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Dread Wood #5
Fright Bite
The brand new must-listen middle-grade novel from the author of super-spooky
Crater Lake
. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine’s
Goosebumps
.
It’s Colette’s birthday and the friends are spending an evening at Neon Perch – an epic entertainment spot where they can eat pizza, play mini golf and – best of all – take part in Project Z – an epic new escape room experience. It’s going to be the best night ever!
Or is it . . . ?
Somehow, the escape room somehow seems to know each player’s greatest fears. And worst of all, there are creatures locked up with them. Creatures from their darkest nightmares . . . giant, poisonous RATS!
It’s Colette’s birthday and the friends are spending an evening at Neon Perch – an epic entertainment spot where they can eat pizza, play mini golf and – best of all – take part in Project Z – an epic new escape room experience. It’s going to be the best night ever!
Or is it . . . ?
Somehow, the escape room somehow seems to know each player’s greatest fears. And worst of all, there are creatures locked up with them. Creatures from their darkest nightmares . . . giant, poisonous RATS!
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2024
9 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 22, 2024
7.71 on CAWPILE
July 8, 2025
You know what? A significant improvement on the last one!! The last one did take a big dip - it wasn't unsettling or scary, it was very tropey (it was intended that way, but it was bad), it was how I expected it to go from start to finish.
This one was the complete opposite! It was so good! The late reveal of the nursery rhyme? AMAZING! The unknown monster until towards the end of the book? INCREDIBLE! And also throwing in an extra kids' story? FANTASTIC!
I genuinely enjoyed this one A LOT
It was super unsettling because although the cover and chapter illustrations give the monster away straight away, the unnerving of the description without seeing the monster really added to the tension. Angelo really wasn't sure of what it was, even though he was really quick on the ball for everything else. It was a really nice touch!
This one was the complete opposite! It was so good! The late reveal of the nursery rhyme? AMAZING! The unknown monster until towards the end of the book? INCREDIBLE! And also throwing in an extra kids' story? FANTASTIC!
I genuinely enjoyed this one A LOT
It was super unsettling because although the cover and chapter illustrations give the monster away straight away, the unnerving of the description without seeing the monster really added to the tension. Angelo really wasn't sure of what it was, even though he was really quick on the ball for everything else. It was a really nice touch!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2024
4.5⭐️
‘Club loser - always better together’🥲
My favourite one yet. This one was definitely the funniest one so far and had me laughing as I was listening along. I think Gus is my favourite🤭 good story, good pace, not as creepy as the last one but you honestly never really know what’s coming next!
‘Club loser - always better together’🥲
My favourite one yet. This one was definitely the funniest one so far and had me laughing as I was listening along. I think Gus is my favourite🤭 good story, good pace, not as creepy as the last one but you honestly never really know what’s coming next!
May 15, 2025
Club Loser for the win! Gosh these kids/teens are growing so fast and continue to rise up to every challenge with as much awesomeness as possible. Another epic book!
September 9, 2025
4.5* probably my favourite of the series
January 17, 2024
This is a fast paced fun gentle horror audio book for older children and teenagers. Super fun age appropriate fiction. Having listened to the previous, and equally enjoyable Dread Wood book with these characters I say it makes following the back story much easier; though you could still listen to this as an enjoyable stand alone. Thank you to Harper Collins audio UK Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
March 19, 2024
Jennifer Killick takes us back to Dread Wood High for the fifth instalment of the series with Angelo, Naira, Gus, Coll and Hallie heading off to the local amusement arcade to celebrate Collette’s 13th Birthday and in true Dread Wood fashion, terror, genetically modified animals and some well placed humour, the kids tangle with Collette’s sinister Grandparents and their crew.
Having either read or listened to the previous four books I was well up to speed on the series and the formula, but what I really enjoyed is that each setting provides a whole new set of horrors that keeps each book feeling fresh and manages to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
The core group of characters are ever evolving, each book in the series manages to further develop the kids as more and more horrific things happen to them and the situations they get stuck in become even more terrifying, ‘Fright Bite’ gave me some real ‘Saw’ vibes at one point but never felt over the top.
This is the fourth part of the series I have listened to the audiobook for and at this point I feel that I will be hearing Marlowe Chan-Reeves’ spot on narration in my sleep. The added music and sound effects throughout the soundtrack really help give it a spooky atmosphere and I always hold on until the end to hear the creepy rendition of that books nursery rhyme.
Overall, ‘Fright Bite’ is a great book for older kids and is a great addition to the already fun ‘Dread Wood’ series, putting Jennifer Killick up there with R. L. Stine in the Children’s Horror Authors Hall of Fame.
