My Book Reviews

Category: Books

This category contains any posts in references to books I have read, reviewed or want to read.

  • Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina #1) by Robert Beatty

    Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina #1) by Robert Beatty

    Serafina

    Serafina and the Black Cloak (Serafina #1) by Robert Beatty
    Release: July 14th 2015
    Format: Kindle
    Publisher: Disney•Hyperion
    Source: Amazon

    Serafina


    Serafina and the Black Cloak Synopsis:

    “Never go into the deep parts of the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul.”

    Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of the Biltmore estate. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa, the estate’s maintenance man, have secretly lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember.

    But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows who the culprit is: a terrifying man in a black cloak who stalks Biltmore’s corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of the Biltmore’s owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak’s true identity before all of the children vanish one by one.

    Serafina’s hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear. There she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must seek answers that will unlock the puzzle of her past.

     

    Review:

    I’m a bit late in reading this series, but better late than never, right? Having said that, I really enjoyed reading this book.

    Serafina is a great character that you want to root for from the first page. She has such an innocent yet brave quality in her that you cannot help but like her. Serafina believes in herself even though she knows she is different from others. She is independent and takes charge to do what is right without depending on anyone else. There are so many qualities in her that make her an inspiring role model. I also enjoyed Braedan’s character, and liked the friendship between the two. Also, I loved Serafina’s father and felt that he was an underrated character. Moreover, I was fascinated and scared by the Man in the Black Cloak. There are hardly any memorable villains in recently published novels, and I think that’s one of the main reasons this book held my interest.

    However, there were two aspects that bothered me a bit while reading Serafina. The first reason is the number of characters. The author introduces a lot of characters in the beginning and it takes time to get used to it. Due to this, I found the story to be initially slow at times, but it picked up as soon as Braeden and Serafina meet. The second reason that had me rolling my eyes was how Serafina managed to escape unbelievably fantastic situations and came out barely scratched. True that this is a magical fantasy novel, but I just couldn’t connect to the character during these scenes. There are so many instances where you feel that she should be breaking a few bones from her actions, but seconds later, she is perfect with just a few minor bruises.

    However, apart from these small details, I really liked this middle grade novel. Robert Beatty has a beautiful style of writing and it reminded me a lot of JK Rowling. There are so many wonderful messages and themes included to make this an engaging read. It’s one of those books that readers of any age would enjoy. I also think it would be a great adaptation to a movie someday. Overall, “Serafina and the Black Cloak” is a wonderful start to the series and I cannot wait to pick up “The Twisted Staff”!

  • Snow Lane by Josie Angelini

    Snow Lane by Josie Angelini

    Snow

    Snow Lane by Josie Angelini
    Release: January 2nd 2018
    Format: Kindle
    Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
    Source: Amazon

    Snow


    Snow Lane Synopsis:

    Fifth-grader Annie is just like every other girl in her small suburban town. Except she’s starting to realize that she isn’t.

    Annie is the youngest of nine children. Instead of being considered the baby of the family, she wants to carve out place for herself in the world. But it’s hard to find your destiny when the only thing you’re good at is being cheerful. Annie is learning that it’s difficult to be Annie, period, and not just because her clothes are worn-out hand-me-downs, and she suffers from a crippling case of dyslexia, but also because there are secrets in her life no one in her family is willing to face.

    Josie Angelini presents a story about a resilient girl who, in spite of many hardships, can still find light in the darkest of places.

     

    Review:

    I had mixed feelings about “Snow Lane”. While there are some parts that really stood out, I felt like the overall execution could have been better.

    The characters are the strong point of the book. The author has wonderfully written the characters and I liked Annie and Jordan from the get go. The protagonists focus on doing what they feel is right even if nobody understands them. The supporting characters are written in a down to Earth and three dimensional manner where you can easily relate to them. There are instances where I hated Fay, Aurora and Nora, but also felt bad for them at times. Personally, I felt that almost all the characters were interesting and would have loved to read more about them. Moreover, loved the interactions between Annie and Jordan. One of my favorite scenes is when Annie and Jordan react to the Challenger explosion, as it is so powerful and moving.

    However, the main thing that threw me off was the pacing and the story-line. Firstly, I felt the first half of the book was very slow and didn’t know where it was headed. The first half just talked about Annie’s personal problems in school and interactions with her friends and family. It was only towards the second half of the book where I felt like things were picking up. But, things picked up too rapidly and I felt like there was too much going on in the second half. I thought the author was trying to put too many social causes into this story in the latter part. We read about sibling rivalry, abuse, depression, social acceptance and what not. There was even a part where the author implies that JP is gay and I thought she would dwell into the LGBT cause, as it was unnecessary.

    I really enjoyed Josephine Angelini’s style of writing, and I would love to check out her other books. This book would have been perfect if she focused on a specific cause with certain characters. Also, while I can understand that children from overly religious families tend to curse and rebel against it, I really didn’t feel the need for so many expletives to be mentioned here as it is targeted towards a younger audience.

    Overall, “Snow Lane” is a very nice story but slightly missed its mark in becoming something great.

  • In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2) by Adam Gidwitz

    In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2) by Adam Gidwitz

    Glass

    In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2) by Adam Gidwitz
    Release: September 27th 2012
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Puffin Books
    Source: Edelweiss+

    Glass


    In a Glass Grimmly Synopsis:

    More Grimm tales await in the harrowing, hilarious companion to a beloved new classic

    Take caution ahead—
    Oversize plant life, eerie amphibious royalty, and fear-inducing creatures abound.

    Lest you enter with dread.
    Follow Jack and Jill as they enter startling new landscapes that may (or may not) be scary, bloody, terrifying, and altogether true.

    Step lively, dear reader . . .
    Happily ever after isn’t cutting it anymore.

     

    Book Trailer:

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2iJBXxhzDI[/embedyt]

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to Edelweiss+, Puffin Books and Penguin Publishing Group for providing me a copy of “In a Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2)” by Adam Gidwitz in exchange for my review. Edelweiss+ only had a snippet preview of this book, but I loved the first book in this series so much that I decided to purchase the remaining two. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with “In a Glass Grimmly”.

    My main problem was with the lead characters. I didn’t enjoy Jack and Jill as much as Hansel and Gretel from Book 1. In the first book, Hansel and Gretel become this brave, mature duo who risk it all to save their loved ones. Moreover, in the first book, a lot of things happen to the two without their control, like Hansel turning into a monster. In this book, I really couldn’t stand Jack for most part. Jill is tolerable as she acts wise and learns from her mistakes. Jack, on the other hand, comes off as a whiny person who keeps pouting and getting into trouble. Sure, he has his moments where he acts smart, but it’s very few.

    *POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD*. Furthermore, I really didn’t like the way the characters were written towards the end. What particularly irked me was how the kids start acting like their old selves once they go back, only to randomly realize their foolishness one day and walk away. It seemed very awkward that this just happened out of the blue. Even the parents suddenly wake up on hearing about their children and decide to love them again. How did this magic suddenly take place? I feel that the author got lazy towards the end and just wanted to conclude the book with a happy ending.

    However, apart from the characters, I actually loved the plot of this book. In some ways, the storylines mentioned in this are much better than the first book. This author has blended so many of our favorite classics like the little Mermaid, Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack and Jill, The Emperor’s New Clothes and even Mother Goose. There are a lot of wonderful supporting characters like the Frog and the man with the red beard. I also loved the idea of people getting ‘con-fused’. The story provides a great moral to just be yourself and do what makes you happy, and not what others think about you.

    Overall, I felt like this would have been an amazing book had the characters been more strong and likable.

    [Read my Review on Book 1: A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm #1)]

  • Secrets Can Kill (Nancy Drew Files #1) by Carolyn Keene

    Secrets Can Kill (Nancy Drew Files #1) by Carolyn Keene

    Secrets

    Secrets Can Kill (Nancy Drew Files #1) by Carolyn Keene
    Release: August 1st 1986
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster
    Source: Amazon

    Secrets


    Secrets Can Kill Synopsis:

    Nancy poses as a student and goes undercover to investigate a series of thefts at Bedford High.

     

    Review:

    I used to love reading “Nancy Drew Files” when I was growing up. It’s one of the series that got me hooked into reading. I decided to re-read some these books in order to see if they are still as good as they were then. I am glad to say that this book still holds the charm as it did years ago. It’s so much fun to read about your favorite characters again like Bess, George, Ned and Hannah.

