Book Review: The Ojja-Wojja by Magdalene Visaggio

The Ojja-Wojja, by Magdalene Visaggio and Jenn St-Onge, is a middle grade graphic novel. Welcome to Bolingbroke. It's a small town just like any other . . . or so eighth graders Val and Lanie think. They’re the best of best friends—they love the same comics, they watch the same shows, and they’re always there for each other. Which is important when you’re queer, like Lanie, or on the spectrum, like Val, and just don’t seem to fit in anywhere. When a school project about their hometown’s supernatural history leads to a for-real ghost sighting, Val and Lanie realize Bolingbroke might not be as boring as they’d always thought. But after a run-in with the resident middle school queen bee (who also happens to be Lanie’s former friend), they decide to take things to the next level and accidentally summon the Ojja-Wojja, a demonic presence connected to a slew of mysterious tragedies throughout Bolingbroke’s sordid history. Now all heck has broken loose. With the whole town acting weird and nowhere left to turn, it’s going to be up to Val, Lanie, and their small group of friends to return things to normal—if “normal” is even something they want to return to.

The Ojja-Wojja is a well balanced graphic novel. First off, the art is fantastic and gives a great deal of detail and mood to the story. There were several times when small details appeared in the artwork to hint of the actual action or things to come that the characters in the story seem to miss. The art and story were seamless, as they should be in a graphic novel. I loved the story and how well developed the main characters became. I thought the character and world building was very well done. Laine and Val each have aspects that are seen as different by others, and I love that readers get to see how these characters feel and hopefully they might see someone like themselves in one of the pair, or the other residents of the town. Seeing yourself in books is important, as is better understanding how those who are different than you might be thinking or feeling. This book covers a little of both without feeling like it is trying to teach a lesson or feeling preachy. I loved that no character was all good or bad, sometimes pain and confusion can trigger actions that are easily seen as evil or mean. I can see so much room for more character growth and interesting developments in the small town of Bolingbroke as this series continues. 

The Ojja-Wojja is a visually and emotional engaging graphic novel with a perfect balance of action and heart.

Book Review: Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn is a graphic novel adaptation by Scott Peterson, Meredith Laxton, and Russ Bedgett of what is often considered Mary Downing Hahn's spookiest and most popular tale. Two siblings must save their stepsister from the clutches of a vengeful ghost. When their mom remarries, Molly and her brother, Michael, try to make friends with their new stepsister, Heather. But Heather only wants to make trouble for them. She lies and tattles and misbehaves, and somehow they always get the blame. They know she’s trying to drive a wedge between her father and their mother so she can have her father all to herself—and it seems to be working. Then, Heather starts playing in the graveyard behind their new house. She claims she can talk to a ghost named Helen, and her behavior gets even stranger. Michael doesn't believe in ghosts and thinks their new little sister is just looking for more attention. But Molly isn't so certain, especially when Heather threatens that Helen is going to come for them and make them sorry. It seems as though things can’t get any worse—but they do. When Helen comes.

Wait Till Helen Comes is a graphic novel with some great art, and a faithful retelling of a classic children's horror story. I have never been a big horror fan, but Hahn was one exception even when I was in the target audience, because of the amount of real feelings ands character development that she packed into each story. I could easily put myself in Molly's shoes the first time I read this story, and even now as a parent I could still see pieces of myself in the story. The scary moments are well done, with a nice build up and culmination of action. I also love the way the conclusion includes a wrap up for family dynamics and some look at how things played out in the aftermath. The story is compelling and complete with a satisfying conclusion. 

Wait Till Helen Comes is a great adaptation of the novel, with a great balance of creepy and character development.

Book Review: Ghost Slayer by Majanka Verstraete

Ghost Slayer by Majanka Verstraete is the first book in a new adult series. Twenty-one-year-old Kaelyn has spent half her life hunting ghosts and killing them. But she's not like the other ghost hunters who have to rely on spells and curses to banish ghosts back to where they came from, hoping that they don't come back. When Kaelyn kills a ghost, they stay dead. But in Mortimer Hall, a behemoth of a house, Kaelyn is about to face the most powerful Twenty-one-year-old Kaelyn has spent half her life hunting ghosts and killing them. But she's not like the other ghost hunters who have to rely on spells and curses to banish ghosts back to where they came from, hoping that they don't come back. When Kaelyn kills a ghost, they stay dead. But in Mortimer Hall, a behemoth of a house, Kaelyn is about to face the most powerful and life-threatening ghost she ever met, and what she doesn't know is that the ghost has been waiting just for her.

