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The Unseen #1-2 Omnibus
The Unseen Volume 1: It Begins/Rest In Peace
Out walking alone one rainy night, Lucy becomes convinced that someone--or something--is following her. Soon she begins having terrifying visions and dreams--and she still can't shake the feeling of an unseen presence, always watching, waiting . . .
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
About the author
Richie Tankersley Cusick
52 books820 followersRichie Tankersley Cusick is the bestselling young adult author of over 25 titles, including two adult horror titles, Scarecrow and Blood Roots. Her popularity grew at the height of the horror/YA boom in the late '80s/early '90s, particularly with books like Lifeguard , Trick or Treat and Teacher's Pet, just to name a few, allowing her to keep company on the bestseller paperback lists with the likes of R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. Her fan base expanded about the time she changed publishers to Archway/Pocket Books with titles like Vampire and Someone at the Door.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 109 reviews
August 14, 2012
I'm not going to lie. I bought this book and its sequel on a whim while at Walmart shopping on night. I loved the covers, especially how they fit together to form one full image on both the main cover and the spine. I have learned the ways of the "cover whore" (as Ashley of The Bookish Brunette would say) and snagged the books immediately. They've been sitting on my shelves for a few months and I finally decided to dive in.
Wow.
Seriously, wow.
These are a real true horror story. There are no punches pulled in this series at all. People die...gruesomely. The villain is terrifying in his power and mystery. There are incredibly creepy scenes that linger in your mind long after you read them.
It's so rare that I find a book that feels so genuinely entrenched in the horror genre. I seriously, seriously loved this book.
A few specific thoughts...
I can see where people may become frustrated with Lucy. She makes a lot of very bad decisions and tends to go against her own instincts. Yet, I could understand this because she comes under the influence of the Big Bad very, very quickly. The story is also about a loss of self.
I really liked the character of Byron a lot. The beginnings of the tender relationship he forms with Lucy was really sweet. Some of the best scenes in the series were with Bryon. That being said...
I loved when Dakota entered the story. I felt her friendship with Lucy was one of the things I truly enjoyed about the book.
Also, I loved how things are hinted out, clues are dropped, but nothing is laid out in a crystal clear manner so you keep guessing as to what is really going on.
Wow.
Seriously, wow.
These are a real true horror story. There are no punches pulled in this series at all. People die...gruesomely. The villain is terrifying in his power and mystery. There are incredibly creepy scenes that linger in your mind long after you read them.
It's so rare that I find a book that feels so genuinely entrenched in the horror genre. I seriously, seriously loved this book.
A few specific thoughts...
I can see where people may become frustrated with Lucy. She makes a lot of very bad decisions and tends to go against her own instincts. Yet, I could understand this because she comes under the influence of the Big Bad very, very quickly. The story is also about a loss of self.
I really liked the character of Byron a lot. The beginnings of the tender relationship he forms with Lucy was really sweet. Some of the best scenes in the series were with Bryon. That being said...
I loved when Dakota entered the story. I felt her friendship with Lucy was one of the things I truly enjoyed about the book.
Also, I loved how things are hinted out, clues are dropped, but nothing is laid out in a crystal clear manner so you keep guessing as to what is really going on.
January 21, 2013
WOW WOW WOW! This was an amazing read for a "book that looked interesting, and bought on a whim." This book litterally had me sitting on the edge of my seat, my bed, and the floor if it had an edge. I could not put it down. Very fluid and easy to read.
I loved it because it was so very mysterious and SCARY! Never knowing what to expect and this is just the first volume....so looking forward to the second one.
Each of the 2 volumes has 2 different books in them. The first Unseen has It Begins, and Rest in Peace. The second one has Blood Brothers and Sin & Salvation. Richie Tankersley Cusick is a new favorite Author!
I loved it because it was so very mysterious and SCARY! Never knowing what to expect and this is just the first volume....so looking forward to the second one.
Each of the 2 volumes has 2 different books in them. The first Unseen has It Begins, and Rest in Peace. The second one has Blood Brothers and Sin & Salvation. Richie Tankersley Cusick is a new favorite Author!
