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Tales From Cabin 23 #2
Night of the Living Head
Few campers at Camp Apple Hill Farm have found the mysterious cabin rumored to be hidden deep in the woods—but those who have whisper of a mysterious woman who tells tales of horrors beyond imagination. Are you brave enough to visit Cabin 23?
Twelve-year-old Alia has always had the worst luck. Whether it’s her parents moving her all the way from Kuala Lumpur to a tiny village or her shoes constantly coming untied, Alia can’t help but feel as if the universe has it out for her.
To top it all off, her estranged older sister, Ayu, has just reappeared in their lives after years away. Alia’s parents are delighted, but Alia is not so sure. She remembers the fights, the tears, the pain her sister caused and knows this is just another case of bad luck following her around.
Then Alia’s school fills with rumors of a horrifying creature spotted flying in the night sky. And Alia realizes that perhaps it’s not just her bad luck this time—but something more sinister is lying just under the surface of her town…and it’s up to Alia to put an end to it for once and for all.
And don't miss the first book in the Tales from Cabin 23 series: The Boo Hag Flex!
Twelve-year-old Alia has always had the worst luck. Whether it’s her parents moving her all the way from Kuala Lumpur to a tiny village or her shoes constantly coming untied, Alia can’t help but feel as if the universe has it out for her.
To top it all off, her estranged older sister, Ayu, has just reappeared in their lives after years away. Alia’s parents are delighted, but Alia is not so sure. She remembers the fights, the tears, the pain her sister caused and knows this is just another case of bad luck following her around.
Then Alia’s school fills with rumors of a horrifying creature spotted flying in the night sky. And Alia realizes that perhaps it’s not just her bad luck this time—but something more sinister is lying just under the surface of her town…and it’s up to Alia to put an end to it for once and for all.
And don't miss the first book in the Tales from Cabin 23 series: The Boo Hag Flex!
224 pages, Hardcover
First published August 27, 2024
2 people are currently reading
2313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 19, 2024
trigger warning
Alia thinks herself to be a very unlucky person, and maybe it's because she was born on a friday the 13th. However, she had not expected what would happen when her estranged sister turns up again...
Again: A person in summer camp stumbles upon Cabin 23, meets a witch, who apparently feeds on the fear people experience. So she tells children ghost stories.
This one is set in Malaysia, and features Malaysian mythology, which is always fun to read about. Weird things are happening, and Alia is trying to ignore them and get by. But when her sister returns and starts to live with them again, all points to her being the source for all this. She has no friends to talk with about this, she has no evidence that would make her academic-parents believe her. So what is she supposed to do?
Never heard about penanggalan before, and the story got proper creepy fast. Due to the atmosphere, I think older readers will enjoy this one as much as the target audience.
If the quality of this series keeps up, I would like to read more.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
Alia thinks herself to be a very unlucky person, and maybe it's because she was born on a friday the 13th. However, she had not expected what would happen when her estranged sister turns up again...
Again: A person in summer camp stumbles upon Cabin 23, meets a witch, who apparently feeds on the fear people experience. So she tells children ghost stories.
This one is set in Malaysia, and features Malaysian mythology, which is always fun to read about. Weird things are happening, and Alia is trying to ignore them and get by. But when her sister returns and starts to live with them again, all points to her being the source for all this. She has no friends to talk with about this, she has no evidence that would make her academic-parents believe her. So what is she supposed to do?
Never heard about penanggalan before, and the story got proper creepy fast. Due to the atmosphere, I think older readers will enjoy this one as much as the target audience.
If the quality of this series keeps up, I would like to read more.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
February 16, 2025
rep: malaysian
melur went to summer camp and heard a ghost story about a witch in cabin 23—anyone who enters never returns. naturally, she was dared to go inside. to her horror, the witch welcomed her in and began telling her a story about alia.
alia was born on friday the thirteenth, which made her believe she was cursed. turning twelve in a new town after her father’s job transfer, she couldn’t shake the eerie feeling of being watched. then, one day after school, she came home to find her older sister, ayu, back after disappearing years ago. but something about ayu didn’t feel right.
alia never understood why her sister left in the first place, and now she doesn’t understand why their parents are acting like everything is normal. while they expect her to welcome ayu with open arms, alia is consumed by suspicion. with strange things happening around the family, she becomes determined to uncover the truth—no matter how terrifying it might be, both literally and figuratively.
at its core, the story explores family bonds and sibling relationships. alia, despite being young, has a strong sense of love and protectiveness toward her family. her biggest concern is making sure her parents don’t get hurt again. watching her and ayu mend their fractured relationship by the end was heartwarming—because no matter how old you are, it’s always comforting to know there are people in your corner.
also, the use of milo as the witch’s welcome beverage? genius. it perfectly fit the setting. i listened to the audiobook, and the narrator’s malaysian accent and cadence made the experience even better.
this was freaking scary.
melur went to summer camp and heard a ghost story about a witch in cabin 23—anyone who enters never returns. naturally, she was dared to go inside. to her horror, the witch welcomed her in and began telling her a story about alia.
alia was born on friday the thirteenth, which made her believe she was cursed. turning twelve in a new town after her father’s job transfer, she couldn’t shake the eerie feeling of being watched. then, one day after school, she came home to find her older sister, ayu, back after disappearing years ago. but something about ayu didn’t feel right.
alia never understood why her sister left in the first place, and now she doesn’t understand why their parents are acting like everything is normal. while they expect her to welcome ayu with open arms, alia is consumed by suspicion. with strange things happening around the family, she becomes determined to uncover the truth—no matter how terrifying it might be, both literally and figuratively.
at its core, the story explores family bonds and sibling relationships. alia, despite being young, has a strong sense of love and protectiveness toward her family. her biggest concern is making sure her parents don’t get hurt again. watching her and ayu mend their fractured relationship by the end was heartwarming—because no matter how old you are, it’s always comforting to know there are people in your corner.
also, the use of milo as the witch’s welcome beverage? genius. it perfectly fit the setting. i listened to the audiobook, and the narrator’s malaysian accent and cadence made the experience even better.
this was freaking scary.
January 23, 2025
If you’re into spooky stories, Tales from Cabin 23 is right up your alley! The story takes place in a small Malaysian town, where Alia caught up in some seriously scary stuff involving a horrifying creature flying in the night after her sister reappeared starting to live with them after years away.
The mix of Malaysian vibes and chilling folklore keeps things fresh and super creepy for me. There’s just enough gore to make me squirm, but not so much that I wanted to toss the book.
Fast-paced and just good amount of spooky for young readers. This is the perfect read if you love a good scare.
The mix of Malaysian vibes and chilling folklore keeps things fresh and super creepy for me. There’s just enough gore to make me squirm, but not so much that I wanted to toss the book.
Fast-paced and just good amount of spooky for young readers. This is the perfect read if you love a good scare.
April 13, 2024
Tales from Cabin 23 is part of a series. In this book, the story is told that a cabin is nestled in the woods at a wilderness camp and once challenged to go find it, the seeker never returns. The story begins and ends here, but the bulk of the story takes place in a small town in Malaysia featuring Alia and her sister Ayu. This is a spooky tale featuring a wendigo that takes babies and little kids. I think teens will really enjoy this book and it has enough scary bits and gore to make it a big hit.
Thank you #netgalley #harpercollins for the ARC of #TalesfromCabin23NightoftheLivingHead
Thank you #netgalley #harpercollins for the ARC of #TalesfromCabin23NightoftheLivingHead
May 19, 2024
The next in the Cabin 23 series, where a mysterious old woman tells horror stories to children who stumble across her cabin. This one featured a story about Alia, who is convinced her sister is a monster when her sister returns after years away.
This gave me Goosebumps vibes! I think it took a little to get into the story but then it was pretty enjoyable. Definitely spooky though!
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This gave me Goosebumps vibes! I think it took a little to get into the story but then it was pretty enjoyable. Definitely spooky though!
