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A review by bookwormkelly10
The Spirit in the Crypt by Alexander Lound
4.0
3.5/5
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Jonny is 15-year-old boy who just wants to have a fun, beer-filled summer. He admittedly hangs around a friend group full of less desirable people because they can provide him with alcohol. One night, the group is drinking in a graveyard when the ringleader, Francis, decides Johnny must earn his keep by going in a crypt.
The experience is jarring to say the least; however, Jonny can't tell whether the voice he heard was in his head or something more sinister. What he does know is that Francis and his group have now turned on him, making Jonny their next victim to their incessant bullying. Luckily, Jonny finds solace in Francis' former victims: Cassy and Stephen. With those two friends by his side, Jonny feels like he can make it through high school. That is until he discovers that he's a medium. That's right, he can talk to dead people and he's not exactly pleased about that.
Aaron, an older medium, helps Jonny navigate his newfound gift. He must make the spirits happy, and help resolve unresolved problems, in order to aid them in passing over. The Spirit in the Crypt is the first installment of what Lound hopes will become a series.
This book is Lound's debut novel, and after he reached out, I was hesitant with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised! This is a quick and easy read that keeps you captivated once the action begins. The young adult aspect is evident and an accurate portrayal of high school (I say this as an American, and even though the book takes place in Britain, some things must just be universal). I liked the genuine reaction Jonny had to learning he was a medium, and the descriptors Lound used to portray how Jonny was hearing the voices. I'm not a medium, but I imagine it feels more similar to Lound's description than other writers.
There were only a few downfalls for me. I found the dialogue to be a little clunky, but I'm not sure if that's a difference in culture. The dialogue didn't read naturally to me, but it wasn't so distracting I couldn't enjoy the book. The only other issue I had was that the action took a little too long to appear. Once it did, the book became much more enjoyable. All in all, I would recommend this read!
I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Jonny is 15-year-old boy who just wants to have a fun, beer-filled summer. He admittedly hangs around a friend group full of less desirable people because they can provide him with alcohol. One night, the group is drinking in a graveyard when the ringleader, Francis, decides Johnny must earn his keep by going in a crypt.
The experience is jarring to say the least; however, Jonny can't tell whether the voice he heard was in his head or something more sinister. What he does know is that Francis and his group have now turned on him, making Jonny their next victim to their incessant bullying. Luckily, Jonny finds solace in Francis' former victims: Cassy and Stephen. With those two friends by his side, Jonny feels like he can make it through high school. That is until he discovers that he's a medium. That's right, he can talk to dead people and he's not exactly pleased about that.
Aaron, an older medium, helps Jonny navigate his newfound gift. He must make the spirits happy, and help resolve unresolved problems, in order to aid them in passing over. The Spirit in the Crypt is the first installment of what Lound hopes will become a series.
This book is Lound's debut novel, and after he reached out, I was hesitant with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised! This is a quick and easy read that keeps you captivated once the action begins. The young adult aspect is evident and an accurate portrayal of high school (I say this as an American, and even though the book takes place in Britain, some things must just be universal). I liked the genuine reaction Jonny had to learning he was a medium, and the descriptors Lound used to portray how Jonny was hearing the voices. I'm not a medium, but I imagine it feels more similar to Lound's description than other writers.
There were only a few downfalls for me. I found the dialogue to be a little clunky, but I'm not sure if that's a difference in culture. The dialogue didn't read naturally to me, but it wasn't so distracting I couldn't enjoy the book. The only other issue I had was that the action took a little too long to appear. Once it did, the book became much more enjoyable. All in all, I would recommend this read!