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Hellfinder
Winter Break turns deadly when Rory Quinn and her treasure-hunter grandmother travel to Iceland in search of an enchanted artifact. Their mission is to recover a blood-smeared stone that legend says will lead whoever possesses it to the nearest doorway to Hell. The client' s grandson, Einar, took the stone at the request of his favorite heavy metal band. As part of a publicity stunt, the band plans to open the closest doorway, rumored to exist deep inside one of Iceland' s many volcanoes, in just three days. Along with Einar' s twin brother, Gunnar, Rory and Gram will need to navigate glaciers, ice caves, and volcanic tunnels in search of the missing artifact. But can the three of them recover the stone before the band unleashes anything evil into the Icelandic wilderness? As the team grows closer to Einar, Rory is growing closer to Gunnar, too. But she can tell he' s keeping secrets from her. Big ones, that when revealed, will cause her to question almost everything she' s ever believed.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2023
2 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Paula Stokes
15 books1,145 followers*** Please contact me via the contact information on my website: authorpaulastokes.com ***
Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She started out writing historical fiction under a pen name and is now branching out into other YA genres.
When she's not working (rare), she's kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. She's petted tigers, snuggled snakes, snorkeled with stingrays, and once enjoyed the suction-cuppy feel of a baby elephant's trunk as it ate peanuts from her palm. Her future goals include diving with Great White sharks, learning Krav Maga, and writing a whole slew of novels, not necessarily in that order.
Paula Stokes is half writer, half RN, and totally thrilled to be part of the world of YA literature. She started out writing historical fiction under a pen name and is now branching out into other YA genres.
When she's not working (rare), she's kayaking, hiking, reading, or seeking out new adventures in faraway lands. She's petted tigers, snuggled snakes, snorkeled with stingrays, and once enjoyed the suction-cuppy feel of a baby elephant's trunk as it ate peanuts from her palm. Her future goals include diving with Great White sharks, learning Krav Maga, and writing a whole slew of novels, not necessarily in that order.
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March 15, 2023**HELLFINDER is available to all on NetGalley right now! If you're interested in a book with adventure, romance, treasure hunters, secret societies, malevolent demons, adorable sled dogs, a kickass grandmother, and an epic setting, go check it out :) Not convinced? Here's more info:
1. It's action-packed and fun! I started this book in late 2015 and finished the submission draft in early 2017, and I think it was easier for me back then to write wild and whimsical stories that aren't weighted down by the grief I feel about the current state of the world. This book was inspired partly by classic adventure movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Romancing the Stone, and National Treasure.
2. There's an awkward and endearing PG romance. I didn't plan for a romance the same way I didn't plan these characters. Rory and Gunnar just showed up in my brain and started bickering and then bantering, and it felt right to see how their feelings developed. There's no Instalove here, but I think doing a road trip that almost kills you several times has a natural bonding effect--they're kind of like soldiers who survive combat together, but with more kissing.
3. It's grounded in reality but has supernatural elements. I'd call this urban fantasy but it takes place in tiny towns and wilderness. Rural fantasy? Is that a thing? :) I always wanted to write a story with otherworldly creatures, but I came up in the YA world right at the time every editor was buried in sexy vampires and werewolves, so my agent was always like "Ahahaha, absolutely not." But eventually it felt like it was time for another round of all-things-paranormal so I wrote it anyway. And if you like books by Kami Garcia, Cassandra Clare and Kiersten White, or shows like Lucifer, Supernatural, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, then Hellfinder should be for you.
4. ICELAND! If you know me or follow me online at all you know I LOVE Iceland. I would move there tomorrow if they'd let me--honestly, even without a job. I'd figure something out. Iceland feels like another planet to me, a kinder, more compassionate one, albeit with a rockier and less-forgiving topography. If you enjoy the idea of standing beneath majestic waterfalls, hiking on glaciers, dogsledding, swimming in geothermal pools, and/or crawling through ice caves and lava tubes, this book will deliver the sensory goods. Seriously, if you've read this far and don't want to check out the book, then you should skip it, but consider a trip to Iceland someday if it's within your means. It really is a magical life-changing kind of place.
5. Sometimes readers will be like "I don't understand why the author did xyz" and the answer to most of those questions for this book are that I wrote it completely on spec for no advance after both of my publishers at the time rejected it (along with several other ideas I pitched), and I had no idea if I would ever sell it. It ended up taking me 3+ years to find a publisher, and given what I spent on research, an authenticity read, and promotional stuff, there's a good chance I won't end up making any money from this book. Which is totally fine--that's a reality of the business sometimes--but that's also why I felt totally free to write what *I* wanted and what felt true to these characters. I didn't think about book trends or marketability or my readers' expectations. My editor definitely had me tamp down some of the too-outlandish stuff and stitch up the plot holes, for which I am grateful, but mostly I just fell in love with Iceland and wrote the book I wanted to read :)
1. It's action-packed and fun! I started this book in late 2015 and finished the submission draft in early 2017, and I think it was easier for me back then to write wild and whimsical stories that aren't weighted down by the grief I feel about the current state of the world. This book was inspired partly by classic adventure movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Romancing the Stone, and National Treasure.
2. There's an awkward and endearing PG romance. I didn't plan for a romance the same way I didn't plan these characters. Rory and Gunnar just showed up in my brain and started bickering and then bantering, and it felt right to see how their feelings developed. There's no Instalove here, but I think doing a road trip that almost kills you several times has a natural bonding effect--they're kind of like soldiers who survive combat together, but with more kissing.
3. It's grounded in reality but has supernatural elements. I'd call this urban fantasy but it takes place in tiny towns and wilderness. Rural fantasy? Is that a thing? :) I always wanted to write a story with otherworldly creatures, but I came up in the YA world right at the time every editor was buried in sexy vampires and werewolves, so my agent was always like "Ahahaha, absolutely not." But eventually it felt like it was time for another round of all-things-paranormal so I wrote it anyway. And if you like books by Kami Garcia, Cassandra Clare and Kiersten White, or shows like Lucifer, Supernatural, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, then Hellfinder should be for you.
4. ICELAND! If you know me or follow me online at all you know I LOVE Iceland. I would move there tomorrow if they'd let me--honestly, even without a job. I'd figure something out. Iceland feels like another planet to me, a kinder, more compassionate one, albeit with a rockier and less-forgiving topography. If you enjoy the idea of standing beneath majestic waterfalls, hiking on glaciers, dogsledding, swimming in geothermal pools, and/or crawling through ice caves and lava tubes, this book will deliver the sensory goods. Seriously, if you've read this far and don't want to check out the book, then you should skip it, but consider a trip to Iceland someday if it's within your means. It really is a magical life-changing kind of place.
5. Sometimes readers will be like "I don't understand why the author did xyz" and the answer to most of those questions for this book are that I wrote it completely on spec for no advance after both of my publishers at the time rejected it (along with several other ideas I pitched), and I had no idea if I would ever sell it. It ended up taking me 3+ years to find a publisher, and given what I spent on research, an authenticity read, and promotional stuff, there's a good chance I won't end up making any money from this book. Which is totally fine--that's a reality of the business sometimes--but that's also why I felt totally free to write what *I* wanted and what felt true to these characters. I didn't think about book trends or marketability or my readers' expectations. My editor definitely had me tamp down some of the too-outlandish stuff and stitch up the plot holes, for which I am grateful, but mostly I just fell in love with Iceland and wrote the book I wanted to read :)
March 9, 2023
Demonically obsessed metal-bands, gunslinging grandma’s and perilous adventures through volcanic-cave systems all feature at the centre of this fast-paced YA-adventure set against the background of the Icelandic wilderness. If you’re looking for an action packed novel that reads like an adventure movie or Netflix series with a light supernatural twist, this one is for you.
When Rory Quinn spends her winter-break with her adventurous, treasure-hunting grandmother, she finds herself unexpectedly swept up in Gram’s latest contract; retrieve a blood-smeared stone that legend says will lead whoever possesses it to the nearest doorway to Hell. They’re not the only once hunting the volcanic caves of Iceland for this rock, however. From a heavy-metal band who want the stone as a prop for their next show, to a secret society who believe in the demonic powers the legends profess; Rory, Gram and their clients ridiculously handsome grandson enter a race against the clock to get to the stone first.
The author has stated that the idea for Hellfinder started out, not with characters or a plot, but with a setting. This shows, in the sense that the rugged Icelandic landscapes and breath-taking nature are the heart and soul of this novel. I felt like I was right there with the characters, exploring volcanic caves, geysers and frozen tundra’s. That, along side with the fast-moving plot kept me engaged throughout, and made up for the novels weaker points.
