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The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade
Welcome, foolish mortals, to an original and eerie novel inspired by the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disney Parks!
When high school student Audrey Perez moves to a town that's supposedly home to a haunted mansion, she and a few of her new friends decide to investigate. Audrey is quickly swept up in a macabre mystery and eerie adventure that holds the fate of the Haunted Mansion's 999 happy haunts in the balance. A storm is coming—both literally and figuratively—and it'll be up to Audrey and her friends to save the Mansion—and its ghosts—before it's too late. But can Audrey do so while dealing with her own anxieties and while caught in a love triangle between her boyfriend and the enigmatic Sterling—who just might be a ghost?
Read on, foolish mortal, if you dare . . .
When high school student Audrey Perez moves to a town that's supposedly home to a haunted mansion, she and a few of her new friends decide to investigate. Audrey is quickly swept up in a macabre mystery and eerie adventure that holds the fate of the Haunted Mansion's 999 happy haunts in the balance. A storm is coming—both literally and figuratively—and it'll be up to Audrey and her friends to save the Mansion—and its ghosts—before it's too late. But can Audrey do so while dealing with her own anxieties and while caught in a love triangle between her boyfriend and the enigmatic Sterling—who just might be a ghost?
Read on, foolish mortal, if you dare . . .
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2023
47 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Gray
78 books14.2k followersClaudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.
I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.
I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
October 29, 2024
Extremely disappointing.
As a Haunted Mansion fan, this was infuriating.
The entire book was a lead up to the climax at the very end. (A very disappointing climax at that)
The book does not even tell the readers the identity of the main antagonist nor their motive. They are just evil, and that is that.
80% of the book isn't even spent at the Haunted Mansion.
The characters were unlikable and unintelligent. Not to mention, they adapted to seeing ghosts much too quickly that it was highly unrealistic.
As I was reading, I found numerous typos that I don't understand how the editors did not catch. (If there even was an editor)
The description said that the main character is "caught between a love triangle with her boyfriend and Sterling, who might be a ghost" but there was NOT enough moments between Audrey and Sterling to be considered a love triangle.
Not to mention the extremely aggravating worldly opinions the author snuck in there, that she assumed nobody would to note of. There were lines within the dialog accusing J.K. Rowling of being transphobic, among many other things like that. I could not care less about the authors' woke agendas, nor do I want to read about them. It was completely unnecessary and added nothing to the story.
As a Haunted Mansion fan, this was infuriating.
The entire book was a lead up to the climax at the very end. (A very disappointing climax at that)
The book does not even tell the readers the identity of the main antagonist nor their motive. They are just evil, and that is that.
80% of the book isn't even spent at the Haunted Mansion.
The characters were unlikable and unintelligent. Not to mention, they adapted to seeing ghosts much too quickly that it was highly unrealistic.
As I was reading, I found numerous typos that I don't understand how the editors did not catch. (If there even was an editor)
The description said that the main character is "caught between a love triangle with her boyfriend and Sterling, who might be a ghost" but there was NOT enough moments between Audrey and Sterling to be considered a love triangle.
Not to mention the extremely aggravating worldly opinions the author snuck in there, that she assumed nobody would to note of. There were lines within the dialog accusing J.K. Rowling of being transphobic, among many other things like that. I could not care less about the authors' woke agendas, nor do I want to read about them. It was completely unnecessary and added nothing to the story.
May 25, 2023
as a die hard haunted mansion girlie i can fully say that the mansion layout was confusing and the lack of ghosts was disappointing
September 19, 2023
I am a huge fan of the ride The Haunted Mansion, so I expected to love this book. Very early on, I was disappointed because Claudia Gray gave a physical description of a Black character, but that's the only character described by their race. Another character is described as very pale, but that's it. This then presumes that every other character is white. Later on, the main character, who is introverted and does not have many friends, makes an off-handed comment about having nonbinary friends. It was so forced, and that's pretty much the only queer content in the whole book. The story itself wasn't bad, but didn't give the most Haunted Mansion vibes. I think where this is such a beloved ride, I expected a story that lived up to it. The plot was intriguing, and I liked the main character's journey throughout the book.
October 1, 2023
The story was okay. I feel like the author struggled with creating a book about the Haunted Mansion vs Audrey’s story.
It was sorely lacking in the Haunted Mansion category with very few ghosts and not nearly enough lore.
It was sorely lacking in the Haunted Mansion category with very few ghosts and not nearly enough lore.
September 20, 2023
Somehow I had totally missed that this book was being released! That's what happens when someone is running Twitter into the ground and one by one people are leaving the easiest way to stay up to date with book-releases. However, as soon as I discovered that one of my favorite authors was writing a Disney novel AND that it was based on the Haunted Mansion AND that it took place in New Orleans I ordered my copy. As soon as it arrived I started reading.
What I loved about this novel is that it combines a lot of awesome elements without it feeling chaotic or all over the place. There is the Haunted Mansion, there is the city of New Orleans, there is the weather plaguing the city and there is a teenager with anxiety trying to find her place in the world. And in a brilliant way the author manages to connect all of these elements and uses them to let our heroine grow and learn.
And that growth and that learning process felt so natural. As a teenager there is a lot going on. Inside yourself, with your friends and with the rest of the world. If you're also dealing with anxiety on top of that, surviving puberty becomes almost impossible. Luckily our heroine has an amazing therapist. One who actually does and says the right things, but who most of all lets the heroine look for answers herself. This therapist is giving advice, but mostly they're giving food for thought.
I also really liked how the well known settings of the Haunted Mansion have been incorporated in this story. I've only done the Paris ride of course, but even I recognized a lot of familiar scenes. Some characters got a little more pagetime and personality than others, but it was clear this was not just any Haunted House. However, if you're here to read more about the Haunted House and the story behind it, that's not entirely what this book will give you. It's still very much worth it though.
What I loved about this novel is that it combines a lot of awesome elements without it feeling chaotic or all over the place. There is the Haunted Mansion, there is the city of New Orleans, there is the weather plaguing the city and there is a teenager with anxiety trying to find her place in the world. And in a brilliant way the author manages to connect all of these elements and uses them to let our heroine grow and learn.
And that growth and that learning process felt so natural. As a teenager there is a lot going on. Inside yourself, with your friends and with the rest of the world. If you're also dealing with anxiety on top of that, surviving puberty becomes almost impossible. Luckily our heroine has an amazing therapist. One who actually does and says the right things, but who most of all lets the heroine look for answers herself. This therapist is giving advice, but mostly they're giving food for thought.
I also really liked how the well known settings of the Haunted Mansion have been incorporated in this story. I've only done the Paris ride of course, but even I recognized a lot of familiar scenes. Some characters got a little more pagetime and personality than others, but it was clear this was not just any Haunted House. However, if you're here to read more about the Haunted House and the story behind it, that's not entirely what this book will give you. It's still very much worth it though.
September 26, 2023
Thanks to Disney Press for sending me a copy of this book for review.
It’s officially spooky season! Will newest book from beloved Star Wars/YA author Claudia Gray, The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade, give you goosebumps? Read on if you dare!
Storm & Shade revolves around Audrey Perez, a teenager who’s recently moved to New Orleans and, anxieties and all, quickly makes new friends. Audrey discovers a house in her neighborhood that’s too spooky to pass up, and after her first encounter with it, she and her friends become embroiled in a mysterious plot to claim its ghostly residents. Audrey’s balancing all of this paranormal activity with her own personal issues; her aforementioned anxiety, a boyfriend back home who seems to be growing more and more distant, plus a new love interest that may or may not be part of the land of the living. As Audrey and her friends learn more about the Haunted Mansion, they come to realize that its ghostly denizens don’t deserve eternal banishment; but can they solve the mystery of how to save the house before a powerful darkness overcomes the entire town?
