horror – Page 3 – One Chapter

No Exit by Taylor Adams

I’ve read this book almost 2 books ago and I still can’t get this book out of my head. The ending of the book had more twists than a rollercoaster and boy, do I love rollercoasters. Once the adrenaline rush came, it came crashing down on me again and again, as Darby struggled to outwit her opponents in a war where she mentally or physically she could not rest.

I don’t like snow or driving in snow yet where I live the possibility of snow is about 40% to 50% of my entire year. It’s the unpredictability of snow and how other individuals behave in the snow, that makes me not like to drive in it. Sitting behind the wheel with Darby, the snow creating a lacey veil for the struggling car to stay onto the assigned path, I’m finding myself, holding my breath. Darby was stressed before hitting the road and now, the weather just adds to her frustration. Since receiving the news, Darby just wanted to see her mother but now, just finding somewhere to park her car for a bit, would be a great relief. When the windshield wiper flew off her car, I knew she was in trouble and as she limped into the rest area parking lot, I thought if she could at least stay in her vehicle, she would be fine. But, had she pack her car for winter driving? I had a feeling that she didn’t.

Oh Darby! Making her way into the rest area, Darby takes in her surroundings. The individuals hanging around inside and the location of different parts of this rest area. When she hears that they’ve closed some of the roads due to the blizzard, she immediately began assessing the situation. I wish she would’ve been this detailed before hitting the road, for I think it might have helped her considerably. Darby is now stuck at a rest area with some total strangers, with no cell service and with a phone that’s almost dead. They won’t be coming to clear the roads for quite some time and when Darby goes back outside, she notices someone caged in a van. Yes, I said caged and this someone is a small girl.

Who is this girl? Which one of the individuals inside the rest area owns the van? Oh, the questions just start coming as nothing about what has just transpired is good. Darby can’t keep still as she needs to do something to correct the situation but where does she begin?

Thank goodness that Darby has an almost dead cell phone and no, my friends she hadn’t packed her car for winter driving nor had she prepared herself for any type of an emergency before she left. She’s surrounded by a blizzard, alone, confronted with a nightmare which she has to put an end to tonight.

This was a fantastic, high-energy book. It definitely got my adrenaline going and it still gets me pumped up when I think about it. I would recommend it but with a warning, you might not get any sleep once you start it.

They Threw Us Away by Daniel Kraus

Why? Just why, would anyone throw a teddy bear away? The whole cover of this book grabbed my attention from the fun text fonts used, to the unique teddies on the front who seemed to be in a wasteland, to how the author made this topic into a series, I had to know more. Enter the world of Furringon Teddies. Where a group of five teddies finally make it free out into the world and realize, perhaps they being inside the store was better.

When Buddy wakes up, he finds that he’s no longer trapped. It hot, bright and he’s sitting. As he moves his paws to shield his eyes, he makes a huge discover, he can actually move his paws! He’s always been upright, bounded by white plastic cords but now, he could physically move every part of his body! He’s made it outside the store! The teddies in the store have always wondered about this place.

Hearing something, Buddy spies a box that looks familiar. Disappointed that it’s not his own box, Buddy realizes that it’s an identical box and there’s 3 more of them close by. Buddy has found 4 other Teddies like himself. They can’t stand around after Buddy releases them as there’s a group of gulls moving towards them. How did this group of five end up in the trashlands? They read their boxes later, hoping to find clues, and they realize a few things about themselves. They’re supposed to “snuggle, cuddle, nap, sleep” and not talk, walk, get in trouble, and be mean. The group decides that they need to get out of the trashlands but as teddies, is any place safe?

This book was different than how I thought it would be. I liked how detailed the author was with setting the book up and how he shares that information. There’s Reginald, he’s a gray teddy. He has a lot of knowledge, he’s been on the shelf the longest, and he’s also the cautious one. Then, there’s Sugar. Her box had a “sticker reading damaged merchandise” which had affected the box that she was found in and her face. Her actions and the way that others reacted to her were different than the other characters. Her actions at the end of this book surprised me. These are just some of the subtle ways that the author “tells” the reader about the world that they’re painting for them.