The characters were hit-or-miss for me. Although there was some fun banter here and there, the best character of all (sassy Gunslinging-Grandma of course) felt seriously underused. The family-dynamics and interactions between Rory and her grandma took a backseat in favour of the building romance between Gunnar and Rory. Personally I would love to see more focus on family- and friendship in modern YA, instead of the same overdone and slightly cringy romantic banter all over again. A stronger focus on Rory (and her family’s) past, could’ve added a layer of depth to the story that would’ve elevated it above a fun adventure. As it stands, Hellfinder ends up with three-stars; good fun, great setting, but ultimately a little unmemorable in plot and characters.
Bonuspoints for the cover, which is absolutely stunning.
Many thanks to Fitzroy Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
When Rory Quinn spends her winter-break with her adventurous, treasure-hunting grandmother, she finds herself unexpectedly swept up in Gram’s latest contract; retrieve a blood-smeared stone that legend says will lead whoever possesses it to the nearest doorway to Hell. They’re not the only once hunting the volcanic caves of Iceland for this rock, however. From a heavy-metal band who want the stone as a prop for their next show, to a secret society who believe in the demonic powers the legends profess; Rory, Gram and their clients ridiculously handsome grandson enter a race against the clock to get to the stone first.
The author has stated that the idea for Hellfinder started out, not with characters or a plot, but with a setting. This shows, in the sense that the rugged Icelandic landscapes and breath-taking nature are the heart and soul of this novel. I felt like I was right there with the characters, exploring volcanic caves, geysers and frozen tundra’s. That, along side with the fast-moving plot kept me engaged throughout, and made up for the novels weaker points.
The characters were hit-or-miss for me. Although there was some fun banter here and there, the best character of all (sassy Gunslinging-Grandma of course) felt seriously underused. The family-dynamics and interactions between Rory and her grandma took a backseat in favour of the building romance between Gunnar and Rory. Personally I would love to see more focus on family- and friendship in modern YA, instead of the same overdone and slightly cringy romantic banter all over again. A stronger focus on Rory (and her family’s) past, could’ve added a layer of depth to the story that would’ve elevated it above a fun adventure. As it stands, Hellfinder ends up with three-stars; good fun, great setting, but ultimately a little unmemorable in plot and characters.
Bonuspoints for the cover, which is absolutely stunning.
Many thanks to Fitzroy Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 20, 2023
I really hope this book will be the first one of a series, where we can follow Rory, Gram & crew in more adventures around the globe, doing their thing (trying to avoid spoilers).
I've always loved Paula's writing and how she can write real teens, complex, and learning about themselves all the time. Rory is one of those, she is still trying to understand herself and the way she's dealt with her life and all the new info she's learning about herself and her past.
The setting is fantastic and I swear, Iceland should use this book as a promotional for their wonderful country, I've already been to Iceland and reading this made me want to go back so badly!!
4.5 stars and I need more adventures from the Rory & Co gang!!
I've always loved Paula's writing and how she can write real teens, complex, and learning about themselves all the time. Rory is one of those, she is still trying to understand herself and the way she's dealt with her life and all the new info she's learning about herself and her past.
The setting is fantastic and I swear, Iceland should use this book as a promotional for their wonderful country, I've already been to Iceland and reading this made me want to go back so badly!!
4.5 stars and I need more adventures from the Rory & Co gang!!
June 22, 2023
Many thanks to Netgalley and Fitzroy Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
The premise of this book had me hooked. A girl and her treasure-hunting grandmother set off on an adventure to Iceland, because they have been commissioned to hunt down members of a black metal band on their way to a volcano with an ancient artefact that could open a portal to hell… METAL!
My one reservation going into this book is that this was a YA story, and whilst I am not the audience for this book, the premise was too good for me to turn away from. I have to say that at times this book reads more like a middle-grade story that delves into YA topics (we have to include our Icelandic love interest, Gunnar). However, towards the end of the story, it does show the reader more heavier themes such as death, both off page and on page.
This was a quick and entertaining read, I found the plot went along fast and the conversations between the characters to be fun and realistic. However, that was all the conversations were most of the time. Most characters seemed one dimensional and easygoing. Even in times of high stress and chaos, things were resolved quickly and the characters’ shock quickly turned into nonchalant banter. I get it, it’s funny sometimes, but I want some trauma to stick to them. All the characters had very minimal to no backstories, everyone is just an incredibly skilled hiker, climber, shooting survivalist. I was especially interested to see more of Gram’s character, but she was just used as the excuse to get to Iceland and to go on this quest. Rory, our main character, tells us continuously how much she loves spending time with her grandmother and how much she respects her, but never goes into detail or conversation about her life.
For a supernatural themed adventure, the supernatural element only comes in towards the 60% mark of the book, and the details the reader gets are vague and not all that scary. The demons that people fear so much aren’t truly visible, being described as black smoke figures when outside of a person’s body. And the portal to hell itself is just a floating tear oozing black fog, not very metal in my opinion.
Additionally, even though there was a lot of info-dumping on facts about Iceland, the setting was never clear to me. The characters just went from town to town, and whilst much information was given to Rory and the reader about the towns, there were no vivid descriptions to separate them nor to give us a feel of what an Icelandic village looks like or feels to be in. In one town, its outstanding feature was a church. Ok, what else? We didn’t even get a description of what the church looked like!
The underlying theme that stuck out to me in this book is the depiction of good and evil, no one person or one thing is a hundred percent good nor evil. There is nuance to everything and nothing is black and white. Whether this be in relation to demon-possessed people and their actions, or the additional Riftwatchers cult that appears that make questionable decisions for the greater good of the world. Things just aren’t that simple in the balance of good and evil, which I think Stokes represented very well.
Overall, Hellfinder was a quick and fun read to dive into for a few hours, and I am intrigued to see where the plot goes, but I hope future books will elaborate more on characters and settings.
2.5 stars
The premise of this book had me hooked. A girl and her treasure-hunting grandmother set off on an adventure to Iceland, because they have been commissioned to hunt down members of a black metal band on their way to a volcano with an ancient artefact that could open a portal to hell… METAL!
My one reservation going into this book is that this was a YA story, and whilst I am not the audience for this book, the premise was too good for me to turn away from. I have to say that at times this book reads more like a middle-grade story that delves into YA topics (we have to include our Icelandic love interest, Gunnar). However, towards the end of the story, it does show the reader more heavier themes such as death, both off page and on page.
This was a quick and entertaining read, I found the plot went along fast and the conversations between the characters to be fun and realistic. However, that was all the conversations were most of the time. Most characters seemed one dimensional and easygoing. Even in times of high stress and chaos, things were resolved quickly and the characters’ shock quickly turned into nonchalant banter. I get it, it’s funny sometimes, but I want some trauma to stick to them. All the characters had very minimal to no backstories, everyone is just an incredibly skilled hiker, climber, shooting survivalist. I was especially interested to see more of Gram’s character, but she was just used as the excuse to get to Iceland and to go on this quest. Rory, our main character, tells us continuously how much she loves spending time with her grandmother and how much she respects her, but never goes into detail or conversation about her life.
For a supernatural themed adventure, the supernatural element only comes in towards the 60% mark of the book, and the details the reader gets are vague and not all that scary. The demons that people fear so much aren’t truly visible, being described as black smoke figures when outside of a person’s body. And the portal to hell itself is just a floating tear oozing black fog, not very metal in my opinion.
Additionally, even though there was a lot of info-dumping on facts about Iceland, the setting was never clear to me. The characters just went from town to town, and whilst much information was given to Rory and the reader about the towns, there were no vivid descriptions to separate them nor to give us a feel of what an Icelandic village looks like or feels to be in. In one town, its outstanding feature was a church. Ok, what else? We didn’t even get a description of what the church looked like!
The underlying theme that stuck out to me in this book is the depiction of good and evil, no one person or one thing is a hundred percent good nor evil. There is nuance to everything and nothing is black and white. Whether this be in relation to demon-possessed people and their actions, or the additional Riftwatchers cult that appears that make questionable decisions for the greater good of the world. Things just aren’t that simple in the balance of good and evil, which I think Stokes represented very well.
Overall, Hellfinder was a quick and fun read to dive into for a few hours, and I am intrigued to see where the plot goes, but I hope future books will elaborate more on characters and settings.
April 24, 2023
I must say, I am very impressed with Paula Stokes for being able to fit so much information, character development, and descriptions into such a short book. Without further ado, let’s dive into this review.
**I was provided an ebook by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own**
Plot: So the watered down plot of this book is Rory and her Grandmother are “treasure hunters” who go to Iceland at the request of an old friend of Grandmothers. They team up with a “ridiculously hot” boy who’s cheekbones could cut glass. The gang must find cheekbones’ brother and stop him from opening a portal to hell.
While the plot itself is simple, Stokes is able to craft an intriguing story that keeps you interested. So, gold star ⭐️
Character development: I’m really bummed we didn’t get more of a backstory to the Grandmother! She seemed so cool but she was often left behind in the story in favor of Rory going on and on about how beautiful Gunnar is. I get it girl, but move along! Gunnar didn’t deserve to be relegated to the eye candy. He has a whole arc that screams “WHERE DID YOU LEARN THIS?!”
Rory herself really wasn’t that bad. As far as YA heroines go, I’ve read much worse than Rory. She has a good arc overall and I’m interested to see if there will be more.
Setting: Iceland is a real place and you can tell the author has been there. Everything was clearly detailed to the point that I literally went on google earth to verify and it is spot on! Claps 👏🏼 and snaps 🫰
Writing Style: Stokes’ writing style flows beautifully. She leaves out no detail while also not wasting time contemplating a butterfly. I saw the scene perfectly in my head with none of the weird haze I get when I read other books.
Overall Opinion: Hellfinder is a quick read that delivers a full story that could spill into more novels or end here. The story is written beautifully and I enjoyed reading this immensely. I really don’t have any complaints, so 5 stars!
**I was provided an ebook by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own**
Plot: So the watered down plot of this book is Rory and her Grandmother are “treasure hunters” who go to Iceland at the request of an old friend of Grandmothers. They team up with a “ridiculously hot” boy who’s cheekbones could cut glass. The gang must find cheekbones’ brother and stop him from opening a portal to hell.
While the plot itself is simple, Stokes is able to craft an intriguing story that keeps you interested. So, gold star ⭐️
Character development: I’m really bummed we didn’t get more of a backstory to the Grandmother! She seemed so cool but she was often left behind in the story in favor of Rory going on and on about how beautiful Gunnar is. I get it girl, but move along! Gunnar didn’t deserve to be relegated to the eye candy. He has a whole arc that screams “WHERE DID YOU LEARN THIS?!”
Rory herself really wasn’t that bad. As far as YA heroines go, I’ve read much worse than Rory. She has a good arc overall and I’m interested to see if there will be more.
Setting: Iceland is a real place and you can tell the author has been there. Everything was clearly detailed to the point that I literally went on google earth to verify and it is spot on! Claps 👏🏼 and snaps 🫰
Writing Style: Stokes’ writing style flows beautifully. She leaves out no detail while also not wasting time contemplating a butterfly. I saw the scene perfectly in my head with none of the weird haze I get when I read other books.
Overall Opinion: Hellfinder is a quick read that delivers a full story that could spill into more novels or end here. The story is written beautifully and I enjoyed reading this immensely. I really don’t have any complaints, so 5 stars!
December 13, 2022
I love travel shows that take me to gorgeous locations, and I love adventure shows where people fight demons. This book is like the ultimate Netflix series. It’s like The Amazing Race meets Supernatural, and I enjoyed every twist and turn.
Of particular note: the women in this book know what they’re good at. The protagonist, Rory, and her grandmother are experienced hikers, and her gram is an excellent shot. Rory may have some relatable anxiety about dealing with cute guys, but she has skills and confidence on the job. There’s a no-nonsense quality and a forward momentum that really keeps the pace moving.
Paula Stokes presents a juicy concept and fires on all cylinders.
This book makes me wish Iceland was real.
Of particular note: the women in this book know what they’re good at. The protagonist, Rory, and her grandmother are experienced hikers, and her gram is an excellent shot. Rory may have some relatable anxiety about dealing with cute guys, but she has skills and confidence on the job. There’s a no-nonsense quality and a forward momentum that really keeps the pace moving.
Paula Stokes presents a juicy concept and fires on all cylinders.
This book makes me wish Iceland was real.
August 15, 2023
Rating : 3.75 / 5
Rory tags along with her grandmother who was commissioned by a friend from Iceland. Their mission, to find the client’s grandson, Einar, and also recover a stone that is said to open the doors to hell. They will be accompanied by Gunnar, Einar’s twin, to help them reach their destination. They encounter enemies convinced to stop the group but also meet friendly residents that lent a helping hand. This marks the start of an adventure that Rory could never have ever believed before.
A young adult fantasy that starts off slow but as soon as the story gets more action-packed, I was immediately hooked and flew through the pages, eager to find out what happens next. A unique premise that made me curious as to where this adventure can take me. Will be keeping an eye on the sequel.
This book made me want to travel to Iceland as the writing excellently describes the landscape. I can’t help but imagine how beautiful everything is, the possible snow / ice activities and tourist attractions. Living in a tropical country, I could only hope to see that much snow in my surroundings. Going to Iceland will be added on my bucket list because of how well the author recreates the scenery.
Really interested in the fantasy elements tackled here, the different types of demons and weapons to subdue them. The book poses a question, how should one deal with their inner demons, accepted with an embrace or forcefully removed with an exorcism? The answer mainly depends on one’s morality and the extent of harm this demon creates to others and oneself.
Rory tags along with her grandmother who was commissioned by a friend from Iceland. Their mission, to find the client’s grandson, Einar, and also recover a stone that is said to open the doors to hell. They will be accompanied by Gunnar, Einar’s twin, to help them reach their destination. They encounter enemies convinced to stop the group but also meet friendly residents that lent a helping hand. This marks the start of an adventure that Rory could never have ever believed before.
A young adult fantasy that starts off slow but as soon as the story gets more action-packed, I was immediately hooked and flew through the pages, eager to find out what happens next. A unique premise that made me curious as to where this adventure can take me. Will be keeping an eye on the sequel.
This book made me want to travel to Iceland as the writing excellently describes the landscape. I can’t help but imagine how beautiful everything is, the possible snow / ice activities and tourist attractions. Living in a tropical country, I could only hope to see that much snow in my surroundings. Going to Iceland will be added on my bucket list because of how well the author recreates the scenery.
Really interested in the fantasy elements tackled here, the different types of demons and weapons to subdue them. The book poses a question, how should one deal with their inner demons, accepted with an embrace or forcefully removed with an exorcism? The answer mainly depends on one’s morality and the extent of harm this demon creates to others and oneself.
August 4, 2023
I can guarantee that I did not pronounce one single Icelandic word correctly. Maybe the names of some of the characters but that’s it.
The setting sounded gorgeous, the descriptions so well done it’s almost like you were there.
I wasn’t expecting the supernatural element but definitely didn’t hate it! This book was a lot of fun and I’ll be looking into the author’s other work.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The setting sounded gorgeous, the descriptions so well done it’s almost like you were there.
I wasn’t expecting the supernatural element but definitely didn’t hate it! This book was a lot of fun and I’ll be looking into the author’s other work.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
July 10, 2023
Does anyone remember that text post that goes 'why is the chosen one always a teenager barely out of school? why can't it be someone's grandma?' Yeah, honestly, the older I get the more I wonder who left the fates of the world to literal children.
Thankfully, Hellfinder leaves the task of hunting down a death metal band hell-bent on opening the gates of hell to a cool adventuring 63 year old grandmother (and her 17 and a half year old granddaughter - I guess we can never stray too far away from the children)
Rating: 2.5/5 (rounded up to 3)
I really wish I could love this book more since the premise is extremely intriguing, but the actual book itself falls really flat.
If I were generous, I might say that this was written for a younger audience, but honestly, that would be doing the kids a disservice. I had to suspend a lot of disbelief throughout the book in regard to the character's actions and reactions - I needed a moment to get over the fact that the best rescue team sent into the deep Icelandic winter are two teenagers and a grandmother (not to say grandmothers can't be fit, but i don't think even the fittest of climbers would brave an excursion free climbing a mountain in the deep of winter with nary any preparation or backup) (but this is young YA, and I am quite willing to overlook that for the sake of the plot)
To sum up my grievances (of which there are many), I just wish there was more depth and nuance to the story. Rory went along with everything and had no critical thinking skills of her own; Gunnar could actually kill someone and that was not explained, character's motivations were paper thin. Characters accepted things too readily and without any critical engagement. The pattern was rory gets told something > she is shocked and immediately thinks the worst > suddenly, a very detached reflection of the situation where the outcome is always 'this might be bad but i can see the good in it'.