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2024
3.5⭐
R. L. Stine's Goosebumps and the lesser known Ghosts of Fear Street series were some of my favourites back when I was a kid and it was the first thing that came to mind when I laid eyes on the cover of this book. Having read this, I can say that it was way scarier than I remember any Goosebumps book being. If you have a vivid imagination that plays the story out in your mind like a video, you might want to avoid reading this at night 😅
Twelve-year-old Alia is sure she has been cursed with the worst luck, starting all the way from the day she was born on the thirteenth of Friday. Now her parents have moved the family from the very happening Kuala Lumpur to the tiny village where they lived when Alia was younger. To complicate things, her estranged older sister, Ayu, has returned home after many years away and Alia can't help feeling there is something suspicious about her. The more she investigates, the more disturbing the evidence she unearths. But how to convince her parents?
I can't remember R. L. Stine's books all that well now but I felt like the writing was far superior in this book, if we're going to be comparing. Like I said, the scary factor is also quite high, probably because the descriptions are done so well. It was refreshing to read a middle grade book in this genre with an Asian setting, seeped in Malaysian folklore and with characters who I could relate more to. I would have loved this kind of representation in books when I was younger.
The pacing was a little too slow in the middle; the story tended to be repetitive and I felt like I was just waiting for it to get to the point, but maybe that wouldn't matter so much to a younger reader? The ending of Alia's story was also rushed after all that build-up. But it was still an interesting story and Alia a well written protagonist whose thoughts and fears were depicted so well you'd feel like you were right there with her.
R. L. Stine's Goosebumps and the lesser known Ghosts of Fear Street series were some of my favourites back when I was a kid and it was the first thing that came to mind when I laid eyes on the cover of this book. Having read this, I can say that it was way scarier than I remember any Goosebumps book being. If you have a vivid imagination that plays the story out in your mind like a video, you might want to avoid reading this at night 😅
Twelve-year-old Alia is sure she has been cursed with the worst luck, starting all the way from the day she was born on the thirteenth of Friday. Now her parents have moved the family from the very happening Kuala Lumpur to the tiny village where they lived when Alia was younger. To complicate things, her estranged older sister, Ayu, has returned home after many years away and Alia can't help feeling there is something suspicious about her. The more she investigates, the more disturbing the evidence she unearths. But how to convince her parents?
I can't remember R. L. Stine's books all that well now but I felt like the writing was far superior in this book, if we're going to be comparing. Like I said, the scary factor is also quite high, probably because the descriptions are done so well. It was refreshing to read a middle grade book in this genre with an Asian setting, seeped in Malaysian folklore and with characters who I could relate more to. I would have loved this kind of representation in books when I was younger.
The pacing was a little too slow in the middle; the story tended to be repetitive and I felt like I was just waiting for it to get to the point, but maybe that wouldn't matter so much to a younger reader? The ending of Alia's story was also rushed after all that build-up. But it was still an interesting story and Alia a well written protagonist whose thoughts and fears were depicted so well you'd feel like you were right there with her.
April 27, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Melur, who lives in Malaysia, desperately wanted to attend Camp Apple Tree Farm in the US, and manages to talk her mother into this by suggesting her camping experience ties in with visiting a cousin in New York. Camp isn't exactly what she wanted, however, and she finds herself wandering in the woods as the "dare" portion of a truth or dare game with her cabin mates. She is creeped out by the experience, and sure enough, comes across the witch's cabin. She is invited in, and the witch tells her this harrowing tale.