    The story starts off easy where Nancy is just investigating petty vandalism in a school. However, once she goes undercover, she realizes the case is just the tip of espionage, blackmail and even murder among other things. The story has a few twists and turns that are fun and suspenseful to read. I guessed who the prime suspect to the murder would be midway, but it was still interesting to see how it turned out. I’m not sure if the new generation would be keen on this though because it contains some outdated reference like videotapes and audio cassettes.

    I also liked reading on Ned and Nancy’s relationship even when she has feelings for Daryl. It would have been interesting to see a love triangle between the three. Maybe Daryl will show up again later in the series. However, there were some scenes where Nancy seemed out of character. For starters, she falls head over heels over Daryl from just looking at him, which is very unlike her. Then, she swoons over Daryl over the oddest moments. For instance, Nancy seems to be infatuated with Daryl even when their car is out of control and blows up. Also, I don’t see how cool the girls can be when there is a crazy Government official chasing and threatening to kill them. I have to admit though, Bess is hilarious and always knows how to add humor, even when she is involved in a high speed car chase.

    Overall, this was a good start to the series and hold well even today!

  • Mae Vol. 1 by Gene Ha

    Mae Vol. 1 by Gene Ha

    Mae

    Mae Vol. 1 by Gene Ha
    Expected Release: July 3rd 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Diamond Book Distributors
    Source: Netgalley

    Mae


    Mae Vol. 1 Synopsis:

    Mae’s beloved older sister, Abbie, has been missing for years. Mae has her theories about where Abbie might be. But nowhere in her wildest imagination do those theories encompass a fantasy world full of terrifying monsters, power-hungry nobles, and nefarious scientists. That is, until Abbie suddenly reappears in Mae’s world. And not alone.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for providing me a copy of “Mae Vol. 1” by Gene Ha in exchange for my review.

    This graphic novel started off well. The two main characters Mae and Abby really complement each other with their distinguished personalities. I liked the bond between the two sisters. In fact, more than Mae, I liked Abby’s character a lot. She seems to be concerned for her sister, is energetic and spunky and awesome fight moves. I also enjoyed Kvido’s character, as he reminded me a lot of Snarf from the Thundercats. It was fun to read how the world and the new characters are revealed to Mae and the readers. The whole concept of the plot had a whimsical Doctor Who feeling to it.

    In terms of the plot, the first half of the book was just amazing and I was glued to the pages. It starts off in this mysterious way where you really don’t know what to expect. Even when the new world is introduced to us, it is filled with interesting and dynamic characters. However, the second half of the novel was confusing and really didn’t hold my interest. For one thing, the story breaks into sub plots and moves between the flashbacks and the present. The present story-line tends to move too fast, and I had trouble keeping up with what was happening. There are many new terms and characters thrown out there, and not enough time to digest them. There’s a nice appendix with all the terms mentioned in the back to help the readers, but again, it felt tedious referring to it like a dictionary.

    Furthermore, each of the sub stories and flashbacks have a different style of illustration to them. While some might enjoy this, it didn’t really suit me. I loved the style of art that’s shown in the first half, and felt the illustrations in the last two episodes were childish in comparison. It was frustrating seeing a different style of artwork in each chapter. However, I did like the standalone illustrations inserted in the end by different artists, depicting the main characters. The author has also included few prototype sketches and designs that were interesting to view.

    Overall, “Mae” is one of those graphic novels that has a great concept but really needs to improve on the pacing. They can easily slow down on the adventure themes and focus more on character development instead. Having said that, it is an interesting series and I am keen on picking up the next volume to see how it turns out.

  • Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

    Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

    Scared

    Born Scared by Kevin Brooks
    Expected Release: September 11th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Candlewick Press
    Source: Netgalley

    Scared


    Born Scared Synopsis:

    Elliot has lived his first thirteen years confined to his home, incapacitated by fear. Now he’s out of pills, snow is falling, and his only safe person is missing. A terrifying thriller from Carnegie Medalist Kevin Brooks.

    From the moment of his birth, Elliot’s life has been governed by fear of almost everything, even of his own fear — a beast that holds him prisoner in his room. The beast is kept at bay, though not eliminated, with a daily regimen of pills. But on Christmas Eve, a mix-up at the pharmacy threatens to unleash the beast full force, and his mother must venture out in a raging snowstorm to a store that should be only minutes away.