Also, one of my biggest peeves is the 'purposely withholding critical information' trope, and this book features it in spades. Rory's possession felt gimmicky and a quick way out of a wall that the writer had written herself into - there ought to be more foreshadowing and nuance in how Rory could have handled it. All she did was go oh! ok! guess im posessed by an entity i did not know existed 24hrs ago but im more worried if i want to kiss mr cheekbones because of my ~raging hormones~ or is it ~true love~
The author has set herself up for a series (or at least a book 2), but my journey with Grams, Rory and Gunnar ends here.
**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Thankfully, Hellfinder leaves the task of hunting down a death metal band hell-bent on opening the gates of hell to a cool adventuring 63 year old grandmother (and her 17 and a half year old granddaughter - I guess we can never stray too far away from the children)
Rating: 2.5/5 (rounded up to 3)
I really wish I could love this book more since the premise is extremely intriguing, but the actual book itself falls really flat.
If I were generous, I might say that this was written for a younger audience, but honestly, that would be doing the kids a disservice. I had to suspend a lot of disbelief throughout the book in regard to the character's actions and reactions - I needed a moment to get over the fact that the best rescue team sent into the deep Icelandic winter are two teenagers and a grandmother (not to say grandmothers can't be fit, but i don't think even the fittest of climbers would brave an excursion free climbing a mountain in the deep of winter with nary any preparation or backup) (but this is young YA, and I am quite willing to overlook that for the sake of the plot)
To sum up my grievances (of which there are many), I just wish there was more depth and nuance to the story. Rory went along with everything and had no critical thinking skills of her own; Gunnar could actually kill someone and that was not explained, character's motivations were paper thin. Characters accepted things too readily and without any critical engagement. The pattern was rory gets told something > she is shocked and immediately thinks the worst > suddenly, a very detached reflection of the situation where the outcome is always 'this might be bad but i can see the good in it'.
Also, one of my biggest peeves is the 'purposely withholding critical information' trope, and this book features it in spades. Rory's possession felt gimmicky and a quick way out of a wall that the writer had written herself into - there ought to be more foreshadowing and nuance in how Rory could have handled it. All she did was go oh! ok! guess im posessed by an entity i did not know existed 24hrs ago but im more worried if i want to kiss mr cheekbones because of my ~raging hormones~ or is it ~true love~
The author has set herself up for a series (or at least a book 2), but my journey with Grams, Rory and Gunnar ends here.
**ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
March 22, 2023
This book wasn’t for me, really. I was torn between giving it 2 or 3 stars, and went for 3 in the end because I think perhaps a less critical and younger reader might like it. It reads as lower-end YA, so I imagine I’m not the intended audience, and someone who does like books like that might enjoy it. However, I found it fell flat.
The book had quite a slow start. Heavy on the exposition, light on the character development, and full of tiny little details that didn’t quite make sense and kept throwing me out of the narrative. Both the main character and her love interest came across as one-dimensional, and the attraction between them contrived.
About 30% of the way in, things started picking up. I wouldn’t say the narrative style improved, but there were fewer things for it to stumble over and I didn’t keep getting distracted by it. There was still a lot that didn’t make sense to me, but I didn’t mind reading it. However, I don’t think it really improved any more. The rest of the book rushed things I felt needed much more time dedicated to them, and dragged out plot points that I didn’t think warranted much content at all.
There were a few things in the book that surprised me, but only because they didn’t really seem to make any sense. None of the characters acted in ways I expected when faced with any kind of adversity or surprise, which made me feel like there was no purpose to the manner in which these events occurred, they were just there to move the plot along, and also that none of the characters seemed real. Their motivations and emotions and actions all seemed incredibly unbelievable.
The main character irritated me. She was insistent that she was capable and smart and could handle things on her own, and yet whenever she was given a choice to make she pretty much invariably went with the wrong option. She was pretty much clueless about anything and everything that the plot revolved around, while those who were in the know seemed content to let her make terrible choices without all the relevant information. The way she acted when she finally discovered any of the information that was concealed from her felt unrealistic, too. It really felt like you could have taken her out of the story entirely and its course would be more or less unchanged.
In conclusion, I don’t really think this book is worth it. I was never invested in the characters, or the romance, or the plot, and I think that everything was resolved far too easily for all of the build-up that preceded it.
The book had quite a slow start. Heavy on the exposition, light on the character development, and full of tiny little details that didn’t quite make sense and kept throwing me out of the narrative. Both the main character and her love interest came across as one-dimensional, and the attraction between them contrived.
About 30% of the way in, things started picking up. I wouldn’t say the narrative style improved, but there were fewer things for it to stumble over and I didn’t keep getting distracted by it. There was still a lot that didn’t make sense to me, but I didn’t mind reading it. However, I don’t think it really improved any more. The rest of the book rushed things I felt needed much more time dedicated to them, and dragged out plot points that I didn’t think warranted much content at all.
There were a few things in the book that surprised me, but only because they didn’t really seem to make any sense. None of the characters acted in ways I expected when faced with any kind of adversity or surprise, which made me feel like there was no purpose to the manner in which these events occurred, they were just there to move the plot along, and also that none of the characters seemed real. Their motivations and emotions and actions all seemed incredibly unbelievable.
The main character irritated me. She was insistent that she was capable and smart and could handle things on her own, and yet whenever she was given a choice to make she pretty much invariably went with the wrong option. She was pretty much clueless about anything and everything that the plot revolved around, while those who were in the know seemed content to let her make terrible choices without all the relevant information. The way she acted when she finally discovered any of the information that was concealed from her felt unrealistic, too. It really felt like you could have taken her out of the story entirely and its course would be more or less unchanged.
In conclusion, I don’t really think this book is worth it. I was never invested in the characters, or the romance, or the plot, and I think that everything was resolved far too easily for all of the build-up that preceded it.
August 9, 2023
Hellfinder is a unique book, with an intriguing premise that drew me to look closer - and I’m very glad that I did.
We follow the adventures (with no exaggeration whatsoever) of Rory, a teenager who travels with her grandmother to find a lost treasure in Iceland that has some connection to her family. I did worry that this would turn out to be a bit Mary Sue/Lara Croft, but Rory is absolutely her own character, and it was also a real delight to see Grams, a kickass older lady, along for the ride.
The treasure has been taken by a ‘Satanic’ heavy metal band looking to use it for some sort of ritual, perhaps as an online stunt or something even darker. As the story unfolds, Rory is constantly wrong-footed as to motivations, who to trust, what’s really going on (is it real or supernatural?), and all amidst a gorgeous but deadly landscape of snow, ice and volcanoes.
This is not your average YA romance novel disguised as an adventure. It’s action-heavy, but Rory is thoughtful and smart while retaining her reality as a teenager in a strange land. It’s frustrating that the adults don’t trust her more, but that’s a challenge teen readers will easily relate to. The difference is that very few teenagers will find themselves in these situations!
I was cheering Rory and Grams on as the tale progressed, pleased with how the former handled potential Boy Issues (no spoilers, but let’s just say there’s twins), and amazed that she manages to survive intact to the end! Stepping back, some parts of the book may seem unlikely, but in the context of the story it all comes together beautifully, flowing forward as the author engages us until we’re lost in this remote world as well. Let’s just say that I had some late nights with ‘just one more chapter’.
I admit to not having heard of this author’s work before encountering Hellfinder, and I’m surprised she’s not reached a wider audience (yet). Her writing style is unique, quite unlike your usual fantasy-esque novels, and the whole mood is so Icelandic - insofar as I’ve read such books in translation - that I thought she was a native!
Definitely a recommend for clever young ladies out there (I would have loved this as a teenager!), but for adults who want something different, it was a pleasure to go along for the ride.
We follow the adventures (with no exaggeration whatsoever) of Rory, a teenager who travels with her grandmother to find a lost treasure in Iceland that has some connection to her family. I did worry that this would turn out to be a bit Mary Sue/Lara Croft, but Rory is absolutely her own character, and it was also a real delight to see Grams, a kickass older lady, along for the ride.
The treasure has been taken by a ‘Satanic’ heavy metal band looking to use it for some sort of ritual, perhaps as an online stunt or something even darker. As the story unfolds, Rory is constantly wrong-footed as to motivations, who to trust, what’s really going on (is it real or supernatural?), and all amidst a gorgeous but deadly landscape of snow, ice and volcanoes.
This is not your average YA romance novel disguised as an adventure. It’s action-heavy, but Rory is thoughtful and smart while retaining her reality as a teenager in a strange land. It’s frustrating that the adults don’t trust her more, but that’s a challenge teen readers will easily relate to. The difference is that very few teenagers will find themselves in these situations!
