smol_turtle's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
han_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mekeisha's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
bookwormandtheatremouse's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
pageglue's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Shadow Man, Shadow Man, him come get you. Shadow Man, Shadow Man, him come take you.”
Months after the death of his father, Tyrese and his mother go to Jamaica to see family and stay with his Grammy and his cousin, Marvin. When all he wants to do is forget about what happened, his family, partly on the recommendation of his councillor, continue to mention his father repeatedly, driving Tyrese further into himself and away from them. One day when he runs off on his own, he stumbles upon a grave with a strange symbol on the tombstone. Tyrese, Marvin, and their new friend Ellie-Mae uncover a dark history that will haunt them all.
I’m still shocked that this book that’s recommended for 11-14-year-olds is the scariest horror book I’ve read this year! I’ll be upfront: the plot was messy. BUT the horror scenes were deliciously creepy! I really liked the characters, but the issues that Tyrese was going through were so dominant that I wished that the side characters had been more developed. I loved the setting and the folklore of the duppies. And I was frequently impressed with the writing, especially when it came to describing the setting and establishing the mood.
Despite its flaws, the good things about this book were excellent so I would easily recommend it. I would also warn that the depiction of grief is pretty heavy.
Months after the death of his father, Tyrese and his mother go to Jamaica to see family and stay with his Grammy and his cousin, Marvin. When all he wants to do is forget about what happened, his family, partly on the recommendation of his councillor, continue to mention his father repeatedly, driving Tyrese further into himself and away from them. One day when he runs off on his own, he stumbles upon a grave with a strange symbol on the tombstone. Tyrese, Marvin, and their new friend Ellie-Mae uncover a dark history that will haunt them all.
I’m still shocked that this book that’s recommended for 11-14-year-olds is the scariest horror book I’ve read this year! I’ll be upfront: the plot was messy. BUT the horror scenes were deliciously creepy! I really liked the characters, but the issues that Tyrese was going through were so dominant that I wished that the side characters had been more developed. I loved the setting and the folklore of the duppies. And I was frequently impressed with the writing, especially when it came to describing the setting and establishing the mood.
Despite its flaws, the good things about this book were excellent so I would easily recommend it. I would also warn that the depiction of grief is pretty heavy.
persephoneschains's review
5.0
Loved it so much! Don't think I've cried this hard at a book, the grief and denial hit really close to home. Loved reading it till the last page the pacing and story was amazing but would say be ready to cry! Will definitely need to look into more Jamaican legends and culture.
sharron_joy_reads's review
5.0
Tyrese is struggling with grief following a shocking event and his Mum takes him to visit family in Jamaica. Strange things start happening and Tyrese is told he is being hunted by the shadow man, he and his friends must uncover the shadow man’s history by taking a horrifying journey across the island.
This is a fantastic mystery adventure. It explores the legend of the duppies, spirits who haunt the landscape and possess the unwary. it is a dark and heartbreaking tale that explores the devastation of grief, how loss can feel like madness as the struggle to feel through the pain causes mental turmoil. The location is so rich, you can feel the sticky heat of the Jamaican summer, the lushness of the vegetation in the writing, it’s so delicious. An intoxicating mix of folklore, pain, grief and love with a creepy twist. Exploring the complexities of emotion alongside a brilliant adventure story. I loved this and rarely for me parts of it made me cry, excellent, 5 stars ⭐️
This is a fantastic mystery adventure. It explores the legend of the duppies, spirits who haunt the landscape and possess the unwary. it is a dark and heartbreaking tale that explores the devastation of grief, how loss can feel like madness as the struggle to feel through the pain causes mental turmoil. The location is so rich, you can feel the sticky heat of the Jamaican summer, the lushness of the vegetation in the writing, it’s so delicious. An intoxicating mix of folklore, pain, grief and love with a creepy twist. Exploring the complexities of emotion alongside a brilliant adventure story. I loved this and rarely for me parts of it made me cry, excellent, 5 stars ⭐️
rachelhodgkins's review
3.0
Tyrese Walker has already endured a traumatic year with the death of his father, when is mother takes him to Jamacia to visit his grandmother. She believes this is the trip that will help him to open up about his father’s death and begin grieving. But when Tyrese stumbles upon a hidden grave in the mountain his broken heart becomes appealing to the Shadow man. Will Tyrese succumb to the song of the missing?
We follow Tyrese, Marvin and Ellie as they try to save themselves from the duppies and daemons of Jamacia. What does the shadow man want with Tyrese? They dig up stories of grief from the past as they try to figure out who the shadow man is and how they can stop him, We also follow Tyrese on his journey of grief and you see his character go through all the stages of denial, anger and finally acceptance – it was beautiful to read.
This was a 3-star rating for me. The generally hauntings where spine chillingly just enough, with some chapters (mainly involving the old man or insect descriptions) leaving me generally creeped out! I felt that the narrative should have stayed with this creepy vibe. It lost its eeriness for me when the narrative went all Frankenstein’s monster. I was really rooting for an ending that linked the loss of his dad more with the shadow man- I was expecting it to come to fruition that all the hallucinations, blackouts and spirits were in his mind. Though I did love that Tyreses coming to terms with his grief was his saving light in the end.
I would definitely try other books from this author especially if they have the same eerie vibes.
We follow Tyrese, Marvin and Ellie as they try to save themselves from the duppies and daemons of Jamacia. What does the shadow man want with Tyrese? They dig up stories of grief from the past as they try to figure out who the shadow man is and how they can stop him, We also follow Tyrese on his journey of grief and you see his character go through all the stages of denial, anger and finally acceptance – it was beautiful to read.
This was a 3-star rating for me. The generally hauntings where spine chillingly just enough, with some chapters (mainly involving the old man or insect descriptions) leaving me generally creeped out! I felt that the narrative should have stayed with this creepy vibe. It lost its eeriness for me when the narrative went all Frankenstein’s monster. I was really rooting for an ending that linked the loss of his dad more with the shadow man- I was expecting it to come to fruition that all the hallucinations, blackouts and spirits were in his mind. Though I did love that Tyreses coming to terms with his grief was his saving light in the end.
I would definitely try other books from this author especially if they have the same eerie vibes.
toni_says_smile's review
4.0
This was a fun little romp across Jamaica, using some genuine folk stories and some good emotional drama. It's lovely to see kids books that include the old expressions, patois celebrated rather than discouraged as 'not formal enough', and some of the superstitions developed into full narratives. The reveal was good, the tension was high, and I loved the friendships in it.
Main annoyance was that Tyrese is hard-headed, to a point that I occasionally became frustrated watching him refuse to make any revelations unless forced. I mean, I'm not a teenager though, so that might be why I struggled - emotions run higher and harder at that age.
Main annoyance was that Tyrese is hard-headed, to a point that I occasionally became frustrated watching him refuse to make any revelations unless forced. I mean, I'm not a teenager though, so that might be why I struggled - emotions run higher and harder at that age.
tasha5492's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
4.0