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abiofpellinor's review
5.0
A book set in the small, relatively unknown, city that I live in for my undergraduate degree? Of course, I’m going to read it! Cold Bath Street by A.J. Hartley is an engrossing YA novel which looks into the ghost stories that surround Preston and the truth of them.
This was such a good book to read, as someone who is familiar with Preston it was really interesting being able to identify many landmarks and areas which were mentioned in the book as well as being really interesting to learn more about the myths and legends of a city I have come to know and love. But, it is definitely something you can still enjoy if you’re not familiar with the city. The ghost stories that Hartley introduces are all fully explained, and any locations mentioned don’t need much backstory, they’re just little easter eggs for those who do know the city.
I really enjoyed how this book panned out, with Preston being a really interesting character to follow and the time setting (not in the present day) made the book feel a lot more personal as Hartley draws on his previous experiences of the city, rather than how it is now. The mystery of each character is played out so well (although I definitely knew how two characters were linked together very early on, it was nice to see the resolution to that) and I felt such a strong connection with many of the characters. This is within the horror genre but is not something to shy away from if that isn’t usually your thing. I will flat out not watch any horror movies, but this is more intriguing and interesting with a hint of the supernatural and I definitely recommend pretty much anyone pick it up.
Within the book, there are also beautiful black and white illustrations which really add to the atmosphere and uclanpublishing really did a great job with the structure and appearance of this book! If you like mystery and intrigue with a little of the supernatural, or if you are familiar with Preston city, then I definitely recommend this read! So glad I picked it up! And thank you to my amazing friend Ash who lent me her copy ❤
This was such a good book to read, as someone who is familiar with Preston it was really interesting being able to identify many landmarks and areas which were mentioned in the book as well as being really interesting to learn more about the myths and legends of a city I have come to know and love. But, it is definitely something you can still enjoy if you’re not familiar with the city. The ghost stories that Hartley introduces are all fully explained, and any locations mentioned don’t need much backstory, they’re just little easter eggs for those who do know the city.
I really enjoyed how this book panned out, with Preston being a really interesting character to follow and the time setting (not in the present day) made the book feel a lot more personal as Hartley draws on his previous experiences of the city, rather than how it is now. The mystery of each character is played out so well (although I definitely knew how two characters were linked together very early on, it was nice to see the resolution to that) and I felt such a strong connection with many of the characters. This is within the horror genre but is not something to shy away from if that isn’t usually your thing. I will flat out not watch any horror movies, but this is more intriguing and interesting with a hint of the supernatural and I definitely recommend pretty much anyone pick it up.
Within the book, there are also beautiful black and white illustrations which really add to the atmosphere and uclanpublishing really did a great job with the structure and appearance of this book! If you like mystery and intrigue with a little of the supernatural, or if you are familiar with Preston city, then I definitely recommend this read! So glad I picked it up! And thank you to my amazing friend Ash who lent me her copy ❤
eleanor_grace's review
5.0
I was intrigued by a book written in the town I grew up in. I had no idea what it was about and I admit this book has creeped me out a bit. I don’t know wether it was the horror aspect of the book or the fact it was describing somewhere I knew so well. But this book was incredible and if it wasn’t for the creeping me out it would most definitely of made it to one of the best books I’ve ever read. Please read this book as it was incredible and definitely worth the creepiness. I have to admit horror isn’t my favourite but this book is probably going to be an exception I really enjoyed the plot and character development. The on thing though that let it down was the ending which I felt could have been developed better and not just the classic they lived happily ever after.
sam_rosia's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
hundredsofpages's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.5
ellas_escapism's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
books_and_ghosts's review
It was such a slow boring start that I could not finish it , I thought the main character was told then he was , actually maybe 12-13 which is not what I wish to be reading
lobx's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
truestorydesu's review
5.0
A perfect October read - it's a ghost story...but with time travel. How does that work? Read the book and find out. I highly recommend getting the audiobook from audible - it's read by Christopher Eccleston, and he does a perfect job (especially since this story takes place in the Northwest of England, and Eccleston has an awesome Northern greater-Manchester-area-type accent. (I don't know what English accents are called. I just know in the Northwest of America, we've been merging our vowels. Cot, caught, it's the same. Also, how can Great Britain, a series of islands with roughly the same square mileage as my home state ((Oregon)) have so many accents? I could tell you if someone was from Boston, but put a bunch of westerners together and we could probably only pick out the Californian and no one else).
Seriously, if you're looking for a good spooky Halloween read that isn't too long or too scary (well, not gory scary, anyway. More existential-scary) then go read Cold Bath Street. It's only strengthened my resolve to someday haunt the North of England. Not as a ghost, but as a loud-mouthed American tourist. I'll be sure to wear my most obnoxious t-shirts.
Seriously, if you're looking for a good spooky Halloween read that isn't too long or too scary (well, not gory scary, anyway. More existential-scary) then go read Cold Bath Street. It's only strengthened my resolve to someday haunt the North of England. Not as a ghost, but as a loud-mouthed American tourist. I'll be sure to wear my most obnoxious t-shirts.
ljbentley27's review
4.0
What are you supposed to do when you are lost in that precarious world between life and death? Preston Oldcorn has to figure this question out because since he died he has been stuck in a sort of limbo, consorting with ghosts and occasionally going back to his old home in Preston, Lancashire. He hasn’t gone to heaven and he knows he hasn’t done anything bad enough to send him to hell. But he does seem to be unable to get away from his home town.
Preston’s story mixes local ghost stories and spooky history from the Lancashire town. Author, AJ Hartley grew up in the area and has used real life locations to shape and develop his tale of lost souls. We see the sadness of unfinished business juxtaposed with the light of making new friendships and making the best of a bad situation. Hartley manages to bond the natural and the supernatural together in such a believable way that you will not be able to put the book down until you know just how it end.
Cold Bath Street is a really good ghost story. It is creepy and mysterious and keeps you guessing to the very last page. It is a very entertaining read and perfect for those who like to be scared.
Cold Bath Street by AJ Hartley is available now.
Preston’s story mixes local ghost stories and spooky history from the Lancashire town. Author, AJ Hartley grew up in the area and has used real life locations to shape and develop his tale of lost souls. We see the sadness of unfinished business juxtaposed with the light of making new friendships and making the best of a bad situation. Hartley manages to bond the natural and the supernatural together in such a believable way that you will not be able to put the book down until you know just how it end.
Cold Bath Street is a really good ghost story. It is creepy and mysterious and keeps you guessing to the very last page. It is a very entertaining read and perfect for those who like to be scared.
Cold Bath Street by AJ Hartley is available now.