Having either read or listened to the previous four books I was well up to speed on the series and the formula, but what I really enjoyed is that each setting provides a whole new set of horrors that keeps each book feeling fresh and manages to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
The core group of characters are ever evolving, each book in the series manages to further develop the kids as more and more horrific things happen to them and the situations they get stuck in become even more terrifying, ‘Fright Bite’ gave me some real ‘Saw’ vibes at one point but never felt over the top.
This is the fourth part of the series I have listened to the audiobook for and at this point I feel that I will be hearing Marlowe Chan-Reeves’ spot on narration in my sleep. The added music and sound effects throughout the soundtrack really help give it a spooky atmosphere and I always hold on until the end to hear the creepy rendition of that books nursery rhyme.
Overall, ‘Fright Bite’ is a great book for older kids and is a great addition to the already fun ‘Dread Wood’ series, putting Jennifer Killick up there with R. L. Stine in the Children’s Horror Authors Hall of Fame.
March 21, 2024
Fright Bite is the fifth book in the Dread Wood Series. The club losers are out celebrating Colette’s birthday at an escape room experience, but things take a turn when giant poisonous rats appear. This means only one thing the Latchitts are back!!
This is another great instalment of the series. It’s fast-paced, creepy, and funny. I’ve read the series from the very beginning, and although I’ve loved them all, this is my favourite. You can read this as a standalone, but I highly recommend that you start from the first book so you get to know the back story of the characters and you can also see them grow from the start. Also, there are some references to the previous books.
I have listened to all the books on audiobook and have loved the narrations for all of them. Marlowe Chan-Reeves does a brilliant job. he brings the characters to life and adds some great atmosphere to an already fab read.
I love this series and can’t wait for the next book to come out!!
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins UK Audio and Farshore for my audiobook. These are my honest and unbiased thoughts, and I am sharing them voluntarily.
This is another great instalment of the series. It’s fast-paced, creepy, and funny. I’ve read the series from the very beginning, and although I’ve loved them all, this is my favourite. You can read this as a standalone, but I highly recommend that you start from the first book so you get to know the back story of the characters and you can also see them grow from the start. Also, there are some references to the previous books.
I have listened to all the books on audiobook and have loved the narrations for all of them. Marlowe Chan-Reeves does a brilliant job. he brings the characters to life and adds some great atmosphere to an already fab read.
I love this series and can’t wait for the next book to come out!!
I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins UK Audio and Farshore for my audiobook. These are my honest and unbiased thoughts, and I am sharing them voluntarily.
February 2, 2024
I absolutely adore the Dreadwood series, and as soon as I get my paws on a copy, that's it, you've lost me! I spent a lovely evening reading in front of the fire, devouring this latest installment.
🐀
My memories on insta showed me I started the Dreadwood books exactly one year yesterday, and I loved in the book the reference to Angelo saying he's only known his bffs/club loser for one year, so that felt very serendipitous!
🐀
In book five, it's Colettes 13th birthday, and herself, along with the rest of Club Loser, get to spend the evening go-karting, eating pizza, bowling, playing arcades, and of course, the dreaded escape room, protect z....
🐀
It's all going well, till some of the puzzles hit close to home. That's got to be a coincidence, surely?
🐀
As always, you'll find no spoilers here, though I think it's implied by the cover that rats are somewhat involved, and if you've read any previous Dread Wood books, they're not going to be your average adorable pet shop ones. (Shout out to Gizmo and his handsome face, for kindly modeling in this photo! )
🐀
As always, shout out to the author, for giving a character a stoma bag, and bringing more acknowledgement to people living with them. I don't have one myself, but a few close friends and family members have some kind of bag, and usually embarrassment of having one is common, but Gus is loud and proud!
Also, the part with Gus, a toilet and a rat? I physically laughed out loud!
🐀
If you've read the other Dread Wood books, you don't need me to tell you to read them, they sell themselves.
If you've not read any, I'd highly suggest you do! I can't wait for world book day, to get the next mini installment.
🐀
Also, I'm thinking a club loser tattoo is on the cards...
🐀
🐀
My memories on insta showed me I started the Dreadwood books exactly one year yesterday, and I loved in the book the reference to Angelo saying he's only known his bffs/club loser for one year, so that felt very serendipitous!
🐀
In book five, it's Colettes 13th birthday, and herself, along with the rest of Club Loser, get to spend the evening go-karting, eating pizza, bowling, playing arcades, and of course, the dreaded escape room, protect z....
