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kyumgi's review against another edition
4.0
such a good plot!!! i remember how badly this book scared me as a kid but - i was convinced olmstead was actually dan poblocki himself
justlily's review against another edition
2.0
First half was okay. Second half was so dull it gave me a headache. I would finish a page, look to see how close to the end I was, and groan out loud when I realized I still had X number of pages to go. Great premise but the writing just... Nope. Not for me.
gbliss's review against another edition
4.0
Darn good. Appealing characters. An interesting premise. A good mix of suspense, spookiness, and pre-teen reality. Dan Poblocki is a WRITER TO WATCH and one whose work I will continue to read.
My only quibble is aimed at the typesetter. Yes, the typesetter. The font and size of the print for the hand-written diary entries - at least in the paperback I read - were horrible. These passages were incredibly difficult to read and tough going. This is unfortunate because they are key to the plot and the whole impact of the book.
So...when's the last time you read a review that even mentioned the font and the typesetter?
Good question, right?
My only quibble is aimed at the typesetter. Yes, the typesetter. The font and size of the print for the hand-written diary entries - at least in the paperback I read - were horrible. These passages were incredibly difficult to read and tough going. This is unfortunate because they are key to the plot and the whole impact of the book.
So...when's the last time you read a review that even mentioned the font and the typesetter?
Good question, right?
babenclaw's review
4.0
I find myself really enjoying Poblocki's novels. My biggest gripe with this book was the consistently reappearing cursive. I read cursive with little problem usually, but I found the font and size chosen to be a difficult one to read. That might be my age showing, though. Overall, a good book.
stressedspidergirl's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun little read.
If you're willing to let your imagination run away with you some, or just read it alone in a dark enough place, it can be creepy.
It's not an especially hair raising sort of story, but I found it to be more of a twist and turn "Thriller" "scary story" than a lot of other novels I read last year marked as "thriller" or even "horror" where I was bored out of my mind and couldn't figure out how it was marketed that way.
I enjoyed re-reading it, and I think it can stay in my collection of books for sure.
If you're willing to let your imagination run away with you some, or just read it alone in a dark enough place, it can be creepy.
It's not an especially hair raising sort of story, but I found it to be more of a twist and turn "Thriller" "scary story" than a lot of other novels I read last year marked as "thriller" or even "horror" where I was bored out of my mind and couldn't figure out how it was marketed that way.
I enjoyed re-reading it, and I think it can stay in my collection of books for sure.
ardaquis's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The only book that spooked me as a kid. I guess ive grown up now
iamastraythought's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
4.0
Classic spooky mystery combined with fantasy...very delightful.
jamiezaccaria's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic story by Dan Poblocki! I love all his books and this one did not disappoint.
bailey_alex's review against another edition
This book was so suspenseful! I loved it. A real page turner.