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Whispering Pines #4
Extinction
In this spine-tingling final book in the Whispering Pines middle grade series that’s Stranger Things meets The X-Files , Caden searches for a way to destroy the creatures from the Other Place for good while Rae tries to free her father from the sinister Green On!.
After more than a year of searching, Rae finally has a lead on her missing father: he’s being kept prisoner by the shady alternative energy company, Green On!. Now all she has to do is rescue him—even though that means battling her way through the alien-infested Watchful Woods to reach him. But her father isn’t the only secret they have locked up, and if Rae wants to free him, she’ll first have to make a deal with someone who has betrayed her in the past.
With the Other Place gone and all the aliens sealed within the Watchful Woods, Caden believes his family’s worries are over at last—until he discovers that the magical seal keeping the creatures contained is near collapse. If they manage to escape the woods, there will be no stopping them from ravaging the town and the world beyond. Caden only has one choice: he must find a way to destroy the creatures once and for all. Even if it means destroying everything in the woods.
Including his friends.
With the fate of Whispering Pines hanging by a thread, it’s a desperate race against the clock as Rae and Caden fight to save the people they love—and the strange, wonderful town they call home.
After more than a year of searching, Rae finally has a lead on her missing father: he’s being kept prisoner by the shady alternative energy company, Green On!. Now all she has to do is rescue him—even though that means battling her way through the alien-infested Watchful Woods to reach him. But her father isn’t the only secret they have locked up, and if Rae wants to free him, she’ll first have to make a deal with someone who has betrayed her in the past.
With the Other Place gone and all the aliens sealed within the Watchful Woods, Caden believes his family’s worries are over at last—until he discovers that the magical seal keeping the creatures contained is near collapse. If they manage to escape the woods, there will be no stopping them from ravaging the town and the world beyond. Caden only has one choice: he must find a way to destroy the creatures once and for all. Even if it means destroying everything in the woods.
Including his friends.
With the fate of Whispering Pines hanging by a thread, it’s a desperate race against the clock as Rae and Caden fight to save the people they love—and the strange, wonderful town they call home.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2023
8 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Lang
15 books108 followersHeidi Lang believes that the next Grand Adventure is always just around the corner. She has chased her love of judo from the East to the West Coast, run ultramarathons, started her own dog-walking business, and converted a Sprinter van into a tiny home so she could experience #vanlife. Currently she lives in Washington with her husband, kids, and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 30, 2023
I need this like I need air
January 4, 2024
pre-read review:
final book called extinction yeah I think I'll be fine 🙂 I think we'll all be fine 🙂
post-read:
ok I finished this in the early morning of december 31st and was like let me take the day to figure out what I thought. it has been almost 4 days and I still don't know what I thought. so: review to come, but maybe not until I read this entire series again
final book called extinction yeah I think I'll be fine 🙂 I think we'll all be fine 🙂
post-read:
ok I finished this in the early morning of december 31st and was like let me take the day to figure out what I thought. it has been almost 4 days and I still don't know what I thought. so: review to come, but maybe not until I read this entire series again
November 9, 2023
A fun ending to a fun series! Each book of this series was worse than the previous with the first being a masterpiece and the last being a lot of fun but also a bit unbelievable. :P
For such a long wait for this book though, this definitely did not disappoint and I expect I'll read it again (especially since I bought it...)
If these authors write any more horror, you can bet I'll be reading it!
For such a long wait for this book though, this definitely did not disappoint and I expect I'll read it again (especially since I bought it...)
If these authors write any more horror, you can bet I'll be reading it!
Want to read
June 14, 2023So there's only one more to go...
I am not ready for this series to end😭
I am not ready for this series to end😭
December 13, 2025
An action-packed and fitting conclusion to this series!
June 12, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Blake finds himself caught in the Green On! offices when things go badly wrong. Vivi's mom saves him, but it's unclear whether she will make it out of the facility in time. Rae and Ava are still trying to find their father, who is caught up in the whole alien invasion problem they've uncovered. Not only that, but Caden is still struggling with The Other Place, and his role in dealing with that, since his older brother Aiden is problematic. Sure, Aiden's always been the favored one to take over his mother's Paranormal Price business, but he's recently absorbed a demon which has given him powers. There are a number of other characters as well; Becka's mother is dead, Nate was sent to a hellish dimension, Alyssa's mother is the vice principal, Vivi's mother is a scientist at Green On! and Vivi herself is no longer a safe character to be around. With the Green On! collapse, Aiden says that Caden must destroy the town. Is this a good idea? When a big storm hits while school is in session, Vivi says that alien invasion is starting. The school doesn't know what to do, but of course wants to corrall all of the students to keep them safe. Of course, the students run off. Nate and Caden go looking for Vivi but meet Aiden, and get caught in the woods where there are creatures from The Other Place AND space aliens. In an alternate time line, Blake fights monsters and goes to hide in the Watchful Woods. He meets a lot of people who have run away from Green On! who have information about Rae and Ava's father Chris, but they are infected, and it doesn't end well, especially since there's a Devourer in the woods. Eventually, main characters all meet up, except that Rae is missing underground, and there's the alien spaceship under the Green On! complex. Will the kids, with their varying knowledge and abilities, be able SAVE THE WORLD? (It's the last book in the series, so draw your own conclusions!)
Note: I read the book, but struggled with my persistent fantasy amnesia. But I took notes!
Strengths: I have two copies of the first book, Whispering Pines, and the creepy cover keeps it in constant circulation. While I'm not personally a fan of blood and gore, my students are, and there's plenty of bug guts, alien snot, and generally zombie body counts to delight the most ick-enthused tween. There is constant action, interpersonal problems, and threats from every side, just to keep things interesting. I liked the way the adults figured in the book; some were helpful, some weren't, but there really wasn't anyone completely incompetent and evil in a Scooby-Doo sort of way. The mix of different fantasy elements will appeal to omniverous fantasy readers who will pick up magical academy books, sci fi vampire tales, or evil unicorn books with equal enthusiasm.
Weaknesses: There were a lot of characters as well as competing fantasy worlds to keep track of.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing for fans of the series, as well as books like Condie's The Darkdeep and MacHale's Sylo.
Blake finds himself caught in the Green On! offices when things go badly wrong. Vivi's mom saves him, but it's unclear whether she will make it out of the facility in time. Rae and Ava are still trying to find their father, who is caught up in the whole alien invasion problem they've uncovered. Not only that, but Caden is still struggling with The Other Place, and his role in dealing with that, since his older brother Aiden is problematic. Sure, Aiden's always been the favored one to take over his mother's Paranormal Price business, but he's recently absorbed a demon which has given him powers. There are a number of other characters as well; Becka's mother is dead, Nate was sent to a hellish dimension, Alyssa's mother is the vice principal, Vivi's mother is a scientist at Green On! and Vivi herself is no longer a safe character to be around. With the Green On! collapse, Aiden says that Caden must destroy the town. Is this a good idea? When a big storm hits while school is in session, Vivi says that alien invasion is starting. The school doesn't know what to do, but of course wants to corrall all of the students to keep them safe. Of course, the students run off. Nate and Caden go looking for Vivi but meet Aiden, and get caught in the woods where there are creatures from The Other Place AND space aliens. In an alternate time line, Blake fights monsters and goes to hide in the Watchful Woods. He meets a lot of people who have run away from Green On! who have information about Rae and Ava's father Chris, but they are infected, and it doesn't end well, especially since there's a Devourer in the woods. Eventually, main characters all meet up, except that Rae is missing underground, and there's the alien spaceship under the Green On! complex. Will the kids, with their varying knowledge and abilities, be able SAVE THE WORLD? (It's the last book in the series, so draw your own conclusions!)
Note: I read the book, but struggled with my persistent fantasy amnesia. But I took notes!
Strengths: I have two copies of the first book, Whispering Pines, and the creepy cover keeps it in constant circulation. While I'm not personally a fan of blood and gore, my students are, and there's plenty of bug guts, alien snot, and generally zombie body counts to delight the most ick-enthused tween. There is constant action, interpersonal problems, and threats from every side, just to keep things interesting. I liked the way the adults figured in the book; some were helpful, some weren't, but there really wasn't anyone completely incompetent and evil in a Scooby-Doo sort of way. The mix of different fantasy elements will appeal to omniverous fantasy readers who will pick up magical academy books, sci fi vampire tales, or evil unicorn books with equal enthusiasm.
Weaknesses: There were a lot of characters as well as competing fantasy worlds to keep track of.
What I really think: Definitely purchasing for fans of the series, as well as books like Condie's The Darkdeep and MacHale's Sylo.
September 13, 2023
Tension and action mix with enough emotion to drive this tale forward from beginning to end.
Usually, I start with a quick overview of the story...or at least, enough to get readers going. This time, I'm just going to skip out since there is really that much going on. Plus, I didn't hit this series until this fourth book, which means that the other three books have already built up tons of background and world-building. While I did miss some information and had to just accept some things at face value because I hadn't read three books, it was actually fairly easy to jump into the story and get a grip on the characters. Still, I would recommend reading this series in order, since each book builds on the last.
This is an exciting and packed read, which doesn't talk down to the age group nor try to soften the blow for them. These characters have tons to deal with (aliens, sinister organizations, secrets and more) and each of these problems scream real danger and extremely high stakes. There is blood and gore, not super graphic but enough to make fans sink right in. This book doesn't shy away just because the audience is middle grade, but rather, it dives right in and pays only enough attention not to press the borders too far. Sensitive readers should be aware of how tense this read gets, where fans of action and thrillers will thoroughly enjoy the read.
That said, every scene races by and leaves only short space for catching a breath. But it's not too fast, either. Then, there's the monsters and aliens, and other things which seem to tease at the border of a horror novel. I see why this is a popular series and imagine fans will enjoy this latest edition quite a bit. I received an ARC and found this to be an exciting read.
Usually, I start with a quick overview of the story...or at least, enough to get readers going. This time, I'm just going to skip out since there is really that much going on. Plus, I didn't hit this series until this fourth book, which means that the other three books have already built up tons of background and world-building. While I did miss some information and had to just accept some things at face value because I hadn't read three books, it was actually fairly easy to jump into the story and get a grip on the characters. Still, I would recommend reading this series in order, since each book builds on the last.
This is an exciting and packed read, which doesn't talk down to the age group nor try to soften the blow for them. These characters have tons to deal with (aliens, sinister organizations, secrets and more) and each of these problems scream real danger and extremely high stakes. There is blood and gore, not super graphic but enough to make fans sink right in. This book doesn't shy away just because the audience is middle grade, but rather, it dives right in and pays only enough attention not to press the borders too far. Sensitive readers should be aware of how tense this read gets, where fans of action and thrillers will thoroughly enjoy the read.
That said, every scene races by and leaves only short space for catching a breath. But it's not too fast, either. Then, there's the monsters and aliens, and other things which seem to tease at the border of a horror novel. I see why this is a popular series and imagine fans will enjoy this latest edition quite a bit. I received an ARC and found this to be an exciting read.
October 4, 2023
It's disheartening to see this series end on such a whimper. The characters felt so nondescript and all the dialogue felt blended together, like it was the same person have a conversation with themself. Rae and Caden had long become static characters, and Vivienne's story was the only one I was remotely invested in. Judging from the epilogue, it's clear the writers think so, too. I'm not sure if I'm willing to follow them through another continuation if the sequel decay was this bad.
I only started to get invested in the last third, particularly the conversation with Rae and Patrick while they were imprisoned. Even though the dialogue was mostly Rae asking questions and trying to get answers. I did like the return of the villain from the first book and how the authors were trying to get long term payoff from that. Did it payoff? Not really.
Unfortunately, I think the book took the easy way out in the end. That doesn't sit right with me.
In the end, I think the first two books are vastly superior to the latter two, with the third installment still feeling like a glorified filler episode to me. A severe lack of character development, lack of planning (only being given enough information needed at the time), and reactionary heroes were the series's central problems. I'll revisit the first one now and again, but I think I need to put this series behind me.
I only started to get invested in the last third, particularly the conversation with Rae and Patrick while they were imprisoned. Even though the dialogue was mostly Rae asking questions and trying to get answers. I did like the return of the villain from the first book and how the authors were trying to get long term payoff from that. Did it payoff? Not really.
Unfortunately, I think the book took the easy way out in the end. That doesn't sit right with me.
