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Lake Thirteen
It seemed like a good idea at the time…
Every summer three families take a trip together—this year it’s to a remote resort in the mountains of upstate New York. Scotty, a teenager who’s just come out, is nervous about how his friends will react to him. A late night visit to an old nearby cemetery seems like a great idea to the bored teens, but the old cemetery holds dark secrets hidden for almost a century—secrets that might have been better left undisturbed.
And what originally seemed like a boring week in the mountains gradually becomes a nightmare of terror for the teens and their families…
Every summer three families take a trip together—this year it’s to a remote resort in the mountains of upstate New York. Scotty, a teenager who’s just come out, is nervous about how his friends will react to him. A late night visit to an old nearby cemetery seems like a great idea to the bored teens, but the old cemetery holds dark secrets hidden for almost a century—secrets that might have been better left undisturbed.
And what originally seemed like a boring week in the mountains gradually becomes a nightmare of terror for the teens and their families…
264 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2013
6 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Greg Herren
80 books151 followersGreg Herren is a New Orleans-based author and editor. Former editor of Lambda Book Report, he is also a co-founder of the Saints and Sinners Literary Festival, which takes place in New Orleans every May. He is the author of ten novels, including the Lambda Literary Award winning Murder in the Rue Chartres, called by the New Orleans Times-Picayune “the most honest depiction of life in post-Katrina New Orleans published thus far.” He co-edited Love, Bourbon Street: Reflections on New Orleans, which also won the Lambda Literary Award. He has published over fifty short stories in markets as varied as Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine to the critically acclaimed anthology New Orleans Noir to various websites, literary magazines, and anthologies. His erotica anthology FRATSEX is the all time best selling title for Insightoutbooks. Under his pseudonym Todd Gregory, he published the bestselling erotic novel Every Frat Boy Wants It and the erotic anthologies His Underwear and Rough Trade (to be released by Bold Strokes Books in 2009).
A long-time resident of New Orleans, Greg was a fitness columnist and book reviewer for Window Media for over four years, publishing in the LGBT newspapers IMPACT News, Southern Voice, and Houston Voice. He served a term on the Board of Directors for the National Stonewall Democrats, and served on the founding committee of the Louisiana Stonewall Democrats. He is currently employed as a public health researcher for the NO/AIDS Task Force.
A long-time resident of New Orleans, Greg was a fitness columnist and book reviewer for Window Media for over four years, publishing in the LGBT newspapers IMPACT News, Southern Voice, and Houston Voice. He served a term on the Board of Directors for the National Stonewall Democrats, and served on the founding committee of the Louisiana Stonewall Democrats. He is currently employed as a public health researcher for the NO/AIDS Task Force.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 18, 2013
Full review can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews and its sister Young Adult site Greedy Bug Book Reviews.
Every now and again a book comes along that blows me away. I admit that I don't read a lot Young Adult stories but I am a fan of this author so I was eager to read Lake Thirteen and what a ride it was.
Five teens and their parents meet up at Mohawk Lodge and Resort on the shores of Lake Thirteen in upstate New York for an annual vacation, a trip that has been taken with the three families for as long as the teens can remember. Each year there is a different place and for some reason Lake Thirteen was chosen this time. The main character, Scotty Thompson, has only recently come out to his parents and friends (the friends via email) and he's terrified of what the response will be from his friends once they are all together again as not one of the four responded to his email. His parents are amazing but he worries that his friends might not be. When the families all come together at the lodge, it doesn't take long for Scotty to realize that his friends views of his sexuality are the least of his worries.
After a late-night trip to a cemetery close by, odd things start to happen. At first it's only to Scotty but then the others start experiencing things as well as time goes on. Scotty left a boyfriend, Marc, back home and he is convinced that whatever is happening at Lake Thirteen is somehow connected to Marc as well. There are creepy visions, eerie voices, and various other things happening that had me turning the pages of my Kindle as fast as I could.
This is a great book. I wondered throughout how everything would come together but when it did? Brilliant. Everything came together in such a way that I am still amazed several hours after finishing it.
Highly recommended for those who love a good mystery and/or ghost story with a nice dose of romance thrown in. Another outstanding book by Greg Herren, for teens and adults alike.
This book was provided by Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My #1 Favorite Young Adult Book of 2013, Greedy Bug Book Reviews
My Favorite Books of 2013, On Top Down Under Book Reviews
My Favorite Book Covers of 2013
Every now and again a book comes along that blows me away. I admit that I don't read a lot Young Adult stories but I am a fan of this author so I was eager to read Lake Thirteen and what a ride it was.
Five teens and their parents meet up at Mohawk Lodge and Resort on the shores of Lake Thirteen in upstate New York for an annual vacation, a trip that has been taken with the three families for as long as the teens can remember. Each year there is a different place and for some reason Lake Thirteen was chosen this time. The main character, Scotty Thompson, has only recently come out to his parents and friends (the friends via email) and he's terrified of what the response will be from his friends once they are all together again as not one of the four responded to his email. His parents are amazing but he worries that his friends might not be. When the families all come together at the lodge, it doesn't take long for Scotty to realize that his friends views of his sexuality are the least of his worries.
After a late-night trip to a cemetery close by, odd things start to happen. At first it's only to Scotty but then the others start experiencing things as well as time goes on. Scotty left a boyfriend, Marc, back home and he is convinced that whatever is happening at Lake Thirteen is somehow connected to Marc as well. There are creepy visions, eerie voices, and various other things happening that had me turning the pages of my Kindle as fast as I could.
This is a great book. I wondered throughout how everything would come together but when it did? Brilliant. Everything came together in such a way that I am still amazed several hours after finishing it.
Highly recommended for those who love a good mystery and/or ghost story with a nice dose of romance thrown in. Another outstanding book by Greg Herren, for teens and adults alike.
This book was provided by Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
My #1 Favorite Young Adult Book of 2013, Greedy Bug Book Reviews
My Favorite Books of 2013, On Top Down Under Book Reviews
My Favorite Book Covers of 2013
July 29, 2013
Yet another great young adult book by Greg Herren. This mystery follows Scotty and his friends on a vacation to a mountain lodge that's more popular in the winter. As such, they are the only guests there. After visiting a cemetery on the road, the five teens start to experience paranormal activities around the lodge. And Scotty can't help but feel a connection to deceased Albert Tyler, whose grave he found.
The story that follows brings the kids on a frightening journey, which might put them and their loved ones in danger.
The book does has its scary moments, especially when the author moves into the stream-of-consciousness style. With the lack of punctuation, you can't help but read it faster and faster, which puts you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. The scenes also shift from present to the past very rapidly. For the reader it can be disorienting, which is exactly how Scotty feels when it happens to him.
