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The Well
If Hamlet thought he had issues, he should have talked to Cooper Warner.
His mother’s normally sunny demeanor has turned into something—homicidal.
And what’s worse, she has help in her hunt for Cooper: A ravenous monster living at the bottom of the old well in the woods behind their house. She’s determined to deliver her 14-year-old son straight into the creature’s eager clutches. Cooper turns to his girlfriend, Megan, for help, but then, to his horror, the creature takes her prisoner.
Now, it’s up to Cooper to fend off his murderous mother, finish his Hamlet paper, and enter the putrid lair at the bottom of the well to rescue Megan. And when he confronts the creature, Cooper must make the toughest decision of his life: kill, or be killed.
Inspired by Hamlet, THE WELL puts a terrifying twist on the Shakespearean classic.
His mother’s normally sunny demeanor has turned into something—homicidal.
And what’s worse, she has help in her hunt for Cooper: A ravenous monster living at the bottom of the old well in the woods behind their house. She’s determined to deliver her 14-year-old son straight into the creature’s eager clutches. Cooper turns to his girlfriend, Megan, for help, but then, to his horror, the creature takes her prisoner.
Now, it’s up to Cooper to fend off his murderous mother, finish his Hamlet paper, and enter the putrid lair at the bottom of the well to rescue Megan. And when he confronts the creature, Cooper must make the toughest decision of his life: kill, or be killed.
Inspired by Hamlet, THE WELL puts a terrifying twist on the Shakespearean classic.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2009
8 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Whitten
2 books12 followersA.J. Whitten is the pen name for well-known romance author Shirley Jump and her teenage daughter, Amanda Jump.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 12, 2010
Cooper Warner's mother throws him down the well on their property. This isn't the first time she's tried to kill him, yet at other times she's just fine. Cooper realises that the incidents began after his mum hooked up with the man who became his stepdad. And the teen's also convinced that a monster in the well wants to kill him. And this is the StepScrooge's property, after all...
If you ignore the flaws, this is quite the page-turner. But there are flaws aplenty:
-Characters are rather flat and one-dimensional. They have their prescribed roles, but never endear.
-A certain character is an OB/GYN as well as running a vineyard/winery. Aren't those both full-time jobs? (Also, I'm pretty sure a psychoanalyst would spot a link between blood and wine. But in the book, both jobs are just convenient for the plot.)
-Enough with the pop culture references and analogies! Not only do they distract from the story, but they also rather date the novel.
-If I wanted to read Hamlet, I'd read Hamlet. If your story is inspired/influenced by the play, that's fine. But if your characters study it...
An entertaining enough way to spend the afternoon, but the more one thinks about this novel, the less adequate it seems.
If you ignore the flaws, this is quite the page-turner. But there are flaws aplenty:
-Characters are rather flat and one-dimensional. They have their prescribed roles, but never endear.
-A certain character is an OB/GYN as well as running a vineyard/winery. Aren't those both full-time jobs? (Also, I'm pretty sure a psychoanalyst would spot a link between blood and wine. But in the book, both jobs are just convenient for the plot.)
-Enough with the pop culture references and analogies! Not only do they distract from the story, but they also rather date the novel.
-If I wanted to read Hamlet, I'd read Hamlet. If your story is inspired/influenced by the play, that's fine. But if your characters study it...
An entertaining enough way to spend the afternoon, but the more one thinks about this novel, the less adequate it seems.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2009
A. J. Whitten, The Well (Graphia, 2009)
I've been having problems coming up with a decent review of The Well, because there's not a great deal to say about it. It's competently written, but no more than that; decently plotted, but no more than that; with characters who are adequate... you get the idea.
Supposedly based on Hamlet (though the connection is tenuous), The Well is the story of Coper Warner, a high-school student whose mother is trying to kill him. At least, that's the way he sees it; he's at least clearheaded enough to realize that if he brings this up with his older brother or stepfather, they're likely to think he's nuts. But still, she did throw him down the well. And there's something else down there, something older than Cooper can comprehend, and something unspeakably evil. He would go to his girlfriend, Megan, but he was supposed to be on a date with her while he was down the well, so she's mad at him. And worse than all this, his father, who also happens to be his English teacher, has just assigned the class a paper on Hamlet. What's a kid to do?
