagnose that by looking, especially when you’re seventeen.
Also I’m pretty sure there are black people in Maine. And queer people. And fat people. Would have been nice to see those.
I also have… not great feelings on the depiction of mental illness. It’s kind of a weird thing of good people not actually being mentally ill, but victims of abuse, and actually mentally ill people being abusive. I don’t think that’s what the author meant to do but that’s where it ends up. There’s a really gross comment about someone who died by suicide being “weak” and taking “the easy way out” and that’s not really ever addressed.
Plus there was a gross crack about something having “enough sugar to give me type 2 diabetes”. You don’t get diabetes because you eat sugar, but nice ableism. At one point, as well, Ivy uses the g-word to reference a Romani woman. Racial slurs, not so cool. The woman’s one scene was also super stereotypical and shallow.
Generally, though, my feelings about this are just meh. The romance was super underwhelming for me, the plot got a little dull and a little predictable, and it just didn’t draw me in. Honestly I think other people might really like this, because the atmosphere can be great and I liked the way things were confusing and Ivy was never sure what was real or not. Expect it to be more along the lines of a Gothic romance (not Romance like the genre, Gothic romance like Rebecca or Crimson Peak) than a strict thriller, though. It’s about a three out of five for me.
Representation: Ivy’s mother is mentally ill, but she’s very abusive and she’s about it so it’s a little… not great.
Trigger warnings: Child abuse, ableism, suicide, repeated use of the g-word, cheating, drugging, violence, and gun violence specifically.
October 23, 2025
Gothic horror can be a great genre for a good spooky read, and "Dreaming Darkly" really fits the bill...it's one of the Gothic-est Gothick-y books I've ever read! It is overflowing with almost every trope in the genre; a young woman struggling with inner demons; a crumbling old mansion on a chilly island off the New England coast; a small town filled with gossip, secrets, and suspicious residents; a generational family curse; hints of madness and murder; a hidden treasure; a mysterious, dangerous love interest; creepy housekeeper; it's all here!! Unfortunately, "Dreaming Darkly" is SO overflowing with Gothic goodness that much of the novel slides deep into cliche territory. It works SO hard at creating a creepy, oppressive atmosphere that it ends up "ticking all the boxes" of the genre, leaving the reader with a pretty by-the-numbers, faithful-to-a-fault mystery that was all too easy to predict. There are a few juicy tidbits unveiled at the book's conclusion, but getting there is a bit of a chore. Plus, this is clearly a YA novel, so a lot of punches have to be pulled to make this creepy story palatable to young readers.
Our protagonist Ivy Bloodgood (grimdark last name: Check!) has been on the road her whole life, traveling with her single mother, a grifter desperate to escape her personal demons and her family's dark past. When her mother dies, Ivy discovers a family she didn't know she had...an uncle named Simon, who is the lone caretaker of the massive, decaying Bloodgood Estate on Darkhaven (creepy residence name: Check!), a rugged lonely island off the New England coast. Ivy hasn't been there very long when she learns more about the "Bloodgood curse"; fits of madness, murderous rage, and often suicidal tendencies. When Ivy starts having vivid, haunting dreams (and encountering dead bodies that she worries she may have been responsible for), Ivy begins to fear she's "caught the curse," along with everyone else in the family. She is determined to research the history of Darkhaven and of her family (with the help of Doyle Ramsey, a Darkhaven resident with his own traumatic family past), before whatever caused her family's tragic downfall claims her as the next victim.
This is all delightful spooky fun, and the fact that the story is populated by a bunch of sassy teenagers helps keep the story a little lighter than other stories in the genre. There are a fair share of creepy happenings & unexplained incidents, but the ending (MILD SPOILER) is both more and less thrilling than I'd hoped. Ivy is a little tiresome at times; author Caitlin Kittredge has crafted the perfect Manic Gothic Dream Girl. However, she has JUST enough dimension and character development to remain compelling. I think "Dreaming Darkly" is a solid introduction into the horror genre for teen readers.
Our protagonist Ivy Bloodgood (grimdark last name: Check!) has been on the road her whole life, traveling with her single mother, a grifter desperate to escape her personal demons and her family's dark past. When her mother dies, Ivy discovers a family she didn't know she had...an uncle named Simon, who is the lone caretaker of the massive, decaying Bloodgood Estate on Darkhaven (creepy residence name: Check!), a rugged lonely island off the New England coast. Ivy hasn't been there very long when she learns more about the "Bloodgood curse"; fits of madness, murderous rage, and often suicidal tendencies. When Ivy starts having vivid, haunting dreams (and encountering dead bodies that she worries she may have been responsible for), Ivy begins to fear she's "caught the curse," along with everyone else in the family. She is determined to research the history of Darkhaven and of her family (with the help of Doyle Ramsey, a Darkhaven resident with his own traumatic family past), before whatever caused her family's tragic downfall claims her as the next victim.
This is all delightful spooky fun, and the fact that the story is populated by a bunch of sassy teenagers helps keep the story a little lighter than other stories in the genre. There are a fair share of creepy happenings & unexplained incidents, but the ending (MILD SPOILER) is both more and less thrilling than I'd hoped. Ivy is a little tiresome at times; author Caitlin Kittredge has crafted the perfect Manic Gothic Dream Girl. However, she has JUST enough dimension and character development to remain compelling. I think "Dreaming Darkly" is a solid introduction into the horror genre for teen readers.
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