Despite it being a mystery and horror, there are some tender, romantic moments, and also some rather heavy sadness concerning Albert. I felt what Scotty felt, both the terror, the heartbreak, and the joy.
The only gripe I had was how abrupt it ended. I really wanted Scotty to get home to Marc and see the two of them interact outside of Scotty's mind. But at the same time, the final line was perfect, and any more may have taken away from the bittersweet ending. I just wish Scotty and Marc got a moment together like the other two lovers in the story.
The story that follows brings the kids on a frightening journey, which might put them and their loved ones in danger.
The book does has its scary moments, especially when the author moves into the stream-of-consciousness style. With the lack of punctuation, you can't help but read it faster and faster, which puts you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next. The scenes also shift from present to the past very rapidly. For the reader it can be disorienting, which is exactly how Scotty feels when it happens to him.
Despite it being a mystery and horror, there are some tender, romantic moments, and also some rather heavy sadness concerning Albert. I felt what Scotty felt, both the terror, the heartbreak, and the joy.
The only gripe I had was how abrupt it ended. I really wanted Scotty to get home to Marc and see the two of them interact outside of Scotty's mind. But at the same time, the final line was perfect, and any more may have taken away from the bittersweet ending. I just wish Scotty and Marc got a moment together like the other two lovers in the story.
July 12, 2013
I have always had a weakness for ghost stories, and this story played into my weakness perfectly. A nicely developed, creepy story that does a great job developing atmosphere without being simply a blood and gore sort of tale. The plot is well developed, and I found myself quickly drawn into the characters both in the present and in the past. Not a terribly heavy story despite the tragedy. It is a perfect young adult book for summer.
October 22, 2020
I loved the setting for this one, remote lodge set close to a cemetery with spooky woods in between...perfect for Halloween right? Alas this was me through 90% of the book 🥱🥱🥱🥱
October 19, 2022
Well-written ghost story with a bittersweet yet satisfying ending.
October 8, 2013
Review Taken From The Pewter Wolf
Scotty is dreading this holiday. Every year, his family go on holiday with two other families (friends of his parents). Scotty, who has just come out, is scared of how his friends will react and is worried about leaving his boyfriend behind. So when the five teens decide to make a late night visit to a graveyard close to their cabins, they don't realise that something might awaken and takes an interest in Scotty...
*takes deep breath* I am in going to write the pros to this book first before I go onto the negatives as I have a few and I think you should read the pros first. It was a fast read (just checked on Amazon, is over 160 pages long) and there were moments in the book that was tense and spooky. And seeing as it is Halloween, spooky is the name of the game.
However, I have faults. There are several faults I have with this book, but it really comes under one umbrella: execution. While the story had interesting potential, the execution wasn't up to scratch. Some of the language used felt "off" and it would grate on me and, because of that, it would throw me out of the story. We, also, have information overload problems. For example, we spend several pages in chapter one getting to know a character - his name, he's doing an internship with a TV ghost hunting show, his dad runs a TV company, the fact his parents have given him a personal trainer [for reasons Scotty's mom guesses] - and yet, most of this information ISN'T NEEDED! And all this information is in the FIRST CHAPTER! This isn't needed, if it was, then spread it out throughout the entire story. Us readers prefer this rather than one huge info-dump.
And now I come to think of it, I wanna talk quickly about Scotty and him being gay. I want to read more books with gay characters being the main character, being the lead. I think this is needed in YA and in New Adult. But I feel like I never knew Scotty that well, and when I did, all I know about him is that Scotty is gay. That's it. His family and friends tell him throughout the book that him being gay isn't a big deal - but it feels like it does as we're constantly being told that Scotty is gay and it's not a big deal. And with the ghost story, I was reading it as "Scotty is being haunted by a ghost", so why do I get the feeling that it was meant to be "Scotty, the gay teen, is being haunted by a gay ghost"? YOUR SEXUALITY DOESN'T DEFINE YOU AS A PERSON! So why do I feel like the lead in this book was being defined by his sexuality?
Maybe I'm reading too much into this.
Because of all the faults, I feel that if the book was longer, it might not have been a problem. I mean, it's a 160-odd pages long. If there was an extra hundred pages, I could have got character development. I could have got to know the characters and the situation better. Issues that were bought up could have been addressed.
Because of all the faults, I can't enjoy or like this book as much as I want to. Which is a shame as there was potential here.
Scotty is dreading this holiday. Every year, his family go on holiday with two other families (friends of his parents). Scotty, who has just come out, is scared of how his friends will react and is worried about leaving his boyfriend behind. So when the five teens decide to make a late night visit to a graveyard close to their cabins, they don't realise that something might awaken and takes an interest in Scotty...
*takes deep breath* I am in going to write the pros to this book first before I go onto the negatives as I have a few and I think you should read the pros first. It was a fast read (just checked on Amazon, is over 160 pages long) and there were moments in the book that was tense and spooky. And seeing as it is Halloween, spooky is the name of the game.
However, I have faults. There are several faults I have with this book, but it really comes under one umbrella: execution. While the story had interesting potential, the execution wasn't up to scratch. Some of the language used felt "off" and it would grate on me and, because of that, it would throw me out of the story. We, also, have information overload problems. For example, we spend several pages in chapter one getting to know a character - his name, he's doing an internship with a TV ghost hunting show, his dad runs a TV company, the fact his parents have given him a personal trainer [for reasons Scotty's mom guesses] - and yet, most of this information ISN'T NEEDED! And all this information is in the FIRST CHAPTER! This isn't needed, if it was, then spread it out throughout the entire story. Us readers prefer this rather than one huge info-dump.
And now I come to think of it, I wanna talk quickly about Scotty and him being gay. I want to read more books with gay characters being the main character, being the lead. I think this is needed in YA and in New Adult. But I feel like I never knew Scotty that well, and when I did, all I know about him is that Scotty is gay. That's it. His family and friends tell him throughout the book that him being gay isn't a big deal - but it feels like it does as we're constantly being told that Scotty is gay and it's not a big deal. And with the ghost story, I was reading it as "Scotty is being haunted by a ghost", so why do I get the feeling that it was meant to be "Scotty, the gay teen, is being haunted by a gay ghost"? YOUR SEXUALITY DOESN'T DEFINE YOU AS A PERSON! So why do I feel like the lead in this book was being defined by his sexuality?
Maybe I'm reading too much into this.
Because of all the faults, I feel that if the book was longer, it might not have been a problem. I mean, it's a 160-odd pages long. If there was an extra hundred pages, I could have got character development. I could have got to know the characters and the situation better. Issues that were bought up could have been addressed.
Because of all the faults, I can't enjoy or like this book as much as I want to. Which is a shame as there was potential here.
