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librarydosebykristy's review against another edition
3.0
This was way scarier than I expected it to be. Violent, murderous ghosts who possess young children really freak me out!
The writing was a bit choppy at times and I may have skimmed most of the ending... but for the scary books fan, this is a great choice.
The writing was a bit choppy at times and I may have skimmed most of the ending... but for the scary books fan, this is a great choice.
karen_hallam's review
5.0
Twelve-year-old Harper Raine and her family have relocated from New York City to DC during the heat of summer. There’s much to get used to, the incessant heat, and the “gothic charm” of their new house and the renovations.
Her four-year-old brother, Michael is oblivious, and it’s very strange that his room is cold with an unnatural chill when she visits, and he tells her about his new friend, Billy, pointing to a corner.
Michael is frustrated Harper can’t see him. His words trigger a memory of Harper’s when she was five-years-old when she had a best friend her older sister couldn’t see either.
“Billy doesn’t like when you call his house stupid.”
Harper covers for Michael when he tries telling their mother. She doesn’t like things she can’t understand. Harper doesn’t understand either.
Nothing has been the same since Harper’s accident. Reviewing her memory book, an "unfinished jigsaw puzzle", that had one missing piece. Unable to remember anything about the fire at school, when she was hospitalized with several broken bones. "It’s what the mind does to forget terrible tragedy." Did she really want to remember what happened?
With the move, Harper’s Korean grandmother lives closer, and she can’t wait to see her. But her mother won’t speak to her. She hasn’t in years. Harper misses her grandmother terribly, and through all the hauntings, and missing memories, Harper works to reunite them. Turns out, Grandma has a few surprises.
Ooh, I LOVED this fun, spooky middle-grade book! The ghosts were truly evil and SCARY! Harper has to go through several hoops to save her brother, and her older sister blames her for the move to D.C. One of my favorite scenes is Harper confronting a salesperson who’s a racist, and she sticks up for herself! The author is the founder of “We Need Diverse Books”.
The first in a series, I can’t wait to read the follow-up, ISLAND OF MONSTERS, for more spooky-fun! Out now!
Her four-year-old brother, Michael is oblivious, and it’s very strange that his room is cold with an unnatural chill when she visits, and he tells her about his new friend, Billy, pointing to a corner.
Michael is frustrated Harper can’t see him. His words trigger a memory of Harper’s when she was five-years-old when she had a best friend her older sister couldn’t see either.
“Billy doesn’t like when you call his house stupid.”
Harper covers for Michael when he tries telling their mother. She doesn’t like things she can’t understand. Harper doesn’t understand either.
Nothing has been the same since Harper’s accident. Reviewing her memory book, an "unfinished jigsaw puzzle", that had one missing piece. Unable to remember anything about the fire at school, when she was hospitalized with several broken bones. "It’s what the mind does to forget terrible tragedy." Did she really want to remember what happened?
With the move, Harper’s Korean grandmother lives closer, and she can’t wait to see her. But her mother won’t speak to her. She hasn’t in years. Harper misses her grandmother terribly, and through all the hauntings, and missing memories, Harper works to reunite them. Turns out, Grandma has a few surprises.
Ooh, I LOVED this fun, spooky middle-grade book! The ghosts were truly evil and SCARY! Harper has to go through several hoops to save her brother, and her older sister blames her for the move to D.C. One of my favorite scenes is Harper confronting a salesperson who’s a racist, and she sticks up for herself! The author is the founder of “We Need Diverse Books”.
The first in a series, I can’t wait to read the follow-up, ISLAND OF MONSTERS, for more spooky-fun! Out now!
boathon's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
thebookishunicorn's review
4.0
"When people die, not everyone makes it to where they need to be. Some get stuck and some don’t want to go.”
katie_samsock's review
5.0
This was such a super fun book and perfect for the Halloween season. I heard about this one from my favorite podcast (Currently Reading). I was looking for a fun escape so I got this on audio. At one point my 7 year old had joined me and couldn’t get enough. I’m not a huge middle grade reader by any means but this definitely has me wanting to continue the series! Definitely add this to your must read spooky season pile!!!!
purple676's review
3.0
I liked the cover and the Korean rep in a haunted house story but I couldn’t really connect with the characters
xsleepyshadows's review
3.0
I'm not going to lie - this was annoying but also terrifying.
The annoying part was with the smallest child, kinda had annoying I dislike this kid babadook vibes. I had the audiobook at x3 speed because the narrator did such a realistic whiny kid voice for this possessed brat.
It also kinda worked for it? Because it was so out of touch and in character for a kids early stages learning behavior and empathy skills...but ya know their actually possessed by an evil spirit.
Also this book isn't afraid to do actual harm to the characters, which really draws you in. Def. a creepy read and I can see a kid really getting into this.
The annoying part was with the smallest child, kinda had annoying I dislike this kid babadook vibes. I had the audiobook at x3 speed because the narrator did such a realistic whiny kid voice for this possessed brat.
It also kinda worked for it? Because it was so out of touch and in character for a kids early stages learning behavior and empathy skills...but ya know their actually possessed by an evil spirit.
Also this book isn't afraid to do actual harm to the characters, which really draws you in. Def. a creepy read and I can see a kid really getting into this.
twowheelsaway's review
4.0
I grabbed this at random from the public library, and it was awesome! Super well paced, good characters, solid twists, all around super fun. Gonna be recommending this to students for Halloween!
adrzeck's review
4.0
Great, but like Damien possession level creepy. (truthfully never seen The Omen since the concept is terrifying to me)
So if you're okay with living in a house of evil. Give it a try.
So if you're okay with living in a house of evil. Give it a try.