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silveroxide_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this for the nostalgia and was not disappointed. It’s still a good 70s YA story, with a vibe somewhere between Nancy Drew and Judy Blume. This is the least creepy of Duncan’s YA books. Just ESP and teen angst, nothing horrific. Some plot points in this book feel trope-y now, but would have felt fresh in the 70s. I didn’t find the protagonist as compelling as I did at age 12, but the supporting characters had way more dimension than expected.
Lois Duncan wrote YA gothic and horror novels long before Christopher Pike, R L Stine, or Buffy were popular. I never expect deep literature in this genre, but Duncan deserves props for being better than most, and for writing strong female protagonists. She drew stylistic inspo from Stephen King and Shirley Jackson, but dialled the scare-factor down to PG13. The result is a delightfully creepy brand of YA that’s aged gracefully.
I enjoyed revisiting this book, and will read Down a Dark Hall whenever I find a copy.
Lois Duncan wrote YA gothic and horror novels long before Christopher Pike, R L Stine, or Buffy were popular. I never expect deep literature in this genre, but Duncan deserves props for being better than most, and for writing strong female protagonists. She drew stylistic inspo from Stephen King and Shirley Jackson, but dialled the scare-factor down to PG13. The result is a delightfully creepy brand of YA that’s aged gracefully.
I enjoyed revisiting this book, and will read Down a Dark Hall whenever I find a copy.
theravenkingx's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know why i bought this book in the first place
musicnerd613's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
xeni's review against another edition
5.0
This and Daughters of Eve are my two ultimate favorite Lois Duncan books. Her writing is just so incredible that I come back to them again and again, although they are classed as YA!
This book really touched my heart back when I read it first, and it will probably continue to do so. It's a powerful story that'll move even the hardest of hearts!
This book really touched my heart back when I read it first, and it will probably continue to do so. It's a powerful story that'll move even the hardest of hearts!
dja777's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite of Duncan's books, but still a fun read.
doomluz's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read a couple of Lois Duncan books in high school, but couldn't remember which ones. I thought this was one of them, but wasn't sure until it got to the end, when she mentions the last child being named Lois Duncan because I remember liking that twist in high school, though it feels a little cheesy now.
This was good for a quick easy read.
This was good for a quick easy read.
diamondolc's review against another edition
4.0
Lois Duncan is able to pack a very 3-dimensional cast of characters into a pretty small book—I’m impressed. Reading this felt like a nostalgic trip back to junior high, despite me not having much in common with the characters other than having been an angry, angsty preteen like Nancy.
Also, I wish kids still said cute stuff like “for rats’ sake!” and “cripes!”
Also, I wish kids still said cute stuff like “for rats’ sake!” and “cripes!”
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
5.0
This is a YA book that was written (1972) long before they had that category. I read this book around 7th or 8th grade and it struck some kind of something with me because I read it many many times in the six years after I got it.
This would be my first re-read since I got out of high school. It did bug me a little that the book has obviously been touched up for modern times (e.g. the addition of email and text technology) but I can live with it.
Our story follows a family of three children directly after their parents divorce. These three children have been given "gifts" by their long dead grandmother. One child has the gift of dance, one child the gift of music and the last child the gift of E.S.P. (remember this was written in the early 70's). The main plotlines deal with how the kids deal with their parents divorce, their new living situations and how they deal with their gifts (which they don't know they've been given).
I'm now a 44 year old father and I appreciate this book for different reasons than I did when I first read it at age 13 but I still loved it. I see now that it is a little predictable but it did not lessen my enjoyment. Whole heartedly would recommend this.
This would be my first re-read since I got out of high school. It did bug me a little that the book has obviously been touched up for modern times (e.g. the addition of email and text technology) but I can live with it.
Our story follows a family of three children directly after their parents divorce. These three children have been given "gifts" by their long dead grandmother. One child has the gift of dance, one child the gift of music and the last child the gift of E.S.P. (remember this was written in the early 70's). The main plotlines deal with how the kids deal with their parents divorce, their new living situations and how they deal with their gifts (which they don't know they've been given).
I'm now a 44 year old father and I appreciate this book for different reasons than I did when I first read it at age 13 but I still loved it. I see now that it is a little predictable but it did not lessen my enjoyment. Whole heartedly would recommend this.