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The Crossing: Whispers on the River
Fourteen-year-old Joe Miller thought Bannerman's Island was just an urban legend—a creepy abandoned castle to scare tourists. But when he and his cousin sneak onto the forbidden island on Halloween night, they discover the legends are real. Three spirits have guarded this place for centuries, holding back something dark that's trying to cross over. As paranormal activity escalates, Joe realizes he's witnessed a threat to everyone along the Hudson River. The question isn't whether the darkness will break through. It's when.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2025
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Jaimie Hope
34 books21 followers"I was born November 3, 1976 in New York. Growing up one of my favorite time of the day was story time.
Even at an early age, I became wrapped up in whatever story was being read. At the time, I just wanted to be part of the story.
It wasn't until high school that I decided I wanted to be a writer. This is when my ideas for the Adventures of Baby Jaimie started forming.
I was on the newspaper staff for two years in high school and really enjoyed it. We didn't have assigned stories, but we were able to do investigative reporting if we chose to. I was usually more into the freelance style of writing about whatever happened to be on my mind at the time.
In my senior year, I took a creative writing course where I got to explore the depths of my creativity.
After graduation in 1995, I put writing aside for a while. I went to college and did what most people try to do, "try to find myself". I got my Associates degree in 1999.
In 2002, I moved to Florida. I did quite a lot while I was there. I was an active volunteer in the local historical society. I also did volunteer work at the local library.
During this time, I also sang on a few demos at the local studio, tried my hand at songwriting and ran a book club.
It wasn't until 2005, when I picked up The Adventures of Baby Jaimie and started working in earnest to get it done. I finished the text of my manuscript within a month. I submitted it to a handful of publishers, only to be rejected.
Again, I shelved The Adventures of Baby Jaimie, temporarily, when I moved back to New York in the spring 2006 that I even thought about picking it up again. I had lunch with a friend one day in the summer of 2006 who told me about a friend of hers who was also an author. She put me in contact with him, and he gave me advice on how to go about making my dreams of becoming a published author come true.
In November of 2006, AuthorHouse released The Adventures of Baby Jaimie.
After the release, I got busy trying to promote it, and as they say, life happened. I began to try my hand at writing a novel. This proved to be a slow process as well, but not as slow as my first book.
In July of 2008, PublishAmerica released my first short novel, Who Says You Can't Go Home.
You may be asking yourself what's next. Only time will tell."
-Jaimie Hope (http://www.amazon.com/Jaimie-Hope/e/B...)
Even at an early age, I became wrapped up in whatever story was being read. At the time, I just wanted to be part of the story.
It wasn't until high school that I decided I wanted to be a writer. This is when my ideas for the Adventures of Baby Jaimie started forming.
I was on the newspaper staff for two years in high school and really enjoyed it. We didn't have assigned stories, but we were able to do investigative reporting if we chose to. I was usually more into the freelance style of writing about whatever happened to be on my mind at the time.
In my senior year, I took a creative writing course where I got to explore the depths of my creativity.
After graduation in 1995, I put writing aside for a while. I went to college and did what most people try to do, "try to find myself". I got my Associates degree in 1999.
In 2002, I moved to Florida. I did quite a lot while I was there. I was an active volunteer in the local historical society. I also did volunteer work at the local library.
During this time, I also sang on a few demos at the local studio, tried my hand at songwriting and ran a book club.
It wasn't until 2005, when I picked up The Adventures of Baby Jaimie and started working in earnest to get it done. I finished the text of my manuscript within a month. I submitted it to a handful of publishers, only to be rejected.
Again, I shelved The Adventures of Baby Jaimie, temporarily, when I moved back to New York in the spring 2006 that I even thought about picking it up again. I had lunch with a friend one day in the summer of 2006 who told me about a friend of hers who was also an author. She put me in contact with him, and he gave me advice on how to go about making my dreams of becoming a published author come true.
In November of 2006, AuthorHouse released The Adventures of Baby Jaimie.
After the release, I got busy trying to promote it, and as they say, life happened. I began to try my hand at writing a novel. This proved to be a slow process as well, but not as slow as my first book.
In July of 2008, PublishAmerica released my first short novel, Who Says You Can't Go Home.
