House of Matchsticks

House of Matchsticks #1

by Elisa Downing

Deadly machines. Strange creatures. A sinister secret.

A crew of treasure hunters risking their hearts to uncover the truth.

But they’ll have to find the lost House of Matchsticks first …

"Readers will be swept away … [House of Matchsticks] is a literary rarity." –The Booklife Prize

On the surface of the sea, a burning island beckons the Collector.

Approaching the fire, the Collector bears witness to a vicious crime. When he realizes an innocent life will be lost—a baby, swathed in a bundle and left to die in a floating rowboat—the Collector makes a choice that will change his course forever.

So begins House of Matchsticks, a brand-new, unforgettable YA Fantasy series set in a world called Benemourne, where a mysterious ore powers a society rife with danger.

Follow Isaline, a girl who dreams of becoming a City Watchman in Benemourne’s capital, and Jack, a former treasure hunter with a dark and painful obsession, as they are dragged with the Collector into the beginnings of a deadly adventure.

House of Matchsticks is a third person, multi-POV series with found family, slow-burn romance (straight and LGBTQ+), and a healthy dose of action/adventure. This is Part 1 in the series. Expect a cliffhanger.

The House of Matchsticks series:

House of Matchsticks
Night of Matchsticks
Tree of Matchsticks

... and more to come.

PS. Your first clue: it’s all upside down.

Genres: Fantasy, Ebooks, Young Adult

244 pages, Paperback

Published September 30, 2021

About the author

Elisa Downing is an author of fantasy books about brave kids, teens, and young adults. An MA Children’s Literature graduate, she’s spent years climbing through the windows of books to better see the world beyond. She enjoys writing thrilling adventures full of ancient mysteries, slow-burn romance, and lots of monsters. When she’s not writing, you can find Elisa reading under a tree somewhere, playing video games on easy mode, waxing poetic over cult cinema, or watching horror movies.

Reviews

[A Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isaline has been training at the academy to become a City Watchmen for years. With her final exam coming up, she is pushing herself to perfect her fighting and survival skills. But after coming back to her room one evening, she notices that her items have been disturbed though nothing has been taken. There are also rumors of a strange monster lurking on the academy's grounds. Two rival treasure hunters reunite with a common goal, and a thief is lurking on the academy's grounds.

This story is told with multiple POVs as the lives of the characters begin to slowly merge. It is set in a steampunk-type world where elevators and sword fighting are both commonplace. The author did a good job at creating interesting secondary characters, which was refreshing. I also enjoyed the inclusion of the mining of Adrudrian ore and its dangerous side effects, though this wasn't a necessarily unique idea. And the book cover is just stunning.

The story is quite short and was an easy read. I didn't find it to be very engaging though. The ending wasn't that shocking; it was actually pretty predictable. A lot of hints at lore and history were dropped, but not much information was provided. Honestly, there was little to no explanation provided for anything. This made it difficult to be immersed in the story or to feel excited for the next work.

Overall, the book didn't draw me in enough to continue the series, but others who enjoy YA reads may enjoy this one.

[alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This probably more like a 3.5 rating just because of some of the pacing issues.

This was pretty good. I would like to see how the story develops in the next books.

The plot was interesting. It had been a minute since I read a YA fantasy and I felt like this was a nice transition back into that.

Sometimes the pacing was a little off for me. Some things jsut seemed to be a little bit drawn out at times. It wasn't a big deal just a small thing. There were times where it felt like it was dragging out and nothing really happened which I feel is common for the first book in a series. The last few chapters really picked up though.

It also kind of didn’t feel like the other povs didn’t really fit. I felt like what was happening there didn’t really fit with the mc. But I’m sure it will have relevance in future books.

I found the world to be interesting. It felt very original and I enjoyed reading about it. There were pointd espcially in the beginning where I was a bit confused. I also feel like this could have been due to me listening to it as an audiobook.

I really enjoyed this narrator. The was easy to listen to, and I really enjoyed that.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series.

Thank you to Elisa Downing for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Gauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh you have my attention! Can’t wait to read the sequel and see how this story develops further!🖤

[dee (andie) 🕺🏼✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

* free I copy provided for a review *

man, I was really hoping I would like this based on the pretty cover and only positive reviews. plus based on the fact that it was queer. alas, I did not. don't get me wrong, it wasn't problematic, either, but it was just so... not unique.

all of the characters felt like they were melting together and I couldn't be interested in even one of them enough to get attached or even focus on them.

the ending was supposed to be shocking but I didn't really feel much.

the story itself felt just "not enough," if that makes sense?

this book was very short, so I don't think I have much more to say, except I'm sorry for disliking it! 3

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5✨
Well heck! Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Am I invested and want to read the rest of the story? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTLEY! Overall I really enjoyed the story and the characters have a ton of promise to be interesting.

My only EXTREMELY TINY complaints/comments are:
One: There weren’t quite enough character descriptions for me, but they were sufficient. Otherwise I had a wonderful sense of the world and atmosphere of the story.
Two: I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT PART AND OKAY WHAT THE HELL WHY?! I was about halfway through when I realized this story wasn’t going to wrap up NEARLY as neatly as I thought it was going to at the beginning, but that’s just fine! I will definitely be returning to the world of The House of Matchsticks as soon as I can!!

Thank you Elisa! For giving me a digital copy so I could participate in this!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio ARC review:

(I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review)
Holy heck! That ending of part one! This book is definitely my jam. It’s got everything I love, interesting characters with enough of a back story to understand their motives, but not too much where you lose the actual plot line. I went into this pretty blind and I love when I do that because I’m always pleasantly surprised. I was a little hesitant doing a fantasy audiobook because I prefer to read those. However, I really enjoyed how this one was written. The world building was not a huge info dump at the beginning like most fantasies kind of have to be, but instead it unfolded as the story went in a seamless way. When you needed to know what was next, Elisa built it up and perfectly placed it. I’m really excited to see where the character relationships go! So…. Do I wait for the next audio release, or do I satiate this cliffhanger?! Ahh!!!!

[Merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read an indie fantasy in a while, and House of Matchsticks was a pleasant surprise!
The premise is intriguing, with some steampunk machines called "Clockwork" and an addicting substance being harvested in the mines making an interesting set up for a magical fantasy world. Besides the POVs of Isaline and Jack, the two protagonists, we also get to read a couple of chapters from the Collectors point of view, a non-human character that collects souls and is often present near Isaline and Jack, telling what is happening to them from their perspective... I am curious to see how it's going to connect further in the series.

One of my main "issues" with this book is that it's way too short. It feels rather like a part one of one book, instead of the first book in this series.
All three books in this series have 700 pages combined and maybe just splitting it into two books would have also been fine, as this book really is only the "exposition", exploring the protagonists separately, establishing the lore and history of the country and setting the premise for their adventure. I will definitely read the other two books, but I feel like the series should rather be rated as one whole thing... so my individual book rating might change; it's currently at 3.5-4 stars.

[OldBird · Rating 3 out of 5]

TL;DR: if this were a Netflix series, while I wasn't gripped by the slow build I would be curious enough to press play on episode 2.

This is one of those books that reads less like a traditional novel and more like the first episode of a TV drama. You won't get closure, or even a full story arc. It's called "part 1" for a reason: it's a slow, steady build up of a crazy cast and the darkly imaginitive steampunkish world they inhabit. I found it a very light almost simplistic read, but that's no bad thing. Think more towards the Middle Grade end of YA, with dark themes handled cautiously like Garth Nix's Keys To The Kingdom (or the lesser know indie Forbidden Flight). Some of the more cartoonish elements (goth-girl Neave's OTT persona, plus an evil half-mech King) made me think of Avatar The Last Airbender.

The story follows a few POVs: One is Isaline, an orphan girl with a mysterious locket whose big dream is to complete her training to be part of the City Watch of Ar. Good with weapons, less so with her head, she's banking on passing her graduation match against a fiersome automaton... And that's when everything goes wrong. Another POV is the mysterius "Collector" and his starling companion. Bound to exist only to collect the souls of the dead, he's seen some terrible things, but never felt the need to get involved until now. The last is Jack, a washed up Treasurhunter turned Adrudian addict desperate to remember what happened on his last fateful mission into the forest known as the Shute. Desperate to remember what he and his companion CAmeron learned about the fabled House of Matchsticks...

There is mystery aplenty in the steampunkish world. The POVs all show us different parts of the clever society of the kingdom. It's a place where a cruel King rules with an iron (or copper, or maybe even brass considering he's part machine himself) fist with the power of the mechanicals he's created; where lamps glow bright with a strange ore-rock known as Adrudian that can be turned into a potent, vision inducing drug; where Treasurehunters delve deep into the dark places of the world to find lost artifacts and missing rituals. Its got an interesting political past, what with the idea of the Seven Thrones who once ruled, and while nothing in the world is deeply explored it works for the age group of the story. To an adult reader there may be some jarring things (Kids train their lives away to be part of the Watch, then fail and are chucked out to nothing after all that investment? A rebel Quandary Thief shows his official summons to a Watchling? If artifects have been known to be in the Shute for over a thousand years, how come there are still any left to find?) but it's more thought out than a great many generic fantasy worlds, and more original to boot.

The pacing is perhaps where I struggled; it's a quick read despite the stated page count, yet I could find myself wanting to skim a little at times when events felt a little too over-long or over-thought. Characters spend a lot of time thinking through their feelings logically in a bit of a tell-more-than-show what that could get a little bit much for me. Isaline and Jack can both get a bit lost inside their own heads, while the Collector is a bit of a passive observer for us to see non-POV characters through. Isaline especially seemed a bit young and naive for her stated age. None of them grabbed me as characters yet, but their stories are what drew me on.

The ending is no shocker. Either you complain it's predictable, or you enjoy the heavy foreshadowing coming to a conclusion. It might not be adult level subtle, but it's effective in both the plot and in ways that hint about character's feeling when they aren't getting their narration-introspection on. There's still plenty of questions needing answering, so while you might guess some of where the story events are going, others... Well, they're the reason you'll come back for the next episode.

Who is the Collector? What is the House of Matchsticks? How did this mad, bad king create his monsters? Our outlandish crew are just about coming together to find out, and while I'm not hooked (not being much of a younger YA fan generally) I am intrigued by the strange world the author has conjured with such imagination.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting Ready for Adventure . . .

The Collector and Caladrius, his bird companion, a starling, approached across the water toward a burning mill. A woman carrying a bundle raced out the door of the burning building and got into a rowboat. Shortly after, a man covered head to toe in blood chased after her. She could not row away fast enough, so she took a pendant from around her neck with a ruby tinted stone. The man called it the keystone. She dropped it in the baby’s blanket. And as he pulled a pistol to shoot her, she swallowed Adrudian Milk which was deadly but would give her a powerful vision. But she wouldn’t live long enough to tell it to anyone. The man killed her, then aimed at the baby bundle as The Collector watched. But the pistol exploded in his hand, blew it off, but it hadn’t killed him. The Collector gathered Theresa’s soul and added it to the Jar of Lights with others who had not left yet to fly to the stars. He was merely Death, gathering the souls. He gave the rowboat with the baby in it a tiny push toward the village, then walked to the mill to collect the rest of the souls. Isaline was alive only thanks to Death’s intervention that night.

Sixteen-year-old Isaline went to her dorm room and saw her best friend had snooped through her drawer and her jewelry box was missing which she found under papers on Nalissa’s desk. She heard her roommate still searching in the bathroom, not expecting Isaline back so early. Nalissa came out and stood in front of the papers hiding the jewelry box, but she never admitted to Isaline that she had gone through it.

Isaline did not report the attempt to steal her mysterious red pendant. And when she was overly emotional, she failed her weapons review. Then she runs into a suspicious but intriguing thief. Forced to work together to survive the threats of the wilderness, Isaline is amazed to be getting along with the rogue. Her unusual necklace is attracting treasure hunters, spies, and ferocious beasts. It seems everyone is in search of the fabled House of Matchsticks. Will Isaline graduate from the Academy so she is ready to face the evil ahead?

[Mayhem-RW · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Collector of Souls and his companion, Caladrius, a starling, are drawn to the fire on the island. The lone building on the island is the source of the fire, an Adrudian refinery and mine. As he approached the island, he could see several survivors clambering onto several rowboats and rowing for the mainland. He guessed all the survivors escaped but is surprised when a woman comes out of the smoked filled building carrying a bundle. She runs to the last row boat and climbs aboard. Setting her bundle down, he sees that it is a baby, and he is surprised again when the doors open, and a large man emerges from the refinery. The Collector watches their interaction and witnesses the woman putting a red pendant from her neck into the baby’s swaddling material. The woman then commits suicide just before the large angry man shoots her in the chest. The Collector then looks on in horror as the man points his pistol at the baby, but it backfires, injuring the man severely. After he collects the woman’s soul, he does not know why but he pushes the little boat toward a village. Now sixteen years later, as it has always been, he is drawn toward death, and this day it is to the woods that he is pulled. The Collector arrives at a fierce battle between a creature and two humans, a man and a woman. Then he sees the pendant he saw sixteen years ago and realizes that the child who should have died still lives.

This tale is an exciting beginning to this action and adventure series. It’s got all the ingredients it reports to have. The world-building is very well done, and the characters are well-developed. Then the interaction between the characters feels realistic. It is a story that I enjoyed in its telling.

Do you like fantasy? Dark fantasy? How about action and adventure? Steampunk maybe? Young adult fiction? If you said yes to any of these? Then you might like this manuscript. I give this tome five stars out of five stars.

[Altaeria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elisa Downing is easily the best new YA Fantasy writer of this year. House of Matchsticks (HOM) is immersive, vibrant, and scratches exactly the right itch. I sat down with it and some tea, and looked up again having completed the book and not taken a single sip from my cup.

Where do I even begin? Characters in the HOM are so real- it would seem you know them in your real life. One of my biggest gripes with YA is the hyper focus on main characters- where the main characters are nuanced with believable motivations and struggles, but side characters become caricatures. Not here with HOM. While it’s easy to fall in love with Isaline and Jack, as two of our main characters, side characters Jameson, Nalissa and Cameron are equally beloved and mysterious. The Collector is a fantastic version of Death personified- more somber than spooky- simply a part of your journey on earth. The struggle to remain impassive through injustice and potentially world-altering events felt genuine and tugged at me like no one else's POV.

Every setting is so easily conjured up in your mind's eye. Whether we sit in a shared dormitory, shovel in the mine, squat in a forest clearing or as we stride across a great sea, the story unfolds like a picture book. And I have to mention the way the author describes light in this novel- it is incredibly beautiful.

I cannot recommend HOM enough. As a reader, I am furious with myself for reading so quickly. I cannot wait for the next part of this series.

[I received a copy of this book as an ARC Reader.]

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isaline is doing her best to graduate from the local military school and join the city watch, but for some reason, her final exams are harder than she expected. But then she meets a man in the supposedly private woods where she's supposed to complete her survival test, and suddenly it seems that everyone wants the pendant she's been carrying since turning up as an orphan sixteen years ago, and more than one person is willing to kill for it.

This book has a lot of fantastic action and some cleverly-crafted characters. The mystery is well-developed, and the ending is satisfying. My primary problem is that there are large chunks of alternative POV that just don't seem to have anything to do with the plot. I assume these folks become important later in the trilogy, but I'm frustrated at having to care about Jack and the Collector when they really don't need to be in this book. I'm not sure if there's a better way to get their exposition into the series, but the current configuration didn't work for me. Still, I like the mystery and the twisty plot, and despite my absolute loathing for cliffhangers, I think I'll pick up book 2 when I get a chance.

[Siesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intruiging start to the series.
In this first in a trilogy we are introduced to a fantasy kingdom, Adrudia, ruled by part man-part machine King Johannes. Both a blessing and a curse, Adrudrian ore powers the kingdom and the AI machines that run it, while its “milk” is fatally addictive. All is not well in the kingdom, with the King hiding revelatory secrets, rebellious factions stirring, and rumours that the stock of life-powering ore is running down.
The book does a really good job of laying the ground for the rest of the trilogy - building the world, dropping in bits of history of the kingdom, and introducing a handful of well-differentiated characters. All done at a good pace and light on unnecessary exposition.
The only jarring element was an inconsistency during the survival test; because of all the positives about the book, I’ve chosen to ignore it but it explains the original 3.5 score I gave it and why overall I bumped it up to a 4 - plus, I want to find out what happens next. Great writing, and a great start!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

One is a hunter, one is a watchling and the other shouldn't interfere.

I found this book intriguing for more then the multiple points of view.

We start with one who doesn't interfere with the living and is always there to collect souls. But what would the consequences be if they just helped to push a boat to make it drift? Sixteen years later they may find out what that decision will cost.

Isaline is just about to start her final exams, weapons and survival, as a watchling which will determine if she will be a city watch or a country watch unless she fails both which means she has no where to go or stay. So what happens when she is confident that she will pass weapons so she can opt out of survival and still graduate?

Jack is a treasure hunter who says he is done with hunting. He wants to forget that he could hold his own with the best of them. But what happens when his rival recruits him to find the key that a tyrant ruler is after? Will he take the adventure up?

I definitely enjoyed this one enough to want to read the next book.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an advanced readers copy and I was really impressed with this first book in a new YA series. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next book! I loved the atmosphere, the world building, and the dynamic between the characters. The emotions that Isaline struggled through and processed in the book were relatable but unique to her struggles and history. This book depicted an evolution of humanity and growth where some series from other authors seem to miss.

I found that it was easy as a reader to transition between POV's and keep track of the varying scenes. The conflict in this book had me scrambling to read more pages in order to find out what happens next, and the ending has left a gap in my heart where I need to read the next book in this wonderful new series.

Can't recommend this enough, and I'm looking forward to seeing more wonderful books that Elisa Downing releases.

[Brianna Haufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wow another dystopian fantasy book written by a young person that just blew me away! This is the first book of a trilogy and tells the story of mainly Isaline as she discovers new things about her past while trying to survive in her final training at the academy. This writing is dripping with detail and I was so enthralled within the world from the very start. Since it is the first book there is a lot of introducing of characters and people groups which can be hard to distinguish, and the changing of POV made it a little hard to keep up. really loved Isaline’s growing relationship with the treasurehunter 😉 and the ending was super shocking. But honestly a really fun and steampunk revolutionary magical time!

[Annette Summerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the second book that is under YA. I guess I can understand, but seriously, you don't need to be a young adult to enjoy these stories. There is a lot of action and intrigue and monsters and souls in a jar. Who could ask for me...lol. I very much enjoyed it. I am unable to buy books, so I will go and read reviews about the following books.

I just went and read reviews and thw 3rd book is not the last book. I'm glad so many people loved this story as much as I did.
Since I could never afford new books I always waited until they came to the library, or in 2 to 5 years I could find a book I had wanted for a long time in a secondhand book store.
I can't do that with these books.
Oh well, nothing to do but move on and find another book to read. They are free, so I'm not complaining.

[Emmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Matchsticks is an intriguing tale of mystery and adventure. Elisa's rich imagination has created a dark world that's easy to immerse into. Its cast of characters are vivid and the story is a puzzle that kept me enamoured  as I read on, eager to see how the different parts came together. 

Isaline is an orphan at Casret Watch Academy with plans to pass her exams and join the City Watch. When she finds herself fighting to keep her necklace--the only thing she has left from her past--she discovers it's not just a pretty trinket. It's a gem that could cost lives and change the face of a kingdom.

If you love YA steampunk, gaslamps, and different worlds, this is a great read from a new author.

Highly recommend it!

[TC Rittenhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!!

My only complaint was that it was too short!

I loved the characters, and Isaline is my new YA heroine.

The story was cute, and the world building was solid. Isaline is the main character, but what is nice is that the supporting characters are fully fleshed out as well and interesting to boot. I am intrigued and want to see where the story goes and how the characters develop.

I appreciated the map and the pronunciation guide, with the phonetic spelling of the names. The complicated looking names were broken down and I could hear the characters saying all of the words.

Thank you to Elisa Downing and Book Sirens for the advance review copy and am thrilled to leave my review for this excellent book.