    Hours later, when she still hasn’t returned, Elliot sees no choice but to push through his terror, leave the house, and hunt for her. What happens if the last of his medication wears off and the beast starts scratching at the doors of his mind? Everyone has a breaking point — will Elliot come to his? With plot twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats, multi-award-winning author Kevin Brooks offers a high-suspense exploration of fear and what it means to truly be afraid.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to Netgalley and Candlewick Press for providing me a copy of “Born Scared” by Kevin Brooks in exchange for my review. I had high expectations for this book! A YA psychological thriller about mental illness, with an awesome cover? I knew I had to read this one! However, it didn’t turn out the way I had hoped.

    The main aspect I loved about this book was the dark and eerie atmosphere it creates. The author has beautifully blended the fairy tale fantasies with the horrors of adult life. I felt like I was in a backdrop of a very creepy and dark version of “Twin Peaks”. A town where everyone is a little strange and odd things keep occurring. There are also some terrifying moments that had me to the edge of my seat. I tensed when Elliot stumbled into the house in the woods with the two strange men with gun. Also, I thought that the other two villains dressed as Santa Claus were comical but eerie because I didn’t know how they would react. I also loved Ellamay as the mysterious character, and still don’t know if she is a ghost or a figment of Elliot’s conscious.

    However, I had a few problems while reading this novel. The main trouble I had with this story was it was very hard to relate with Elliot. He fears over the most minuscule things, and while it’s interesting to read, it’s difficult to connect with. Also, since Elliot fears everything, it is  difficult to digest the transformation that suddenly occurs. It hits the readers the same time it hits Elliot, and I found it very hard to believe. The book also gets repetitive and monotonous at times where we keep hearing how tormented Elliot is over his fears.

    Also, I really felt like Gordon’s character and his story-line was completely out of place. I guess he’s acts to be the comic relief in the plot but it didn’t fit right. When the main story-line is so suspenseful, I felt frustrated by the change of mood and setting when Gordon appeared.

    Frankly, I enjoyed Kevin Brook’s style of writing and am interested in picking up some of his other novels. I think he is a wonderful storyteller, and this book would have been amazing if the characters were relatable. While I love reading books about psychology and mental illness, I felt that “Born Scared” was a little too out there, especially as a YA Novel. Overall, “Born Scared” was a good read with some suspenseful moments, but it was not what I had expected.

  • Shakuntala & Dushyanta (Epic Love Stories #1) by Ashok K. Banker

    Shakuntala & Dushyanta (Epic Love Stories #1) by Ashok K. Banker

    Shakuntala

    Shakuntala & Dushyanta (Epic Love Stories #1) by Ashok K. Banker
    Release: July 6th 2012
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Westland Books
    Source: Amazon

    Shakuntala


    Shakuntala & Dushyanta Synopsis:

    The classic tale of “Shakuntala and Dushyanta” has enthralled Indians for millennia. The retelling in Banker’s “Shakuntala And Dushyanta” follows a middle path between Vyasa’s and Kalidasa’s versions. Now retold in Ashok’s inimitable epic style, this short novella also forms a part of the larger epic Mahabharata Series. Ashok Banker specializes in retelling stories of great Indian epics and classical works. In “Shakuntala And Dushyanta”, he tells the story of the couple whose son gave the country its original name, Bharata.

    Review:

    This was a nice quick read which I felt could have been better.

    Frankly, I was a bit disappointed in finishing this book. I really didn’t feel it was very ‘Epic’. I felt that Dushyanta was a coward for giving equal importance to his throne as he did for Shakuntala. It didn’t seem like he really risked anything to be with her. In the end, I didn’t feel like he deserved her at all However, I loved Shakuntala’s character and wanted to read more about her. The author has perfectly described the hardships she endures in order to be with Dushyanta. Furthermore, I felt that the novella was too short and there was room for more details. For instance, I really wanted to read Bharata’s point of view of the incidents taking place. I also wanted to read more about Vishwamitra and Menaka.

    One issue I had with this book was there are many mythological words that readers (new to the world of Indian Mythology) may not understand. There are no glossary terms provided for readers to refer to. The author tends to overuse these terms profusely in the beginning of the story, making it look old fashioned. Due to this reason, it took time to get absorbed in the story and clearly visualize the settings. For example, such sentences are difficult to picture if you don’t know what Garuda or khadira is.

    “Despite its ponderous rumbling, the chariot was drawn by powerful bhoja stallions and capable of achieving great speeds, often compared to the swiftness of Garuda by those who observed it from afar.”

    “Magnificent bilva, arka, khadira, kapitha and dhava trees grew in great profusion”.

    While I appreciate the author using such words to build the grandeur atmosphere, it seems clustered and unnecessary at times. However, these words beautifully build the magnificence in some scenes, particularly when Shakuntala meets Dushyanta in his throne.

    Ashok K Banker is a great storyteller for bringing back Indian mythology for the new generation. Somehow, “Shakuntala and Dushyanta” didn’t leave any significant impact, probably because of the above reasons. Kunal Kundu has done an amazing job with the cover design. The cover immediately attracts the readers to pick up the novel. Overall, this is a good start to the “Epic Love Stories” series but I hope the succeeding novellas are better.

  • A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm #1)

    A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm #1)

    Grimm

    A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm #1) by Adam Gidwitz
    Release: August 18, 2011
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Puffin Books
    Source: Edelweiss+

    Grimm


    Tale Dark and Grimm Synopsis:

    Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm (and Grimm-inspired) fairy tales. An irreverent, witty narrator leads us through encounters with witches, warlocks, dragons, and the devil himself. As the siblings roam a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind the famous tales, as well as how to take charge of their destinies and create their own happily ever after. Because once upon a time, fairy tales were awesome.

     

    Book Trailer:

    [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q08Ad7D98h8[/embedyt]

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to Edelweiss+, Puffin Books and Penguin Publishing Group for providing me a copy of “A Tale Dark & Grimm (A Tale Dark & Grimm #1)” by Adam Gidwitz in exchange for my review. Edelweiss+ only had a snippet preview of this book, but I was hooked on the first page itself and decided to purchase it online immediately. I loved every bit of this story!

    I’m not sure how true this story is to the original Grimm version, but it kept me glued. It is fast paced and has a lot of unexpected twists and turns. Initially, I expected the main plot to only cover the story we are used to. Instead, in this retelling, the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale that we know of gets over in the beginning itself. What follows are more gruesome unfortunate adventures of the siblings. The book wonderfully portrays how they grow and mature and adapt to the harsh realities of life.

    Even though the story and the world building are purely fantasy, the characters are very realistic and down to Earth. I loved the three ravens who part their wisdom with their cranky humor. Hansel and Gretel are strong, smart, courageous and very inspiring. The story perfectly blends humor, suspense, adventure and mystery in it. The scenes where Hansel hides in the Devil’s home to outsmart him was hilarious and suspenseful at the same time. Another interesting factor is how the author disperses elements from the original story across this novel. For example, there are no breadcrumbs throws in the woods when the children are going to the witch’s house. Instead, Gretel throws lentils and seeds on her way to see the mysterious man that she has a crush on.

    Adam Gidwitz has a wonderful talent for writing children’s books and especially fairy tales. I enjoyed how he put his own commentary and warnings, and it felt like he is narrating the story to the reader. Moreover, some of the passages are written in a pure fairy tale like poetic manner that is so delightful to read. The author uses a lot of hidden themes, metaphors and morals in each story that we can reflect with in our lives. Probably the only thing that was a little uncomfortable to read was the gory descriptions. This book gets really graphic for a children’s novel and I don’t think it is suitable for younger readers. Even though the author gives warnings for small children to not read the scary details following it, it would make them want to read it anyway.

    Overall, I loved this first book in the ‘Tale Dark and Grimm’ series and I will definitely read the others as soon as I get my hands on them.

    [Read my Review on Book 2: In A Glass Grimmly (A Tale Dark & Grimm #2)]

  • Broken Hearts (Fear Street Super Chiller #4) by R.L. Stine

    Broken Hearts (Fear Street Super Chiller #4) by R.L. Stine

    Broken Hearts

    Broken Hearts (Fear Street Super Chiller #4) by R.L. Stine
    Release: February 1st 1993
    Format: Paperback
    Publisher: Simon Pulse
    Source: Amazon

    Broken Hearts


    Broken Hearts Synopsis:

    Roses are red, corpses are blue. On Valentine’s Day, you’ll die too!

    There’s someone out there, someone who kills on Valentine’s Day. Josie and Melissa are scared—especially when they receive threatening valentines. Then the murders begin. Who is sending these horrible valentines to the girls of Shadyside High? And who will be the next to die?

