Fiendish summary

Unraveling a Dark Past

In Fiendish, by Brenna Yovanoff, we meet Clementine DeVore, a young woman who has spent the last ten years of her life trapped in a cellar. As she finally manages to break free, she discovers that her hometown, New South Bend, is not the same as she remembers. Her family is gone, and the town is now a place filled with secrets and lies.

Clementine's return stirs up the town's dark history, where the fiendish people living in the Willows, a wooded area outside town, were blamed for the town's misfortunes and hunted down. The townsfolk believe that Clementine is one of these fiendish people, a belief she does nothing to dispel, as she has developed magical powers during her captivity.

Forbidding Love and Hidden Dangers

As Clementine tries to piece together her past and understand her powers, she meets Fisher, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, who helps her adjust to her new life. Their friendship soon turns into a forbidden romance, as Fisher comes from a family of fiendish people, and the townsfolk are determined to keep them apart.

Amidst this turmoil, Clementine discovers that the Willows are not just a home to the fiendish people but also to dangerous creatures that feed on human flesh. She realizes that her captivity was not just an act of cruelty but a means to protect her from these creatures. As she uncovers more about her past, she also learns that she was not the only one trapped in the cellar and that there might be others still waiting to be rescued.

A Desperate Bid for Freedom

Driven by her need to understand her past and her growing love for Fisher, Clementine decides to confront the dangers lurking in the Willows. She enlists the help of her childhood friend, Gavin, who is now a member of the town's ruling elite. Together, they plan to rescue the remaining captives and put an end to the cycle of violence and fear that has plagued the town for generations.

As they venture into the Willows, they encounter terrifying creatures and face life-threatening situations. Clementine's powers are put to the test, and she realizes that she is much stronger than she ever imagined. In a heart-stopping climax, they manage to rescue the captives and bring down the creatures, but not without significant sacrifices.

The Bittersweet End

In the end, Clementine and Fisher's love survives the ordeal, and the town of New South Bend starts to heal from its dark past. Clementine comes to terms with her identity, embracing her powers and her connection to the fiendish people. She also finds closure regarding her family's fate and the reasons behind her captivity.

As Fiendish concludes, we see Clementine and Fisher looking towards a future filled with hope, their love overcoming the town's prejudices and their shared past. The novel leaves us with a sense of bittersweet satisfaction, knowing that while the town's wounds may heal, the scars will always remain.