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shyanab's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Very quick read. The book moves fast but is very suspenseful. Great adventure story that has a lot of dark descriptive writing. Really enjoyed it.
crowyhead's review
3.0
After 17-year-old Ken's best friend, Roger, dies in a plane crash, Ken becomes obsessed with death and is constantly afraid of dying. This finally leads him to Cherie Buttercup, a creepily sweet old psychic who promises him that she can store his soul for him, thus rendering him invulnerable. At first Ken is thrilled with his new power, but as one might expect, it turns out that the price is more than he bargained for.
This is an enjoyably creepy YA thriller from a master of the genre. What's funny is that I could have sworn I saw this book on the shelf when I was a kid, but according to the copyright information, it was only published a few years ago, so I'm probably thinking of a different Sleator novel or something. Anyway, it's good fun.
This is an enjoyably creepy YA thriller from a master of the genre. What's funny is that I could have sworn I saw this book on the shelf when I was a kid, but according to the copyright information, it was only published a few years ago, so I'm probably thinking of a different Sleator novel or something. Anyway, it's good fun.
coyoteclaw11's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
williamsdebbied's review
4.0
After his best friend dies in a horrible accident, Ken decides he never wants that to happen to him. He finds a woman who claims to be able to make him invincible for the bargain price of $50. Sounds too good to be true? Oh yeah.
Ken soon learns that the actual price is much higher. Join him as he races to rescue his trapped soul before it is too late.
This is a genuinely creepy novel with several interesting twists that will keep you guessing. My favorite of Sleator's books so far, although Hell Phone was a close second.
Ken soon learns that the actual price is much higher. Join him as he races to rescue his trapped soul before it is too late.
This is a genuinely creepy novel with several interesting twists that will keep you guessing. My favorite of Sleator's books so far, although Hell Phone was a close second.
dingo765's review
4.0
I can’t even begin to describe how weird this book is. All the zombies and stuff are just crazy but I didn’t not like it but I didn’t like it. I don’t know how to describe it. This is sooooo crazy!!!
oliolioh's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was a quick read, but it was good, nothing too special though, which is why it isn’t rated higher. Creepy at some points, especially the dreams, and it kept me interested throughout.
It wrapped up quick, and I thought the ending, of I guess like the “main plot line”, was good. However, literally within the last two pages, a pretty big secret is revealed. This threw the whole thing off for me. The book was quick-paced, yes, but this was too far. I suppose it did explain a couple things though, but they didn’t warrant that big of a twist. I would’ve preferred if the knowledge she had was just attributed to living on the island, or maybe a relative dealing with something similar.
Overall, it was a fairly good book. Probably wouldn’t reread it, but would definitely recommend it, especially to those trying to get out of a reading slump.
It wrapped up quick, and I thought the ending, of I guess like the “main plot line”, was good. However, literally within the last two pages, a pretty big secret is revealed. This threw the whole thing off for me. The book was quick-paced, yes, but this was too far. I suppose it did explain a couple things though, but they didn’t warrant that big of a twist. I would’ve preferred if the knowledge she had was just attributed to living on the island, or maybe a relative dealing with something similar.
Overall, it was a fairly good book. Probably wouldn’t reread it, but would definitely recommend it, especially to those trying to get out of a reading slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Gore
Moderate: Child death
niratuer's review
3.0
This could have benefited from like 200 extra pages. It was v fast paced and focused only on plot, and if we had gotten more character development and exposition, I think that could've given the book a lot more tension and bumped it up a star rating.
danab913's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Good book, bad ending (it leaves you wanting for more) and there is no more books after this one
rovertoak's review
5.0
As a zombie fan, this threw me a bit...but didn't disappoint! Here, we're talking about the mystical, voodoo zombie of Hatian lore. It's a story of a boy who loses his best friend and decides to simply not die. He answers an ad in the paper and does the ritual in the strange woman's apartment. He's hit by a car and unharmed. So, the obvious question is...what's the price of immortality?