Scan barcode
queeniecraft's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I haven't read this book since I was a child so I won't give a star rating; I don't even know the actual year I read it, but it was before 2010. Even so, I still remember specific scenes from this disturbing book and I'm now in my 30s lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Stalking, Kidnapping, Gore, Body horror, Blood, and Torture
haleycorkery's review
4.0
I loved this book as a kid. I remember thinking it was such a cool story about creatures living under ground and amputating people for their limbs...Fun to read it again and see what your 10 year old self was thinking. Have to give it 4 stars just because I have such great memories of this book.
escargot's review
You ever forget the name of a book you read in middle school that shocked and horrified you but remember details such as “creepy eye on cover,” and “boy gives eye to monsters who live underground in his back yard” and then find a post of someone trying to locate the exact same book and then find the title? Yeah, me too
tallguyjenks's review
5.0
Finally getting around to some of the books I wanted to catch up on and I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this one as a kid. There's definitely some scary moments in the story but over all this story will make you think a little and really look at some of the actions taken and think "WOW.... and this is in a kids book?" Always enjoy Sleator's writing.
ejimenez's review
4.0
I read most of Sleator's books as a teenager, and remember finding them creepy, fascinating, and smart. This one is no exception -- Sleator is excellent at establishing and maintaining a sense of understated horror and dread. This is a quick and compelling read.
helloworld3283's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
williamsdebbied's review
4.0
When Doug and his family move to a house at the edge of a deep forest, things quickly get creepy. Doug and his sister soon find the entrance to a hidden passageway. They meet strange creatures known as beasties who have a mysterious connection to the forest. When Doug discovers the odd brand of plastic surgery performed by the beasties, he is horrified. He sets out to save himself and his sister from the beasties, but soon discovers that there is more to the beasties than meets the eye.
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
This was one of my favorite books IN LIFE as a young teen, and I must have checked it out from the library and read it a dozen times over the years. I won't give it a star rating because I haven't read it in years now, but it came to mind just now and I totally want to reread it and see if it held up! I remember thinking it was so gruesome and creepy as a kid, and the twist was totally haunting and sad. Maybe I'll do a reread review soon!