A review by joyceheinen
Whispering Pines by Heidi Lang, Kati Bartkowski

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 

I read this book for the “Upside Down Readathon” which is a “Stranger Things”-themed readathon. This book was the buddy read for one of the hosts, Liv. Otherwise I would’ve never picked this up. It’s a spooky middle grade and I’m glad Liv choose this as her buddy read. 

 

Spooky middle grades are definitely a subgenre that I really enjoy. I’m definitely not the age demographic, but I just love getting lost in these books. And it was the perfect pick for a “Stranger Things”-themed readathon. It had all the vibes, lots of similarities and has elements that I also love about the series. It’s set in a small town, unexplainable things keep happening, missing kids, a secret lab, the supernatural and people with certain powers. 

 

When I think about middle grade, I think of 8 to 12 year old kids. This book is definitely on the dark and more scarier side. So if you want your kid to read this, or you are that kid that wants to read it, be aware it has some very bloody and creepy moments. 

 

The book has a great, spooky atmosphere, also die to the small town setting. The two main characters, Rae and Caden, are both well-developed and interesting characters. They both deal with the loss of someone dear and find a connection. The mystery is strong and kept me guessing until the end, with a great reveal right at the very end. “Whispering Pines” is also very fast paced and easy to read. The first book in a series that I will definitely be continuing.