There's nothing truly awful about this book; unfortunately, the flip side of it is there's nothing that makes it stand out from the pack, either. I can't even say that the ending is way out there, because it's all adequately set up throughout the book; it's just not set up with any real originality or panache. Are you sensing a trend here? It will continue on through the rating. ***
I've been having problems coming up with a decent review of The Well, because there's not a great deal to say about it. It's competently written, but no more than that; decently plotted, but no more than that; with characters who are adequate... you get the idea.
Supposedly based on Hamlet (though the connection is tenuous), The Well is the story of Coper Warner, a high-school student whose mother is trying to kill him. At least, that's the way he sees it; he's at least clearheaded enough to realize that if he brings this up with his older brother or stepfather, they're likely to think he's nuts. But still, she did throw him down the well. And there's something else down there, something older than Cooper can comprehend, and something unspeakably evil. He would go to his girlfriend, Megan, but he was supposed to be on a date with her while he was down the well, so she's mad at him. And worse than all this, his father, who also happens to be his English teacher, has just assigned the class a paper on Hamlet. What's a kid to do?
There's nothing truly awful about this book; unfortunately, the flip side of it is there's nothing that makes it stand out from the pack, either. I can't even say that the ending is way out there, because it's all adequately set up throughout the book; it's just not set up with any real originality or panache. Are you sensing a trend here? It will continue on through the rating. ***
June 9, 2021
I have been looking for this book FOREVER. I read this when I was younger and it was one of those random books I found walking through the library and picked up because the cover was scary.
This is one of the only books that was so creepy that it stuck will me for years after reading it, but I could never remember the authors name. What I do remember is that I could not put this book down and as a kid, I LOVED IT. Definitely more of a late middle school / early high school spook, but one of my favorites growing up.
This is one of the only books that was so creepy that it stuck will me for years after reading it, but I could never remember the authors name. What I do remember is that I could not put this book down and as a kid, I LOVED IT. Definitely more of a late middle school / early high school spook, but one of my favorites growing up.
January 13, 2010
The Well was moving from the first page you read. The author A.J. Whitten does a very good job describing the whole book. My interest was caught the whole book. If your in for a good book read this one.
August 7, 2009
Too shallow.
Too long-winded.
Too many analogies.
Too long-winded.
Too much repetition.
Too long-winded.
Not enough story development.
(Did I mention it was long-winded?)
Too long-winded.
Too many analogies.
Too long-winded.
Too much repetition.
Too long-winded.
Not enough story development.
(Did I mention it was long-winded?)
May 25, 2011
This book was a joint writing effort between bestselling author Shirley Jump and her teen daughter. It wasn't bad, but I had some issues...
1. I believe that it takes skill for someone to write convincingly as the opposite gender. In the case of this one, I couldn't quite buy it. I could sense the female brain behind it.
2. The narrative was peppered with conveniently placed, cliche pop culture references, usually in metaphors and comparisons. "The entire New England Patriots defensive line couldn't keep me away"; "trying to pretend I was the Michael Phelps of the woods"; "he's smart and MacGyvers a quickie solution with a broomstick and a piece of gum"; "guilt pulled a Rocky in my gut"; "sounds like Michael Jackson on a sugar high"; "so do we, Scooby Doo"; constant references not to his shoes but his VANS; "as if it was the Road Runner"; These are inserted liberally, feeling like artificial and forced attempts to describe without using real descriptive language. It got very tiresome for me after a while.
3. One reference in particular really rankled me: "In space, no one hears you scream./ I watched an old movie once that opened with that line." For the record, that was Ridley Scott's 'Alien' and it didn't OPEN with it, it was the tagline. If you're going to reference that, at least be correct about it. (Further, I challenge the labeling of the movie as "old," particularly when the same narrator just turned "MacGyver" into a verb. I'm just saying.)
4. Pacing: After the plot falls into place and moves towards the climax, the pacing goes sideways. The buildup to the climax and the resolution slow...way...down. I kept thinking, GET ON WITH IT.
5. The Hamlet angle: Clever concept, laborious execution.
6. Unforgivably-Princess-Bride-Moment: "Now I just had to save my brother, find my girlfriend, and avoid my homicidal mother, maniacal stepfather, and a man-eating monster." I'm swamped, Tyrone.