🐀
It's all going well, till some of the puzzles hit close to home. That's got to be a coincidence, surely?
🐀
As always, you'll find no spoilers here, though I think it's implied by the cover that rats are somewhat involved, and if you've read any previous Dread Wood books, they're not going to be your average adorable pet shop ones. (Shout out to Gizmo and his handsome face, for kindly modeling in this photo! )
🐀
As always, shout out to the author, for giving a character a stoma bag, and bringing more acknowledgement to people living with them. I don't have one myself, but a few close friends and family members have some kind of bag, and usually embarrassment of having one is common, but Gus is loud and proud!
Also, the part with Gus, a toilet and a rat? I physically laughed out loud!
🐀
If you've read the other Dread Wood books, you don't need me to tell you to read them, they sell themselves.
If you've not read any, I'd highly suggest you do! I can't wait for world book day, to get the next mini installment.
🐀
Also, I'm thinking a club loser tattoo is on the cards...
🐀
June 14, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this book! It was SO good!
Club Loser are off to celebrate Colette’s 13th birthday at the coolest place in town - Neon Point! With Pizza, go-karting, a brand new escape room and so much more, the friends are in for the night of their lives!
But of course, a proper Club Loser trip never goes to plan. Two ‘fake’ zombies are looking for blood, creepy figures hide in the dark. And vicious, poisonous and creepy monsters are on the loose! Will Club Loser ever get out of there… alive?
I really loved this book! It was a bit chaotic at some points, but the story line was AMAZING! It has made me absolutely terrified of escape rooms, and this book just really kept me on my toes. I have loved this series, and I’m quite sad that the next book is the last one. This series has took me on the adventure of a lifetime, and I cannot thank Jennifer Killick enough for that.
Club Loser are off to celebrate Colette’s 13th birthday at the coolest place in town - Neon Point! With Pizza, go-karting, a brand new escape room and so much more, the friends are in for the night of their lives!
But of course, a proper Club Loser trip never goes to plan. Two ‘fake’ zombies are looking for blood, creepy figures hide in the dark. And vicious, poisonous and creepy monsters are on the loose! Will Club Loser ever get out of there… alive?
I really loved this book! It was a bit chaotic at some points, but the story line was AMAZING! It has made me absolutely terrified of escape rooms, and this book just really kept me on my toes. I have loved this series, and I’m quite sad that the next book is the last one. This series has took me on the adventure of a lifetime, and I cannot thank Jennifer Killick enough for that.
February 6, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to an audiobook of Fright Bite in exchange for an honest review.
A thrilling and fast paced read! I think the target audience would really enjoy this book! A zombie escape room and venomous rats!
Going into this I didn’t know that it was part of an ongoing series (my own fault haha), but even though I hadn’t read the previous books this was still enjoyable! There were a couple of parts I perhaps didn’t understand at first as I didn’t have this previous knowledge, but it didn’t hinder the fun and adventure of the book. I thought the cast of characters were relatable and cool and this book will definitely go down well!
I think the audiobook was really well paced and I enjoyed the narration a lot.
A thrilling and fast paced read! I think the target audience would really enjoy this book! A zombie escape room and venomous rats!
Going into this I didn’t know that it was part of an ongoing series (my own fault haha), but even though I hadn’t read the previous books this was still enjoyable! There were a couple of parts I perhaps didn’t understand at first as I didn’t have this previous knowledge, but it didn’t hinder the fun and adventure of the book. I thought the cast of characters were relatable and cool and this book will definitely go down well!
I think the audiobook was really well paced and I enjoyed the narration a lot.
March 11, 2024
Book 5 in the Dreadwood series, this can also be read as a standalone. It has a great narrator in Marlowe Chan-Reeves - doing creepy voices where needed. It’s very Goosebumps and Point Horror, with a first-person, present-tense narration.
The friendship group is wonderful with well-rounded characters. They were all both funny and engaging.
The nightmarish plot involves a birthday day out gone wrong with mild horror for older children.
This is actually my first ever audio book! It was great to be able to listen while doing the laundry. Loved the music at the beginning each chapter, very eighties, reminiscent of Stranger Things.
The friendship group is wonderful with well-rounded characters. They were all both funny and engaging.
The nightmarish plot involves a birthday day out gone wrong with mild horror for older children.
This is actually my first ever audio book! It was great to be able to listen while doing the laundry. Loved the music at the beginning each chapter, very eighties, reminiscent of Stranger Things.
December 9, 2024
Ahh the fifth book! I can't believe I'm close to the end!
