Scan barcode
thesimplereader's review against another edition
3.0
I can see all of the hype surrounding this book. Classic fairytales meets horror and middle grade. It’s a stew of a book and done very well. I’m sure the audiobook would be spectacular.
mbenzz's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars...
This book wasn't bad. Typical middle-grade boy-held-captive-by-a-witch tale. My favorite part was Alex's short stories. I would have loved a few more of those.
Overall, while this didn't wow me in any way, it certainly wasn't terrible. I saw they made this into a Netflix movie. The trailer looks pretty good, and I really like Kristen Ritter, so I think I'll watch it. I don't, however, think I'll be continuing on with the series.
This book wasn't bad. Typical middle-grade boy-held-captive-by-a-witch tale. My favorite part was Alex's short stories. I would have loved a few more of those.
Overall, while this didn't wow me in any way, it certainly wasn't terrible. I saw they made this into a Netflix movie. The trailer looks pretty good, and I really like Kristen Ritter, so I think I'll watch it. I don't, however, think I'll be continuing on with the series.
cynt_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sylvilel's review
2.0
Well. A young boy, afraid and alone, wanders into the night to complete a task he has set for himself. A door opens, and a strange woman lets him into her apartment.
And then the nightmare starts.
The woman is a witch, and has trapped the boy in the apartment. He cannot escape. She wants him to write stories. SCARY stories. But he can’t. He’s afraid. He’s afraid - of his own stories.
The corner stones in this story are everyday things turned to horror, storytelling, and oh, courage in unlikely places.
Well.
While the concept of a young boy shaping his future through the power of his horrible pen has some merit, it still felt overstudied, and oh god please stop it with the Writers 101 for kids. Please.
It tried too hard. It had some good potential, and then it was wrought too far out of bounds.
The only bits I really cared for were the ones about the cat.
Sorry ‘bout the rant, but that’s how it is.
And then the nightmare starts.
The woman is a witch, and has trapped the boy in the apartment. He cannot escape. She wants him to write stories. SCARY stories. But he can’t. He’s afraid. He’s afraid - of his own stories.
The corner stones in this story are everyday things turned to horror, storytelling, and oh, courage in unlikely places.
Well.
While the concept of a young boy shaping his future through the power of his horrible pen has some merit, it still felt overstudied, and oh god please stop it with the Writers 101 for kids. Please.
It tried too hard. It had some good potential, and then it was wrought too far out of bounds.
The only bits I really cared for were the ones about the cat.
Sorry ‘bout the rant, but that’s how it is.
rjdenney's review against another edition
5 FREAKING STARS!!!
This was such an awesome and fun read and I want a copy for my shelf now. I'm pretty sure this is a contender for my favorite book of 2019. It was equal parts spooky and whimsical, like Goosebumps meets The Spiderwick Chronicles so you know I LOVED this. I felt a deep connection to Alex because we're basically the same person, it was almost eerie reading about him because I felt like the author was writing about my as a young kid. I can't wait to see the Netflix movie when it comes out, I just hope they don't try to make it too "kiddy", I want to see all the dark moments from this book brought to life on screen. If you're looking for a fun, spooky, and pretty dark read, pick this one up now. - Richard
This was such an awesome and fun read and I want a copy for my shelf now. I'm pretty sure this is a contender for my favorite book of 2019. It was equal parts spooky and whimsical, like Goosebumps meets The Spiderwick Chronicles so you know I LOVED this. I felt a deep connection to Alex because we're basically the same person, it was almost eerie reading about him because I felt like the author was writing about my as a young kid. I can't wait to see the Netflix movie when it comes out, I just hope they don't try to make it too "kiddy", I want to see all the dark moments from this book brought to life on screen. If you're looking for a fun, spooky, and pretty dark read, pick this one up now. - Richard
honeybeeg's review
4.0
This was such a captivating theme that spun classic stories in themes in a new and exciting way.
looloolibby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0