Now, those things being said:
The plot had a lot of promise. It really did. That was what kept me reading despite some boneheaded maneuvers on the part of the characters (Main character's girlfriend goes missing, Stepdad pretty much puts him under house arrest, and the first time he's away from stepdad, what does he do--GOES TO SCHOOL AND STAYS THERE????). I almost wonder if mom sketched out the plot and her daughter did the actual writing.
I also couldn't help but wonder if this was written after several viewings of 'The Ring.' The crawling ooze was just too much like the idea of the creepy girl crawling out of the television.
If this were a teen author's effort alone, I'd probably excuse a lot of these issues as mistakes of a young writer. But the fact that she had assistance from her mom, a bestselling author, makes them VERY hard to get around.
Will kids like it? Probably. It's just not for me...
1. I believe that it takes skill for someone to write convincingly as the opposite gender. In the case of this one, I couldn't quite buy it. I could sense the female brain behind it.
2. The narrative was peppered with conveniently placed, cliche pop culture references, usually in metaphors and comparisons. "The entire New England Patriots defensive line couldn't keep me away"; "trying to pretend I was the Michael Phelps of the woods"; "he's smart and MacGyvers a quickie solution with a broomstick and a piece of gum"; "guilt pulled a Rocky in my gut"; "sounds like Michael Jackson on a sugar high"; "so do we, Scooby Doo"; constant references not to his shoes but his VANS; "as if it was the Road Runner"; These are inserted liberally, feeling like artificial and forced attempts to describe without using real descriptive language. It got very tiresome for me after a while.
3. One reference in particular really rankled me: "In space, no one hears you scream./ I watched an old movie once that opened with that line." For the record, that was Ridley Scott's 'Alien' and it didn't OPEN with it, it was the tagline. If you're going to reference that, at least be correct about it. (Further, I challenge the labeling of the movie as "old," particularly when the same narrator just turned "MacGyver" into a verb. I'm just saying.)
4. Pacing: After the plot falls into place and moves towards the climax, the pacing goes sideways. The buildup to the climax and the resolution slow...way...down. I kept thinking, GET ON WITH IT.
5. The Hamlet angle: Clever concept, laborious execution.
6. Unforgivably-Princess-Bride-Moment: "Now I just had to save my brother, find my girlfriend, and avoid my homicidal mother, maniacal stepfather, and a man-eating monster." I'm swamped, Tyrone.
Now, those things being said:
The plot had a lot of promise. It really did. That was what kept me reading despite some boneheaded maneuvers on the part of the characters (Main character's girlfriend goes missing, Stepdad pretty much puts him under house arrest, and the first time he's away from stepdad, what does he do--GOES TO SCHOOL AND STAYS THERE????). I almost wonder if mom sketched out the plot and her daughter did the actual writing.
I also couldn't help but wonder if this was written after several viewings of 'The Ring.' The crawling ooze was just too much like the idea of the creepy girl crawling out of the television.
If this were a teen author's effort alone, I'd probably excuse a lot of these issues as mistakes of a young writer. But the fact that she had assistance from her mom, a bestselling author, makes them VERY hard to get around.
Will kids like it? Probably. It's just not for me...
Read
October 12, 2017Jesse Sun
Ms. Cover
October 11, 2017
The independent book I read is called the “The Well” written by A.J. Whitten. Cooper Warren is the name for the protagonist, who is a 14 years old boy been hunted down not only by his mom, but also a mystery creature that lives under a well surrounded by a forest that’s behind his house. Everyday he’s reminded by the monster that he should go down the well and cannot escape his fate. Cooper performed more mature than peers, even after his mother has pushed him down into the well, he can still calm down and analyze every problem happened beside him. “ “Because…” I drew in another breath, then confronted the truth that no son wants to tackle… “Because this isn’t the first time Mom has tried to kill me.” (Whitten 17) the quote shows this 14 years old boy quickly calmed down after all these crazy things happened besides him, if all these happens on another normal person, it would make them go crazy. However cooper didn’t freak out but chose to react bravely and face the truth, but of course there is a reason for him to be mature.
Cooper’s mom and dad divorced when he was a little boy, his stepfather is a really harsh man, and his mom turned weird as time passed, so he grows up under an unhappy environment. But the benefit for living in this kind of environment made him more mature and independent. The mystery monster’s voice started to disturb him constantly after being hunted, in the beginning he thinks it’s just some kind of illusion, just like normal people they will try to escape/run from it, not thinking about if it’s true or not. As the voices timed up, cooper begin to believe this is real. “…The green slime as sticky as Spider Man’s web, as strong and interlaced as the vines that held the grapes in vineyard… we’re going for a ride, Cooper. A ride right back to the bottom. You liked it there, didn’t you? ...” (Whitten 49) this is when cooper started to notice this thing is real, and he needs to face it. Then cooper started to be brave and went down the well to fight it.
