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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I have learned that my favorite types of middle grade books are far more likely to give me nightmares than adult horror has ever managed.
Very Stranger Things meets Wayward Pines meets X-files. I look forward to the next in the series!
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
DNFed @ 42%
I wanted to like this but it wasn’t meant to be. Mostly I have nitpicky issues with it that the actual target age demographic probably wouldn’t care about, so I’m sure it’s still great for middle grade age readers.
It tried to do too much. I didn’t care about Aiden’s character or powers at all, and personally would’ve preferred that to have been left out. This is petty but the fact the brothers’ names were caden and aiden irritated me. Some of the dialogue feels like an adult writing how they think kids talk rather than how they actually talk. Characters seemed either stupid or just conveniently unsuspicious of things they really should’ve been suspicious of, but couldn’t be yet for plot reasons. It’s so tonally inconsistent, either lean into the campy weird town where everyone is used to the ghosts and monsters or make it more realistic where the ghosts and monsters are doubted by everyone but a select few.
I feel silly complaining about a kids book so I’ll end it there.
I wanted to like this but it wasn’t meant to be. Mostly I have nitpicky issues with it that the actual target age demographic probably wouldn’t care about, so I’m sure it’s still great for middle grade age readers.
It tried to do too much. I didn’t care about Aiden’s character or powers at all, and personally would’ve preferred that to have been left out. This is petty but the fact the brothers’ names were caden and aiden irritated me. Some of the dialogue feels like an adult writing how they think kids talk rather than how they actually talk. Characters seemed either stupid or just conveniently unsuspicious of things they really should’ve been suspicious of, but couldn’t be yet for plot reasons. It’s so tonally inconsistent, either lean into the campy weird town where everyone is used to the ghosts and monsters or make it more realistic where the ghosts and monsters are doubted by everyone but a select few.
I feel silly complaining about a kids book so I’ll end it there.
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Have you ever opened a book, read the first chapter, and then had to take a minute to really process what you just read? That’s Whispering Pines, my friends. It’s no secret that I am a big fan of creepy reads. I love ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night. However, I admit that I wasn’t quite ready for the prospect of an eye-snatching monster. This story gave me the shivers, and I loved it for that.
Let’s start with Rae and Caden, shall we? Two very different characters, who mesh together perfectly. Rae is still reeling from the loss of her father, and her abrupt move to a new town. A town that, to be brief, is definitely not normal by any means. Caden has also lost someone, his brother, and is dealing with the guilt that comes along with that. When these two meet a bond is formed that is easy to get attached to. I loved that there is no romantic subplot here. Just two friends, who are determined to uncover what is happening and stop it by any means necessary.
One of my favorite things about stories like this is when a trail of breadcrumbs is laid, enticing the reader to keep following along with the characters. Lang and Bartowski did a stellar job of this! As Rae and Caden investigate, little pieces fall into place. I’m particularly happy to report that I was unable to figure out the ending before it happened. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know what a big deal that is! The mystery here is well built, and a lot of fun to follow.
So why the four stars? It was only the ending that had me a tiny bit on the fence. I can see why it was set up that way and, without spoiling, I am actually looking forward to what is potentially coming. Still I was hoping for more of a climax after such an exciting romp through the terrifying woods. Will I read anything else that comes out in this series? You bet I will. So that should tell you how much this book needs to be on your TBR. It is well worth your time!
Let’s start with Rae and Caden, shall we? Two very different characters, who mesh together perfectly. Rae is still reeling from the loss of her father, and her abrupt move to a new town. A town that, to be brief, is definitely not normal by any means. Caden has also lost someone, his brother, and is dealing with the guilt that comes along with that. When these two meet a bond is formed that is easy to get attached to. I loved that there is no romantic subplot here. Just two friends, who are determined to uncover what is happening and stop it by any means necessary.
One of my favorite things about stories like this is when a trail of breadcrumbs is laid, enticing the reader to keep following along with the characters. Lang and Bartowski did a stellar job of this! As Rae and Caden investigate, little pieces fall into place. I’m particularly happy to report that I was unable to figure out the ending before it happened. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know what a big deal that is! The mystery here is well built, and a lot of fun to follow.
So why the four stars? It was only the ending that had me a tiny bit on the fence. I can see why it was set up that way and, without spoiling, I am actually looking forward to what is potentially coming. Still I was hoping for more of a climax after such an exciting romp through the terrifying woods. Will I read anything else that comes out in this series? You bet I will. So that should tell you how much this book needs to be on your TBR. It is well worth your time!
"Blood opens and blood closes. A sacrifice given and taken."
I thought I was going to find a ghost story, but I found a lot more than that. Not only is there a spirit realm and extraterrestrial life, but there is also The Other Place. One dimension under ours. Full of Devourers, the Ravenous, the Unseeing, waiting for a portal to pass and feed on our fears. I loved the character of Caden and his family, generations of generations practicing exorcisms, calling in spirits, casting spells. It was fascinating! There were so many creatures without feeling that they were forced into history, and even the energy company, it was all quite coherent.
The game of hide and seek and the children without eyes was certainly a good start. Chilling! A couple of disappearances a year doesn't seem strange in a small town where there are bottomless sinkholes and stone walls move in a strange pattern. Something that I loved was that the protagonists were 12 years old and they did feel that way. Caden mentioned that he had no idea how to save someone or fight a supernatural creature, and I appreciated that. Sometimes it's really weird when young characters make decisions and speak like adults, it makes no sense that they always know what to do. But that didn't happen here.
Apparently, we are going for a second book because there's still a lot of history to discover about Rae's father and Aiden's unexpected appearance. And please, I want more of the Book of Shadows.
Favorite character: Caden.
I thought I was going to find a ghost story, but I found a lot more than that. Not only is there a spirit realm and extraterrestrial life, but there is also The Other Place. One dimension under ours. Full of Devourers, the Ravenous, the Unseeing, waiting for a portal to pass and feed on our fears. I loved the character of Caden and his family, generations of generations practicing exorcisms, calling in spirits, casting spells. It was fascinating! There were so many creatures without feeling that they were forced into history, and even the energy company, it was all quite coherent.
The game of hide and seek and the children without eyes was certainly a good start. Chilling! A couple of disappearances a year doesn't seem strange in a small town where there are bottomless sinkholes and stone walls move in a strange pattern. Something that I loved was that the protagonists were 12 years old and they did feel that way. Caden mentioned that he had no idea how to save someone or fight a supernatural creature, and I appreciated that. Sometimes it's really weird when young characters make decisions and speak like adults, it makes no sense that they always know what to do. But that didn't happen here.
Apparently, we are going for a second book because there's still a lot of history to discover about Rae's father and Aiden's unexpected appearance. And please, I want more of the Book of Shadows.
Favorite character: Caden.