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Showing posts with label Ghosts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ghosts. Show all posts
Monday, May 17, 2021
Middle Grade Zoo Adventure a Fun Mash-Up of Genres
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Lex has always felt a special connection with Nyah, but when the pachyderm sends her a telepathic message, Lex is puzzled. The elephant seems to be telling her to go outside the zoo, into the woods beyond, to find the answers to the many questions Lex has about her past. Is she crazy to listen to the advice of an animal? As nervous as she is to leave the safety of her precious zoo, Lex feels compelled to follow Nyah's instructions. When Lex makes an otherworldly discovery out there, she embarks on a magical adventure involving a ghost, a treasure hunt, and a mystery, all of which promise to lead her back to her own inexplicable beginning.
Magical realism is common in middle-grade books, but to find it combined with a mystery, a ghost story, and a tale of lost treasure? That's something special. The Elephant's Girl, a debut novel by Celesta Rimington, offers this enticing genre mash-up along with a unique setting, two likable heroines (one human, one pachyderm), and an exciting plot. Not only does the book educate readers about elephants, but it also teaches important lessons about humans' responsibility toward animals, kindness, the true meaning of family, standing up for one's self, and finding courage to do hard things. The story is predictable and I didn't always find the magical realism bits convincing, but overall, I found The Elephant's Girl to be a delightful, entertaining book. Young animal lovers looking for a fun, magical reading adventure won't be disappointed.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling, and books by Kate DiCamillo)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Elephant's Girl from the generous folks at Penguin Random House as part of an awards program I'm helping to judge. Thank you!
Thursday, March 25, 2021
McMahon's Newest Another Shivery, Shuddery Ghost Story
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Jackie "Jax" Metcalf has always lived in the shadow of her older sister's illness. She spent her childhood caught up in Lexie's manic episodes and depressive cycles, so focused on keeping her sister's moods balanced that she hardly had a life of her own. Now a psychologist and a social worker, 28-year-old Jax knows the value of boundaries. Living in Seattle helps her keep her distance—both physically and emotionally—from Lexie's constant drama.
When Jax finds a string of missed calls from Lexie on her phone, she figures her sister's off her meds again. The truth is much worse: Lexie is dead. Although she was an excellent swimmer, Lexie drowned in the spring-fed swimming pool at Sparrow Crest, the remote Vermont estate she inherited from her grandmother. Shocked and grief-stricken, Jax returns to the place where she and Lexie spent every summer, only to find the house littered with research materials about the Metcalfs and Sparrow Crest. Tempted to dismiss the project as another one of Lexie's many flights of fancy, Jax instead starts combing through the information, which reveals strange details about Gram's unique swimming pool. The murky water always held a strange fascination for Lexie; it gives Jax the creeps. As she's increasingly drawn to its eerie edges, the pool begins to reveal its chilling secrets, secrets it's kept for a very, very long time ...
Jennifer McMahon specializes in shuddery, suspenseful stories sure to send chills tingling down your spine. Her newest, The Drowning Kind (available April 6, 2021), is no exception. It offers an atmospheric Gothic setting, complex characters, and a riveting plot. I read it fast and furious, totally sucked in by McMahon's masterful storytelling. The ending surprised me and not necessarily in a good way. I didn't love it. Even though The Drowning Kind isn't my favorite of this author's novels, it's still an engrossing, entertaining read. If you like shivery ghost stories, definitely add this one to your TBR list.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books by Jennifer McMahon as well as those by Carol Goodman and Emily Carpenter)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, and depictions of illegal drug use (marijuana)
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Drowning Kind from the generous folks at Simon & Schuster via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Newest Chiller is Sager at His Creepy-Crawly Best
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"'You want the truth? I'll give it to you. Things have happened in that house. Tragic things...And all those things, well, they...linger'" (130).
When Maggie Holt was five years old, her parents bought their dream home. Built in 1875, Baneberry House was spacious, grand, and surprisingly cheap. Maggie's parents laughed off its sinister reputation and moved in, determined to turn the place into the warm family retreat they both desired. Less than a month later, the family fled Baneberry House in the dead of night, wailing about ghosts and threatening messages from the beyond. They never returned to the old pile, but Ewan Holt—Maggie's father—wrote a lurid tell-all about the family's terrifying experiences there. Like The Amityville Horror, it became a hugely popular bestseller, America's favorite ghost story.