August 7, 2013
By now you probably know I love young adult fiction with a paranormal twist, and have a thing for ghost stories or stories that blur the present day with another time. All of that is present in Lake Thirteen, and the end result was me staying up late last night as I got through the last few chapters of the book, tapping madly at my e-reader screen to make it to the end and find out it everyone would make it through alive.
Lake Thirteen is absolutely another successful young adult tale from Herren, who seems to have the touch when it comes to writing teen fiction that manages to sustain plausibility when the magical or paranormal rears its head. Here we have Scotty, a young man whose family, alongside two other families, hook up once a year for a group vacation. The other two families have two children each, so the five kids have grown up together during these vacations, and Scotty is nervous since this year, before setting out for their lakeside cabin vacation, he emailed all the others and came out.
Not one of them replied.
This anxiety sparks the start of the story, but when the five kids take a night walk to a cemetery near the rented cabins of Lake Thirteen, something is unleashed, and Scotty soon has much bigger problems.
The progression of the haunting in this ghost story tale is well done, and I really enjoyed the various teens and their reactions to everything. I was also very glad that at least some of them wondered if maybe there was just something physically (or mentally) wrong with Scotty when the events began. As the story progresses and the manifestations become more overt, the reactions continue to make sense, and I loved how the other kids - each with a strongly written personality and fleshed out emotional base - tipped over into believing.
There's also a complexity to the story I don't often see in young adult fiction, but can remember enjoying when I did find it myself as a teen. Scotty has the haunting to deal with, yes, but he's also worried about his friends reaction to his coming out, and also has a boyfriend back home who he isn't hearing from very often during this vacation - all of these threads weave in and out of the main storyline, and it's refreshing to find an author who writes teen characters who can handle more than one thing on their mind at a time.
The haunting itself is also an engaging story - revealed in short bursts throughout the story - and the way everything tied together had me tapping madly at my e-reader, as I mentioned.
A great read, period, I think readers of all ages will like this. I just wish it had been around when I was a younger fellow myself.
Lake Thirteen is absolutely another successful young adult tale from Herren, who seems to have the touch when it comes to writing teen fiction that manages to sustain plausibility when the magical or paranormal rears its head. Here we have Scotty, a young man whose family, alongside two other families, hook up once a year for a group vacation. The other two families have two children each, so the five kids have grown up together during these vacations, and Scotty is nervous since this year, before setting out for their lakeside cabin vacation, he emailed all the others and came out.
Not one of them replied.
This anxiety sparks the start of the story, but when the five kids take a night walk to a cemetery near the rented cabins of Lake Thirteen, something is unleashed, and Scotty soon has much bigger problems.
The progression of the haunting in this ghost story tale is well done, and I really enjoyed the various teens and their reactions to everything. I was also very glad that at least some of them wondered if maybe there was just something physically (or mentally) wrong with Scotty when the events began. As the story progresses and the manifestations become more overt, the reactions continue to make sense, and I loved how the other kids - each with a strongly written personality and fleshed out emotional base - tipped over into believing.
There's also a complexity to the story I don't often see in young adult fiction, but can remember enjoying when I did find it myself as a teen. Scotty has the haunting to deal with, yes, but he's also worried about his friends reaction to his coming out, and also has a boyfriend back home who he isn't hearing from very often during this vacation - all of these threads weave in and out of the main storyline, and it's refreshing to find an author who writes teen characters who can handle more than one thing on their mind at a time.
The haunting itself is also an engaging story - revealed in short bursts throughout the story - and the way everything tied together had me tapping madly at my e-reader, as I mentioned.
A great read, period, I think readers of all ages will like this. I just wish it had been around when I was a younger fellow myself.
July 23, 2018
I really wanted to like this one so bad, but I couldn't even finish it. Here's why:
Herren's characters in this one were weak compared to the ones in his lifeguard novel, "High Tide." I think they were too distant in one scene, then super friendly in the next, and then weirdly suspicious in another. The supporting characters just didn't have fluidity in their arc, and they were inconsistent.
When strange incidents occur, the protagonist, Scotty, has several opportunities to share his experiences with his friends, but he doesn't. While I feel it's okay for protagonists to withhold information from supporting characters to an extent, the floodgates have to open up at some point to progress the story along in Act II. He didn't. That made it very frustrating to like him because he didn't grow.
Also, we experienced something similar in Jack Ketchum's novel, "The Girl Next Door," where David sees things and doesn't talk about it. Many people resent David because he didn't speak up, and I think this is where I stop liking Scotty. He's just too closed off and whiny.
Herren's characters in this one were weak compared to the ones in his lifeguard novel, "High Tide." I think they were too distant in one scene, then super friendly in the next, and then weirdly suspicious in another. The supporting characters just didn't have fluidity in their arc, and they were inconsistent.
When strange incidents occur, the protagonist, Scotty, has several opportunities to share his experiences with his friends, but he doesn't. While I feel it's okay for protagonists to withhold information from supporting characters to an extent, the floodgates have to open up at some point to progress the story along in Act II. He didn't. That made it very frustrating to like him because he didn't grow.
Also, we experienced something similar in Jack Ketchum's novel, "The Girl Next Door," where David sees things and doesn't talk about it. Many people resent David because he didn't speak up, and I think this is where I stop liking Scotty. He's just too closed off and whiny.
March 28, 2018
I own several books by Greg Herren. I have never been disappointed with any books of his that I have read. And Lake Thirt3en is no exception. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat to see what is going to happen. It is a must read. It does make you think, are ghosts real and
is reincarnation true.
is reincarnation true.
February 16, 2019
I love the two detective series by Greg Herren. This one is not in either series. I'd call it a ghost story for teens.
October 21, 2020
a great ghost story. Hope to get more stories like this from the author
August 4, 2013
(nb: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley)
Scotty Thompson is about to enter his Senior Year. He has all the usual problems of boys that age: facing one more year of high school, working a summer job, and trying to find time to see his beloved.
Oh, one more thing: Scotty has just come-out to his parents as gay. His parents took the news well, and have been supportive. His boyfriend, Marc, lives with his virulently anti-gay father, so Scotty has to play straight whenever he’s at Marc’s house.
For the summer, Scotty and his family are off to Mohawk Lodge, a rustic mountain getaway in upstate New York, for a vacation with two other families. The three clans are close as family and vacation together every year.
The other families’ four kids—Logan and Teresa Stark, and Carson and Rachel Wolfe—are like only-child Scotty’s brothers and sisters. Not wanting to keep anything from his friends, he’d sent them each a pre-vacation email explaining that he is gay.
Nobody wrote him back.
Scotty is scared to death they’ve rejected him, and that this vacation will be a living hell.
It will. But not for the reason Scotty had feared.
The four old friends embrace Scotty as if nothing has changed since his coming-out. They’re all completely okay with it. Relieved, Scotty gets ready for a fun two weeks.
The first night there, Carson—a fan of ghost hunting shows—decides they should explore an old cemetery near the lodge. With nothing else to do, the others agree. In the cemetery, Scotty feels drawn to one particular grave. The headstone reads, “Albert Tyler, June 10, 1890 to August 20, 1907.” Though not a big paranormal believer, Scotty’s skin chills, and he feels a presence, an aching sadness. And the late Albert Tyler’s birthday is the same as his own, June 10th*. The shared birthday aside, why is Scotty so drawn to this grave? Later that night, why is he awakened by a mournful voice calling from the thick woods outside? And what is he to make of the brief glimpses he gets into what appears to be—but surely can’t be—a different time?
As Scotty and his friends dig into the mysterious happenings around Lake Thirteen, they find themselves embroiled in a decades-old mystery, with very real, very evil, very present-day consequences.
I love books like “Lake Thirteen.” I was hooked from the first few pages, and veteran mystery author Greg Herren keeps the intensity simmering throughout.
Also, “Lake Thirteen” isn’t a long book. The story is beautifully told, the characters well-shaded--there's nothing of any importance missing.
What Herren does so wonderfully is leave out extraneous over-descriptions and cluttering subplots.
So many authors write as if they were paid by the word, describing every lid on every trashcan on every street. Herren’s economy enhances the novel’s effectiveness, keeping the disquieting events flowing.
I also love the way the teens were portrayed. Yes, Scotty is gay. The other four know that going in, as do we. They worry about Scotty’s homosexuality only inasmuch as it could affect him: bigots, hate-groups, ad nauseam. That’s how friends act toward other friends. For Scotty, once he’s relieved of his initial trepidation, he worries only about Marc back in Chicago, trapped with his drunk and violent father. Before Scotty left, Marc told him he couldn’t help but feel it was the last time he’d ever see Scotty. Once the creepiness descends on Lake Thirteen, Scotty can’t help but wonder if Marc’s premonition might just be accurate.
Nor can we.
“Lake Thirteen” is streamlined, beautiful storytelling at its finest.
Most Highly Recommended
*- Bonus freak-out points because my birthday is also June 10th. I swear if weird shit starts happening to me, I’m going to be pissed!
Scotty Thompson is about to enter his Senior Year. He has all the usual problems of boys that age: facing one more year of high school, working a summer job, and trying to find time to see his beloved.
Oh, one more thing: Scotty has just come-out to his parents as gay. His parents took the news well, and have been supportive. His boyfriend, Marc, lives with his virulently anti-gay father, so Scotty has to play straight whenever he’s at Marc’s house.
For the summer, Scotty and his family are off to Mohawk Lodge, a rustic mountain getaway in upstate New York, for a vacation with two other families. The three clans are close as family and vacation together every year.
The other families’ four kids—Logan and Teresa Stark, and Carson and Rachel Wolfe—are like only-child Scotty’s brothers and sisters. Not wanting to keep anything from his friends, he’d sent them each a pre-vacation email explaining that he is gay.
Nobody wrote him back.
Scotty is scared to death they’ve rejected him, and that this vacation will be a living hell.
It will. But not for the reason Scotty had feared.
The four old friends embrace Scotty as if nothing has changed since his coming-out. They’re all completely okay with it. Relieved, Scotty gets ready for a fun two weeks.
The first night there, Carson—a fan of ghost hunting shows—decides they should explore an old cemetery near the lodge. With nothing else to do, the others agree. In the cemetery, Scotty feels drawn to one particular grave. The headstone reads, “Albert Tyler, June 10, 1890 to August 20, 1907.” Though not a big paranormal believer, Scotty’s skin chills, and he feels a presence, an aching sadness. And the late Albert Tyler’s birthday is the same as his own, June 10th*. The shared birthday aside, why is Scotty so drawn to this grave? Later that night, why is he awakened by a mournful voice calling from the thick woods outside? And what is he to make of the brief glimpses he gets into what appears to be—but surely can’t be—a different time?
As Scotty and his friends dig into the mysterious happenings around Lake Thirteen, they find themselves embroiled in a decades-old mystery, with very real, very evil, very present-day consequences.
I love books like “Lake Thirteen.” I was hooked from the first few pages, and veteran mystery author Greg Herren keeps the intensity simmering throughout.
Also, “Lake Thirteen” isn’t a long book. The story is beautifully told, the characters well-shaded--there's nothing of any importance missing.
What Herren does so wonderfully is leave out extraneous over-descriptions and cluttering subplots.
So many authors write as if they were paid by the word, describing every lid on every trashcan on every street. Herren’s economy enhances the novel’s effectiveness, keeping the disquieting events flowing.
I also love the way the teens were portrayed. Yes, Scotty is gay. The other four know that going in, as do we. They worry about Scotty’s homosexuality only inasmuch as it could affect him: bigots, hate-groups, ad nauseam. That’s how friends act toward other friends. For Scotty, once he’s relieved of his initial trepidation, he worries only about Marc back in Chicago, trapped with his drunk and violent father. Before Scotty left, Marc told him he couldn’t help but feel it was the last time he’d ever see Scotty. Once the creepiness descends on Lake Thirteen, Scotty can’t help but wonder if Marc’s premonition might just be accurate.
Nor can we.
“Lake Thirteen” is streamlined, beautiful storytelling at its finest.
Most Highly Recommended
*- Bonus freak-out points because my birthday is also June 10th. I swear if weird shit starts happening to me, I’m going to be pissed!
September 27, 2013
Scotty is a teenager who has just come out to his parents. Prior to going on an annual vacation with two other families that Scotty and his parents do every year, Scotty also comes out to his lifelong friends over email. Scotty is really nervous about how those friends are going to react during this vacation because no one replied to his email. Shortly after arriving, Scotty finds out that his friends still think he's the same Scotty.
Staying at a resort in a small historical town in upstate New York, during the off-season, Scotty and his friends, one of whom is into ghost hunting and the paranormal, decide to wander down to an old nearby cemetery. What they discover is that the town has some dark secrets that have been hidden for almost one hundred years. What seemed like a boring week in the mountains gradually turns into a wild and crazy ghost story.
As this is really the first "paranormal" style novel I've ever read, I have to say that Greg Herren knows his stuff. He's obviously done research about what those who seek to learn about the paranormal do. I liked how Scotty's friends reacted to him. They see him as the same old Scotty who is still their friend so the level of awkwardness is graciously reduced in that area. However, the fact that Scotty is gay is all tied up in this story. As Scotty and his friends reluctantly set out to find out what happened to one of the decedents in the graveyard, weird things begin to happen to Scotty. And then they begin to happen to his friends too. Like getting cold when a ghost is nearby. Scotty's dreams turn out to be clues from the ghosts themselves. It also becomes obvious that one ghost is trying to find final rest and another is trying to keep Scotty and his friends from finding out what really happened.
