The Luminaries

In The Luminaries, Susan Dennard, the New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series, invites readers into the enchanting yet eerie town of Hemlock Falls, a contemporary fantasy landscape brimming with secrets and unexpected occurrences. The narrative unfolds with a rich tapestry of characters, each entwined in a web of mystery that challenges the boundaries of reality.

The Plot

Hemlock Falls isn't on any map, mobile phones don't work there, and the nearby forest is guarded by the Luminaries, an ancient order whose clans stand between humanity and the nightmares that rise each night. Winnie, of the Wednesday clan, has seen her family live as outcasts since her dad was caught as a witch four years ago, and her plan to win back their standing is to pass the hunter trials. When a new, unknown monster slaughters a banshee and everyone assumes Winnie did it, she doesn't correct them, and she turns for help to her former friend Jay Friday, now the best hunter in town and a boy with brutal secrets of his own.

Themes

• Identity and Belonging: The characters grapple with their sense of self in a world that often defies understanding.
• The Weight of Secrets: Lies and hidden truths shape the community and its inhabitants.
• Friendship and Loyalty: Bonds are tested as secrets come to light and alliances shift.

Dennard's lyrical prose and vivid imagery transport readers into Hemlock Falls, making them feel as if they are walking its streets. Readers who enjoyed Dennard’s Witchlands series will find themselves captivated by the unique blend of fantasy and realism in her storytelling.