March 12, 2012
i wish i could give this book a half star. i have to admit i bought both The Unseen and The Unseen 2. So I feel obligated to finish the series. But i have to say that if the second book is anything like the first then it was money completely wasted. The Unseen is like 2 books in one. the first book was a complete flop. It just repeated the strange goings on over and over again with no character development going on. By the end of the first book the main character, Lucy, was the only person we knew and all the other characters were either already dead or going to be dead. The book is pretty predictable. Book 2 had a little more action but not much. Still not she what characters are going good, bad, or will be dead shortly. There are a lot of plot lines that should have been developed but were not. Lucy's aunt Irene is one of the characters who is in the background a lot but was introducted as having a conflict with Lucy's mom that was never discussed. WTF? is this going to be talked about later? Byron had a good story line but not anymore. I really hope the second book is better, but unfortunately i don't think so.
July 23, 2016
Lucy Dennison is mourning the death of her beloved mother. The apartment had already been sold, her belongings packed, and her aunt ready to whisk her away from everything and everyone she has ever known. Lucy struggles with the transition from a busy life in the city to her new life in Pine Ridge, a quiet, remote town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Lucy just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time: walking through a cemetery on the night of a murder. Only Lucy knows exactly what happened that night, and it’s a secret that she struggles to forget. Just as she is assured that the worst has come to pass, her entire world is shattered into a million fragments.
Now I’m not a huge fan of horror anything: movies, books, haunted houses. My most recent experience with such a genre was the horror film, The Woman in Black. I dragged my parents to the movie theater to watch this movie for one reason and one reason only: Daniel Radcliff was in it. I didn’t sleep for a week. So when I found this book on the “Teen Picks” Horror shelf at Barnes and Noble, I was fairly reluctant to purchase it, to say the least. However, the description didn’t sound that bad and, to be completely honest, the covers were pretty fancy:
I mean, how fantastic is that? The two covers side by side give you a complete view of the girl’s face. Yes, I realize you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but nearly every reader will admit to doing something of the sort. After finishing the book last night, I was able to fall asleep. I’m not sure I would classify this book as a true horror novel, because, quite frankly, it wasn’t all that frightening.
There were very suspenseful moments throughout the book that popped up every 50 pages, or so. These twists and turns certainly kept me on my toes, but I was expecting much more with respect to the horror aspect of the book. Cusick wasn’t big into taking a painstakingly long time describing each scene, so I didn’t find myself falling asleep from boredom.
It wasn’t the next Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but it was a pleasant read. However, I did come away from the book still asking quite a few questions, which is incentive, perhaps, to find a ride to Barnes and Noble and purchase the next book.
Out of the relatively small number of characters, I had some issues with the protagonist, Lucy. She was portrayed as extremely jumpy and insecure, yet her decisions, words, and actions led me to believe she was also fairly gullible. These traits seem a bit contradictory in my opinion. If she was living so cautiously, Lucy wouldn’t automatically believe every word that comes out of anyone else’s mouth. Additionally, she tended to have a very short temper. She snapped at other characters on numerous occasions but would apologize in her next breath. Such a fast change in attitude was unusual.
The 49 pages in between each suspenseful moment were, on the contrary, quite disappointing. I found myself skimming the pages, anxiously anticipating the next unexpected plot twist. Yes, the book was still intriguing and I enjoyed it, I was just hoping for a bit more suspense or action. Several scenes involving one character in particular were fairly cheesy, overdramatic, and unrealistic. I was expecting a bit of teen romance throughout the book and found myself sadly disappointed.
And lastly, the ending of the book. Wow. I never saw that coming. I was waiting for the paragraph that explained it was all some big mistake. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. While I was reading, I was debating whether or not I wanted to invest the time to read the second book in the series. The ending made the decision for me. And now, it’s time for a trip to Barnes and Noble.