You may be asking yourself what's next. Only time will tell."
-Jaimie Hope (http://www.amazon.com/Jaimie-Hope/e/B...)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 24, 2025
This book opens at a pace I would describe as fairly fast. For a horror novel, a fast pace offers several advantages, as long as it does not move so quickly to the point that the narrative becomes disjointed. The teenage protagonist(s) in this book add an extra dimension to the narrative, as they are, after all, teenagers whose thought processes are frequently influenced by various factors, such as the desire to prove themselves in front of their peers; anything but pure logic, basically. This is precisely what makes the story engaging.
I recall this one passage that describes the relationship our protagonist have with his mother, who raises him alone through immense hardship. He understands the extent of her sacrifices — ensuring he has food, shelter, and access to education — yet he still commits actions early in the book that ultimately working against his well-being. And he is filled with deep regret and sorrow for his own doings. That, to me, really captures the complexity of being a teenager. It is a phase where every adult has passed through, and one that, even later in life, we struggle to properly explain why we made certain choices in our teenage years, or why those decisions felt so unquestionably right and reasonable to us at that period of time.
I would also say that although there was an “incident” between the protagonist and the mother that caused some kind of a rift in their relationship, their bond remains resilient enough to withstand any obstacle the universe might throws at them, which I find quite moving for us as readers to follow.
As for the horror scenes, I really appreciate that the horror is handled with restraint and built through various elements, including an eerie mood and folkloric aspects, so the reader’s imagination is not overly constrained by heavy-handed detail and restrictive descriptions.
Even so, there are a few trivial aspects that I find somewhat interfering with my experience, but not to the extent that I feel compelled to close the book and stop our journey midway. I noticed the exact same sentence reappearing in the part where they were preparing to get on the small boat, when Halloween had arrived. It wasn’t particularly consequential, but it did annoy me a bit. It also reminded me of the part where the uncle retold those spooky stories (that were framed as “legends”.) I assumed they would only be referenced briefly, since our main character had already heard them during the car ride with his uncle, but instead the uncle narrated them again shortly after with the other kids present. It struck me as rather unnecessary to revisit them in such detail.
Then, when the protagonist’s cousin — who is depicted as sensible and intellectually capable — agrees to be talked into a high-risk “expedition adventure” with him, I feel a certain lack of coherence. As a well-behaved teenager, he should fully understand the conquensences of doing that. And in fact, he is. But at the same time he longs to stop being seen as “only” the good child by his parents and to embark on his own “adventure”, which makes it difficult for me to fully criticise this choice. It just leaves me with mixed feelings.
I recall this one passage that describes the relationship our protagonist have with his mother, who raises him alone through immense hardship. He understands the extent of her sacrifices — ensuring he has food, shelter, and access to education — yet he still commits actions early in the book that ultimately working against his well-being. And he is filled with deep regret and sorrow for his own doings. That, to me, really captures the complexity of being a teenager. It is a phase where every adult has passed through, and one that, even later in life, we struggle to properly explain why we made certain choices in our teenage years, or why those decisions felt so unquestionably right and reasonable to us at that period of time.
I would also say that although there was an “incident” between the protagonist and the mother that caused some kind of a rift in their relationship, their bond remains resilient enough to withstand any obstacle the universe might throws at them, which I find quite moving for us as readers to follow.
As for the horror scenes, I really appreciate that the horror is handled with restraint and built through various elements, including an eerie mood and folkloric aspects, so the reader’s imagination is not overly constrained by heavy-handed detail and restrictive descriptions.
Even so, there are a few trivial aspects that I find somewhat interfering with my experience, but not to the extent that I feel compelled to close the book and stop our journey midway. I noticed the exact same sentence reappearing in the part where they were preparing to get on the small boat, when Halloween had arrived. It wasn’t particularly consequential, but it did annoy me a bit. It also reminded me of the part where the uncle retold those spooky stories (that were framed as “legends”.) I assumed they would only be referenced briefly, since our main character had already heard them during the car ride with his uncle, but instead the uncle narrated them again shortly after with the other kids present. It struck me as rather unnecessary to revisit them in such detail.
Then, when the protagonist’s cousin — who is depicted as sensible and intellectually capable — agrees to be talked into a high-risk “expedition adventure” with him, I feel a certain lack of coherence. As a well-behaved teenager, he should fully understand the conquensences of doing that. And in fact, he is. But at the same time he longs to stop being seen as “only” the good child by his parents and to embark on his own “adventure”, which makes it difficult for me to fully criticise this choice. It just leaves me with mixed feelings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2026
REVIEW OF "THE CROSSING: WHISPERS ON THE RIVER " BY JAMIE HOPE
Analyzing a book like "The Crossing: Whispers on the River" by Jaimie Hope requires looking past the surface-level plot and into the emotional mechanics of Hope’s writing style. As an author often associated with themes of resilience and human connection, Hope uses the "river" both as a literal setting and a powerful metaphor for the flow of time and the weight of secrets.
1. CHARACTER QUALITY: The Weight of the "Whispers"
Jaimie Hope’s characters are rarely archetypes; they feel like people you might meet in a small town who are carrying heavy burdens they haven't yet named.
Vulnerability as Strength: The protagonist is often defined by a "quiet" kind of strength. Hope excels at depicting internal monologues where the character struggles between their past and the necessity of moving forward.
Relatability: The character quality is high because they are flawed in ways that feel organic—indecision, fear of confrontation, and the hauntings of previous trauma. They don't always make the "heroic" choice immediately, which makes their eventual growth feel earned rather than scripted.
The Supporting Cast: The secondary characters serve as "anchors" or "mirrors." They reflect different ways of handling the same environment, providing a rich social texture to the story.
2. PLOT QUALITY: Narrative Pacing and Atmosphere
The plot is not a breakneck thriller; it is a slow-burn drama that relies heavily on atmosphere.
Pacing: The story moves at a deliberate pace, mirroring the flow of the river itself. At times, the "whispers" (the secrets or history) can feel a bit repetitive, but this serves to build a sense of inescapable history.
The Central Conflict: The tension doesn't come from external villains as much as it comes from the friction between truth and silence. The "Crossing" represents a threshold—a moment where the characters must decide to leave their old selves behind or be swept away by their circumstances.
Structural Integrity: Hope is skilled at weaving sensory details into the plot. The setting isn't just a backdrop; it’s an active participant that influences the characters' moods and decisions.
3. GENERAL REVIEW: A Study in Resilience
My Personal View: What stands out most is the emotional intelligence of the prose. Jaimie Hope has a way of articulating "the things unsaid" that many other authors gloss over. The book feels deeply personal, as if the author is inviting you into a private space to discuss grief, hope, and the courage it takes to change.
While the pacing might feel too slow for readers looking for high-octane action, it is perfect for those who enjoy character-driven narratives that prioritize "feeling" over "doing." It is a meditative read that rewards patience with a profound sense of closure.
Analyzing a book like "The Crossing: Whispers on the River" by Jaimie Hope requires looking past the surface-level plot and into the emotional mechanics of Hope’s writing style. As an author often associated with themes of resilience and human connection, Hope uses the "river" both as a literal setting and a powerful metaphor for the flow of time and the weight of secrets.
1. CHARACTER QUALITY: The Weight of the "Whispers"
Jaimie Hope’s characters are rarely archetypes; they feel like people you might meet in a small town who are carrying heavy burdens they haven't yet named.
Vulnerability as Strength: The protagonist is often defined by a "quiet" kind of strength. Hope excels at depicting internal monologues where the character struggles between their past and the necessity of moving forward.
Relatability: The character quality is high because they are flawed in ways that feel organic—indecision, fear of confrontation, and the hauntings of previous trauma. They don't always make the "heroic" choice immediately, which makes their eventual growth feel earned rather than scripted.
The Supporting Cast: The secondary characters serve as "anchors" or "mirrors." They reflect different ways of handling the same environment, providing a rich social texture to the story.
2. PLOT QUALITY: Narrative Pacing and Atmosphere
The plot is not a breakneck thriller; it is a slow-burn drama that relies heavily on atmosphere.
Pacing: The story moves at a deliberate pace, mirroring the flow of the river itself. At times, the "whispers" (the secrets or history) can feel a bit repetitive, but this serves to build a sense of inescapable history.
The Central Conflict: The tension doesn't come from external villains as much as it comes from the friction between truth and silence. The "Crossing" represents a threshold—a moment where the characters must decide to leave their old selves behind or be swept away by their circumstances.
Structural Integrity: Hope is skilled at weaving sensory details into the plot. The setting isn't just a backdrop; it’s an active participant that influences the characters' moods and decisions.
3. GENERAL REVIEW: A Study in Resilience
My Personal View: What stands out most is the emotional intelligence of the prose. Jaimie Hope has a way of articulating "the things unsaid" that many other authors gloss over. The book feels deeply personal, as if the author is inviting you into a private space to discuss grief, hope, and the courage it takes to change.
While the pacing might feel too slow for readers looking for high-octane action, it is perfect for those who enjoy character-driven narratives that prioritize "feeling" over "doing." It is a meditative read that rewards patience with a profound sense of closure.
December 25, 2025
The book description, if I may, is quite interesting. Though, after reading the book, here's a few thoughts and analyses I came out with:
Summary:
The story mainly revolves around Joe Miller, a fourteen-year-old kid from Bronx who is spiraling into poor decisions after the death of his father. His involvement in small-time crimes, which led to his arrest and forcing his mother to send him to live with his uncle in Newburgh. There, Joe is introduced to Bannerman’s Island, a place that is surrounded with rumors of curses, disappearances, and supernatural elements. As Joe struggles to adapt to a new environment and confront his past mistakes, he becomes increasingly drawn to the island’s mysteries, setting the book for a dangerous intersection between personal redemption and the unknown.
I love the portrayal of Joe in the book, as it had made it easier for me to picture a 14-year old kid. Where, his monologue and dialogue didn't seem too deep nor too mature for his age. In relation to that, I found Joe’s character realistic and emotionally layered—he is neither purely good nor bad, but a vulnerable teenager making destructive choices.
As Joe relocates to Newburgh, the narrative gradually shifts toward suspense and the supernatural. The legends surrounding the island—three shadowy figures, voices from beneath the ground, and recurring sightings—are introduced slowly, allowing tension to build naturally. This gradual escalation keeps me engaged as it mirrors Joe’s descent into obsession. The pacing effectively balances character development with mystery, setting up future conflict without rushing the story. Though, much of the supernatural history is delivered through dialogue, online posts, or storytelling rather than action. Instead of showing the horror directly, the novel often explains it. This can lessen the immediacy of fear and make the suspense feel more informational than emotional at times.
Overall, The Crossing: Whispers on the River strength lies in its believable characters, moral complexity, and atmospheric storytelling. By connecting personal trauma with ancient legends, Jaimie Hope creates a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and unsettling, leaving readers eager to see whether Joe’s crossing leads to redemption—or ruin.
Summary:
The story mainly revolves around Joe Miller, a fourteen-year-old kid from Bronx who is spiraling into poor decisions after the death of his father. His involvement in small-time crimes, which led to his arrest and forcing his mother to send him to live with his uncle in Newburgh. There, Joe is introduced to Bannerman’s Island, a place that is surrounded with rumors of curses, disappearances, and supernatural elements. As Joe struggles to adapt to a new environment and confront his past mistakes, he becomes increasingly drawn to the island’s mysteries, setting the book for a dangerous intersection between personal redemption and the unknown.
I love the portrayal of Joe in the book, as it had made it easier for me to picture a 14-year old kid. Where, his monologue and dialogue didn't seem too deep nor too mature for his age. In relation to that, I found Joe’s character realistic and emotionally layered—he is neither purely good nor bad, but a vulnerable teenager making destructive choices.
As Joe relocates to Newburgh, the narrative gradually shifts toward suspense and the supernatural. The legends surrounding the island—three shadowy figures, voices from beneath the ground, and recurring sightings—are introduced slowly, allowing tension to build naturally. This gradual escalation keeps me engaged as it mirrors Joe’s descent into obsession. The pacing effectively balances character development with mystery, setting up future conflict without rushing the story. Though, much of the supernatural history is delivered through dialogue, online posts, or storytelling rather than action. Instead of showing the horror directly, the novel often explains it. This can lessen the immediacy of fear and make the suspense feel more informational than emotional at times.
Overall, The Crossing: Whispers on the River strength lies in its believable characters, moral complexity, and atmospheric storytelling. By connecting personal trauma with ancient legends, Jaimie Hope creates a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and unsettling, leaving readers eager to see whether Joe’s crossing leads to redemption—or ruin.
December 25, 2025
Thank you, 🙏 Booktasters, for giving me the opportunity to read The Crossing: Whispers on the River. I truly appreciate being selected as a reviewer. It was a rewarding reading experience, and I am grateful for the chance to discover and review this story. Thank you for the trust and for supporting readers and authors through your platform.
“The Crossing: Whispers on the River” is a gripping, emotionally deep, and beautifully layered coming-of-age story that surprised me in the best way. From the very first chapter, the book pulls you into Joe Miller’s world, a boy struggling with anger, loss, and the weight of choices that are pulling him in the wrong direction.
Jaimie Hope writes with a raw honesty that makes every scene feel real. Joe’s relationship with his exhausted but determined mother, his fall into bad influences, and the moment everything breaks is portrayed with compassion and clarity. His move to Newburgh brings new characters, new struggles, and new mysteries, but the emotional heart of the story never fades.
What stood out most to me was the balance of emotion, suspense, and atmospheric storytelling. The haunting legends of Bannerman’s Island, the tension between past mistakes and the hope for redemption, and the complex bond between family all come together to create a narrative that feels both intimate and cinematic.
The pacing is excellent, the dialogue feels genuine, and the blend of realism with subtle eerie undertones keeps the pages turning. It’s a story about consequences, second chances, and the courage it takes to rebuild yourself when everything feels lost.
A powerful, engaging, and heartfelt book that stays with you long after you close the final page. Highly recommended.
“The Crossing: Whispers on the River” is a gripping, emotionally deep, and beautifully layered coming-of-age story that surprised me in the best way. From the very first chapter, the book pulls you into Joe Miller’s world, a boy struggling with anger, loss, and the weight of choices that are pulling him in the wrong direction.
Jaimie Hope writes with a raw honesty that makes every scene feel real. Joe’s relationship with his exhausted but determined mother, his fall into bad influences, and the moment everything breaks is portrayed with compassion and clarity. His move to Newburgh brings new characters, new struggles, and new mysteries, but the emotional heart of the story never fades.
What stood out most to me was the balance of emotion, suspense, and atmospheric storytelling. The haunting legends of Bannerman’s Island, the tension between past mistakes and the hope for redemption, and the complex bond between family all come together to create a narrative that feels both intimate and cinematic.
The pacing is excellent, the dialogue feels genuine, and the blend of realism with subtle eerie undertones keeps the pages turning. It’s a story about consequences, second chances, and the courage it takes to rebuild yourself when everything feels lost.
A powerful, engaging, and heartfelt book that stays with you long after you close the final page. Highly recommended.
January 21, 2026
3.5stars!
I received a free review copy of this book through Booktasters, and I’m genuinely glad I picked it up!
This is ultimately a coming-of-age story told through a paranormal lens. Joe, a fourteen-year-old boy still grieving the loss of his father to cancer, is an instantly relatable and sympathetic protagonist. He’s struggling to cope with grief, unsure of where he belongs, and unintentionally placing emotional strain on his mother as she navigates life as a single parent. In trying to fit in, Joe makes some poor decisions and briefly falls in with the wrong crowd, but what makes his character work so well is that he is never portrayed as bad- just lost, vulnerable, and human. Something you'd expect from a teenager.
The prose is vivid and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the eerie mood of an October setting near Halloween. The supernatural elements are handled in a way that keeps you guessing, with sudden twists that make the story hard to put down.
Although there were a few minor inconsistencies with character names, they didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment. What stood out most was the hopeful tone of the ending. Despite dealing with grief, fear, and the unknown, the story ultimately feels reassuring and meaningful.
Overall, this is a well-written, atmospheric YA novel that balances spookiness with heart. It’s a story about loss, curiosity, and growing up; one that stays with you even after you’ve finished reading.
I received a free review copy of this book through Booktasters, and I’m genuinely glad I picked it up!
This is ultimately a coming-of-age story told through a paranormal lens. Joe, a fourteen-year-old boy still grieving the loss of his father to cancer, is an instantly relatable and sympathetic protagonist. He’s struggling to cope with grief, unsure of where he belongs, and unintentionally placing emotional strain on his mother as she navigates life as a single parent. In trying to fit in, Joe makes some poor decisions and briefly falls in with the wrong crowd, but what makes his character work so well is that he is never portrayed as bad- just lost, vulnerable, and human. Something you'd expect from a teenager.
The prose is vivid and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the eerie mood of an October setting near Halloween. The supernatural elements are handled in a way that keeps you guessing, with sudden twists that make the story hard to put down.
Although there were a few minor inconsistencies with character names, they didn’t significantly affect my enjoyment. What stood out most was the hopeful tone of the ending. Despite dealing with grief, fear, and the unknown, the story ultimately feels reassuring and meaningful.
Overall, this is a well-written, atmospheric YA novel that balances spookiness with heart. It’s a story about loss, curiosity, and growing up; one that stays with you even after you’ve finished reading.
December 25, 2025
A story of a troublesome teenager, who has faced a change in family setting. This is because of the death of his father.
So in trying to cope with his loss _ he finds himself in the company of a wrong group of peers. He starts doing what he knows to be wrong in the name of not being labelled as a coward.
The only way such people mature (get their act right) is by heeding to their curiosity. The characteristic of these people is that they rarely accept what others believe _ they conduct their own research.
Just to pursue their all-consuming curiosity, they break rules, taking life threatening risks.
"Once you see something, you can never un-see it"
The story contains sudden turn of events. This uncertainty makes a reader even more gripped to the book.
"There are things in this world we can't explain, doesn't mean they are not real".
For us to live the way we are, many sacrifices were made by our ancestors and other forces. Hence, there is need to be grateful and not take life for granted.
I would like to suggest that you (Jaimie) remain consistent in terms of the names of characters, i.e, where you introduced aunt Judy and the parts where she is referred to as Carol.
Overall, Jaimie is such a story teller... Cheers.
So in trying to cope with his loss _ he finds himself in the company of a wrong group of peers. He starts doing what he knows to be wrong in the name of not being labelled as a coward.
The only way such people mature (get their act right) is by heeding to their curiosity. The characteristic of these people is that they rarely accept what others believe _ they conduct their own research.
Just to pursue their all-consuming curiosity, they break rules, taking life threatening risks.
"Once you see something, you can never un-see it"
The story contains sudden turn of events. This uncertainty makes a reader even more gripped to the book.
"There are things in this world we can't explain, doesn't mean they are not real".
For us to live the way we are, many sacrifices were made by our ancestors and other forces. Hence, there is need to be grateful and not take life for granted.
I would like to suggest that you (Jaimie) remain consistent in terms of the names of characters, i.e, where you introduced aunt Judy and the parts where she is referred to as Carol.
Overall, Jaimie is such a story teller... Cheers.
November 6, 2025
When I saw the cover of this book and read the blurb, I was intrigued. In this eerie YA read, fourteen-year-old Joe and his cousin Sam are investigating the mystery of Bannerman's Island. Joe and Sam have heard so many stories about this legend, but what really happens on the island? Follow their adventure, as Joe and Sam try to find out the truth.
The story takes place in October, around Halloween, and I found myself reading it at the beginning of November, so you could argue that I came to it just a little bit too late. That's okay though, as a good spooky story is something I can appreciate anytime, especially with ghostly or paranormal themes.
This reminded me a little bit of the Goosebumps books that I enjoyed as a child and teenager; the kind of thing where you know you're going to be scared, but that's part of the fun.
The story takes place in October, around Halloween, and I found myself reading it at the beginning of November, so you could argue that I came to it just a little bit too late. That's okay though, as a good spooky story is something I can appreciate anytime, especially with ghostly or paranormal themes.
This reminded me a little bit of the Goosebumps books that I enjoyed as a child and teenager; the kind of thing where you know you're going to be scared, but that's part of the fun.
January 21, 2026
I love stories like this because there is usually a great ending to them. The story is about a boy named Joe and the night he was forced to make a choice between doing what is right and staying on the wrong side of the law. The story starts with Joe and his friends breaking into a local pharmacy and getting caught by police. It then begins to become a story filled with mystery for joe as he is sent to stay with a relative in order to turn his live around. As he is staying with his uncle in a small town, he and his new friend are test when they discover a mystery island and a gang of criminals. As they witnessed a crime they must find away to uncover the truth about not just the crime but the three spirits that are said to protect the island. The Crossing is a great read and I highly recommend it to all who love mysteries. I gave it a 5 out of 5 stars.
December 23, 2025
4.5 stars rounded down
I got a free review copy with Booktasters, so thank you to them and the author.
I really enjoyed this read. The prose was very good, the descriptions were so vivid, and the general premise was really intriguing. Joe was a great protagonist; he was instantly sympathetic and in trouble due to bad decisions, but he decidedly was a good kid and trying his best. Having lost his dad to cancer, he's trying to find his place in the world, whilst unintentionally putting a lot of pressure on his mum as a single parent.
When Joe goes to live with his uncle, he hears stories about a mysterious island where ghostly figures are seen regularly. Together with his cousin, Sam, they explore the island but get much more than they bargained for. The experience fundamentally shapes who Joe grows up to be and it's a bonding experience for him and his family.
I really liked the inclusion of Native American oral traditions; it was a definite highlight in the book and really well woven into the narrative.
I especially liked the hopeful tone of the ending.
I got a free review copy with Booktasters, so thank you to them and the author.
I really enjoyed this read. The prose was very good, the descriptions were so vivid, and the general premise was really intriguing. Joe was a great protagonist; he was instantly sympathetic and in trouble due to bad decisions, but he decidedly was a good kid and trying his best. Having lost his dad to cancer, he's trying to find his place in the world, whilst unintentionally putting a lot of pressure on his mum as a single parent.
When Joe goes to live with his uncle, he hears stories about a mysterious island where ghostly figures are seen regularly. Together with his cousin, Sam, they explore the island but get much more than they bargained for. The experience fundamentally shapes who Joe grows up to be and it's a bonding experience for him and his family.
I really liked the inclusion of Native American oral traditions; it was a definite highlight in the book and really well woven into the narrative.
I especially liked the hopeful tone of the ending.
December 18, 2025
What a beautiful and warm coming-of-age story!
A story of redemption, bravery and trust. Thanks to Joe's beautiful mother, Maria, who never gave up on him and his second-found family in Uncle Dan's house. His growth and change were beautiful to read, and it brought a tear to my eye.
And for Bannerman's island, shhh... let's not talk about that. But it was definitely an unforgettable and life-scaring incident.
A story of redemption, bravery and trust. Thanks to Joe's beautiful mother, Maria, who never gave up on him and his second-found family in Uncle Dan's house. His growth and change were beautiful to read, and it brought a tear to my eye.
And for Bannerman's island, shhh... let's not talk about that. But it was definitely an unforgettable and life-scaring incident.
December 30, 2025
when you think the stories about the old castle is just a myth and it's for children and holloween. but when during the time of holloween. The protagonist who enters the castle comes to know that old legends are true.
the main problem is these are going to become a danger. when is the question!
this novel is spooky and it's perfect for a holloween season. I liked how the story unfolds.
the main problem is these are going to become a danger. when is the question!
this novel is spooky and it's perfect for a holloween season. I liked how the story unfolds.
January 20, 2026
Adventure, thrill, suspense, mystery, all wrapped up with a fantastic supernatural bow! This book had me on edge, with character development that didn't feel forced or rushed.
I found myself reading "just one more chapter" a couple of times until the whole book was finished, and I felt myself go through the same experiences as the characters.
Kudos to the writer!
I found myself reading "just one more chapter" a couple of times until the whole book was finished, and I felt myself go through the same experiences as the characters.
Kudos to the writer!
January 19, 2026
This is a story on mystery, boyhood, family and history. This book was brilliant, in a lot of frontiers. I was a fan of the vivid imagery it painted as well as the character development of the main character. I liked that it was short so it can easily be read within a day if that's your vibe.
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