Gray’s easy-to-read writing and love for the YA genre shines in Storm & Shade. Her characterizations of Audrey and her friends are thoughtful and rooted in real world issues, and they’re each distinct in their personalities. This trio of girls are the highlight of the novel, their fast friendship is adorable and their quirky personalities are hysterical (Gray balances their own senses of humor with physical comedy expertly). While the characterizations are spot on, there are moments when the teenage protagonists use references or slang that I find hard to believe would come out of the mouth of these modern teenagers. This out of touch nature with modern youth isn’t new to the genre and it only took me out of a story a small number of times.
Disney fans with a particular love for the Haunted Mansion ride might not quite have their expectation met with Storm & Shade. Yes, all the elements are there like the architecture, music and beloved ghosts that have haunted Disney Parks audiences for decades but Audrey’s story and the Mansion’s don’t quite mesh. I found myself interested both in the humorous and social aspects of the Audrey storyline and the Haunted Mansion’s lore, but the two never quite aligned. The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade feels like a compromise between a mega corporation and a mega talented author that unfortunately doesn’t result in a classic. I think either Audrey or the Mansion should have taken center stage; with both sharing the lead, Storm & Shade doesn’t reach its spooktacular potential (horror it definitely is not).
The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade didn’t quite do it for me, but that’s not to say certain audiences wouldn’t find it enjoyable. I give it 🧢🧢5 – recommend for Disney and/YA fans ages 12-17.
It’s officially spooky season! Will newest book from beloved Star Wars/YA author Claudia Gray, The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade, give you goosebumps? Read on if you dare!
Storm & Shade revolves around Audrey Perez, a teenager who’s recently moved to New Orleans and, anxieties and all, quickly makes new friends. Audrey discovers a house in her neighborhood that’s too spooky to pass up, and after her first encounter with it, she and her friends become embroiled in a mysterious plot to claim its ghostly residents. Audrey’s balancing all of this paranormal activity with her own personal issues; her aforementioned anxiety, a boyfriend back home who seems to be growing more and more distant, plus a new love interest that may or may not be part of the land of the living. As Audrey and her friends learn more about the Haunted Mansion, they come to realize that its ghostly denizens don’t deserve eternal banishment; but can they solve the mystery of how to save the house before a powerful darkness overcomes the entire town?
Gray’s easy-to-read writing and love for the YA genre shines in Storm & Shade. Her characterizations of Audrey and her friends are thoughtful and rooted in real world issues, and they’re each distinct in their personalities. This trio of girls are the highlight of the novel, their fast friendship is adorable and their quirky personalities are hysterical (Gray balances their own senses of humor with physical comedy expertly). While the characterizations are spot on, there are moments when the teenage protagonists use references or slang that I find hard to believe would come out of the mouth of these modern teenagers. This out of touch nature with modern youth isn’t new to the genre and it only took me out of a story a small number of times.
Disney fans with a particular love for the Haunted Mansion ride might not quite have their expectation met with Storm & Shade. Yes, all the elements are there like the architecture, music and beloved ghosts that have haunted Disney Parks audiences for decades but Audrey’s story and the Mansion’s don’t quite mesh. I found myself interested both in the humorous and social aspects of the Audrey storyline and the Haunted Mansion’s lore, but the two never quite aligned. The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade feels like a compromise between a mega corporation and a mega talented author that unfortunately doesn’t result in a classic. I think either Audrey or the Mansion should have taken center stage; with both sharing the lead, Storm & Shade doesn’t reach its spooktacular potential (horror it definitely is not).
The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade didn’t quite do it for me, but that’s not to say certain audiences wouldn’t find it enjoyable. I give it 🧢🧢5 – recommend for Disney and/YA fans ages 12-17.
July 23, 2023
Release August 29
THE HAUNTED MANSION STORM AND SHADE is delightfully Spooky, gently romantic, firm on friendship, and strong in exemplifying the main protagonist's various lifelong struggles with Anxiety (I think primarily Generalized Anxiety, given the descriptions of her symptoms). Audrey's family moves to New Orleans from suburbs at the start of the school year, and she and younger brother William (a video game aficionado) enroll in private academies. Audrey, for whom anxiety ranges from mild to debilitating, adores photographing antique buildings and residences, and what is New Orleans full of but that? (Well, and tourists) In the Perez family's new neighborhood is a cunningly concealed three-story abandoned home, which quickly entices Audrey, and her two new school friends, aspiring filmmaker Iris and new from Scotland Tatum. The Haunted Mansion is never the same from one visit to the next; and it is both Scary, and talented at revealing individuals' true characters. Soon, Apocalyptic Danger will arise, and Audrey, Tatum, and Iris must combine with their new Ghostly friends to battle it before all the Ghosts are devoured, followed by the living.
THE HAUNTED MANSION STORM AND SHADE is delightfully Spooky, gently romantic, firm on friendship, and strong in exemplifying the main protagonist's various lifelong struggles with Anxiety (I think primarily Generalized Anxiety, given the descriptions of her symptoms). Audrey's family moves to New Orleans from suburbs at the start of the school year, and she and younger brother William (a video game aficionado) enroll in private academies. Audrey, for whom anxiety ranges from mild to debilitating, adores photographing antique buildings and residences, and what is New Orleans full of but that? (Well, and tourists) In the Perez family's new neighborhood is a cunningly concealed three-story abandoned home, which quickly entices Audrey, and her two new school friends, aspiring filmmaker Iris and new from Scotland Tatum. The Haunted Mansion is never the same from one visit to the next; and it is both Scary, and talented at revealing individuals' true characters. Soon, Apocalyptic Danger will arise, and Audrey, Tatum, and Iris must combine with their new Ghostly friends to battle it before all the Ghosts are devoured, followed by the living.
January 16, 2024
I was craving more Haunted Mansion after watching the movies, so when I found this book (which also happens to be written by one of my favourite Star Wars authors) I knew I had to check it out!
To be honest, the actual Haunted Mansion part was a little lacking as a Disney Parks fan. There were some references to details from the attraction, but they were mainly just small cameos and had little to do with the actual plot.
What really drew me to this story was our main character Audrey and her relationships with the other characters. She has a boyfriend from her old school, and their relationship changes a lot over the course of the book. She also becomes really close friends with two girls, Iris and Tatum, at her new school, and I loved reading about their adventures together. Finally, she befriends a ghost named Sterling (who was probably my favourite character in the book, even though he didn't get as much page time as I wanted).
I do wish some things were fleshed out more and that it was more connected to the attraction, but the writing style made it an enjoyable and relatively quick read. All in all, I had a lot of fun with this book!
To be honest, the actual Haunted Mansion part was a little lacking as a Disney Parks fan. There were some references to details from the attraction, but they were mainly just small cameos and had little to do with the actual plot.
What really drew me to this story was our main character Audrey and her relationships with the other characters. She has a boyfriend from her old school, and their relationship changes a lot over the course of the book. She also becomes really close friends with two girls, Iris and Tatum, at her new school, and I loved reading about their adventures together. Finally, she befriends a ghost named Sterling (who was probably my favourite character in the book, even though he didn't get as much page time as I wanted).
I do wish some things were fleshed out more and that it was more connected to the attraction, but the writing style made it an enjoyable and relatively quick read. All in all, I had a lot of fun with this book!
September 5, 2023
3.5 stars
For a book that is called "The Haunted Mansion," I was expecting more of the Haunted Mansion. It's an important part of the book, but there just wasn't enough for me.
This book is about Audrey who has just moved across the Mississippi River to a different part of New Orleans. She has to go to a different school, leaving her boyfriend Chase. She has very bad anxiety, so this is a big deal. She ends up making 2 new friends, Tatum and Iris and she also finds a haunted house near her house. Finding this house leads to an ancient evil that wants to destroy all ghosts and even humans.
I enjoyed my time in the Haunted Mansion. There were lots of different ghosts in all different shapes. The plotline involving the house was really fun and exciting. We just never really got to know any of the ghosts and didn't spend much time in the house.
Audrey making new friends in Tatum and Iris was heartwarming. They created such a strong bond and they were with Audrey no matter what, until the end.
Audrey's boyfriend Chase, I hated. Not only did I hate him, but there was a A LOT of him and he had nothing to do with the overall story. If he was completely taken out of the story from the beginning, it would have changed nothing. He gaslighted (gaslit?) Audrey their whole relationship, making her think that she could do nothing without him, especially when she was anxious. He alienated her from her old friends (her specific words) and she still thought he was doing what was best for her. She cut her hair and loved it, but he hated it, so she was growing it back out. She told him she had made 2 new friends at school and he told her she couldn't immediately decide they were good people and if they should be her friends.
(Spoilers for how their relationship ended up)
What made me really mad was at the end, he apologized for being controlling after she moved because he knew that the longer distance would be hard. But through the whole book, Audrey was giving examples of how he was doing stuff like this long before she moved. And then they just happily parted ways and said they wanted to be friends. Like no, acknowledge how long you were gaslighting and then leave her alone. Thanks.
(End spoilers)
The plot was fun (would have been more fun without Chase), but seemed like a bunch of stuff mashed together. Audrey finds the haunted house. She gets possessed by 3 different entities. Everything with Chase felt like it could have been its own plot. The Shade. Ultimately it all linked together (except for Chase), but it just felt a little clunky. By the end, I was really invested though and really wanted to see how it ended.
The anxiety rep in this book is good. There is positive therapist representation, which I always love. Audrey has a really good relationship with her therapist Doctor Ron and she really learns and applies what she learns in her real life anxiety inducing situations. She learns about how certain things may be holding her back instead of moving her forward and being able to do more things without being anxious, or being anxious and being able to do it anyways.
Overall, this was a fun book. I just wanted more Haunted Mansion and less Chase.
Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
For a book that is called "The Haunted Mansion," I was expecting more of the Haunted Mansion. It's an important part of the book, but there just wasn't enough for me.
This book is about Audrey who has just moved across the Mississippi River to a different part of New Orleans. She has to go to a different school, leaving her boyfriend Chase. She has very bad anxiety, so this is a big deal. She ends up making 2 new friends, Tatum and Iris and she also finds a haunted house near her house. Finding this house leads to an ancient evil that wants to destroy all ghosts and even humans.
I enjoyed my time in the Haunted Mansion. There were lots of different ghosts in all different shapes. The plotline involving the house was really fun and exciting. We just never really got to know any of the ghosts and didn't spend much time in the house.
Audrey making new friends in Tatum and Iris was heartwarming. They created such a strong bond and they were with Audrey no matter what, until the end.
Audrey's boyfriend Chase, I hated. Not only did I hate him, but there was a A LOT of him and he had nothing to do with the overall story. If he was completely taken out of the story from the beginning, it would have changed nothing. He gaslighted (gaslit?) Audrey their whole relationship, making her think that she could do nothing without him, especially when she was anxious. He alienated her from her old friends (her specific words) and she still thought he was doing what was best for her. She cut her hair and loved it, but he hated it, so she was growing it back out. She told him she had made 2 new friends at school and he told her she couldn't immediately decide they were good people and if they should be her friends.
(Spoilers for how their relationship ended up)
What made me really mad was at the end, he apologized for being controlling after she moved because he knew that the longer distance would be hard. But through the whole book, Audrey was giving examples of how he was doing stuff like this long before she moved. And then they just happily parted ways and said they wanted to be friends. Like no, acknowledge how long you were gaslighting and then leave her alone. Thanks.
(End spoilers)
The plot was fun (would have been more fun without Chase), but seemed like a bunch of stuff mashed together. Audrey finds the haunted house. She gets possessed by 3 different entities. Everything with Chase felt like it could have been its own plot. The Shade. Ultimately it all linked together (except for Chase), but it just felt a little clunky. By the end, I was really invested though and really wanted to see how it ended.
The anxiety rep in this book is good. There is positive therapist representation, which I always love. Audrey has a really good relationship with her therapist Doctor Ron and she really learns and applies what she learns in her real life anxiety inducing situations. She learns about how certain things may be holding her back instead of moving her forward and being able to do more things without being anxious, or being anxious and being able to do it anyways.
Overall, this was a fun book. I just wanted more Haunted Mansion and less Chase.
Thank you to Netgalley and Disney Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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June 25, 2023DNF around 150p. This is supposed to be YA, but it really feels like Juvenile Fiction. Yes, the kids are mid teens, but the writing feels like it's meant for a much younger audience. There's a surprising lack of ghosts so far, but mostly it just feels boring. The idea is I treating, but it just isn't doing it for me. It's surprising because I've read and liked this author before.
October 4, 2023
I honestly don’t think I could be more disappointed with a book about such a beloved Disney attraction/concept. The whole book was way too long and confusing for it to have so little of it be about the mansion itself.
First off the main characters only personality trait was that she had anxiety, reading from her perspective was brutal because she would go through the same thing in her head over and over and as an anxious person I can understand being anxious but Audrey (the main character) never got to have any other trait than just being anxious. It was like witnessing the Flanderization of a character that never got to be flushed out to begin with. The things we know about Audrey are nonsensical and stupid we know she has a pixie cut that her boyfriend hates, we know that she’s a vegetarian, we know that she’s moving… and that’s like almost literally it. All of these things could be interesting if they were actually touched on in the book, they were mentioned offhandedly as if I was supposed to know what was going on. For having 430 pages you’d think it could give some context.
Audrey’s friends are Iris and Tatum, they suffer from the same problem that Audrey does, being that they are very one note characters. Iris is a black girl who’s only personality traits are being bossy and liked all of the time, and Tatum’s a Scottish girl who is characterized as being dumb. These are not just characters seen once they are in the whole book to the point where they are almost main characters as well and yet they only have one or two traits each. It was such lazy characterization for characters that are supposedly “super important” to the story.
A mortally gray character from the book was a goth girl named Elke (old dumb name tbh), she’s obsessed with death and the supernatural world. It always seems like goth girls can’t catch a break in books like these, yet again it feels like lazy writing to make her obsessed with death and to have her help out the main villain of the book. There like one page in the book where it explains how her parents never loved her and kind of vulgar stuff for the audience that will most likely read the book (drugs and underage adult activities). The fact that the author had to add that page to make the reader fill bad for Elke shows that she was never properly characterized in the first place honestly.
For being a story that takes place in the Haunted Mansion you’d think there would be plenty of Ghosts and ride references right? You’d be wrong. There were maybe like 5 ghosts described in the mansion which was utterly disappointing for being a book about a mansion with 999 ghosts in it. It felt like this book was written by someone who has never been on the ride before. None of the areas in the mansions were properly described and they rarely matched the real way that the ride looks like in real life. Only two of the ghosts had names in the book which just made the setting really unbelievable. Also I don’t think the author had any spacial awareness while writing this book, the characters only went upstairs once and yet somehow made it to the attic before that?!? The excuse given was that the layout “constantly changes” but even then it was too inconsistent to be justified. We never learned anything of substance about the ghosts in the mansion and it’s a bad sign that this book literally could’ve taken place anywhere else without changing the story at all.