Now I’m not a huge fan of horror anything: movies, books, haunted houses. My most recent experience with such a genre was the horror film, The Woman in Black. I dragged my parents to the movie theater to watch this movie for one reason and one reason only: Daniel Radcliff was in it. I didn’t sleep for a week. So when I found this book on the “Teen Picks” Horror shelf at Barnes and Noble, I was fairly reluctant to purchase it, to say the least. However, the description didn’t sound that bad and, to be completely honest, the covers were pretty fancy:
I mean, how fantastic is that? The two covers side by side give you a complete view of the girl’s face. Yes, I realize you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but nearly every reader will admit to doing something of the sort. After finishing the book last night, I was able to fall asleep. I’m not sure I would classify this book as a true horror novel, because, quite frankly, it wasn’t all that frightening.
There were very suspenseful moments throughout the book that popped up every 50 pages, or so. These twists and turns certainly kept me on my toes, but I was expecting much more with respect to the horror aspect of the book. Cusick wasn’t big into taking a painstakingly long time describing each scene, so I didn’t find myself falling asleep from boredom.
It wasn’t the next Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but it was a pleasant read. However, I did come away from the book still asking quite a few questions, which is incentive, perhaps, to find a ride to Barnes and Noble and purchase the next book.
Out of the relatively small number of characters, I had some issues with the protagonist, Lucy. She was portrayed as extremely jumpy and insecure, yet her decisions, words, and actions led me to believe she was also fairly gullible. These traits seem a bit contradictory in my opinion. If she was living so cautiously, Lucy wouldn’t automatically believe every word that comes out of anyone else’s mouth. Additionally, she tended to have a very short temper. She snapped at other characters on numerous occasions but would apologize in her next breath. Such a fast change in attitude was unusual.
The 49 pages in between each suspenseful moment were, on the contrary, quite disappointing. I found myself skimming the pages, anxiously anticipating the next unexpected plot twist. Yes, the book was still intriguing and I enjoyed it, I was just hoping for a bit more suspense or action. Several scenes involving one character in particular were fairly cheesy, overdramatic, and unrealistic. I was expecting a bit of teen romance throughout the book and found myself sadly disappointed.
And lastly, the ending of the book. Wow. I never saw that coming. I was waiting for the paragraph that explained it was all some big mistake. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. While I was reading, I was debating whether or not I wanted to invest the time to read the second book in the series. The ending made the decision for me. And now, it’s time for a trip to Barnes and Noble.
January 25, 2026
id give this a 3.5. Its definitely YA, but it pulls you in and you want to keep reading.
February 13, 2013
Mysterious, scary, the Unseen 1 which contains two books of the series including It Begins and Rest in Peace. It described how Lucy Denninson, a high school teen whose mother was dead, moved to live with her aunt and step-cousin Angela. During her first few days in her stays, when she found herself being stalked by a stranger at night, she escaped to a cemetery and suddenly fell into an open grave. She then saw a girl being stabbed and was in her last minutes. The girl then grabbed her hands hard, actually transferring some mysterious power to her and told her not to tell anyone about it. Knowing that someone was murdered, Lucy was struggling to tell or not to. She also received terrible nightmares and visions, making her unable to sleep well every night. She also felt that someone was stalking her. When this mysterious Bryon appeared, who was said to help her, she told everything to him and finally figured out that the murdered girl was Katherine, Bryon's sister, who was believed to be a fortune-telling and crazy girl. But then Angela disappeared with a stranger.
Through reading The Unseen 1, learning to treasure things around you is one of the moral I have learnt from it. Lucy just met Byron for a few days and told her most of her secrets to him, but then he killed through a car accident while Lucy was taken away to be healed by a secret person. Lucy regretted a lot for not telling Bryon all of her secrets so they could have figured out more stuff behind this secret. It was just such a pity that Byron was killed.
This book is really kind of interesting and mysterious, as the author said all the time. It was kind of crazy for Lucy to let a stranger, who blindfolded her, kissed her without even knowing who he was. I kind of wonder why didn't Lucy call home and tell her aunt that she was being stalked at the beginning of the book. If that's what happened, she won't even end up receiving those horrible 'gift' from Katherine and would have lived a normal life. I really pity Lucy though for trying to warn people to be careful when she received visions about a person's death. Those people like Wanda never listened to her and thought she was crazy. She was then murdered and Lucy was being questioned by the police as if she was one of the suspects. I love this book and extremely recommend this book to you, as you should have known how I read it from day till night to finish it. Though the words in this book is kind of huge and I thought that it was a children book at first, it still suits me a lot for its mysterious, attractive plot. I am now totally longing to finish the second book.
my blog: http://bookidiot.blogspot.com
Through reading The Unseen 1, learning to treasure things around you is one of the moral I have learnt from it. Lucy just met Byron for a few days and told her most of her secrets to him, but then he killed through a car accident while Lucy was taken away to be healed by a secret person. Lucy regretted a lot for not telling Bryon all of her secrets so they could have figured out more stuff behind this secret. It was just such a pity that Byron was killed.