Ghost Slayer is an interesting read with a few problems. I liked the idea of the story, and the twists and turns that the story takes. Let's start with the good. I liked the twist on ghost hunting- that while most have to rely on tools and magic Kaelyn has a special level of control with the dead. I liked the role her mother plays and that she is doing her best to get by and get through college while working a less than typical job. I get her loner attitude, and her reluctance to take part in ghostly activities with her class. Now, I did think that there were several contradictions in the story that irked me as I read. I am not sure if this is supposed to be happening in the real world or an alternate world with different rules- as that is never made clear and either could be true. Kaelyn says that she is not a drinker- but downs straight vodka and a whisky and soda with ease and no effect. Also, she is very much a loner and refers to her classmates as people she barely knows but that quickly changes to one of the friendlier girls suddenly being her best friend. As I read bits of the story seemed vaguely familiar- but I think that boils down to having read enough paranormal books that feature ghosts and secrets as major plot points. I did like the book overall, but it did have its issues. I suspect that as the author continues to write this series it will improve- especially since they left themselves plenty of interesting directions to take the story. 

Ghost Slayer is an interesting read, but one that had both good and bad moments. Fans of the paranormal and gothic genres are most likely to enjoy it. 

Book Review: The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé by S.L. Saboviec

The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé  by S.L. Saboviec is a stand alone novel set in the same world as the Fallen Redemtion series (which I have not read).  

Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission. Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views. But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.

The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé  is a story with an interesting premise and a diverse, if not slightly twisted, cast of characters. It is a supernatural thriller that also deals with homophobia and the related issues in the church, and society in general. I liked that no one seemed to be written as a token character to fit the desire to be diverse, they just happened to be who they were. That is not always how the characters seem, but it did play completely organic which I liked. Scarlet was a well written character, and while her stubborn nature is key to the story, she frustrated me on several occasions as well. Although I have to admit that Father Angelo and Zoe were my favorite characters in the book, much more so than Scarlet. I found Zoe's voice to be much stronger and more engaging than Scarlet's, and I thought Angelo's character was very compelling and I was much more engaged with his well being than Scarlet's.

The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé  just did not grab me. Perhaps if I had read the related series I would have enjoyed it more, or maybe my reading style and the author's writing style do not compliment each other. However, I can think of so many readers that would enjoy this read and that I would happily recommend it to.

Book Review: The Circle by Damon Clark, Alyzia Zherno, Sami Makkonen

The Circle written by Damon Clark, with artwork from Alyzia Zherno and Sami Makkonen is a graphic novel. It follows  Christian, a teenage boy, who moves moves to Shell bay with his single father after his mother dies only to be bullied as the new kid at school. He finds friendship with the "Weird" kids and unknowingly joins them in an occult ritual that allows a darkness to possess each of them. Through the help of his gypsy neighbor, Christian will learn that the only way he can reverse the ritual is by killing off his circle of friends before they kill him, or before the darkness takes over his soul. One by one he will face them all, and in the end he will have to make the hardest decision of his young life.

The Circle takes the typically hard time of moving and starting a new school with more specific issues like grief, loss, and bullying. It takes the non-unexpected route of the occult- and continues with some loosely explained motivations and reactions that did not quite resonate with me. Sadly, like the story, I found the majority of the artwork to fall short of my expectations. The cover art was nicely done, and is most of what had me request the title from Netgalley. However, the bulk of the book did not have the same appeal. It felt a little unpolished, but not in the dark Burton way that would have enhanced the read. There is a decent amount of action, significant gore, and more cursing that I have heard from any teenagers ( even when I was one). I was hoping for something more original and visually stunning based on the cover, but was disappointed. Perhaps readers that are a little younger, and not ones that have seen The Craft and read a large variety of books and graphic novels that have already covered similar ground will enjoy the read more than I.

