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Deathling Chronicles #1
All The Dead Things
A boy fleeing for his life. A dead girl leading a rebellion. Time is running out to save the world of the living.
Hunted by the deathlings, ghosts that only he can see, Stan flees through London’s streets. Scared and alone in an unknown city, he doesn't know who he can trust, until he meets Gabby, a ghost leading a revolt against the deathlings' master.
The deathlings believe Stan is the Seer, a human destined to be their doom. They'll stop at nothing in their pursuit of him, even breaking time itself. Now Stan must find his way to the truth, before the deathlings steal his soul. If he fails, they'll be free to destroy the balance between the worlds of the living and the dead forever.
If you liked Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, The Graveyard Book, or Skullduggery Pleasant, then you’ll love All The Dead Things, book one of the Deathlings Chronicles.
Hunted by the deathlings, ghosts that only he can see, Stan flees through London’s streets. Scared and alone in an unknown city, he doesn't know who he can trust, until he meets Gabby, a ghost leading a revolt against the deathlings' master.
The deathlings believe Stan is the Seer, a human destined to be their doom. They'll stop at nothing in their pursuit of him, even breaking time itself. Now Stan must find his way to the truth, before the deathlings steal his soul. If he fails, they'll be free to destroy the balance between the worlds of the living and the dead forever.
If you liked Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, The Graveyard Book, or Skullduggery Pleasant, then you’ll love All The Dead Things, book one of the Deathlings Chronicles.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2013
19 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Simon Paul Woodward
9 books68 followersSimon Paul Woodward writes horror, science-fiction and dark-fantasy for adults and young adults. He lives just south of London (London, England that is … not one of the 10 Londons in the USA, London Kiribati or 8837-London, which is an asteroid). It’s best to be precise about these things.
Before he didn’t live on an asteroid, he was born in the Midlands, studied in the North and relocated to the South. His accent is a bit of a mess.
He loves Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker, Michael Marshall Smith, David Mitchell, Patrick Ness, China Mieville, The Flaming Lips, Elbow, Ennio Morricone, Sergio Leone, David Lynch, David Lean, Johnny Marr, Max Richter, football and running, gin and bagels... but believes marzipan was created by the Devil (after he finished spawning brussel sprouts).
You can visit him at www.simonpaulwoodward.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 11, 2018
What a ride!
All the Dead Things had me hooked right away! This kid sees monsters starting from the age of 3. He and his mom move constantly because if he sees them, they move. He pretends he doesn't see them to the monsters. He ignores them. He goes to a shrink although he knows they are real. The story really starts when he is 13 and things suddenly come to a certain point! Very exciting! The monsters are Deathlings and they are after him...
All the Dead Things had me hooked right away! This kid sees monsters starting from the age of 3. He and his mom move constantly because if he sees them, they move. He pretends he doesn't see them to the monsters. He ignores them. He goes to a shrink although he knows they are real. The story really starts when he is 13 and things suddenly come to a certain point! Very exciting! The monsters are Deathlings and they are after him...
April 6, 2014
All The Dead Things by Simon Paul Woodward is a novel that male and female young adults (as well as adults) will appreciate. The book cover caught my eye and the story kept my interest. Thirteen-year-old Stan Wisdom is different. He has one friend; an eccentric girl named Kalina, a mother who wears wigs & other disguises & who forces him to move from one flat to another, he meets with a counselor weekly, and he sees monsters. He's learned to pretend that he can't see the monsters until Tuesday, April 12 repeats over and over. Now he's the only person stuck in limbo & the only person who can communicate with monsters. Stan befriends a monster named Gabby, and a few other rebel monsters, who explain that he's the only person who can save the human race. He must join forces with the rebel monsters & overthrow Sergeant Moses; an evil, power hungry monster.
I loved the descriptions of the monsters. Gabby's "skin was grey. She moved into the room on limbs with too many joints, both arms jutting at odd angles. She rocked as she walked and looked at him with blood filled eyes," (34). In fact, one of my favorite parts is when the monsters explain why they look the way they do.
I loved the descriptions of the monsters. Gabby's "skin was grey. She moved into the room on limbs with too many joints, both arms jutting at odd angles. She rocked as she walked and looked at him with blood filled eyes," (34). In fact, one of my favorite parts is when the monsters explain why they look the way they do.
March 28, 2014
I was fascinated with this book just by the title, but the prologue was what really drew me in. This story has an interesting take on monsters and death. I wouldn't necessary say its a scary book to read, but it definitely has a creepy vibe at times. The book has lots of twists and turns with some interesting characters.
This book is a quick read, from the stand point that it will keep your attention and draws you in, making it easy to lose an hour or two in its pages. As for age level, I would personally suggest this for ages 13+. It isn't a difficult read, but some of the subject matter and mild language may be more suitable for this age level or older. Saying that, I think anyone teen or older would like this book. I work with kids and would suggest it to any older kid as a good reading choice. I also look forward to introducing it my children when I have them in the future.
I must say kudos on parts of the story with flash-backs to characters' past lives toward the end. When you read this book, you even get the added bonus of a screenplay written by the main character and his friend in the last few pages. Extras like this always put a smile on my face. This extra little tidbit was a much appreciated reward for reading this fabulous book.
Prepare to join Stan on his adventure, where only he and you will see "All the Dead Things." And yes more books in the future would be much appreciated!
This book is a quick read, from the stand point that it will keep your attention and draws you in, making it easy to lose an hour or two in its pages. As for age level, I would personally suggest this for ages 13+. It isn't a difficult read, but some of the subject matter and mild language may be more suitable for this age level or older. Saying that, I think anyone teen or older would like this book. I work with kids and would suggest it to any older kid as a good reading choice. I also look forward to introducing it my children when I have them in the future.
I must say kudos on parts of the story with flash-backs to characters' past lives toward the end. When you read this book, you even get the added bonus of a screenplay written by the main character and his friend in the last few pages. Extras like this always put a smile on my face. This extra little tidbit was a much appreciated reward for reading this fabulous book.
Prepare to join Stan on his adventure, where only he and you will see "All the Dead Things." And yes more books in the future would be much appreciated!
October 1, 2024
4.5⭐️
This story is about Stan.
Stan sees monsters and they are very real and they are after him…
This was honestly so much fun.
I could see Tim Burton turning this into a series or doing a film. I thought the descriptions of the different types of Deathlings were clever and Burton could definitely do them justice.
This was incredibly well written and the story well rounded.
My only serious gripe is that I felt the story of how Death came to be and why and how he made the Deathlings was a bit rushed. I was left wanting to know more.
All in all I really enjoyed this and am excited to read the second; All The Dead Seas. I heard this one has pirates and I love me some pirates 🥰
This story is about Stan.
Stan sees monsters and they are very real and they are after him…
This was honestly so much fun.
I could see Tim Burton turning this into a series or doing a film. I thought the descriptions of the different types of Deathlings were clever and Burton could definitely do them justice.
This was incredibly well written and the story well rounded.
My only serious gripe is that I felt the story of how Death came to be and why and how he made the Deathlings was a bit rushed. I was left wanting to know more.
All in all I really enjoyed this and am excited to read the second; All The Dead Seas. I heard this one has pirates and I love me some pirates 🥰
December 19, 2020
It's an older childrens' book, really, but very well written, the monsters, I liked the writer's imagination.
April 30, 2014
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Groundhog's Day" meets "Supernatural" in this exciting tale of Death and his minions!
Stan can see monsters. He's been able to do it since he was a toddler, and he saw one kill his father right in front of him. His mom doesn't believe him, of course, and he's been seeing a shrink ever since. That hasn't stopped him from seeing them, though; he's just learned how to ignore them and act "normal" over the years. That is, until this one day where he just snaps after seeing one at the end of the road. He screams at it, and it vanishes; Stan feels like he's accomplished something, after all this time. However, he wakes up the next day to find it's not ACTUALLY the next day; he's stuck in a time loop, and nobody else seems to realize it. How did this happen? And better yet, how does he fix it?
This was such a great story that I read it all in one sitting! I couldn't put it down; I had to know what was going to happen next. It's such an interesting take on the idea of the Grim Reaper, and it had all sorts of wonderful aspects: humor, love, loss, a little horror, members of the kinda-dead, and more. I really hope to read more from this author very soon, and I will be sure to pass along this title to all my friends.
5 stars =)
"Groundhog's Day" meets "Supernatural" in this exciting tale of Death and his minions!
Stan can see monsters. He's been able to do it since he was a toddler, and he saw one kill his father right in front of him. His mom doesn't believe him, of course, and he's been seeing a shrink ever since. That hasn't stopped him from seeing them, though; he's just learned how to ignore them and act "normal" over the years. That is, until this one day where he just snaps after seeing one at the end of the road. He screams at it, and it vanishes; Stan feels like he's accomplished something, after all this time. However, he wakes up the next day to find it's not ACTUALLY the next day; he's stuck in a time loop, and nobody else seems to realize it. How did this happen? And better yet, how does he fix it?
This was such a great story that I read it all in one sitting! I couldn't put it down; I had to know what was going to happen next. It's such an interesting take on the idea of the Grim Reaper, and it had all sorts of wonderful aspects: humor, love, loss, a little horror, members of the kinda-dead, and more. I really hope to read more from this author very soon, and I will be sure to pass along this title to all my friends.
5 stars =)
March 22, 2014
Loved this book, well written, brimming with colourful characters from the macabre to the bizarre I can see author Simon Paul Woodward making a real mark on children's fiction. My son is now reading the book and so far a big thumbs up from him as well.
March 23, 2014
I read it, my son read it and we both give All The Dead Things an easy 5 stars. It is vividly imagined and written in a way that young readers easily relate to. I have a feeling that author Simon Paul Woodward is going to be very popular.
July 26, 2017
Fun escape. Great book for teens, even some tweens. Entertaining and lively, the story moves along at a great pace, and reading the British way of speaking was a treat for this American. Gory, yet not over-the-top. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
March 21, 2014
It's a horror story for children, but I absolutely loved it. Really well written, the author Simon Woodward has got to release more books like this. More monsters please!
June 16, 2020
I enjoyed this story. It was quite a unique story of a child who can see monsters that nobody else can see. As the story unfolds, he learns more about his past and his family. I love that he grows and learns to deal with his gifts along the way. I would definitely read more from this author.
June 30, 2024
Easy read, very entertaining. I would love to see this as either a live action movie or a Tim Burton animated collaboration movie. Maybe even a graphic novel or a short cartoon series.
True score= 4.7 (rounded up to 5). Well worth the read.
True score= 4.7 (rounded up to 5). Well worth the read.
Want to Read
May 6, 2021Thank you Simon Paul Woodward for my free copy of "All the Dead Things!" Looking forward to this one! Review soon to come!
September 17, 2016
I can't even put into words how much I loved this story! It was unlike anything I'd ever read about death and reapers, or as they're called in this story Deathlings. Mr. Woodward took everything we think we know about the afterlife and death aka the Grim Reaper and turns it on its ear. Wildly imaginative, fresh, and faced pace I devoured Stans' story, glued to the books as I waited for him to uncover the secrets hidden from him his entire life.
Bullied because of his weekly trips to the Psychologist, and constantly moving due to his mother's restless nature, Stan's a loner with only one friend to his name. (Granted she's so over the top ,I think she's equal to four people.) From the age of three, Stan's been able to see monsters. His mother insists they're in his head, but he's never agreed. When things begin to change, his life is thrown into a state of chaos and the fate of the world is placed in his hands. I highly recommend this unique read.
Bullied because of his weekly trips to the Psychologist, and constantly moving due to his mother's restless nature, Stan's a loner with only one friend to his name. (Granted she's so over the top ,I think she's equal to four people.) From the age of three, Stan's been able to see monsters. His mother insists they're in his head, but he's never agreed. When things begin to change, his life is thrown into a state of chaos and the fate of the world is placed in his hands. I highly recommend this unique read.
August 5, 2014
All The Dead Things had an interesting premise about a boy who grows up able to see "monsters." These monsters are called deathlings, and each of them has unusual physical attributes. One day he notices these monsters can see him right back.
The premise was intriguing, but the story didn't quite keep my attention. It was written well and if you aren't squeamish about the blood constantly oozing out of one of the crushed deathlings, I think it would be well suited for a younger reader. It wasn't my cup of tea, which certainly wasn't the fault of the author.
The premise was intriguing, but the story didn't quite keep my attention. It was written well and if you aren't squeamish about the blood constantly oozing out of one of the crushed deathlings, I think it would be well suited for a younger reader. It wasn't my cup of tea, which certainly wasn't the fault of the author.
November 19, 2015
This is a great read for adults & young adults alike! It's a magical, well written, relatable book. There was the perfect amount of action, heroism, & all around interesting characters. What an adventure this story was! Reading this book I was able to easily visualize each character & their immediate surroundings. I would highly recommend reading this book!
March 12, 2014
This is a book about monsters...Yes, monsters....once you get your head wrapped around that you can sit back and enjoy. I wouldn't say this is a horror story, more like a monster story for kids but it is a pretty good story which is different than anything I have ever read which is saying a lot.
May 26, 2017
who is your real Dad?
A boy can see dead "darklings". His mother has been keeping them on the run for a long time and then boy finds out he is "special". The plot is not original but I thought the darklings were awesome and the screenplay at the end of the book...funny.
A boy can see dead "darklings". His mother has been keeping them on the run for a long time and then boy finds out he is "special". The plot is not original but I thought the darklings were awesome and the screenplay at the end of the book...funny.
May 5, 2014
Interesting
I loved the book, but it could have done without the cussing though. that was really the only problem with the book.
I loved the book, but it could have done without the cussing though. that was really the only problem with the book.
November 27, 2015
Very interesting take on young adult scifi/horror. I liked it a lot.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews