You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
This exquisitely creepy fantasy-thriller will appeal not just to middle-school audiences, but to anyone who has endured and survived that awkward period called adolescence. It starts out in a normal, everyday world with our heroine very much in control of her own life and well on her way to getting control over every one else's, then she and the reader both are drawn gradually but inexorably into a dengerous, grotesquely hideous nightmare. The illustrations greatly enhance the atmosphere of the text. For maximum effect read it at night, just as you're falling asleep, but leave the lights on!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Slavery, Vomit
medium-paced
I really enjoyed this book. I was surprised that it was listed for younger children though. Even as an adult reader I often found the imagery horrifying and some of it tuck with me and was especially creepy and terrifying as I read in my bed. The story was well done, but I found the ending a bit anti-climactic. The story did set itself up for a second book which I would love to see although. At the same time though, the book set itself up so that a second book would have to be with different children, and it would interesting to see how Legrand manages that. Overall, I would recommend this book completely, but only to someone over the age of 11.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 star characters, really tight plot and pacing, but the whole extra creepy aesthetic is not my thing. And I'm very solidly pretending the last page and a half did not happen.
(But really, I do love Victoria and Lawrence so much)
(But really, I do love Victoria and Lawrence so much)
adventurous
dark
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
This was interesting, not much gets explained and I'm not sure I would read this for young kids. (It seemed more directed towards young adults than middle-grade.)