This book is really kind of interesting and mysterious, as the author said all the time. It was kind of crazy for Lucy to let a stranger, who blindfolded her, kissed her without even knowing who he was. I kind of wonder why didn't Lucy call home and tell her aunt that she was being stalked at the beginning of the book. If that's what happened, she won't even end up receiving those horrible 'gift' from Katherine and would have lived a normal life. I really pity Lucy though for trying to warn people to be careful when she received visions about a person's death. Those people like Wanda never listened to her and thought she was crazy. She was then murdered and Lucy was being questioned by the police as if she was one of the suspects. I love this book and extremely recommend this book to you, as you should have known how I read it from day till night to finish it. Though the words in this book is kind of huge and I thought that it was a children book at first, it still suits me a lot for its mysterious, attractive plot. I am now totally longing to finish the second book.
my blog: http://bookidiot.blogspot.com
October 17, 2012
The book is about a girl named Lucy who moves to Pine Ridge with her aunt and cousin after her mother dies of cancer. The first night she got there she decide to take a walk one rainy night which turned out to be a big mistake. When she is walking she hears foot steps behind her but every time she turns around there gone. She then becomes convinced that someone is following her so she ends up running into a cemetery where she is not alone. She sits next to one of the graves were she is out of breath then she starts to panic. After about 5 minutes she starts running to where she thinks is the opening of the cemetery when she falls into a open grave. When she finally gets out of the cemetery she begins to have visions and dreams and there is always a feeling in lucy that there is always a unseen presence watching and waiting.
I liked this book because the author was very descriptive and likes to leave you at a cliff hanger after every part of the book. It seemed that you were actually in the book. I think that this book would be great for people who like mysteries, scary books, and murder. This book actually gave me nightmares the first time i read it. i don't recommend this book to people who get scared easily or does not like books about murder. I gave this book five out of five but i think that people may give a lower score because it was too scary but i liked this book very much.
I liked this book because the author was very descriptive and likes to leave you at a cliff hanger after every part of the book. It seemed that you were actually in the book. I think that this book would be great for people who like mysteries, scary books, and murder. This book actually gave me nightmares the first time i read it. i don't recommend this book to people who get scared easily or does not like books about murder. I gave this book five out of five but i think that people may give a lower score because it was too scary but i liked this book very much.
June 5, 2016
What a freaking TERRIBLE book. This was recommended to me by one of my students and she made it sound interesting. And the premise did make me curious.
Unfortunately, it just read like an awful fanfiction. Seriously bad. Lucy was the most boring protagonist and by the end of the novel, I realized that I knew nothing about her, other than that her mother was dead and she was being "haunted" by some kind of paranormal entity. She has no personality, unless you call being consistently scared and angsty a personality. And the other characters were just as flat. Boring, plan, sometimes ridiculous caricatures of old and worn-out stereotypes.
BAD. DO NOT READ. I DO NOT RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE.
Unfortunately, it just read like an awful fanfiction. Seriously bad. Lucy was the most boring protagonist and by the end of the novel, I realized that I knew nothing about her, other than that her mother was dead and she was being "haunted" by some kind of paranormal entity. She has no personality, unless you call being consistently scared and angsty a personality. And the other characters were just as flat. Boring, plan, sometimes ridiculous caricatures of old and worn-out stereotypes.
BAD. DO NOT READ. I DO NOT RECOMMEND FOR ANYONE.
January 25, 2012
Amazing! i found myself constantly uneasy and guessing. as soon as you come to any solid conclusion, things change and you find yourself putting the puzzle together in another way just trying to figure it all out.
