Horror Books

I really like Vampire Mountain. I have read evey book in the Cirque Du Freak series. In this book Darren gets blooded to the stone of blood through a sharp needle. Every vampire has to get blooded or they are sentenced to the Hall of Death. It is amazing he has the guts to go up to Seba, a champion fighter. This book is good for people with the thirst for blood and gor. Darren is very gutsy and never gives up somthing he believes in. Would you do what Darren does? I would not do anything like him.

The first three Cirque books were awesome! The series started out spectacular. It should have had that quality, and be great from beginning to end.
So what happened????
Darren Shans writing style and voice seem to have changed. It's been eight years, now, and Darren and Mr. Crepsley are off to vampire mountain. And, um, that's about it. Call me ignorant, but that's all I could see. Some parts on the way there were great, but the rest went way downhill. To me, the rest of the book compiled of Mr. Crepsley's friends, and how Vampire Mountain works. A plot only comes near the end, with a cliffhanger. I definately did not enjoy this as much as I did with Tunnels of Blood. I liked seeing Darren interact with the "normal" world and Evra Von. Things change, but something about this book doesnt seem right. I do hope things shape up soon.

i give this book 3 becaue itsbored and only thing that they talk about is that how do they get there.its about darren sean who goes to the vimpire mountain and he takes 2 little man and a wolf. and some part of the book is exciting because like how the wolf tried to save sean from danger andmostly its boring because it toook half of the book to just to get there

I have enjoyed this series so far, but this book was incomplete. The first three books were complete self-contained stories. This book setup the story, but then came to a cliffhanger ending. You need to buy the next book to read the complete story. Essentially, I had to pay full price for a half-book.

I love this book because I love reading about vampirers.Darren Shan is a thirteen year old boy even though he doesn't look thirteen he is the reason why he doesn't look his thirteen is because he is half vampire it doesn't let look like he is his age because he is growing slower than the normal humen would.

High school cali girl/ 10th grader Suze Simon wakes up in her bed with a blood curdleing scream. Its a ghost, screaming and sobbing uncontrolably. "You have to tell Red he didn't kill me." Suze trys to put two and two together and looks up Red and finds Red Beaumount. When Suze schedules a meeting with Red Beaumount, she meets Marcus, Red's brother. Red thinks, well Red B. thinks he's a.... but he's not. But Red really is... And Marcus really tries to... and Jesse saves... and [blank] killed others too.

So as you see its really a good mystery, and trust I revealed nothing to you, so you have to read it to answer these blanks!

I really like Susannah's character because she kind of sassy and a "kick butt" kind of girl. She's got a really strong personality but it has many of the issues that a teen girl faces...being embarrassed...wanting a boyfriend, and all that.

All in all, this is turning out to be a solid series in the genre of urban fantasy and I highly recommend.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, ( Shadowland (The Mediator, Book 1) ) it seemed unique enough. But this one... well first I'd like to point out that in this book Meg Cabot repeats a lot of things she said in the first book. I mean yes I suppose it's nice to make the books so you really dont have to start at the beginning of the series to understand what is going on, but there is a fine line between that, and repeating an ENTIRE PARAGRAPH WORD FOR WORD from the first book ( which Cabot DID do ). During most of this book it seemed to me that Meg Cabot just did not know what to write. It all seems like she just improvised, and, most of it is repeated stuff from Shadowland ( if not word for word, than the basic idea of it ). Thankfully, in the later books this doesnt happen so often, so if you can bare through this one, than the series is over all pretty interesting.
Also, it gets very annoying how obsessed Suze is with getting a boyfriend; like its the only thing that matters, ever. And how being a Mediator " Is so horrible Oh i just wish I was normal " ( This continues on throughout the series ).

The novel starts off with Suze being at a pool party. While Suze is at this pool party, she meets an attractive guy named Tad Beaumount. After the party, Suze wakes up in the middle of the night to a screaming ghost of a woman. The woman tells Suze to tell someone named 'Red' that he didn't kill her.

