REVIEW: The Mime Order - Samantha Shannon

GENRE: Adult Fantasy
PAGES: 528
PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

Paige Mahoney has escaped the brutal prison camp of Sheol I, but her problems have only just begun: many of the survivors are missing and she is the most wanted person in London...As Scion turns its all-seeing eye on the dreamwalker, the mime-lords and mime-queens of the city's gangs are invited to a rare meeting of the Unnatural Assembly. Jaxon Hall and his Seven Seals prepare to take centre stage, but there are bitter fault lines running through the clairvoyant community and dark secrets around every corner. Then the Rephaim begin crawling out from the shadows. But where is Warden? Paige must keep moving, from Seven Dials to Grub Street to the secret catacombs of Camden, until the fate of the underworld can be decided.

 

REVIEW

The Bone Season was one of my favourite books of 2013 and I was impatiently waiting for the next instalment. Samantha Shannon has created such an intricate alternative world, complete with a whole host of mind-blowing characters. Paige is still in terrible danger as she is now the most wanted person in London, and the fugitives from Sheol I are all being hunted by the Rephaim.

 

The language and words that have been created really add to the originality of the story, and the way that the plot races forward with action and excitement on each page kept me so gripped I was fully submerged in Paige's world. Everything is described so well that despite it being so fantastical you can really see it. I'm not saying anything about the story because it's so much more fun to be shocked by all the incredible action! If you haven't read The Bone Season yet you really must, and be sure to make use of the glossary at the back (but ensure you don't read the last page or you'll spoil it!).

 

I cannot wait for the film of TBS and I am so excited to see what happens next for Paige.

 

- Gem.

REVIEW: Eren - Simon P. Clark

GENRE: YA
PAGES: 208
PUBLISHER: Much-In-Little
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

People are keeping secrets from Oli - about where his father is, and why he hasn't come to join them at his uncle's house in the country.

But Oli has secrets too.

He knows what lives in the attic. Eren - part monster, part dream, part myth. Eren who always seems so interested, who always wants to hear more about Oli's life. Eren, who needs to hear stories to live, and will take them from Oli, no matter the cost.

REVIEW

Eren is one of the strangest books I have ever read, and it's a debut that's one of the most unique and exciting stories I've read this year.

When Oli's Mum moves him away from his London home he begins to feel isolated from his life. He goes to live at his Uncle's house and when exploring the attic meets a very strange creature... Eren. Eren feeds off stories of all sorts, and the more detailed and imaginative the better. They make him stronger. He begins to take over everything in Oli's life.

Eren is really a story about what happens when children are protected from the hardships of adult life. By not telling Oli what is happening with his Dad or why they had to move to London, Oli's imagination begins to take on a life of his own, spreading from simple storytelling to reconstructing his own history with the detail and flourish that Eren keeps pushing him for.

Storytelling affects everyone. Everything is an interpretation of the truth and affects the way we see ourselves and our histories. It can bring magic and wonder, sometimes giving us new ways to see situations, to understand and explore emotions.

Eren is a beautifully produced fairytale for both adults and children, about the power of imagination and how easily it spills into and influences our everyday lives.

- Bex.

GUEST REVIEW: The Queen Of The Tearling - Erika Johnasen

GENRE: Adult Fantasy
PAGES: 448
PUBLISHER: Bantam Press
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

Kelsea Glynn is the sole heir to the throne of Tearling but has been raised in secret by foster parents after her mother - Queen Elyssa, as vain as she was stupid - was murdered for ruining her kingdom. For 18 years, the Tearling has been ruled by Kelsea's uncle in the role of Regent however he is but the debauched puppet of the Red Queen, the sorceress-tyrant of neighbouring realm of Mortmesme. On Kelsea's 19th birthday, the tattered remnants of her mother's guard - each pledged to defend the queen to the death - arrive to bring this most un-regal young woman out of hiding...

And so begins her journey back to her kingdom's heart, to claim the throne, earn the loyalty of her people, overturn her mother's legacy and redeem the Tearling from the forces of corruption and dark magic that are threatening to destroy it. But Kelsea's story is not just about her learning the true nature of her inheritance - it's about a heroine who must learn to acknowledge and live with the realities of coming of age in all its insecurities and attractions, alongside the ethical dilemmas of ruling justly and fairly while simply trying to stay alive...