In the end, I think the first two books are vastly superior to the latter two, with the third installment still feeling like a glorified filler episode to me. A severe lack of character development, lack of planning (only being given enough information needed at the time), and reactionary heroes were the series's central problems. I'll revisit the first one now and again, but I think I need to put this series behind me.
April 27, 2025
Aiden ran a hand through his short spiky hair. “Six hours,” he said at last. “And then the spell will come down.”
“Six hours?” Nate burst out. “That’s it? That’s all you can do?”
Aiden shot him a cold look, and Nate immediately shut his mouth.
25.04.27
I love it when the two most offensive, most disrespectful (young) people in the book interact
HEY GUYS I CAN’T BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN YEARS SINCE I STARTED THIS SERIES?? PICKED IT UP IN 2022 WHEN I WAS A WEE TEENAGER AND NOW I’M A GROWN ADULT IN 2025??
I’m so proud of Miss Rae and her bestie Caden. I love how Extinction had them trading each other’s characteristics for some moment at a time. That’s the great thing about close friendship, and I love it so very MUCH AA!
I will say that Aiden is such an interesting character. I love reading him, and it may be a discovery on my part how much I like the morally grey. Hm. I mean, I don’t think I’d be friends with Aiden in real life (I’d probably run as fast as I could in the opposite direction), but he’s a damn intriguing dude. I’ll miss him.
Will miss the weirdness of Green On! and the Whispering Pines!
March 6, 2024
This series has always been delightfully gruesome--eye-snatching monsters, exploding goats--but it felt like everything was ramped up for the finale. Which is not a complaint, I thought it was awesome. Attempting to transplant horrifying, murderous alien larvae into eyeless children who have basically become husks? Fantastic. 10/10. The whole climax is great.
My only complaint is that while I feel like all the alien stuff was wrapped up well, the paranormal aspect--Aiden and his deal with the demon--felt like lacking. Looking at the series as a whole, the alien aspect was better handled than anything involving the paranormal, but it was still a fun ride.
(And we got FOUR Unseeings in this book! FOUR.)
My only complaint is that while I feel like all the alien stuff was wrapped up well, the paranormal aspect--Aiden and his deal with the demon--felt like lacking. Looking at the series as a whole, the alien aspect was better handled than anything involving the paranormal, but it was still a fun ride.
(And we got FOUR Unseeings in this book! FOUR.)
August 30, 2024
Rating this a five because while my actual rating is probably near 4.0, I am not a target audience for this and it just deserves a higher rating for being a great conclusion to the series. I am a pretty slow reader but I read the last half of this book in one sitting and stayed up late to finish it. It is very fast paced and the character development is so much better in here compared to the previous books. I did also appreciate character's thoughts and conversations on identity, responsibility and what it means to kill someone/something. Would definitely recommend this middle grade horror book.
September 28, 2023
3.5/5.0
Can’t believe this series is over, I’m going to miss Caden, Rae and the bizarre town of Whispering Pines.
Can’t believe this series is over, I’m going to miss Caden, Rae and the bizarre town of Whispering Pines.
February 17, 2024
Great story. Some of the reasons why characters did things were not always consistent.
June 4, 2024
Loved this series! Read this for bedtime with my 10 year old son. He also loved them. Sad when it ended and had to find something else.
November 23, 2024
really great :)
July 5, 2024
Fantastic quartet of sci-fi horror for middle school
June 5, 2024
WOW 👏👏
This is officially my favorite MG series! It just has everything that makes a great book. It's interesting, suspenseful, and has great characters. I loved this one especially because it focused a lot more on Vivienne, one of my favorite characters. The only thing I was disappointed by is the fact that Rae and Caden stayed "just friends." AHGGGGG WHY? They obviously both like each other and I was hoping since it was the last book in the series something would finally happen between them. But other than that, this was a great ending to an amazing series and I definitely recommend it!
This is officially my favorite MG series! It just has everything that makes a great book. It's interesting, suspenseful, and has great characters. I loved this one especially because it focused a lot more on Vivienne, one of my favorite characters. The only thing I was disappointed by is the fact that Rae and Caden stayed "just friends." AHGGGGG WHY? They obviously both like each other and I was hoping since it was the last book in the series something would finally happen between them. But other than that, this was a great ending to an amazing series and I definitely recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews