A Fate Worse Than Drowning by Sara L. Hawthorn. - Review

About the book

Information taken from GoodReads:

Publication Date: July 21, 2026

368 pages, Paperback

Genre: Gothic Horror

Blurb:

One deal with the devil makes a fool. Two? A villain...

A year ago, Elle made a deal with the devil to save her sister. Now, they live on a desolate spit of land beyond Halifax harbor. Elle, as lighthouse keeper, steers unsuspecting sailors to their destruction; those are the terms of her bargain. Liney need never know the cost. Her safety is worth every drop of blood.

But a sinner’s pact is not so simple. When the devil returns, demanding more – more shipwrecks, no survivors – Elle knows what she must do to keep Liney safe...

Another ship. Another crew killed in the devil’s name.

Then a woman washes ashore. Is she a soul to be sacrificed, or part of a darker design? As Liney and the stranger grow closer, Elle faces an impossible choice: kill, and break Liney’s heart, or forfeit her own soul.

Danger arises from all sides: the merciless sea, ruthless men on the mainland, and the infernal bargain itself…

Souls and sisterhood, fate and fire – what must be sacrificed for the devil to get his due?

ARC REVIEW

Firstly, this book is exactly what it promises: a gothic horror story.

For me, it had everything I liked. I managed to connect to the characters on a deeper level because each chapter has a deep dive into the main characters minds and feelings. This is a book that makes you think while being hooked. Where's the line between morals and surviving? At what point does an action stop being justified to be an excuse?

The gore and descriptions were on point and the layers of the story just connected so well with an incredible foreshadowing. Everything made sense and the reader was part of everything.

The romantic relationships between the character's were amazingly forged, but I did prefer the odd nature of Elle's one.

Be mindful that is very slow paced and much of the book happens in the character's heads which might not be everyone's cup of tea. However, I love to analyse the reasons behind the actions and take in everything, so it was perfect for me.

This book is for the fans of House of Salt and Sorrows.

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Read: 21 February 2026 - 6 March 2026