The story aligns with Scotty's relationship with Marc, his boyfriend back home, and Scotty begins to worry that something is wrong back home and that Marc is in danger.
This book was a page turner. I could not put it down. Greg Herren takes the paranormal and makes it believable. There are weird visions, eerie sounds of a ghost crying out the name of another ghost.
If you like a good mystery and books about the paranormal, you will enjoy this book. I wondered all the way through how this was going to all come together and end up. I was pleased with it overall. What I would have liked to read was Scotty returning home to Marc to see their interaction after everything that happens in this book. Maybe in the form of a Epilogue. But, I don't think it takes away from the book as a whole which is why I kept it at the 5 stars that I gave it when I finished the book.
Definitely a good book for teens and adults alike.
This book was provided by Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Staying at a resort in a small historical town in upstate New York, during the off-season, Scotty and his friends, one of whom is into ghost hunting and the paranormal, decide to wander down to an old nearby cemetery. What they discover is that the town has some dark secrets that have been hidden for almost one hundred years. What seemed like a boring week in the mountains gradually turns into a wild and crazy ghost story.
As this is really the first "paranormal" style novel I've ever read, I have to say that Greg Herren knows his stuff. He's obviously done research about what those who seek to learn about the paranormal do. I liked how Scotty's friends reacted to him. They see him as the same old Scotty who is still their friend so the level of awkwardness is graciously reduced in that area. However, the fact that Scotty is gay is all tied up in this story. As Scotty and his friends reluctantly set out to find out what happened to one of the decedents in the graveyard, weird things begin to happen to Scotty. And then they begin to happen to his friends too. Like getting cold when a ghost is nearby. Scotty's dreams turn out to be clues from the ghosts themselves. It also becomes obvious that one ghost is trying to find final rest and another is trying to keep Scotty and his friends from finding out what really happened.
The story aligns with Scotty's relationship with Marc, his boyfriend back home, and Scotty begins to worry that something is wrong back home and that Marc is in danger.
This book was a page turner. I could not put it down. Greg Herren takes the paranormal and makes it believable. There are weird visions, eerie sounds of a ghost crying out the name of another ghost.
If you like a good mystery and books about the paranormal, you will enjoy this book. I wondered all the way through how this was going to all come together and end up. I was pleased with it overall. What I would have liked to read was Scotty returning home to Marc to see their interaction after everything that happens in this book. Maybe in the form of a Epilogue. But, I don't think it takes away from the book as a whole which is why I kept it at the 5 stars that I gave it when I finished the book.
Definitely a good book for teens and adults alike.
This book was provided by Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 5, 2013
Via http://onlectus.blogspot.com/2013/08/...
I am having a hard time trying to understand where all the 5 star reviews for this book come from.
The damn story is sooooo boring!
Yes, this is a ghost story, but it is also a coming out of the closet one. Scotty is gay and just came out, so he is having anxiety issues wondering how his friends are going to react to the news. Which is very odd because, at one point, he says that they are not really close and they are not really his friends. They just meet once a year, spend a week together and never talk again.
At some other point, Scotty says that they are his closest friends and it was very important for him to know what they thought of him being gay.
So, are they or aren’t they close friends? Make up your mind Scotty.
I think Lake Thirteen would be an appropriate book for homosexual teenagers that would like to come out and might need support.
I am not going to talk anymore about the gay aspect because the book is targeted as a ghost story and that is why I read it.
So, the ghost story. I am giving it 2 stars because I finished it last night, and I couldn't turn off the light (for a while, that is). so for a moment there, I felt scared!!!
The kid’s friendship felt fake; more like Herren was writing what friends were supposed to say but he didn’t add any meaning to it.
On 6% Scotty goes on and on describing his beautiful boyfriend (perfect tan, body, hair, smile, and probably DNA too). Okay, I get it, the guy is a milkshake of Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson.
However, when Scotty shows the picture to his friend Teresa, all she says is “he’s cute.” Not a biggie, but if the guy is gorgeous, put some emotion into it!
As soon as Scotty and friends get to Lake Thirteen he starts having a feeling that he’s been in that place before. They go to the cemetery and there, Scotty has kind of a supernatural experience.
I was frankly tired of reading how cold he was and “why didn’t I bring my sweater?”
At 40% on Kindle NOTHING had happened. Scotty had dreams that may not have been dreams of going outside and sensing that “something evil is out there. Something evil wants me.”
Why would you go into the woods if you feel something evil is in there? I know, this is the way books work.
The entire book was a failed attempt to create tension that reminded of The Darkling.
I am having a hard time trying to understand where all the 5 star reviews for this book come from.
The damn story is sooooo boring!
Yes, this is a ghost story, but it is also a coming out of the closet one. Scotty is gay and just came out, so he is having anxiety issues wondering how his friends are going to react to the news. Which is very odd because, at one point, he says that they are not really close and they are not really his friends. They just meet once a year, spend a week together and never talk again.
At some other point, Scotty says that they are his closest friends and it was very important for him to know what they thought of him being gay.
So, are they or aren’t they close friends? Make up your mind Scotty.
I think Lake Thirteen would be an appropriate book for homosexual teenagers that would like to come out and might need support.
I am not going to talk anymore about the gay aspect because the book is targeted as a ghost story and that is why I read it.
So, the ghost story. I am giving it 2 stars because I finished it last night, and I couldn't turn off the light (for a while, that is). so for a moment there, I felt scared!!!
The kid’s friendship felt fake; more like Herren was writing what friends were supposed to say but he didn’t add any meaning to it.
On 6% Scotty goes on and on describing his beautiful boyfriend (perfect tan, body, hair, smile, and probably DNA too). Okay, I get it, the guy is a milkshake of Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson.
However, when Scotty shows the picture to his friend Teresa, all she says is “he’s cute.” Not a biggie, but if the guy is gorgeous, put some emotion into it!
As soon as Scotty and friends get to Lake Thirteen he starts having a feeling that he’s been in that place before. They go to the cemetery and there, Scotty has kind of a supernatural experience.
I was frankly tired of reading how cold he was and “why didn’t I bring my sweater?”
At 40% on Kindle NOTHING had happened. Scotty had dreams that may not have been dreams of going outside and sensing that “something evil is out there. Something evil wants me.”
Why would you go into the woods if you feel something evil is in there? I know, this is the way books work.
The entire book was a failed attempt to create tension that reminded of The Darkling.
