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selyn's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bentersbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? Yes
3.75
samilly's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
librarymouse's review
funny
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
4.5
I really enjoyed reading this. It reminded me of a combination of the Scary Godmother movies and The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, with some added flair of a heist novel. There's a quirk to middle grade that goes away in YA and adult fiction, where there are fun and interesting work arounds to avoid killing off characters. I liked having a reprieve from character death. This book also does a good job addressing bullying and anger issues without becoming a PSA. Esther is a fun character, and I was very much like her as a Halloween-obsessed youth (minus the scary movies. I do not like visual gore). Fink weaves a really fun and pleasantly spooky narrative about growing up and learning to face your fears, and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a middle grade fantasy novel for a middle grader or otherwise! My only critique is that thirteen is most definitely not too old to be trick or treating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, and Bullying
Minor: Antisemitism
If you deal with existential anxiety in any way, heads up about that.ka99's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's pretty obvious that this is a middle grade book. I think i would've enjoyed it more of I was the same age as the main character
upstartcrow9803's review
3.0
Great little read for the middle schooler in you who grew up with “goosebumps” and “are you afraid of the dark ? “
bsadgarlicb's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0