Book Review: Red Right Hand (Mythos War) by Levi Black

Red Right Hand is the first book in the Mythos War series by Levi Black. Charlie Tristan Moore isn't a hero. She's a survivor. On a night when her demons from the past are triggered, she arrives home to something even more harrowing-an attack by three monstrous skinhounds, creatures straight out of nightmares. She fights but is outmatched. Just as hope seems lost, in sweeps The Man In Black, a rescuer even more monstrous and unlikely, dressed in a long, dark coat that seems to have a life of its own and with a black-bladed sword held in his terrible, red right hand. Her rescue comes at a cost. She must become his new Acolyte and embrace a dark magick she never knew she had inside her. To ensure she gives it her all, he takes her friend and possible love, Daniel, in thrall as a hostage to her obedience. The Man in Black, a Lovecraftian chaos god, claims to be battling his brethren gods, other horrors who are staging an incipient apocalypse. But is he truly the lesser of all evils or merely killing off the competition? Either way, will Charlie be strong enough to save herself, Daniel, and possibly the entire world?

Red Right Hand is a gory horror/ urban fantasy that is darker than my normal fare. I think it started off slow, and it took more than half the book for me to feel like I was fully part of the story rather than just along for the ride. As I am not a fan or the more gory aspects of this genre, it was particularly hard getting lost in the story. Part of that was because part of the Lovecraftian style to to mark people as unimportant- and I never really came to care about any of the characters because of this. REaders know that something bad happened to Charlie- but it is hinted it so often that it became annoying rather than compelling making it hard to care about her. There are plenty of people that will love this series, and will be eager to explore this series- but it just is not me. The cover and description had me thinking this was more urban fantasy than horror- but it is much more horror and gore than fantasy. 

Red Right Hand is an unnerving and gory urban fantasy. It was a little too much for my personal tastes, but I think that Lovecraft fans and those that like the idea of being a Lovecraft fan will enjoy the book, and likely the series. New adult readers that were fan of Darren Shan's horror series as tweens and teens (or adults) will find this right up their alley. I had trouble getting into the book, because while I know and enjoy some Lovecraftian lore- I am not a huge fan of the gore that generally comes with it.

Book Review: Black Fairy Tale by Otsuichi, Nathan Collins

Black Fairy Tale is a novel written by Otsuichi, and translated to English by Nathan Collins. A raven who has learned to speak from watching movies befriends a young girl whose eyes were ruined in a freak accident. He brings her eyeballs he steals from other people, and when she puts them in her eye sockets, she sees memories from their original owners. Desperate to make the girl happy, the raven brings her more and more eyeballs. This is also the story of a young girl, Nami, who has lost her memories and cannot seem to live up to the expectations of those around her. The stories intertwine in a haunting, dreamy, horrific narrative evoking the raw and universal need for love.

Black Fairy Tale is a well written tale that is more than a little disturbing. It starts off with what seems like a short story, but quickly we land in a full length novel that brings everything together. the largest part of the story is about Nami- who loses her memory with her eye. She is on the search for her old self, her new self, and a understanding of both. when an eye transplant adds a new set of memories to her list of problems she discovers a new world to become part of.  She embarks on a mystery to discover the life and death of the eye donor, and looks to solve the mystery of a kidnapped girl. Family dynamics, personality, and memory are all huge parts of the story. Readers get a look into the mind of the kidnapper, who has a strange power over life and death that they experiment with. the book is definitely dark, and speaks to the nature of memory and the human heart. I enjoyed the gothic, mental suspense style of the horror. There were some gruesome moments, but is more the imagined horror that will stick with readers. My biggest issue with the book is my personal hangup- eyes. Horror movies and moments that include injuries to eyes freak me out every single time. I can still see that scene in Village of the Damned.... *shutter*

Black Fairy Tale is a creepy story with a few twists and turns. Fans of Japanese horror will love this read, but those that are easily scared or squeamish might want to take a pass.

Book Review: HooDoo by Ronald L. Smith

HooDoo is a middle grade novel by Ronald L. Smith. Twelve-year-old Hoodoo Hatcher was born into a family with a rich tradition of practicing folk magic: hoodoo, as most people call it. But even though his name is Hoodoo, he can't seem to cast a simple spell. Then a mysterious man called the Stranger comes to town, and Hoodoo starts dreaming of the dead rising from their graves. Even worse, he soon learns the Stranger is looking for a boy. Not just any boy. A boy named Hoodoo. The entire town is at risk from the Stranger's black magic, and only Hoodoo can defeat him. He'll just need to learn how to conjure first. Set amid the swamps, red soil, and sweltering heat of small town Alabama in the 1930s, 

HooDoo is a solid middle grade book with a gothic or horror overtone. There are little bits of humor tossed in, along with a little historical fiction, but this is not for the easily creeped out readers. I liked the character of HooDoo, he is trying to do right by his family and find his way in the world but he is still very much a boy becoming a young adult.  He is facing the evil of the Stranger while coming to terms with himself, and learning new things about himself. The danger is solid, and there is a almost constant feeling of wondering what is coming next. HooDoo's family and friend Bunny are less well developed characters than HooDoo, but are still well written and described enough that I cared about all of them before the story was over. I will admit that it took me awhile to read this one, but I am very glad that I saw it through and finished it. I can see this being a well loved book by many of my middle grade readers.

HooDoo is an interesting and unique read. It combines the best qualities of historical fiction, coming of age, and horror reads and leaves the reader looking for a bit more. I think fans of The Night Gardener and similar books will particularly enjoy this read. 

Book Review: Love in a Time of Monsters by Teresa Yea

Love in a Time of Monsters is the first book in the Golden Age of Monsters series by Teresa Yea. This new adult novel has romance, adventure, and a is darker than most new adult novels that I have seen since the genre was labeled. It takes place in 1867, one that is different than any you will read about in the history books.

When Rob Stevenson’s brother is killed,and eaten, his world is shattered by a monster infestation. Determined to keep his village safe, Rob's first duty as laird involves hiring a professional hunter. As the sole survivor of a massacre in the Congo, Catriona Mornay is rumored to have lost her mind in the jungle. In Edinburgh’s gas-lit streets, Cat’s skill as a hunter is unmatched. Her reputation as a killer of unnatural creatures, legendary. Faced with a rising body count, Rob takes a chance on Cat, hoping that somewhere inside this tortured yet charismatic girl is the hero he’s been searching for. But in this shadow realm of secrets, lies, and underworld crime, their lives overlap in more ways than one. And in an age where harpies flock the sky and serpents rule the sea, it’s even possible for a boy and his hunter to fall in love. But can their love survive in a time of monsters?

Love in a Time of Monsters was nothing I expected. I picked it up because I loved the cover, it is simply gorgeous. The story is multilayered and darker than I expected from the cover and description, but it was well thought out and executed. Rob has always been sickly, and the loss of his brother puts him in a position he never expected to hold- Lord of the manor. With his young sister and supportive and loving staff he struggles to maintain order and protect his people, which ultimately requires the help of a hunter. Cat has monsters to battle, both in the real world and in her head. she struggles to quiet them all, and ends up causing more damage to herself and those closest to her than she might expect. The story is full of twists, surprises, some gore, and coincidences. I loved some of the secondary characters and literary references that thread there way through the story. even when I struggled with the story, mainly because i was in the mood for lighter fare when I picked up the book, those threads kept me going.

I would recommend Love in a Time of Monsters to readers that like something different, do not mind some gore, and can handle emotionally distant characters. While it did not fit my expectations or desire for the moment- it is still an exciting and unique book that many will enjoy. 

Book Review: Of Shadow and Stone by Michelle Muto

Of Shadow and Stone by Michelle Muto is a gothic or paranormal fantasy. Gargoyles were created centuries ago to protect mankind but something went horribly wrong. Now only the sentinel, a mortal chosen to control the stone beasts, stands between them and their human prey. Kate Mercer is destined to be the next sentinel. But she has a skyrocketing film career, a delusional ex-boyfriend, and a crazed stalker who will stop at nothing to get to her. However, Kate is transported to Shadow Wood, a mysterious castle that serves as a sanctuary for the supernatural. Shadow Wood is beautiful but no safe place for a mere mortal. Yet Kate is drawn not only to the gargoyles but also to Ian McGuire, a charming novelist who might be in the greatest danger of all.

Of Shadow and Stone is a novel with a little bit of everything. There is a gothic feel to the whole story, with mysterious people and creatures that have even more mysterious intentions. Readers first meet Declan, the Lord of the Netherworld looking fore a replacement sentential. He thought his friends and author Ian might be the perfect candidate- but he has a different fate in store for him. Kate is the chosen sentinel, if she will accept the responsibility. Throw in some supernatural creatures running around Shadow Wood, a stalker, and a delusional ex boyfriend and you have a good idea of what this book holds in its pages. Despite the number of intense things happening, and the variety of viewpoints the story is told from, you still get characters that are multidimensional and some serious suspense. It was an intriguing read, and one I was afraid to look away from because I might miss something. I still feel a bit like if I go back and read it again I will get more from the book, and perhaps a completely different story.

I would highly recommend Of Shadow and Stone to readers that enjoy paranormal fiction and gothic stories. While there is a romance tied up in the story, it does not over shadow the suspense and supernatural aspects of the story. A great read for those that feel like they are trapped in a rut, or keep reading the same basic story over and over. This is something different and unique. 

The Zombie Renaissance

Zombies have long been part of folklore and horror stories. There are a number of reasons that zombie lore can be found in every culture, but these days zombies have escaped the confines of the horror genre and B-Movies and can be found in just about every type of book, so regardless of your favorite genre, there is likely a zombie book out there for you. If you want to explore beyond Walking Dead and Warm Bodies and the cross media success they have had, here are some suggestions. 

Breathers: A Zombies Lament by S.G. Browne is not your typical zombie novel. This is a romantic comedy tale told from the zombie’s point of view. it shades light on the troubles faced by two zombies in love.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan is a young adult novel with romance, action, and a very quick pace. Mary's isolated village is governed by the Sisterhood. After they set a monster, one of the Unconsecrated, loose within the village, Mary and the few other survivors set off in the unknown.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith is one of the monster mash ups that flooded the market a few years ago. Combine Austin;'s idyllic English countryside with a zombie plague. Elizabeth Bennett must save herself and the alluring though infuriating Mr. Darcy.

Graveminder by Melissa Marr will appeal to those that love gothic fiction. Drawn back to the home of her youth, Rebekkah Barrow learns the secret of keeping the dead in their graves and the role she has inherited.

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell was an 2011 Alex Award Winner and a Nutmeg Award Nominee. It follows the journey of a young woman who wanders a vast wasteland never knowing what life before the zombies was like. Savoring glimpses of beauty and kindness, Temple is torn between hope and despair and must face forces beyond her darkest nightmares.

Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
The Duke of Werewolves and the Earl of Vampires stave off hordes of the undead at a roadside diner in this uproarious debut novel.

Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry
Fashionista zombie Amanda Feral investigates the disappearance of an undead friend in Seattle. Full of visceral action, this urban fantasy series has plenty to sink your teeth into.

Craving even more zombie goodness?

• Cell by Stephen King
  Filled with the gory details that made Stephen King’s name synonymous with horror, this faced-paced novel evokes a world where zombies are made not with a bite, but with a phone call.
• Zombie Movies: The Ultimate Guide by Glenn Kay
  Summarizing more than 250 films made between 1932 and 2008, this resource chronologically lists the outbreak of zombie films and their unyielding rise to popularity.
• Patient Zero: A Joe Ledger Novel by Jonathan Maberry
  Baltimore detective and Army veteran Joe Ledger puts all of his considerable talents to the test when he is recruited into a shadowy government agency responsible for keeping the zombie menace at bay.
• World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
  Set 10 years after a zombie war, the story is a collection of first-person accounts from survivors and covers all angles of the earth-shattering event.
• The Zen of Zombie: Better Living Through the Undead by Scott Kenemore
  Learn the secrets to true and sustained happiness by exploring the uncomplicated yet philosophical and insightful world of the zombie.
• Pay Me in Flesh by K. Bennett
  Lawyer Mallory Caine is a far cry from your stereotypical zombie, though she does eat brains. Sexy, smart and put together, this savvy lady fights for justice for all.
• Zombie Haiku by Ryan Mecum
  Chronicling one zombies slow but inevitable decomposition in the form of haiku, this ancient art form is elevated to hilarious new heights.
• Nekropolis: A Matt Richter Novel by Tim Waggoner
  Zombie private investigator Matt Richter walks the mean streets of Nekropolis trying to keep the peace, and himself from falling apart.
• Zombies for Zombies: Advice and Etiquette for the Living Dead by David Murphy
  Becoming a zombie can be really demotivating. Full of tips and tricks on important topics like fashion, hygiene and nutrition, this guide is meant to usher you into your new “life” with ease.

Book Review: I'm Undead and Hungry!: Meet a Zombie (Monster Buddies) by Shannon Knudsen and Chiara Buccheri

I'm Undead and Hungry!: Meet a Zombie is the latest book in the Monster Buddies series by Shannon Knudsen and Chiara Buccheri. Like the rest of the books in the series, this book combines popular culture, folklore, science, and fun. Roscoe is a zombie, he  came back from the dead. But don't be scared because Roscoe's not real. He's one of the monsters you meet in stories. Find out what turns people into zombies, learn about different kinds of zombies around the world, and discover where zombie stories come from. 

My son is a monster maniac. I'm Undead and Hungry! is right up his alley. There a silly and slightly scary cartoon illustrations combined with information about zombies in books and movies as well as from traditional stories from all parts of the world. I really like the matter of fact way both then and factual information is presented. It does not take the fun out of the monster, but just might take away the fear that might keep your little one up at night.

I'm Undead and Hungry! would be eaten up by monster fans, and could be used to explain to children that the monsters are not real. This could be exceptionally useful around Halloween when movies, costumes, and stories might be enough to spook even the bravest children.

Book Spotlight: Saving Hascal's Horrors by Laura Smith

Saving Hascal's Horrors by Laura Smith is a middle grade novel currently available in paperback and digital formats.

Synopsis

Mike Hascal is about to turn 10, making him one year closer to taking over his family’s horror shop. Hascal’s Horrors has been run by Mike’s big sister, Julie, ever since their father died seven years ago. However, a tragedy that occurred right before their father died has haunted the family ever since. A local teen, Shawn Mackey, disappeared in the local woods while trying to take a picture of a ghost for one of the shop’s contests. After his disappearance, the Mackey family forced the Hascal family to close its doors to walk-in customers, particularly children.

When business slows down, Mike Hascal decides to take matters into his own hands to reopen his family’s shop to the public. With the help of his old friends and a new friend, fellow horror lover Freddy Nickerman, Mike sets out to find out what happened to Shawn Mackey in those woods seven years ago, save his family’s shop and bring the Mackey family peace.

 

Reviews

Samantha Grayson writes: “For the market this book is aimed at it hits the mark spot on, but it will also be enjoyed by many others. The dialogue and the narratives are fantastic. It draws you into the book and the story comes alive.”

 

Amazon reviewer Diana L. writes: “…if you’re an adult- well, you may find that you enjoyed this book as much as I did. If you are purchasing for a child (especially one 10 or 11), I suggest you do as I've always done and read through the book first. If your child likes ghost tales, this one may be a perfect choice for him or her.”

 

About the Author

I'm a writer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I earned my B.A. in Creative Writing from Carlow University in 2007 and have worked for a Long Term Care Insurance Broker ever since. I"m currently working on my third novel. I have previously had poetry published in Rune Magazine, Voices from the Garage and Falling Star Magazine, Blast Furnace Press, The Lavender Review, James Dickey and Torrid. My first book, The Stable House, is also available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GF24VNE .

Audiobook Review: In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz, Read by Johnny Heller

In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz, Read by Johnny Heller, is a companion book to A Tale Dark & Grimm. In this book, a talking frog joins cousins Jack and Jill in leaving their own stories to seek a magic mirror, encountering such creatures as giants, mermaids, and goblins along the way. Based in part on fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. Like in A Tale Dark & Grimm, there is horror, blood, and some scary moments along with dark humor to make for an entertaining read for everyone around age nine and older.

In a Glass Grimmly takes stories that you might recognize; Jack and Jill, The Frog Prince, The Goblin Market, Jack and the Beanstalk, and many more and offers them up a new- freshly twisted and re-imagined. I really like the style of Gidwitz's writing, with the narrator that speaks directly to the reader (or listener) which reminds me of my much loved The Princess Bride. The narrator gives warnings about and scary or bloody parts, for the most part, in order to prepare anyone willing to keep going. Even when there are parts of the story that are bloody or might normally put me off my lunch, the humor of the warnings and the matter of fact way the less than pleasant moments are described lessen their effect. Jack, Jill, and the frog are all dynamic characters that grow and change as the story progresses, and I liked the lessons that they learned. Rather than luck or strength, it was their wits and honest natures that got the group through some very difficult spots. Readers of A Tale Dark a& Grimm might recognize a few players, but this is very much a companion book and the books can be read in any order. I am already looking forward to reading The Grimm Conclusion, which was released this week.

I would recommend In a Glass Grimmly to everyone from around age 8 on up through adults. Even with the warnings, the scary and bloody moments might be too much from some of the youngest readers, so I recommend taking a read through or listen and judging weather your child is ready for it based on your knowledge of the child. There is adventure and puzzles, humor and a larger moral that all of us would do to remember- that it is better to do as we want rather than as we wish.

Early Book Review: Ghost Prison by Joseph Delaney

Ghost Prison by Joseph Delaney is a new horror story from the international bestselling author of the Last Apprentice series, which is soon to be a major motion picture. This illustrated novella is all about Fifteen-year-old Billy. He is an orphan newly assigned to guard a castle prison. However, this prison hosts more than just the typical criminals.The ghosts of executed prisoners haunt the place. When Billy is given the task of feeding the prisoner in The Witch Well a ghostly trick could have deadly consequences for young Billy.

Ghost Prison is a dark novella which will be released on October 8 2013, just in time for Halloween. There are black and white illustrations throughout the story to show the prison, its guards, and its horrors to its readers. The words do a splendid job of framing the mood and giving the readers a mental picture, but the illustrations just make everything more concrete. Billy is a sympathetic character, an orphan stuck working in a prison, and somehow requested to work the night shift by a resident ghost. To make matters worse there is a mysterious prisoner that he is warned against going near, terrible stories about things that have happened in the past, and the atmosphere that goes with working in a place with that many ghost stories. A perfect storm of coincidences brings Billy into the range of the Witch Well, and an ending that is not quite what you might expect.

Ghost Prison is a great spooky read for older elementary school students right up through adults. There are some good scares, but no moments of serious violence. At 112 pages, this book would work well for reluctant of challenged readers that are easily put off by thicker books. It will hold the interest of anyone looking for a good scare. I think a Halloween story time or serialized reading during class or at home around Halloween would be fantastic.

Book Review: Petronella & The Trogot by Cheryl Bentley

Petronella & The Trogot by Cheryl Bentley is a very original and unique young adult book that initially reminded me of Wicked, and turned into something closer to the mythology of Orpheus and his journey through the underworld or Dante's Inferno. Petronella is a good hearted woman, with an unusual appearance. When she buys and moves to a cottage near a village that seems peaceful. However, a strange tree in her yard and villagers that judge her by her appearance lead her to live a fairly solitary, and eccentric, life. The activities of her odd cat and the other cats in town lead to ghosts of the past being raised, and  Petronella's life is about to get even stranger. The appearance of a mysterious Hooded Horseman and the ghost of a young boy, spur her into action and set a perilous journey into motion.

Petronella & The Trogot started off as a story with great potential. It detailed the story of Petronella, who reminded me of the main character of Wicked, judged by her appearance rather than the contents of her heart. The oddities of her cat and the town are also well detailed. I even enjoyed the lead in about how the ghostly inhabitants came to wander around the village and Percy came to join Petronella in the cottage. However, once the ghosts began speaking and the journey of Percy and Petronella began I started to lose interest. The story was good, but the speech of the ghostly inhabitants was consistently distracting, and often pushing past that into annoying. I think that simply toning down the speech and shortening the journey would have significantly improved the book as a whole.

Petronella & The Trogot might be aimed at young adult readers, but middle schoolers and adults might also find something of interest here. While it is labeled as a chiller, I did not find it nearly as frightening as some of the thrillers and mysteries that I read in as a child.I cannot recommend it widely, because of my difficulties getting through the middle and end of the book. However, I can see the appeal to the story, and think that this might be just what someone is looking for.

Book Review: Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle

Lucretia and the Kroons is a young adult novella by Victor LaValle. This novella is a fantasy tale with more than a little touch of horror. Lucretia, or Loochie, is struggling to understand and accept her friend Sunny's cancer and impending death. After a story told by Loochie's brother, hr preperations for a belated birthday party with Sunny, Loochie is drawn into a journey to protect her friend, and herself, from the legendary Kroons from apartment 6D. Can Loochie survive the surreal world of the Kroons or with she and Sonny find themselves devoured?

Lucretia and the Kroons is a heart rending tale that will have your heart racing as well. Loochie is fairly naive, she does not quite understand the seriousness of her best friend's illness, or of the struggles her mother and brother face in their own lives. She feels left behind by the other girls, who seem to have move on to being teenagers without Loochie. Sunny is the one friend who she feels safe to be herself with, and does not seem willing, or able, to face a future without her. This emotional struggle is as important to the story as any of the dangerous encounters Loochie has after beginning her journey to save Sunny from the zombie like Kroons, who are said to inhabit apartment 6D even after it is securely locked up. The world Loochie finds while fleeing the Kroons is amazing, both alien and familiar in its horrors.

Lucretia and the Kroons is a moving look at the terror one can feel while facing loss,coming to terms with yourself, and the power of true friendship.  I recommend it to readers in middle school, or facing the loss of someone close to them. Readers that enjoy adventure stories that will keep you on the edge of thier seat and chewing fingernails will certainly enjoy this novella. If you read and enjoy this story you might want to read The Devil in Silver, a horror story that continues the story of Lucretia.

Book Review: Fatale Volume 1: Death Chases Me by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips

Fatale Volume 1: Death Chases Me, written by Ed Brubaker with artwork by Sean Phillips, is collection of the first five issues of the comic. This graphic novel has a taste of classic noir style mystery, with a darker Lovecraft like flavor thrown in. the story begins with Nicolas Lash executing the estate of his father's friend Hank. Along with the inheritance comes a mysterious woman, Josephine, whom he becomes obsessed with. As Nicolas spirals into obsession, readers witness Jo looking unchanged in the 1950's. She is on a quest for something, and destroys the lives she touches in the process. Some of those lives destroyed include those of the recently deceased Hank, Hank's wife, and a mobster. the mystery does not just lie with Jo and her quest, but also in solving the mystery behind a grizzly cult's actions and how Jo and the mobster are tied together.

Death Chases Me works both as a mystery and a Lovecraftian horror story. the story starts feeling very much like classic noir, shapely lady stinking of trouble appears on the scene, and she is more than she seems. while all that is true here, Death Chases Me takes readers on an unexpected jaunt through less expected waters as we discover Jo is far beyond our wildest expectations. Nicolas and Hank share some common factors, like knowing Jo is trouble and not being able to resist her allure, even in light of their own better judgement. The time changes between modern day with Nicolas, and the 1950s with hank and his storyline, are well done. However, I will admit to getting characters confused a couple times, but I was also reading a digital copy on a small screen rather than a full sized paper copy. I do think that some of the similarities are purposeful, but the differences are enough that most readers will not have any problem.

Death Chases Me is a good choice for graphic novel readers looking for something new. The artwork is extremely well done, as is the coloring. the story is fascinating and will hook most readers. the complete blend of mystery and horror is done in a way that can easily grip readers of both genre, even if they generally dislike the other. Older teens might enjoy the novel as well, but there are definitely adult situations and horror involved so approach with caution.