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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first time I read this book, I was 13 and it was a gift from my school's librarian (thanks, Mrs. W!). I read it A LOT and even re-drew some of the illustrations for my art class (but fuck you, Mr. K for never giving me above a B unless I added colour).
A few years ago, my bestie (who is a librarian, go figure) came to visit and brought a fuckton of books for my kids. This was one of them. My now 14y/o was 10 at the time and I was all "omg, can I read this to you?!" and they said yes. I read it aloud to them for a few nights and then the book disappeared. I tore the living room apart looking for the book and couldn't find it. After complaining about it having vanished, I asked the then 10y/o if they knew what had happened to it, and they admitted to taking it upstairs bc they didn't want to wait to find out what had happened. They sat at their bedroom door and read by the light in the hall WAY past their bedtime so they could finish it. I mentioned it to aforementioned bestie and she sent them a little flashlight so they could enjoy the illicit thrill of reading in bed after lights out (like we both had done at that age).
Anyway, now that we're reading aloud every night again, they suggested we revisit this so that I could ACTUALLY finish reading it to them.
There are parts of this book that still creep me the fuck out and I'm a grown-ass adult who doesn't need a nightlight anymore. 14y/o referred to it as "baby's first existential horror," which is a perfect descriptor and one I'm going to keep in my back pocket going forward.
Why am I still obsessed with creeping dread? This book probably has a lot to do with it.
A few years ago, my bestie (who is a librarian, go figure) came to visit and brought a fuckton of books for my kids. This was one of them. My now 14y/o was 10 at the time and I was all "omg, can I read this to you?!" and they said yes. I read it aloud to them for a few nights and then the book disappeared. I tore the living room apart looking for the book and couldn't find it. After complaining about it having vanished, I asked the then 10y/o if they knew what had happened to it, and they admitted to taking it upstairs bc they didn't want to wait to find out what had happened. They sat at their bedroom door and read by the light in the hall WAY past their bedtime so they could finish it. I mentioned it to aforementioned bestie and she sent them a little flashlight so they could enjoy the illicit thrill of reading in bed after lights out (like we both had done at that age).
Anyway, now that we're reading aloud every night again, they suggested we revisit this so that I could ACTUALLY finish reading it to them.
There are parts of this book that still creep me the fuck out and I'm a grown-ass adult who doesn't need a nightlight anymore. 14y/o referred to it as "baby's first existential horror," which is a perfect descriptor and one I'm going to keep in my back pocket going forward.
Why am I still obsessed with creeping dread? This book probably has a lot to do with it.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Didn’t realize this was middle grade when I bought it. Very fast read, managed to start and finish it on my ~1.5 hour flight lol
Enjoyed it for what it was but it’s definitely meant for a younger audience! I will add this to my list of evidence though that kids can handle darker/more mature content than people realize. I mean I grew up reading Warriors for god’s sake
Enjoyed it for what it was but it’s definitely meant for a younger audience! I will add this to my list of evidence though that kids can handle darker/more mature content than people realize. I mean I grew up reading Warriors for god’s sake
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A tempting, delicious, spooky tale complete with children's souls being sucked away, terrifying artwork, and disgusting descriptions of monsters! Better yet - the threat of being a slave to time and endless loops of tricks and illusions. Couldn't expect anything less from Clive Barker. Recommend to fans of Neil Gaiman, Stephen King and Garth Nix. If you've read Pet, you may also enjoy this title. Great time of year to cuddle up with this short spine-tingling read.