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amandalyncreek's review
5.0
Loved this book! It started off a little slow but got better as I read. I’m looking forward to the other books in the series. Perfect spooky read for Middle Grade readers.
mehsi's review
5.0
A creepy, haunting middle-grade book, the first in a series, and I definitely want more books.
This one lays the perfect foundation for a whole lot of creepy, spooky stories. I am always on the lookout for new horror/ghost stories, especially in the middle-grade/childrens range. Often those books avoid the scariness or weaken it as the story goes on. But not this one.
Oh no, I was definitely creeped out many times, and even NOPE NOPE NOPEd quite a few times (dang that spider/ghost thing on the walls and ceiling or that stuff in the attic). Yep, that is fuel for nightmares, especially with how well the author writes the scenes.
Not only do we have the sense of dread, the spooky house, and a brother (almost) possessed, but we also have a bit of memory loss and what those memories contain. I am really thankful that the author wrote them so well, didn’t hurry with the revelation, I would have been disappointed otherwise considering how big of a deal it is and how much it matters to the story.
Harper is a wonderful character, strong, brave, and I was worried about her, and also felt sorry for what happened to her, to her lost memories.
The house was positively spooky, and I was amazed that no one else seemed to notice. I know, I know, they don’t have any powers, but I would think anyone would feel the dread seeping from the walls. Not the least with how the little brother is acting totally out of character.
There were a few moments that were quite obvious (the ghost in the house, but also who the great spirit hunter was), but eh, it is still a childrens book. It wouldn’t be the first time that things like that are obvious.
Extra love go to Dayo, she was the best, and I hope we will see more of her (and hopefully she can help Harper out) in the next books.
Yuna, the mom, I am still not sure what to think of her. On the one hand I can understand why she did what she did, but on the other hand… I just can’t and I was pissy at her for a few parts in the book.
I loved it when those characters appeared in various parts of the story. Haha, yeah, I won’t tell you who, or what, as that would spoil something, and I don’t want that to happen.
The last chapters were a rollercoaster and I was on the edge of whatever place I was sitting. It was spooky, creepy, and I was afraid for Harper. Would she be able to do it? What would happen afterwards?
Highly recommended if you are looking for a spooky, creepy, twisty book with great characters.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This one lays the perfect foundation for a whole lot of creepy, spooky stories. I am always on the lookout for new horror/ghost stories, especially in the middle-grade/childrens range. Often those books avoid the scariness or weaken it as the story goes on. But not this one.
Oh no, I was definitely creeped out many times, and even NOPE NOPE NOPEd quite a few times (dang that spider/ghost thing on the walls and ceiling or that stuff in the attic). Yep, that is fuel for nightmares, especially with how well the author writes the scenes.
Not only do we have the sense of dread, the spooky house, and a brother (almost) possessed, but we also have a bit of memory loss and what those memories contain. I am really thankful that the author wrote them so well, didn’t hurry with the revelation, I would have been disappointed otherwise considering how big of a deal it is and how much it matters to the story.
Harper is a wonderful character, strong, brave, and I was worried about her, and also felt sorry for what happened to her, to her lost memories.
The house was positively spooky, and I was amazed that no one else seemed to notice. I know, I know, they don’t have any powers, but I would think anyone would feel the dread seeping from the walls. Not the least with how the little brother is acting totally out of character.
There were a few moments that were quite obvious (the ghost in the house, but also who the great spirit hunter was), but eh, it is still a childrens book. It wouldn’t be the first time that things like that are obvious.
Extra love go to Dayo, she was the best, and I hope we will see more of her (and hopefully she can help Harper out) in the next books.
Yuna, the mom, I am still not sure what to think of her. On the one hand I can understand why she did what she did, but on the other hand… I just can’t and I was pissy at her for a few parts in the book.
I loved it when those characters appeared in various parts of the story. Haha, yeah, I won’t tell you who, or what, as that would spoil something, and I don’t want that to happen.
The last chapters were a rollercoaster and I was on the edge of whatever place I was sitting. It was spooky, creepy, and I was afraid for Harper. Would she be able to do it? What would happen afterwards?
