mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
This was already one of my most anticipated book of 2016, but after reading it... it has become my favourite series. I just want to know what is going to happen to the children, I want to know what is wrong with the house.
The book also comes with an app which will tell you more about the house. I still have to complete the app's story, but I am still stuck on the first story as I just want to get the options perfectly right. :P The app is just as creepy as the book is, with music and animations that suddenly pop up. o.0
Now back to the book. The book, is, seriously, creepy as hell. Really. I was reading it and I just had to switch to another book because it was nighttime and I couldn't sleep, and well, after reading this one I definitely felt like I couldn't sleep any more. The book's twists and turns are already awesome, but add to that the awesome power of photography. Really, you would be reading, flip page and come eye to eye with a scary thing. Nope, nope, nope!
We have 5 different characters (Azumi, Marcus, Poppy, and the twins Dash and Dylan). Each chapter will be about one of them. I am always a bit worried about how it will turn out, but I have to say that the author did a perfect job on them. Each character feels different, yet also a bit of the same (they do have a connection after all), and I just loved how the chapters were done. I was invested in each of these characters. Sure, I had my favourites (Poppy and Azumi), but I liked all of them in the end.
Each of them have a tragic story to go with their life. Poppy doesn't have family (+ sees a girl in the mirror no matter where she goes), Azumi lost her sister, Marcus life also isn't the easiest considering his music brings back bad memories for his mother, the twins? Well you will have to find that one out yourself. I won't say anything about that, as that is a huge spoiler (though if you are like me you will have a feeling about it from the moment we see them, the moment the first hint is dropped).
They all come together in the Shadow House, and quickly find out the house isn't friendly. They find out they can't leave. They find out that stuff is going oh so wrong in this place. It is a creepy house, and it wants them.
I loved the house, even if it was creepy as hell. I loved the fact it changed rooms, changed shape, changed everything when you think you might know what is happening. It was a creepy delight.
Then we have the 5 antagonists (or are they?) and I was really interested in those 5. They have a connection with the 5 protagonists, but they are way more deadly, and they are super-creepy. Really, every time one popped up out of the shadows I just wanted to run away. :P
Even though this book is a book 1, and even though it does end open-ended, I do have to say that it did feel like a whole book (maybe this doesn't make sense, but I have read some first books that felt like someone wrote 1 big book and randomly cut 3 books from it). It was a great introduction to a series.
All in all, this book is a creepy rollercoaster and it was definitely wow. I would highly recommend this book to those in need for a creepy read (it is almost Halloween, and this book would fit perfectly for that season). Be sure to also check out the app!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The book also comes with an app which will tell you more about the house. I still have to complete the app's story, but I am still stuck on the first story as I just want to get the options perfectly right. :P The app is just as creepy as the book is, with music and animations that suddenly pop up. o.0
Now back to the book. The book, is, seriously, creepy as hell. Really. I was reading it and I just had to switch to another book because it was nighttime and I couldn't sleep, and well, after reading this one I definitely felt like I couldn't sleep any more. The book's twists and turns are already awesome, but add to that the awesome power of photography. Really, you would be reading, flip page and come eye to eye with a scary thing. Nope, nope, nope!
We have 5 different characters (Azumi, Marcus, Poppy, and the twins Dash and Dylan). Each chapter will be about one of them. I am always a bit worried about how it will turn out, but I have to say that the author did a perfect job on them. Each character feels different, yet also a bit of the same (they do have a connection after all), and I just loved how the chapters were done. I was invested in each of these characters. Sure, I had my favourites (Poppy and Azumi), but I liked all of them in the end.
Each of them have a tragic story to go with their life. Poppy doesn't have family (+ sees a girl in the mirror no matter where she goes), Azumi lost her sister, Marcus life also isn't the easiest considering his music brings back bad memories for his mother, the twins? Well you will have to find that one out yourself. I won't say anything about that, as that is a huge spoiler (though if you are like me you will have a feeling about it from the moment we see them, the moment the first hint is dropped).
They all come together in the Shadow House, and quickly find out the house isn't friendly. They find out they can't leave. They find out that stuff is going oh so wrong in this place. It is a creepy house, and it wants them.
I loved the house, even if it was creepy as hell. I loved the fact it changed rooms, changed shape, changed everything when you think you might know what is happening. It was a creepy delight.
Then we have the 5 antagonists (or are they?) and I was really interested in those 5. They have a connection with the 5 protagonists, but they are way more deadly, and they are super-creepy. Really, every time one popped up out of the shadows I just wanted to run away. :P
Even though this book is a book 1, and even though it does end open-ended, I do have to say that it did feel like a whole book (maybe this doesn't make sense, but I have read some first books that felt like someone wrote 1 big book and randomly cut 3 books from it). It was a great introduction to a series.
All in all, this book is a creepy rollercoaster and it was definitely wow. I would highly recommend this book to those in need for a creepy read (it is almost Halloween, and this book would fit perfectly for that season). Be sure to also check out the app!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
mediocremasen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was very interesting. I really liked the characters and the world. There really isn't a plot, it's just kids running around trying to figure things out, but that's not a bad thing. It's actually nice to have a kind of directionless story unfolding, it keeps you guessing.
cnbays's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
You MUST do the app while you read the book, not because it's necessary, but because it's SO COOL!!
l_e_lavalle's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
deepfreezebatman's review against another edition
4.0
I really really enjoyed the beginning of this creepy book, in which a seemingly random group of kids receive invitations to a strange house. I was disappointed by the "to be continued.."-type ending and I just found myself unable to continue suspending disbelief in the later scenes. Nevertheless I'm already on the waiting list for Book 2, which is due out later this month.
melissapalmer404's review against another edition
3.0
Book #119 Read in 2016
Shadow House by Dan Poblocki
This creepy cover immediately caught my eye. A group of teenagers each get an invitation to an "academy" but when they arrive, they realize that they are now trapped in a haunted house with vengeful spirits. The illustrations are creepy as well. There is decent action throughout the book and I could see middle school readers really enjoying it.
Shadow House by Dan Poblocki
This creepy cover immediately caught my eye. A group of teenagers each get an invitation to an "academy" but when they arrive, they realize that they are now trapped in a haunted house with vengeful spirits. The illustrations are creepy as well. There is decent action throughout the book and I could see middle school readers really enjoying it.
sandylovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Dan Poblocki is one of my favorite authors and he proves it again with The Gathering -Shadow House #1. I absolutely loved this first book in the series. Poppy, Marcus, Azumi, Dylan, and Dash are fantastic characters. The story is scary and keeps you engaged and you won't want to put the book down. Some of his other books are award winning and, I think, this series should be too. I can not wait to read the rest. Keep them coming Dan Poblocki.
Some younger kids who may not be able to handle scarier stories should probably wait to read these books when they are older.
Some younger kids who may not be able to handle scarier stories should probably wait to read these books when they are older.
pussreboots's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0