annes_reading_journey's review
3.0
This was a very cute short story. The illustrations were very well done. I'd be interested in reading other books by this author.
mehsi's review
5.0
A small review for a small book. 4.5 stars.
Yes, this book is small, and out of those 98 pages a lot are illustrations, some stretching over 2 pages.
I did love it, it was the perfect length, everything was said (in detail) and in just 98 pages we find out about our main character, about the prison, about the ghost stories, about well a whole lot. And I at times just had goosebumps because I could just imagine myself there.
The main character was really great and I really was cheering for him. Doing such a dangerous job (you would think prison guard is easy, well not in that age and not in that prison) and getting used to all the ghosts that haunted the place.
The ending? I did not see that coming. Wow, I was expecting something totally different, but instead got a nice twist as ending. Definitely getting +points for that! It doesn't always fit a book, sometimes twist endings frustrate me, other times, like this book, it fits and it is just perfect. Giving me goosebumps or making me go: "Ohhhhh!".
The illustrations are really good and I loved the style.
Once again Joseph Delaney wrote a great book, and I would really recommend this one if you are searching for a short and scary read!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Yes, this book is small, and out of those 98 pages a lot are illustrations, some stretching over 2 pages.
I did love it, it was the perfect length, everything was said (in detail) and in just 98 pages we find out about our main character, about the prison, about the ghost stories, about well a whole lot. And I at times just had goosebumps because I could just imagine myself there.
The main character was really great and I really was cheering for him. Doing such a dangerous job (you would think prison guard is easy, well not in that age and not in that prison) and getting used to all the ghosts that haunted the place.
The ending? I did not see that coming. Wow, I was expecting something totally different, but instead got a nice twist as ending. Definitely getting +points for that! It doesn't always fit a book, sometimes twist endings frustrate me, other times, like this book, it fits and it is just perfect. Giving me goosebumps or making me go: "Ohhhhh!".
The illustrations are really good and I loved the style.
Once again Joseph Delaney wrote a great book, and I would really recommend this one if you are searching for a short and scary read!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
angstyp's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. I wish there had been more to the story rather than it just beginning and ending in such an abrupt manner.
sandylovesbooks's review
4.0
I found this small book in the YA section and thought it was in the wrong place. But it is recommended for 12 years old and up. It is only 99 pages and there are a lot of pictures. I decided to read it and find out why it is considered YA.
Here are a few notes why it is probably in the YA section:
page 4 - "...bloody scared."
page 18 - a character talks about how they drowned a witch. She wasn't a witch and they found that out after she was drowned.
page 29 - a character talks about how the ghosts in the prison have violently killed prisoners.
page 35 - "I swear to God."
page 36 - "Something straight from hell."
I suggest that parents read the book first and decide if their kid is mature enough to read this book. It's a fun little book about an orphan boy who gets a job at a haunted prison and works the night shift.
Here are a few notes why it is probably in the YA section:
page 4 - "...bloody scared."
page 18 - a character talks about how they drowned a witch. She wasn't a witch and they found that out after she was drowned.
page 29 - a character talks about how the ghosts in the prison have violently killed prisoners.
page 35 - "I swear to God."
page 36 - "Something straight from hell."
I suggest that parents read the book first and decide if their kid is mature enough to read this book. It's a fun little book about an orphan boy who gets a job at a haunted prison and works the night shift.
bonerbooks's review
3.0
Eh, it was okay. If it wasn't so beautifully illustrated I probably would've stopped reading.
jensgotmykeys's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It didn't go as I expected, which I liked. Not sure if this American English or English, so some of the phrases/writing threw me off. And one sentence was left completely unfinished. It drove me crazy enough to search for the page after I'd finished to reread and see if I'd missed something.
angieinbooks's review
3.0
I read this as a standalone with no other connection to the series, so take this review with a grain of salt.
This is a very short story (with illustrations) about a teenaged boy who has grown up in an orphanage and is about to age out of the orphanage. In order to prepare for that, he gets a job as a nighttime prison guard so that he's ready to live on his own. Only the prison is haunted and some really weird stuff happens.
As a standalone, this story works and is entertaining and totally spooky. And the way it ended shocked me, so that's a success in my book. But nothing wowed me either, so I give this a solid, middle-of-the-road 3 stars.
This is a very short story (with illustrations) about a teenaged boy who has grown up in an orphanage and is about to age out of the orphanage. In order to prepare for that, he gets a job as a nighttime prison guard so that he's ready to live on his own. Only the prison is haunted and some really weird stuff happens.
As a standalone, this story works and is entertaining and totally spooky. And the way it ended shocked me, so that's a success in my book. But nothing wowed me either, so I give this a solid, middle-of-the-road 3 stars.
katetoksbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lovelyjanelle13's review against another edition
4.0
super quick read, but completely understandable despite not having read the rest of the series, absolutely loved the graphic art that drew me to it in the first place