The paranormal stuff in this book was so poorly written it wasn’t even funny. Audrey gets possessed three times and each time it allows her to do crazy things!! Such as sailing a boat, playing guitar and wielding an axe. The boat part was honestly idiotic(why was no one monitoring their boat/dock!). Each time she’s possessed she take these keys (three in total) and it is honestly never properly described why she takes these keys, how she keeps ending up becoming possessed, and why she’s the only one that went into the mansion being possessed by evil spirits. The possession parts went on for way too long too which is crazy to think about since this book didn’t really have too much going for it.
The villain of the book is the shade, after reading the book I still don’t know what it is or why it wanted to kill all of the ghosts and humans. It had no real motive and it honestly should have been more consistent since at some parts it was super strong and in others Audrey was able to avoid it with no issues. The shade needed the keys to come out but it was never explained why it needed the keys and what it would do with them. The shade gave Audrey dreams that at most time were super nondescript so it was hard to get anything from reading about them.
Random gripes with this book include: The slang in this book was so outdated, it felt like an adult was trying to be hip for the teens (and spoiler alert it didn’t work). The characters used emojis in really serious situations which really took away from those scenes in the book. It also talked about JKR (the author of Harry Potter) being transphobic but it was mentioned offhandedly in a way to suggest “we’re so much better than her!”, mind you this book had no gay/trans/enby/ace characters with names so they’re basically on the same playing field as JKR (in which they say but don’t do (dumbledore being gay for example)). Audrey at one point mentioned how her “enby friends dress androgynously”, these friends never had names and it was brought up just to earn points for being “hip with the teens”. Audrey is 15 turning 16 and the book talks about how she makes out with her boyfriend all of the time and how she begged her parents to let her date him at 14, which sets a bad example for the audience of the book. Audrey’s boyfriend is also described to be abusive after he was described throughout the book to be super genuine which just made the abusive part feel like it came out of nowhere. Elke is described to have wanted to take drugs (opioids) and I just don’t understand why that was even put into the book honestly such a dumb thing to add. Elke is also described to be suicidal but not In a productive way which just leaves the reader feeling uncomfortable. Audrey is a vegetarian who says she wasn’t forced to be one but then later describes how she was forced to be one and how she wants to force her boyfriend to be one too. It has a really offensive section where it references how they need different religious symbols in order to be able to banish spirits (they mention a cross, crucifix, and a Star of David) I don’t thing any religion would appreciate being mentioned this way. This book honestly should’ve taken place over the summer because those kids were rarely in school! Audrey’s brother was chronically online and no one ever did anything about it. At one point Audrey is almost assaulted by a grown man. She also takes an Uber at midnight while being 15 years old. This book had too much stupidity in it to the point where I think I’ll never be able to list it all.
I feel like this book was marketed too much towards younger teens for the things that it mentions in it. They mentioned school shootings, death, graphic violence, murder, abusive relationships, suicidal thoughts/ideations, possession, underage drinking, underage smoking, underage adult encounters, possession, not being loved by one’s parents, etc. I feel as though a young teen would not be able to understand these issues or to be able to have informed consent before reading this book, same with parents I don’t think they’d want their kids reading this book either.
Things I liked about the book include: some of the humor from it, Audrey’s ghost dog, Audrey’s ghost crush, some of Audrey’s interactions with her friends, the ending of it was fairly good too. I liked how Audrey learned that she could handle her anxiety without chase helping her, I also thought it was a very interesting choice to have the book end with Audrey breaking up with chase and allowing her and him to be free of the stress they were causing each other.
Overall this book wasn’t that good, and I don’t think others would enjoy reading it, honestly I really wanted to like it so I am very sad to be so disappointed afterwards. (The last 59 pages were the only truly enjoyable part for me).
If you want a Disney book for spooky season read “Raising The Horseman” now that was a good take on a Disney classic, it was simple to read, enjoyable, gave good dual perspectives, showed a girl learning to outgrow the family legacy by becoming her own person, and it’s a sapphic romance that it’s fairly suited teens and young adults alike.
First off the main characters only personality trait was that she had anxiety, reading from her perspective was brutal because she would go through the same thing in her head over and over and as an anxious person I can understand being anxious but Audrey (the main character) never got to have any other trait than just being anxious. It was like witnessing the Flanderization of a character that never got to be flushed out to begin with. The things we know about Audrey are nonsensical and stupid we know she has a pixie cut that her boyfriend hates, we know that she’s a vegetarian, we know that she’s moving… and that’s like almost literally it. All of these things could be interesting if they were actually touched on in the book, they were mentioned offhandedly as if I was supposed to know what was going on. For having 430 pages you’d think it could give some context.
Audrey’s friends are Iris and Tatum, they suffer from the same problem that Audrey does, being that they are very one note characters. Iris is a black girl who’s only personality traits are being bossy and liked all of the time, and Tatum’s a Scottish girl who is characterized as being dumb. These are not just characters seen once they are in the whole book to the point where they are almost main characters as well and yet they only have one or two traits each. It was such lazy characterization for characters that are supposedly “super important” to the story.
A mortally gray character from the book was a goth girl named Elke (old dumb name tbh), she’s obsessed with death and the supernatural world. It always seems like goth girls can’t catch a break in books like these, yet again it feels like lazy writing to make her obsessed with death and to have her help out the main villain of the book. There like one page in the book where it explains how her parents never loved her and kind of vulgar stuff for the audience that will most likely read the book (drugs and underage adult activities). The fact that the author had to add that page to make the reader fill bad for Elke shows that she was never properly characterized in the first place honestly.
For being a story that takes place in the Haunted Mansion you’d think there would be plenty of Ghosts and ride references right? You’d be wrong. There were maybe like 5 ghosts described in the mansion which was utterly disappointing for being a book about a mansion with 999 ghosts in it. It felt like this book was written by someone who has never been on the ride before. None of the areas in the mansions were properly described and they rarely matched the real way that the ride looks like in real life. Only two of the ghosts had names in the book which just made the setting really unbelievable. Also I don’t think the author had any spacial awareness while writing this book, the characters only went upstairs once and yet somehow made it to the attic before that?!? The excuse given was that the layout “constantly changes” but even then it was too inconsistent to be justified. We never learned anything of substance about the ghosts in the mansion and it’s a bad sign that this book literally could’ve taken place anywhere else without changing the story at all.
The paranormal stuff in this book was so poorly written it wasn’t even funny. Audrey gets possessed three times and each time it allows her to do crazy things!! Such as sailing a boat, playing guitar and wielding an axe. The boat part was honestly idiotic(why was no one monitoring their boat/dock!). Each time she’s possessed she take these keys (three in total) and it is honestly never properly described why she takes these keys, how she keeps ending up becoming possessed, and why she’s the only one that went into the mansion being possessed by evil spirits. The possession parts went on for way too long too which is crazy to think about since this book didn’t really have too much going for it.
The villain of the book is the shade, after reading the book I still don’t know what it is or why it wanted to kill all of the ghosts and humans. It had no real motive and it honestly should have been more consistent since at some parts it was super strong and in others Audrey was able to avoid it with no issues. The shade needed the keys to come out but it was never explained why it needed the keys and what it would do with them. The shade gave Audrey dreams that at most time were super nondescript so it was hard to get anything from reading about them.
