Reviews

All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn

karleevoelp's review against another edition

medium-paced

2.25

ALRIGHT. Saw this at McKays a few weeks ago and like genuinely had a flashback to elementary school. I was addicted to Mary Downing Hawn books when I was younger and I actually think this is where my love for scary movies started (as I have gotten older, I am unfortunately way more of a scaredy cat lol). I have no idea how I read these so young and wasn’t phased??? 

When I saw it at the store, I knew I had to read this for nostalgia sake. Glad I did but of course, not as good as it was when I was a kid. I refuse to say a bad word out of respect for 9 year old me. 

For >200 pages, I will be reading the other 2 books of hers that I have had since FOREVER ago but I expect the same outcome hahaha. 

samanthas92's review

adventurous mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

great ghost story for kids, fast read about a poor farm turned in to an inn where ghost kids roam from time to time and a mean ghost lady who tortured the kids 

rileylopez's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

zacochsner's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

brookey8888's review

dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I mean this was fine. I feel like it’s one of the weaker ones and I don’t have a nostalgic attachment to it. I feel like the characters were kind of annoying. It had kind of a sweet ending though. 

ws_bookclub's review

2.0

All in all, I thought it was just there. Nothing wonderful, but nothing terrible either. The premise, a practical joke that wakes up some unwanted things of the deceased nature, is an entertaining one. However, I didn't like the conclusion. I felt things were wrapped up almost too neatly. I would have loved if this book was just a little bit longer, giving the author more of a chance to flesh out some characters, and explaining the motivation behind a couple of them. It felt rushed, possibly because the author was under the impression that longer books discourage younger readers. If my oldest son is any indication, the length of the book isn't as important as the quality.

creepylilbookworm's review

4.0

This was a spooky, scary, fast read. Perfect for spooky season! It was fun to see where the story was going and the ornery kids. Fun ghost story to tell around the campfire! Also hearing about the ghosts stories and their demise was sad.

hamster007's review

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loved this book as kid, recently reread it and still love it.

kim_j_dare's review

4.0

Deliciously creepy! Kids in grades 4-7 who like ghost stories will eat up this 2011-12 VRC nominee. My one quibble-- narrator Travis doesn't always sound like a 12-year-old boy (more like an adult who's trying to tell the story through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy), but overall a fun and spooky read.

jgurniak's review

4.0

Mary Downing Hahn has written a great introduction to horror for young readers.