REVIEW

I really loved this book! It had many flaws but I was so engrossed in the plot that I completely ignored them and absolutely loved the book anyway!

Kelsea Glynn is an amazing character! In fact she’s quite possibly of my favourite fictional characters (up there with Hermione Granger, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Celeana Sardothien!) She is strong (but not necessarily physically like Celeana, Tris or Katniss) ! I’ve never known a character with so much resilience! Despite the fact that attempts are constantly made on her life she stays determined and focussed on being a good queen and restoring the Kingdom. I found her incredibly inspirational! Kelsea doesn’t develop much over the book (she had her strength and courage from the beginning) but I still really loved her!

Out of all of the books I have read recently, I have found most of them predictable! However ‘The Queen of the Tearling’ had me gripped throughout trying to work out what was going to happen next! I really felt that anything could happen and that made my reading experience more thrilling!

My favourite genres are dystopian, fantasy and historical and I was delighted to find that this book is a combination of the three making it the perfect choice for me! Whilst being set in the future, the world was very simplistic and the whole book is centred around the Monarchy, giving The Queen of the Tearling a historical feel. There are a few fantasy elements too!

So this book is already set to become a film (starring the wonderful Emma Watson.) I think it would make a really awesome film and I would love to see the book come to life on screen!

- Priya.

GUEST REVIEW: My True Love Gave To Me - Various

GENRE: Anthology
PAGES: 368
PUBLISHER: Macmillan
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

A collection of joyful festive stories that will keep you warm during the cold winter months On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ...This beautiful collection features twelve gorgeously romantic stories set during the festive period, by some of the most talented and exciting YA authors writing today. The stories are filled with the magic of first love and the magic of the holidays. This hardback edition features a ribbon marker and pink sprayed edges, and is the perfect gift. Includes: Ally Carter Holly Black Laini Taylor Rainbow Rowell Matt de la Pena David Levithan Stephanie Perkins Kiersten White Kelly Link Jenny Han Gayle Forman Myra McEntire.

REVIEW

Hey! Today I’m going to review a book that was probably one of my most anticipated releases of the year and that is My True Love Love Gave To Me. Why was I so excited for this book? Well first off it’s a selection of 12 winter romances and if you know me at all, then you know that I am a sucker for romance stories. The main reason I was so excited for this book was because of the amazing authors involved in it. It is all edited by Stephanie Perkins, who I absolutely adore, and it includes stories by Rainbow Rowell(EEP!!!),Jenny Han, David Levithan, Gayle Forman. As well as this it included some authors who I’ve never read anything by but I have heard nothing but good things about and these are Laini Taylor, Kiersten White, Holly Black, Ally Carter. It also included some stories by some authors that I’ve never even heard of such as Matt De La Pena, Kelly Link and Myra McIntyre. So I think it’s fair to say that I had very high expectations going into this book and it did not disappoint! While I didn’t enjoy some of the stories that much, most of them were amazing and I loved them all. I have been trying to figure out how to structure this review for quite a while now and I’ve decided to do a mini review for each story and rate each one seperately. Let’s get started.

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell

The book started off with Rainbow Rowell’s story so I was immediately in love. Rainbow Rowell’s story was about two friends called Noel and Mags and it was structured in a similar way to One Day by David Nicholls. Every mini chapter was set on New Year’s Eve, exactly a year later. I honestly fell in love with this story. Rainbow Rowell has this thing where she can make you fall in love with characters really easily but I didn’t expect to fall in love with them so much in a short story. Noel was outgoing whereas Mags was somewhat shy and I loved the contrast between them. I am officially under the impression that everything Rainbow Rowell writes is pure gold. This was probably my favourite story in the whole book and I’ve already reread it about 3 times. Overall this story obviously got 5 out of 5 stars.