Although Maggie's childhood was financed by the proceeds of Ewan's book, she has always detested living in the spotlight of its success. Especially since she knows the truth—her father made the whole thing up.
When Ewan dies, 30-year-old Maggie is shocked to learn she has inherited Baneberry House, a property she thought was sold long ago. With the keys in hand, she now has the chance to prove to the world—and to herself—that Ewan Holt was a liar, that his famous book is nothing but an imaginative hoax. It's not long after Maggie moves into Baneberry House, intending to spend the summer fixing up the place before she puts it on the market, that strange things start happening inside its walls. If Ewan was lying through his teeth, then what exactly is Maggie experiencing now, 25 years later? Is it possible that she has been wrong about her father? What if everything he wrote was the God's honest truth? What then? Baneberry House haunted Maggie when she was young—what if it's not done with her?
Like Ewan Holt, Riley Sager knows how to spin a deliciously terrifying yarn. Home Before Dark, his newest, is him at his creepy, spooky, scary best. The novel unfolds in alternating chapters told from Ewan's perspective (sections from his book) and Maggie's, 25 years later. It's an effective format, one which heightens tension and suspense throughout the book. Atmospheric and unnerving, the haunted house setting creates the kind of shivery vibe that has readers jumping at every sound and cowering under the covers. The fact that the book's already eerie cover glows in the dark is just icing on the creepy-cake. The best part about Home Before Dark, though, is that the story keeps you constantly off balance, wondering what is real and what is not. While I guessed some of its plot twists, others surprised me, making the book a fun, mess-with-your-head kind of read. I'm pretty wimpy, but I still enjoy a ghostly, hair-raising read now and then and this one definitely fits that bill. If you're up for an unsettling spine-chiller, I definitely recommend Home Before Dark.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter as well as books by Simone St. James, Carol Goodman, and Jennifer McMahon)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, April 11, 2020
YA Grief Novel Odd, Depressing
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Ever since the death of his wife, Rafe Torres has been disintegrating. Inconsolable, he drinks too much, gambles too much, owes too much and parents too little. His four daughters have had it with picking up the pieces after their dad's many mess-ups. Desperate for escape, they try running away, only to be caught by a despondent Rafe who promises to do better. Not long after the sisters' botched escape, Ana plunges to her death while sneaking out her bedroom window. Her death drives Rafe deeper into despair, leaving Iridian, Jessica, and Rosa to fend for themselves.
A year after Ana dies, the three Torres girls are living a chaotic, feral existence in a house that feels both empty and oppressive with the weight of their grief. Seventeen-year-old Iridian is biding her time working a part-time job and dating Ana's abusive ex-boyfriend. Iridian—a 16-year-old dreamer—reads incessantly and pours her heart out in her journal. An old soul, 13-year-old Rosa roams the city at night, talking to birds and searching for an escaped zoo animal. Their separate orbits collide when each of them notices strange things happening inside their home. They hear Ana's laughter whispering through the halls, see her handwriting appearing on the walls, and smell a familiar scent lingering in the air. Could it be Ana's ghost trying to convey a message to her sisters? What is it she's trying to tell them? As the girls puzzle out the clues together, they finally feel a smidgeon of hope that might just show them the way out of the deep, dark well of their grief.
I'm not sure what to say about Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry except that it's a strange, strange novel. With its odd combination of realistic fiction, magical realism, and horror, it seems a little confused about its own identity. Although Tigers, Not Daughters is a quick read, the story doesn't offer much in the way of plot. Made up of vignettes told from each sister's perspective, it never feels very cohesive. In addition, the vibe of this novel is unrelentingly sad, depressing, angry, and just ... weird. Its depiction of the overwhelming and sometimes destructive nature of grief is on point, but the rest of the story didn't really come together for me. I wasn't sorry to see it end.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't really think of a comparable title. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Tigers, Not Daughters from the generous folks at Algonquin in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Shining-ish Mystery/Horror Novel a Creepy, Can't-Look-Away Page Turner (with a Giveaway!)