The only thing i don't like about the book is how naive Lucy is If something happens that obviously is not okay, she easily says "okay that's weird... I'm gonna ignore it" its highly frustrating. I found myself wanting to shout out " STOP BEING SO STUPID!!!!!" but... i still give it 5 stars because the story is still so engaging.
The only thing i don't like about the book is how naive Lucy is If something happens that obviously is not okay, she easily says "okay that's weird... I'm gonna ignore it" its highly frustrating. I found myself wanting to shout out " STOP BEING SO STUPID!!!!!" but... i still give it 5 stars because the story is still so engaging.
June 5, 2012
Definitely want be disappointed with this story, I was hooked after reading the first chapter and found I couldn't put it down cause it kept me wondering who kept following and stalking Lucy, just when you think who or what could be doing it, the story takes you into another whirlwind of guessing again. It is worth the read.
January 31, 2017
This book was mysterious and creepy but fantastic enough to be hooked on every page. I don't recommend reading this before bedtime, but overall it was a fantastic read. I can't wait until the next book!
October 10, 2021
This is a reread of a series I really enjoyed back in high school! I wouldn't say it's super quality literature but I've been having fun reading it again!
December 22, 2018
I gotta know- what is this mysterious murderous monster? Thoughts????
I was thinking some kind of vampire because of the blood thing, but... he shape-shifts and hides in the form of a shadow????
And we know he was alive at some point in the past because after the soup kitchen scene, he rambles about how she made him feel again. I gotta know your thoughts.
I was thinking some kind of vampire because of the blood thing, but... he shape-shifts and hides in the form of a shadow????
And we know he was alive at some point in the past because after the soup kitchen scene, he rambles about how she made him feel again. I gotta know your thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2022
This book genuinely had me on the edge of my seat the entire read through, I was incredibly invested in what would unfold - I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book to read further. Fantastic read gull of thrill, mystery and cliff hangers.
I also thoroughly enjoyed how it was an easy quick read, that I could pick up and read when given the time!
I also thoroughly enjoyed how it was an easy quick read, that I could pick up and read when given the time!
January 12, 2023
took 3 days to finish very fast paced i loved that kinda predictable but still a really good read i love the supernatural and the characters are so easy to fall in love with i honestly couldn’t put this book down i love the way it was fast paced but with good tension and build up to a great story line you should definitely give it a read
April 12, 2020
This is the first book I've read by this author. I feel, it was well written. I never felt bogged down exposition or stumbled over words. The pacing was smooth and the main character was well developed. It was a real page turner. The suspense all the way to the end.
April 23, 2020
I've read and reread all 4 of the book series several times since 2005!!! They need to make a movie or show based off this series! If they do, I'm auditioning for Lucy!!! I always try to find books similar to these. Just creepy enough.
February 28, 2021
I liked it! I was given this book to read on a trip home because I finished the book I brought!
It is about a girl that can see spirits in Louisiana, has a cajon creole vibe which I love! It was around Halloween when I was reading this. Just a light, Ghost & Mystery book.
It is about a girl that can see spirits in Louisiana, has a cajon creole vibe which I love! It was around Halloween when I was reading this. Just a light, Ghost & Mystery book.
September 13, 2017
Very good read!
January 5, 2018
Not bad a little spooky in places. I will look for the next book, Part three Blood Brothers and part four Sin and Salvation.
May 7, 2018
I kinda spent the whole time asking myself wtf was going on but in a good way. It’s dark and creepy as well as an emotional thrill ride. 10/10 would totally recommend and will definitely read again
December 12, 2018
Hard to Put down!
July 1, 2019
Overall good story line. Makes you want to keep reading. Starting the Unseen 2. Had an awesome cliffhanger.
January 1, 2020
Good I give this more a 3.5 star it was good.. Recommend to 15yrs and up..
March 2, 2022
Bone chilling and kept you on your toes! Definitely recommend!!👌
November 23, 2022
This series honestly confused me
January 8, 2023
So many questions left unanswered, but I love it
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January 6, 2024Read this a while ago. It’s been on my shelf for years but I just wanted to document it since I’m removing it from my shelf.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 109 reviews