July 23, 2013
this was a great book! it was scary and also sad!
i got this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
this book is about a guy named scotty. he is gay. He never told anyone this before except for this summer. he finally told his parents and unlike lots of family s they were really supportive. They didn't want him to tell anyone at school because they didn't want him to be bullied. Scotty had a best friend who was also gay, but he couldn't tell anyone because his dad was different. he was a mean man. everyone knew it and felt sorry for him.
every year scottys parents join with 3 other parents who all went to college together and have a summer trip. This year they were going camping. Scotty didn't know how is old friends were going to treat him because he sent an email right before they left letting them know he was gay. The funny thing was no one responded to it.
after getting lost a couple times everyone is finally settled in at the camp site. it was called Lake Thirteen. The site had a creepy vibe to it and the sad part was that there was no cell phone service. Scotty and the rest of group decided that were going to go ghost hunting. Carlson was all into it because his father produces the ghost hunting show on tv.
When they were at the grave yard Scotty kept feeling goosebumps and like someone as breathing over his shoulder. He also couldn't help but feel so sad. it was making him cry. he was standing in from of a grave with a name Albert. Scotty knew that Albert was trying to tell him something. Carlson picked up some footage of something calling scotty's name and now they were going to figure out what this ghost wants.
over the next couple of days scotty was having visions of Albert and his life. he found himself sleep walking and then waking up with a weird feeling. while walking in the woods with is friends he would stare off into space while his friends talked to him and he would have a deep vision. Scotty and the rest of the gang went into town to figure out if they can get any history of the town. They found out that Albert was 17 and he was murdered.
The gang found an old sheld and a well. Scotty kept having visions and one night finally found out what the ghost really wanted. Scotty found out that this ghost was linked to him and how Albert died was going to put his best friend and now boyfriend in danger. he had to warn him before it was to late.
i got this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
this book is about a guy named scotty. he is gay. He never told anyone this before except for this summer. he finally told his parents and unlike lots of family s they were really supportive. They didn't want him to tell anyone at school because they didn't want him to be bullied. Scotty had a best friend who was also gay, but he couldn't tell anyone because his dad was different. he was a mean man. everyone knew it and felt sorry for him.
every year scottys parents join with 3 other parents who all went to college together and have a summer trip. This year they were going camping. Scotty didn't know how is old friends were going to treat him because he sent an email right before they left letting them know he was gay. The funny thing was no one responded to it.
after getting lost a couple times everyone is finally settled in at the camp site. it was called Lake Thirteen. The site had a creepy vibe to it and the sad part was that there was no cell phone service. Scotty and the rest of group decided that were going to go ghost hunting. Carlson was all into it because his father produces the ghost hunting show on tv.
When they were at the grave yard Scotty kept feeling goosebumps and like someone as breathing over his shoulder. He also couldn't help but feel so sad. it was making him cry. he was standing in from of a grave with a name Albert. Scotty knew that Albert was trying to tell him something. Carlson picked up some footage of something calling scotty's name and now they were going to figure out what this ghost wants.
over the next couple of days scotty was having visions of Albert and his life. he found himself sleep walking and then waking up with a weird feeling. while walking in the woods with is friends he would stare off into space while his friends talked to him and he would have a deep vision. Scotty and the rest of the gang went into town to figure out if they can get any history of the town. They found out that Albert was 17 and he was murdered.
The gang found an old sheld and a well. Scotty kept having visions and one night finally found out what the ghost really wanted. Scotty found out that this ghost was linked to him and how Albert died was going to put his best friend and now boyfriend in danger. he had to warn him before it was to late.
September 9, 2013
4 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Scotty and his family are heading to a remote resort for the annual holiday with two other families, a tradition that has happened every year since the adults were in college. This year Scotty came out to his friends via e-mail and he doesn't know how they will react. During a late night visit to an old cemetery something happens, and Scotty and his friends find themselves unraveling a secret that has been hidden for nearly a century.
This is a wonderful young adult story that has that great touch of horror and paranormal. Scotty has recently come out and he has a boyfriend, Marc, but right now he has to face his friends that he only sees once a year during the joint vacation and he is nervous about their reaction. When the friends, Carson, Lynda, Logan, Teresa and Scotty start to explore they all get more than they bargained for when their ghost hunting leads to an old mystery. Scotty seems to be directly affected and there is a connection to his boyfriend Marc, each of them discover that they can't just explain away what is happening and that they have to come up with a plan to get to the bottom of the mystery.
I loved this story, it was just the right mix of angsting teenagers and paranormal with a touch of mystery thrown in. Scotty is a typical teenager and that reflects throughout the book, especially when he becomes distracted with thoughts of his boyfriend or angsting over what his friends will think of him being gay. When the guys all start on the hunt for paranormal activity it becomes nicely creepy, but it is Scotty that connects to the ghosts of long past. Is it because he is gay or is there another reason? Although we never meet Marc we get a lot of information about him and his situation, and Scotty discovers that he has to do something to stop the past from repeating itself.
I recommend this to those who love young adult that are spooky and slightly scary, with a absent romantic interest, a mystery to solve and a great ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Scotty and his family are heading to a remote resort for the annual holiday with two other families, a tradition that has happened every year since the adults were in college. This year Scotty came out to his friends via e-mail and he doesn't know how they will react. During a late night visit to an old cemetery something happens, and Scotty and his friends find themselves unraveling a secret that has been hidden for nearly a century.
This is a wonderful young adult story that has that great touch of horror and paranormal. Scotty has recently come out and he has a boyfriend, Marc, but right now he has to face his friends that he only sees once a year during the joint vacation and he is nervous about their reaction. When the friends, Carson, Lynda, Logan, Teresa and Scotty start to explore they all get more than they bargained for when their ghost hunting leads to an old mystery. Scotty seems to be directly affected and there is a connection to his boyfriend Marc, each of them discover that they can't just explain away what is happening and that they have to come up with a plan to get to the bottom of the mystery.
I loved this story, it was just the right mix of angsting teenagers and paranormal with a touch of mystery thrown in. Scotty is a typical teenager and that reflects throughout the book, especially when he becomes distracted with thoughts of his boyfriend or angsting over what his friends will think of him being gay. When the guys all start on the hunt for paranormal activity it becomes nicely creepy, but it is Scotty that connects to the ghosts of long past. Is it because he is gay or is there another reason? Although we never meet Marc we get a lot of information about him and his situation, and Scotty discovers that he has to do something to stop the past from repeating itself.
I recommend this to those who love young adult that are spooky and slightly scary, with a absent romantic interest, a mystery to solve and a great ending.
July 23, 2015
4 Heart Review by Dan
Scotty and his family are off for their annual “family” vacation with two other families that they have been vacationing with Scotty’s whole life. The three sets of parents all met while attending college together and have been friends ever since.
The previous year they vacationed on Sanibel Island, this year for some strange reason they are vacationing in the mountains of New York on a lake which is totally out in the boonies. It wasn’t Scotty’s parents turn to pick and they are less than amused when they all get lost on the way to the inn.
