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What We Harvest
A novel about an idyllic small town poisoned by its past, and one girl who must fight the strange disease that's slowly claiming everyone she loves.
Wren owes everything she has to her home, Hollow’s End, a centuries-old, picture perfect American town. Tourists travel miles to marvel at its miracle crops, including the shimmering, iridescent wheat of Wren’s family farm. Until five months ago.
That’s when the quicksilver mercury blight first surfaced, poisoning the farms of Hollow’s End one by one. It began by consuming the crops--thick, silver sludge bleeding from the earth. Next were the animals. Infected livestock and wild creatures alike staggered off into the woods by day—only to return at night, their eyes, fogged white, leering from the trees.
Then, the blight came for the neighbors.
Wren is among the last locals standing. And the blight has finally come for her, too. Now, the only one she can turn to is the last person she wants to call: her ex, Derek. They haven’t spoken in months, but Wren and Derek still have one thing in common—Hollow’s End means everything to them. Only there’s much they don’t know about their hometown and its renowned miracle crops. And they’re about to discover that miracles aren’t free.
Their ancestors have an awful lot to pay for, and Wren and Derek are the only ones left to settle old debts.
Wren owes everything she has to her home, Hollow’s End, a centuries-old, picture perfect American town. Tourists travel miles to marvel at its miracle crops, including the shimmering, iridescent wheat of Wren’s family farm. Until five months ago.
That’s when the quicksilver mercury blight first surfaced, poisoning the farms of Hollow’s End one by one. It began by consuming the crops--thick, silver sludge bleeding from the earth. Next were the animals. Infected livestock and wild creatures alike staggered off into the woods by day—only to return at night, their eyes, fogged white, leering from the trees.
Then, the blight came for the neighbors.
Wren is among the last locals standing. And the blight has finally come for her, too. Now, the only one she can turn to is the last person she wants to call: her ex, Derek. They haven’t spoken in months, but Wren and Derek still have one thing in common—Hollow’s End means everything to them. Only there’s much they don’t know about their hometown and its renowned miracle crops. And they’re about to discover that miracles aren’t free.
Their ancestors have an awful lot to pay for, and Wren and Derek are the only ones left to settle old debts.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2022
About the author
Ann Fraistat
3 books193 followersAnn Fraistat is an author, playwright, and narrative designer. Her debut novel, What We Harvest, is a 2022 Bram Stoker finalist, an ABA Indies Introduce and Kids' Indie Next Pick, and a finalist for the Barnes & Noble YA 2022 Book Awards. A Place for Vanishing, her second book, is an instant USA Today bestseller. Her co-author credits include plays such as Romeo & Juliet: Choose Your Own Ending, and alternate reality games sponsored by the National Science Foundation. She lives in Maryland.
For more, find her at annfraistat.com, or connect on Twitter or Instagram @annfrai
For more, find her at annfraistat.com, or connect on Twitter or Instagram @annfrai
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
December 1, 2022
"My whole life, the wheat had soothed me to sleep through my bedroom window with its rustling whispers, sweeter than any lullaby, or at least any my mom knew. My whole life, until now. When I realized even rainbows could rot."
What a beautiful yet horrifying little novel. The cover is by far one of the most gorgeous I've laid eyes on this year, but I was unprepared by how much of a punch this book could pack in just over 300 pages. Zombie novels have been done thousands of times over, but this one was clever, blending fantasy and science fiction in a digestible manner that a wide age range can enjoy. Yes, there are quite a bit of gross descriptions due to the blight, but I felt they were tastefully done in conjunction with the flow of the novel instead of for shock factor. However, if you don't have the stomach for anything remotely grotesque, this is your warning.
Wren's family is one of the founding farming communities in Hollow's End, a small town that produces unique crops. When a blight hits the town and not only are the crops destroyed, but the people who become sick start acting strangely, it's up to Wren and her ex-boyfriend Derek (from another founding family) to try and unravel the secrets of the town while also holding their own close. Will they rekindle their relationship during these tough times? Will they find out just who and what are responsible for the blight while also being able to reverse the effects thus far? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. 😏
I ended up listening to the audiobook of this title and it was great, but you may have to adjust the volume during the exciting, action-packed scenes, as Lauren Ezzo tends to get very excitable during those moments. Otherwise, would highly recommend that format. My only complaint is that the ending felt a little too wrapped up in a neat bow for my taste, but that's just personal preference. Overall, an enjoyable read that I binged in a single day that made chores and laundry much more tolerable.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
What a beautiful yet horrifying little novel. The cover is by far one of the most gorgeous I've laid eyes on this year, but I was unprepared by how much of a punch this book could pack in just over 300 pages. Zombie novels have been done thousands of times over, but this one was clever, blending fantasy and science fiction in a digestible manner that a wide age range can enjoy. Yes, there are quite a bit of gross descriptions due to the blight, but I felt they were tastefully done in conjunction with the flow of the novel instead of for shock factor. However, if you don't have the stomach for anything remotely grotesque, this is your warning.
Wren's family is one of the founding farming communities in Hollow's End, a small town that produces unique crops. When a blight hits the town and not only are the crops destroyed, but the people who become sick start acting strangely, it's up to Wren and her ex-boyfriend Derek (from another founding family) to try and unravel the secrets of the town while also holding their own close. Will they rekindle their relationship during these tough times? Will they find out just who and what are responsible for the blight while also being able to reverse the effects thus far? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. 😏
I ended up listening to the audiobook of this title and it was great, but you may have to adjust the volume during the exciting, action-packed scenes, as Lauren Ezzo tends to get very excitable during those moments. Otherwise, would highly recommend that format. My only complaint is that the ending felt a little too wrapped up in a neat bow for my taste, but that's just personal preference. Overall, an enjoyable read that I binged in a single day that made chores and laundry much more tolerable.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.
July 21, 2024
**4.5-stars**
What We Harvest, a 2022-debut from Ann Fraistat, is a YA-EcoHorror novel set in the farming town of Hollow's End.
We follow Wren, a teenager, whose family descends from one of the founding families of the town and is well known for their rainbow wheat fields.
Each of the founding families has their own unique, somewhat magical crop. For decades Hollow's End has flourished. Tourists come from miles around to marvel at the miracle crops. That is until 5-months ago, when the blight set in, ruining crops, animals and people alike.
Now the town is at the edge of total destruction, with curfews and quarantines in place, there's no more marveling at the crops. It's all running and hiding for your life.
After Wren's parents fail to return from helping at a neighbor's farm, and Wren gets herself in a bit of a pickle, she needs help. She ends up having to call the last person she wants to reach out to, her ex-boyfriend, Derek.
Unfortunately, Wren and Derek will have to put past issues behind them in order to survive. In fact, the teens may be the last hope for Hollow's End. Will they be able to stop the blight before it gets them as well?
What We Harvest is a cracking debut. I love small towns filled with big secrets, and not only did this town harbor a lot of secrets, they were also very dark and dangerous ones.
This story kicks off very quickly, with the blight already having been taking over the town for a while. I liked Wren's perspective right away and learning about the blight, as well as the history and dynamics of Hollow's End.
You know right away that something very dangerous lurks here, hiding in the woods during the day, but you don't really know what. I loved the ominous tone this sets. Right from the start, you know to be on edge.
Scattered amongst the more dangerous scenes, we also get some quieter moments, reflecting on Wren and Derek, and the various relationships in their lives. It was a nice balance between those more personal moments and the intensity of what is going on with the blight.
I enjoyed Wren and Derek's relationship a lot, as we got to the bottom of what was really going on between them. I also liked learning about the founding families and the lore that surrounds how the town came to be.
Those elements did remind me of The Devouring Gray. If you enjoyed that book, I do think that you could really enjoy this. Another one with similar vibes would be Burn Our Bodies Down, although I did enjoy this story more.
The entire drama of this narrative played out so well. I feel like it was paced brilliantly and did have some super intense, edge-of-your-seat, nail-biter moments.
The Horror elements were well executed too, particularly in regards to the effects of the blight. There were definitely moments I was truly scared for these characters that I had grown attached to.
Overall, this was a great reading experience and I'm sure glad that I finally made time for it.
If you are a fan of any sort of Eco-Horror, YA or Adult, I think this one is worth giving a try. There's some interesting elements in here that could keep you up at night. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
What We Harvest, a 2022-debut from Ann Fraistat, is a YA-EcoHorror novel set in the farming town of Hollow's End.
We follow Wren, a teenager, whose family descends from one of the founding families of the town and is well known for their rainbow wheat fields.
Each of the founding families has their own unique, somewhat magical crop. For decades Hollow's End has flourished. Tourists come from miles around to marvel at the miracle crops. That is until 5-months ago, when the blight set in, ruining crops, animals and people alike.
Now the town is at the edge of total destruction, with curfews and quarantines in place, there's no more marveling at the crops. It's all running and hiding for your life.
After Wren's parents fail to return from helping at a neighbor's farm, and Wren gets herself in a bit of a pickle, she needs help. She ends up having to call the last person she wants to reach out to, her ex-boyfriend, Derek.
Unfortunately, Wren and Derek will have to put past issues behind them in order to survive. In fact, the teens may be the last hope for Hollow's End. Will they be able to stop the blight before it gets them as well?
What We Harvest is a cracking debut. I love small towns filled with big secrets, and not only did this town harbor a lot of secrets, they were also very dark and dangerous ones.
This story kicks off very quickly, with the blight already having been taking over the town for a while. I liked Wren's perspective right away and learning about the blight, as well as the history and dynamics of Hollow's End.
You know right away that something very dangerous lurks here, hiding in the woods during the day, but you don't really know what. I loved the ominous tone this sets. Right from the start, you know to be on edge.
Scattered amongst the more dangerous scenes, we also get some quieter moments, reflecting on Wren and Derek, and the various relationships in their lives. It was a nice balance between those more personal moments and the intensity of what is going on with the blight.
I enjoyed Wren and Derek's relationship a lot, as we got to the bottom of what was really going on between them. I also liked learning about the founding families and the lore that surrounds how the town came to be.
Those elements did remind me of The Devouring Gray. If you enjoyed that book, I do think that you could really enjoy this. Another one with similar vibes would be Burn Our Bodies Down, although I did enjoy this story more.
The entire drama of this narrative played out so well. I feel like it was paced brilliantly and did have some super intense, edge-of-your-seat, nail-biter moments.
The Horror elements were well executed too, particularly in regards to the effects of the blight. There were definitely moments I was truly scared for these characters that I had grown attached to.
Overall, this was a great reading experience and I'm sure glad that I finally made time for it.
If you are a fan of any sort of Eco-Horror, YA or Adult, I think this one is worth giving a try. There's some interesting elements in here that could keep you up at night. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
January 1, 2024
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This is one of my favorite YA titles I've read this year. I actually don't really like horror that much, but apparently I do like horror as long as it's folk horror and the dog doesn't die. WHAT WE HARVEST is a gorgeous, lyrical novel about four magical founding farming families: one of them raises red horses and dogs, one ghost melons that glow in the dark, one glittering golden yams, and the last, a field of rainbow wheat that each has its own distinct flavor.
For years, they've been the toast of the farming community, world-renowned and celebrated, but Hollow's End holds a dark secret. A mysterious quicksilver blight has overtaken the crops and whatever it touches doesn't come back the same. Strange animals watch from the woods with glowing white eyes, tinged by rot. If Wren and her family can't figure out how to hold the blight at bay, their farm and their loved ones will all fall into corrupt and blackened ruin.
I loved this book so much. There were things about it that pushed my suspension of disbelief a little, but the story was so good that I didn't care. It has all the elements I love: magic-realism, dark family secrets, childhood friends to lovers, angst, sinister rituals, and high stakes danger. Some YA feels like it's pandering to the parents, rather than its teen readers, but this book was beautifully teen, whether it was the wistful longings for adulthood, or the mistakes we make while impetuously trying to be adults.
I can't wait to read more from this author. This was an INCREDIBLE debut.
4.5 stars
July 11, 2022
I would be the first one to die in a scenario like this.
Rating:✨✨✨✨ 4.0
*glances at infected zombie-like people*
*keeps walking because it's obviously the smart thing when the girl lost her eyeglasses mid attack and is now blind*
*sees infected yet endearing dog through blurry gaze*
*starts devilishly sprinting*
COME HERE BABY, LET ME LOVE U-
And that is exactly why.
Seriously, I have literally no self-control.
In one word, this book was so FUN. And yes, that's slightly uh... disturbing considering what this book is about- but come on, monsters chasing, infection everywhere- almost-death everywhere-
What more can a girl ask for?
I read books like this for the scare factor. The funny, light sort of scare. The one that makes me doubt if I closed the door, if I sneezed correctly, if on my way to visit Hades I accidentally angered Cerberus-- that type of scare. And this book, DE.LI.VERED.
The plot in and of itself took me far longer to understand than I want to admit, mostly because the vivid imagery threatened to decimate my mortal existence.
Seriously.
My life was in peril.
*peaks behind hands to see if fictional husbands have arrived*
Gosh darn it, DO I HAVE TO BE IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER MAN FOR Y'ALL TO ARRIVE OR AM I JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU-
*cough* Pardon my french interruption. Back to the plot and all it's variants- the storytelling was so beautiful and precise and just MAGNIFICENT. I wrote that word five times to get correctly. I give up. (I was doing Algebra y'all, it kills brains.
Cells.
Brells)
And so well done it made me want to read at the speed of Sonic on something (I'm not going to mention drugs, I'm not going to mention drugs, I'm not going to mention drugs-) to be able to absorb as much writing ingenuity as I was able to. Even after many days of reading other books and completely forgetting the fact that this wonderful one was waiting to be reviewed, I still can picture ever so clearly how the setting was described.