Highly recommended if you are looking for a spooky, creepy, twisty book with great characters.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
susysstories's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Great middle grade spooky story. Sweet characters. Nice plot. Just the narration (the voices) were horrible and made it sound way more juvenile than I think this book is intended to be.
Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 8
Execution/Pace 9
Execution/Setup 7
Enjoyment/Engrossment 7
Narration 4
Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 8
Execution/Pace 9
Execution/Setup 7
Enjoyment/Engrossment 7
Narration 4
librarydosebykristy's review
3.0
This was way scarier than I expected it to be. Violent, murderous ghosts who possess young children really freak me out!
The writing was a bit choppy at times and I may have skimmed most of the ending... but for the scary books fan, this is a great choice.
The writing was a bit choppy at times and I may have skimmed most of the ending... but for the scary books fan, this is a great choice.
karen_hallam's review against another edition
5.0
Twelve-year-old Harper Raine and her family have relocated from New York City to DC during the heat of summer. There’s much to get used to, the incessant heat, and the “gothic charm” of their new house and the renovations.
Her four-year-old brother, Michael is oblivious, and it’s very strange that his room is cold with an unnatural chill when she visits, and he tells her about his new friend, Billy, pointing to a corner.
Michael is frustrated Harper can’t see him. His words trigger a memory of Harper’s when she was five-years-old when she had a best friend her older sister couldn’t see either.
“Billy doesn’t like when you call his house stupid.”
Harper covers for Michael when he tries telling their mother. She doesn’t like things she can’t understand. Harper doesn’t understand either.
Nothing has been the same since Harper’s accident. Reviewing her memory book, an "unfinished jigsaw puzzle", that had one missing piece. Unable to remember anything about the fire at school, when she was hospitalized with several broken bones. "It’s what the mind does to forget terrible tragedy." Did she really want to remember what happened?
With the move, Harper’s Korean grandmother lives closer, and she can’t wait to see her. But her mother won’t speak to her. She hasn’t in years. Harper misses her grandmother terribly, and through all the hauntings, and missing memories, Harper works to reunite them. Turns out, Grandma has a few surprises.
Ooh, I LOVED this fun, spooky middle-grade book! The ghosts were truly evil and SCARY! Harper has to go through several hoops to save her brother, and her older sister blames her for the move to D.C. One of my favorite scenes is Harper confronting a salesperson who’s a racist, and she sticks up for herself! The author is the founder of “We Need Diverse Books”.
The first in a series, I can’t wait to read the follow-up, ISLAND OF MONSTERS, for more spooky-fun! Out now!
Her four-year-old brother, Michael is oblivious, and it’s very strange that his room is cold with an unnatural chill when she visits, and he tells her about his new friend, Billy, pointing to a corner.
Michael is frustrated Harper can’t see him. His words trigger a memory of Harper’s when she was five-years-old when she had a best friend her older sister couldn’t see either.
“Billy doesn’t like when you call his house stupid.”
Harper covers for Michael when he tries telling their mother. She doesn’t like things she can’t understand. Harper doesn’t understand either.
Nothing has been the same since Harper’s accident. Reviewing her memory book, an "unfinished jigsaw puzzle", that had one missing piece. Unable to remember anything about the fire at school, when she was hospitalized with several broken bones. "It’s what the mind does to forget terrible tragedy." Did she really want to remember what happened?
With the move, Harper’s Korean grandmother lives closer, and she can’t wait to see her. But her mother won’t speak to her. She hasn’t in years. Harper misses her grandmother terribly, and through all the hauntings, and missing memories, Harper works to reunite them. Turns out, Grandma has a few surprises.
Ooh, I LOVED this fun, spooky middle-grade book! The ghosts were truly evil and SCARY! Harper has to go through several hoops to save her brother, and her older sister blames her for the move to D.C. One of my favorite scenes is Harper confronting a salesperson who’s a racist, and she sticks up for herself! The author is the founder of “We Need Diverse Books”.
The first in a series, I can’t wait to read the follow-up, ISLAND OF MONSTERS, for more spooky-fun! Out now!
boathon's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0