With the help of her friends CeeCee and Adam, Suze tracks down a multi-millionaire businessman with the nickname of Red. Suze also finds out that Tad Beaumount is the son of this multi-millionaire. Jesse warns Suze not to get in contact with Red and that it would only cause trouble. Suze ignores Jesse's warnings and gets in contact with Red. Soon Suze finds out that Jesse's warnings were right and that things are not as they seem.

'The Ninth Key' Was a really interesting book but I just don't think it was as great as 'Shadowland'.
Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoyed this book but it could have been improved a bit.
There were events that were very suspenseful and had me on the edge of my seat but most of these events were kind of un-necessary (You'll have to read the book to find out because it would spoil the book if I said why they were unneccessary).
I also agree with another reviewer that said that this book would have been better if it had been a short story or if it had been a part in the first book.

Book #2 in the Mediator series by Meg Cabot opens about a week after the first book ended. Suze, mediator at large, is suddenly visited in the middle of the night by a screaming ghost begging her to tell "Red" that she knows he didn't kill her. With a cryptic message like that, Suze checks around to find out who might be called Red, leading her to a prominent businessman and his hunky son, Tad. Delivering her message is easier said than done, and Suze becomes uneasy when she's rushed out of the strange home of Red Beaumont (even though she's definitely attracted to Tad). Imagine her surprise when the ghost reappears, accusing her of not delivering the message at all, and she runs into a second ghost who tells her Beaumont is responsible for HER death. What's going on? Does Suze have the right person? Is Red Beaumont a cold-blooded murderer? Is he a vampire? What about Jesse, the hot ghost living in her bedroom? Will Tad ask her out?

This is a very good sequel to the first book in this series. Suze is finding an ally in Father Dominic, a fellow mediator, and her circle of friends is growing in her new home. We also meet her father, a ghost who has traveled across the country to give his daughter advice. This story, while of course focusing on the mediator aspect, also brings Suze into a more complex mystery and shows us her survival skills outside of her ghostly talents. There's a pretty good twist towards the end, and the tension between Suze and Jesse is intensifying. This is a fun series, not meant to be taken too seriously, and I look forward to reading more. Surprisingly well done, if you enjoy paranormal romance and suspense, you'll definitely like this one.

Cujo, to me, harkens back to the time when Stephen King's writing was wilder, back then when unbridled classics such as Firestarter and The Stand were still new to the bookstores. Cujo represented a time for me when Stephen would usually put predestrian characters into extraordinary situations and just let them work their way out. Less subtle than his current books Lisey's Story and Duma Key, but more energetic. And you always have a sense that anything can and does happen. That is what's so great about Cujo.

If you've read any of the quips about Cujo online, you would know the basis of this book right from the get go. You knew that eventually there would be a wild dog trapping a woman and her child in a car. And it will indeed be in the back of your mind while reading this thriller.

But you never expected the buildup to be this solid.

You never knew Stephen could do it this masterfully. He simply took the characters and built on their stories. And these stories collided very realistically, creating a push and pull reaction that drove the story forward to that above-mentioned scenario. And then it's boom, the situation starts, wondering what would happen next. Rip roaring stuff.

And outside that struggle between the trapped and the dog were many other situations happening at the same time. Ted's struggle to keep his advertising contract, Steve Kemp's schemings, all this tension made the story all the more thrilling.

This book isn't perfect though; some parts felt really pre-fabricated and campy, like King just put them in there to build up the suspense. But, like paper tigers, you realize how these things eventually turn out to be nothing much. Well, this is fiction, so it goes in the territory. Not really anything to shout about.

If you want to read a good thriller, Cujo would be right up your alley.

Cujo- A pet to never forget

Cujo is a tedious read for those used to the more exciting and action packed Stephen King usually writes. Cujo written by the famous author Stephen King.

The book Cujo is about the real life monsters that don't have to live in the dark recesses of your closet or dreams to thrive in. There is no main character like in many of King's books the perspective alters constantly to show everything that's going on. Though in the broad prospect of things there are two main families the story follows.

The Trenton family is in the upper middle class with Vic a commercial director and his wife Donna a stay at home house wife. There pride and joy Tad or to his dad tadder has a monster in his closet which is a foreshadowing of the monster he faces latter on.

The other family is the chamber family. A poor hillbilly get'r done husband abuses his wife Charity. She stays around only for her son who his very intelligent but she worries that he will follow his father's footsteps to nowhere.

The Trenton's car is in need of repair and so they take it to Joe who repairs cars and meet the Chamber's dog Cujo. Cujo is a lovable easy going 200 lbs dog.

Of course in typical King fashion he turns Cujo into a poor retched monster. Maybe not the type your thinking of Cujo gets bitten by bats and get the nervous system attacking brain deteriorating incurable disease rabies. Well while this is happening Vic finds out that Donna is cheating on him so he leaves town.

While Donna is trying to keep her marriage together which takes up a large potion of the book dulling it so much that even when you get to the parts where Cujo is killing people it can hardly raise your attention.

Well Donna takes tad with her to get the car checked out again. Cujo has fallen to the last stages of madness and attacks. With a cruel twist of fate the car battery dies trapping Donna and her 6 yr old son to an indefinite siege in the car. After day of being trapped and with tad on the brink of death Donna faces off with Cujo armed only with a broken bat.

I would recommend that if you want to read this book that you be very persistent with your reading. The extra details can grow tedious and boring so if you're not a good reader find something else.

I am a new reader of King. I have heard about him my whole life but am only now collecting his books. I am reading them in the order they were written so Cujo was the next one on the list. I have to say I did not like this novel as much as some of the others; however, much of this was because I have been an abused wife just like the one in this book. I have been a mother who worried over her son again just like both mom's in this book. There are other parallels as well but I won't go there here. I also felt I was in the dog's head and I felt increasingly sorry for him. I understood Tad's fear of the monster in the closet and remember feeling that way as a child. I had wolfs in my closet :). I agree that this is a dark novel but I also got a truth out of it. Make the most out of each day of your life. Sometimes your life does not work out as you would have wished. Everyone probably should read this book and I am sure in a discriptive literature class the disucssions would be awesome.

This one's good to read if if you've got about 3-4 hours to kill. It is a page turner. Not because it is so good, because it's so short.

Stephen King is the sort of man people discuss in hushed
whispers, muttering of the terryfing events he unravels in
his novels, yet Cujo not only comes up short of these
expectations, but fails them completely.
Before Cujo, I had never read a Stephen King book. A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to indulge myself. I checked the book out from the school library and brought it home, already a nervous knot forming in my stomach, expecting non-stop sequences of completely unpredictable peril. Instead, I read the first dozen pages utterly bored and puzzled. The only remotely scary instance was the realization that I had 192 more pages to read until the end.
King opens the story with a small summary of a recent suicide by a lunatic named Frank Dodd who apparently molested and murdered a various assortment of girls and women in the small Maine community. The plot then shifts to a small family, the Trentons, whose four-year old son, Tad, is panic-sticken by an apparent monster in his closet. This proves irrevelent to the overall story and is used as a ruse by King to keep the reader hooked. Tad's disbelieving father Vic, is in the advertising business with his friend Roger. Vic has a lot of stress hanging over his head because the money inflow is at a low and he fears his wife, Donna has been cheating on him. King also aquaints us with some other potential victims, the Cambers, a classic country family with a young boy named Brett, whose dog is named Cujo (surprise).

I understand that in order for any well-written story, the author must introduce and set up the characters and setting. However, King does this in a rather simple, boring approach which lead me to believe I was watching a drab documentary with my grandparents.
As the tale continues, Cujo, once a kind and loving dog, becomes a ruthless monster and hunts down isolated victims around his residence. These situations prove very predictable, as it is very difficult to brainstorm various outcomes of a bloodthirsty dog and petrified people alone in a deserted country side.
The ending is without any doubt the best portion of the book, being somewhat suspenseful and emotional. The investigative team makes you want to cry out in frustration, as they do everything but fulfill their duty to the missing people. The mostly-predictable ending has a tragic twist at the end that adds heart to a heartless legend woven of attempted intrigue.
Although the book has some good life lessons, a horror novel is not supposed to focus on values, and this unneccessary focal point takes away from the overall quality of the novel. For example, King zooms in on Vic as he struggles with the realization that his family should come before his work and that carrying the burden of anxiety is not always necessary. I took away nothing from reading this disappointing novel, except that I should not base my choices on critics or acclaim, as this book was the #1 bestseller. I would not recommend this book to anyone unless they are looking for a very mild horror book and have more than enough time on their hands. I would doubt that other high-schoolers would have the time or patience to read this book for fun or enjoyment. If you are looking for a scare, I suggest you rent a movie and stay far, far, away from this disappointing book.

Cute book for Scooby lovers! Has little pictures to give clues to the words for beginner readers.

Smaller book than I expected. My son likes it, I just thought the flash cards would be something besides a page in the book.

My 4 year old loves all of these Scooby Doo Picture Clue books. I like them too since I grew up with Scooby Doo it makes me feel like we have something in common other than DNA.

My twins love Scooby doo. Anything with Scooby on it they will use over and over. They read it over and over even though they don't know all the words.

Book Review By MENDIOLA ROOM #B1 a
Scooby Do The Search for Scooby Snacks

If you like cartoon books you are in the right place. You'll like reading this book.
I like Scooby do because it is very, very funny book.
This story is about Scooby and Shaggy looking for their food that was lost. A bear was eating it. In my opinion this book is very good because you will laugh all through and enjoy the book from beginning to end. This book showed me not to leave my snacks on the floor because someone could come and eat them. This
Book is very funny. YOVANI

I got the whole trilogy and read them in order thankfully.
Monster Nation was my favorite of the 3 and developed a few interesting characters and Monster Planet wrapped them up somewhat.

The writing style seemed a bit complex compared to other "undead" based books I have read.
The trilogy one was more in depth and had a supernatural flavor to it. I was looking for a brain-smashing mindless zombie book but this one gave me a different experience. I feel indifferent as it did not satisfy my mindless need for human on zombie violence.

I would definitely read all 3 of the books to get full satisfaction but do not expect a definitive ending! It left me hanging and somewhat unsatisfied.

If you want brain-bashing go elsewhere but if you want interesting characters and a departure from the norm this is a good book/trilogy.

I haven't finished this book yet but it is good so far. I am reading it to finish the Monster trilogy. Overall, the trilogy is OK. It is a little far-fetched or supernatural. i was expecting a standard zombie-type book.

I started this series by happenstance. Which is to say I was going to try another book from David Wellington, but wanted to start with his first book written, which is Monster Island Monster Island: A Zombie Novel. I had never read a zombie novel before, but was immediatley grabbed by the story. After devouring this book I had to have the second Monster Nation Monster Nation: A Zombie Novel. At the start I was put off by the time line presented in the book, but was again drawn in and read through as quickly as possible. When I picked up this book to finish the trilogy it was with anticipation of finding out how he was going to wrap it all up and disappointment that it was going to be over. This book had all the roller coaster emotions that had drawn me into the other books and had the finale that I was not really expecting. I never would have picked up a "zombie novel" if not for my strict self order of going from first to last, but I am glad I did. I think his style of writing is paced right to keep people involed and the chapter size makes you believe that you are making a great deal of progress as you read. You will not be disappointed with this book, but since it is the third in the trilogy start with Monster Island.

but this book through me for a loop. This book is a classic example of far too many characters that are never fully fleshed out. I could never tell if the bad guys were really bad or kind of bad or maybe just pretending to be bad but are really good. That's a problem. I don't need everything spelled out for me because I've read many a book, but this is too convoluted. My other major qualm with this book is that I didn't even feel a connection to the protagonists. It's disappointing to me that I could've cared less what happened to them. That's the sign of a disjointed book to me.

I had read the first two books in the trilogy and thought that they were ok. However I found the ending in this the final installment to be hurried and very disappointing. Therefore I cannot recommend the trilogy to anyone. I was so disappointed in the ending I felt as though I had wasted my time reading the first two books.