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link

Well this one was slightly disappointing. First of all a little sidenote, I was under the impression that these would be 12 winter romances that were set in our world. However, this story had some supernatural element to it, I think. I finished this story almost a week ago and I’m still not quite sure what happened in it. I really didn’t understand it at all. The main protagonist, Miranda, wasn’t anything special. I didn’t really feel anything towards her. I didn’t like her but I didn’t dislike her. She was just there. And I felt similarly about the other characters. I think it might have been the writing but I’m not sure.I have never read any of her novels but I don’t think I will be. I just didn’t feel anything while reading it and that really disappointed me. I can’t give this story higher than 2 out of 5 stars but I feel really bad about it.

What even happened in that story? I still don’t even know.

GUEST REVIEW: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender - Leslye Walton

PAGES: 320
PUBLISHER: Walker Books
FORMAT: Paperback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

SUMMARY

Foolish love appears to be a Roux family birthright. And for Ava Lavender, a girl born with the wings of a bird, it is an ominous thing to inherit. In her quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to join her peers, sixteen-year-old Ava ventures into the wider world. But it is a dangerous world for a naive girl - a world which may view her as girl or angel. On the night of the summer solstice celebration, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air and Ava's journey and her family's saga reaches a devastating crescendo.

REVIEW

I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about it (I didn’t even read the blurb!) and I strongly suggest you do the same!

I picked up this book because I was drawn to the title “The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender” which sums up the book pretty well. The book was strange, odd and unique but also beautiful, tragic and haunting.

I’d definitely give this book five stars and add it to my favourites list! I would recommend it to YA fans who love fantasy/supernatural elements in books or to people who are looking for something fresh and unique!

I strongly suggest you read this book without looking at any other info but here is my short review anyway in case you choose to rebel and ignore my advice :P

Ava Lavender was born with wings. Yes, wings. The world doesn’t know what to think of her, is she an angel? Is she a bird? Or is she a freak of nature?

The book tells the story of Ava’s family tree starting from her great grandparents and every member of her family has a fascinating yet tragic story that will keep you constantly gripped throughout the book. Ava is no different! All the characters were incredibly compelling!

I absolutely adored Leslye Walton’s writing style! I have very little in common with Ava (especially as I don’t have wings!) but I found her incredibly relatable! One quote that particularly struck me was:

“I found it ironic that I should be blessed with wings and yet feel so constrained, so trapped. It was because of my condition, I believe, that I noticed life’s ironies a bit more often than the average person. I collected them: how love arrived when you least expected it, how someone who said he didn’t want to hurt you eventually would.”

This book also had one of the most beautiful endings I have ever read.

Seriously, READ IT! Read it now!

Photo by Priya

- Priya.

(http://priyapiggle.wordpress.com)

REVIEW: Deep Blue - Jennifer Donnelly

PAGES: 320
PUBLISHER: Hodder & Stoughton
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be about reuniting with handsome Prince Mahdi, her childhood crush. Instead she finds herself haunted by strange dreams foretelling the return of an ancient evil, and dealing with the deaths of her parents as assassins storm the betrothal ceremony, plunging the city into chaos. Led only by her shadowy dreams and pursued by the invading army, Serafina and her best friend Neela embark on a quest to avenge her parents' death and prevent a war between the mer nations. In the process they discover a plot that threatens their - and our - world's very existence.

REVIEW

I loved how well imagined the undersea world was; everything was brilliantly described and I could clearly picture everything that was happening. Serefina was a good character, she starts off just a typical mermaid princess (if there is such a thing!) and soon has to become a stronger person, and prepare herself for both her impending quest and ruling the realm. 

I loved the interactions between her and Neela (my favourite character) and the language that J.Donnely has created is amazing. It was sometimes a bit confusing but that was because I didn't notice there was a glossary (if i turn to the back i have a bad habit of reading the last line!) but despite this it still flowed well. It's obvious that this book was just introducing the characters and setting them up for the quest to find the talisman's, I look forward to the next instalment when they are all together much more, and no doubt in more danger!

- Gem.