Oooo! I just love getting chills from good descriptions. It's a different type of swoon, instead of being like 'TAKE ME, I'LL BE YOUR QUEEN- FRIEND-ANYTHING-' with a specific character, this type of swoon involves saying 'I feel so blessed that my eyes could stick unto the page and start leaching off the words to try and create a hybrid of my own.'
Back to the plot though, it was so good. The intrigue, the mystery, the sensing stress of an impending bomb going off. Metaphorically, not that bombs didn't go off in the book-
I feel like the foreshadowing was the only I really had something against, apart from the 'PEOPLE DIDN'T DIE THO' part of the bullet list I made for this book.
It felt too intense for what the outcome was. I don't know what I really expected, just maybe something with more WHAM BAM CRY INTO YOUR PILLOW MA'AM factor. Especially since I went into this book hoping that, BUT.
And not Mari Antoinette's (I need one of her dresses ASAP, if y'all have her number, please feel free to share-)
That's because I like being shattered after a book ends and although it's a problem, books that end on good notes still make me happy!
(see example #1 of Booksy using the exclamation mark to fix the fact that the things she likes in books would be red flags in real life)
I guess I expected more of a vicious past or backstory to warrant all the horror the townspeople felt against it.
It still was pretty disturbing, though-
But you know, the fact that it gripped me from the first sentence led me to not care very much of how easy of an ending it had.
Ugh, addictive books feel like the best of ways to pass the time.
Then we have the characters!! You'll find later on who's Teddy, but I just want to say that she was ABOVE EVERYTHING. An angel, a goddess, a freaking emblem of greatness.
I don't even care about the rest- she just is and will continue to be.
However, we have the awesome MC going for the book too so YEAH, I'M ATTACKED FROM ALL SIDES BY GREATNESS- She felt realistic, her thought process reminded me of what I would definitely not do in a scenario like this because remember, I'll be perished. Deathed. The word kill sounds too harsh. She cared for her family with a courageous streak, did everything to find out what had happened. No clue was too difficult for her, no puzzle too hard. Seriously, I can't even be mad at her because I have absolutely no idea what I would do if I was in her place. I don't know if I- okay, I would've undoubtedly been eaten, so there's that! And she survived, y'all!!
(see example #2 and #3 of Booksy using the exclamation mark to hide that tiny voice that wished they'd all died just for the torture of it.)
Later we have the lovey dovey, six foot tall, GAWGEOUS love interest. He felt like a mix of a golden retriever and a box, not cardboard but like, solid foam *snort*. He was so devoted, so nice! He cared incredibly much for the heroine in this story, going to immense lengths to assure that his family and the love of his life were out of harm's way.
Sometimes by doing the opposite of sane- but it was understood. I liked him like I like Butterflies, from a distance. Because if one of those awesome flying canvases gets tangled in my hair- we are K.O and nope-ing the heck out of there.
The romance had so much going for it. A good reason for breaking up, an adorable backstory full of adorable...ness. But it kind of fell flat at times. Maybe because the reconciliation was too abrupt or perhaps because the characters were like:
'How can I stay apart when we were always meant to be?'
Hm
HMMMMMMM
They did everything for each other, though! And really, that's what counts.
(see example #4 of Booksy using the exclamation mark to disguise the urge to separate them for a whole 6 book series and then when they reunite, they've falling for other people, and it's the kind of bittersweet pain that stays long after the last page.)
Quick and simple list of what Booksy felt (whilst thinking in third person because why not?) about the background characters:
- They added enough to the story to make me feel they were present yet not enough to mind if one of them got bitten to death.
- Teddy is on another tier.
- Even though I didn't really see their point of existence (I say this in the most lovable way) , they aided into some of the best heart pounding moment of this story. Running, falling when they were just so close to freedom.
*sigh*
Those moments were so hauntingly breathtaking.
Also, stupefying.
Remember, my Brells are not in.
This is the skull doing all the work.
On a closing note, if the synopsis isn't for you, read this for the writing.
And the descriptions, because oh my bloody hecking mathematical hellish equations, they were perplexing. I truly felt like I was in the farm with the MC, digging up the mercury colored blight and getting the worst of the news at the same time. I literally tasted the luscious multicolored bread and the ghost watermelon juice dribbled on my lips- I'm going to cry- Seriously though, the story was great, characters were likeable, could've been more terrifying, but I'm not saying that it wasn't because it definitely was at times.
And really? I can't stop thinking that it was so gosh darned fun.
~👑Special thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!👑~
Rating:✨✨✨✨ 4.0
*glances at infected zombie-like people*
*keeps walking because it's obviously the smart thing when the girl lost her eyeglasses mid attack and is now blind*
*sees infected yet endearing dog through blurry gaze*
*starts devilishly sprinting*
COME HERE BABY, LET ME LOVE U-
And that is exactly why.
Seriously, I have literally no self-control.
In one word, this book was so FUN. And yes, that's slightly uh... disturbing considering what this book is about- but come on, monsters chasing, infection everywhere- almost-death everywhere-
What more can a girl ask for?
I read books like this for the scare factor. The funny, light sort of scare. The one that makes me doubt if I closed the door, if I sneezed correctly, if on my way to visit Hades I accidentally angered Cerberus-- that type of scare. And this book, DE.LI.VERED.
The plot in and of itself took me far longer to understand than I want to admit, mostly because the vivid imagery threatened to decimate my mortal existence.
Seriously.
My life was in peril.
*peaks behind hands to see if fictional husbands have arrived*
Gosh darn it, DO I HAVE TO BE IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER MAN FOR Y'ALL TO ARRIVE OR AM I JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU-
*cough* Pardon my french interruption. Back to the plot and all it's variants- the storytelling was so beautiful and precise and just MAGNIFICENT. I wrote that word five times to get correctly. I give up. (I was doing Algebra y'all, it kills brains.
Cells.
Brells)
And so well done it made me want to read at the speed of Sonic on something (I'm not going to mention drugs, I'm not going to mention drugs, I'm not going to mention drugs-) to be able to absorb as much writing ingenuity as I was able to. Even after many days of reading other books and completely forgetting the fact that this wonderful one was waiting to be reviewed, I still can picture ever so clearly how the setting was described.
Oooo! I just love getting chills from good descriptions. It's a different type of swoon, instead of being like 'TAKE ME, I'LL BE YOUR QUEEN- FRIEND-ANYTHING-' with a specific character, this type of swoon involves saying 'I feel so blessed that my eyes could stick unto the page and start leaching off the words to try and create a hybrid of my own.'
Back to the plot though, it was so good. The intrigue, the mystery, the sensing stress of an impending bomb going off. Metaphorically, not that bombs didn't go off in the book-
I feel like the foreshadowing was the only I really had something against, apart from the 'PEOPLE DIDN'T DIE THO' part of the bullet list I made for this book.
It felt too intense for what the outcome was. I don't know what I really expected, just maybe something with more WHAM BAM CRY INTO YOUR PILLOW MA'AM factor. Especially since I went into this book hoping that, BUT.
And not Mari Antoinette's (I need one of her dresses ASAP, if y'all have her number, please feel free to share-)
That's because I like being shattered after a book ends and although it's a problem, books that end on good notes still make me happy!
(see example #1 of Booksy using the exclamation mark to fix the fact that the things she likes in books would be red flags in real life)
I guess I expected more of a vicious past or backstory to warrant all the horror the townspeople felt against it.
It still was pretty disturbing, though-
But you know, the fact that it gripped me from the first sentence led me to not care very much of how easy of an ending it had.
Ugh, addictive books feel like the best of ways to pass the time.
Then we have the characters!! You'll find later on who's Teddy, but I just want to say that she was ABOVE EVERYTHING. An angel, a goddess, a freaking emblem of greatness.
I don't even care about the rest- she just is and will continue to be.
However, we have the awesome MC going for the book too so YEAH, I'M ATTACKED FROM ALL SIDES BY GREATNESS- She felt realistic, her thought process reminded me of what I would definitely not do in a scenario like this because remember, I'll be perished. Deathed. The word kill sounds too harsh. She cared for her family with a courageous streak, did everything to find out what had happened. No clue was too difficult for her, no puzzle too hard. Seriously, I can't even be mad at her because I have absolutely no idea what I would do if I was in her place. I don't know if I- okay, I would've undoubtedly been eaten, so there's that! And she survived, y'all!!
(see example #2 and #3 of Booksy using the exclamation mark to hide that tiny voice that wished they'd all died just for the torture of it.)
Later we have the lovey dovey, six foot tall, GAWGEOUS love interest. He felt like a mix of a golden retriever and a box, not cardboard but like, solid foam *snort*. He was so devoted, so nice! He cared incredibly much for the heroine in this story, going to immense lengths to assure that his family and the love of his life were out of harm's way.
Sometimes by doing the opposite of sane- but it was understood. I liked him like I like Butterflies, from a distance. Because if one of those awesome flying canvases gets tangled in my hair- we are K.O and nope-ing the heck out of there.
The romance had so much going for it. A good reason for breaking up, an adorable backstory full of adorable...ness. But it kind of fell flat at times. Maybe because the reconciliation was too abrupt or perhaps because the characters were like:
'How can I stay apart when we were always meant to be?'
Hm
HMMMMMMM
They did everything for each other, though! And really, that's what counts.
(see example #4 of Booksy using the exclamation mark to disguise the urge to separate them for a whole 6 book series and then when they reunite, they've falling for other people, and it's the kind of bittersweet pain that stays long after the last page.)
Quick and simple list of what Booksy felt (whilst thinking in third person because why not?) about the background characters:
- They added enough to the story to make me feel they were present yet not enough to mind if one of them got bitten to death.
- Teddy is on another tier.
- Even though I didn't really see their point of existence (I say this in the most lovable way) , they aided into some of the best heart pounding moment of this story. Running, falling when they were just so close to freedom.
*sigh*
Those moments were so hauntingly breathtaking.
Also, stupefying.
Remember, my Brells are not in.
This is the skull doing all the work.
On a closing note, if the synopsis isn't for you, read this for the writing.
And the descriptions, because oh my bloody hecking mathematical hellish equations, they were perplexing. I truly felt like I was in the farm with the MC, digging up the mercury colored blight and getting the worst of the news at the same time. I literally tasted the luscious multicolored bread and the ghost watermelon juice dribbled on my lips- I'm going to cry- Seriously though, the story was great, characters were likeable, could've been more terrifying, but I'm not saying that it wasn't because it definitely was at times.
And really? I can't stop thinking that it was so gosh darned fun.
~👑Special thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!👑~
December 27, 2021
Dazzling and dreadful. WHAT WE HARVEST grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go.
March 13, 2022
What We Harvest by Ann Fraistat is a young adult horror novel. The story in What We Harvest is one that is a zombie-esque tale with a “virus” called the Blight turning people into walking monsters in a fictional town called Hollow’s End.
Wren has been raised in Hollow’s End on her family’s farm where their miracle crops grow. Only Wren’s family knows the secret behind the crops, the magical stone at the middle of the farm. The stone however is full of a silver sludge that seems to have escaped and is now consuming the crops and townsfolk around Wren’s farm.
What We Harvest by Ann Fraistat was an eerily fantastic story that pulled me in right away. The situations turned tense immediately as the story slowly amped up the danger around the characters. The thing for me that had my rating at three and a half stars was I wasn’t overly enthused on how things went after thinking most of it was creepy and compelling, getting to the end was sort of a let down to me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Wren has been raised in Hollow’s End on her family’s farm where their miracle crops grow. Only Wren’s family knows the secret behind the crops, the magical stone at the middle of the farm. The stone however is full of a silver sludge that seems to have escaped and is now consuming the crops and townsfolk around Wren’s farm.
What We Harvest by Ann Fraistat was an eerily fantastic story that pulled me in right away. The situations turned tense immediately as the story slowly amped up the danger around the characters. The thing for me that had my rating at three and a half stars was I wasn’t overly enthused on how things went after thinking most of it was creepy and compelling, getting to the end was sort of a let down to me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 14, 2022
The characters decisions just don't make sense .
Semi
SPOILERS BELOW
I don't go into extreme detail ,but still I'll warn you .
Before I wrote this I hadn't read this book for two weeks ,hence some details are a bit fuzzy . Correct me if I'm wrong in any details .
Point one ; We're lead to believe that the MC and her ex bf have some unmendable rift between them , only to find out that he wanted kill her dog . Now this might sound terrible . BUT her dog was infected by the " zombie virus " that kills anyone who is infected . She can't seem to get over this fact so she breaks up w/ him .
Point two ; Despite the fact that their are ZOMBIES ( zombie bears as well ) running around , which with one bite will doom you to certain death , our MC is horrified that her ex boyfriend carrys a gun . Like LADY GET ON HIS LEVEL ! She's living in a life or death situation ,but tries to get all self righteous because he dares carry a gun TO PROTECT HIMSELF FROM A SLOW AND MISERABLE DEATH !!
Point three ; The ex bf's sister brings home her girlfriend from college . After the " invasion of zombies " she decides to stay in town . I don't understand why the ex is the ONLY ONE who seems to take this seriously . People are being dragged off into the woods , then left for a slow and painful death after being MAULED BY ZOMBIE BEARS !!! The stupidity is astonishing!
Part four ; The reason the " zombie plague " starts in the first place is simply because the MC's parents lack any decent parenting and communication skills . This whole thing could have been avoided .
I could go on for ages ,but I'll stop there . 🤣😅
Semi
SPOILERS BELOW
I don't go into extreme detail ,but still I'll warn you .
Before I wrote this I hadn't read this book for two weeks ,hence some details are a bit fuzzy . Correct me if I'm wrong in any details .
Point one ; We're lead to believe that the MC and her ex bf have some unmendable rift between them , only to find out that he wanted kill her dog . Now this might sound terrible . BUT her dog was infected by the " zombie virus " that kills anyone who is infected . She can't seem to get over this fact so she breaks up w/ him .
