Reviews

Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick

Only show reviews with written explanations

mehsi's review against another edition

5.0

Technically I received an e-book copy to review, but I bought my own copy as I was already planning on doing so + the e-book didn’t work for me. So happy my copy came in on time!

OK, this is so going to be a hard review to write, so bear with me, because it may get very messy. Haha. XD

I just LOVE Jennifer Killick’s works. I followed her from the start with Alex Sparrow series, went to Crater Lake, and now thus Dread Wood as a new series (yes, there is a sequel coming and BOY do I need it know in my hands).

If I have to shortly describe the book it would be: Breakfast Club x Worms (but with Spiders) x Jurassic Park x Floor is Lava. It is a beautiful and terrifying thing. Because I was scared for a lot of this book. For real. I mean, spiders are already big on my NOPE NOPE NOPITY list, and these aren’t just cute little ones. Oh no. These are big, bad, hungry, very hungry, did I mention hungry?, and they will kill you. If they get the chance. And if you think, but you can see them coming? OH, OH, how cute. Nope. Nope, floor is lava all right. Run. Grab a mower. Climb a building. But if you will be safe? Well, you have to read the book. But it was certainly a ride for me. And I was really on the edge of my seat, or curling up in bed as I did with the first 200 pages. There is never a dull moment.

In this book we follow Angelo and he detention-mates, Hallie, Naria, and Gus (Gustav). They are having detention on this Saturday, you know, a few hours of doing stuff because of things they did. If only they knew what detention would really mean. I loved that while we follow Angelo because he is the MC, we learn about the characters along the way. We see a glimpse in each of their lives and it was just perfect. I really warmed up to all of these characters and I loved seeing them bond, get closer. See that each of them isn’t so bad. Even Gustav, a character most avoid, is actually a very sweet guy who will do anything for his friends/comrades. I was so sad to read that each of them haven’t had the easiest of times, especially Angelo.

But yes, I was angry with our cast as well. For what they have done. We do find out why each of them has done it, but I still wanted to shake them around a bit. Throwing them for the spiders is a bit harsh, but I can shake them at least a bit. And then later we find out something even more important and I just wanted to shake them even harder. I am glad that they all realised what they did wasn’t right. That it was wrong.

I love the animals (the pigs especially), though we all know what happens to

Spoiler

animals in horror, right? At times I just wanted to step into the book and rescue some animals. Just like Hallie wanted to do.

There are SO MANY references and I love love it! Scooby Doo, talk about my sweet raptors (and then decided who is who and finding out who really are the raptors), Jurassic Park/World, there is mention of anime (Gustav, yas), Harley Quinn, and more. I had so much fun finding all the references and then squeeing in delight at them. It made the book even more fun to read.

I just LOVE love the mad scientist trope, seriously, if it is a good one? You can wake me up for it. Haha. And Mr and Mrs Latchitt? They are THE mad scientist! They are like professor Wu from Jurassic Park/World. Let’s make scary and deadly beasties, teehee. Why is that wrong? We just want to make a fun and happy family. That is not bad right? OK, their reasoning for why these 4 kids was a bit outlandish, BUT looking back on it? I think it did fit how craycray they were. It was clear that they very much lived in their own world. And whoever thought they were wrong? Well, I guess they were safe up until the things in this book, I guess people should just run now. XD Also, the Incy, Wincy, Spider song? Brilliant addition. I mean, horror just gets many times scarier when you add a children’s song to it. XD

The ending was just a big NOPE-fest, but very awesome! And it definitely opens up A LOT of possibilities for next books.

I would HIGHLY recommend this book to all, and thanks to The Write Reads tour for allowing me to be part of the tour!

UPDATED/ADDITION: I was just putting the book on the shelves and I noticed THAT THERE ARE SPIDERS ON THE COVER! I never noticed! OMG! That is brilliant! Love it! YAS!

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

thecampinglibrarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

booknerdjo's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a funny and fast paced middle grade horror book about four children getting more than they bargained for on a Saturday detention.

Not recommended if you're scared of spiders 🕷️🕸️😱

duchessofreadin's review

Go to review page

4.0

I am back with a new book review! Dread Wood was one of my favorites of the year. If you are ready for a fun read, then you are going to want to read this book! I am looking forward to sharing this one with my boys.

When four students of Dread Wood are given detention, they are not sure they want to tell anyone why they are really there. It is not long before weird things begin to happen, starting with the disappearance of their gym teacher. It is as if the ground swallows him whole - but Angelo is sure that he saw an arm pulling the teacher underground. Naira, Gustov, and Hallie are pretty sure he is telling a tall tale - until they see the groundskeepers acting funny - and feeding chickens to holes in the ground that are opening.

These four misfits are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, figure out what is going on at their school, and save their gym teacher if possible.

WOW! This was one book that I had a hard time putting down. I had started it and then walked away for a couple of days. When I finally sat down to read some more, I finished the book before I could stop. There was non-stop enjoyment, and it was one of those books that young adults will love. Give the gift of a book that young ones will enjoy, and discover a new adventure!

gravityeyelids's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious

2.0

motherbooker's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

We all know that school can be a nightmare. There's homework, teachers, other students and school lunches to contend with. But what if there was something even worse hiding at your school that you didn't even know about? Something that revealed itself when you were taking part in a Saturday detention? That's the situation facing Angelo, Hallie, Gustav and Naira in Dread Wood. They start the day thinking that Dread Wood High is just like every other school. They believe that the worst thing they'll have to face is their cringey teacher trying to make them work as a team. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Instead, they'll have to work together to defeat whatever monster is lurking the grounds and feeding on the school animals.

This was an entertaining book that I enjoyed listening to. I definitely think it would be perfect for younger readers to enjoy. It's spooky but not so spooky it will keep anyone up at night. The comparison to Goosebumps seems fitting. It's got the same creepy vibes and the same exciting narrative. This is a quick read and can be finished in a few hours. However, it also has short chapters that make it perfect for bedtime reading. This is a perfect story for children to get their teeth into. I think the characters are all distinct and realistic enough to work.

It's a little like The Breakfast Club I guess but that's a trope that works. We have the uptight workaholic, the shy loner, the activist and the class clown. Four different people who have been thrown into detention together. They aren't friends but the story allows them to open up. We learn about their lives and it turns out there is a lot of representation in this book. We see disability, children living in poverty and having to care for their siblings. It shows real-world problems and handles them in a sympathetic way. Many children could read this book and see themselves in the characters. It just makes this book better.

I wasn't sure what to expect for this book but I'm so glad that I listened to it. Jennifer Killick is a great writer and this is such a fun story. It has so many fantastic elements and it references a classic piece of science-fiction. I'm so excited to keep reading this series and hope it carries on being so good.