Cooper started to grow braver as the story went on, and his girlfriend Megan is one of the main reason he get’s braver. “ “Cooper, fulfill your destiny. Be what you were made to be.” … “The chosen one.” … Megan Never. Let. Go.”(Whitten 286) Love gives him the power to fight against this creature; it is also the reason Cooper never gives up, and fights till the end. In Megan’s eyes, Cooper maybe isn’t the best guy in the world, but he must be the bravest guy in her heart. After reading the story, Cooper has become my new favorite protagonist, because he is brave, mature and independent really not acting like a 14 years old boy when emergency happened. His personality may inspire me in my future life.
Ms. Cover
October 11, 2017
The independent book I read is called the “The Well” written by A.J. Whitten. Cooper Warren is the name for the protagonist, who is a 14 years old boy been hunted down not only by his mom, but also a mystery creature that lives under a well surrounded by a forest that’s behind his house. Everyday he’s reminded by the monster that he should go down the well and cannot escape his fate. Cooper performed more mature than peers, even after his mother has pushed him down into the well, he can still calm down and analyze every problem happened beside him. “ “Because…” I drew in another breath, then confronted the truth that no son wants to tackle… “Because this isn’t the first time Mom has tried to kill me.” (Whitten 17) the quote shows this 14 years old boy quickly calmed down after all these crazy things happened besides him, if all these happens on another normal person, it would make them go crazy. However cooper didn’t freak out but chose to react bravely and face the truth, but of course there is a reason for him to be mature.
Cooper’s mom and dad divorced when he was a little boy, his stepfather is a really harsh man, and his mom turned weird as time passed, so he grows up under an unhappy environment. But the benefit for living in this kind of environment made him more mature and independent. The mystery monster’s voice started to disturb him constantly after being hunted, in the beginning he thinks it’s just some kind of illusion, just like normal people they will try to escape/run from it, not thinking about if it’s true or not. As the voices timed up, cooper begin to believe this is real. “…The green slime as sticky as Spider Man’s web, as strong and interlaced as the vines that held the grapes in vineyard… we’re going for a ride, Cooper. A ride right back to the bottom. You liked it there, didn’t you? ...” (Whitten 49) this is when cooper started to notice this thing is real, and he needs to face it. Then cooper started to be brave and went down the well to fight it.
Cooper started to grow braver as the story went on, and his girlfriend Megan is one of the main reason he get’s braver. “ “Cooper, fulfill your destiny. Be what you were made to be.” … “The chosen one.” … Megan Never. Let. Go.”(Whitten 286) Love gives him the power to fight against this creature; it is also the reason Cooper never gives up, and fights till the end. In Megan’s eyes, Cooper maybe isn’t the best guy in the world, but he must be the bravest guy in her heart. After reading the story, Cooper has become my new favorite protagonist, because he is brave, mature and independent really not acting like a 14 years old boy when emergency happened. His personality may inspire me in my future life.
March 15, 2011
Why I picked up this book:
I blame it on the synopsis. In all honesty, I don't really like the cover. But how could I resist a synopsis about a crazy mom, a monster in a well, and Hamlet?
My thoughts:
I have to start with a bit of a confession here: I am not a Shakespeare fan. I know... I have lived my whole life acting on the stage and devouring books as fast as I can snatch them. It almost seems an unwritten rule then that I must love and adore Shakespeare. But... as much as his writing is amazing and his story lines have helped propel most likely thousands of other books, plays and movies plots... I just have never gotten into his works. The only reason I know anything of Hamlet was because I half watched a movie in my english class in high school years ago...
That being said... I really did enjoy this book. Certain scenes truly did touch back onto Hamlet, while others were obviously the author running off on her own. Maybe saying I was "happily" pulled into the story isn't the right word choice given the horror-genre of the book, but I did devour it.
There were moments when I was hoping for more. As in more of an outcome, more of an explanation... more. But even without those few moments expanded like I would have liked, I felt "complete" by the end. Oh, and the end... yes, well, you need to read it I guess. I connected easily to Cooper, while at times almost finding myself rooting for the monster as well. (Call it a weakness, I like a "good" bad guy who has a sympathetic back story.)
