thealtjoker's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
in_emmas_library's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Preston wakes up in a parallel world to the one he is used to, where he is alone and everything is black and white. The last thing he remembers is walking home from scouts and feeling something grab his heart. As Preston explores this new world he realises that he is dead and the thing that killed him is hunting him down.
I picked this up on a whim in a charity shop because it sounded like a creepy read for autumn and I loved all the illustrations throughout the book. Such a quick read that got a lot more sinister than I expected. The stories about the other ghosts were really tragic, especially The Leech and how it came to be.
Preston wakes up in a parallel world to the one he is used to, where he is alone and everything is black and white. The last thing he remembers is walking home from scouts and feeling something grab his heart. As Preston explores this new world he realises that he is dead and the thing that killed him is hunting him down.
I picked this up on a whim in a charity shop because it sounded like a creepy read for autumn and I loved all the illustrations throughout the book. Such a quick read that got a lot more sinister than I expected. The stories about the other ghosts were really tragic, especially The Leech and how it came to be.
barry_x's review against another edition
4.0
I have been having a bit of a binge on 'books set where I live' recently, especially those which involve local legends and folk tales.
I loved this ghost story set where I grew up in a time very familiar to me. I think the book has an appeal to a wide audience but for being someone who has researched and read about a lot of my area's supernatural heritage it was a real treat.
There are so many little Easter eggs in here, the only downside for me personally was that because I had a familiarity with many of the stories I pretty much guessed what was going on before it did.
A real treat that is equal parts spooky without being horrific and tender, without pulling heartstrings cynically.
Reading this brought back fond memories of teenage awkwardness, those feelings of attraction to others but most of all those walks without lights down a certain disused railway tunnel....
I loved this ghost story set where I grew up in a time very familiar to me. I think the book has an appeal to a wide audience but for being someone who has researched and read about a lot of my area's supernatural heritage it was a real treat.
There are so many little Easter eggs in here, the only downside for me personally was that because I had a familiarity with many of the stories I pretty much guessed what was going on before it did.
A real treat that is equal parts spooky without being horrific and tender, without pulling heartstrings cynically.
Reading this brought back fond memories of teenage awkwardness, those feelings of attraction to others but most of all those walks without lights down a certain disused railway tunnel....
steph1rothwell's review against another edition
5.0
Cold Bath Street is a YA ghost story that is partly based on some of the myths and legends concerning Preston in Lancashire. The lead character, also called Preston dies suddenly near his home after a scout meeting in 1978. For the duration of the novel he is in a strange afterlife described as ‘merely dead’. Initially he can’t see or talk to anybody who is still alive or anybody who has moved on to ‘sincerely dead’.But after a period of time he trains himself to do this and uses his skill to help others who are like him get peace.
I found it a fascinating read, partly because it is local but also so because it is a brilliant story that I have never read anything like before. Preston’s determination to help others is his way of making up for his perceived failings when he was alive. I found this is a little upsetting at times, and struggle to say why, when all he was doing was good. There was one part, especially, when he did something that was personal to him and emphasised what a lovely person he was. I loved the way that the shyness and apprehension that was evident in his life diminished a lot when he died and was replaced by a gutsy determination to find answers and help others.
I hope that Cold Bath Street gets the recognition that it deserves. It will probably do well locally, I think it has had three print runs, and I hope it has many more.
I found it a fascinating read, partly because it is local but also so because it is a brilliant story that I have never read anything like before. Preston’s determination to help others is his way of making up for his perceived failings when he was alive. I found this is a little upsetting at times, and struggle to say why, when all he was doing was good. There was one part, especially, when he did something that was personal to him and emphasised what a lovely person he was. I loved the way that the shyness and apprehension that was evident in his life diminished a lot when he died and was replaced by a gutsy determination to find answers and help others.
I hope that Cold Bath Street gets the recognition that it deserves. It will probably do well locally, I think it has had three print runs, and I hope it has many more.
kirstysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
This is not something that I would normally pick up but what drew me to this book was the setting. The book is set near to where I live which made me intrigued to pick it up.
The book follows Preston Oldcorn who is killed within the first few pages of the book. We follow his time in the afterlife where there is an evil spirit that wants to consume him. This spirit is powerful and has the ability to go into the world of the living and is the reason that Preston is dead.
I liked the setting of this book there is something really good about seeing a place you know being written about. I liked how the author used local ghost stories to create this book. I enjoy local history and it was interesting to read the author's notes at the end to see what had inspired him.
I also really liked the illustrations in this book I thought they really added to the atmosphere of the story.
The book follows Preston Oldcorn who is killed within the first few pages of the book. We follow his time in the afterlife where there is an evil spirit that wants to consume him. This spirit is powerful and has the ability to go into the world of the living and is the reason that Preston is dead.
I liked the setting of this book there is something really good about seeing a place you know being written about. I liked how the author used local ghost stories to create this book. I enjoy local history and it was interesting to read the author's notes at the end to see what had inspired him.
I also really liked the illustrations in this book I thought they really added to the atmosphere of the story.
eleanor_leess's review
5.0
I was intrigued by a book written in the town I grew up in. I had no idea what it was about and I admit this book has creeped me out a bit. I don’t know wether it was the horror aspect of the book or the fact it was describing somewhere I knew so well. But this book was incredible and if it wasn’t for the creeping me out it would most definitely of made it to one of the best books I’ve ever read. Please read this book as it was incredible and definitely worth the creepiness. I have to admit horror isn’t my favourite but this book is probably going to be an exception I really enjoyed the plot and character development. The on thing though that let it down was the ending which I felt could have been developed better and not just the classic they lived happily ever after.
willowwastaken's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abiofpellinor's review
5.0
A book set in the small, relatively unknown, city that I live in for my undergraduate degree? Of course, I’m going to read it! Cold Bath Street by A.J. Hartley is an engrossing YA novel which looks into the ghost stories that surround Preston and the truth of them.
This was such a good book to read, as someone who is familiar with Preston it was really interesting being able to identify many landmarks and areas which were mentioned in the book as well as being really interesting to learn more about the myths and legends of a city I have come to know and love. But, it is definitely something you can still enjoy if you’re not familiar with the city. The ghost stories that Hartley introduces are all fully explained, and any locations mentioned don’t need much backstory, they’re just little easter eggs for those who do know the city.
I really enjoyed how this book panned out, with Preston being a really interesting character to follow and the time setting (not in the present day) made the book feel a lot more personal as Hartley draws on his previous experiences of the city, rather than how it is now. The mystery of each character is played out so well (although I definitely knew how two characters were linked together very early on, it was nice to see the resolution to that) and I felt such a strong connection with many of the characters. This is within the horror genre but is not something to shy away from if that isn’t usually your thing. I will flat out not watch any horror movies, but this is more intriguing and interesting with a hint of the supernatural and I definitely recommend pretty much anyone pick it up.
Within the book, there are also beautiful black and white illustrations which really add to the atmosphere and uclanpublishing really did a great job with the structure and appearance of this book! If you like mystery and intrigue with a little of the supernatural, or if you are familiar with Preston city, then I definitely recommend this read! So glad I picked it up! And thank you to my amazing friend Ash who lent me her copy ❤
This was such a good book to read, as someone who is familiar with Preston it was really interesting being able to identify many landmarks and areas which were mentioned in the book as well as being really interesting to learn more about the myths and legends of a city I have come to know and love. But, it is definitely something you can still enjoy if you’re not familiar with the city. The ghost stories that Hartley introduces are all fully explained, and any locations mentioned don’t need much backstory, they’re just little easter eggs for those who do know the city.
I really enjoyed how this book panned out, with Preston being a really interesting character to follow and the time setting (not in the present day) made the book feel a lot more personal as Hartley draws on his previous experiences of the city, rather than how it is now. The mystery of each character is played out so well (although I definitely knew how two characters were linked together very early on, it was nice to see the resolution to that) and I felt such a strong connection with many of the characters. This is within the horror genre but is not something to shy away from if that isn’t usually your thing. I will flat out not watch any horror movies, but this is more intriguing and interesting with a hint of the supernatural and I definitely recommend pretty much anyone pick it up.
Within the book, there are also beautiful black and white illustrations which really add to the atmosphere and uclanpublishing really did a great job with the structure and appearance of this book! If you like mystery and intrigue with a little of the supernatural, or if you are familiar with Preston city, then I definitely recommend this read! So glad I picked it up! And thank you to my amazing friend Ash who lent me her copy ❤
eleanor_grace's review
5.0
I was intrigued by a book written in the town I grew up in. I had no idea what it was about and I admit this book has creeped me out a bit. I don’t know wether it was the horror aspect of the book or the fact it was describing somewhere I knew so well. But this book was incredible and if it wasn’t for the creeping me out it would most definitely of made it to one of the best books I’ve ever read. Please read this book as it was incredible and definitely worth the creepiness. I have to admit horror isn’t my favourite but this book is probably going to be an exception I really enjoyed the plot and character development. The on thing though that let it down was the ending which I felt could have been developed better and not just the classic they lived happily ever after.