GUEST REVIEW: Panic - Lauren Oliver

PAGES: 416
PUBLISHER: Hodder & Stoughton
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a poor town of twelve thousand people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do. Heather never thought she would compete in panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She'd never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought. Dodge has never been afraid of panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game; he's sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he's not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for. For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them-and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most. In this gritty, spellbinding novel, bestselling author Lauren Oliver delivers a gripping narrative of friendship, courage, survival, and hope.

REVIEW

I am a big fan of Lauren Oliver’s writing having read her Delirium trilogy which I absolutely adore. However going into Panic I was a bit hesitant since it hadn’t had the best reviews. However, I did end up really loving it. Overall, I really enjoyed the writing and the plot and I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. Let’s start with the full spoiler-free review.

Panic is all about a series of tough challenges that are created to make the competitors, well panic. Reading about these challenges terrified me because they were all so scary! I couldn’t even begin to imagine doing them for myself. This may have been just me, but when they starting doing the challenges I was always confused with what they had to do. It might have been just me not paying enough attention but I kept saying “Why are they in water?” and “What is she doing in the road?”. Carrying on from that, the start of this book really confused me because it started out during a challenge but then went back in time to the start of the challenge. The first few pages were confusing but once I got past them, I was so engrossed and I didn’t want to put it down. The challenges made the book suspenseful and intense and I loved that!

Heather was an excellent main character. She was strong and she dealt with all the various issues she had to deal with throughout the whole novel. Participating in Panic, she went through quite a lot with the tough challenges. On top of that she also went through a lot of personal issues in her life. I really admired the fact that she could deal with both challenges at the same time and not go crazy.

Since it is a Lauren Oliver book, there was a range of amazing supporting cast such as Nat and Bishop. But the other main character was Dodge. Dodge I didn’t really understand and whenever it was one of his chapters, I was counting the pages until Heather’s next chapter. I probably would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it was just in Heather’s perspective. Dodge does go through a lot and he is probably the most determined to win but I just couldn’t connect to him. All of her characters had their own unique story and I loved that. Bishop was a great character and I honestly wish we knew more about him and I wish we explored him better. Actually I would have liked it, if the book was split between Heather’s and Bishop’s POV instead of Dodge’s because it would have given us as readers a sense of dramatic irony.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the lack of romance. Most YA books have a romance as a central story that keeps popping up everywhere but in Panic the romance was very much on the down low. There still was one but the book focused more on the challenges and I loved that. When I went into it, I wanted romance since I’d been reading romance for a while beforehand but there was simply no space for anymore romance in the story when most of the story is all about tough challenges.

For anyone who has read Requiem, you will probably have experienced the fact that Lauren Oliver isn’t exactly the best at writing endings to stories and this unfortunately showed in Panic. I found the ending to be a bit of a cop out and slightly rushed. If the book was a little bit longer, it could have been almost perfect.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and Lauren Oliver’s writing but I wanted a better ending! A solid 4 out of 5 stars to this novel and I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes action and suspense.

- Sofia.

(http://fifisofa.wordpress.com)

REVIEW: The Dark Inside - Rupert Wallis

PAGES: 368
PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

The House on the Hill has been abandoned for as long as James can remember. So when he discovers Webster, a drifter, hiding there, he's instantly curious about the story behind the homeless man. What is he running from? Afflicted by a dark curse, Webster is no longer who he used to be. But there is said to be a cure and it might just be that by helping Webster, James will find some solace of his own. Together they embark on a journey, not knowing that what they discover will impact them both in ways they never imagined..

REVIEW

James is a 13 year old boy who is struggling to deal with the death of his mother and his new life with his stepfather (similar to the underlying story in The Year of The Rat by Clare Furniss). His only escape is an abandoned house that he visits frequently when he needs to be by himself. However, his whole world is flipped upside down when one day he discovers a man staying in the single place that he can call his own. The man, Webster, is apparently on the run from something and someone...something dark and evil.

Webster confides in James that he has been cursed and that he will soon 'change', unless a cure is found! Both James and Webster have difficulties with normal life and find a certain amount of comfort and understanding within each other that they soon bond. James opens up about his home life and Webster trusts James enough to tell him about his often harrowing past serving in Iraq.

