The Ride of Your Life

You're Invited to a Creepover #18

by P.J. Night

Adventurous Gabby Carter is excited to visit her best friend Sydney Greene in Sydney’s new town in Iowa. Gabby is wondering what they’re going to do, surrounded by cornfields, when they discover an amazing carnival full of kids their age . . . and two very cute boys. But then strange things start happening at the fair: the Tilt-a-Whirl spins a little too quickly and the eyes of the painted face on the funhouse follow Gabby. Gabby can’t believe she’s the one begging cautious Sydney to leave the carnival—but Sydney won’t leave! Can Gabby convince Sydney they don’t want to find out how haunted this carnival truly is?

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Paranormal, Childrens, Mystery, Ghosts

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2014

About the author

P.J. Night Revealed
Revealing Questions

Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. Reading, writing, and scaring up new ideas!

Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. There are mysteries everywhere . . . you just have to know where to look.

Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. Sitting with my cat on my lap and reading a book I just can't put down.

Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Flowers and teddy bears :)

Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. At some very old and very haunted place. Transylvania or the Tower of London, anyone?

Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. Psychic powers

Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. A black cat

Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Nancy Drew

Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. The Wicked Witch of the West

Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. Ghost hunter

Reviews

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,5/5. This was my second attempt with this series and after my first read I said I wouldn't read another one and here I'm, but this time, I swear this was the last! Not that it's that bad. Like I said in the other review, I like that a series of «horror» books is written mostly for girls. As a male adult, well... I didn't enjoy it much. It was written alright for the genre, but the girly aspect was off for me, and the horror a bit too light. I would recommend R. L. Stine way before this author to any kids (boy or girl) who want to try reading horror book, but this series, event if not great, as it's place and bring something interesting. For me this was a 1/5, but I think it has a 3,5/5 potential so I will give it a 2,5/5 generously round up to 3/5!

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked this better if there were a few things that were changed. The kids (Sydney and Gabby) were idiots. You were warned multiple times about that fair and they were even warned at the fair eventually (and there were enough hints and warnings) you have seen it magically appear/disappear, and yet you go there and yet you stay and eat and do everything there. Sorry, but instead of feeling sympathy for those kids I was actually happy they were getting what they deserved.

We also have a typical P.J. Night ending, nothing conclusive, think of your-own-ending. Which I detest at times, especially with a story like this. So I am just going to pretend she ran away and is safe. And that she will have trouble explaining everything. It is sad that she has to leave her friend, but sorry, friendship doesn't last forever, and your parents, your family need you. Also Sydney was pretty much urgh at the end, which shows clearly that when a boy is involved, you are invisible for always.

I didn't particularly like the characters that much. Sydney was nice, but she really changed near the ending (for the worse). Gabby was so-so.

I also didn't like that we gotten some random character (woman in airplane) to come with a warning and then nothing. It would have been perfect had she popped up in the fair and saved the girls.

The park was what made everything better. It was super creepy, and I really liked to walk with our main character through the rides. Go into the rollercoaster, the merry-go-round and eat magical cotton candy.

All in all a so-so book.

Review first posted at: http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, it reminds me of books I read as a child from my favorite author, R.L. Stein. This installment takes place in a small town where an old abanodoned fare comes to life one week per year. Each novel has a twist ending and this one is quite a shocker!

[Jill]

Theses series are amazing!

[eda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the weakest creepover books. I found the ending was a bit annoying as you don’t really find out what happens to Gabby. I hope she managed to get out of there in time. Most of PJ Night’s books seem to have an open ending but for this book it wasn’t really needed and it just felt like the author didn’t know how to wrap it up. Also, the woman in the airplane could’ve been such a good character! I wish she worked at the amusement park or somehow would save Gabby.

[Jess - The Hexed Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Cover 4; Characters 3; Plot 4; Pace 4; Engagement 4; Worldbuilding 4; Readability 5; Theme 3; Enjoyment 4

I really enjoyed this one! It was actually fairly action packed and spooky. It also had an open ending so it's left up to your own imagination.

[Isaias estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg love this book especially.the end when gabie has to leave but her friend is on the farris wheel and there is only litle bit of time

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED this one, even though it was incredibly obvious what was going on.

[Angie Titus · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Really enjoyable. Lost a half a point because I didn't like the ambiguous ending. Sometimes they work for me and sometimes they don't. This time it didn't.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book for people who like to read creepy, suspenseful books. I thought that the prologue and the epilogue were the creepiest parts. After reading The Ride of your Life I'm afraid to ever go to a carnival again!

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good ending. I really didn't think they would get trapped in the faire forever.

[Giselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
COOOOOOOOl!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAAAAAAAAM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing
#awsome

[Lyric Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. but I didn't like how in the corn field it tried to make it really scary.