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xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was absolutely terrifying. The descriptions of the Tall Lady, the demon possession, the ghosts being turned to ash. Absolutely terrifying! What a ride!
While I really enjoyed this book, I kept getting pulled out of the story by the weird 3-person narration. It is incredibly jarring to see something like "Callie wanted to protect Molly. She didn't want to see the little girl get hurt." Same thing with the other supporting characters in this story. It would shift suddenly between "her father" and "Mac" or "Nora" and "her mother" idk it was just really weird for me. I really wanted to see this story from Callie's perspective, and hearing someone say "Mac" or "The little girl" instead of using the names Callie would have used felt a little unnatural.
I also felt like Callie didn't have a lot of her own agency. She spent most of the book relying on her dad, grandma, and aunt to save the town. She didn't once try to do anything on her own until she had no other option. It was frustrating.
While I really enjoyed this book, I kept getting pulled out of the story by the weird 3-person narration. It is incredibly jarring to see something like "Callie wanted to protect Molly. She didn't want to see the little girl get hurt." Same thing with the other supporting characters in this story. It would shift suddenly between "her father" and "Mac" or "Nora" and "her mother" idk it was just really weird for me. I really wanted to see this story from Callie's perspective, and hearing someone say "Mac" or "The little girl" instead of using the names Callie would have used felt a little unnatural.
I also felt like Callie didn't have a lot of her own agency. She spent most of the book relying on her dad, grandma, and aunt to save the town. She didn't once try to do anything on her own until she had no other option. It was frustrating.
reading_beyond_the_book_cover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Full Review: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com/what-stays-buried-by-suzanne-young/
Rating: 3.5/5
In What Stays Buried, readers are taken on an emotional journey. There’s this perpetual knowledge that the Wynn family is cursed, which is why Calista’s abilities will be gone after her thirteenth birthday. The understanding behind why this happens is revealed as the story develops, providing more backstory to the origin of the curse. This is where most of my interest lies in this book.
Aside from the pacing, the story is well-written plot-wise and has surprising moments of creepiness. *Cough* *cough* the Tall Lady and her minions. I never want to come across a spirit like her.
This book would be a great selection for a children’s reading group or book club, perfect for reading aloud by the campfire or in your reading nook by flashlight. If you aren’t ready to read it now, put it on your reading list for books to read during the Spooky Season.
Rating: 3.5/5
In What Stays Buried, readers are taken on an emotional journey. There’s this perpetual knowledge that the Wynn family is cursed, which is why Calista’s abilities will be gone after her thirteenth birthday. The understanding behind why this happens is revealed as the story develops, providing more backstory to the origin of the curse. This is where most of my interest lies in this book.
Aside from the pacing, the story is well-written plot-wise and has surprising moments of creepiness. *Cough* *cough* the Tall Lady and her minions. I never want to come across a spirit like her.
This book would be a great selection for a children’s reading group or book club, perfect for reading aloud by the campfire or in your reading nook by flashlight. If you aren’t ready to read it now, put it on your reading list for books to read during the Spooky Season.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
thedizzyreader's review against another edition
emotional
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
leahjanespeare's review
medium-paced
4.0
A very cute MG debut by one of my favorite authors. It touches on grief but not too deeply for mg. There is a murder mystery and talking to ghosts, so a fun little paranormal adventure!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
utopiastateofmind's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
This urban fantasy middle grade is perfect for fans of curses, mediums, and family secrets. What Stays Buried has one of those perfect titles. Not only does Calista's family have secrets of their own, their town is also sitting on a chest of buried skeletons. From the premise alone, I love the idea of a girl who is facing the loss of her father - twice fold. She's always been able to see the ghosts of her grandmother and father, but as she approaches her birthday, she will lose that ability.
Not going to lie, I teared up as this element developed. For Calista, it's a second loss after their initial death. Above all, What Stays Buried is a story about revenge and justice. It's about the pain of knowledge. Because while we may think we want the answers, what if they only bring us more pain? Questions we can never answer?
This urban fantasy middle grade is perfect for fans of curses, mediums, and family secrets. What Stays Buried has one of those perfect titles. Not only does Calista's family have secrets of their own, their town is also sitting on a chest of buried skeletons. From the premise alone, I love the idea of a girl who is facing the loss of her father - twice fold. She's always been able to see the ghosts of her grandmother and father, but as she approaches her birthday, she will lose that ability.
Not going to lie, I teared up as this element developed. For Calista, it's a second loss after their initial death. Above all, What Stays Buried is a story about revenge and justice. It's about the pain of knowledge. Because while we may think we want the answers, what if they only bring us more pain? Questions we can never answer?
emmybird86's review
medium-paced
5.0
I love spooky middle grades. This was such a good story. I cried at the end. This was such a real look at loss. I loved all the characters. They were just perfect. I highly recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the arc of this in exchange for my honest review.
kassidyreads's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Child death, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
bentersbookshelf's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What can I say other than BRAVO!! This novel had me feeling so many emotions and even made me cry. Spine chilling and emotional, with fantastic fully developed characters to boot. Absolutely amazing!
indieandajean's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for this Voice Galley of What Stays Buried.
This book has everything that I enjoy about Middle Grade horror and none of the pitfalls I find in the genre. Despite being written for children, it does not wear "kid gloves" and pulls no punches when it comes to terror. As a reader, I felt just as frightened and powerless as Calista did throughout the story, but the sources walked the line of "too scary" and "not scary" perfectly providing the scares through sensations of being watched and outmatched by the big bad instead of relying on the gross and gorey.
The elements of child deaths, demonic possession and angry ghosts offer much of the punch that adult horror, and provide the scares I see children requesting with increasing frequency at the library, but in a package that is age appropriate.
Of course I also have to say that I deeply love it when a scary story is set in New York. I find that the South and Midwest are often the settings of much juvenile horror, and I love some North East representation! I'm planning on pairing this book with some nonfiction on the Spiritualist movement and the Fox sisters to encourage some New York historical education along with the story!
Overall I really enjoyed this book! The characters were all lovable, even when they made mistakes, and the villain didn't feel flat (one of the issues I have with children's horror). I'll absolutely be recommending this book to young horror fans at my library!
This book has everything that I enjoy about Middle Grade horror and none of the pitfalls I find in the genre. Despite being written for children, it does not wear "kid gloves" and pulls no punches when it comes to terror. As a reader, I felt just as frightened and powerless as Calista did throughout the story, but the sources walked the line of "too scary" and "not scary" perfectly providing the scares through sensations of being watched and outmatched by the big bad instead of relying on the gross and gorey.
The elements of child deaths, demonic possession and angry ghosts offer much of the punch that adult horror, and provide the scares I see children requesting with increasing frequency at the library, but in a package that is age appropriate.
Of course I also have to say that I deeply love it when a scary story is set in New York. I find that the South and Midwest are often the settings of much juvenile horror, and I love some North East representation! I'm planning on pairing this book with some nonfiction on the Spiritualist movement and the Fox sisters to encourage some New York historical education along with the story!
Overall I really enjoyed this book! The characters were all lovable, even when they made mistakes, and the villain didn't feel flat (one of the issues I have with children's horror). I'll absolutely be recommending this book to young horror fans at my library!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Violence