Alia's family has moved from Kuala Lumpur to rural Negeri Sembilan for her father's new job as a university professor. His specialty is Nusantara culture and the Malay shadow theater, so he has a large collection of puppets in the home. Alia, who has always been haunted by her own bad luck, having been born on Friday the 13th, often feels a creepy presence around her. When she returns home from school one day to find her older sister, Ayu, waiting for her with a birthday present, she is apprehensive. Ayu, who is nine years old, left home years ago because she didn't get along with their parents. Why is she back? Ayu gives off not only a creepy vibe, but an odd, sour smell that Alia dislikes intensely. Strange things happen at school as well, and Alia and her friends start to realize that perhaps Ayu is really a penanggalan. These creatures are able to take off their heads and fly around without their bodies, killing and eating babies and small children. They their innards in vinegar so they shrink and fit back into their bodies. At one point, Alia thinks that Ayu's head is turned the wrong way on her body, but her parents reassure her that's she's just imagineing things. As the situation both at home and school gets stranger, with Alia being accused of messing up her mother and father's possessions, Alia decides to try to investigate. She pretends to be sick and sends Ayu out to get her food. She finds trinkets in Ayu's suitcase that look like they may belong to missing children who have been on the news. When she confronts her parents, she finds out that they know that Ayu is a penanggalan, but claim she is not evil. After the paint on the walls bubbles, and the house itself tries to warn Alia about Ayu, she's not so sure. Her mother and father, as well as her friends and most of the town, are possessed as well. Ayu tells her that the monsters are doing this for fun, and that she has tried to fight against her monster tendencies. It's not enough; the fact that Ayu is trying to exist in our realm means that she has essentially opened the door to other spirits. Will Alia be able to save her family? And what does this story mean to Melur?
Strengths: Having your parents and friends possessed by monsters would certainly be a scary thing, and the suspense that builds as Alia realizes what is going on with her sister will keep readers on the edge of their seat. There is some friend drama at school as well, so Alia has a lot to navigate. The father's interest in puppetry is intriguing, and I wish that we had heard a whole lot more about that; I somehow thought that the sister would animate one of the puppet heads, but there wasn't anything like that, which was a shame! Possessed puppets are pretty petrifying! (Anyone else's brother have a Charlie McCarthy dummy? I was sure that was not a safe toy!)
Weaknesses: I had the same quibble with Ireland's The Boo Hag Flex; while the camp sounds vaguely intriguing, it's not really necessary for the main story, and we don't spend enough time there for it to really make much of an impression. I suppose the publisher thought a series would do better, so wanted a connection, but it's really not necessary. The Creepover books are all stand alones, and my students will still read lots of them.
What I really think: This series has some interesting monsters that are different from the run-of-the-mill US ghosts. The sibling who is possessed is older; in both Bourne's Nightmare Island and Oh's Spirit Hunters, it's the younger brother who has this problem. I'm definitely purchasing this for fans of Night's Creepover series and the Scholastic Poison Apple books.
I would like to see glossaries of terms that are not in English; there were several that I wrote down, but by the time I looked them up, I'd lost the context. My students will probably just look the words up on their phones, but it would be nice to be able to flip to the back of the book and find them. I understand why the terms aren't defined, though.
Melur, who lives in Malaysia, desperately wanted to attend Camp Apple Tree Farm in the US, and manages to talk her mother into this by suggesting her camping experience ties in with visiting a cousin in New York. Camp isn't exactly what she wanted, however, and she finds herself wandering in the woods as the "dare" portion of a truth or dare game with her cabin mates. She is creeped out by the experience, and sure enough, comes across the witch's cabin. She is invited in, and the witch tells her this harrowing tale.
Alia's family has moved from Kuala Lumpur to rural Negeri Sembilan for her father's new job as a university professor. His specialty is Nusantara culture and the Malay shadow theater, so he has a large collection of puppets in the home. Alia, who has always been haunted by her own bad luck, having been born on Friday the 13th, often feels a creepy presence around her. When she returns home from school one day to find her older sister, Ayu, waiting for her with a birthday present, she is apprehensive. Ayu, who is nine years old, left home years ago because she didn't get along with their parents. Why is she back? Ayu gives off not only a creepy vibe, but an odd, sour smell that Alia dislikes intensely. Strange things happen at school as well, and Alia and her friends start to realize that perhaps Ayu is really a penanggalan. These creatures are able to take off their heads and fly around without their bodies, killing and eating babies and small children. They their innards in vinegar so they shrink and fit back into their bodies. At one point, Alia thinks that Ayu's head is turned the wrong way on her body, but her parents reassure her that's she's just imagineing things. As the situation both at home and school gets stranger, with Alia being accused of messing up her mother and father's possessions, Alia decides to try to investigate. She pretends to be sick and sends Ayu out to get her food. She finds trinkets in Ayu's suitcase that look like they may belong to missing children who have been on the news. When she confronts her parents, she finds out that they know that Ayu is a penanggalan, but claim she is not evil. After the paint on the walls bubbles, and the house itself tries to warn Alia about Ayu, she's not so sure. Her mother and father, as well as her friends and most of the town, are possessed as well. Ayu tells her that the monsters are doing this for fun, and that she has tried to fight against her monster tendencies. It's not enough; the fact that Ayu is trying to exist in our realm means that she has essentially opened the door to other spirits. Will Alia be able to save her family? And what does this story mean to Melur?