My only negative is the metaphors and similes used. I would be chugging along, totally into the book, then a sentence would pop up like: "The forest crackled like a bowl of Rice Krispies." And that's not the only one. I do remember one about referring a group to a crowd waiting for a Miley Cyrus concert... Every time I read those, I cringed inside and felt my attention to the story slip slightly. They were funny, yes... but the story wasn't funny, making them feel very out of place and distracting. All they did was... not fit. Ok, my whining there is over.
Fun fact: A.J. Whitten is actually the pen name for romance author Shirley Jump and her daughter Amanda Jump. I think its very awesome that they are writing together.
Even though I did not like the metaphors used, I loved the story. It is something I am gladly keeping on my shelf and will most likely read again, sometime. The Well is an awesome, modern twist on Hamlet, sure to grab both male and female readers looking for a quick horror fix. I have already recommended it to friends to read, and yes, I recommend it to you too! Watch out for the well...
I blame it on the synopsis. In all honesty, I don't really like the cover. But how could I resist a synopsis about a crazy mom, a monster in a well, and Hamlet?
My thoughts:
I have to start with a bit of a confession here: I am not a Shakespeare fan. I know... I have lived my whole life acting on the stage and devouring books as fast as I can snatch them. It almost seems an unwritten rule then that I must love and adore Shakespeare. But... as much as his writing is amazing and his story lines have helped propel most likely thousands of other books, plays and movies plots... I just have never gotten into his works. The only reason I know anything of Hamlet was because I half watched a movie in my english class in high school years ago...
That being said... I really did enjoy this book. Certain scenes truly did touch back onto Hamlet, while others were obviously the author running off on her own. Maybe saying I was "happily" pulled into the story isn't the right word choice given the horror-genre of the book, but I did devour it.
There were moments when I was hoping for more. As in more of an outcome, more of an explanation... more. But even without those few moments expanded like I would have liked, I felt "complete" by the end. Oh, and the end... yes, well, you need to read it I guess. I connected easily to Cooper, while at times almost finding myself rooting for the monster as well. (Call it a weakness, I like a "good" bad guy who has a sympathetic back story.)
My only negative is the metaphors and similes used. I would be chugging along, totally into the book, then a sentence would pop up like: "The forest crackled like a bowl of Rice Krispies." And that's not the only one. I do remember one about referring a group to a crowd waiting for a Miley Cyrus concert... Every time I read those, I cringed inside and felt my attention to the story slip slightly. They were funny, yes... but the story wasn't funny, making them feel very out of place and distracting. All they did was... not fit. Ok, my whining there is over.
Fun fact: A.J. Whitten is actually the pen name for romance author Shirley Jump and her daughter Amanda Jump. I think its very awesome that they are writing together.
Even though I did not like the metaphors used, I loved the story. It is something I am gladly keeping on my shelf and will most likely read again, sometime. The Well is an awesome, modern twist on Hamlet, sure to grab both male and female readers looking for a quick horror fix. I have already recommended it to friends to read, and yes, I recommend it to you too! Watch out for the well...
August 7, 2012
More reviews at Mrs. ReaderPants.
REVIEW: The Well is the perfect book for bona fide horror fans—it has a creepy cover, lots of gore and violence, slowly-building suspense, and a hero with a beautiful girlfriend. Although supposedly inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the book compares better to Stephen King’s It because the creature lives in a dark, damp, underground environment and communicates with and traps humans in order to live. Like King’s It, the creature is able to control the minds and behavior of others and can influence action far beyond the walls of its well-prison. I especially enjoyed the chapters told from the monster's perspective.
The creature’s history is intriguing, but its familial connection to Cooper is overkill and leaves the reader wondering how it is physically possible for the 200-year old creature to have (and obtain) a “seed.” The fact that the monster eats babies (and how it acquires the babies) is unsettling and will disturb some readers. Still, upper middle school and high school readers who love horror will forgive the book’s flaws and enjoy the story.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While not for every reader, The Well is recommended for readers who really love horror and gore. Readers just looking for a light scare may experience sleepless nights after reading this one. Great for reluctant readers and horror fans.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: We have it. Like many books in our Horror genre section, it gets checked out relatively frequently.
READALIKES: It (King); The Cellar (Whitten)
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 3/5
Creativity: 3/5
Characters: 3/5 (extra points for the monster perspective chapters)
Engrossing:
Writing: 3/5
Appeal to teens: 4/5
Appropriate length to tell the story: 4/5
CONTENT:
Language: mild
Sexuality: mild; no intercourse takes place, but there are multiple references to the monster needing to plant his "seed." Gross.
Violence: high; monster eats babies, plenty of gore
Drugs/Alcohol: none
September 27, 2012
It was Cooper and Megan's three month anniversary. Cooper had wanted to have a nice dinner with Megan and a decent birthday, but that all went wrong thanks to the creature at the bottom of the well, at the back of the vineyard, behind his house. The creature had lured Megan down by using mind control. It was up to Cooper to climb down the well and take care of the creature, before it took care of them. So, Cooper climbed down the well and after 30 pages of suspense, Cooper triumphed over the hideous creature. He and Megan then spent a good hour trying to get out of the well but finally were safe. As soon as they were out, Cooper set fire to the vineyard with a lighter he had put in his pocket just in case. The creature was taken care of, or so he thought. The well is a well written (no pun intended), plot driven, ehilarating book for moderately skilled readers looking for a book you wont want to set down. One of the many things he has to avoid is his Mother. In the story, she's been possesed by the creature which results in crazy and exciting chases and encounters. These events, amongst others, keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good scare or mystery. This book will keep you interested all the way to the final sentence.
January 8, 2024
How nice of Cooper to bring me dinner, his body said, and his tongue, or what was left of it, came out to taste the air, to slither across what was left of his lips. And if I save a little of her for later...Such a sweet, sweet dessert.
When I pick up a horror or thriller novel I want it to appeal to me in a new way. A way to top any other books. The thought of a creature in a well is always creepy and a inserting idea to me so when I stumbled upon this book I knew I found gold.
A.J. Whitten finds such a satisfying way of giving you the ripple up your spin and makes the hairs of your arm stand up. The creature's way of being expressed in the book drew me in because of the freaky writing and it didn't fall flat. It was through out the whole novel making it stronger to me.
I also loved the different social media references making the book's time period. The Fall Out Boy reference made me laugh as well as the language of the kids. It was great when needed.
When I pick up a horror or thriller novel I want it to appeal to me in a new way. A way to top any other books. The thought of a creature in a well is always creepy and a inserting idea to me so when I stumbled upon this book I knew I found gold.
A.J. Whitten finds such a satisfying way of giving you the ripple up your spin and makes the hairs of your arm stand up. The creature's way of being expressed in the book drew me in because of the freaky writing and it didn't fall flat. It was through out the whole novel making it stronger to me.
I also loved the different social media references making the book's time period. The Fall Out Boy reference made me laugh as well as the language of the kids. It was great when needed.
November 9, 2009
Ages 12+ (a few "shits," zombified thrills)
14 year old Cooper's mother is trying to kill him. First by drowning him, then by pushing him into an abandoned well on his stepfather's property. Fortunately his brother was around to throw him a rope. But that's not the least of his problems. Because Cooper's pretty sure that there was something in the well with him. Something that wants to lure him back into its clutches. And the thing is, he's not wrong.
I wasn't so sure about this book at the beginning. The characters are cutouts and in spite of the grabber prologue, the story takes a little while to really get going. But I was pleasantly surprised as the plot developed. Sure, the characters are never going to win any depth contests, but the storyline is creepy fun. The Well becomes a fast-clip grossout thriller that I would happily hand to horror-hungry 7th and 8th graders.
14 year old Cooper's mother is trying to kill him. First by drowning him, then by pushing him into an abandoned well on his stepfather's property. Fortunately his brother was around to throw him a rope. But that's not the least of his problems. Because Cooper's pretty sure that there was something in the well with him. Something that wants to lure him back into its clutches. And the thing is, he's not wrong.
I wasn't so sure about this book at the beginning. The characters are cutouts and in spite of the grabber prologue, the story takes a little while to really get going. But I was pleasantly surprised as the plot developed. Sure, the characters are never going to win any depth contests, but the storyline is creepy fun. The Well becomes a fast-clip grossout thriller that I would happily hand to horror-hungry 7th and 8th graders.
June 15, 2011
It is an amazingly awesome book and enjoyed reading it. My mom actually read it before me which was new, she also finished it at about the time I was ready to read it. While reading it I loved how it kept getting intense. I LOVE it when a book gets so intense where I start to ignore everything around me and I just can't stop reading. I look forward to reading Cellar and hope they may write more, even though they may not. I just love it so much that I want them to write more, so I have more of these amazing books.
August 28, 2013
It had a good story and I liked the idea, but it just gave me a bad feelings. I don't know if I liked the book as a whole, but it wasn't a terrible book. I was slightly distracted by all the pop culture references in the books beginning. I honestly didn't want to keep reading it, but since I was reviewing it I had to finish. The last third of the book drew me in and I then became interested in the ending.
I have read somewhere that this book has similarities to Shakespeare's Hamlet, but I do not agree. I don't remember ever thinking it was similar.
I have read somewhere that this book has similarities to Shakespeare's Hamlet, but I do not agree. I don't remember ever thinking it was similar.
Read
October 1, 2018 Do you like fantasy/thriller books? If so then The Well is a perfect book for you. This book will keep you on your toes with cliffhangers and will constantly make you want to read more. It's about a boy who wakes up in a well and isn't so sure who or what put him down there and why. He finds out who it is but tries to convince himself otherwise. The boy suddenly starts hearing noises and laughs and is seeing the well and eventually figures out where it's coming from. He still has a lot to figure out but one thing he knows is that everything that happens, always leads back to the well.
July 24, 2011
This book was...strange. I really thought I wasn't going to be able to put it down when I started reading, but I was a little disappointed. The plot seemed to drag on during some parts. About two-thirds of the way through the story became more interesting, and luckily this book was saved by its ending. I think I would probably recommend this book to others solely because of the last few chapters, but unfortunately I was probably happier than I should have been when I reached the last page.
October 16, 2011
Hmmm...I checked this book out because I thought it was listed on a best of read for Halloween....turns out there's a different book of the same name. I was surprised they had it for Kindle at the library since I don't think they even had a paper copy when I searched for it. :|
But, I spent all night and read this one really quickly. I guess it was kind of scary, but overall I just thought it was a bit jumpy and disconnected. Ah well, a night spent reading a book you didn't mean to read.
But, I spent all night and read this one really quickly. I guess it was kind of scary, but overall I just thought it was a bit jumpy and disconnected. Ah well, a night spent reading a book you didn't mean to read.
March 26, 2010
Excellent choice for those who like Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
Cooper's mom tries to kill him by throwing him down a well where there is a 200 year old blood crazed monster dwelling at the bottom. He manages to escape, but no he can hear the monster's voice in his head. Somehow he must kill the monster before it kills him - and the rest of his family, his girlfriend, and his dog.
Cooper's mom tries to kill him by throwing him down a well where there is a 200 year old blood crazed monster dwelling at the bottom. He manages to escape, but no he can hear the monster's voice in his head. Somehow he must kill the monster before it kills him - and the rest of his family, his girlfriend, and his dog.
August 3, 2009
More hilarity than horror here (unintentional, I think). Creature at bottom of well covets the life of a 15-year-old boy so he can walk the earth again (and not be all wet, like the book). Too long. Too everything.
August 13, 2009
Quick fun read, but repetitious and too many product placements and long winded analogies. Predictable plot, with weak character development. I would recommend this for those freshman in highschool, but not for adults. It reads like a horror flick.
Eric
Eric
August 14, 2010
I thought this book sounded interesting so I gave it a try, but I kept skipping through most of the book. There wasn't really anything there to keep satisfied. I did like the story, I thought it was a very original idea, but it could have been better, much better.
January 19, 2017
This book is a very interesting book if you are really into suspense and cliff hangers. It'll keep you with a open mouth every chapter that goes by. The story line is very clear. The suspense and the scary aspects really tie the book together.
June 7, 2009
Very intense.
October 27, 2009
Good read for middle school kiddos who like suspense. The ending leaves it open for a possible sequel.
Want to read
April 18, 2010looks creepy and good :)
October 12, 2010
Creepy horror. Ties to Shakespeare's Hamlet. Written by teen/adult writing duo.
Read
October 19, 2010Excellent horror/mystery that will especially appeal to reluctant readers.
July 9, 2012
thrilling
May 26, 2014
Ok. I just remember that this book scared the bejeebies out of me.
March 20, 2013
This book made me want to read more. It was an amazing book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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