J. A. Darke

I am both amazed and shaken by how a book written in 2018 can read like something straight out of the eighties and nineties with silly predictable character archetypes. It's almost as though these characters were all created thirty years ago. From the main character being so girly she goes 'ugh, boys and video games' within a chapter, to her best friend turned ex-best-friend going "I grew out of that stuff" and trying to fit in with cool kids while speaking like a 90s teen, it's a bit hard to step into this book and not feel it should have a layer of dust upon it.

Teens or pre-teens being mean girls and saying magic's not real yet it could be yet it can't. Typical bad omen Ouija board stuff which feels dated in itself, and very very little of what any kid reading this book wants.

The monster.

There is like nothing about the monster past the cover image and the final illustration. It's described very vaguely, loosely, and maybe has five-hundred words to it. It feels like the build is more staggering and tiring in such a short book than the rewarding monster battle.

All in all, if not for the very ending twist, I'd give this book two stars. It's a read it then never pick it up again type of book.

My first step into the Spine Shivers series has me expecting more duds, but here's hoping they can pull off better.… (más)

Shades of Stephen King's IT but in easy read format. Hamid is babysitting his twin cousins. On the radio he hears about an escaped prisoner. The twins keep waking up and talking about a man dressed as a clown...is it the escapee? While searching the house he sees a life size clown doll in his Uncle and Aunty's bedroom that looks seriously creepy. He talks to his Aunt on the phone who swears she got rid of all her clown collection when the twins started having nightmares. So what about this doll? Hamid's Uncle tells him to get out of the house NOW! Creepy but a little stock standard - babysitter horror -"Have you checked the children?"… (más)