Strengths: Having your parents and friends possessed by monsters would certainly be a scary thing, and the suspense that builds as Alia realizes what is going on with her sister will keep readers on the edge of their seat. There is some friend drama at school as well, so Alia has a lot to navigate. The father's interest in puppetry is intriguing, and I wish that we had heard a whole lot more about that; I somehow thought that the sister would animate one of the puppet heads, but there wasn't anything like that, which was a shame! Possessed puppets are pretty petrifying! (Anyone else's brother have a Charlie McCarthy dummy? I was sure that was not a safe toy!)
Weaknesses: I had the same quibble with Ireland's The Boo Hag Flex; while the camp sounds vaguely intriguing, it's not really necessary for the main story, and we don't spend enough time there for it to really make much of an impression. I suppose the publisher thought a series would do better, so wanted a connection, but it's really not necessary. The Creepover books are all stand alones, and my students will still read lots of them.
What I really think: This series has some interesting monsters that are different from the run-of-the-mill US ghosts. The sibling who is possessed is older; in both Bourne's Nightmare Island and Oh's Spirit Hunters, it's the younger brother who has this problem. I'm definitely purchasing this for fans of Night's Creepover series and the Scholastic Poison Apple books.
I would like to see glossaries of terms that are not in English; there were several that I wrote down, but by the time I looked them up, I'd lost the context. My students will probably just look the words up on their phones, but it would be nice to be able to flip to the back of the book and find them. I understand why the terms aren't defined, though.
November 25, 2024
In the second outing for this intriguing middle grade horror series, the focus is on a story within a story featuring two girls of Malay heritage. The frame story involves Malur, who has been sent to Camp Apple Hill for the summer. She’s struggling with homesickness and feeling like an outcast because she’s different from the other girls due to being from another country and being Muslim. When she goes to Cabin 23 on a dare, she encounters a scary woman who likes to tell even scarier stories, and she is not able to leave until she hears the tale. The story she tells is about Alia, a girl whose family moved her to a small village from Kuala Lumpur. She can’t seem to shake her bad luck. And her older sister who has been gone for years returns. Alia suspects her sister isn’t what she seems, especially when there is a hideous creature flying around their village, terrifying others. Things only seem to get worse, and Alia finds herself in the role of investigating the monster and her sister as things spiral out of control.
This book definitely delivers on scares, but it also has heart, too. Alia is at the age where she is struggling to find her identity as a person, and having trouble relating to her parents, despite how much they love each other. When her estranged older sister Aya comes back and seems to do everything right (ingratiating herself back into the family so easily), when she doesn’t, it only adds to her feelings of insecurity, especially as Alia can’t trust her. Not just because of her odd behavior, but also because her sister abandoned her.
I love folklore and legends from all over the world, so it was great to have Malay folklore as the focal point of the novel. The use of the penanggalan vampire is so creepy. This creature detaches its head from the rest of the body and flies around to feed on victims, its intestines trailing behind it. Just the descriptions of this creature, including the sites, sounds and smells is enough to send chills down the spine. It was just gory enough to keep things interesting and scary enough for kids who can handle a little more gruesome and scary in their stories.
I liked that there was something more behind this story that takes things to another level. The message about the power of family and love, and acceptance of others' differences, along with one’s own, makes this multi-layered story in addition to the scary/horror elements. I really appreciate this series, with its multicultural and diverse characters and storylines, along with solid horror storytelling, and I already pre-ordered book three.
This book definitely delivers on scares, but it also has heart, too. Alia is at the age where she is struggling to find her identity as a person, and having trouble relating to her parents, despite how much they love each other. When her estranged older sister Aya comes back and seems to do everything right (ingratiating herself back into the family so easily), when she doesn’t, it only adds to her feelings of insecurity, especially as Alia can’t trust her. Not just because of her odd behavior, but also because her sister abandoned her.
I love folklore and legends from all over the world, so it was great to have Malay folklore as the focal point of the novel. The use of the penanggalan vampire is so creepy. This creature detaches its head from the rest of the body and flies around to feed on victims, its intestines trailing behind it. Just the descriptions of this creature, including the sites, sounds and smells is enough to send chills down the spine. It was just gory enough to keep things interesting and scary enough for kids who can handle a little more gruesome and scary in their stories.
I liked that there was something more behind this story that takes things to another level. The message about the power of family and love, and acceptance of others' differences, along with one’s own, makes this multi-layered story in addition to the scary/horror elements. I really appreciate this series, with its multicultural and diverse characters and storylines, along with solid horror storytelling, and I already pre-ordered book three.
September 8, 2024
Book 2 from the Tales From Cabin 23 MG scary series by @hannaalkaf out now!
🇲🇾
Alia has the worst luck of anyone she knows. She’s been uprooted from bustling Kuala Lumpur to a sleepy village, her shoes are always untied and she knows the universe is out to get her. When her estranged older sister, Ayu, returns after a long absence, Alia knows this will only add to her bad luck. When eerie rumors of a terrifying creature flying through the night sky begin to circulate at school, Alia begins to suspect that her bad luck might be masking something more sinister. Determined to solve this mystery, Alia embarks on a quest to confront the dark forces shadowing her town.
🇲🇾
I loved that this book was set in Malaysia. We need more representation from countries all around the world for our kids to read and learn about. It also includes a good amount of Malaysian mythology, which I’ve never read before. This is a great #novel for spooky season or any time!
CW: gore, bullying, being possessed
🇲🇾
Alia has the worst luck of anyone she knows. She’s been uprooted from bustling Kuala Lumpur to a sleepy village, her shoes are always untied and she knows the universe is out to get her. When her estranged older sister, Ayu, returns after a long absence, Alia knows this will only add to her bad luck. When eerie rumors of a terrifying creature flying through the night sky begin to circulate at school, Alia begins to suspect that her bad luck might be masking something more sinister. Determined to solve this mystery, Alia embarks on a quest to confront the dark forces shadowing her town.
🇲🇾
I loved that this book was set in Malaysia. We need more representation from countries all around the world for our kids to read and learn about. It also includes a good amount of Malaysian mythology, which I’ve never read before. This is a great #novel for spooky season or any time!
CW: gore, bullying, being possessed
April 22, 2025
I really LOVE this book. First, I really like that this is about a girl who is like me - Muslim and from the same culture. It is also so interesting because it is full of surprises, which keeps you extremely entertained. It is almost like watching a movie. The theme of this book is: people can change so give them a second chance.
This story is about a girl named Alia. When her sister comes back home a lot of bad things keep happening. Her sister seems to cause the problems and fights in their home. This made Alia hate her sister. After awhile, Alia discovers (spoiler alert!) that her sister has been possessed by a Jinn. (A Jinn is a ghost or devil.) Once Alia learns what is going on, she is able to forgive her sister and they grow very close. When Alia's sister moves, she leaves an important message: Do not forget me. I highly recommend this book to everyone. (review by Layla, 5th grade)
This story is about a girl named Alia. When her sister comes back home a lot of bad things keep happening. Her sister seems to cause the problems and fights in their home. This made Alia hate her sister. After awhile, Alia discovers (spoiler alert!) that her sister has been possessed by a Jinn. (A Jinn is a ghost or devil.) Once Alia learns what is going on, she is able to forgive her sister and they grow very close. When Alia's sister moves, she leaves an important message: Do not forget me. I highly recommend this book to everyone. (review by Layla, 5th grade)
September 28, 2024
Well, that was disappointing.
For one thing, the pacing is off (however, I fully admit this might be because I am 20 years over the target audience). But worse than the pacing, is the baffling decisions that the parents make? I can't get into too much without heading into spoilers, but nothing the parents do make sense. Furthermore, the fact that everyone is mad at Alia for not automatically welcoming her sister back home with open arms, drove me insane. Did no one stop to think that maybe Alia had mixed feelings about her return, that she was hurt when her sister left suddenly? She makes a comment to her sister about being gone for most of her life, and the sister is just like, "You don't want me to be your enemy." Cool. Awesome. Glad everyone took a moment to try to see things from the other person's point of view.
And the epilogue.... what...?
For one thing, the pacing is off (however, I fully admit this might be because I am 20 years over the target audience). But worse than the pacing, is the baffling decisions that the parents make? I can't get into too much without heading into spoilers, but nothing the parents do make sense. Furthermore, the fact that everyone is mad at Alia for not automatically welcoming her sister back home with open arms, drove me insane. Did no one stop to think that maybe Alia had mixed feelings about her return, that she was hurt when her sister left suddenly? She makes a comment to her sister about being gone for most of her life, and the sister is just like, "You don't want me to be your enemy." Cool. Awesome. Glad everyone took a moment to try to see things from the other person's point of view.
And the epilogue.... what...?
February 1, 2025
While this book does not feature the strongest writing, it does tell a twisting and suspenseful story with strong Malaysian representation.
Alia is an unlucky schoolgirl who is haunted by whooshing sounds around her and feeling like she is being watched. When her estranged older sister, Ayu returns home, Alia's luck changes in ways that could only be explained by the supernatural.
Readers will take a deep dive into Malaysia's culture of monsters as Alia tries to understand how her sister is connected to the strange happenings around town. The book also explores the feelings of hopelessness, anger, and resentment as the sisters come to terms with their broken past.
Would recommend to a 4-6th grader who wants something suspenseful and scary.
C.D.
Teen Librarian
Alia is an unlucky schoolgirl who is haunted by whooshing sounds around her and feeling like she is being watched. When her estranged older sister, Ayu returns home, Alia's luck changes in ways that could only be explained by the supernatural.
Readers will take a deep dive into Malaysia's culture of monsters as Alia tries to understand how her sister is connected to the strange happenings around town. The book also explores the feelings of hopelessness, anger, and resentment as the sisters come to terms with their broken past.
Would recommend to a 4-6th grader who wants something suspenseful and scary.
C.D.
Teen Librarian
September 10, 2024
Tales from Cabin 23: Night of the Living Dead by Hanna Alkaf is a story of unveiling the truth, family, sacrifice and Malaysian ghosts. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I was surprised that it ended up being wholesome.
I mean, this author is capable of writing anything and I'd totally devour it. I love the mystery, creepy and spooky aspects in this book with just the right amount of scary for someone who rarely reads horror.
The mystery was a bit predictable to me but doesn't hinder enough to not make me enjoy it. I love that this book focuses on family and helping each other.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend you to read it.
I mean, this author is capable of writing anything and I'd totally devour it. I love the mystery, creepy and spooky aspects in this book with just the right amount of scary for someone who rarely reads horror.
The mystery was a bit predictable to me but doesn't hinder enough to not make me enjoy it. I love that this book focuses on family and helping each other.
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend you to read it.
August 31, 2024
4.5
Malaysian lore and mythology with a terrible creature that can detach her head than kidnap and feed on children, or so Alia heard. Something evil is nearer than she thinks, but maybe not where she thinks.
Her older sister has returned, and things have gone badly since the start. Alia has a friend at school who believes her, but no one else seems to.
The plot twist at the end was fun. It's a dark tale with some scenes that are well described, making it easy to visualize. It's a spooky series for those who love a darker tale. I liked the first best, but this one was also fun to read.
Malaysian lore and mythology with a terrible creature that can detach her head than kidnap and feed on children, or so Alia heard. Something evil is nearer than she thinks, but maybe not where she thinks.
Her older sister has returned, and things have gone badly since the start. Alia has a friend at school who believes her, but no one else seems to.
The plot twist at the end was fun. It's a dark tale with some scenes that are well described, making it easy to visualize. It's a spooky series for those who love a darker tale. I liked the first best, but this one was also fun to read.
November 9, 2025
I am really enjoying this series of spooky books. Cabin 23 provides kids with creepy mythology from around the world which I personally had no idea about! I had no idea about what a penanggalan was before this book.
I also really enjoy how this story brings in actual hardships that children might be facing in the real world including bullying and family/sibling hardships.
Again the story within a story gave me the Are You Afraid of the Dark vibes. And it shows kids that you can't always expect a happy ending!
I also really enjoy how this story brings in actual hardships that children might be facing in the real world including bullying and family/sibling hardships.
Again the story within a story gave me the Are You Afraid of the Dark vibes. And it shows kids that you can't always expect a happy ending!
August 29, 2024
This is the second book in the Tales From Cabin 23 series and it is proper scary. The creepiness goes hand in hand with regular growing pains that are relatable to a lot of folks. The series is also amazing because it immerses you in a different culture. I look forward to more entries in this unique series.
October 14, 2024
Between 3.25 and 3.5. I felt the revelation between the penanggalan’s reveal and everything that follows would have benefited from a neater tie-in. I don’t know, it felt like there was too much going on at first, until the explanation of the penanggalan coming from darkness. If she roams free, so does chaos.
The ending is bittersweet.
The ending is bittersweet.
December 3, 2024
In this series installment we meet Alia, recently returned to Kuala Lumpur and has to deal with her bad luck and her estranged older sister popping back into her life. When a monster starts being spotted around town, Alia feels like maybe it's closer to home than she'd like. This is not only a spooky tale, but also about family, love and being true to yourself.
September 9, 2024
What an amazingly well written scary joyride of a story that I got to read and enjoy with my 9 year old granddaughter. We had so much fun, but beware, she did have trouble falling asleep. She loved it so much that she is currently rereading it on her own.
October 16, 2024
“Just because you don’t believe in them, doesn’t mean they don’t believe in you.”
i am twenty-seven years old. i swear i am a semi-functional adult.
but,
this book scared the crap out of me.
September 19, 2025
I love the bookend format. There was some truly gruesome imagery and haunting themes at work here that make it a standout. I also feel a little more educated all around with the snapshot of culture and superstition this book has to offer.
October 2, 2024
Spooky, but weirdly heartwarming.
October 7, 2024
It was a good read.
October 17, 2024
So Damn Fun!! Recommended.
Read
January 12, 2025So spooky! Balances humour with horror. Love this series
April 26, 2025
enjoy this series
January 7, 2025
While this book does not feature the strongest writing, it does tell a twisting and suspenseful story with strong Malaysian representation. Alia is an unlucky schoolgirl who is haunted by whooshing sounds around her and feeling like she is being watched. When her estranged older sister, Ayu returns home, Alia's luck changes in ways that could only be explained by the supernatural. Readers will take a deep dive into Malaysia's culture of monsters as Alia tries to understand how her sister is connected to the strange happenings around town. The book also explores the feelings of hopelessness, anger, and resentment as the sisters come to terms with their broken past. Would recommend to a 4-6th grader who wants something suspenseful and scary.
November 14, 2024
I really liked this book because Hanna Alkaf explores the themes of family and trust in the short journey of our main character and the haunting discovery of her older sister's condition. It's not just meant to be a good spooky story for Halloween; it's also depicting the 'ghost' in a different light. Not something to be feared, but to be understood.
Some parts of this book are relatable, coming from someone who grew up in a Malay household. And of course I'm familiar with the spirits and their stereotypes that my own race stipulates against them. I quite like the ending too. Overall just a nice, haunting read for any age group looking for a dash of Malaysian horror in a middle grade book!
Some parts of this book are relatable, coming from someone who grew up in a Malay household. And of course I'm familiar with the spirits and their stereotypes that my own race stipulates against them. I quite like the ending too. Overall just a nice, haunting read for any age group looking for a dash of Malaysian horror in a middle grade book!
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