pussreboots's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
literarycryptid's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
nrogers_1030's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
mehsi's review
5.0
There is no way out! Or is there? We will find that out in this last instalment in the Shadow House series!
The book begins where the previous book left us. The kids managed to get out of the house, only to encounter a beast of epic proportions. They lost one of their friends. They had to run, hide, flee.
The story switches between Dash, Azumi, Poppy. It was a bit confusing at times as to who was talking, but eventually I settled into the story and didn't have a problem with it.
The story was exciting as we now are getting to the final battle. The last 3 Specials have to be freed (but will the items they have found work on these 3 as well?), Dylan has to be saved, our 3 kids have to get out, defeat Larkspur. There is a lot of things going on, but it never felt like it was too much, instead it was just like a giant puzzle which finally got its last pieces clicking in place. I just couldn't stop reading, I wanted to know what more we could find out about Larkspur (we find out several things, plus we meet with Connie), I wanted to know what must be done to defeat the evil within.
I was definitely noping a few times while reading, not only because of clown Dylan, but also because of the carnival (with those creepy as hell clowns). As you may have guessed, I don't like clowns. *shivers*
I absolutely disliked Dash. All he does is complain, whine, complain, shout, scream at Poppy. He kept being a total toadwart towards her. Instead of being thankful, as really, thanks to her they solved quite a few things, he keeps resenting her. And hey, I don't see him come up with any good ideas other than going back to the driveway and constantly going on and on about his dead clown brother. And sure, Poppy made some mistakes, but I forgive her, as she is doing this under heavy pressure and the constant fear of death, plus at least she came up with some good ideas that are better than going to a driveway which is definitely not the way out. And really, do you think you can just walk up to the driveway without any problems? Do you really think you can just get out like that? Haha, how cute.
Yep, Poppy is definitely the one with the plan. Though she did went a bit craycray at times, but hey, anyone would do that given the situation and how the house is manipulating them all. I was quite liking this girl, she never gave up. She kept going even when Dash wasn't amused with her.
Azumi, I still feel sorry for her, losing her sister, seeing her in the house. But also that she needs to be the mediator between Dash and Poppy. She is already completely terrified, and then she has to stop those two fighting, and also from breaking up. At times I wanted to shake her, she should stop feeling so jealous. Yes, it may seem that Dash and Poppy aren't afraid, they aren't as affected as she is, but that is all just a front.
I had quite a few worries about this one ending. I knew this should be the final book, but given how the story unfolded and how little progress was made at times (especially in regards of their way out/defeating the evil), I thought there would be yet another book. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind more story, maybe from the POV of the first groups, but I wanted this story to be over. These kids deserved to be free.
The ending was really exciting, and it was definitely a great way to end this series. Yes, I am keeping it vague, if you want to know if our trio got out, if they defeated the evil, you will just have to read the book!
Something I did want is an epilogue. A few weeks after, or a few years after. There are still some things I want to see. :)
Ah yes, and let's not forget the photographs/images that are spread throughout the book. They make things even more scarier and creepier. I know that at times I dreaded flipping the page as I just knew there would be a scary image waiting for me.
All in all, this is one book (and series) I would highly recommend to everyone! It is spooky, creepy, exciting, and you will not be able to stop reading.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The book begins where the previous book left us. The kids managed to get out of the house, only to encounter a beast of epic proportions. They lost one of their friends. They had to run, hide, flee.
The story switches between Dash, Azumi, Poppy. It was a bit confusing at times as to who was talking, but eventually I settled into the story and didn't have a problem with it.
The story was exciting as we now are getting to the final battle. The last 3 Specials have to be freed (but will the items they have found work on these 3 as well?), Dylan has to be saved, our 3 kids have to get out, defeat Larkspur. There is a lot of things going on, but it never felt like it was too much, instead it was just like a giant puzzle which finally got its last pieces clicking in place. I just couldn't stop reading, I wanted to know what more we could find out about Larkspur (we find out several things, plus we meet with Connie), I wanted to know what must be done to defeat the evil within.
I was definitely noping a few times while reading, not only because of clown Dylan, but also because of the carnival (with those creepy as hell clowns). As you may have guessed, I don't like clowns. *shivers*
I absolutely disliked Dash. All he does is complain, whine, complain, shout, scream at Poppy. He kept being a total toadwart towards her. Instead of being thankful, as really, thanks to her they solved quite a few things, he keeps resenting her. And hey, I don't see him come up with any good ideas other than going back to the driveway and constantly going on and on about his dead clown brother. And sure, Poppy made some mistakes, but I forgive her, as she is doing this under heavy pressure and the constant fear of death, plus at least she came up with some good ideas that are better than going to a driveway which is definitely not the way out. And really, do you think you can just walk up to the driveway without any problems? Do you really think you can just get out like that? Haha, how cute.
Yep, Poppy is definitely the one with the plan. Though she did went a bit craycray at times, but hey, anyone would do that given the situation and how the house is manipulating them all. I was quite liking this girl, she never gave up. She kept going even when Dash wasn't amused with her.
Azumi, I still feel sorry for her, losing her sister, seeing her in the house. But also that she needs to be the mediator between Dash and Poppy. She is already completely terrified, and then she has to stop those two fighting, and also from breaking up. At times I wanted to shake her, she should stop feeling so jealous. Yes, it may seem that Dash and Poppy aren't afraid, they aren't as affected as she is, but that is all just a front.
I had quite a few worries about this one ending. I knew this should be the final book, but given how the story unfolded and how little progress was made at times (especially in regards of their way out/defeating the evil), I thought there would be yet another book. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind more story, maybe from the POV of the first groups, but I wanted this story to be over. These kids deserved to be free.
The ending was really exciting, and it was definitely a great way to end this series. Yes, I am keeping it vague, if you want to know if our trio got out, if they defeated the evil, you will just have to read the book!
Something I did want is an epilogue. A few weeks after, or a few years after. There are still some things I want to see. :)
Ah yes, and let's not forget the photographs/images that are spread throughout the book. They make things even more scarier and creepier. I know that at times I dreaded flipping the page as I just knew there would be a scary image waiting for me.
All in all, this is one book (and series) I would highly recommend to everyone! It is spooky, creepy, exciting, and you will not be able to stop reading.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
fionaaaaaa's review
fast-paced
1.75
I hadn't realised this was 3rd book in a series. However I still read it. Probably would have been better to read them in order, but It was ok. It was a quick read but it didn't grab me. Maybe it would have been better if I had read the previous 2, but I don't think I would have read more than 1 book.
sandylovesbooks's review
4.0
I'm so glad that my library finally got this book. It is the last in the Shadow House series. Dan Poblocki is one of my go-to authors in the ya/juvenile horror genre. I have loved all his books so far and can't wait for him to publish more.
Dash, Poppy, and Azumi are still stuck in Larkspur House. How can they finally get free? It does seem a bit tiring reading how they run around through most of the book but by the last part it was very exciting and I loved how it ended.
Dash, Poppy, and Azumi are still stuck in Larkspur House. How can they finally get free? It does seem a bit tiring reading how they run around through most of the book but by the last part it was very exciting and I loved how it ended.
engpunk77's review
3.0
2.5 stars because it was better than Book 2. I had borrowed both books 2 & 3 after getting all excited about Book 1 but decided after Book 2 that I was done. However, I accidentally ingested too much caffeine too late in the day and ended up needing to read in the middle of the night, and this one seemed like a good choice. I'm actually glad I did read it, because now I know how it ends and their were some really good scenes that explained it all, which is good for me to know when I'm talking about the book with my students. Note to librarians: Books 2 & 3 cannot be enjoyed without having read Book 1.
Good twisted thrill ride for too-young-for PG-13 horror.
Good twisted thrill ride for too-young-for PG-13 horror.
thebibliophilegirl's review against another edition
4.0
This has got to be the fastest, most interesting, creepiest middle-grade trilogy that I have ever read. No Way Out in the third and final book in the Shadow House trilogy and it DID NO PACK ANY PUNCHES! When are these kids going to get a break? They've been through so much and I just want to give them a big hug...
Poppy, Dash, Azumi, and Dylan may have made it out of Shadow House--but the grounds are a whole new nightmare. Someone they thought was a friend is hunting them, and there's no place that's safe now that they've woken the shadow creature.
If they want to survive, they'll have to figure out once and for all what the house wants from them, and what-or who-they'll need to leave behind in order to escape . . . or risk being trapped within Shadow House forever.
I think I read this in an hour. By no means does that signify that this is a simple book and is 'too young' for young adult/adult readers. As I have stated in my reviews for book one and book two, Poblocki is a fantastic writer, and the way that he tells the story of the five main characters and the house means that any age group can read it, from middle-grade individuals to adults. It's a series that will entertain anyone and everyone. The simplistic language style and the eleven-year-old main characters will appeal to the younger audience, whereas the horror/thriller element of the book will appeal to the older readers. However, the horror aspect of the book is still creepy, but not TOO creepy so that younger children cannot read it. I hope that makes sense!
After the explosive ending of the second book, You Can't Hide, we follow now only three of the characters that we started out with. The only reason that I haven't given this book a 5-star rating is because of how Dash and Azumi treat Poppy. Poppy is the only character to every TRY and put aside her fears and try and get them out of the house and out of the grounds - even if it leads into danger, she doesn't give up, SHE KEEPS ON TRYING. Dash and Azumi don't do this. They're close to giving up, and they're always moaning. And then, they start being horrible to Poppy because every time she makes a decision, it leads them to danger. I can't believe they actually have a right to be horrible to her! She's the only one that's making decisions! SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE CONTROL! It was just really annoying how they would gang up on Poppy, but that's the only thing that really got to me about this book. Other than that, it was like the previous two: fast-paced, scary and a quick read.
I do think that this is the least scary one out of the three, but that doesn't mean that it's not creepy. There are clowns. And clowns are my worst nightmare. There's also a picture in the book of three clowns and I wanted to tear it out and throw it on the fire. Believe me when I say that I read that page VERY VERY quickly. Both books one and two were set in the house, but book three is set in the grounds of the Shadow House, which means they have to navigate around the forest that surrounds the house, and they also get lost on different paths and in a carnival (?)
Overall, this is a brilliant ending to a brilliant trilogy. I loved all of the characters, I loved the ending to No Way Out, I loved the aesthetic of the three books (grey pages that look like they've been burnt and also pictures to accompany the story), and I also like how the publishing company have done something quite different and made an app that you can play alongside reading the books. It's an app where the choices you make throughout the game, affect what happens. You also learn background information about some of the secondary characters which is really interesting. I only played the app whilst reading the first book, but in the near future, I think I'm going to go back and play the game for the second and third book as well.
If you're a middle-grade reader, a young adult or adult reader, then I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a quick, frightening read!
Poppy, Dash, Azumi, and Dylan may have made it out of Shadow House--but the grounds are a whole new nightmare. Someone they thought was a friend is hunting them, and there's no place that's safe now that they've woken the shadow creature.
If they want to survive, they'll have to figure out once and for all what the house wants from them, and what-or who-they'll need to leave behind in order to escape . . . or risk being trapped within Shadow House forever.
I think I read this in an hour. By no means does that signify that this is a simple book and is 'too young' for young adult/adult readers. As I have stated in my reviews for book one and book two, Poblocki is a fantastic writer, and the way that he tells the story of the five main characters and the house means that any age group can read it, from middle-grade individuals to adults. It's a series that will entertain anyone and everyone. The simplistic language style and the eleven-year-old main characters will appeal to the younger audience, whereas the horror/thriller element of the book will appeal to the older readers. However, the horror aspect of the book is still creepy, but not TOO creepy so that younger children cannot read it. I hope that makes sense!
After the explosive ending of the second book, You Can't Hide, we follow now only three of the characters that we started out with. The only reason that I haven't given this book a 5-star rating is because of how Dash and Azumi treat Poppy. Poppy is the only character to every TRY and put aside her fears and try and get them out of the house and out of the grounds - even if it leads into danger, she doesn't give up, SHE KEEPS ON TRYING. Dash and Azumi don't do this. They're close to giving up, and they're always moaning. And then, they start being horrible to Poppy because every time she makes a decision, it leads them to danger. I can't believe they actually have a right to be horrible to her! She's the only one that's making decisions! SOMEONE HAS TO TAKE CONTROL! It was just really annoying how they would gang up on Poppy, but that's the only thing that really got to me about this book. Other than that, it was like the previous two: fast-paced, scary and a quick read.
I do think that this is the least scary one out of the three, but that doesn't mean that it's not creepy. There are clowns. And clowns are my worst nightmare. There's also a picture in the book of three clowns and I wanted to tear it out and throw it on the fire. Believe me when I say that I read that page VERY VERY quickly. Both books one and two were set in the house, but book three is set in the grounds of the Shadow House, which means they have to navigate around the forest that surrounds the house, and they also get lost on different paths and in a carnival (?)
Overall, this is a brilliant ending to a brilliant trilogy. I loved all of the characters, I loved the ending to No Way Out, I loved the aesthetic of the three books (grey pages that look like they've been burnt and also pictures to accompany the story), and I also like how the publishing company have done something quite different and made an app that you can play alongside reading the books. It's an app where the choices you make throughout the game, affect what happens. You also learn background information about some of the secondary characters which is really interesting. I only played the app whilst reading the first book, but in the near future, I think I'm going to go back and play the game for the second and third book as well.
If you're a middle-grade reader, a young adult or adult reader, then I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a quick, frightening read!
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