It’s quite a journey for the group as they make their way out, the store shelves are long gone. They’re no longer the Furrington Teddies they once were. I was surprised at how dark this book became as they were met with outside influences.

I liked how this story flowed and the variety of characters but I think my main issue was the use of the teddy bear characters. For it being a children’s book, I became concerned for those who would be upset when they were reading it and suddenly, they came upon a section that they weren’t prepared for. If I think along the lines of Toy Story, where dangerous situations happen to those characters, to me, those characters are toys. Toys fall apart, you put them back together. Toys get their voices and attitudes from the children who play with them, typically. These are teddy bears, most individuals think of teddy bears as sweet, loveable, huggable animals.

I did think the ending was sweet and I look forward to the next book. Make sure you know your reader before handing this book to them.

The Institute by Stephen King

I haven’t read a Stephen King book in a long time and I do believe, this is the first SK book that I have listened to. I remember reading him back in the 1980’s, for he was the master of creepy. As I listened to this book, it wasn’t like the SK that I remembered, this was a slow burn for me. I got attached to the main character of Luke and I felt protective of him.

I liked how there were very few characters in this book. I really enjoyed the character of Luke and his personality. He was only 12-years old yet you would never know that. I enjoyed all the little references in the book that brought back memories. It’s always fun when an author adds some fun information into the book. I thought the audio was very good. I was nervous about reading a SK book again but I’m glad that I did. I should now read a Dean Koontz book as he was my other favorite thriller writer from the 80’s.

MonsterStreet: Camp of No Return by J.H. Reynolds

Every time I read one of these MonsterStreet books, I swear it’s the best one that I have read. So, I will say it again, these books just keep getting better and better! I’m hooked on this series! Every time that I hear that a new one is coming out, I’m all over it, just waiting for release day and I’m over 50 years old. This book had it all. It had the creep factor, the suspense, the cliff hangers at the ends of some of the chapters and fantastic characters. Do you need to start at the beginning of this series to enjoy this? No, but I guarantee that you’ll be inhaling them, once you start reading them.

As you read books in this series, you’ll come across aspects in the mystery that you know or you feel that you know, are not as scary as they come across. What I like about this series is that the author, dismisses many of these aspects immediately, instead of letting them add up, and then dismissing them later in the book. An example: if a character in the book finds a cloth with red liquid on it. Instead of having the reader believe that this cloth is a bloody towel throughout the book, the author lets the characters uncover what the cloth might be immediately and dismisses it as a napkin with ketchup on it. I feel that helps put the important pieces of the mystery together in the book.

Riding to summer camp on the bus, a few of the kids, made friends. They each felt special, as they were amongst a selected group to be invited to Camp Moon Lake. It was said to be magical yet they have promised, like all previous campers before them, not to disclose what occurs while at camp.

When Brodie tells Harper and Darla the rumor that he heard about the camp, this summer camp just took on a chill. As a fog smothers the camp and a scream welcomes the campers, this week at camp will be one that everyone will remember.

I enjoyed the horror aspects of this for young readers. No blood or gore but I would know your audience before letting young elementary children read this. Some children might not be able to handle it, and I’d hate to hear about someone having a nightmare. If a child is able to distinguish reality from everything else, they should be okay reading this. I’m not going to go into what this book was about as I don’t want to spoil it. I really loved the book and the ending was amazing! I can’t wait for the next one!

Issues: bullying, friendship, family,

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

I liked how this book had an eerie feeling to it as I read it. When I finish reading a novel, I always take a few minutes to look at the novel’s cover to see if what I had just read, matches what the outside looks like. When I looked at this book’s cover, I realized that this cover described this book perfectly. It was everything: from that deer, to the variety of texts, to the use of shadowing and the dark colors chosen on the cover, this was the novel. I thought this novel had a taunting, shadowy feeling which I really enjoyed. I never knew what would happen when I turned the next page.

The novel is about what happened when four Native American guys were out hunting one day. It was the last time these four guys would be together hunting. Cass was driving, the weather was getting bad, but they couldn’t stop now, they wanted to end their season on a high note. They were hunting elk and they went into an area that was off-limits to them. Yeah, I was thinking all kinds of problems now but nothing like what was coming.

It’s been ten years since that day that the boys went hunting. Out hunting that day, Cass told his friends that he would take the heat for whatever happened that day but it doesn’t work that way because every single one of them was involved and they’ll all pay a price.

I like how Jones lets us get to know the characters. Jones has a unique style of writing. I love the times when I get so involved in my reading that I yearn to be inside the book and get the full effect. With Jones’ writing, I wanted to jump inside his book and witness first-hand what was transpiring. I wanted to see the characters faces, see exactly everything that they’re seeing and witness the events. This was an entertaining read for me.

Thank you to BookishFirst for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Bazaar of Bad Dreams (audio) by Stephen King

This was one great collection of stories! I listened to them in my car as I drove around and there were many, that after I got done listening to them, had earned the title of the “best story in the whole book” award. I would like to revisit this title in the near future.

I had heard a few of these titles before yet to listen to hours of King’s work was a treat. I liked how King narrated the novel, telling me a bit about each book before that book was read by another individual. This gave a personal touch to the novel and I felt we had made a connection. His stories still amaze me, they each just reach that boundary which we normally don’t cross. We don’t venture too far into this area but just enough to make the experience worthwhile.

It was a long book, the CD’s just kept coming out of the case but it was well worth it. I’ll definitely revisit King Bad Dreams in the future.

Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly

Creepy, weird, and the details……this book was right up my alley! I’d read that this book shouldn’t be read in the dark but I’ve read that statement many other times for other books which I felt didn’t actually apply but this book, it’s twisted so dark would be perfect. I can’t tell you how many times I chatted, shouted and questioned this book while reading it, I really needed to step away from this book but I just couldn’t.

So, what made this so grand? First, let me tell you that the story moves quickly, which I enjoyed. The book starts off swiftly and it doesn’t let up until the very end. As I was speeding along, flipping the pages, there were times that I was shaking my head, and yelling at the main character Dixie, as I couldn’t believe what she was doing, she had to be crazy!

What happened? When Dixie was 18-months-old, her father killed their entire family and then, committed suicide. Dixie lost her parents and her four siblings that day and was then, raised by her Aunt Celia who has never really told Dixie about that day. Guess what? Dixie is an adult now and her childhood home is for sale, so she visits it.

Yeah, it should be okay, she was 18-months-old when her life was turned upside down inside that house, she was too little to remember. Except, Dixie doesn’t see the houses best features on her showing but something more personal and startling. She still falls in love with the house and she buys it! Of course, she does! Talk about strange. The creepy doesn’t stop there though, as it’s Dixie’s LUCKY day and she’s blessed with the actual furniture that her parents kept in that house. Her relatives are so thoughtful and saved it. If you are thinking what I thought, you are correct, what is wrong with her?

The fun or bizarre activity continued and I just couldn’t stop gripping the sides of this book. The book is very descriptive (which I loved) but it’s not done in a disgusting and/or exaggerated way. I enjoyed the way the author kept the book moving forward, how there were reveals along the way so I could check things off that were going on inside my head as I tried to figure out exactly what was happening. There were not a lot of characters in this book either. I liked the author’s execution and her style and I will definitely be reading more of her work in the future.

I liked the journey that I took while reading this book, it’s not always about if someone can solve the book early or not. It’s about the journey.

The Halloweeners (MonsterStreet #3) by J. H. Reynolds

This series is fantastic! All the books are stand alones but you’ll want to read them all, once you get started. This is book #2 and it was loads of fun.

Fisher is getting tired of moving. He’s finally making friends at school and now, his mom notifies him that they’ll be moving soon. Fisher can’t hold back his frustration and he voices his opinion. Now grounded, he doesn’t want to miss trick-or-treating tonight, with the guys from school, so he sneaks away after his mother left to attend a school function.

Meeting up with Champ, Fisher meets the rest of the boys in a tree house and this section of the book, reminded me of the movie, Stand By Me. The boys gather for a meeting and now a serious tone takes over, as they discuss the night before them. They must win at Halloween Games and they talk about their secret weapon. The information that they discuss is important and it sets the mood for the rest of the night. The boys tell Fisher about the Halloweeners and Fisher decides that he would also like to be a member of this group.

Throwing on their costumes, the boys get ready to head out to collect their candy. It’s almost as if I’m out on the street with them as they tell their stories, encounter other individuals carrying their bags, and try to fill their bags. As they view the end house, the Halloweeners know that this house is off-limits yet Fisher is drawn to the mansion and what’s sitting on its front porch. As they approach the house, being a winner of the Halloween Games takes over their thinking and the boys see an opportunity. What an opportunity! An opportunity that changes the course of their lives.

What a fun, adventurous story. I liked what happened when the boys came up to the cauldron and they didn’t abide by the rules. What a ride! What a great imagination! Another great read in the MonsterStreet series.

MonsterStreet: The Boy Who Cried Werewolf #1

It’s a mysterious and surprising tale regarding a young boy who finally discovers his father and the grandparents, that he doesn’t recall. The story moves quickly; swallowing you in an adventure where you’re not sure what will happen in the end.

Max finds it strange that he’s off to spend a weekend alone with some relatives that he doesn’t even know or remember. Yet, somehow, he is told the time is right for this visit with his grandparents. Welcome to Creepville, in Wolf County. This can’t be the place when they finally turn off the engine and get out. The home has been taken over by cobwebs, some boarded up windows, and Max will discover later, no phone or electricity.

The place looks deserted but as they walk around, an older man appears clutching an ax, and then an older woman emerges in a bloodstained apron, lugging a hog. The stage is set for Max’s weekend as mom quickly makes her exit in her minivan.

I enjoyed how Max was fed the story of his family. Through a neighbor girl, his father’s diary, his mother, and his grandparents, Max learns about himself and his family. There are elements of surprise and anticipation in the novel and I liked how they flowed into the story. There wasn’t anything gross or descriptive in the novel, just mysterious and creature horror.

I think it’s a great book for kids who can handle some horror without getting scared.

“He was torn between his desire to obey his grandparents and the curiosity he now felt about what Jade was saying. He wasn’t sure who to trust.”

Nightbooks by J.A. White

5 stars Middle School/ Upper Elementary

I loved listening to this audio. It was like listening to stories within a story. I thought some of the stories that Alex told were just a good or better than the main story. There were times that I found myself crackling and laughing this sinister laugh as I listened to this audio, for the witch would make her appearance and she would shake things and of course, that would affect me too. There were a few twists in this novel too which I didn’t see coming. Such an enjoyable novel to listen to, one that the whole family could get involved in.

She lures them in, she knows exactly what entices them and then, when the door closes, they are hers. There’s no way out, at least not in the traditional sense and so they’re stuck.

Alex is lured into the apartment on his way down to the basement, for he was on a mission that he hoped would change his life. But now? His life is changed and he’s glad that he didn’t make it down to the incinerator because he needs his journals, those pages have his stories on them and he needs them now, more than ever.

Witch Natacha says she needs to hear Alex’s stories, his scary stories each night and so, she makes him write a new one every day. Natacha says she enjoys them but in reality, it’s really not her that needs these stories but Alex better keep the stories coming if he’s going to make it out of her apartment alive.

Alex meets Yasmin inside the witch’s apartment for she’s been trapped there for a while. Alex is determined to escape but Yasmin tells Alex to stop talking like that. The cat will tell the witch what he hears and you never know what the witch will then do to them. Alex is determined to escape yet he has to spend his days writing stories in the apartment, the apartment that is charmed by magic.

This was an excellent story, I really enjoyed the audio and hated to take it back to the library.