I was very excited to start this one considering how book four left off!
I devoured this so fast! So so so so good!
It's Colette's 13th birthday and they celebrate by having pizza, Go karting, oh and an escape room that seems to be ran by the Latchitts 🫣.
This time the creatures are Rats but by god, are they awful!
Loved this! Also loved the Attack on Titan reference in chapter 20! 😂
Again Mr C is an absolute favorite and makes me cringe by always trying to "get down with the kids" 😂 but he's fantastic.
Only one book left 😭.
I was very excited to start this one considering how book four left off!
I devoured this so fast! So so so so good!
It's Colette's 13th birthday and they celebrate by having pizza, Go karting, oh and an escape room that seems to be ran by the Latchitts 🫣.
This time the creatures are Rats but by god, are they awful!
Loved this! Also loved the Attack on Titan reference in chapter 20! 😂
Again Mr C is an absolute favorite and makes me cringe by always trying to "get down with the kids" 😂 but he's fantastic.
Only one book left 😭.
February 2, 2024
Fright bite is the fifth book in the Dreadwood series, I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this book! As always club loser were absolutely brilliant! Their relationship is so lovely. The story was very well thought out and entertaining there was a big plot twist at the end that I didn’t see coming! The writing was very well done, as always the latchitts have another creation that is super creepy! This was an absolute thrill ride can’t wait for the next installment in this series! 4.5/5✨
February 15, 2024
I absolutely love this series! This is a fast paced middle-grade horror with a great set of characters. I love the friendship of Club Loser. Gus has got to be my favourite, he has some great funny lines.
As well as being a mysterious, thriller/horror it's also really funny at times. I love all the banter between the friends.
A gripping, fast paced read that's engaging and adventurous. Can't wait for book 6.
As well as being a mysterious, thriller/horror it's also really funny at times. I love all the banter between the friends.
A gripping, fast paced read that's engaging and adventurous. Can't wait for book 6.
March 7, 2024
Thanks Netgalley for my copy.
This was obviously a sequel which I didn't know at the time, but that's fine. Alot of what you needed to know was explained by the end.
I enjoyed this book, the characters were fully fleshed out and believable, especially as the circumstances are not. What happens is something I genuinely fear about those escape rooms!
Good fun. I'd like to read some more of the series now.
This was obviously a sequel which I didn't know at the time, but that's fine. Alot of what you needed to know was explained by the end.
I enjoyed this book, the characters were fully fleshed out and believable, especially as the circumstances are not. What happens is something I genuinely fear about those escape rooms!
Good fun. I'd like to read some more of the series now.
April 7, 2024
The 5th in Jennifer Killick’s comedy horror series for readers aged 9+ is another entertaining adventure that mixes out-loud laughs with some genuinely frightening moments. The friendship between the Club Loser members works really well and the budding romance between Angelo and Colette quite sweet. My one criticism is that although the horror elements are seriously chilling, the escape room formula is a little too formulaic and predictable.
November 5, 2025
Like all of the Dread Wood books, I enjoyed this and didn't want to put it down. Funny, scary and interesting, definitely one I will recommend to my nephew. My only issues are 1. I'd like more context on what's going on with the Latchitts as everything about how they're there gets glossed over a bit and 2. I kind of wish they wouldn't give away the monster on the cover so readers can guess alongside club loser
January 25, 2024
The 5th addition to the Dread Wood Series and I have loved it like the others… ‘safe scary’.
Perfect for 8-11 readers, scary enough to be fun but you know the characters will get away… but not necessarily without cuts and bruises.
Fab ensemble of characters who interact well and play of their own skill sets.
Warm and funny and scary and … well… just a fun read!
Perfect for 8-11 readers, scary enough to be fun but you know the characters will get away… but not necessarily without cuts and bruises.
Fab ensemble of characters who interact well and play of their own skill sets.
Warm and funny and scary and … well… just a fun read!
February 11, 2024
Fright Bite is glorious comedy-horror at its best. This is the fifth book in the series and I think it might be my favourite. Club Loser are pitted against their old enemies yet again plus a whole host of new genetically mutated creatures. I don't want to give too much away but 'kitty' and 'noms and spends' had me and both my kids in stitches. So funny and scary. I absolutely loved it.
March 11, 2024
This book had non-stop edge of your seat action. I kept thinking I would read just one more chapter but the suspense continued and I didn't want to leave it. I feel like there was a lot more going on in this one with a surprise near the end.
I wonder how many books are left in the series. Part of me wants them to just go on but I also really want to know how it will be concluded.
