House of Matchsticks: Volume 1

Elisa Downing

Sep 2021 · House of Matchsticks Book 1 · Dark Window Books

About this ebook

Deadly machines. Strange creatures. A sinister secret.

 

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

 

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

 

On the surface of the sea, a burning island beckons a mysterious man called 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, an unforgettable YA Fantasy series set in a world called Benemourne, where poisonous ore and corrupt factions power 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:

1.        House of Matchsticks

2.        Night of Matchsticks

3.        Tree of Matchsticks

... and more to come.

Ratings and reviews

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.

I am intrigued with the story. can't wait to find out if the main character gets stronger

loved the intrigue,but waiting to see what happens is a bummer.

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.