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books_inthewild's review
3.0
I previewed this one for my middle grade students.
Overall, it’s a great concept for a story, and the mystery surrounding the “oldies” was really compelling! It got quite scary in the last half, and some of those final scenes were very, very scary. I enjoyed trying to solve why the oldies stayed young & youthful looking, but the ending felt a bit rushed as elements were added and then it was dealt with.
I don’t think I would recommend this one to anyone younger than grade 7, and with the warning that it’s creepy & scary. A true horror, with kids as the lead.
Overall, it’s a great concept for a story, and the mystery surrounding the “oldies” was really compelling! It got quite scary in the last half, and some of those final scenes were very, very scary. I enjoyed trying to solve why the oldies stayed young & youthful looking, but the ending felt a bit rushed as elements were added and then it was dealt with.
I don’t think I would recommend this one to anyone younger than grade 7, and with the warning that it’s creepy & scary. A true horror, with kids as the lead.
spidersinthecity's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mehsi's review
5.0
I won a copy of the ARC through a competition on Twitter, this in no means has affected my rating or feelings. This is 101% honesty here.
This was a very exciting and fun read! It took me several days to get through it due to how little time I had when I read it (something to do with packing up a tent, going home and unpack stuff, and feeling too dead to read). But whenever I could I read this book, because I just couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed it a lot, it gave some major Goosebumps x Eerie Indiana vibes (remember the episode with the tupperware lady?). I was already hoping for that so I am delighted! Meet the Oldies. A group of elderly people who have been living on the street for… well centuries, that is how it seems at least. People have known them for a long long time. Quinn and her dad were investigating them but then things happened to her dad and after that she just wasn’t that much into it. But now she is back again, this time with her friend (or well she thinks he is really cute and swoony) Mike. I loved seeing the two of them together and trying to figure out clues. Try to not get in the clutches of the Oldies. Along the way of their investigation they bump against dead ends, but also find out plenty of scary details that had gave me a big case of the goosebumps. Which I loved as it was hot as hell during my vacation/after my vacation and I could use some cold.
Things get spookier and spookier with each page and each newly learned fact. The Oldies are also going in the offence as they notice that Quinn is discovering things. Things they don’t want to come out. Seeing all the Oldies together was just a big NOPE, especially when they went chanting. Though I have to say seeing Mr. Brown rush past with his fancy legs was also something of a no thank you. He reminded me of a spider, waiting, waiting, and then pounce and run.
I love how Quinn was a runner and how she trained daily (though I am guessing running away from creepy old men wasn’t on the itinerary
This was a very exciting and fun read! It took me several days to get through it due to how little time I had when I read it (something to do with packing up a tent, going home and unpack stuff, and feeling too dead to read). But whenever I could I read this book, because I just couldn’t put it down.
I enjoyed it a lot, it gave some major Goosebumps x Eerie Indiana vibes (remember the episode with the tupperware lady?). I was already hoping for that so I am delighted! Meet the Oldies. A group of elderly people who have been living on the street for… well centuries, that is how it seems at least. People have known them for a long long time. Quinn and her dad were investigating them but then things happened to her dad and after that she just wasn’t that much into it. But now she is back again, this time with her friend (or well she thinks he is really cute and swoony) Mike. I loved seeing the two of them together and trying to figure out clues. Try to not get in the clutches of the Oldies. Along the way of their investigation they bump against dead ends, but also find out plenty of scary details that had gave me a big case of the goosebumps. Which I loved as it was hot as hell during my vacation/after my vacation and I could use some cold.
Things get spookier and spookier with each page and each newly learned fact. The Oldies are also going in the offence as they notice that Quinn is discovering things. Things they don’t want to come out. Seeing all the Oldies together was just a big NOPE, especially when they went chanting. Though I have to say seeing Mr. Brown rush past with his fancy legs was also something of a no thank you. He reminded me of a spider, waiting, waiting, and then pounce and run.
I love how Quinn was a runner and how she trained daily (though I am guessing running away from creepy old men wasn’t on the itinerary
what_ella_reads's review
3.0
My rating: 3.5 stars
This was a pretty fun spooky MG mystery. I enjoyed most things about it. I really liked Quinn and Mike, the main characters. They make a great mystery solving team! The side characters are also memorable, especially Grandma Jane and Red.
I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. Every scene with the oldies felt spooky and slightly sinister.
The only thing I didn't love was the reveal at the end. SPOILERS AHEAD.
It's reveled that The Oldies are immortal thanks to witchcraft. I personally don't think that made sense. I think a Frakensteinesque explanation would have made more sense. Christian readers should be aware that there are a few references to spells, sacrifices, and magic. As a Christian, it did make me kinda uncomfortable. I did like, however, that it made witchcraft seem evil. If you are a Christian and don't want to read about witchcraft, even when its talked about in a negative way, you may want to skip this book. END OF SPOILERS.
I did enjoy many things about this book, but considering the content mentioned in the spoilers, I'm not sure if I will read the rest of the book sin the series.
This was a pretty fun spooky MG mystery. I enjoyed most things about it. I really liked Quinn and Mike, the main characters. They make a great mystery solving team! The side characters are also memorable, especially Grandma Jane and Red.
I also really enjoyed the atmosphere. Every scene with the oldies felt spooky and slightly sinister.
The only thing I didn't love was the reveal at the end. SPOILERS AHEAD.
It's reveled that The Oldies are immortal thanks to witchcraft. I personally don't think that made sense. I think a Frakensteinesque explanation would have made more sense. Christian readers should be aware that there are a few references to spells, sacrifices, and magic. As a Christian, it did make me kinda uncomfortable. I did like, however, that it made witchcraft seem evil. If you are a Christian and don't want to read about witchcraft, even when its talked about in a negative way, you may want to skip this book. END OF SPOILERS.
I did enjoy many things about this book, but considering the content mentioned in the spoilers, I'm not sure if I will read the rest of the book sin the series.
michelles_teaandreads's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
oleanderwillow's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
modernhobbitvibes's review against another edition
3.0
Note to self for recommendation: this book does contain villainous use of The Dark Arts (TM) for immortality and the hinting that the grandmother is also a witch (but make it Glinda). Also, harm/danger to children including offscreen murder and parental death. Also, another gosh darn middle grade romance, can we STOP please.
rebeshelton's review
3.0
I can definitely see how reading this at a younger age would have been creepy. I was happy to listen to it for SCBAN reader's advisory but adult me just found it a bit boring.