Adapted from ISawLightningFall.blogspot.com

Autumn is the season that draws me back to my central-Kentucky childhood. Back then, the daytime temperature would hover just above freezing point, the sun a warm disc in the chill blue sky. Leaves would slowly shift to orange and ochre and brown before cascading down in piles that reached your knees. The air smelled of cider, and you could always find pumpkins -- lined for purchase in fields, in stacks at the grocery, by every front door. Nights were different. The cold came down like a hammer. It stiffened the leaves into parchment and brittled the grass with frost. Wind would moan around the eaves like an afflicted spirit. As the season crawled near to winter, I'd wake to find the water in the horses' paddocks frozen like a stone. Autumn was a thing of beauty and eeriness, as is Ray Bradbury's short-story collection The October Country.

Nearly all of the material tilts toward horror, although it's an older kind that's unafraid to commingle sentiment and scares. Many of the stories are one-weird-idea tales, throwing an intentional kink in the order of things. In "The Scythe," a migrant farmer inherits a field of grain from a stranger, along with a sickle on which is engraved "Who Wields Me -- Wields the World!" He discovers too late why the wheat ripens in patches, why there's just enough for him to cut each day, and why it springs up again soon after he slices it down. "Skeleton" features a nervous hypochondriac whose bones might be rebelling against him or who may be in thrall to a sinister physician. Another doctor inadvertently aids "The Small Assassin" -- a newborn with the facilities of an adult and murder on his mind. A youngster dispatches a vampire residing in his grandmother's boarding house ("The Man Upstairs") and a newly married man reconnects with a long-lost love decades after her drowning ("The Lake").

While the collection contains more than a few spooky tropes, many of the shorts avoid the supernatural, focusing instead on the dreams and darknesses within the human heart. There is "The Dwarf" who nightly ventures through a circus hall of mirrors to watch his reflection stretch and elongate. A lonely Louisiana bumpkin becomes the center of small-town life when brings home "The Jar," in which floats a shrunken, pickled thing that might have once been human. Both light-hearted and gruesome, "The Watchful Poker Chip of H. Matisse" finds a boorish fellow becoming the cynosure of an avart-garde movement. When his admirers' interest begins to slacken, he decides to make his body into a work of art. Two retired life-insurance salesmen try to save future murderees from self-destruction ("Touched With Fire").

Not all of the stories work. There are plots that fail to gain traction ("The Next in Line") and characters flatter than the paper they're printed on ("The Cistern"). Interesting conceits get sidelined by swathes of expository dialogue ("The Wind"). The cheery tone and gushing prose of the final story, "The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone," clashes with the others. But these are minor quibbles. Over fifty years after its original publication, The October Country can still chill, whether it's autumn or high summer.

A collection of creepy horror, in the majority, with the odd other story. Right on the consistent Bradbury sort of average score for me, and happily lacking in the overly twee mainstream stories.

So, very good examples of his fantasy work, or dark fantasy, or whatever you would like to call it.

October Country : The Dwarf - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Next in Line - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Watchful Poker Chip of H. Matisse - Ray Bradbury
October Country : Skeleton - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Jar - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Lake - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Emissary - Ray Bradbury
October Country : Touched with Fire - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Small Assassin - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Crowd - Ray Bradbury
October Country : Jack-in-the-Box - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Scythe - Ray Bradbury
October Country : Uncle Einar - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Wind - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Man Upstairs - Ray Bradbury
October Country : There Was an Old Woman - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Cistern - Ray Bradbury
October Country : Homecoming - Ray Bradbury
October Country : The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone - Ray Bradbury



3.5 out of 5

Captivated through suspense, innovation, and awe I award The October Country five of five stars. Ray Bradbury's ingenuity and flair become indubitably evidnet within the catacombs, deep cisterns, a town called Obscurity, and a seashore called the Past that lay through the looking glass. The New York Times calls Bradbury "the uncrown king of the science fiction writers". The simple astonishment of this collection will be enjoyed by many imaginative readers time and time again. Within great minds are immense possiblities, horrors, and twisted fate, as these await you inside The October Country.

I found the first story to be mildly interesting, if a little predictable, and from there it seemed to slow down a bit. However, I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did, as this collection contains some excellent stories that really build up the suspense until endings that send a shiver through you and leave you feeling (contentedly) disquieted. My favorites were: Skeleton, The Jar, The Small Assassin, and The Scythe. (Maybe add The Wind to this list, on the basis of its ending.)

However, unfortunately, there are a few stories that I felt were a real let-down, and might be better skipped on first reading. Often these stories had some potential building up, but closed on a note that seemed out of nowhere and didn't satisfactorily resolve the strangeness and supernatural aspects of the story. The most egregious was the Jack-in-the-Box, which I would definitely skip, The Emissary and The Cistern were also a little disappointing.

If you enjoy Twilight-Zone/Alfred Hitchcock Presents - type of dark stories, often with a strong obsessive/psychological component, then I would definitely recommend this collection, on the strength of the stories I mentioned in the beginning.

A gem. Thematically, the stories are not all that close, but they have great suspense, drama, interesting characters. Memorable.

A collection of many comics, with the setting actually being before she ever made it to Sunnydale.

The one addition to this history appears to be the presence of Dawn as something around a 10 year old. So, apparently told from the point of view of Buffy's memory, given Dawn didn't really exist then.

Backstory of the brief time she spent in an institution, and also how Giles came to be her watcher.

Reasonable for those interested in Buffy, but that is about it.

This product is exactly what I asked for and not only did it arrive in the selected time limit but it arrived early! I would definitely buy from this buyer again.

"Omnibus" was my first venture into the Buffy comic universe, having just finished the television series and looking for more. This graphic novel contains five previously-published stories by several different writers and artists, all set before the first season of Buffy. The first story is "The Origin" and is an adaptation of Joss Whedon's original screenplay from the film version of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer and shows how Buffy learn of her powers and how to cope with her destiny as the Slayer. Most fans are familiar with this and there's not really anything new here.

We also get a look at Buffy during her time spent in Las Vegas. While it's interesting to see Buffy's love interest from this time, who is made out to be fairly significant, the overall plot was boring and I didn't think the vampires in this story had much interest.

The rest of the stories are fairly decent, with the exception of "Dawn and Hoopy Bear," which shows what happens when Dawn is given an enchanted bear as a gift. It's not awful, but it's pretty much a "throwaway story" and doesn't offer any incite at all into the Buffy Universe, especially when you consider that it's just an implanted memory and not a real event.

Although some of the artists are better than others, I was fairly impressed with all of the artwork. Omnibus is definitely worth the money if you haven't read any of the previous comics or paperbacks on which it is based, although I'm not sure I would pay for it again if I knew I could find it in my local library.

This is so much better than the Season 8 comics, I can't wait to see the next volumes. It's actually got more plot and more said and more substance. It's interesting with better storylines, filling in the blanks we always wanted filled in. I loved seeing Angel (and Whistler!), Wesley, Giles, and whoa, Giles' Dad! Even the artwork was infinitely better, it wasn't like the other ones where it was all about the skin. This was more sophisticated and just...awesome. Spike's story was kind of boring, as was the Vegas part, but after that, everything picked up and it was stuff we actually cared about. This is a must-read for Buffy-fans, it's stuff that was mentioned in passing in the show but never elaborated on, until this. I'm so glad I found it!

With a faithful adaptation of Joss Whedon's ORIGINAL screenplay for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie), a story about the immediate after effects where Buffy runs away to Las Vegas, as well as giving us the story about her sojourn in the mental institution, we're finally given a good glimpse into what forces shaped the Buffy we grew to know and love in the first season of the series. Of course, we're also treated to a cute story featuring Dawn (because although she wasn't *really* there at the time, Buffy REMEMBERED her as being there), and we see Spike and Dru at the world's fair in 1933. All in all, a great collection of stories; a bit pricey, perhaps, but well worth the time to read - and practically a must-have for any serious B:tVS fan.

I have two boys. One of them is just about 8. This book is way above his reading level, but the story is wonderful!!

A brief synopsis: two kids - older tweens - go to stay at their grandmother's "haunted" inn. The two kids remind me of Fred and George from Harry Potter; they're just very mischievous. And their mischief wakes the ghosts at the inn.

There are "good" ghosts and "bad" ghosts, and it becomes apparent quickly which is which. There is a good mystery, a great amount of historical ambiance, and a very good personification of evil.

My boys love spooky stories. This one TOTALLY fit the bill. Not gross, not at all, just scary. The plot was so good that it captivated me, the out-loud reader.

