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markstockslager's review
3.0
If you could give half stars on Goodreads, I would throw this book a 3.5/5 rating. It's a perfectly acceptable YA mystery set in the universe of the Haunted Mansion (even has a nice nod to Amicus Arcane, the mansion librarian introduced in the Tales from the Haunted Mansion series). Does it set my world on fire? No, but I'll devour anything related to the world of my favorite dark ride (and favorite ride at Disney World). Would I read more in this series? You bet your life! (Or death!!! Muahahaha)
thisdadreads's review
2.0
Thanks to Disney Press for sending me a copy of this book for review.
It’s officially spooky season! Will newest book from beloved Star Wars/YA author Claudia Gray, The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade, give you goosebumps? Read on if you dare!
Storm & Shade revolves around Audrey Perez, a teenager who’s recently moved to New Orleans and, anxieties and all, quickly makes new friends. Audrey discovers a house in her neighborhood that’s too spooky to pass up, and after her first encounter with it, she and her friends become embroiled in a mysterious plot to claim its ghostly residents. Audrey’s balancing all of this paranormal activity with her own personal issues; her aforementioned anxiety, a boyfriend back home who seems to be growing more and more distant, plus a new love interest that may or may not be part of the land of the living. As Audrey and her friends learn more about the Haunted Mansion, they come to realize that its ghostly denizens don’t deserve eternal banishment; but can they solve the mystery of how to save the house before a powerful darkness overcomes the entire town?
Gray’s easy-to-read writing and love for the YA genre shines in Storm & Shade. Her characterizations of Audrey and her friends are thoughtful and rooted in real world issues, and they’re each distinct in their personalities. This trio of girls are the highlight of the novel, their fast friendship is adorable and their quirky personalities are hysterical (Gray balances their own senses of humor with physical comedy expertly). While the characterizations are spot on, there are moments when the teenage protagonists use references or slang that I find hard to believe would come out of the mouth of these modern teenagers. This out of touch nature with modern youth isn’t new to the genre and it only took me out of a story a small number of times.
Disney fans with a particular love for the Haunted Mansion ride might not quite have their expectation met with Storm & Shade. Yes, all the elements are there like the architecture, music and beloved ghosts that have haunted Disney Parks audiences for decades but Audrey’s story and the Mansion’s don’t quite mesh. I found myself interested both in the humorous and social aspects of the Audrey storyline and the Haunted Mansion’s lore, but the two never quite aligned. The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade feels like a compromise between a mega corporation and a mega talented author that unfortunately doesn’t result in a classic. I think either Audrey or the Mansion should have taken center stage; with both sharing the lead, Storm & Shade doesn’t reach its spooktacular potential (horror it definitely is not).
The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade didn’t quite do it for me, but that’s not to say certain audiences wouldn’t find it enjoyable. I give it
It’s officially spooky season! Will newest book from beloved Star Wars/YA author Claudia Gray, The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade, give you goosebumps? Read on if you dare!
Storm & Shade revolves around Audrey Perez, a teenager who’s recently moved to New Orleans and, anxieties and all, quickly makes new friends. Audrey discovers a house in her neighborhood that’s too spooky to pass up, and after her first encounter with it, she and her friends become embroiled in a mysterious plot to claim its ghostly residents. Audrey’s balancing all of this paranormal activity with her own personal issues; her aforementioned anxiety, a boyfriend back home who seems to be growing more and more distant, plus a new love interest that may or may not be part of the land of the living. As Audrey and her friends learn more about the Haunted Mansion, they come to realize that its ghostly denizens don’t deserve eternal banishment; but can they solve the mystery of how to save the house before a powerful darkness overcomes the entire town?
Gray’s easy-to-read writing and love for the YA genre shines in Storm & Shade. Her characterizations of Audrey and her friends are thoughtful and rooted in real world issues, and they’re each distinct in their personalities. This trio of girls are the highlight of the novel, their fast friendship is adorable and their quirky personalities are hysterical (Gray balances their own senses of humor with physical comedy expertly). While the characterizations are spot on, there are moments when the teenage protagonists use references or slang that I find hard to believe would come out of the mouth of these modern teenagers. This out of touch nature with modern youth isn’t new to the genre and it only took me out of a story a small number of times.
Disney fans with a particular love for the Haunted Mansion ride might not quite have their expectation met with Storm & Shade. Yes, all the elements are there like the architecture, music and beloved ghosts that have haunted Disney Parks audiences for decades but Audrey’s story and the Mansion’s don’t quite mesh. I found myself interested both in the humorous and social aspects of the Audrey storyline and the Haunted Mansion’s lore, but the two never quite aligned. The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade feels like a compromise between a mega corporation and a mega talented author that unfortunately doesn’t result in a classic. I think either Audrey or the Mansion should have taken center stage; with both sharing the lead, Storm & Shade doesn’t reach its spooktacular potential (horror it definitely is not).
The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade didn’t quite do it for me, but that’s not to say certain audiences wouldn’t find it enjoyable. I give it
km_loves_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I liked this story as a cute spooky Halloween read. That being said, I think that this could have benefited from more additional actual Haunted Mansion content. There is so much backstory of the actual mansion to choose from! This story could take place in any scary mansion if you remove a few mentions of characters like Madame Leota and the gravedigger.
postmodernblues's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Bland characters, plot, and writing, but manages to pander directly to me by referencing two of my favorite movies, Dead Poets Society and Ghostbusters, by name as though that will distract me. And, y'know, it kind of worked.
sebrittainclark's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The move from the suburbs to New Orleans isn't helping Audrey' Perez's anxiety disorder as she's faced with starting a new school and making new friends, but the haunted mansion in her neighborhood will bring her together with new friends and show her that anxiety is not the opposite of bravery.
The book is more spooky than scary with a bigger plot about a threat to Audrey and her home that came together slowly.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book is more spooky than scary with a bigger plot about a threat to Audrey and her home that came together slowly.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
scribe391's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Set in New Orleans, Audrey Perez is one of several new students at Gracey Hall.
While on a walk, Audrey discovers the Haunted Mansion.
This is an original story inspired by the Disney theme park attraction: The Haunted Mansion.
Gray mentions Madame Leota and the Hat Box ghost along with several other characters that haunt the well known ride.
While on a walk, Audrey discovers the Haunted Mansion.
This is an original story inspired by the Disney theme park attraction: The Haunted Mansion.
Gray mentions Madame Leota and the Hat Box ghost along with several other characters that haunt the well known ride.
sarah_julius's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So excited that there was a book out on my very favorite ride from Disney. Overall I would’ve loved to have more ghosts overall and interaction with them and within the house. It felt at times that it would just be a throw away sentence here or there that was a call out to scenes from the ride. The first half-ish of the book I felt barely touched the house and ghosts and had a lot of fluff I didn’t think was necessary and dragged a little. With that being said, I was actually very surprised at how much I did like the friendship and mental health aspect of this book… not what I was originally hoping would be the focus of this book, but surprisingly good nonetheless. They handled anxiety very well and represented it very very realistically!! That’s really what took this from a 3 to 4 stars for me. Again, wish that there was just more focus on the house and ghosts, but still a fun read.