I found both of the main characters to be genuine and easy to empathise with, even though there aren't too many things that I share in common with either. The various trials and tribulations that have occurred for both characters in the past and present will certainly strike a chord for readers of varying ages.

This sounds like the ultimate book cliché, but there were twists and turns a-plenty throughout the whole book, a couple of which took me in complete surprise and kept me interested to see what the outcome would be for both. Not sure if anyone else will notice this, but I found that the more fast-paced the action was, the shorter the chapters were, while the more emotional and dialogue driven parts were longer and more wordier. This is in no way a criticism (or not a negative one at least) as I found this helped keep a steady pace throughout.

The Dark Inside is about one third fantasy and two thirds modern teenage novel, complete with brilliant character depth, warmth and feeling. Come at this with a slightly open mind and enjoy the tale as it unfolds.

-- I'd like to thank the great people at Simon & Schuster for sending me a wonderful Exclusive Signed and Limited Edition of this (number 329 of 1000 to be precise!), you can follow them on Twitter at @simonschuster and @simonkids_UK) --

- Adam.

(@the_drums)

GUEST REVIEW: Split Second - Sophie McKenzie

GUEST REVIEW

This review has been written for us by one of our customers and we're very grateful! If you want to be involved please email us at yabirmingham@gmail.com. 

- - -

PAGES: 368

PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster

FORMAT: Hardback

BUY IT: Waterstones

RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

Bound together by the devastating consequences of a terrorist attack on a London market, teenagers Charlotte (Charlie) and Nat appear at first to have much in common. But, as Charlie gets closer to Nat and his family, she begins to wonder if perhaps he knows more about the attack than he has let on. Split Second is an action-packed thriller that shifts between the perspectives of its two main characters as their courage and their loyalties are tested to the limit.

REVIEW

When I first read this book’s summary, although very intriguing, I wasn’t sure whether I would enjoy it- the word ‘terrorist’ does have quite an effect on me, since people who follow my religion are often labelled so. But from the first sentence I was instantly pulled in, and I could not stop reading it. I was glad that McKenzie has used the word terrorist correctly, labelling people who actually inflict violence with the word, rather than calling every person with a scarf on their head or a beard so.

Split Second is set in London in the near future where current issues, like unemployment and budget cuts, are cleverly explored and made me wonder whether the same concepts would actually happen if it was to happen in our society; whether politicians would take the same route as one of the characters in the book in order to gain power, lie and use the peoples weaknesses for their own good.

The book alternates between two protagonists’ point of view, Charlie and Nat; who, due to an event that had occurred early on in the book, both suffered from a terrible loss, which caused them to get involved with a secret organisation in order to seek revenge. Having a similar goal, Nat and Charlie find themselves growing closer together, but even though there is a certain romantic aspect to the book, I was glad that McKenzie did not put too much emphasis on it, and rather focused on issues that are widely witnessed in today’s society. 

The racist and discriminative words that some of the characters used seem farfetched, but they are not far from the truth. The book really touched me, having many Pakistani friends and seeing how racist some people could be, made me feel very overprotective and ignited my hate towards them. It is quite terrifying, wondering whether people would turn against other human beings just to regain the supposed power and glory of their country. 

All in all, the book was very enjoyable and very insightful. The characters were easily relatable, and the alternating views really worked and made the story all the more interesting. A fast paced novel that makes you worry about the power politicians hold over us and puts emphasis on the idea that no one can be trusted. The sequel, which I am very much looking forward to, will be published this year and will be entitled ‘Every second counts’.

- Maryam.

REVIEW: Tape - Steven Camden

GENRE: Contemporary
PAGES: 368

PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Children's Books
FORMAT: Hardback
BUY IT: Waterstones
RATING: 5 Stars

This review refers to an uncorrected advance edition.

SUMMARY

TAPE is the outstanding teen debut of 2014. Told with crackling prose, shimmering with humour and deeply moving, it will haunt anyone who reads it...Record a voice and it lasts forever...In 1993, Ryan records a diary on an old tape. He talks about his mother's death, about his dreams, about his love for a new girl at school who doesn't even know he exists. In 2013, Ameliah moves in with her grandmother after her parents die. There, she finds a tape in the spare room. A tape with a boy's voice on it - a voice she can't quite hear, but which seems to be speaking to her. Ryan and Ameliah are connected by more than just a tape. This is their story.

REVIEW

I really enjoyed this book; the plot was intriguing and wonderfully written, and the way the two narratives weaved the past and present together was fantastic. Both Ryan and Ameliah's narrations were distinct and vivid - Steven Camden's work as a spoken word artist was evident is how strongly his characters shone through from the page. Ryan's story evoked a real sense of 90's nostalgia which made me smile throughout, and Ameliah's sections made me laugh constantly. I guessed what would happen quite early on but that didn't make me love it any less. I'm really excited to see what he comes up with next!

- Gem.

REVIEW: Breaking Butterflies - M. Anjelais

GENRE: Contemporary/Issues
PAGES: 352

PUBLISHER: Chicken House

FORMAT: Hardback

BUY IT: Unavailable

RATING: 4 Stars

This review refers to an uncorrected advance edition. It will be released in August 2014 and is available to preorder for a £3 deposit.

SUMMARY

Two teens are drawn together, trapped by the expectations of their dreaming mothers. One is sweet and empathetic, the other brilliant and charismatic - but damaged. A beautiful and twisted story of first love.

REVIEW

I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel, and it kept surprising me throughout. Sphinxie is a great character, really different to a lot of female leads in YA at the minute, and the situation she finds herself in is told in a captivating way. It really is the kind of book to read in one sitting as you'll be desperate to know how it finishes. 

I can't really say a lot without giving away any plot points, but I will say I thoroughly enjoyed it, and the fact it was unlike anything I'd read before made me like it even more!

- Gem

REVIEW: The Dead Of Winter - Chris Priestley

GENRE: Children's

PAGES: 240

PUBLISHER: Bloomsbury

FORMAT: HB

BUY IT: Waterstones

RATING: 4 Stars

SUMMARY

Michael Vyner recalls a terrible story, one that happened to him. One that would be unbelievable if it weren't true! Michael's parents are dead and he imagines that he will stay with the kindly lawyer, executor of his parents' will ...Until he is invited to spend Christmas with his guardian in a large and desolate country house. His arrival on the first night suggests something is not quite right when he sees a woman out in the frozen mists, standing alone in the marshes. But little can prepare him for the solitude of the house itself as he is kept from his guardian and finds himself spending the Christmas holiday wandering the silent corridors of the house seeking distraction. But lonely doesn't mean alone, as Michael soon realises that the house and its grounds harbour many secrets, dead and alive, and Michael is set the task of unravelling some of the darkest secrets of all.

REVIEW

It is no secret that I am a massive fan of Halloween, so when it comes to this point in the year I like to give myself a fright with some spooky stories. Christ Priestley is a chiller writer for children around the ages of 9-12, or big kids around 24... ahem. I have been meaning to pick up some of his books for a while so when I spotted this in the library I thought it would be the perfect opportunity.

The Dead of Winter follows traditions set by the wonderful Poe and the underestimatedly Gothic Charles Dickens. After the death of his mother, Michael Vyner is sent to live with a guardian in his creepy old mansion, Hawton Mere. Spooky events are abundant in the old house and never fails to disappoint. The atmosphere is built gradually through the fantastic descriptions of the house, really breathing life into the old walls. This reminded me so much of Poe, the artistic detail in giving a living, breathing anthropomorphic character to the old house. It is as much a part of the story as the human tale of woe behind all the hauntings.

It's narrative is not simple, nor does it carry any of the slang of modern day children. I'm pretty certain the story is set in the late 19th century, which completely adds to the feel of 'otherness'. For children reading this I think it is a clever scheme: it gives space in dialogue at the beginning to give the reader time to adjust to the older speech style but then whisks you so much into the action that you barely seem to notice. 

This has everything you could want from a traditional scary read: a haunted house, ghosts, mirrors, trap doors and a whole dose of mystery. If you've enjoyed more modern stories like Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book I guarantee you will love this. Its a super quick read at only just over 200 pages but it is so much fun. Give this to your kid and they will be absorbed for hours.

- Bex.