I would highly recommend this book to kids in middle school, or, if you don't mind the subject matter, to younger boys. I find stuff like this increases my kids' desire to read as well as their vocab and attention span. But it IS scary, very much so! So, kids who are sensitive should avoid it.

(*)>

Printed on the cover is "A Ghost Story." It is - complete with creaking floors, blood-curdling screams, and dark groves of trees. ALL THE LOVELY BAD ONES is your typical haunted house tale.

Sent to spend the summer with their grandmother, Travis and his sister, Corey, are in for the scare of their lives. As soon as they learn that the Vermont inn owned by their grandmother is haunted, Travis and Corey are thrilled to be there. Unfortunately, Grandmother has other thoughts. She really isn't interested in playing up the haunted angle to her guest, but Travis thinks that would be just the ticket to increase business.

Travis and Corey have a plan. They will use some costumes, a little make-up, and a blue flashlight to make just the right combination of sights and sounds to stir up some interest in the old inn. When word gets around that the long-dormant ghosts of Fox Hill Inn are active again, business will be booming. However, it was not part of the plan that the kids' antics would actually encourage the real ghosts to make a return of a very real kind.

Readers of Mary Downing Hahn's latest mystery are in for a treat. The ghosts in this story are not ready to settle down until some of the wrongs of the past are righted. Until that happens, the inhabitants of the old inn are victims of mysterious wild rampages that destroy their rooms and possessions, vicious physical assaults, and endless taunts and threats. Life at the inn will not be peaceful until the spirits of the past are appeased.

ALL THE LOVELY BAD ONES is an excellent addition to any mystery collection. It is especially perfect for middle grade readers looking for a quick read and a good scare.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Probably my favorite of the series. While the first book really introduces the characters and blue hour, this book really introduces the plot of the darklings. It is a much darker read than the latter, and will have you drooling for the last in the series!

I found this book to be more complex and mature compared to the first. There are additional characters, as well as fleshing out not only the five Midnighters, but also friends and family. Westerfeld introduces us to parents/families besides Jessica's, which is refreshing. Relationships and bonds are made, tested, and sometimes broken but it really moves the characters and story ahead. A good read before heading to bed.

This is a very good book...a great second book in the series. I personally enjoyed the first one better, but the Midnighters series will hold you interest and entertain you from start to finish. I have only read this book once, but am planning on reading it again soon. I have read the first one about 8 times...Great read for people who have read the first one. If you haven't read the first one I recommend go read it before reading the second. But overall, a great book!

Great book. An excellent sequal to the first. The characters have evolved and grown up so much. Its an excellent book for everyone.

Review of Midnighters trilogy:

Yet another YA science-fantasy winner from Westerfeld, with appeal well beyond the target audience, if your reviewer is a fair guide.

"Jessica Day moves into the small town of Bixby from Chicago, and although she hits it off with the "in" crowd, she also falls in with a bunch of weirdos who don't like the daylight, wear black a lot and are covered in metal jewelry. In the middle of the night she wakes up and discovers the world asleep with the exception of her weirdo chums and weird black slithery things..." -- from the best online review I saw of vol. 1; google farah-sf[dot]blogspot[dot]com

I know, it sounds sort of hokey and comic-booky, but actually works pretty well. The kids are fun, the action is fast & furious, and the pages turn most satisfactorily. There's even a nice touch of moral ambiguity in the wrapup volume.

Note that this is really a single novel, split into thirds by the publisher. You'll know by the end of #1 if you want to continue. I'm betting you will. But do start with #1! Midnighters #1: The Secret Hour

The story is set in Bixby, Oklahoma, now a suburb of Tulsa. I grew up about an hour away, and the problem with Westerfeld's Bixby is, it doesn't much resemble the real eastern Oklahoma. Westerfeld has numerous references to desert and salt flats, but this part of Oklahoma is pretty well-watered -- the native vegetation is a scrub-oak & pine forest. This won't affect your enjoyment of the story, really, but I have no idea why Westerfeld used a setting that would fit better in west Texas or New Mexico. Curious, seemingly pointless, and annoying.

Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman