Reviews

The Inn Between by Marina Cohen, Sarah Watts

rockymthorrorshow's review against another edition

5.0

Definitely worth the two hours

Starts off like a silly coming-of-age summer-after-seventh-grade novel, but it gets Buck Wild the father you get into it. An intense story that ends on an unexpectedly touching note.

rjdenney's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this one! it was like The Suite Life of Zack and Cody meets The Shining.

I think that's a better way to put it. It says it's a horror novel but I feel like it was more spooky than downright scary. There was a lot of mystery happening and I liked that a lot. I have to point out that there was a story line that I've personally never seen done in Middle Grade with missing children and child abduction and it added an extra layer of darkness to this that I thought was executed really well. It seems like I'm reading books that I unknowingly have some type of connection with and this is another one. Back to the book, I'd say to give it a go if you've been wanting to read it, it's quick and worth the read.

- Richard

kaylee_kale's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

blogginboutbooks's review against another edition

4.0

For a middle-grade book, THE INN BETWEEN is pretty dang creepy! Although I had a fair idea of what was happening in the novel, I still enjoyed the wrong-footed feeling it gave me throughout. Despite my inklings, the story continued to be suspenseful and compelling. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that the ending is perfect. It felt very satisfying.

If you want a shivery Halloween read that's not TOO terrifying, I'd recommend this quick children's book. It's fast, engrossing, and, ultimately, hopeful.

anberel's review against another edition

mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I would not have read this book if I had known what it was about. I on,y finished it because it was short.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

craiggors's review against another edition

4.0

A fun, creepy little gem that I read as an ode to The Shining for middle-grade readers. There's some decent depth to the characters for such a short novel, and after knowing what was really happening at the Inn, I think re-reading it would reveal a lot of subtle, effective clues. Props also for tackling some dark subject matter, including child abduction, which I can't recall being an element included in any other middle-grade novel that I've read.

flajol's review against another edition

4.0

Quinn and Kara are on a road trip with Kara's family as they move to Santa Monica. They have an unplanned stopover at a creepy old Victorian hotel on the way, and it soon becomes apparent to Quinn that everything is not as it should be.

Cohen has created a really creepy setting with the Inn Between, and whilst I realised what was happening to the girls and to Kara's family quite soon, that didn't prevent me from feeling truly frightened for and by various characters. Quinn's back story is revealed by short flashbacks in between events at the hotel, and is entwined with how she reacts to those events.

megtk_01's review against another edition

2.0

I wasn't that thrilled with Inn Between. With the carefully laid out clues, it made it obvious what was happening from well on in the beginning. If you're truly looking for a mystery, this probably won't fulfill that desire. However it may be good for young readers who would need something a little more predictable, but I'm doubtful many middle grade and up readers will fall for it. Check out the full review at http://livingalifeinbooks.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-review-inn-between.html

marshaskrypuch's review against another edition

5.0

Marina Cohen has a gift for writing deliciously creepy novels for kids. Once you begin reading this one I dare you to put it down. Tight writing, great characters, SCARY but with precision. And by the time you get to the end you'll realize that it's more than just a fabulously scary tautly written page-turner. It will also make you think about life, blame, forgiveness, guilt. Marina Cohen is a terrifyingly brilliant writer!

skye620's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? No

5.0