Point two ; Despite the fact that their are ZOMBIES ( zombie bears as well ) running around , which with one bite will doom you to certain death , our MC is horrified that her ex boyfriend carrys a gun . Like LADY GET ON HIS LEVEL ! She's living in a life or death situation ,but tries to get all self righteous because he dares carry a gun TO PROTECT HIMSELF FROM A SLOW AND MISERABLE DEATH !!
Point three ; The ex bf's sister brings home her girlfriend from college . After the " invasion of zombies " she decides to stay in town . I don't understand why the ex is the ONLY ONE who seems to take this seriously . People are being dragged off into the woods , then left for a slow and painful death after being MAULED BY ZOMBIE BEARS !!! The stupidity is astonishing!
Part four ; The reason the " zombie plague " starts in the first place is simply because the MC's parents lack any decent parenting and communication skills . This whole thing could have been avoided .
I could go on for ages ,but I'll stop there . 🤣😅
July 12, 2022
absolutely disgusting. highly recommend!
February 5, 2022
A zombie story that shines bright in a crowded genre.
Wren just wants to save her family farm from the blight. A rot, a disease that rots their crops and their bodies if they become infected. But after Wren becomes infected herself she only has so much time to solve the mystery of the blight and save herself and those she loves.
I loved this story. It had me hooked from the first chapter. It has so much going on in it. It's a zombie-like story with a dystopian vibe even though it's not really dystopia. It's horror, fantasy, romance, and a little bit of SciFi all in one. I love the pace that is set for learning what the blight is and how it came about. It was such an action-packed fun story and there were some super creepy parts as well.
That cover too. It is really lovely and eye-catching. And not only is the title fitting for this book, but something about it just makes you want to read it before you even find out what it's about. You can really tell the author put her heart and soul into this debut and I feel honored to be one of the first to read it.
Recommend ages 16+
Content Warnings
Some cussing, and just a little bit of violence and gore.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Publisher and Author for a chance to read and review this book. It does not in any way influence my opinion or review.
Wren just wants to save her family farm from the blight. A rot, a disease that rots their crops and their bodies if they become infected. But after Wren becomes infected herself she only has so much time to solve the mystery of the blight and save herself and those she loves.
I loved this story. It had me hooked from the first chapter. It has so much going on in it. It's a zombie-like story with a dystopian vibe even though it's not really dystopia. It's horror, fantasy, romance, and a little bit of SciFi all in one. I love the pace that is set for learning what the blight is and how it came about. It was such an action-packed fun story and there were some super creepy parts as well.
That cover too. It is really lovely and eye-catching. And not only is the title fitting for this book, but something about it just makes you want to read it before you even find out what it's about. You can really tell the author put her heart and soul into this debut and I feel honored to be one of the first to read it.
Recommend ages 16+
Content Warnings
Some cussing, and just a little bit of violence and gore.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Publisher and Author for a chance to read and review this book. It does not in any way influence my opinion or review.
April 15, 2022
What We Harvest was good but weird. I think the whole virus concept was pretty interesting. It's just how certain characters acted to situations that boggled me. For example, the parents in this book suck ass. Wasn't a fan of what they did at all. Then there's Wren, the main character, and I didn't really like her either. She gave me whiplash for the entire book.
Besides not really being invested in the characters, the whole mystery around the virus and blight confused me at times. It's like we didn't get all the information we needed in order to understand it all completely. Or maybe that's just how I'm feeling after finishing the book? Don't get me wrong, it was good, but the ending was awkward and weird.
In the end, I liked how different it was from other books I've read recently. I just wished that I liked the characters a lot more than I eventually did.
Besides not really being invested in the characters, the whole mystery around the virus and blight confused me at times. It's like we didn't get all the information we needed in order to understand it all completely. Or maybe that's just how I'm feeling after finishing the book? Don't get me wrong, it was good, but the ending was awkward and weird.
In the end, I liked how different it was from other books I've read recently. I just wished that I liked the characters a lot more than I eventually did.
January 26, 2023
4¾⭐
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
◾ Horror ◾ Rotting Zombie-ish beings ◾ Founding Family/Small Town Secrets ◾ YA that transcends ◾ Supernatural…ish ◾ A splash of romance
Finally…a book that completely lives up to its gorgeous cover. This was such an imaginative, unique take on Zombies. In this, zombies are called The Blight, which by definition; 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒, 𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑖 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑤𝑠, 𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑚𝑢𝑡𝑠. Since they are a product of the founding family’s crops…this would make them very aptly named.
The writing is lush in a fantastically macabre way and pulls you in like a magnet. Also, the characters were shockingly, not annoying to me…since frequently, YA characters are.
◾Narrated by: 🎙️ Lauren Ezzo📣 She is not a favorite by any means and she is probably what held me back from a full 5 stars for my rating.
Total Score 9.43/10 ◾ Opening-9 ◾ Characters-9.5 ◾ Plot-9 ◾ Atmosphere-10 ◾ Writing Style-9.5 ◾ Ending-9.5 ◾ Overall Enjoyment- 9.5 ◾
Ɱ◎◎ĐႽ…
◾ Horror ◾ Rotting Zombie-ish beings ◾ Founding Family/Small Town Secrets ◾ YA that transcends ◾ Supernatural…ish ◾ A splash of romance
Finally…a book that completely lives up to its gorgeous cover. This was such an imaginative, unique take on Zombies. In this, zombies are called The Blight, which by definition; 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒, 𝑡𝑦𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑖 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑤𝑠, 𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑚𝑢𝑡𝑠. Since they are a product of the founding family’s crops…this would make them very aptly named.
The writing is lush in a fantastically macabre way and pulls you in like a magnet. Also, the characters were shockingly, not annoying to me…since frequently, YA characters are.
◾Narrated by: 🎙️ Lauren Ezzo📣 She is not a favorite by any means and she is probably what held me back from a full 5 stars for my rating.
Total Score 9.43/10 ◾ Opening-9 ◾ Characters-9.5 ◾ Plot-9 ◾ Atmosphere-10 ◾ Writing Style-9.5 ◾ Ending-9.5 ◾ Overall Enjoyment- 9.5 ◾
October 24, 2020
I had the EXTREME privilege of reading an early version of this book, and it's absolutely stunning. The writing is lyrical, lush, and evocative--even as Fraistat grosses you out, she will knock you senseless with how beautiful her command of language is. Set in a small town famous for its miracle crops (think rainbow-hued wheat and blue flesh melons), it strikes that perfect balance between total enchantment (who wouldn't want to live in Hollow's End??) and the eerie, creeping sense that something sinister is lurking just beneath the idyllic surface. Beyond the chilling horror and gorgeous prose, the book delves subtly and deftly into highly topical themes, asking important questions about the rotten secret history of America and just how culpable we all are for the crimes of our ancestors. This is a new release that everyone should be dying to get their hands on!!!
Also, I would die for Teddy the dog.
Also, I would die for Teddy the dog.