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Something hasn’t been right at the roadside Sun Down Motel for a very long time, and Carly Kirk is about to find out why in this chilling new novel from the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of The Broken Girls.
Upstate New York, 1982. Viv Delaney wants to move to New York City, and to help pay for it she takes a job as the night clerk at the Sun Down Motel in Fell, New York. But something isnʼt right at the motel, something haunting and scary.
Upstate New York, 2017. Carly Kirk has never been able to let go of the story of her aunt Viv, who mysteriously disappeared from the Sun Down before she was born. She decides to move to Fell and visit the motel, where she quickly learns that nothing has changed since 1982. And she soon finds herself ensnared in the same mysteries that claimed her aunt.
There's a reason I'm not a professional writer of plot summaries for novels! Rarely can I come up with something as succinct but telling as the one above. It says everything you need to know about The Sun Down Motel, the newest haunting thriller from Simone St. James, without giving anything away. And you do want to go into this one with as few preconceived notions as possible. Suffice it to say, the book offers up lots of The Shining-ish thrills and chills. Riley Sager calls it "deliciously creepy" and I can't think of a more apt description. Although it was freaky enough to make me dive under my covers every time my house creaked even though I was reading it in broad daylight, it's a fun kind of freaky. I enjoyed the colorful characters, the eerie setting, and the pulse-pounding plot, so much so that I read The Sun Down Motel almost in one sitting. If you dig a good scare, don't miss this one.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Shining by Stephen King and The Widow's House by Carol Goodman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, disturbing subject matter, and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Sun Down Motel from the generous folks at Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
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Are you interested in winning your own copy of The Sun Down Motel? Its publisher is generously offering one hardcover copy of the book for me to give away here at BBB. All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter widget below. Please note that only readers with U.S. addresses are eligible to enter. Good luck!
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Eerie House of Echoes an Enjoyable Gothic Romp
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"Ben had wanted a house with a story, but this one had too many of them" (326).
The Tierney family is in desperate need of a change. Ben's struggling to get his third book written, mercurial Caroline's just been laid off from her New York City banking job, and 8-year-old Charlie is being bullied at school. It seems like the perfect time to make a move. When they find a decaying 200-year-old mansion in the small Adirondack town of Swannhaven, they purchase the home with the aim of renovating it themselves and turning it into an inn. The more they settle in, however, the more strange things begin to happen in the house and the deep, dark forest that surrounds it. As the Tierneys unravel their house's mysterious history, unlocking chilling secrets from its past, they realize their dream home might just become their worst nightmare ...
All a designer really has to do to draw me to a book is put an old, crumbling house on the cover. If the plot summary mentions a creepy forest, the possibility of ghosts, and/or the discovery of juicy secrets, I'm a goner. House of Echoes by Brendan Duffy grabbed my attention with all of the above. It didn't disappoint with its creepy, atmospheric setting; its sympathetic, intriguing characters; and its surprising, twist-filled plot. Even though it's not exactly an edge-of-your-seat, adrenaline-fueled thriller (at times it's unnecessarily wordy), House of Echoes had me burning through its pages to find out what was going to happen next. I have some issues with the ending, mostly because it left a lot of questions unanswered. Goodreads shows that Duffy has an upcoming novel called Louder Echoes. I can't be sure it's a sequel, but I'm seriously hoping it is. I need answers! All in all, though, I enjoyed this one. I'll for sure keep an eye out for more from this talented author.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Shining by Stephen King, The Invited by Jennifer McMahon, and The Widow's House by Carol Goodman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of House of Echoes with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Halloween Horror Novel a Shivery, Spine-Tingling Read
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After a traumatic childhood under the chaotic care of his flighty, hippie-dippy mother, Will Conner flees his hometown with no intention of ever returning. When she falls down a flight of stairs, however, he's forced to take a leave of absence from his job as an English professor in New York City to care for her. As soon as Will arrives in Cape Ann—a small village north of Boston—the inherent strangeness of the place overwhelms him, flooding him with memories of the night one of his mother's spirit circle rituals went horribly wrong, leaving one man dead. At five years old, Will didn't understand what was happening. He still doesn't. All he knows is something sinister was released that night almost thirty years ago, a malevolent presence that still has Will in its clutches. If anyone can help him get rid of it, it's the witchy women of Cape Ann.
Despite constant warnings from the townspeople to go back to the city, Will can't leave his childhood home without getting some answers. He's desperate to know what really happened the night the ritual went wrong, frantic to free himself from the presence that haunts him. Answers lie with the original members of his mother's spirit circle, many of whom have died mysterious deaths over the ensuing decades, but no one's willing to talk. With the help of Samantha "Sam" Hall, his odd childhood pal, Will is determined to get the answers he seeks. He's been warned that digging into old secrets could cause even more danger and pain, but he will not stop, no matter what new horrors he unleashes in the tiny, cursed town of Cape Ann, Massachusetts ...
There's nothing super original about Before the Devil Fell by Neil Olson, but it's a solid horror novel that would make for a shivery, spine-tingling Halloween read. The atmospheric setting gives the book an appropriately spooky backdrop. The tale also features interesting characters, a compelling plotline, and capable prose. While I can't think of any real stand-out elements that make Before the Devil Fell unique or really memorable, it definitely kept me turning pages. In the end, I liked it well enough, but I didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of House of Echoes by Brendan Duffy)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Before the Devil Fell from the generous folks at Hanover Square Press (a division of Harlequin) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
McMahon's Newest a Creepy Ghost Story With a Uniquely Compelling Twist
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Most people buy old homes, inheriting their ghosts without realizing it. Not Nate and Helen Wetherell. They're building a haunted house from scratch ...
Wanting to get out of the rat race in the city, Helen and Nate buy a picturesque property in small-town Vermont with the intention of building their dream house themselves. Despite having to live in a tiny, dilapidated trailer during construction, they're thrilled about taking on the ultimate DIY project. Rumors of their land being haunted gives the prospect a quaint, even humorous glow. But when strange things start happening around the building site, Helen feels more than a little unnerved. Could there be some truth behind the townspeople's whispers? Have the Wetherells unintentionally disturbed haunted land?
A former history teacher, Helen's curiosity prompts her to start researching the land upon which she's building. Turns out, it does have a chilling history, one that seems to be seeping into the present. The more Helen looks into the subject, the more obsessed she becomes. In an effort to communicate with the ghost she's sure is haunting her new home, Helen begins collecting relics to build into its structure. Nate's sure Helen has gone completely mad, but then he's also having strange experiences. Are they both crazy? If the spirits are truly reaching out to Helen and Nate, what do they want? And how far will they go to protect their haunting grounds?
Jennifer McMahon writes creepy books that tend to crawl right under my skin. Her newest, The Invited, is no exception. Its unique premise caught my attention right from the beginning and the plot twists and turns kept me reading, even though I saw a lot of them coming from a mile away. Still, the novel's engrossing, compelling, and creepy—three things I love in a ghost story. The Invited will make a perfect Halloween read, but why wait? Pick it up now for a shivery, can't-put-it-down Spring thrill.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books by Jennifer McMahon as well as those by Carol Goodman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, disturbing subject matter, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Invited from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Tuesday, April 09, 2019
Shivery Psychological Thriller Boasts Gothic Setting and "I See Dead People" Vibe
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Mattie Lane loves volunteering with Sanctuary, a non-profit group which acts as a sort of Underground Railroad for women and children in need. The 59-year-old retired social worker has been working with the organization long enough to know its rules and protocols. Still, when she's sent to the bus station in the middle of the night to pick up a frightened woman and child, Mattie can't bear to send them on. Instead, Mattie breaks Sanctuary's rules and brings the pair home with her to her big, lonely house in the woods. What she can't quite admit, even to herself, is that the 10-year-old boy, Oren, reminds her of her little brother, who died more than 30 years ago. She can't help feeling protective, especially since something about the woman's story doesn't quite add up.
As a winter storm bears down on upstate New York, the three hunker down in Mattie's dilapidated home. Almost immediately, strange things begin to happen, things that have a still grief-stricken Mattie wondering if she's going crazy. Mattie knows Alice and Oren are hiding secrets, but is it possible something otherworldly is going on? Mattie's got her own secrets to spill—can she and her two visitors learn to trust each other enough to let them out? With the blizzard worsening around them and danger literally banging on the door, they will have to rely on each other to make it through the night alive.
I'm a fan of Carol Goodman's eerie psychological thrillers, especially the ones with Gothic overtones and a splash of the supernatural thrown in for good measure. The Night Visitors certainly fits the bill. The story is compelling, the plot exciting, and the characters sympathetic. Featuring a creepy old house, an isolating blizzard, and an "I see dead people" vibe, it's a shivery tale that kept me slightly off-kilter throughout. Although I saw some of the plot twists coming, I didn't see all of them, which kept the novel interesting. This isn't my favorite Goodman book, but it's a good one from an author who never fails to pull me into her stories and keep me hooked.
(Readalikes: Other books by Carol Goodman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Night Visitors from the generous folks at HarperCollins via those at Edelweiss. Thank you!
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Warm, Fun Ghosts-of-Christmas-Past Story a Sweet Holiday Treat
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What would you give to have a few more moments with a loved one who has passed? What would you do for one more hug, one more conversation, one more chance to make things right? At Ruby's Place—a family-friendly bar that was once the most elegant place in Sullivan, Missouri, and is being newly re-opened after being closed for decades—all those things are possible. As crazy as it sounds, Ruby's has become a gathering place for Sullivan's restless spirits. The ghosts are helping Angela, the new owner, bring the old restaurant to life again. They all want the downhearted citizens of the small town to feel the magic of Christmas. All they need to do is draw the right people inside. A push here, a nudge there, and the ghosts of Christmas past will grant the impossible ...
Last year, Holly Schindler—a poet and novelist who pens books for all ages—published a novella called Ruby's Place. It told a warm, sweet story about a special venue where people in small town Missouri used to flock on special occasions. Christmas was an especially magical time there. Over the years, as the economy changed, the restaurant/bar lost money and had to close. Decades later, a woman stumbles upon Ruby's secret magic. Helped by a bar full of ghosts, she determines to reopen the place that holds so many sparkling memories for her. I Remember You picks up where the novella left off, chronicling Angela's journey to successfully bring back the magic of Ruby's Place. Like the previous story, I Remember You is filled with warmth, humor, romance, and the tantalizing idea that the people we love who have died are never that far away—especially at Christmastime. I love the premise as well as Schindler's ability to bring her setting and characters to vivid life. If you're looking for a light, fun holiday read, you'll want to visit Sullivan for yourself. You never know what's in store for you at Ruby's Place!
Ruby's Place and I Remember You are available for purchase at Amazon (e-books are only $1.99 right now) and Barnes & Noble. You can also order signed copies of these titles and some of Schindler's other books at her Etsy store.
(Readalikes: Ruby's Place by Holly Schindler)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language and mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of I Remember You from the always generous Holly Schindler in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, October 29, 2018
Newest Kate Morton Saga Not Quite Up to Snuff
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"It occurs to me that this house is like that, too. It remembers, just as I do. It remembers everything."
When London archivist Elodie Winslow discovers an old leather satchel at work, she thinks little of it. Until she finds two remarkable items within. She's intrigued by the old photo of an arresting woman wearing Victorian-era clothes, but she's completely mesmerized by an artist's sketch of a riverside country manor that appears to be straight out of a storybook. Although Elodie's never actually seen such a place, she's intimately familiar with the twin-gabled home nestled in a bend of the river. Somehow, the artist has drawn the exact place where Elodie's mother set all the fanciful bedtime stories with which she enchanted her young daughter.
As Elodie peers into the past in search of answers, she discovers that Birchwood Manor is, indeed, a real place. Built in the 1500s, it's been an artists' retreat, a boarding school for girls, even a refuge for children fleeing London during World War II. Its residents have experienced every emotion—grief, joy, fear, comfort, triumph, and tragedy. The estate houses ghosts and the key to solving at least one mystery. When Elodie learns of the mysterious events of 1862, when one woman was shot to death and another went missing from a summer artists' getaway, she knows she won't be able to rest until she finds out what really happened. She hopes her search for the truth will reveal the answer to the most unsettling question of all—What does Elodie's mother have to do with the many sorrows of Birchwood Manor?
It's no secret that I'm a raving Kate Morton fan. I adore her eloquent, atmospheric dual-timeline novels featuring crumbling mansions, mysterious heirlooms, and juicy family secrets. I've read—and loved—all of her books. Since they only come out every 2-3 years, I wait with bated breath for new sagas from this talented Australian author. So, to say I was excited for the emergence of The Clockmaker's Daughter would be a vast understatement. Did Morton's newest live up to my (admittedly very high) expectations? No, actually. While I liked it overall, it's my least favorite of the author's books. Why? The story had a little different format from Morton's others, which left it feeling overly long, unfocused, and dull in places. I loved learning about Birchwood Manor's long history, but with so many characters over so much time, I got a tad lost. So, while I found the mystery at the novel's center compelling, the plot felt a bit loosey-goosey and a little confusing. On the whole, I still enjoyed The Clockmaker's Daughter—just not nearly as much as I've loved all Morton's others.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of The House Between Tides by Sarah Maine and other books by Kate Morton, including The Lake House; The House at Riverton; The Forgotten Garden; The Distant Hours; and The Secret Keeper)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Clockmaker's Daughter from the generous folks at Simon & Schuster via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Monday, May 28, 2018
Never That Far Tells a Poignant, Powerful Story of Loss and Love
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I usually craft my own plot summaries, but Never That Far, Carol Lynch Williams' newest, isn't the easiest novel to describe. The publisher's version says everything that needs to be said in one succinct paragraph, so I'm going to go with it:
After her grampa dies, the last place Libby expects to see him is sitting on the edge of her bed. But that's what happens the night after his funeral. Even more surprising is that Grampa has three important things to tell her: first, that she isn't alone or forgotten—"The dead ain't never that far from the living," he says; second, that she has "the Sight"—the ability to see family members who have died; and third, that there is something special just for her in the lake. Something that could help her and her father—if she can find it. Libby and Grampa try to help her father heal from his grief, but it will take all of Libby's courage and her gift of Sight to convince her father that the dead are never truly gone.
Set against a lush central Florida backdrop, Never That Far tells a poignant, powerful story about loss and love. Libby's heartbreak and yearning are so palpable that it's impossible not to root for her happiness. Her actions and reactions feel authentic, making her a very real character. This, plus an atmospheric setting; a rich, mystical vibe; and some important messages about faith, family, and friendship, make Never That Far a compelling read. I enjoyed it.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't really think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for difficult subject matter and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Never That Far from the generous folks at Shadow Mountain. Thank you!
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Odd, Disquieting The Doll Funeral a Meh For Me
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Ruby Flood is thrilled when the couple who has been raising her make a stunning announcement—they are not her birth parents. Relieved not to share blood with the cruel, abusive couple, the 13-year-old runs away from their home, determined to find her real parents. Ruby sets off into the Forest of Dean armed only with a suitcase and the otherworldly protection of Shadow Boy, her imaginary—and only—friend.
Soon, Ruby comes upon a ragged group of siblings living on their own in a crumbling mansion in the forest. Although not all of them are keen on having another mouth to feed, they take her in and make her part of their unconventional family. The situation suits Ruby just fine, but it's not long before she begins to realize that not everything is what it seems in her surrealistic new life. It's difficult to tell what is real and what is not in the woods; all Ruby desires is the truth. Can she trust her new family to help her on her quest? What secrets are they hiding from Ruby? She's about to find out ...
It's tough to describe The Doll Funeral, an odd and disquieting novel by Welsh author Kate Hamer. While it's compelling and lyrical, it's also dark, depressing, hopeless, and sad. Although I appreciate its lesson about family not always being about blood, I didn't end up loving this story. It was a pretty meh read for me. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, depictions of illegal drug use, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Dual-Timeline Southern Ghost Story An Enjoyable, Moving Read
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Nothing could take a devoted desert conservationist away from her beloved Arizona—except for true love. Marielle never intended to fall for someone who doesn't live locally, but that's what happened when she accidentally met Carson Bishop online. Despite their quick courtship, she's thrilled to be marrying the 40-year-old widower and becoming stepmom to his two young children. She's not quite as pumped about moving into Holly Oak, Carson's first wife's ancestral mansion in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It's a beautiful, stately home steeped in history, and the only one the kids have ever known. Hudson and Brette will inherit Holly Oak when its current owner dies. Until then, the children will continue living there with Carson and his new wife. Undaunted by the salacious Civil War ghost stories that surround the old estate, Marielle's a little more concerned about its living relic—Carson's 89-year-old grandmother-in-law, Adelaide McClane. Marielle and her new family will be the intimidating old lady's house guests until she passes.
