Scan barcode
thebiblioboo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As an adult reader who will read anything I thing sounds even mildly interesting, this little middle grade book surprised me. It had far darker themes than a book with the age suggestion of 10-12 would be thought to have. So I really feel this one would be better for more mature readers in that age range. But also for older readers. The book is built around the story of a serial killer, after all. Imaginative, dark, but fun, I really enjoyed this one and that surprised me especially considering I was afraid I'd find it too simple and geared towards someone much younger. A good Halloween read.
Moderate: Murder, Mental illness, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
antimony's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
evie lives in the seventh-most-haunted town in america, and is no stranger to ghosts and spirits. but when her aunt goes missing in the abandoned slaughterhouse at the edge of town, evie has to face her fear and go in to save aunt des from the ghost of a notorious serial killer.
i loved the use of a slaughterhouse as the setting because they are SO untapped as a creepy location for pretty much anything. i can think of 3 pieces of media involving a slaughterhouse and one is this book one is a fantasy-ish book which isn't horror and one is the song july, july! by the decemberists (i REALLY wanted to make a progress update for this book involving the chickens how they rattle chicken chains but i couldn't get it to work. the cows and piggies how they rattle cow and piggy chains? does not have the same ring.) i also loved evie's journey through the seven houses -- i just really like houses i don't know but it felt rather fairy-tale esque and i really enjoyed that.
i wish there were more illustrations though :( its like. the illustrations are so good when they're there and i feel like there were 10 max. having more illustrations has NEVER hurt a book !!!!
i loved the use of a slaughterhouse as the setting because they are SO untapped as a creepy location for pretty much anything. i can think of 3 pieces of media involving a slaughterhouse and one is this book one is a fantasy-ish book which isn't horror and one is the song july, july! by the decemberists (i REALLY wanted to make a progress update for this book involving the chickens how they rattle chicken chains but i couldn't get it to work. the cows and piggies how they rattle cow and piggy chains? does not have the same ring.) i also loved evie's journey through the seven houses -- i just really like houses i don't know but it felt rather fairy-tale esque and i really enjoyed that.
i wish there were more illustrations though :( its like. the illustrations are so good when they're there and i feel like there were 10 max. having more illustrations has NEVER hurt a book !!!!
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent
nerp's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book has so much heart. The spooks are REAL—great age-appropriate horror that is truly creepy. The grief and anxiety rep is fantastic, and Evie is such a wonderful protagonist. (Waiting for the Des/Lily lesbians tbh.) great for fans of Gaiman’s MG! Stand-alone but leaves room for future stories in this world.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Body horror
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
megj23's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body horror
cassielaj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“All stories are keys to a truth. Sometimes a truth about the world. Sometimes a truth about love or fear. Sometimes, even, a truth about a lie. But all keys, all truths.”
The truths of this story are numerous and beautiful. Grief, love, anxiety, strength, and self-assurance are just a few subjects that Lora Senf explores so beautifully as she introduces readers to Evie and Blight Harbor. With creepy creatures, wacky witches, and a swarm of protective swallows, Senf rounds out this powerful story and speaks truths that really resonate. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read in a while.
The truths of this story are numerous and beautiful. Grief, love, anxiety, strength, and self-assurance are just a few subjects that Lora Senf explores so beautifully as she introduces readers to Evie and Blight Harbor. With creepy creatures, wacky witches, and a swarm of protective swallows, Senf rounds out this powerful story and speaks truths that really resonate. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read in a while.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Murder
Some of the characters and scenes described in this book could be frightening for some audiences
More...