Random gripes with this book include: The slang in this book was so outdated, it felt like an adult was trying to be hip for the teens (and spoiler alert it didn’t work). The characters used emojis in really serious situations which really took away from those scenes in the book. It also talked about JKR (the author of Harry Potter) being transphobic but it was mentioned offhandedly in a way to suggest “we’re so much better than her!”, mind you this book had no gay/trans/enby/ace characters with names so they’re basically on the same playing field as JKR (in which they say but don’t do (dumbledore being gay for example)). Audrey at one point mentioned how her “enby friends dress androgynously”, these friends never had names and it was brought up just to earn points for being “hip with the teens”. Audrey is 15 turning 16 and the book talks about how she makes out with her boyfriend all of the time and how she begged her parents to let her date him at 14, which sets a bad example for the audience of the book. Audrey’s boyfriend is also described to be abusive after he was described throughout the book to be super genuine which just made the abusive part feel like it came out of nowhere. Elke is described to have wanted to take drugs (opioids) and I just don’t understand why that was even put into the book honestly such a dumb thing to add. Elke is also described to be suicidal but not In a productive way which just leaves the reader feeling uncomfortable. Audrey is a vegetarian who says she wasn’t forced to be one but then later describes how she was forced to be one and how she wants to force her boyfriend to be one too. It has a really offensive section where it references how they need different religious symbols in order to be able to banish spirits (they mention a cross, crucifix, and a Star of David) I don’t thing any religion would appreciate being mentioned this way. This book honestly should’ve taken place over the summer because those kids were rarely in school! Audrey’s brother was chronically online and no one ever did anything about it. At one point Audrey is almost assaulted by a grown man. She also takes an Uber at midnight while being 15 years old. This book had too much stupidity in it to the point where I think I’ll never be able to list it all.
I feel like this book was marketed too much towards younger teens for the things that it mentions in it. They mentioned school shootings, death, graphic violence, murder, abusive relationships, suicidal thoughts/ideations, possession, underage drinking, underage smoking, underage adult encounters, possession, not being loved by one’s parents, etc. I feel as though a young teen would not be able to understand these issues or to be able to have informed consent before reading this book, same with parents I don’t think they’d want their kids reading this book either.
Things I liked about the book include: some of the humor from it, Audrey’s ghost dog, Audrey’s ghost crush, some of Audrey’s interactions with her friends, the ending of it was fairly good too. I liked how Audrey learned that she could handle her anxiety without chase helping her, I also thought it was a very interesting choice to have the book end with Audrey breaking up with chase and allowing her and him to be free of the stress they were causing each other.
Overall this book wasn’t that good, and I don’t think others would enjoy reading it, honestly I really wanted to like it so I am very sad to be so disappointed afterwards. (The last 59 pages were the only truly enjoyable part for me).
If you want a Disney book for spooky season read “Raising The Horseman” now that was a good take on a Disney classic, it was simple to read, enjoyable, gave good dual perspectives, showed a girl learning to outgrow the family legacy by becoming her own person, and it’s a sapphic romance that it’s fairly suited teens and young adults alike.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
Honestly didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did- but as a super fan of the Haunted Mansion, I flew through this story.
Insanely clever in how they tied every single Haunted Mansion ride scene and character into this story - from the library to the graveyard, the endless hallway and the twisted upside down staircases. The school being Gracey Hall was a nice nod, and I’d like to think even naming it Hurricane Claude was a shoutout to former HM imagineer Claude Coats. I’m sure there were other missed Easter eggs too.
I loved the anxiety representation through this book as well and think it’s so important for YA books to cover this. Especially in the way it related to Audrey’s relationship and how she navigated those changes.
Also the random mention of ‘The Room’ gave me a fantastic giggle that only people who have seen it will understand.
Insanely clever in how they tied every single Haunted Mansion ride scene and character into this story - from the library to the graveyard, the endless hallway and the twisted upside down staircases. The school being Gracey Hall was a nice nod, and I’d like to think even naming it Hurricane Claude was a shoutout to former HM imagineer Claude Coats. I’m sure there were other missed Easter eggs too.
I loved the anxiety representation through this book as well and think it’s so important for YA books to cover this. Especially in the way it related to Audrey’s relationship and how she navigated those changes.
Also the random mention of ‘The Room’ gave me a fantastic giggle that only people who have seen it will understand.
August 9, 2023
Thank you Netgalley and Claudia Gray for the opportunity to read the eARC of The Haunted Mansion: Storm & Shade!
I have loved the Haunted Mansion ever since I was kid at Disneyland and now I was very excited to read a YA story about the mansion and it's 999 happy haunts!
I had high expectations and I was not in any way disappointed! It was a fun adventure filled with plenty of ghosts and Audrey makes an excellent voice to follow, her experiences and growth throughout the novel made a quick and enjoyable read!
I will post my review on Netgalley, Amazon and Goodreads
I have loved the Haunted Mansion ever since I was kid at Disneyland and now I was very excited to read a YA story about the mansion and it's 999 happy haunts!
I had high expectations and I was not in any way disappointed! It was a fun adventure filled with plenty of ghosts and Audrey makes an excellent voice to follow, her experiences and growth throughout the novel made a quick and enjoyable read!
I will post my review on Netgalley, Amazon and Goodreads
November 5, 2023
If you could give half stars on Goodreads, I would throw this book a 3.5/5 rating. It's a perfectly acceptable YA mystery set in the universe of the Haunted Mansion (even has a nice nod to Amicus Arcane, the mansion librarian introduced in the Tales from the Haunted Mansion series). Does it set my world on fire? No, but I'll devour anything related to the world of my favorite dark ride (and favorite ride at Disney World). Would I read more in this series? You bet your life! (Or death!!! Muahahaha)
November 24, 2023
As someone who admittedly avoids this ride LIKE THE PLAGUE when at Disney World but loved Claudia Gray’s Jane Austen mysteries, I had to give this a shot. I really appreciated how she portrayed characters who aren’t exactly saints, but aren’t really villains either. So while the story is clearly fantastical, the relationships still rang true. I also loved seeing anxiety and therapy in such a positive light.
That said, it did start to feel a little long before the action really started kicking in.
That said, it did start to feel a little long before the action really started kicking in.
November 7, 2024
This was obviously written as a love letter to the Haunted Mansion, but it was done through a lens that was slightly annoying.
There were no likable characters (with the exception of the ghosts). They all leaned heavily into being YA, which made them obnoxious. The clearly toxic relationship between the MC and her boyfriend was a major red flag that yes, she eventually realized, but made it really hard to read about.
Even though this book was over 400 pages, the ending felt rushed because of the amount of drivel the rest of the book had. I feel that the author could have had better pacing and the story would have been shorter but better.
As a die-hard HM lover, this will stay on my shelves-- at least for a while.
There were no likable characters (with the exception of the ghosts). They all leaned heavily into being YA, which made them obnoxious. The clearly toxic relationship between the MC and her boyfriend was a major red flag that yes, she eventually realized, but made it really hard to read about.
Even though this book was over 400 pages, the ending felt rushed because of the amount of drivel the rest of the book had. I feel that the author could have had better pacing and the story would have been shorter but better.
As a die-hard HM lover, this will stay on my shelves-- at least for a while.
July 30, 2025
Claudia Gray is a pretty good teen author, even when given trademarked material. This was a surprisingly good adaptation of The Haunted Mansion, especially when the franchise’s previous entries have always been lackluster at best, horrendous at worst. As a fan of HM and Gray’s writing, this was an enjoyable read with great characters and a pretty decent pace, though there was a lot of back and forth to and from the mansion itself.
January 2, 2024
This did not seem to have any of the Haunted Mansion charm from the movies or ride lore... it might be an okay book if you're going in with no expectations and having it not associated with the Haunted Mansion, but considering that there is supposed to be a connection, I couldn't get into it.
