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karlakayjenniges's reviews
833 reviews
Joni Jones and the Ghost Train by P.D. Leyshon, P.D. Leyshon
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
"It was a question that had troubled the villagers of Nant-Y-Glo in West Wales for nearly a year since that Halloween night when the eleven-year-old schoolboy disappeared. Eleven months and twenty-nine days, to be exact."
Joni's brother disappeared almost a year ago. Life has not been the same for Joni and his grandparents. Their hearts are filled with sadness and worry. Joni begins to experience strange occurrences. Waking in the night, hearing a train that should not exist. Seeing a woman and a white crow. Discovering his brother has his telescope pointed towards the old path in the woods, wondering why. He also discovers his brother's hidden diary with things written that are the same as what he is experiencing.
Joni convinces his best friend, Osh, to investigate where the sound of the train is coming from. They never could have imagined what they would encounter or the adventure they will be taken on after jumping on the train. Eventually joining up with others, they learn where they are, why they are there, what they must do to rescue Joni's brother, and are able to return home safely.
There is so much that occurs throughout the story. It is mysterious and filled with historical times. The adventure is exciting and engaging. I really enjoyed the quirkiness and diversity of the characters and the bonds between friends. It was great to see each of them discover more about themselves and begin to show their strengths. The descriptive prose created a vivid and atmospheric setting of the parallel world set in the past. There is just enough darkness that creates a creepy, ghostly, spine-tingling adventure.
As an elementary librarian, I can easily say that this is a perfect book for those kids that love a fantastical, historical, spooky read! There were certain names of the kids that popped into my thoughts that I know would love this book!
As an adult reading it with the kids in mind, it was really fun to read. But I also feel that as an adult, if you still love to read middle grade books, I definitely recommend grabbing your own copies to enjoy. Also, if you have your own children to read with or children with a passion for reading, this adventurous book is delightful!
Remembering Demons by J. Cornelius
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
“The process of your capture is to be part of your punishment. First, I will break your body and then deliver what is left to Purgatory for eternal damnation.”
Daryl is in an Asylum, he does not know why he is there, nor does he remember his past. He has repressed his memories and is too fearful to face uncovering the truth. He meets with a therapist who is trying to help him not only remember and face his fear of pain, but also to stop believing his hallucinations are real and there are no monsters.
Daryl is so confused he just does not know what to believe. His dreams do not feel like they are just dreams, they feel real, and he begins to realize there is so much more going on than he could have ever imagined.
Visits from imaginary friends, monsters in mirrors, angels and demons, pain, and fear.
Will Daryl figure out who he is, face his past, and will anyone believe him when the truth is revealed?
"Feeling safe is a promise your past makes to your future. It does not, in fact, mean that you are safe."
This dark fantasy is like stepping into a fever dream, wondering if you will be able to step your way back out. The lines between the realm of monsters and gods and Daryl's world are blurred until he begins to realize many truths which then blends cohesively together. And yet there are the elements of surprise that still cause the mind to wonder and question, is it all real? Or is it a way of tolerating suppressed memories and past traumatic experiences?
A blending of dark fantasy, elements of horror, mythology, and moments of humor. I chuckled a few times, which added a little enjoyable lightness to the story.
If this sounds like a book that you would enjoy reading, please try it. If you feel a bit confused at first, stick with it because it will come together and it will be worth your time spent in a world of imagination.
**Thank you so much, J. Cornelius for reaching out and for the complimentary copy.
The Apartment: Fear stalks the halls by Kevin Bachar
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Katherine aka Kat has a special gift. Starting at the age of eight she has been able to see beyond what others are not able to. Pictures appearing in her mind showing her events happening or are yet to happen. Spirits appear to her at times, but there is one that is malicious, a bringer of doom.
After a traumatic experience at the age of eight, her ability goes dormant for many years. She has also become very susceptible to becoming terribly ill. She must be incredibly careful not to be exposed, so she mostly stays secluded.
"Time and trauma had etched their mark, leaving her with a perpetual wariness in her storm-grey eyes."
As her life moves forward, she has found love and a new future. She takes a huge leap of faith and moves to New York with her boyfriend, Benjamin. He chooses an apartment on a less populated island to help protect Kat from being exposed to illnesses.
Kat soon learns that the apartment building and the island have many hidden dark secrets, and it has awoken her ability. Once again, she starts to see disturbing and horrible things.
The other tenants seem strange and distant, often cranky.
"Some people are just not pleasant."
There is now a murderer among them. The crimes are heinous and have everyone on edge, feeling unsafe.
As thoughts of the island linger in Kats mind, her visions become more frightening, and her dreams become more disturbing. She does not quite feel like her normal self anymore.
Murder and mystery abound within these pages. Kat's character is so intriguing as she is not easy to figure out because of her ability, it turns one's mind to really wonder what is actually going on, what is real and what is not. The lingering spirits are unsettling because of how much pain they are in, lost and trapped. The most disturbing is learning what occurred on the island many, many years before, heart wrenching.
The end chapters are full of surprises!
Ghosts, paranormal, thriller, serial killer, mystery, and horror. This was a fun read!
The Atropine Tree by Sarah Read
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
"The wood was stained in splotches of unnatural colors, the surrounding plaster absorbing the hues—purples, reds, yellows fading out from the doorway as if it were a portal to another world."
House Aldane is a manor with a dark history. When Lord Aldane passes, the family is now all gathered in the manor. Alrick is under the impression that he will now be Lord of the manor, but his older stepbrother, Aemon, has other plans. He has gone to great lengths to ensure he will be Lord, and he uses his position of power in an unkind manner.
Tredan is Alrick and Aemon's uncle who is also the alchemist of House Aldane. He works hard to save many ill orphan children, and he is now teaching Alrick the craft.
Alrick is a gentle soul and only wants what is rightfully his. He also wishes to help as many people as he can while keeping the family together and peaceful.
"No healing could occur with Aemon in power—he was a hot infection keeping the wound open. Alrick would be the medicine. If necessary, the scalpel."
Nelda is Aemon and Alrick's sister. She is fascinated with nightshade and belladonna, and the trees such as laurel and oleander. Her mother's garden is filled with poisonous plants which she indulges in to open the door to the other side.
As Tredan and Alrick work together to prove he is the rightful Lord, many hidden secrets become known.
"There was duty to consider. And not all of the voices in the Aldane halls were happy. Frightened maids. Cries of anger. And the dead. So many voices out of their bottles."
The Atropine Tree is a wonderfully written dark gothic horror novel. Fascinating characters and an engaging plot. Questionable practices, shattered lives as well as a decaying manor. Trapped souls, some hateful, and some that are favorable. Sickly scenes of death. Deeply buried secrets to unveil. A dark manor full of deceit, tension, danger, and adventure.
I really enjoyed reading this one, just fabulous!
**Thank you Bad Hand Books for the complimentary copy!