March 21, 2022
A gripping read with a very believable world building which includes some sort of magic, zombies, & a young girl called Wren turning zombie herself trying to save the day. And how I have loved Wren, she is such a solid character dealing with so much!
Vid review will be available on March 21, 2022 here: https://youtu.be/S3jv4ZWbryE
Vid review will be available on March 21, 2022 here: https://youtu.be/S3jv4ZWbryE
April 8, 2022
“So it had finally come to kill us. The sickest part was, I’d started to believe we were invincible- that somehow the miracle of our farm might protect us.”
Wren lives in a small town called Hollow’s End; known for their famous bountiful crops of blue melons and rainbow hued wheat. Hollow’s End is successful and tourists travel far and wide to visit the farms up until a blight slowly takes over the farms. Each farm becomes poisoned by the quicksilver mercury blight, including the animals and then coming for the humans soon after. Those infected are gone in the forest during the day but come out at night, looking like a rotting corpse with white eyes. No one knows what they do or what they are doing till then.
Wren is one of the last ones standing but knows that she doesn’t have much time left. Her parents have disappeared with one of their neighbors and she’s left alone at home. With the help of her neighbor and ex-boyfriend Derek, they work together with his family to try to figure out a way of stopping the blight before it’s too late. They unlock many secrets that lead to the town’s past and learn that not everything about their family and ancestors is not as innocent as it appears.
The book is fast paced and wraps up together in an expected ending. In between chapters we get to see an insight of Wren’s past and how life was before it had all changed from the blight. The writing itself is lovely and easy to read at the same time. There is also an eerie sense of unease throughout reading and you can feel that something evil is lurking from beyond the trees and may attack at any moment. The book definitely made me feel transported right into it. Fraistat’s young adult debut is one to check out if you’re interested in small town secrets and plagues. I’m curious to see what she will come up with next!
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/wh...
Wren lives in a small town called Hollow’s End; known for their famous bountiful crops of blue melons and rainbow hued wheat. Hollow’s End is successful and tourists travel far and wide to visit the farms up until a blight slowly takes over the farms. Each farm becomes poisoned by the quicksilver mercury blight, including the animals and then coming for the humans soon after. Those infected are gone in the forest during the day but come out at night, looking like a rotting corpse with white eyes. No one knows what they do or what they are doing till then.
Wren is one of the last ones standing but knows that she doesn’t have much time left. Her parents have disappeared with one of their neighbors and she’s left alone at home. With the help of her neighbor and ex-boyfriend Derek, they work together with his family to try to figure out a way of stopping the blight before it’s too late. They unlock many secrets that lead to the town’s past and learn that not everything about their family and ancestors is not as innocent as it appears.
The book is fast paced and wraps up together in an expected ending. In between chapters we get to see an insight of Wren’s past and how life was before it had all changed from the blight. The writing itself is lovely and easy to read at the same time. There is also an eerie sense of unease throughout reading and you can feel that something evil is lurking from beyond the trees and may attack at any moment. The book definitely made me feel transported right into it. Fraistat’s young adult debut is one to check out if you’re interested in small town secrets and plagues. I’m curious to see what she will come up with next!
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/wh...
July 1, 2021
Longer review to come, but for now I will simply say that this book is unputdownable, unforgettable, and gorgeously written. A must-read book of 2022!
August 20, 2022
5 bright and beaming stars for this horrific beauty! Warnings for violence, gore, body trauma.
Wren grew up in the ideal small town, one where everyone knows your name and the unique crops bring visitors from far and wide. At least, it was ideal until the blight came. It began with the rotting of crops and zombified animals, but quickly spread to the townsfolk. When Wren's parents don't come home one evening from helping out on another blighted farm what horrors await Wren in a quest to find her parents? And what sins of the past will be brought to light about the blight?
This story has it ALL. A captivating plot, flawed characters, and plot twists you absolutely won't see coming. Just when I thought I could see what was coming next everything was turned on its head. Wren and her fellow cast of characters make you root for them(sometime to be devoured, just because of how cool the blight was). Derek (her love interest/ex boyfriend) brought actual flavor to the story which can be hard to find in today's young adult novels, as well as his entire family. This can't be considered a true review without talking about the Blight. No spoilers here, but woooow! The author put in the work to bring the ultimate of Zombiesk viruses. No plot holes or loose threads in that strain, and the history shines like the silvery goo the blight is made of.
If you love horror, a good zombie tale, or even a tale of family secrets returning to haunt future generations then look no further than What We Harvest. Recommended for ages 14+ as the gore can be graphic at times(but in the coolest way!). I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next, I just know it'll be a wild ride!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wren grew up in the ideal small town, one where everyone knows your name and the unique crops bring visitors from far and wide. At least, it was ideal until the blight came. It began with the rotting of crops and zombified animals, but quickly spread to the townsfolk. When Wren's parents don't come home one evening from helping out on another blighted farm what horrors await Wren in a quest to find her parents? And what sins of the past will be brought to light about the blight?
This story has it ALL. A captivating plot, flawed characters, and plot twists you absolutely won't see coming. Just when I thought I could see what was coming next everything was turned on its head. Wren and her fellow cast of characters make you root for them(sometime to be devoured, just because of how cool the blight was). Derek (her love interest/ex boyfriend) brought actual flavor to the story which can be hard to find in today's young adult novels, as well as his entire family. This can't be considered a true review without talking about the Blight. No spoilers here, but woooow! The author put in the work to bring the ultimate of Zombiesk viruses. No plot holes or loose threads in that strain, and the history shines like the silvery goo the blight is made of.
If you love horror, a good zombie tale, or even a tale of family secrets returning to haunt future generations then look no further than What We Harvest. Recommended for ages 14+ as the gore can be graphic at times(but in the coolest way!). I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next, I just know it'll be a wild ride!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2022
well, this was splendid. I strongly recommend this if you like YA horror with a romance subplot and lovely, lovely writing. Like a YA Stephen King, with feels.
March 11, 2022
Holy. Crap. I was not prepared for how magically wonderful this story was! It's an imaginative creeptastic nightmare come to life (with hints of fantasy and mystery). I absolutely LOVED it. The authors writing style is beyond brilliant and I absolutely need to read more of her work.
It was a SUPER quick read (I couldn't put it down) which is a good thing. The characters are likeable and the secrets, twists, and turns are interesting and keep you reading The author's take on zombie-like creatures created by a blight is wonderful, and I want more of it!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA, fantasy, thriller, or mystery, because its got a good mix of them all.
It was a SUPER quick read (I couldn't put it down) which is a good thing. The characters are likeable and the secrets, twists, and turns are interesting and keep you reading The author's take on zombie-like creatures created by a blight is wonderful, and I want more of it!
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys YA, fantasy, thriller, or mystery, because its got a good mix of them all.
March 15, 2022
e-ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Featuring a small town that is known for it's miracle crops, a mysterious disease that is consuming said crops- and infecting the animals and townsfolk alike, and two teens who are in a race against time to uncover the town's dark past in order to settle it's debts before it's too late, What We Harvest is a compulsively readable YA horror novel that had me feeling nostalgic for the spooky book/tv series that I grew up on!
While this was a solid debut- and I can see myself reading more from Fraistat in the future, the only thing that really stood out to me was the writing. I have to agree with those who have said that there was a lot of build up with very little payoff.
Featuring a small town that is known for it's miracle crops, a mysterious disease that is consuming said crops- and infecting the animals and townsfolk alike, and two teens who are in a race against time to uncover the town's dark past in order to settle it's debts before it's too late, What We Harvest is a compulsively readable YA horror novel that had me feeling nostalgic for the spooky book/tv series that I grew up on!
While this was a solid debut- and I can see myself reading more from Fraistat in the future, the only thing that really stood out to me was the writing. I have to agree with those who have said that there was a lot of build up with very little payoff.
March 21, 2022
What We Harvest is the zombie infection story set on a small rural farm that you didn't know you needed.
I was having the slumpiest of slumps and I needed a change of pace and a good palate cleanser...so why not a YA horror? I'm here to tell you it did the job right. I binged the first half and stayed up way too late to see what would happen next.
This has the vibe of Small Favors with a more modern day flare but still has the creepy "historical settlers" type of vibe. It quickly grabs your attention from the first chapter and keeps you guessing from there. I had no idea what to expect and I didn't have a clue how it would end. I thought the "monster aspect" was interesting and spooky and the pacing was consistent.
This is definitely a horror but more in a mild sense so I would't say it got too graphic, just enough to prove a point. It also has the sweetest little YA friends to lovers scenario that was really great for a couple of 16 year olds. This book is for those who like a little scare, a main character who has a love for animals and a romance to balance out the spooky and unspeakable.
*mild strong language and graphic scenes of horror and gore (dm me for questions), Sweet YA romance level.
I was having the slumpiest of slumps and I needed a change of pace and a good palate cleanser...so why not a YA horror? I'm here to tell you it did the job right. I binged the first half and stayed up way too late to see what would happen next.
This has the vibe of Small Favors with a more modern day flare but still has the creepy "historical settlers" type of vibe. It quickly grabs your attention from the first chapter and keeps you guessing from there. I had no idea what to expect and I didn't have a clue how it would end. I thought the "monster aspect" was interesting and spooky and the pacing was consistent.
This is definitely a horror but more in a mild sense so I would't say it got too graphic, just enough to prove a point. It also has the sweetest little YA friends to lovers scenario that was really great for a couple of 16 year olds. This book is for those who like a little scare, a main character who has a love for animals and a romance to balance out the spooky and unspeakable.
*mild strong language and graphic scenes of horror and gore (dm me for questions), Sweet YA romance level.
March 27, 2022
Fast-paced and oh-so-creepy, with a festering secret at its center, What We Harvest is the rural zombie novel I never knew I wanted.
March 13, 2022
Horror books and I have a love/hate relationship, and I'm slowly coming to realize they just may not be for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-galley.
My thoughts on this book range from "this is a bit slow," to "okay, that's kind of cool," so my review is going to be all over the place. I wasn't quite sure what I was reading in the first few chapters and a lot confused me due to the fact that details are sprinkled in throughout the book without info-dumping (which is good!) but being dropped into the action so quickly jarred me a bit. I felt like I was missing the entire first quarter of the book.
I enjoyed the characters a lot; they were all unique and engaging. Wren, as our heroine, is both flawed and fierce in her love for her family, but stubborn in that she cannot let go of the past. The romance was believable and, to be honest, was the best part of the story. Wren's grief clouded her vision and she pushed Derek away. But it turned out, he was the first to be there for her when things got messy and that is just *chef's kiss*.
As much as zombie dogs make me sad, they also delight my black heart.
Anyhow, I enjoyed the premise and the writing but the explanations on the blight, plot organization, and the easy ending had me scratching my head. BUT fans of eerie, dark stories will enjoy this.
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-galley.
My thoughts on this book range from "this is a bit slow," to "okay, that's kind of cool," so my review is going to be all over the place. I wasn't quite sure what I was reading in the first few chapters and a lot confused me due to the fact that details are sprinkled in throughout the book without info-dumping (which is good!) but being dropped into the action so quickly jarred me a bit. I felt like I was missing the entire first quarter of the book.
I enjoyed the characters a lot; they were all unique and engaging. Wren, as our heroine, is both flawed and fierce in her love for her family, but stubborn in that she cannot let go of the past. The romance was believable and, to be honest, was the best part of the story. Wren's grief clouded her vision and she pushed Derek away. But it turned out, he was the first to be there for her when things got messy and that is just *chef's kiss*.
As much as zombie dogs make me sad, they also delight my black heart.
Anyhow, I enjoyed the premise and the writing but the explanations on the blight, plot organization, and the easy ending had me scratching my head. BUT fans of eerie, dark stories will enjoy this.
March 13, 2022
I’ll start this review by saying this is an incredible debut, and I’ll follow this author anywhere she wants to take me in her next book.
Hollow’s End is a small town that draws hoards of tourists for its wildly successful, centuries-old farms. Without these farms, the town would die. And that’s exactly what happens when a quicksilver mercury blight poisons the crops, then the livestock, and moves on to the townsfolk. If you’re thinking zombies, you’re not exactly wrong. The animals and people crave flesh, but disappear into the forest at night – which is lucky for the noninfected folks. Wren and Derek are members of two of the four founding families and are frantically trying to save their loved ones, farms, and town. Time is of the essence since Wren is now infected and showing symptoms.
I loved the pacing of this story. There’s no slow unfolding of details – the reader is immediately thrown into the action and feels Wren’s desperation. I initially didn’t like her much. She makes some selfish demands of others and plenty of mistakes, but to her credit she owns it later on. The buildup oozes tension. She and Derek would start to make headway in finding a solution only to be slapped down by one obstacle after another. Death is only inches away in several scenes. Stakes are tremendous, and they discover dark secrets abound in these founding families.
What We Harvest is a fantastic blend of horror, thriller, and dark fantasy with a little alchemy to give it some added flavor. I devoured (in a non-zombie-like way) this book in less than twenty-four hours. This is an author to watch, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Hollow’s End is a small town that draws hoards of tourists for its wildly successful, centuries-old farms. Without these farms, the town would die. And that’s exactly what happens when a quicksilver mercury blight poisons the crops, then the livestock, and moves on to the townsfolk. If you’re thinking zombies, you’re not exactly wrong. The animals and people crave flesh, but disappear into the forest at night – which is lucky for the noninfected folks. Wren and Derek are members of two of the four founding families and are frantically trying to save their loved ones, farms, and town. Time is of the essence since Wren is now infected and showing symptoms.
I loved the pacing of this story. There’s no slow unfolding of details – the reader is immediately thrown into the action and feels Wren’s desperation. I initially didn’t like her much. She makes some selfish demands of others and plenty of mistakes, but to her credit she owns it later on. The buildup oozes tension. She and Derek would start to make headway in finding a solution only to be slapped down by one obstacle after another. Death is only inches away in several scenes. Stakes are tremendous, and they discover dark secrets abound in these founding families.
What We Harvest is a fantastic blend of horror, thriller, and dark fantasy with a little alchemy to give it some added flavor. I devoured (in a non-zombie-like way) this book in less than twenty-four hours. This is an author to watch, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
April 12, 2022
I'm always up for a virus story, so this definitely intrigued me. It takes place in a small town, where a blight has spread over the farmlands and turned people and animals into zombie-like creatures. Wren is trying to help her parents save their land when the blight finally catches up to her and she must race against the clock if she's going to save her family and town.
Wren was sort of a wishy-washy character for me. At times I liked her, like how much she still cared for her dog and her determination to figure out the cause of the blight and save everyone. At other times, I thought she was too whiny and I hate when people hurt someone because they think it's best for them. She should have told Derek what she knew and let him decide how he felt about it, instead of abandoning him. At least she does fight for him and tries to make it right by the end.
I didn't totally understand what the blight was and how the families used it. Maybe I missed a bit or maybe it needed to be explained a bit better. Either way, the story was quick paced and I think could have delved a bit more into this world.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the copy
Wren was sort of a wishy-washy character for me. At times I liked her, like how much she still cared for her dog and her determination to figure out the cause of the blight and save everyone. At other times, I thought she was too whiny and I hate when people hurt someone because they think it's best for them. She should have told Derek what she knew and let him decide how he felt about it, instead of abandoning him. At least she does fight for him and tries to make it right by the end.
I didn't totally understand what the blight was and how the families used it. Maybe I missed a bit or maybe it needed to be explained a bit better. Either way, the story was quick paced and I think could have delved a bit more into this world.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the copy
March 17, 2022
4.5 stars
“What good is a legacy when it’s always been a lie?”
Wren is the latest Warren in a long line of farmers. The Warrens are one of four founding families of miracle farms in Hollow’s End. Between rainbow wheat and glowing melons, visitors flock to the town for the sparkling fruits with the mysterious health benefits.
That is, until a quicksilver blight puts the entire town into quarantine. It’s taken over not only their farms, but their livestock, and even their people. They change. They turn into zombies intent on only feeding the blight.
Wren teams up with ex-boyfriend Derek to figure out all the secrets of the farm in order to save their lives.
I’m a big fan of cult stories, small towns, and secrets. What We Harvest had all three. There were even a few bonuses: the horror was much more than what I expected from a young adult book.
I loved watching the entire story of the farms unfold. Unfortunately for me, I had figured out the end of the story and the twists pretty early. I’m not all that mad about it though—I enjoyed it! I can’t wait to see what else Ann Fraistat has to offer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this advanced review copy!
CW: animal death, blood and gore
“What good is a legacy when it’s always been a lie?”
Wren is the latest Warren in a long line of farmers. The Warrens are one of four founding families of miracle farms in Hollow’s End. Between rainbow wheat and glowing melons, visitors flock to the town for the sparkling fruits with the mysterious health benefits.
That is, until a quicksilver blight puts the entire town into quarantine. It’s taken over not only their farms, but their livestock, and even their people. They change. They turn into zombies intent on only feeding the blight.
Wren teams up with ex-boyfriend Derek to figure out all the secrets of the farm in order to save their lives.
I’m a big fan of cult stories, small towns, and secrets. What We Harvest had all three. There were even a few bonuses: the horror was much more than what I expected from a young adult book.
I loved watching the entire story of the farms unfold. Unfortunately for me, I had figured out the end of the story and the twists pretty early. I’m not all that mad about it though—I enjoyed it! I can’t wait to see what else Ann Fraistat has to offer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this advanced review copy!
CW: animal death, blood and gore
April 18, 2022
This was a fun, zombie chase type story that I buddy read.
What I liked:<\b>
- I liked that the story dove right into the blight.
- The chase. Oh, the chases were good! I wish the whole book kept that same momentum.
What I didn’t like:
- Plot. The ideas were good, but they come a little too late in the book (50% mark).
- There was too much time spent trying to find Wren’s parents
- The ending. There was a lot of tension and build up. Not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that! I was like ‘that’s it?!’. It felt too easy and too happily ever after.
- I found Wren super annoying. At one point I cared more about Buckwheat (the horse)than her.
What I liked:<\b>
- I liked that the story dove right into the blight.
- The chase. Oh, the chases were good! I wish the whole book kept that same momentum.
What I didn’t like:
- Plot. The ideas were good, but they come a little too late in the book (50% mark).
- There was too much time spent trying to find Wren’s parents
- The ending. There was a lot of tension and build up. Not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t that! I was like ‘that’s it?!’. It felt too easy and too happily ever after.
- I found Wren super annoying. At one point I cared more about Buckwheat (the horse)than her.
October 2, 2023
3.5 stars. Definitely more fantasy than horror, but it did have its creepiness. It also had a strong romantic subplot, which was really well done and served the story well, in my opinion.
Want to read
October 15, 2021ARC received!
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2022
Wow this is a truly spectacular story. From the very first page I was hooked. The concept of the blight ravaging a small idyllic farming town was captivating. The writing is phenomenal. I felt like I could smell and taste the blight. The pacing of the story is great a little bit of a slower build up but it works perfectly. The atmospheric feeling of dread creeping in gave me goosebumps.
Wren’s character is very relatable. I think often times with survival horror books it’s easy to get caught up in the could’ve would’ve should’ve. But with this story the author built compelling a character that had to make tough decisions and made some mistakes. Her actions were believable and heartbreaking at times. No one knows what it’s like facing down a blight infested horde of friends, family and animals. I thought the inclusion of Wren’s ex Derek was a great addition. Romance wasn’t a main factor of this story but it was a nice bright spot amongst the blight.
I really enjoyed the mystery and truth about the blight. It was creative and dark. I also loved the themes of human greed and how far would people go to better their lives and their families. The ending was satisfying but realistic. Overall I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves creepy survival thrillers. Also if that’s not enough for you. This story has a zombie dog!!! 5/5 a fantastic debut.
Thank you Ann Fraistat, Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s, and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wren’s character is very relatable. I think often times with survival horror books it’s easy to get caught up in the could’ve would’ve should’ve. But with this story the author built compelling a character that had to make tough decisions and made some mistakes. Her actions were believable and heartbreaking at times. No one knows what it’s like facing down a blight infested horde of friends, family and animals. I thought the inclusion of Wren’s ex Derek was a great addition. Romance wasn’t a main factor of this story but it was a nice bright spot amongst the blight.
I really enjoyed the mystery and truth about the blight. It was creative and dark. I also loved the themes of human greed and how far would people go to better their lives and their families. The ending was satisfying but realistic. Overall I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves creepy survival thrillers. Also if that’s not enough for you. This story has a zombie dog!!! 5/5 a fantastic debut.
Thank you Ann Fraistat, Delacorte Press/Random House Children’s, and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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