November 28, 2024
It feels very conflicted. On one hand the characters are older and have a love triangle, but on the other hand they act very young. My middle schoolers might enjoy this, but it is not for me. I felt like I was getting irritated by the characters and just waiting for ghosts to show.
3 stars
3 stars
February 27, 2025
(4.5 stars)
Loved it when Tatum said: "Like giving superpowers to Elon Musk. Best avoided."
Loved it when Tatum said: "Like giving superpowers to Elon Musk. Best avoided."
July 22, 2025
Would have been a 3.5 if those were a thing on goodreads!
May 9, 2025
Josie and I read this together at bedtime over months and months. Some very cute Easter Egg references to the iconic Haunted Mansion ride, and an empowering message about getting help to deal with anxiety. Pretty good read for a 12-year-old who loves Spooky Season. Too long by at least 40%, but mostly enjoyable.
September 30, 2023
I can’t believe this book was written by Claudia Gray, the best Star Wars novelist around. I read half of it before giving up.
April 10, 2023
Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and NetGalley for the e-ARC!
I loved this book. Anything involving the Haunted Mansion has always been a favourite of mine, and this did not disappoint. I loved the main character Audrey and the personal growth she went through, and I loved the spooky setting of the Haunted Mansion. I felt the story came to a very satisfying conclusion at the end. It was a good read the whole way through. I can’t wait to read this one again before Halloween this year!
I loved this book. Anything involving the Haunted Mansion has always been a favourite of mine, and this did not disappoint. I loved the main character Audrey and the personal growth she went through, and I loved the spooky setting of the Haunted Mansion. I felt the story came to a very satisfying conclusion at the end. It was a good read the whole way through. I can’t wait to read this one again before Halloween this year!
October 14, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Pub for this free digital copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is out now!
I thought this one was so much fun, and also so important in how clearly and lovingly it deals with anxiety disorders. I can't wait to have this book in my classroom because we love a spooky vibe, but also because I feel like my students are part of the target audience, and I think many could benefit from how thoroughly anxiety is discussed, and how main character Audrey grows throughout the story--both in terms of her anxiety and her confidence.
As someone who literally grew up with the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland, I loved this updated tale of the Mansion. In case you weren't aware, a newer Haunted Mansion movie was recently released, and while this book was released in tandem with the film, they are two different but complementary stories. I loved the spooky ghost vibes and the description of the mansion! I don't know if a sequel is planned, but I would 100% read another.
I thought this one was so much fun, and also so important in how clearly and lovingly it deals with anxiety disorders. I can't wait to have this book in my classroom because we love a spooky vibe, but also because I feel like my students are part of the target audience, and I think many could benefit from how thoroughly anxiety is discussed, and how main character Audrey grows throughout the story--both in terms of her anxiety and her confidence.
As someone who literally grew up with the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland, I loved this updated tale of the Mansion. In case you weren't aware, a newer Haunted Mansion movie was recently released, and while this book was released in tandem with the film, they are two different but complementary stories. I loved the spooky ghost vibes and the description of the mansion! I don't know if a sequel is planned, but I would 100% read another.
Read
October 5, 2024If you're into the Haunted Mansion and books that skew to a younger YA audience, this is for you. There are lots of Easter eggs about Madame Leota, the wallpaper, and even the colors of Audrey's school uniform. The MC is dealing not only with ghosts, but moving to a new school and navigating debilitating anxiety. Was not a huge fan of the boyfriend in this book though. Sterling, however . . . I liked him immediately.
October 29, 2023
Here's another case of you can't judge a book by its cover. When will I ever learn? Despite the gorgeous cover of the Haunted Mansion and a Nancy Drew-esque teenage investigator, this book does not deliver. Why is it so hard for writers to create a mystery around the legends and lore of the Haunted Mansion? There's so much great material to work with!
Here're my thoughts:
The mansion: The writer did a mediocre job with the New Orleans setting, which is surprising because according to her bio, she lives there! Most of the scenes take place inside the derelict haunted mansion, which is wide open for anyone to come inside and explore. How is this possible? Who owns it? That could've been a fun mystery all onto itself. Oh well...so yeah, the teenagers come and go as they please, and the rooms keep switching around at random, a-la-Hogwarts. The author throws in a few bits and pieces about iconic scenes, but most of the time our MC, Audrey, is flirting in the library with the resident hottie ghost named Sterling.
The plot: Like all four seasons of the CW's Nancy Drew (how did I sit through all that craziness?!), there's way too much going on here. We've got a love triangle between Audrey, Sterling and her Toxic boyfriend; a VERY concerning case of possessions; a little brother with a VERY concerning gaming addiction that was never addressed (is this considered normal?), a goth mean-girl who's poking around with black magic; a hurricane on the rise; and an almighty evil force that must be vanquished to save the friendly ghosts! Yeesh...my mind is spinning.
The possessions: Wow, okay. Where do I begin? Things escalate very quickly when ghosts jump into Audrey's body and do some crazy stuff...like taking a ship out to sea, dancing and singing in a nightclub (how did a 15-year-old even get in?) and breaking into a house with an axe! My personal favorite was the boat theft, where she and her loyal friends take a boat out to sea and have to consult YouTube to figure out how to get it back to the landing. Somehow this all went down without a hitch. Huh...I had no idea boat docks in New Orleans had zero security systems whatsoever.
The main character: I'm all for representation in books, but it seems like authors can't quite do it right. In this case, the MC has clinical anxiety (same here), and that's basically her entire identity. I thought for a second that she had a photography hobby, but that sort of fizzled out. She has a toxic, co-dependent relationship with her boyfriend because he shields her from the scary world. She goes to regular therapy sessions when her parents get concerned, which I think could've been edited out because this book draaaaaaags.
The hurricane: I don't know abotu y'all, but it seems highly unlikely that any dutiful parent would allow their kids to run off to a "hurricane party" during a catastrophic hurricane. Of course, this was a cover for something else the teens had planned during the deadly weather event, but seriously? The parents didn't even call the parents in charge of the alleged party to corroborate? Strange.
The spookies: Disney authors, move out of the way so I can just write a dang story that gives the Haunted Mansion justice! This author didn't do it right. Why dream up some all-powerful evil force that has nothing to do with anything that we all know and love about the Haunted Mansion? Why not do something fun with the ghostly bride? It could be a cold case about her murder with all the fun spooks helping out with clues! Or why not revolve the mystery around Madame Leota? How did she become a spiritualist trapped in a crystal ball? Now there's a story!
Either way, this is another Haunted Mansion story done wrong. There's a chance this could become a series, but I hope not. Yuck.
Here're my thoughts:
The mansion: The writer did a mediocre job with the New Orleans setting, which is surprising because according to her bio, she lives there! Most of the scenes take place inside the derelict haunted mansion, which is wide open for anyone to come inside and explore. How is this possible? Who owns it? That could've been a fun mystery all onto itself. Oh well...so yeah, the teenagers come and go as they please, and the rooms keep switching around at random, a-la-Hogwarts. The author throws in a few bits and pieces about iconic scenes, but most of the time our MC, Audrey, is flirting in the library with the resident hottie ghost named Sterling.
The plot: Like all four seasons of the CW's Nancy Drew (how did I sit through all that craziness?!), there's way too much going on here. We've got a love triangle between Audrey, Sterling and her Toxic boyfriend; a VERY concerning case of possessions; a little brother with a VERY concerning gaming addiction that was never addressed (is this considered normal?), a goth mean-girl who's poking around with black magic; a hurricane on the rise; and an almighty evil force that must be vanquished to save the friendly ghosts! Yeesh...my mind is spinning.