I wonder how many books are left in the series. Part of me wants them to just go on but I also really want to know how it will be concluded.
April 25, 2024
Venomous rats VS friendship.
July 20, 2024
Still enjoying this series.
July 23, 2024
PROTECT THESE KIDS, damn! Stop letting them go to things unsupervised where they will somehow end up being tortured. Have these parents learned nothing?
July 30, 2024
Another fantastic book in the dread wood series. I loved the varied characters, modified animals and villains.
March 21, 2025
Nice little twist involving the clone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2024
Still not as good as the 2nd book in my opinion. but better than Deadly deep definitely!
To be honest the games featured during escape room could have just been a book in itself and the rats another book. instead of combining to two in a way.. but on the other hand I didnt want it to be too like James Herberts The Rats!
Id say it is my 2nd fave of the 5 so far.
Although id have to read Flock horror, again to be sure..
You know I dont know yet but I get a bad feeling about Mr C...Thought occured to me about nearly half way through this book
To be honest the games featured during escape room could have just been a book in itself and the rats another book. instead of combining to two in a way.. but on the other hand I didnt want it to be too like James Herberts The Rats!
Id say it is my 2nd fave of the 5 so far.
Although id have to read Flock horror, again to be sure..
You know I dont know yet but I get a bad feeling about Mr C...Thought occured to me about nearly half way through this book
January 14, 2024
I received an audiobook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
FRIGHT BITE continues this brilliantly scary MG horror series with an escape room gone horribly wrong.
The book brilliantly flips the whole escape room premise into a terrifying experience. The time pressure counting down adds to the tension. Unlike a normal escape room, you know they're really locked in and can't simply press a button to get out. The various challenges that have to be solved are extra creepy (the glass tank one was the worst!)
I enjoyed the way the book was structured, starting with the hijacked escape room, slowly building tension with the sense that something was wrong but not. And then it all got reset into a larger escape room with the added modified creatures (and this series' other trademark, the nursery rhyme!)
The Latchitts are back! I very much enjoyed getting to see them again as they are such good villains. They're almost as creepy as their creations and there's something very unsettling about two grandparents taking all out revenge on their granddaughter and her friends. Plus the reveal of their little helper!
This is the first entry I have listened to and I enjoyed Marlowe Chan-Reeves' take on the characters. It's funny and scary, and you get a real sense of familiarity from the way he does it (it is his fifth entry, so he knows them well.)
There is a World Book Day special short story and then one more book in the series coming out later this year. I am looking forward to them!
FRIGHT BITE continues this brilliantly scary MG horror series with an escape room gone horribly wrong.
The book brilliantly flips the whole escape room premise into a terrifying experience. The time pressure counting down adds to the tension. Unlike a normal escape room, you know they're really locked in and can't simply press a button to get out. The various challenges that have to be solved are extra creepy (the glass tank one was the worst!)
I enjoyed the way the book was structured, starting with the hijacked escape room, slowly building tension with the sense that something was wrong but not. And then it all got reset into a larger escape room with the added modified creatures (and this series' other trademark, the nursery rhyme!)
The Latchitts are back! I very much enjoyed getting to see them again as they are such good villains. They're almost as creepy as their creations and there's something very unsettling about two grandparents taking all out revenge on their granddaughter and her friends. Plus the reveal of their little helper!
This is the first entry I have listened to and I enjoyed Marlowe Chan-Reeves' take on the characters. It's funny and scary, and you get a real sense of familiarity from the way he does it (it is his fifth entry, so he knows them well.)
There is a World Book Day special short story and then one more book in the series coming out later this year. I am looking forward to them!
January 14, 2024
I was absolutely delighted to get this on audio, having had a couple from the series last year. It's been said that this series is perfect for lovers of the Goosebumps series... they're not wrong :).
It's Collette's birthday and her surprise birthday treat is a night out with her friends at Neon Perch, the local centre with food stands, pizza, mini golf and best of all. . .a brand new escape room. They have to rely upon each other and their varied skills to get out alive when the escape room seems to know their individual fears.
It's another gripping read in a great set of books. I hope there are many more to come.
The narration is truly excellent.
It's Collette's birthday and her surprise birthday treat is a night out with her friends at Neon Perch, the local centre with food stands, pizza, mini golf and best of all. . .a brand new escape room. They have to rely upon each other and their varied skills to get out alive when the escape room seems to know their individual fears.
It's another gripping read in a great set of books. I hope there are many more to come.
The narration is truly excellent.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews