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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
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
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