With little else to occupy her mind while her husband works in D.C. and her stepchildren are at school, Marielle decides to investigate Holly Oak's (alleged) resident ghost. Sullied by rumors that she worked as a spy for the North, Susannah Page was branded a traitor to her Southern roots. Does the old apparition seek vengeance by cursing her female ancestors? Considering the fates of all the women connected to Holly Oak, a place which seems "stuck in a strange limbo of regret" (24), it certainly seems so. Good thing the mansion's newest resident doesn't believe in ghosts. Or does she?
A Sound Among the Trees (2011) is one of Susan Meissner's older novels, but one whose premise especially appeals to me. Give me a mysterious old home brimming with tragedy, ghosts and family secrets and I'm one happy reader! While this one didn't turn out to be my favorite of this type of novel (Kate Morton is the queen of this genre, in my [not so] humble opinion), I still enjoyed it. With a rich, atmospheric setting and a compelling plot, it was easy to get absorbed in the tale. True, the characters are a little blah, but their problems still interested me. Overall, A Sound Among the Trees tells a beautiful story about redemption, resilience, and making peace with the past. It's a clean, moving read that I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys dual-timeline novels set in the American South.
(Readalikes: The structure/style remind me of other dual-timeline novels by Susan Meissner as well as books by Kate Morton)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and brief, non-graphic references to sex and rape
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Eerie, Atmospheric Literary Thriller a Shivery Gothic Tale
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"They were trapped here at Idlewild. But Idlewild wasn't everything. It wasn't the world" (168).
Idlewild Hall—"the boarding school of last resort ... where parents stashed their embarrassments, their failures, and their recalcitrant girls" (16)—is made for teens like Cece Frank, Roberta Greene, and Sonia Gallipeau. Each hiding their own dark secret, the three become roommates in 1950 at the cold, isolated institution. Although none of them are thrilled about being stuck in such a grim place, they find comfort in their newfound friendship. Like hundreds of Idlewild girls before them, they swap shivery stories about Mary Hand, the veiled ghost whose unsettled spirit haunts the school garden where her baby is rumored to be buried. None of them doubt her existence—they've all felt her dark, menacing presence. When one of the roommates disappears without a trace, the others can't help but wonder if she's been a victim of an apparition hungry for revenge.
Forty-four years later, the body of 20-year-old Deb Sheridan is discovered on Idlewild's long-abandoned campus. Her death by strangulation is clearly the work of human hands, most likely those of her boyfriend, who's convicted and imprisoned for the crime. Despite getting closure, the tragedy breaks the Sheridan family. Two decades later, Fiona still can't shake the feeling that something wasn't right about her sister's case. When she learns that an anonymous benefactor is restoring Idlewild Hall, it stirs up her old feelings of unease. Desperate to find out what really happened to Deb, Fiona launches her own investigation under the guise of writing a magazine article about the reopening of Idlewild Hall. To find answers, she'll have to confront the school's many ghosts and battle the sinister forces that haunt not just Idlewild, but her own tortured past.
I have a long-standing rule about not reading creepy books while my husband is out of town. So, even though I made the mistake of starting The Broken Girls by Simone St. James right before a planned trip, I promised myself I'd read something else until his return. As much as I tried to distract myself with a lighter, less nightmare-inducing novel, though, I couldn't do it! Scary dreams be darned, I could not look away from this gripping story about ghosts and girls and their ghoulish secrets. Atmospheric and eerie, The Broken Girls is a tense, absorbing novel that will keep you guessing throughout. Even though the ending felt a little rushed and anticlimactic to me, overall, I enjoyed this haunting—but ultimately hopeful—story about righting past wrongs.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books by Carol Goodman, especially The Ghost Orchid and Arcadia Falls)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, blood/gore, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Broken Girls from the generous folks at Penguin Random House. Thank you!
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