The possessions: Wow, okay. Where do I begin? Things escalate very quickly when ghosts jump into Audrey's body and do some crazy stuff...like taking a ship out to sea, dancing and singing in a nightclub (how did a 15-year-old even get in?) and breaking into a house with an axe! My personal favorite was the boat theft, where she and her loyal friends take a boat out to sea and have to consult YouTube to figure out how to get it back to the landing. Somehow this all went down without a hitch. Huh...I had no idea boat docks in New Orleans had zero security systems whatsoever.
The main character: I'm all for representation in books, but it seems like authors can't quite do it right. In this case, the MC has clinical anxiety (same here), and that's basically her entire identity. I thought for a second that she had a photography hobby, but that sort of fizzled out. She has a toxic, co-dependent relationship with her boyfriend because he shields her from the scary world. She goes to regular therapy sessions when her parents get concerned, which I think could've been edited out because this book draaaaaaags.
The hurricane: I don't know abotu y'all, but it seems highly unlikely that any dutiful parent would allow their kids to run off to a "hurricane party" during a catastrophic hurricane. Of course, this was a cover for something else the teens had planned during the deadly weather event, but seriously? The parents didn't even call the parents in charge of the alleged party to corroborate? Strange.
The spookies: Disney authors, move out of the way so I can just write a dang story that gives the Haunted Mansion justice! This author didn't do it right. Why dream up some all-powerful evil force that has nothing to do with anything that we all know and love about the Haunted Mansion? Why not do something fun with the ghostly bride? It could be a cold case about her murder with all the fun spooks helping out with clues! Or why not revolve the mystery around Madame Leota? How did she become a spiritualist trapped in a crystal ball? Now there's a story!
Either way, this is another Haunted Mansion story done wrong. There's a chance this could become a series, but I hope not. Yuck.
August 15, 2023
The Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade is a fun addition to the Haunted Mansion lore with likeable, realistic characters, delightful spooks, and a looming threat that is scary without being overdramatic.
Audrey's family moves from the suburbs to New Orleans proper, taking Audrey away from her friends and boyfriend and pushing her anxiety into hyperdrive. While she's worried about attending private school (one with revolting uniforms), the discovery of an abandoned mansion in her new neighborhood provides her with the perfect place to practice her photography. But the mansion is more than it seems, and Audrey's curiosity soon garners her more terror and danger than she's ever expected, placing her at the center of a threat to the entire world, living and dead.
Audrey is a great main character. She's a typical high school student who worries about friends, relationships, and her family. She also suffers from pretty severe anxiety, which is described in an authentic and sympathetic way. Audrey is receiving help for her anxiety, and it's good to see her put different techniques into use to help her feel better. Some of these tips may be helpful for readers who suffer from their own anxiety (myself included). It's also great to see Audrey grow throughout the story; as she spends more time at the Haunted Mansion and experiences more supernatural events, she grows more confident in herself and her abilities, and she learns that it's okay to put herself first when she's being treated as second-best.
Audrey's new friends, Iris and Tatum, make for a great supporting cast. Iris is serious and logical, and she keeps things in perspective when dealing with the Mansion's 999 happy haunts. Tatum's sense of humor and cultural differences (she's just moved from Scotland) make for many light-hearted moments, but she has her own strengths and is a great friend. Sterling, who Audrey meets in the Haunted Mansion, is another great addition to the main crew--he's sweet, kind, and helpful, but he's hiding a (fairly obvious) secret, and his ending is a bit surprising.
The story does a great job of incorporating the Haunted Mansion without being too ham-fisted or hokey. The Mansion maintains its air of spookiness what with the constantly moving rooms and the trickster ghosts, and many familiar rooms and characters are seamlessly incorporated. Additionally, there's lore given for the changing paintings/pictures in many of the hallways and for the ghosts themselves, which adds not only to the story but to the Mansion itself. Whether or not it's true is irrelevant; nothing contradicts the current stories of the Mansion, so I'm choosing to accept this new information as canon.
The big bad--The Shade--is explained well and is frightening, particularly as it's a threat not just to the living but to the ghosts. What's truly frightening, though, is the way that the Shade forces Audrey to help with its goals. These scenes are actually scary and truly original. The addition of the Axeman of New Orleans nicely ties in real NOLA history and adds another level of fear to Audrey's story.
All in all, The Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade is a great addition to the world of the Haunted Mansion. Although written for younger readers, older readers--especially fans of those infamous 999 happy haunts--will appreciate the realistic topics and the Easter eggs (like the mention of The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, which is vastly underrated). If you're looking for a fun Halloween read with well-written friendships, representation of anxiety, and a whirlwind of ghosts, this is the book for you!
Audrey's family moves from the suburbs to New Orleans proper, taking Audrey away from her friends and boyfriend and pushing her anxiety into hyperdrive. While she's worried about attending private school (one with revolting uniforms), the discovery of an abandoned mansion in her new neighborhood provides her with the perfect place to practice her photography. But the mansion is more than it seems, and Audrey's curiosity soon garners her more terror and danger than she's ever expected, placing her at the center of a threat to the entire world, living and dead.
Audrey is a great main character. She's a typical high school student who worries about friends, relationships, and her family. She also suffers from pretty severe anxiety, which is described in an authentic and sympathetic way. Audrey is receiving help for her anxiety, and it's good to see her put different techniques into use to help her feel better. Some of these tips may be helpful for readers who suffer from their own anxiety (myself included). It's also great to see Audrey grow throughout the story; as she spends more time at the Haunted Mansion and experiences more supernatural events, she grows more confident in herself and her abilities, and she learns that it's okay to put herself first when she's being treated as second-best.
Audrey's new friends, Iris and Tatum, make for a great supporting cast. Iris is serious and logical, and she keeps things in perspective when dealing with the Mansion's 999 happy haunts. Tatum's sense of humor and cultural differences (she's just moved from Scotland) make for many light-hearted moments, but she has her own strengths and is a great friend. Sterling, who Audrey meets in the Haunted Mansion, is another great addition to the main crew--he's sweet, kind, and helpful, but he's hiding a (fairly obvious) secret, and his ending is a bit surprising.
The story does a great job of incorporating the Haunted Mansion without being too ham-fisted or hokey. The Mansion maintains its air of spookiness what with the constantly moving rooms and the trickster ghosts, and many familiar rooms and characters are seamlessly incorporated. Additionally, there's lore given for the changing paintings/pictures in many of the hallways and for the ghosts themselves, which adds not only to the story but to the Mansion itself. Whether or not it's true is irrelevant; nothing contradicts the current stories of the Mansion, so I'm choosing to accept this new information as canon.
The big bad--The Shade--is explained well and is frightening, particularly as it's a threat not just to the living but to the ghosts. What's truly frightening, though, is the way that the Shade forces Audrey to help with its goals. These scenes are actually scary and truly original. The addition of the Axeman of New Orleans nicely ties in real NOLA history and adds another level of fear to Audrey's story.
All in all, The Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade is a great addition to the world of the Haunted Mansion. Although written for younger readers, older readers--especially fans of those infamous 999 happy haunts--will appreciate the realistic topics and the Easter eggs (like the mention of The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, which is vastly underrated). If you're looking for a fun Halloween read with well-written friendships, representation of anxiety, and a whirlwind of ghosts, this is the book for you!
April 5, 2024
I will be SO disappointed if this author does not write another continuing story of the 998 spirits that live in this famous New Orleans Haunted Mansion!
At over 400 pages, this retelling of the worlds most haunted 'Haunted Mansion' (made famous by the Disney parks) this is THE book you need to read if you have ever darkened the front door of this place. The book is so well written that this could be my favorite book of the Haunted Mansion ever.
When high school student Audrey Perez and her family move to New Orleans and she finds out that there could possibly be a 'real haunted house' right down the road from them, she knows she has to do some investigative work. She suffers from anxiety and going to a new high school is really not what she needs right now. But when she befriends some fellow classmates she knows that it is all going to be alright. This story is not your typical Disney Books book. You all know that I have read every Disney Villains book and even the 4 books in the Haunted Mansion series, that is told by Amicus the mansions Butler......and though Amicus, Madame Leota, the ballroom ghosts and everyother spirit that we have seen since we were kids are all here; it is not 'that story', of the ride.
No. Claudia Gray writes a tale that lets you realize that all these people were once real like Audrey and her friends, and those are the characters that you are going to know who they were.
Audrey is going thru her first real love of her first High School crush. But something is not there with this all around Jock of Jocks. She is way more into him than he is into her. Her Psychiatrist and Doctor, Dr. Ron tells her this, but he knows that she is aware of the 'mansion' and when she starts to tell him how her and her friends suddenly find themselves in the mansion one night and what they find in there, he starts to question whether she is suffering from anxiety or not. And what about this dog she comes to love who she calls 'bones' and the hauntingly beautiful young man by the name of Sterling whom she becomes infatuated with?. Is there really a REAL haunted mansion, and has Audrey and her friends really discovered something that the town of New Orleans has always known and covered up? If you are a fan of ghosts, and things that go bump in the night I know you are going to enjoy this book. I can recommend it to any aged readers, as there is no bad language or extreme scares or violence. But let me tell you what....author Claudia Gray has done her research on the 998 ghosts that haunt 'The Haunted Mansion'.
I LOVED this book......well, the audiobook that is. Now read the book you 'foolish Mortals!'
4.5 ghosts
At over 400 pages, this retelling of the worlds most haunted 'Haunted Mansion' (made famous by the Disney parks) this is THE book you need to read if you have ever darkened the front door of this place. The book is so well written that this could be my favorite book of the Haunted Mansion ever.
When high school student Audrey Perez and her family move to New Orleans and she finds out that there could possibly be a 'real haunted house' right down the road from them, she knows she has to do some investigative work. She suffers from anxiety and going to a new high school is really not what she needs right now. But when she befriends some fellow classmates she knows that it is all going to be alright. This story is not your typical Disney Books book. You all know that I have read every Disney Villains book and even the 4 books in the Haunted Mansion series, that is told by Amicus the mansions Butler......and though Amicus, Madame Leota, the ballroom ghosts and everyother spirit that we have seen since we were kids are all here; it is not 'that story', of the ride.
No. Claudia Gray writes a tale that lets you realize that all these people were once real like Audrey and her friends, and those are the characters that you are going to know who they were.
Audrey is going thru her first real love of her first High School crush. But something is not there with this all around Jock of Jocks. She is way more into him than he is into her. Her Psychiatrist and Doctor, Dr. Ron tells her this, but he knows that she is aware of the 'mansion' and when she starts to tell him how her and her friends suddenly find themselves in the mansion one night and what they find in there, he starts to question whether she is suffering from anxiety or not. And what about this dog she comes to love who she calls 'bones' and the hauntingly beautiful young man by the name of Sterling whom she becomes infatuated with?. Is there really a REAL haunted mansion, and has Audrey and her friends really discovered something that the town of New Orleans has always known and covered up? If you are a fan of ghosts, and things that go bump in the night I know you are going to enjoy this book. I can recommend it to any aged readers, as there is no bad language or extreme scares or violence. But let me tell you what....author Claudia Gray has done her research on the 998 ghosts that haunt 'The Haunted Mansion'.
I LOVED this book......well, the audiobook that is. Now read the book you 'foolish Mortals!'
4.5 ghosts
September 8, 2023
Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade is an exciting new YA adaptation of one of Disney Parks most famous rides. The tale takes readers on a spooky journey alongside protagonist Audrey Perez, diving headfirst into the wild and wonderful entrapments of New Orleans, Louisiana, and 999 of its most intriguing residents.
The story provides a wonderful new spin on Disney’s Haunted Mansion which plants the action firmly in spirited and soulful New Orleans. Audrey is the hero of her own story as she battles growing pains, anxiety and navigating relationships. Her friends, fun-loving Tatum and organizational Iris, provide great support for Audrey in this new adventure and their personalities provide an engaging contrast to one another and to the book’s protagonist. I read this book as an audiobook (narrator Mari Weiss was the perfect fit) and it was so fun to hear Tatum’s Scottish accent as part of the story. Weiss’s commanding and clear voice, as well as commendable and different character voices, elevated the story and added to this story’s spookily spectacular experience.
The themes of Storm and Shade are significant and contrasted with the high-stakes (though lighthearted) adventure posed by the Mansion and its residents. Author Claudia Gray spends significant page time exploring Audrey’s anxiety and therapy sessions. These matter-of-fact additions to the story provide a frank account of Audrey’s mental health struggles and remove any stigma that might otherwise attach. Gray makes clear that although Audrey struggles, she manages to work through the challenges she faces and grow in leaps and bounds, as well as discover just what she is capable of. Similarly, Audrey is able to move on throughout the story in more ways than one. Life after death and growing up are also worthwhile themes that Gray develops masterfully from beginning to end for various characters, not just Audrey.
The character relationships in Storm and Shade are complex and interesting. Audrey’s relationship with her boyfriend and how he treats her is not black and white, but a realistic shade of gray that becomes clearer as the story progresses. The same is true for Audrey’s relationship with Sterling who she meets in the Mansion. Audrey and Sterling’s shared interest in photography lays a solid foundation for their friendship and to unraveling the mystery at hand. The character interactions are meaningful and realistic (in the context of the story, of course).
The setting, story, themes and characters make Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade a more than worthwhile read, especially with the spooky season around the corner and Halloween on the horizon.
The story provides a wonderful new spin on Disney’s Haunted Mansion which plants the action firmly in spirited and soulful New Orleans. Audrey is the hero of her own story as she battles growing pains, anxiety and navigating relationships. Her friends, fun-loving Tatum and organizational Iris, provide great support for Audrey in this new adventure and their personalities provide an engaging contrast to one another and to the book’s protagonist. I read this book as an audiobook (narrator Mari Weiss was the perfect fit) and it was so fun to hear Tatum’s Scottish accent as part of the story. Weiss’s commanding and clear voice, as well as commendable and different character voices, elevated the story and added to this story’s spookily spectacular experience.
The themes of Storm and Shade are significant and contrasted with the high-stakes (though lighthearted) adventure posed by the Mansion and its residents. Author Claudia Gray spends significant page time exploring Audrey’s anxiety and therapy sessions. These matter-of-fact additions to the story provide a frank account of Audrey’s mental health struggles and remove any stigma that might otherwise attach. Gray makes clear that although Audrey struggles, she manages to work through the challenges she faces and grow in leaps and bounds, as well as discover just what she is capable of. Similarly, Audrey is able to move on throughout the story in more ways than one. Life after death and growing up are also worthwhile themes that Gray develops masterfully from beginning to end for various characters, not just Audrey.
The character relationships in Storm and Shade are complex and interesting. Audrey’s relationship with her boyfriend and how he treats her is not black and white, but a realistic shade of gray that becomes clearer as the story progresses. The same is true for Audrey’s relationship with Sterling who she meets in the Mansion. Audrey and Sterling’s shared interest in photography lays a solid foundation for their friendship and to unraveling the mystery at hand. The character interactions are meaningful and realistic (in the context of the story, of course).
The setting, story, themes and characters make Haunted Mansion: Storm and Shade a more than worthwhile read, especially with the spooky season around the corner and Halloween on the horizon.
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