carstensena's review against another edition
3.0
Great setting in a castle in the middle of a forest in Germany. More mystery than horror, but nicely done. Definitely has teen appeal.
ps_a22's review against another edition
4.0
Extraordinarily good. I loved the scary theme in the book and how the horror was accompanied by a taste of romance. It was very nice to have a logical explanation for the supernatural things that were happening and I loved the fact that two teenagers were forced to commit murder out of self-defence. A very well-written and well-planned book.
jbojkov's review against another edition
3.0
It's been awhile since I read this book so I will not get into many particulars. A teen and her family move to a remote German (?) town after her father gets permission to study local legends in the area. The legends are, of course, sinister and the family becomes ostracized for stirring up bad things in the area. The teen becomes caught up in trying to sort out the mystery with a local boy who also becomes a love interest for her. I liked this book ok, but it was not as good as The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by the same author and so I was a little disappointed.
charleslambert's review against another edition
5.0
My second Helen Grant novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it (as I did the first one - [b:The Vanishing of Katharina Linden|7692967|The Vanishing of Katharina Linden|Helen Grant|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1291052283s/7692967.jpg|10366151]). Set, like the earlier novel, in Germany and drawing on local legends to great - and genuinely creepy - effect, the book also paints a convincing picture of adolescent discomfort, to put it mildly, loneliness and displacement, the stirrings of first love, and the sheer strangeness of being oneself and having no one to share this with. It's sharply characterised, gripping and cleverly plotted. It's also, both comically and horrifically, a manual in bad parenting techniques. Recommended.
etinney's review against another edition
2.0
1.5 out of 5 stars
I only got to page 65. This book was putting me in a bad reading slump. I don't know if it was because I was sick or something else, but I just could know get into the story.
I only got to page 65. This book was putting me in a bad reading slump. I don't know if it was because I was sick or something else, but I just could know get into the story.
libkatem's review against another edition
4.0
This book was downright creepy. I really enjoyed the whole thing.
Lin's family has uprooted themselves for a year while her father is on sabbatical, researching the Allerheiligen stained glass, medieval stained glass that may be lost to history, may be cursed, and may be home to a demon. Or maybe the demons are inside us the whole time.
Fantastically written. And open for a sequel? Come on, Grant, keep writing!!!
Lin's family has uprooted themselves for a year while her father is on sabbatical, researching the Allerheiligen stained glass, medieval stained glass that may be lost to history, may be cursed, and may be home to a demon. Or maybe the demons are inside us the whole time.
Fantastically written. And open for a sequel? Come on, Grant, keep writing!!!
wordnerdy's review against another edition
1.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2011/07/2011-book-175.html
mjmoore's review against another edition
4.0
After a discussion about YA thrillers and horror, Helen kindly arranged for her publisher to send me out a copy of The Glass Demon to try. Helen seems to be classed as a YA writer, but this particular book would definitely appeal to all age groups (as do many YA books, of course).
It’s actually a difficult book to classify, as it’s unclear for most of the story whether this is a straightforward thriller, or if there’s a supernatural element. I felt this added just the right level of uneasiness, and I won’t spoil the story for anyone by revealing which it is.
The story revolves around a mysterious set of stained glass windows – most people deem them to no longer exist, and yet there are some who believe they are hidden away. Lin’s father is a historian, and the Allerheiligen Glass is his latest obsession. The Glass is also meant to be haunted by a demon, who can kill anyone who looks at him.
As people start to die around Lin, and strange things occur, she realises that her and her family are in danger, but she doesn’t know who from.
Add to this that she’s been taken by her father to Germany, and she’s trying to fit into a new school, and cope with the attention of their nearest neighbour, Michael!
As I said, there’s a really good level of threat and unease about this book – there’s lots of tension, which keeps you reading, there is danger, and yet it’s not too disturbing. I think this is the key to the wide range of audience.. I would recommend this to both teen readers, and older (like myself!). Oh, and I’ve added all of Helen’s books to my wishlist! :)
Recommended!
It’s actually a difficult book to classify, as it’s unclear for most of the story whether this is a straightforward thriller, or if there’s a supernatural element. I felt this added just the right level of uneasiness, and I won’t spoil the story for anyone by revealing which it is.
The story revolves around a mysterious set of stained glass windows – most people deem them to no longer exist, and yet there are some who believe they are hidden away. Lin’s father is a historian, and the Allerheiligen Glass is his latest obsession. The Glass is also meant to be haunted by a demon, who can kill anyone who looks at him.
As people start to die around Lin, and strange things occur, she realises that her and her family are in danger, but she doesn’t know who from.
Add to this that she’s been taken by her father to Germany, and she’s trying to fit into a new school, and cope with the attention of their nearest neighbour, Michael!
As I said, there’s a really good level of threat and unease about this book – there’s lots of tension, which keeps you reading, there is danger, and yet it’s not too disturbing. I think this is the key to the wide range of audience.. I would recommend this to both teen readers, and older (like myself!). Oh, and I’ve added all of Helen’s books to my wishlist! :)
Recommended!
ellanasan's review against another edition
3.0
That book was a good read, quite catching after a time. However, some aspects of the plot didn't convinced me. It seems to me that, at least two subplot were rushed through and that one character was doomed from the start, as if the author didn't know exactaly how to get rid of that character.
The prime character was irritating for a good part of the book which is maybe the reason why I didn't enjoyed it as deeply as I could have. Otherwise, the suspense was there and the historical setting was great.
The prime character was irritating for a good part of the book which is maybe the reason why I didn't enjoyed it as deeply as I could have. Otherwise, the suspense was there and the historical setting was great.