     

    Review:

    “Broken Hearts” was pretty good in terms of its twists and turns. Just when you have figured out who the suspect is, Stine shifts the focus on someone else. This becomes very entertaining as there are quite a few suspects and almost everybody seems guilty. Even the victim, Rachel, is extremely creepy. Her childlike mannerisms add a whole new level of eeriness to the book. You really don’t know what she might do because she is not in the right state of mind. There are some really suspenseful moments like when Dave enters the house to destroy the cards, and when Melissa sees a redhead running in the street. When the murderer is revealed in the end, the person’s motives seemed legitimate, in contrast to some of the others in this series.

    The downside to this book is that there are just too many characters and at times they seem to be shifting their romance interests from one to the other. Erica likes Jenkman, but Jenkman likes Josie. Melissa likes Dave but Dave likes Josie. Josie used to date Dave, but now dates Steve, who shows an interest for Erica later. Then you have Luke who used to date Rachel but now has an interest on Melissa. As if the plot didn’t have enough twists and turns, we had to deal with who is dating whom! Secondly, I despised Josie and her attitude towards everyone. She has such an arrogance and haughty attitude that I didn’t feel any empathy towards her when she was threatened. There is no reason or motive given as to why she even behaves this way.

    On a side note, it really irked me that the parents didn’t spend any time with their kids. The dad is supposed to own a chain of stores but cannot afford to take time to see his family during their time of need? And why does the mother have to work such long hours? Well, as this is a Fear Street novel, we really cannot expect doting parents be depicted in them, but it just seemed very unrealistic.

    Overall, “Broken Hearts” is a decent Fear Street Super Chiller book. It is worth picking up if you are a fan of the series and haven’t read it yet. P.S. I also liked that this was one of the few Fear Street books where the cover accurately showcases an actual scene from the book!

  • The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby

    The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby

    Turnkey

    The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby
    Expected Release: July 24th 2018
    Format: Ebook
    Publisher: Candlewick Press
    Source: Netgalley

    Turnkey


    Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery Synopsis:

    Flossie Birdwhistle is the Turnkey at London’s Highgate Cemetery. As Turnkey, it’s Flossie’s job to ensure that all the souls buried in the cemetery stay at rest. Not an easy job for a young ghost, but a task made especially difficult by World War II: London is being attacked every night by enemy bombers, and even the dead are unsettled. When Flossie encounters the ghost of a German soldier carrying a mysterious object that seems to exist in both the living and spirit worlds, she becomes suspicious — what is the officer up to? Before long, Flossie uncovers a sinister plot that could destroy not only her cemetery, but also her beloved country. Can Flossie and her ghostly friends stop the soldier before it’s too late? History collides with the supernatural in this exciting, ethereal mystery from Allison Rushby.

     

    Review:

    A BIG Thank You to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing me a copy of “The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery” by Allison Rushby in exchange for my review. This was an interesting read. The story is unique and has a good blend of adventure, fantasy, mystery and drama into it.

    I enjoyed Allison Rushby’s style of writing. I really liked that the backdrop was set against World War II and we get an insight of the war from a ghost’s perspective. The story is set against the backdrop of London and the author depicts the grim environment it was in during that time. She doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities that the people faced during the bombings. Furthermore, it was interesting that the author has portrayed life after death in a very peaceful way. There is no mention of heaven or hell. Even the ghosts are not vengeful and restless as we would imagine. It is just about keeping souls at rest in the afterlife, and shown in a very serene manner.

    The characters are all displayed wonderfully. Flossie is a strong, brave and helpful girl who persists in doing what she feels is right. She is a wonderful role model for younger readers and is very inspiring in her actions to help others. Even the supporting characters are charming in their own manner, especially Violet and Hugo Howsham. On a side note, I would have liked to read a bit more about Viktor Brun and why he turned out to be such a psychopath.

    There were a few small tidbits that I felt could have been better. Personally, I would have liked it if the author removed the character of Grace completely. I felt this side story was unnecessary and too melodramatic. I can understand why the author would want to include her in the plot, but I didn’t care for it. Also, some of the facts mentioned in the book are inaccurate and could be misleading to younger readers. The author does highlight it in the end, but could have been better if it was accurate. Also, I wasn’t really clear as to the time-lapse that happens when Flossie travels to different locations. I felt that a lot of time passes by while she travels and had trouble imagining the timelines in the story.

    Overall, “The Turnkey of Highgate Cemetery” was a nice read but could have been better. I rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. I hope this becomes a possible series as I would enjoy reading Flossie’s adventures during different incidents and milestones.