Jitters

by Chris Harmon

From a scary board game to an evil robot costume to a creepy ice sculpture, listen to this terrifying collection of horror for the ultimate fright! Check out these teens who go on these adventures of terror.

Audible Audio

Published January 10, 2023

Reviews

[Dr. Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spooky collection of 15 horror short stories that will make you sweat and give you lots of anxiety. Highly recommended.

[Bianca Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jitters made me uneasy. Most horror books don’t do that to me. But this one did. At least there were some funny moments. This is a very dynamic book

[Zen Toronto · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorites were The Strange School and Dollface because they were the ones that scared the hell out of me. And also entertaining! As well as the rest of the stories!

[Alex Dornelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: This book will make you uneasy, terrified and you won’t want to put it down. Amazing. I loved every single story. No skips.

[J.C. Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every story in this collection. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you read a scary book that was so disturbing? This is the one for you. That’s all I have to say. Chris Harmon uses genuinely creepy language.

[Christopher Armitage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fantastic book for an 18 year old author. Can’t wait to read more.

[Adam Haris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC and I was very impressed by this book. I enjoyed most of the stories but some fell a little flat but I mostly enjoyed it.

[Andy Krahling · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be honest, it's just not good. Awkward writing, unrealistic dialogue, caricatures for characters. Clearly the author is young and just starting on this journey. Just keep working on your craft, OK?

The cover was really good -- it drew me to the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cassie ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. Here is my honest review:

Honestly I DNF'd this one. It wasn't terrible, just not for me. The target audience seems to be much younger (maybe middle school age?). As I understand, the author is young and so I feel like this collection is a good start.

[johnny ♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

the short stories in “jitters” are definitely for a younger audience. i did not find them scary, only the first one mildly unsettling. it felt more humorous to me, or worthy of a cringe. the author frequently expresses yelling by writing in all caps and extending the vowels to a point where it is just childish and not necessary to get across his point. the stutters add nothing but annoyance to the reader; rather than enhance the story and show the fear a character feels, it just seems half baked and cliche. the stories all involve children, and i think harmon captured the essence of childhood well. however, it feels a bit elementary to me. this is not for adult horror lovers, perhaps it is for children who enjoy scary stories. for me, it felt juvenile and frustrating.

thank you to booksirens and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review from NetGalley.
I’ve read many scary books over the years from YA to adult and this one as others have pointed out is full of grammatical errors and I noticed names wrong in the stories.
The stories were ok and younger children under 10 could appreciate them but then children like to be scared but the stories didn’t gel well.
The book really needs re-editing and a going over due to the errors throughout if those were fixed it would be a great book for young minds

[Dr. Fiona M. Clements-Russell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear. How I really dislike having to leave a negative review of any book, but unfortunately, I find very little choice, with this collection of short stories, "Jitters", from Chris Harmon. I did receive the free ARC to voluntarily review the book honestly, so I feel duty bound to do that.

Firstly, I think that the synopsis of the book itself doesn't make the target audience clear enough - this surely can't have been written as a work for adult readers, despite the extreme profanity used throughout? Whilst I certainly don't have an issue with profanity per se, when used in context in a story, I can only presume the target audience of "Jitters" is for pre-teens - the style is extremely immature, and in short, it comes across in the main as a temper tantrum given full vent, with no discernible storylines, merely excuses to be vulgar and (presumably) sexually 'shocking'. Which it wasn't.

So, sadly, I found it almost unreadable, in terms of lack of any real content, decent or even vaguely believable plotlines and characters, but as I have a personal rule to finish what I start, (and especially as this was an ARC), I did complete the book. However, I was skimming over it long before the end, and wasn't sorry to get through it as quickly as possible. I honestly tried to give these 'stories' a chance, but as most lacked plot, direction, and ANYTHING to engage the reader with, it rapidly merged from being a task to a chore I was just glad to complete.

I'm sure some rebellious pre-teen who thinks repeatedly using four-letter words for kicks will find it amusing, as for any other target readership, I would advise simply giving this a miss. It's certainly not of the style of writing I would direct adult fans of the horror genre, towards, as for me, the only real horror was having to complete reading it.

[Rocio Voncina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Titulo: Jitters
Autor: Chris Harmon
Año publicado: 2023
Motivo de lectura: #NetGalley #ARC
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Fisico / Electronico: Electronico
Mi edicion: -
Idioma: Ingles
Puntuacion: 2/5


Recibi esta ARC a cambio de una reseña honesta. Gracias NetGalley por darme la oportunidad de leer este libro.

Lamento muchisimo esta reseña, pero ante todo me gusta ser absolutamente sincera con mis opiniones. Me costo muchisimo trabajo terminar este libro. Busque tanto en NetGalley como aca para comprobar si este libro estaba clasificado como genero "middle grade", pero en ninguno de lo dos sitios se aclara esto. Y aca comienza mi problema, por un lado si el target de este libro son niños/adolescentes definitivamente este libro seria un 3.5 estrellas. Pero si esto esta orientado a una audiencia adulta, es un gran no.

La trama de todos los cuentos es debil, por momento hasta abrupta. La construccion de personajes es muy pobre, y en una gran mayoria son odiosos, lo cual hace que la empatia no este presente, y por ende lo que ocurra con los personajes no te importa.

Lamentablemente tambien debo decir que muchos cuentos eran aburridos y con falta de sentido.


No Pedrito..no vamos a pedir perdon porque simplemente estamos siendo honestos..


---


I've received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I am very sorry for this review, but I like to be absolutely honest with my opinions. It was really hard for me to finish this book. I searched both NetGalley and Goodreads to see if this book was label as "middle grade", but neither site makes this information clear. And here is where my problem begins, on one hand, if the target of this book is children/adolescents, this book would definitely be a 3.5 star. But if this is target towards an adult audience, that's a big no.

The plot of all the stories is weak, at times even abrupt. The construction of characters is very poor, and mostly of them are hateful, which means that empathy is not present, and therefore you don't care about what happen to them.

I'll also have to say that many stories were boring and lacking in meaning.


No Pedrito..we aren't say sorry just 'cause we're being honest..

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jitters does exactly what the title tells you it's going to do! It's going to give you creepies and crawlies and gross outs and gags. These stories are cute, but some of the descriptive language genuinely did scare me.

The Unwanted Guest
- I read this late one night and was petrified of a knock on my door. I love a character obsessed with horror (like I am) and these characters gave everything I could want and more. You'll love it too, just be careful who gets in......
New Teacher
- Oh this was delightfully wicked! I liked this story surrounding those teachers who are hiding the most nefarious secrets.
The Witch's Spell
- Moral of the story - be kind!! Also super gross language around certain conditions - I liked it!!
The Abandoned House
- This felt very Scary Stories to tell in the dark but genuinely had some creepy language!
The Very Scary Game
- Beware old board games and the places they can take you. Super fun for Jumanji fans!
Dollface
- I love a good twist and this story didn't disappoint. If you wanna be guessing until the last word this is the story for you!
Aliens In My Backyard
- This was a fun story. Very boy who cried wolf but add in some fun lasers.
Attack of the Robot Costume
- The newest RL Stine Haunted Mask!! This story was cute and I loved the twist at the end!
Weekend at Green Lake
- Beware the rising dead from Green Lake! The descriptions in this story really stand out to me!
The Wishing Stick
- Be careful what you wish for finds it's truest meaning in this story! 😈
Back to 1942
- Being thankful for the life you have is the theme of this story. And it has just enough bite to create a lasting impression.
Don't Break the Ice
- The title alone can tell you the basics of this story. However, when reading this I had to curl up under a blanket to get rid of the chill that crept into my body.
Granny's Little Baby
- This was just super creepy but also entertaining!
Haunted House Video
- Short and sweet and "delicious!"
The Strange School
- I can't say much about this story without giving away all the fun parts of this that I enjoyed so much. You'll love this finale story!

Perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and definitely more adult Goosebumps - but beware these stories are scarier and not all of them have happy endings!! Check it out!

[Jacob Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really decent especially given the author’s age :) I’ve read the negative reviews on here out of interest and a common theme is that the book’s targeted to a younger audience. I can clearly see that but there’s no point in giving a lower rating just because you’re not the target audience in my opinion. While I might not fit perfectly into the target audience I still found enjoyment in the stories and felt a little unsettled at times. Horror is a genre that’s quite difficult to encapsulate correctly in writing as how do you make words scary to a big audience? I think the stories here capture horror and creepiness quite well. They do feel a little cliche or cringy occasionally but I can see why a lot of people would like them as a whole and it’s not like I was bored the whole time :) I would have liked the stories to be longer as all of them except for one are less than 20 pages though. As I said the book’s decent overall. The cover’s fantastic though! 4/5 :)

[Niko Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.



This book is a solid 3. It had its jittery parts and did what the book promised. I enjoyed 4 stories, liked a few and the others I felt like skimming. I will say, he is a good writer, but when you go from something so promising to something not as strong, it makes you want more.

Thank you for the early read Book Sirens and Chris Harmon

[Sophie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. The writing style in each story was compelling however my only thing was it read younger than it looks (the cover makes it seem its older than it is).

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed and was creeped out in many of these stories.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Irene Well Worth A Read]

I had a bad feeling about this one right from the start when "Alice breathed heavily trying to catch her breath." I persevered through "His eyes were so blazing" but once "The man's grip loosened his grip on her throat" I felt it was best that we just part ways. DNF @6%

[fae ☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐️ i wanted to like this, but it was just underwhelming. for a young author this book is alright, but it’s definitely more suited to a younger audience. i was hoping for some horror mini-stories, but this book isn’t for anyone who’s read true horror before. would be good for someone under 15, as some of the stories are creepy, but not truly scary.

thank you to netgalley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

One of the first things I noticed about this short story compilation is that the writing is in short, jarring sentences. I'm not sure if it was the writing style or because of the sentences it was harder for me to get into. Does that suggest that maybe they aren't good? No not necessarily. It just wasn't for me. I know that there are likely other people who enjoy this particular kind of style.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. A lot of these stories were good, only a few that were boring/had no plot.

[Harvey Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Jitters” is a collection of 15 short horror stories from the teen author Chris Harmon, delving into a range of diverse and fear-inducing narratives that engages and discomforts the reader. From alien life to childhood trauma, Harmon’s approach to storytelling makes each narrative feel wholly original yet similar in essence to those state surround them, making for a collection of stories that are suitably grouped together, making for a significantly more impactful experience than if they were to be standalone.

The biggest quality that Harmon highlights is his use of grounding even the more supernatural stories within the collection, telling stories in first-person and utilising verbatim dialogue that quickly makes the reader sympathise with the perspective of the characters, a necessity throughout storytelling, and a difficult element to tackle when approaching short-form horror stories. In all respects, Harmon manages to create a range of differentiable characters that continually represent new identities and new perspectives, something that is consistently matched with strong storytelling that escapes moments where it could fall into stereotype.

In terms of a stand-out, ‘Dollface’ showcased a lot of potential, centred around two twin sisters, Amy and Jamie, who received a doll as a birthday present. The story balances a good blend of many of the other stories in the collection, whether that be possession, childhood trauma, or a simple fear of many being dolls. Balancing the short story with other characters involved or in their family, such as Vanessa, the twins’ sister, her boyfriend Jeremy, the school principal, Mr. Hawkins, and a range of other distinguishable characters, making for an interesting concept that could easily be expanded upon.

Whilst a story such as ‘Dollface’ is notable for the amount it can do with the short-form storytelling, not all the stories showcase an equal level of quality when it comes to proof-of-concept, sometimes falling short of tense moments or relying too heavily on tropes that have been established within the genre for some time. Whilst this does not always reduce the impact of the actual quality of writing, it can be less engaging of a reading experience when confronted with a narrative that isn’t as engaging.

Harmon has managed to bring life to these short stories, showcasing his familiarity with balancing different kinds of tones and narratives within the horror genre. Much of the awkward moments likely lie on the fact that Harmon is very early in his writing career; there is room to grow, but the promise is certainly there. Although there are moments of imbalance when it comes to consistent quality, the highs vastly outweigh any dull moments, acting to create an engaging collection of short stories that are worth immersing in.

[Courtney Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I would give this book a 3.5 star, but, as is my system, I always round up**

I was very excited to start this book because the cover looks absolutely terrifying. That is not something I would want to see in real life, in the light or the dark. And the title is interesting. I like the use of a different word (other than, say, Shivers, or Tremors). Jitters is a word that brings an immediate sense of dread.

That being said, I was a bit disappointed by the stories themselves. The writing was a little awkward, and needed another look over for mistakes. Some of the dialogue is clunky and not realistic. The all-caps for shouting is humorous at times. There are a lot of characters who stutter in high-stress or scary situations, and while that is understandable, it removed me from the story when it was happening a lot.

Even though this book being listed as Young Adult, I felt like there was almost too much swearing for it to be so. I know that some kids really get into swearing around the start of their teen years, but it just felt overused in this collection. Some of the descriptions are perfect for the scenes they are describing, but some felt almost gross, like the teacher eating bugs. I know a younger person wouldn’t have thought it as gross as I did, but I suppose that is the point. It is gross to know your teacher is eating bugs in private. It really stands out!

Despite that, there are some great story ideas in this collection. My favorite being “The Unwanted Guest.” There is just something nerve-wracking about knowing someone is inside your house. Home invasion is a popular story idea for a reason. We are supposed to feel safe in our homes, not be worried about a potentially dangerous person breaking in and hurting/killing us. I also really enjoyed “Haunted House Video.” The first line really hits home. “There were many cool and weird things one could find on the web.” You don’t even have to be searching for something weird to stumble on it while online. It also has to do with home invasion, only this time it’s brought on the character himself. Moral of the story: don’t click links in pop-ups! The ending gives the story a different light, and I think it should have ended before the reveal, but that’s just me!

Overall, I would say to give this book a chance. Even if it ends up not being your style, there are still a lot of creepy thoughts that will plague you after you put it down!

[Flavia Precup · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Jitters in one day, eagerly anticipating how the writer's imagination would translate into the next story. Jitters is a collection of horror stories, carefully crafted with tales that always leave something to be learned. The themes explored include unresolved anger, frustration, bullying, dysfunctional family bonds, and each story comes with an attempt to solve one of these problems. The way they are solved is somewhat frightening, from cannibal substitute teachers, to axe fights, annoying little sisters, and more. 

The writer uses caps lock at times to emphasize certain phrases. By using caps lock, the writer is not being aggressive but rather indicating the importance and clarity of certain moments.

Each story portrays teenage protagonists battling with their inner and outer demons and ultimately overcoming them, which helps with their personal growth.

I'm not used to reading horror stories, maybe that's why the book scared me, but what I liked most is how each story leaves you with something at the end. You can learn something if you delve into the underlying layers of each story. It might have been a good idea for each story to have a few words of a lesson at the end, but yes, that goes beyond a horror storybook and the lack of a lesson leaves a door open for each reader to learn what they need at the moment when they read the book.

The book's language is adapted to the evolution that shows that informal and somewhat playful language is increasingly used by today's youth, a language that may seem inappropriate in a formal context but for this type of book, it is very well chosen.

[Nancy Loredo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐
ESPAÑOL:
Si tienes entre 12 y 16 años probablemente este libro es para ti.
En Jitters encontramos una serie de pequeños relatos con diferentes figuras monstruosas: zombies, juegos malvados, fantasmas, brujas y más.
Mientras los leía no pude evitar hacer la analogía entre los relatos de Jitters con los especiales de Halloween que sacan algunas series televisivas, pues estas historias más que buscar asustar, entretienen.
Sin embargo, yo no estoy dentro del público objetivo de los relatos por lo que en ocasiones me parecían historias muy simples y hasta cierto punto rídiculas, lo que hizo que no disfrutara del todo la lectura.
No creo que estas historias puedan gustar a un público más maduro.
.....
ENGLISH:
If you are between the ages of 12 and 16, this book is probably for you.
In Jitters, we find a series of short stories with different monstrous figures: zombies, evil games, ghosts, witches and more.
While I was reading them I couldn't help but make the analogy between Jitters' stories with the Halloween specials that some television series put out, because these stories entertain more than seek to scare.
However, I am not within the target audience for the stories, so sometimes they seemed to me to be very simple and to a certain extent ridiculous, which meant that I did not fully enjoy reading them.
I don't think these stories would appeal to a more mature audience.

[Jennell Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jitters by Chris Harmon is a spine-tingling collection of 15 horror short stories that will leave readers feeling jittery and spooked. Perfect for younger readers looking for a chilling and suspenseful read, this book is filled with eerie and creepy tales of teenagers encountering strange and terrifying situations.


Harmon has done an excellent job of creating an unsettling and suspenseful atmosphere in each story, building tension and suspense as readers follow the characters on their terrifying adventures. From a witch's spell to aliens in the backyard to a game of Don't Break the Ice, each story is unique and delivers a good scare.


My favorite stories in the collection were "The Witch's Spell," "Aliens In My Backyard," and "Don't Break The Ice." Each of these stories had a unique twist and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end.


The language in the stories is simple and easy to read, making this book accessible to younger readers. While the book is definitely scary, it is not overly gory or violent, which makes it appropriate for young adult and teenage audiences.


Overall, Jitters is a great collection of horror short stories that will appeal to young adult and teenage readers looking for a spine-tingling and suspenseful read. The stories are well-crafted, the characters are relatable, and the scares are sure to keep readers up at night

[Aziz Kakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, the start of the book is so attractive that it draws me towards reading stories. As I started it gives the feeling that I am in the scene. The collection of these 15 short stories is going to give you scary moments for which you should be ready before starting the book.
Author Chris Harmon is putting his best in all stories. Horror lovers should read from start to end. In the story from Alien to childhood, the author has put the best narrative points. Which makes it easy for you to study. The author has managed to bring life to stories. They feel realistic as you are in the scene.
"Jitters" by Chris Harmon is a gripping and intense thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The plot centers around a group of friends who get caught up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a relentless killer. Harmon's writing is fast-paced and filled with unexpected twists and turns, making for a thrilling and satisfying read. Overall, "Jitters" is a highly entertaining page-turner that is sure to please fans of the genre.

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy for an honest review...

Jitters by Chris Harmon is a collection of 15 spooky short stories about teenage kids who encounter strange and eerie things. This book is perfect for younger readers looking for a thrilling and suspenseful read.

The stories in Jitters revolve around various terrifying objects and situations, such as a scary board game, an evil robot costume, and a creepy ice sculpture. Harmon has done a great job of creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere in each story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

One of the strengths of this book is that it is written by a young author, making it more relatable to its intended audience. However, there are some grammatical errors throughout the book, which may distract some readers.

Overall, Jitters is an enjoyable read for anyone who loves horror stories. The short story format is perfect for readers who want a quick and scary read. Harmon's imagination and creativity in creating spooky situations and objects will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.

[Omiai · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only managed 2 of the short stories in this book. I had high hopes for a collection of creepy stories, but the writing was so immature and it felt like the author had a hard time with grammar. My own is far from perfect, but in this book it was just so jarring. Sometimes they'd be talking about 2 people following someone, then suddenly it changed to just one, then back to two. At one point there was a scene where there were two teachers involved, and the titles used for them changed every other sentence (swapping from Ms to Mrs and back).
I feel like this is something someone should have picked up on when proofreading.
As I mentioned before, the style was very immature. It reminded me of something written by a high school or university student,.learning about creative writing for the first time. And although they have potential, they have a lot of work to do for their writing to really be good.
Normally I don't like to have a go at writing styles, as each is unique and sometimes just not what I like, but in this case, it bothered me so much I couldn't keep reading.