I was cheering Rory and Grams on as the tale progressed, pleased with how the former handled potential Boy Issues (no spoilers, but let’s just say there’s twins), and amazed that she manages to survive intact to the end! Stepping back, some parts of the book may seem unlikely, but in the context of the story it all comes together beautifully, flowing forward as the author engages us until we’re lost in this remote world as well. Let’s just say that I had some late nights with ‘just one more chapter’.
I admit to not having heard of this author’s work before encountering Hellfinder, and I’m surprised she’s not reached a wider audience (yet). Her writing style is unique, quite unlike your usual fantasy-esque novels, and the whole mood is so Icelandic - insofar as I’ve read such books in translation - that I thought she was a native!
Definitely a recommend for clever young ladies out there (I would have loved this as a teenager!), but for adults who want something different, it was a pleasure to go along for the ride.
August 17, 2023
This was a really fun and quick read. The story centers on our main character Aurora/Rory and her adventures with her grandmother and Gunnar through glaciers and volcanos in Iceland in the winter.
I personally connected with this story because I traveled to Iceland a few years ago in the winter. I could relate to a lot of the locations either mentioned or visited, the food, and the culture. Reading this book was a comforting stroll down memory lane to one of the coolest places on Earth (in my opinion). The author herself has been to Iceland a few times and it shows because everything she mentioned was pretty accurate to my own trip there. In fact, one of the coolest things I did on my trip was take a guided hike on a glacier, so the fact that Rory and the gang also end up hiking on a glacier was pretty fun for me to read about (my hiking experience was not nearly as deadly as theirs).
The story itself was pretty fun and a quick read. The chapters are very short, which I personally like a lot, it keeps me reading just one more chapter. I also liked the little bits of clues we got throughout about something being not quite right and the eventual discovery was interesting and something you could probably figure out a bit beforehand but it wasn't so obviously in your face, I think.
The one thing I didn't love, was that the beginning was a bit of a slow start with a lot of exposition, but as soon as they are in Iceland it picks up pace, so maybe just like the first 20 pages take awhile to get through. Once in Iceland, I was pretty hooked and wanted to continue the story all the way through.
I am very curious if this is supposed to be a standalone or if the author plans on continuing the story. I'm honestly fine with it either way. I like when you can see a future adventure for a character but don't have to be told it, but I could also see a fun sequel for Rory, especially if she travels to some other gate of hell. I definitely trust this author to write about amazing locations she's been to and give them justice so if she's taken any other fun trips and want to feature those locations in a sequel, I would be here for it.
I personally connected with this story because I traveled to Iceland a few years ago in the winter. I could relate to a lot of the locations either mentioned or visited, the food, and the culture. Reading this book was a comforting stroll down memory lane to one of the coolest places on Earth (in my opinion). The author herself has been to Iceland a few times and it shows because everything she mentioned was pretty accurate to my own trip there. In fact, one of the coolest things I did on my trip was take a guided hike on a glacier, so the fact that Rory and the gang also end up hiking on a glacier was pretty fun for me to read about (my hiking experience was not nearly as deadly as theirs).
The story itself was pretty fun and a quick read. The chapters are very short, which I personally like a lot, it keeps me reading just one more chapter. I also liked the little bits of clues we got throughout about something being not quite right and the eventual discovery was interesting and something you could probably figure out a bit beforehand but it wasn't so obviously in your face, I think.
The one thing I didn't love, was that the beginning was a bit of a slow start with a lot of exposition, but as soon as they are in Iceland it picks up pace, so maybe just like the first 20 pages take awhile to get through. Once in Iceland, I was pretty hooked and wanted to continue the story all the way through.
I am very curious if this is supposed to be a standalone or if the author plans on continuing the story. I'm honestly fine with it either way. I like when you can see a future adventure for a character but don't have to be told it, but I could also see a fun sequel for Rory, especially if she travels to some other gate of hell. I definitely trust this author to write about amazing locations she's been to and give them justice so if she's taken any other fun trips and want to feature those locations in a sequel, I would be here for it.
April 6, 2023
Rory Quinn, an impulsive and free-spirited teen, wants to spend Christmas in Paris with her Gram following one of her Gram's treasure hunting jobs. Their holiday idyll is interrupted, though, by a call from Henning, an old friend of Gram's, asking her to come to Iceland. Henning wants her to retrieve a family heirloom used to find the nearest doorway to Hell, believing his grandson Einar has stolen it for his death metal band friends to open a gate to Hell. Joined by Einar's twin Gunnar, Rory and Gram head out into the near-Arctic winter night on this dangerous quest.
I wanted to read this book purely based on the Icelandic setting, and the vivid descriptions of the scenery along the Ring Road as well as the trek across and under the glacier did not disappoint. The plot intrigued me -- a group of death metal musicians who claim to be Satanists deciding to open a path to Hell in order to release demons on the world seems both really farfetched and yet just out-there enough for someone to claim to do -- and the pacing kept that plot moving along with plenty of thrills and mild suspense. I will say that the twist didn't really surprise me, but how it was used through the rest of the story after the reveal was a little hard to believe (a couple of plot points were wrapped up awfully neatly thanks to that reveal).
The characters, unfortunately, fell just a bit flat, and the family dynamic between Rory and Gram (and even between Henning and Gunnar) could have been explored much more. Despite Rory being described as 17 1/2, she read as a few years younger (and that may have been due to her relative isolation from other kids her age) -- which made the budding romance a bit cringey. The language used also made the book feel as if it were written for younger teens.
So while I enjoyed the story, I was disappointed that it didn't have a slightly more mature tone. Still, 3 stars for the enjoyment level.
Thank you, Fitzroy Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
I wanted to read this book purely based on the Icelandic setting, and the vivid descriptions of the scenery along the Ring Road as well as the trek across and under the glacier did not disappoint. The plot intrigued me -- a group of death metal musicians who claim to be Satanists deciding to open a path to Hell in order to release demons on the world seems both really farfetched and yet just out-there enough for someone to claim to do -- and the pacing kept that plot moving along with plenty of thrills and mild suspense. I will say that the twist didn't really surprise me, but how it was used through the rest of the story after the reveal was a little hard to believe (a couple of plot points were wrapped up awfully neatly thanks to that reveal).
The characters, unfortunately, fell just a bit flat, and the family dynamic between Rory and Gram (and even between Henning and Gunnar) could have been explored much more. Despite Rory being described as 17 1/2, she read as a few years younger (and that may have been due to her relative isolation from other kids her age) -- which made the budding romance a bit cringey. The language used also made the book feel as if it were written for younger teens.
So while I enjoyed the story, I was disappointed that it didn't have a slightly more mature tone. Still, 3 stars for the enjoyment level.
Thank you, Fitzroy Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
August 26, 2023
Rory's grandmother is a treasure hunter. She is hired by and old friend to go to Iceland and find a stone that belongs to his family and is said to find the nearest doorway to Hell. The Hellfinder was taken by the client's grandson, Einar, to be used by a heavy metal band he has befriended as a publicity stunt. Einar's twin brother Gunnar will accompany them. Can the three of them recover the stone before anything is unleashed?
The way it starts out it seems kind of cozy but intriguing till the impending doom creeps in. A lot of unexpected things happen to them, giving sustenance to danger and our imagination. The Icelandic backdrop colors the story in a heightened thrilling light, all the things they get to do or see, so fascinating. The author manages to tie all these sumptuous ingredients together with her obvious whimsy creativeness. And those twists... *whistling*.
The 1st person, present tense POV is friendly and intimate, and you enjoy the straightforward tone while the protagonist sneaks into your heart. Her thought process feels grounded and natural, including the little details she notices. You feel like you're being told the story, but also that you're in the story at the same time. What amps up the excitement and inhalibility (so interesting you inhale not just read the story) is that even though there are chapters it feels like one continuous story. Engagingly witty you will love the banter with Gunnar and their encounters are smile even chuckle-worthy.
There are some great ideas here like the Riftwatchers. I wish there was a more extensive elaboration of some of the book's mythology and clarification for some of the action scenes. I needed more of the supernatural.
This book was about finding yourself and your place in the world. About doing what needs to be done. Like a road/the-chase-is-on movie with Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew of the 2020s TV series vibes, this was a wildly entertaining, supernaturally infused adventure. Paula Stokes needs to make this into a series.
The way it starts out it seems kind of cozy but intriguing till the impending doom creeps in. A lot of unexpected things happen to them, giving sustenance to danger and our imagination. The Icelandic backdrop colors the story in a heightened thrilling light, all the things they get to do or see, so fascinating. The author manages to tie all these sumptuous ingredients together with her obvious whimsy creativeness. And those twists... *whistling*.
The 1st person, present tense POV is friendly and intimate, and you enjoy the straightforward tone while the protagonist sneaks into your heart. Her thought process feels grounded and natural, including the little details she notices. You feel like you're being told the story, but also that you're in the story at the same time. What amps up the excitement and inhalibility (so interesting you inhale not just read the story) is that even though there are chapters it feels like one continuous story. Engagingly witty you will love the banter with Gunnar and their encounters are smile even chuckle-worthy.
There are some great ideas here like the Riftwatchers. I wish there was a more extensive elaboration of some of the book's mythology and clarification for some of the action scenes. I needed more of the supernatural.
This book was about finding yourself and your place in the world. About doing what needs to be done. Like a road/the-chase-is-on movie with Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew of the 2020s TV series vibes, this was a wildly entertaining, supernaturally infused adventure. Paula Stokes needs to make this into a series.
August 25, 2023
Hellfinder has an intriguing premise that unfortunately didn't live up to its potential in execution. While the idea behind the story held promise, the actual narrative fell short in multiple aspects. The author's descriptions of the Icelandic surroundings and attractions lacked depth and failed to create a vivid sense of place. I can see this shortcoming being particularly noticeable for readers who haven't visited Iceland themselves, as crucial visual elements were left unclear or confusing. For instance, if I hadn't have visited Iceland myself, I would have no idea what places like Hallgrimskirkja church looked like since the author mentioned it as a popular destination when the characters drive by it, but it wasn't described in the least. FYI, it does not look like a typical church. It's architecture is extremely unique.
In addition, the characters in the novel suffered from one-dimensionality, with the love interest receiving disproportionate attention in terms of description and admiration. I still have no idea what the main character looked like, her appearance remained vague, making it challenging to fully connect with her. The plot itself also faced issues with coherence, at times becoming nonsensical and not fully capitalizing on the potential of its intriguing premise. The resolution of intense experiences without substantial impact or acknowledgement further weakened the narrative's impact.
While the premise of Hellfinder showed promise, the book's shortcomings in describing its setting, character development, and plot progression hindered my ability to fully engage with it. For those seeking a more immersive and well-rounded reading experience, this novel might not deliver on its initial potential.
Thank you to Fitzroy Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
In addition, the characters in the novel suffered from one-dimensionality, with the love interest receiving disproportionate attention in terms of description and admiration. I still have no idea what the main character looked like, her appearance remained vague, making it challenging to fully connect with her. The plot itself also faced issues with coherence, at times becoming nonsensical and not fully capitalizing on the potential of its intriguing premise. The resolution of intense experiences without substantial impact or acknowledgement further weakened the narrative's impact.
While the premise of Hellfinder showed promise, the book's shortcomings in describing its setting, character development, and plot progression hindered my ability to fully engage with it. For those seeking a more immersive and well-rounded reading experience, this novel might not deliver on its initial potential.
Thank you to Fitzroy Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 19, 2023
3.5/5
This was a funny little book. The author mentions in the afterword that the setting came first, before the story or characters, and honestly, it shows. Iceland was by far the star of this show. I've never read a book set in Iceland and it was definitely an awesome vibe. The sense of place was well evoked.
The first 60% of the book is a bit meandering, mostly just the MC and her grandma and a cute Icelandic boy wandering around Iceland. A supernatural element suddenly pops into proceedings in the second half and the story gets a lot more interesting from there.
I did quite like that teenage MC was working with her treasure hunting grandma, that was a nice pairing.
I found the audience for this book a little hard to pin down. In the first chapter, the way they were talking, I thought the main character was about 12, especially when they were talking about her needing a babysitter, so when it then said she was 17 I was a bit like... wait, what? I then struggled for the rest of the book to reconceptualise her, which made the whole romance aspect a bit weird. I did think the book general felt Percy Jackson level, which is middle grade - again, apart from the romance, and also a couple of violent aspects like the eviscerated guy. These elements felt a little out of place for the tone and pitch of the rest of the book.
The story was told in a way that felt fairly surface level. We don't get a lot of emotional reaction to things, which makes it hard to feel much for the MC. I think maybe this is what contributed to the "middle grade" feel.
I did quite like the direction the story took at the end and I would consider reading the next one. It was a light, easy kind of read and the Icelandic setting was definitely nice.
Recommended for anyone who wants to armchair travel to Iceland without too much mental or emotional exertion.
This was a funny little book. The author mentions in the afterword that the setting came first, before the story or characters, and honestly, it shows. Iceland was by far the star of this show. I've never read a book set in Iceland and it was definitely an awesome vibe. The sense of place was well evoked.
The first 60% of the book is a bit meandering, mostly just the MC and her grandma and a cute Icelandic boy wandering around Iceland. A supernatural element suddenly pops into proceedings in the second half and the story gets a lot more interesting from there.
I did quite like that teenage MC was working with her treasure hunting grandma, that was a nice pairing.
I found the audience for this book a little hard to pin down. In the first chapter, the way they were talking, I thought the main character was about 12, especially when they were talking about her needing a babysitter, so when it then said she was 17 I was a bit like... wait, what? I then struggled for the rest of the book to reconceptualise her, which made the whole romance aspect a bit weird. I did think the book general felt Percy Jackson level, which is middle grade - again, apart from the romance, and also a couple of violent aspects like the eviscerated guy. These elements felt a little out of place for the tone and pitch of the rest of the book.
The story was told in a way that felt fairly surface level. We don't get a lot of emotional reaction to things, which makes it hard to feel much for the MC. I think maybe this is what contributed to the "middle grade" feel.
I did quite like the direction the story took at the end and I would consider reading the next one. It was a light, easy kind of read and the Icelandic setting was definitely nice.
Recommended for anyone who wants to armchair travel to Iceland without too much mental or emotional exertion.
May 22, 2023
• 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 •
Rory Quinn visits Iceland with her treasure-seeking grandmother in pursuit of a magical artefact. Their goal is to retrieve a blood-smeared stone, which according to mythology will bring its owner to the closest Hellish entrance. The suggestion to take the stone came from Einar's favourite heavy metal group. In just three days, the band intends to unlock the closest doorway, which is said to be hidden deep inside one of Iceland's numerous volcanoes, as part of a publicity stunt. Rory, Gramme, and Gunnar will have to go through volcanic tunnels, ice caverns, and glaciers in order to locate the missing artefact. Can the trio save the stone before the group lets loose something horrible in the wilds of Iceland?
Hellfinder by Paula Stokes is an adventurous fantasy read. The setting of the book is fantastic. Though it's a short read, the author provided enough attention on both plot and character development. I love how the author has an eye for detailing. I unique pace of the book keeps the thrilling vibes intact. I would have loved it more if the heroine would have been little bit more than an eye candy. It would have been more perfect if the author would have provided little bit information about the Grandma's past. Author describes the setting of Iceland so beautifully that one feels transported to it while reading this book. Overall, it's a fun read that's perfect as an afternoon read.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC
April 19, 2023
This is an ARC review!
Thank you Netgalley and Fitzroy Books/Regal House Publishing for the ARC review in exchange for an honest review!
I liked this story but I do feel I would have liked this even more if I was younger. Rory, to me, I would have thought was between the ages of 13-15 years old if I didn’t know she was 17 years old. She felt like she was written younger especially when she says things like “lock lips” when mentioning kissing Gunnar. Furthermore, I think Rory’s is very overly focused on Gunnar. It seems to be all she can think about when they aren’t in a dangerous situation and it seems, to me, that it makes her blind to anything suspicious about him. However, when he starts reciprocating then all of sudden she thinks it's crazy to like him cause she barely knows him.
Although I do feel bad for Rory because no one really tells her anything when they are speaking Icelandic. Which makes her feel like an outsider because she doesn't know the language or much about culture / tradition. However that is not totally all her fault because her grandparents did bother teaching her along with the fact that Iceland is where her mother died and her father went crazy so she is probably less inclined to learn. Which is why it irked me every time Gunnar mentions her heritage and lack of knowledge.
Thank you Netgalley and Fitzroy Books/Regal House Publishing for the ARC review in exchange for an honest review!
I liked this story but I do feel I would have liked this even more if I was younger. Rory, to me, I would have thought was between the ages of 13-15 years old if I didn’t know she was 17 years old. She felt like she was written younger especially when she says things like “lock lips” when mentioning kissing Gunnar. Furthermore, I think Rory’s is very overly focused on Gunnar. It seems to be all she can think about when they aren’t in a dangerous situation and it seems, to me, that it makes her blind to anything suspicious about him. However, when he starts reciprocating then all of sudden she thinks it's crazy to like him cause she barely knows him.
Although I do feel bad for Rory because no one really tells her anything when they are speaking Icelandic. Which makes her feel like an outsider because she doesn't know the language or much about culture / tradition. However that is not totally all her fault because her grandparents did bother teaching her along with the fact that Iceland is where her mother died and her father went crazy so she is probably less inclined to learn. Which is why it irked me every time Gunnar mentions her heritage and lack of knowledge.
May 22, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Fitzroy Books/Regal House Publishing for providing a review copy of Hellfinder!
Hellfinder is a book about a girl finding herself while traveling with her grandmother around the world. This story takes place in Iceland and has a richly described setting. It is a short book, but a lot happens as the characters also undergo realistic developments.
Based on the cover, I was expecting a book that leaned more towards the middle grade side of YA. This wasn't necessarily the case. The book explores quite heavy themes, but does so with great care and thoughtfulness.
The book follows Rory (Aurora) as she discovers Iceland with her grandmother, gradually falls in love with Gunnar, and learns about herself. However, this is not a story solely about the love between Rory and Gunnar. Although it is clearly portrayed, it is written in a calm enough manner to be believable. While love may be prominent, the story as a whole focuses on Rory finding herself.
My only critique of the book is that too much happens. One disaster follows another, and our characters always come out unscathed. Perhaps one of these disasters was unnecessary, and it would have been nice to give our characters some breathing space.
Hellfinder is a book about a girl finding herself while traveling with her grandmother around the world. This story takes place in Iceland and has a richly described setting. It is a short book, but a lot happens as the characters also undergo realistic developments.
Based on the cover, I was expecting a book that leaned more towards the middle grade side of YA. This wasn't necessarily the case. The book explores quite heavy themes, but does so with great care and thoughtfulness.
The book follows Rory (Aurora) as she discovers Iceland with her grandmother, gradually falls in love with Gunnar, and learns about herself. However, this is not a story solely about the love between Rory and Gunnar. Although it is clearly portrayed, it is written in a calm enough manner to be believable. While love may be prominent, the story as a whole focuses on Rory finding herself.
My only critique of the book is that too much happens. One disaster follows another, and our characters always come out unscathed. Perhaps one of these disasters was unnecessary, and it would have been nice to give our characters some breathing space.
July 27, 2023
3.5/5 Stars. Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel.
General Description: Rory and her grandmother treasure hunt. Mainly Gram, but Rory is trying to prove herself with this latest call that takes them to Iceland, where Gram and Rory must find Gunnar's brother, Einar, and bring him home to their grandfather, Henning. The theory is: Einar and a band are traveling to open a gate to hell. Will Rory, Gram, and Gunnar be able to stop them before they open a gate and let out demons onto Iceland?
The good:
- Extremely fast paced book, it grips you right away.
- I do like the magical element of the book
- I think the adventure element and the description of certain scenes were done so well it felt like I was there, which really doesn't happen as often as I'd like.
The missing 1.5 stars:
- I felt the romance aspects were a bit forced and Rory's overall progress was odd?
- While it was so fast paced in the first half, it stop abruptly, which left me wanting more but not in a good way? I wish this book was longer to give more explanation to the world that's being built (if there is not a book 2 I will be sad lol)
Overall: If you're looking for a fast paced, high action fantasy read, this fits the bill perfectly!
General Description: Rory and her grandmother treasure hunt. Mainly Gram, but Rory is trying to prove herself with this latest call that takes them to Iceland, where Gram and Rory must find Gunnar's brother, Einar, and bring him home to their grandfather, Henning. The theory is: Einar and a band are traveling to open a gate to hell. Will Rory, Gram, and Gunnar be able to stop them before they open a gate and let out demons onto Iceland?
The good:
- Extremely fast paced book, it grips you right away.
- I do like the magical element of the book
- I think the adventure element and the description of certain scenes were done so well it felt like I was there, which really doesn't happen as often as I'd like.
The missing 1.5 stars:
- I felt the romance aspects were a bit forced and Rory's overall progress was odd?
- While it was so fast paced in the first half, it stop abruptly, which left me wanting more but not in a good way? I wish this book was longer to give more explanation to the world that's being built (if there is not a book 2 I will be sad lol)
Overall: If you're looking for a fast paced, high action fantasy read, this fits the bill perfectly!
August 10, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Fitzroy books for the arc!
Hellfinder is a YA novel following Rory and her treasure hunting Gram as the venture to Iceland to help out an old friend. The mission is much more complicated than it originally seemed, as they must hunt down members of a devil-worshipping metal band who are trying to open a gate to hell.
I was really drawn in by the premise of the story and enjoyed the setting of Iceland. The pacing was pretty good, I got through this in one sitting! The characters were fun but I did find them a little one-dimensional at times! I can appreciate a character staying calm in a stressful situation, but some of the characters never seemed overly bothered by some of the higher stakes elements of the plot and it took me out of it a little bit.
The relationship between Rory and her Gram was really lovely to read, and it was nice seeing some of the other relationships develop.
I felt like it did get a little repetitive with all the various revelations throughout the plot - it was just one new thing for the main character to learn after another and it felt a little clunky.
Overall, I did enjoy Hellfinder! Not sure if it is going to be a series but it would be interesting where it goes next.
Hellfinder is a YA novel following Rory and her treasure hunting Gram as the venture to Iceland to help out an old friend. The mission is much more complicated than it originally seemed, as they must hunt down members of a devil-worshipping metal band who are trying to open a gate to hell.
I was really drawn in by the premise of the story and enjoyed the setting of Iceland. The pacing was pretty good, I got through this in one sitting! The characters were fun but I did find them a little one-dimensional at times! I can appreciate a character staying calm in a stressful situation, but some of the characters never seemed overly bothered by some of the higher stakes elements of the plot and it took me out of it a little bit.
The relationship between Rory and her Gram was really lovely to read, and it was nice seeing some of the other relationships develop.
I felt like it did get a little repetitive with all the various revelations throughout the plot - it was just one new thing for the main character to learn after another and it felt a little clunky.
Overall, I did enjoy Hellfinder! Not sure if it is going to be a series but it would be interesting where it goes next.
August 2, 2023
Hellfinder is a YA Fantasy which follows Rory, her Grandma and Gunnar as they trek across Iceland to stop a metal band from opening a portal to hell.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. It’s very fast paced and surprisingly high stakes, especially towards the end, which meant to I just didn’t want to put this book down.
I felt as though the way it was written felt more like a middle-grade as opposed to YA, though definitely had YA themes. However, it just made the book such an easy read and quick to get through.
The plot had a lot of twists and turns and wasn’t a simple “adventure” story that I initially expected. Also major plot twist at the end which I just wasn’t expecting.
However, I did find that the characters could do with more development, however considering the book was only just over 200 pages, it’s understandable. I also found parts of the romance of the story to be quite cringey at the start but honestly turned quite cute at the end.
Overall, such a fun, easy and fast paced read and highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Fitzroy Books for proving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. It’s very fast paced and surprisingly high stakes, especially towards the end, which meant to I just didn’t want to put this book down.
I felt as though the way it was written felt more like a middle-grade as opposed to YA, though definitely had YA themes. However, it just made the book such an easy read and quick to get through.
The plot had a lot of twists and turns and wasn’t a simple “adventure” story that I initially expected. Also major plot twist at the end which I just wasn’t expecting.
However, I did find that the characters could do with more development, however considering the book was only just over 200 pages, it’s understandable. I also found parts of the romance of the story to be quite cringey at the start but honestly turned quite cute at the end.
Overall, such a fun, easy and fast paced read and highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Fitzroy Books for proving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2023
I wasn't quite sure what I was in for with this one. A quick-paced and well-written YA thriller slash adventure slash fantasy. The heroine, Rory, was interesting enough but I was kind of disappointed that her relationship with her kick-ass grandmother, or "Gram," was almost immediately sidelined in favour of a basic YA romance. Why can't YA be anchored to other kinds of relationships? I also felt that the dialogue was hard to believe at times. Rory sometimes speaks like someone's vision of a 90s teenager ("ridiculously hot"?) while the Icelandic folk are basically fluent in English, except when they're not, so we can craft a funny moment. The reveal is a bit predictable, but what bothered me more was that, by the world's criteria, any mildly disobedient teenager could qualify (for what? Keeping it vague to avoid spoilers). I loved Rory's backstory, her grandmother, and the Icelandic backdrop ... but I would've dropped Gunnar and Einar and focused on the bond between Rory and Gram.
Thank you to NetGalley and Fitzroy Books/Regal House Publishing for the advance copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Fitzroy Books/Regal House Publishing for the advance copy.
July 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this read! Recently, I've read more books that were plot driven and I didn't have a connection with the characters. This book pulled me out of that rut. I enjoyed the dialogue and relationships of the characters. The plot was secondary to me. I enjoyed the travel and adventure more than anything. The descriptions of Iceland really felt like I could imagine being there. I've seen the Northern Lights once and thought the description in the book was absolutely spot on. This book is really well-written.
Spoiler Warning
I found myself not really caring about the supernatural elements. I wish there was more lead up to the big reveal about our main character. Easily figured that out but it still felt like it came out of nowhere. I would have liked to see more of the demon lore and peppering more of the demon possession throughout the story. I almost could even leave the demon elements behind and just enjoy the adventure story. It read like a National Treasure-esque adventure and I was hooked from the beginning.
Spoiler Warning
I found myself not really caring about the supernatural elements. I wish there was more lead up to the big reveal about our main character. Easily figured that out but it still felt like it came out of nowhere. I would have liked to see more of the demon lore and peppering more of the demon possession throughout the story. I almost could even leave the demon elements behind and just enjoy the adventure story. It read like a National Treasure-esque adventure and I was hooked from the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2023
This had me hooked from the start. I loved these characters so much and the setting felt so real it was as if I was right beside Rory, Gunnar, and Gram as they drove through Iceland, mushed in a dogsled, hiked a glacier, and then explored underground caverns and magma tunnels.
I enjoyed the slow-burn romance that felt natural and respectful between Rory and Gunnar as well as their budding friendship. Both characters are intelligent, resourceful, and driven by love and loyalty to family.
The action kept me riveted and I didn't want to stop reading because of the intensity of human versus nature, human versus human, and human versus demon conflicts. The twists and surprises were ones I often didn't anticipate and even made me gasp out loud. I enjoyed the look into demon lore and feel enlightened knowing about different kinds of demonic presences.
I really hope I get more of Rory, Gunnar, and Gram in future books because they feel like real people to me now and have so much adventure ahead of them. Thank you to the author for a digital review copy through Netgalley.
I enjoyed the slow-burn romance that felt natural and respectful between Rory and Gunnar as well as their budding friendship. Both characters are intelligent, resourceful, and driven by love and loyalty to family.
The action kept me riveted and I didn't want to stop reading because of the intensity of human versus nature, human versus human, and human versus demon conflicts. The twists and surprises were ones I often didn't anticipate and even made me gasp out loud. I enjoyed the look into demon lore and feel enlightened knowing about different kinds of demonic presences.
I really hope I get more of Rory, Gunnar, and Gram in future books because they feel like real people to me now and have so much adventure ahead of them. Thank you to the author for a digital review copy through Netgalley.
August 24, 2023
I enjoyed this read a lot. I had never heard of the author before which having read the book suprises me as I would have thought her to be more popular. It was the amazing premise that drew me in - not only have I not read many treasure hunting books but I have not read any fiction set in this part of the world.
The story was a little slow to start and I wished for more description of the characters - I struggled to picture the characters (At first I thought Rory was a boy until Hennings called her Aurora 😂) so a little more character development could be good. I also felt that Rory came across a little young for a 17 year old - I believe the target audience is a bit younger than this so i'm sure they wouldn't notice or care - but perhaps she could have been a tad younger.
I loved the adventure sections of this book so much that it had me wanting to book a flight and go explore myself. If that isnt the sign of a book well read then I dont know what is!
I would give this 3.5 but that's not an option and 3 seems too low so 4 it is!
The story was a little slow to start and I wished for more description of the characters - I struggled to picture the characters (At first I thought Rory was a boy until Hennings called her Aurora 😂) so a little more character development could be good. I also felt that Rory came across a little young for a 17 year old - I believe the target audience is a bit younger than this so i'm sure they wouldn't notice or care - but perhaps she could have been a tad younger.
I loved the adventure sections of this book so much that it had me wanting to book a flight and go explore myself. If that isnt the sign of a book well read then I dont know what is!
I would give this 3.5 but that's not an option and 3 seems too low so 4 it is!
July 14, 2024
I do not know what it was about this book that first attracted my attention but it was a surprising read. It was definitely not one of my preferred type of plotlines, but it did work in its own way. I am actually glad that I decided to give it a shot.
This is a young adult book with hell and demons in the mix. A grandmother and her granddaughter find missing objects or treasures. A personal request has them flying to Iceland.
Once in the country, they set off to find a missing twin but our protagonist, Rory soon finds out that she may not have all the information.
Given the topic, there is a certain level of belief that one needs to go into the book with. I expected the twist that came, but I enjoyed the adventure nonetheless.
The story is a little abrupt and I don’t know who exactly I’d recommend this to but it was a decent read. I would pick up another book by the author as long as the topic was different since I liked the author’s writing style.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
This is a young adult book with hell and demons in the mix. A grandmother and her granddaughter find missing objects or treasures. A personal request has them flying to Iceland.
Once in the country, they set off to find a missing twin but our protagonist, Rory soon finds out that she may not have all the information.
Given the topic, there is a certain level of belief that one needs to go into the book with. I expected the twist that came, but I enjoyed the adventure nonetheless.
The story is a little abrupt and I don’t know who exactly I’d recommend this to but it was a decent read. I would pick up another book by the author as long as the topic was different since I liked the author’s writing style.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
July 13, 2023
I'm having mixed feelings about this book. The first part was very enjoyable to read—intriguing, with a successful atmosphere and stunning landscapes. Everything is described so well that the slow pace of the story didn't bother me. However, I started to struggle with the protagonist's overly persistent thoughts about the physical appearance of the boy she likes.
But where I definitely lost interest was when the supernatural elements came into play. I found it to be introduced in a very artificial way, with everything happening too quickly. Too many things collide, and in the end, I didn't even pay attention anymore. They could have been attacked by aliens, and I wouldn't have noticed. I also felt that the characters were too detached from the consequences of it all, and in retrospect, it suffers a bit from the chosen one syndrome. It truly saddens me to end on this disappointing note for me because I genuinely loved the entire first part of this book.
But where I definitely lost interest was when the supernatural elements came into play. I found it to be introduced in a very artificial way, with everything happening too quickly. Too many things collide, and in the end, I didn't even pay attention anymore. They could have been attacked by aliens, and I wouldn't have noticed. I also felt that the characters were too detached from the consequences of it all, and in retrospect, it suffers a bit from the chosen one syndrome. It truly saddens me to end on this disappointing note for me because I genuinely loved the entire first part of this book.
September 2, 2023
Aurora “Rory” Quinn has been raised by her treasure-hunting Grandmother ever since her mother died in childbirth and her father went mad. At almost eighteen, she decides to help her Grandmother on an easy task to help an old friend. One of his grandsons has stolen a rock reputed to open a gate to Hell. He works with a Black Rock band determined to open the door to advertise their second album. Since they are posting pictures of their trip to a dormant volcano in a remote part of Iceland, the adventure promises to be tame. That is until a car drives them off the road and shoots at them with arrows. Paula Stokes tells an exciting tale that includes very real demon spirits that possess people. The Hellfinder (paper from Fitzroy Books) is quite real and there is a whole, ruthless society devoted to sealing up cracks to the demon dimension. I really enjoyed this tale, and would love further Rory adventures.
March 1, 2023
This book was an adventure through and through. It felt like a friend telling a wild story around a campfire. The characters are so easy to like and despite this book being fairly short, none of the relationship building felt rushed to me. I can also say with complete honesty that I have never read a book with a similar storyline or premise. It is rare, I feel, to find a truly original story these days and that was so refreshing.
My only criticism is that I got the slightest bit overwhelmed with everything that was happening all at once around the 80% mark. It almost felt distracting.
Aside from that, I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a day. It was very immersive and engaging and seemed like it (hopefully) had a great set-up at the end for another sorry. Great read overall.
My only criticism is that I got the slightest bit overwhelmed with everything that was happening all at once around the 80% mark. It almost felt distracting.
Aside from that, I really enjoyed this book and finished it in a day. It was very immersive and engaging and seemed like it (hopefully) had a great set-up at the end for another sorry. Great read overall.
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