Even before they arrive at Mohawk Lodge and Resort, Scotty falls asleep and has a strange dream about his boyfriend, Marc, but Marc is mysteriously dressed in old time clothing and standing in front of a one room log cabin. What the heck? Things only get worse when the other four kids in the group talk Scotty into going to the local graveyard with them the first night to check for “ghosts”.
Why is Scotty drawn to one grave, and why does he feel such a sense of overpowering sadness. Who was Albert Tyler, why did he have the same birthday as Scotty and why did he die at 17, the exact same age that Scotty is currently?
Lake Thirteen is a nice, fun, young adult type of ghost story. A little too predictable in my opinion, but perfect for the YA market. I really liked it for a fast read. I thought there would be more ghost scenes and more detail on what happened. My only complaint would be that the ending was just too convenient.
I’d recommend the book to anyone looking for a good m/m YA ghost story/mystery.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Scotty and his family are off for their annual “family” vacation with two other families that they have been vacationing with Scotty’s whole life. The three sets of parents all met while attending college together and have been friends ever since.
The previous year they vacationed on Sanibel Island, this year for some strange reason they are vacationing in the mountains of New York on a lake which is totally out in the boonies. It wasn’t Scotty’s parents turn to pick and they are less than amused when they all get lost on the way to the inn.
Even before they arrive at Mohawk Lodge and Resort, Scotty falls asleep and has a strange dream about his boyfriend, Marc, but Marc is mysteriously dressed in old time clothing and standing in front of a one room log cabin. What the heck? Things only get worse when the other four kids in the group talk Scotty into going to the local graveyard with them the first night to check for “ghosts”.
Why is Scotty drawn to one grave, and why does he feel such a sense of overpowering sadness. Who was Albert Tyler, why did he have the same birthday as Scotty and why did he die at 17, the exact same age that Scotty is currently?
Lake Thirteen is a nice, fun, young adult type of ghost story. A little too predictable in my opinion, but perfect for the YA market. I really liked it for a fast read. I thought there would be more ghost scenes and more detail on what happened. My only complaint would be that the ending was just too convenient.
I’d recommend the book to anyone looking for a good m/m YA ghost story/mystery.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
July 3, 2013
Rather Be Reading YA
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was intense and scary from start to finish. I love horror movies, and they rarely scare me aside from a jump or two, but I almost couldn't go on reading when Scotty and his friends were exploring the cemetery. I was that afraid of what they were going to find.
The overall story was great, although it wasn't hard to guess the outcome once a few pieces of the puzzle were revealed. I liked that Carson and Rachel Wolfe's father was involved in the production of a ghost hunting show. I love watching those! It was mentioned that Carson had worked on the show, too, and I'd love to read a book with that setting. Maybe a sequel with Carson and/or Rachel as the main characters?
There were a few moments, as in horror movies, where I wanted to scream at the group, "No! What are you doing? Don't be stupid!" such as when they, knowing something strange was happening, split up and when Scotty kept taking a shortcut through the woods -- the same woods where he had heard an unknown voice and felt extremely uncomfortable earlier - but without those moments, there wouldn't be much of a story.
One thing I really like about this book is that it isn't a romance. Scotty doesn't meet a guy on his trip and fall in love. He already has a boyfriend back home, and that's a big part of the story even though we never actually meet Marc. If this had been about a straight guy (or girl), I think it would have taken the traditional romance route. Not only would that have changed the story, it would have detracted from it. This book doesn't need that.
This is the first of Greg Herren's books that I've read, but I'm definitely going to look for more.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was intense and scary from start to finish. I love horror movies, and they rarely scare me aside from a jump or two, but I almost couldn't go on reading when Scotty and his friends were exploring the cemetery. I was that afraid of what they were going to find.
The overall story was great, although it wasn't hard to guess the outcome once a few pieces of the puzzle were revealed. I liked that Carson and Rachel Wolfe's father was involved in the production of a ghost hunting show. I love watching those! It was mentioned that Carson had worked on the show, too, and I'd love to read a book with that setting. Maybe a sequel with Carson and/or Rachel as the main characters?
There were a few moments, as in horror movies, where I wanted to scream at the group, "No! What are you doing? Don't be stupid!" such as when they, knowing something strange was happening, split up and when Scotty kept taking a shortcut through the woods -- the same woods where he had heard an unknown voice and felt extremely uncomfortable earlier - but without those moments, there wouldn't be much of a story.
One thing I really like about this book is that it isn't a romance. Scotty doesn't meet a guy on his trip and fall in love. He already has a boyfriend back home, and that's a big part of the story even though we never actually meet Marc. If this had been about a straight guy (or girl), I think it would have taken the traditional romance route. Not only would that have changed the story, it would have detracted from it. This book doesn't need that.
This is the first of Greg Herren's books that I've read, but I'm definitely going to look for more.
April 21, 2016
*A free digital copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I struggled a lot with reading this book. It was too boring and uninteresting and had it been 300 pages long, I probably would have put it down around 20% in.
Every aspect of Lake Thirteen was just so flat and dry. The characters were my main issue; Teresa, Rachel, Logan and Scott were so stereotypical that even their responses to the situations reinforced their particular stereotype. They were given no room for either development or improvement and their lack of character growth even in the face of dire situations made the book seem like a badly written Jonas Brothers fanfic.
With an ominous title, I wasn’t an idiot for expecting something scary or failing that, creepy. Lake Thirteen did include ghosts but what it didn’t include was the terrifying part of it. The hauntings were so cheesy and predictable that it felt ripped off from a scene in one of those Scary Movie parody films. I wasn’t scared – I was rolling on the floor in hysterics.
It’s commendable that the author chose to have a gay teenaged boy as the main character but there was nothing that highlighted the problems homosexuals face today. Sure, there was that part about Albert and him being murdered because he was gay, but what about Scott, the book’s actual protagonist? He frequently talked about how scared he was of being bullied and made fun of but there were no specifics, no experiences wherein he was being discriminated against due to his sexual orientation.
The blurb of this book promised a lot but promises are made to be broken and with poor execution, Lake Thirteen was just a mind numbing and cringe-worthy book.
I struggled a lot with reading this book. It was too boring and uninteresting and had it been 300 pages long, I probably would have put it down around 20% in.
Every aspect of Lake Thirteen was just so flat and dry. The characters were my main issue; Teresa, Rachel, Logan and Scott were so stereotypical that even their responses to the situations reinforced their particular stereotype. They were given no room for either development or improvement and their lack of character growth even in the face of dire situations made the book seem like a badly written Jonas Brothers fanfic.
