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thecampinglibrarian's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I listened to this book on audio. Respectfully saying, I wonder why authors sometimes choose certain names for their characters. The girl in the story is named Jac, and the boy she hangs out with is Hazel. Unfortunately it got a bit confusing for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Bullying
msbedelia's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
louisegraveyard's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Terminal illness, and Cancer
skysbooknook's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Cancer, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Bullying
libscote's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Jac has recently moved across the country with her mother for a fresh start. She's coming up on her five year anniversary of not having cancer, and it's weighing on her mind. Her mother seems to constantly worry too, which isn't helping. And now a mysterious house has appeared at the end of the cul-du-sac, and it's calling to her. If she goes in, will she ever get out?
I found this book to be quite scary in places. Unlike in text form, I couldn't skim over the scary parts. I had to read them. The audio form was good for this book.
I found this book to be quite scary in places. Unlike in text form, I couldn't skim over the scary parts. I had to read them. The audio form was good for this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness and Cancer
abooklikeyou's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is the first spooky middle grade to ever make me cry.
Jac is approaching the 5-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis and is hoping to be declared NED or "no evidence of disease." Having cancer has definitely left Jac with trauma, as she is always scared that she may be experiencing symptoms again. Around this same time, a house appears at the end of the road, seemingly out of nowhere. When Jac and her best friend, Hazel, are dared to go inside, Jac must not only face what's in the house, but the terror insider her as well.
It says something about a book that can really pack a punch with being extremely atmospheric and creepy but also deeply moving and emotional. I've said it before and I'll say it again, my favorite spooky middle grade books aren't the ones that are just scary for the sake of being scary. My favorites are the ones that weave in real-life fears and experiences and teach you how to be brave through them. I'm here for the life lessons, the hope, and the motivation to live life, even when it can be scary. And this book does just that.
I do feel like there was a bit of the lull in the middle for me, which is why I didn't give this one a full 5 stars, but I teared up at the beginning and had a good little sob by the end. I look forward to reading more books from this author!
Jac is approaching the 5-year anniversary of her cancer diagnosis and is hoping to be declared NED or "no evidence of disease." Having cancer has definitely left Jac with trauma, as she is always scared that she may be experiencing symptoms again. Around this same time, a house appears at the end of the road, seemingly out of nowhere. When Jac and her best friend, Hazel, are dared to go inside, Jac must not only face what's in the house, but the terror insider her as well.
It says something about a book that can really pack a punch with being extremely atmospheric and creepy but also deeply moving and emotional. I've said it before and I'll say it again, my favorite spooky middle grade books aren't the ones that are just scary for the sake of being scary. My favorites are the ones that weave in real-life fears and experiences and teach you how to be brave through them. I'm here for the life lessons, the hope, and the motivation to live life, even when it can be scary. And this book does just that.
I do feel like there was a bit of the lull in the middle for me, which is why I didn't give this one a full 5 stars, but I teared up at the beginning and had a good little sob by the end. I look forward to reading more books from this author!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Medical trauma, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Bullying
audreylee's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The old house appeared out of nowhere and Jac just knows it is here because of her. The house and its creepy inhabitants will haunt Jac until she figures out how to lay her fears to rest. The first half was intensely creepy but it was drug out a bit too long in the end. Several descriptions and themes were repeated frequently. A good moral but a bit too long on philosophy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
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