[Audrey Francis-Plante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best world-building I've read this year. It was so intriguing and unique! I love all of the main characters and absolutely ADORE where this is going. This short novel does such a great job of introducing a great cast, their goals and backstory, the rules of the world, really cool mysteries and intrigues, while never making you feel like the pacing and story are put on hold to explain any of this, because it's also action-packed and just so cleverly structured.

Can't recommend enough!

Waiting for the sequel like:

[Soren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to read this entire book in one sitting, but here we are! From start to finish, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters (though I feel like I didn’t get to know them as much as I wanted to) and I loved the plot and how smoothly it progressed. I was a little bit disappointed to find such an open ending at first (looks like I missed the note about the cliffhanger), but I’m really happy to hear that there’s more to this world and I can’t wait to come back to it! I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good, quick-paced fantasy read. I received a free copy of this story from Hidden Gems and am choosing to leave an honest review of it.

[Maggie Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fantasy drama! Totally fell for the world-building, often fantasy series can be sticky and troublesome when it comes to explaining the world. Either too obvious or too assuming, but this book created such an easy to understand world with complex character building. As a school librarian, I am a big fan of fantasy that feels accessible to all kinds of readers, not just the typical fantasy reader. This book could be read by a romance fan or a realistic fiction fan as easily as anything. House of Matchsticks gives the reader so many avenues to connect while not skimping on character complexities.

Can't wait to read the next one!

[Al Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book. I don’t usually read YA books but the cover intrigued me.
Loved the character development. Downing has a great ability to paint a picture, which is nice because I’m not a seasoned fiction reader. Loved loved the great development and description of the monster. Actually gave me the creeps. I am really looking forward to the next book to see how the characters develop and where the story goes. My guess is that we will see a lot more from this author. Bring it on I’m a convert.

[HessaBookishgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow, this book was absolutely amazing. The characters, the world building and plot. I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. And I am so ready for the next one.

Elisa has such an unique take on the YA genre. I haven’t read anything like House of Matchsticks. But I fell in love instantly.

If you love compelling mysteries, great world-building and amazing characters I highly recommend checking this book out.

I was given a copy as ARC and I am so glad I did.

[Brantagonist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda struggling on how I want to rate this because I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but I also thought it was too short. 🥲 I felt like it was more of an Act 1 instead of a Book 1, and I just felt like there could’ve been so much more added. But, the writing was great, the plot is super intriguing, the characters are intriguing, the ending definitely ramped up, and overall I was left wanting more!

Excited to read the remaining books, definitely glad they plan to come out in month increments🙌🏻

[Bookish Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic start to this YA series! This book is a quick read, but you are given so much and immersed in the world that you hardly notice the time pass. Story line is original and interesting and the world building is awesome. There’s adventure, budding slow-burn romance, steampunk, and cool characters. I received this book as an ARC and immediately purchased the rest of the series. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[Nicole Corazon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent, finally got interesting and immediately thrown into an abrupt cliffhanger. Felt as if the only purpose of this book was a meet and greet for the characters in the next book.
Not sure im invested enough to try again, I saw there's two more books... and more to come... so I'm betting there's two more unsatisfying endings and I'm just not down with that.
The storytelling was enjoyable, if you don't have my aversion to unfinished endings, it's worth a read?

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised with this! I enjoy books that have multiple narrators. It was well done though and wasn’t confusing which I greatly appreciate. It was very original and kept my interested. The characters were well rounded and I really liked Isaline and The Collector they were my favorite. I’m excited for the next one!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! I really enjoyed reading the House of Matchsticks. We have relatable and likeable characters and their interactions with each other is endearing. I also liked how the author spent time on the world-building so that readers could fully understand how this world operated. There was plenty of action too to keep the pace moving. Cannot wait for book 2!

[BookDragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Matchsticks by Elisa Downing is a great read that had me hooked from the very first page. The plot was engaging and well written. Nalissa’s and Isaline are intresting characters, as well as the world building. I want to read more and find out whats going on. This series is off to a great start. I definitely recommend this novel. The cover art is also lovely.

I received an advance review copy for free, from book sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.