With an ominous title, I wasn’t an idiot for expecting something scary or failing that, creepy. Lake Thirteen did include ghosts but what it didn’t include was the terrifying part of it. The hauntings were so cheesy and predictable that it felt ripped off from a scene in one of those Scary Movie parody films. I wasn’t scared – I was rolling on the floor in hysterics.
It’s commendable that the author chose to have a gay teenaged boy as the main character but there was nothing that highlighted the problems homosexuals face today. Sure, there was that part about Albert and him being murdered because he was gay, but what about Scott, the book’s actual protagonist? He frequently talked about how scared he was of being bullied and made fun of but there were no specifics, no experiences wherein he was being discriminated against due to his sexual orientation.
The blurb of this book promised a lot but promises are made to be broken and with poor execution, Lake Thirteen was just a mind numbing and cringe-worthy book.
May 1, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Lake Thirteen is a ghost story and paranormal mystery that offers fluent writing, interesting characters, and a worthy plot. Three families take a trip together each summer, to a location shown at random. This summer, it’s a remote resort in the mountains of upstate New York, named Lake Thirteen. Scotty, our main character, is nervous about how the other teenagers will react to him, as he just outed himself as being gay. Unfortunately, their reaction to his sexuality will be the least of his worries when they arrive at Lake Thirteen.
They go on a late-night visit to a local cemetery, which harbors dark secrets better left undisturbed. Eerie things start to happen. First to Scotty, but then to the other teens as well. Scotty is convinced his boyfriend Marc, who he left back home, is involved or connected to the strange happenings at Lake Thirteen.
I love ghost stories, and Lake Thirteen did as it set out to do: it scared me. Not that much, but then again, this is YA horror, and I’m used to reading the genre. But there were some creepy twists and clues I hadn’t seen coming. A great read for fans of YA paranormal mysteries or YA horror.
Lake Thirteen is a ghost story and paranormal mystery that offers fluent writing, interesting characters, and a worthy plot. Three families take a trip together each summer, to a location shown at random. This summer, it’s a remote resort in the mountains of upstate New York, named Lake Thirteen. Scotty, our main character, is nervous about how the other teenagers will react to him, as he just outed himself as being gay. Unfortunately, their reaction to his sexuality will be the least of his worries when they arrive at Lake Thirteen.
They go on a late-night visit to a local cemetery, which harbors dark secrets better left undisturbed. Eerie things start to happen. First to Scotty, but then to the other teens as well. Scotty is convinced his boyfriend Marc, who he left back home, is involved or connected to the strange happenings at Lake Thirteen.
I love ghost stories, and Lake Thirteen did as it set out to do: it scared me. Not that much, but then again, this is YA horror, and I’m used to reading the genre. But there were some creepy twists and clues I hadn’t seen coming. A great read for fans of YA paranormal mysteries or YA horror.
August 17, 2013
3.5 Stars from me!
What starts out as a joke between a group of teenagers ends up becoming something even more serious than that when they upset ghosts that are haunting the lake they are vacationing at. I do have to say that the parts of the story that involved the ghosts were written extremely well. Even when it came to describing how cold the wind felt, I almost had shivers running through my body.
While this was an interesting book to read, it seemed like it was extremely predictable as to how the story was going to end. That didn’t take away too much from the story; I was just upset as to how I figured out what was going to happen next. If you do enjoy reading ghost stories however, then you really should check out this book. I think that you would enjoy it.
Review provided by Crystal's Many Reviews
What starts out as a joke between a group of teenagers ends up becoming something even more serious than that when they upset ghosts that are haunting the lake they are vacationing at. I do have to say that the parts of the story that involved the ghosts were written extremely well. Even when it came to describing how cold the wind felt, I almost had shivers running through my body.
While this was an interesting book to read, it seemed like it was extremely predictable as to how the story was going to end. That didn’t take away too much from the story; I was just upset as to how I figured out what was going to happen next. If you do enjoy reading ghost stories however, then you really should check out this book. I think that you would enjoy it.
Review provided by Crystal's Many Reviews
October 21, 2013
Lake Thirteen was a very quick and enjoyable read. I did like the characters. I really felt for Scotty in his anxiety about coming out to his friends. I thought the subject was handled very well. I think the way the other kids took the news really reflects the changing attitudes of today's youth. That was nice to see. I enjoyed the mystery and the reincarnation possibility in the story line. The only thing about the book that I wish was included was an epilogue that wrapped up Scotty's boyfriend's story. I would have liked to see how the issue was resolved. I would say this was OK for the over 14 crowd. There really wasn't anything in it that I thought was inappropriate.
February 14, 2016
Another great teen mystery from this author!
I'm so in awe of Mr. Herren's writing style. I love that he can write such a lovely love story without erotica and still convey the depth of love one gay teen can have towards another.
The mystery of this story was intriguing and I loved how it freaked everyone out but touched the heart of Scotty and his friends as they stumbled their way through to finding the truth.
This is how story telling should be told.
I'm so in awe of Mr. Herren's writing style. I love that he can write such a lovely love story without erotica and still convey the depth of love one gay teen can have towards another.
The mystery of this story was intriguing and I loved how it freaked everyone out but touched the heart of Scotty and his friends as they stumbled their way through to finding the truth.
This is how story telling should be told.
September 17, 2013
Considering I don't read much in the way of YA fiction or ghost stories, I quite enjoyed Lake Thirteen. It provided spooky fond memories of my own childhood summer vacations in the Adirondack Mountains. The mix of genres - paranormal & coming-of-age - puts an interesting twist on each, raising the stakes dramatically for the likable teens who investigate a possible haunting.
October 29, 2013
Honestly, I was expecting a typical horror story, with vampires or zombies. However, there's nothing typical about this story. It is more of mystery, than a horror book. Some frightening moments thrown in though. If you're looking for a Stephen King-type tale, this isn't for. But if you're interested in a unique mystery, this is a good choice.
March 9, 2014
A typical YA novel where the adults are pretty much absent. The mystery was a bit predictable. The first person POV wasn't too bad, but the ending was wrapped up VERY quickly. I did enjoy the characters and would like to see their continuing adventures. There was also some odd tension between two of the characters that was never really explained. Just a minor point I would have liked resolved.
August 24, 2013
A smart, interesting, emotionally complex ghost story with a heart of gold. Truly enjoyable, and more than a little scary in places. I'd have been ecstatic if the story had been three times longer, and would happily read more with these characters.
September 17, 2014
This was a nice quick read that kept a good pace. Ghosts and cemetaries are the main topics. Kinda creepy and spooky. There is a underlying story about gay teenagers but it works together with the rest of the story. Overall, a fast paced scary story.
October 17, 2013
another great YA fiction from Greg Herren...and spooky as well. I love the way this man writes!
March 1, 2014
Great book!
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