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Lilac Skully and the Haunted House
Home alone in a haunted house. What could go wrong?
Lilac Skully is afraid of ghosts. And a lot of other things, too. After her father’s mysterious disappearance, Lilac must find a way to deal with the notorious ghosts that haunt her home—or better yet—get them to leave.
But when intruders break in, Lilac realizes there’s a danger far worse than her spooky old house. No longer safe, Lilac will need to face her fears, trust herself, and make new friends that will change her life forever.
Lilac Skully and the Haunted House is the first book in the Supernatural Adventures of Lilac Skully, a series of fun, spooky stories with a lot of heart. If you like books about ghosts and awesome little girls—you’ll love this imaginative, haunted tale!
Warning! This book has a satisfying-yet-cliffhanger ending. You’ll want to read the next book in the series, too.
Start reading Lilac’s adventures today!
Lilac Skully is afraid of ghosts. And a lot of other things, too. After her father’s mysterious disappearance, Lilac must find a way to deal with the notorious ghosts that haunt her home—or better yet—get them to leave.
But when intruders break in, Lilac realizes there’s a danger far worse than her spooky old house. No longer safe, Lilac will need to face her fears, trust herself, and make new friends that will change her life forever.
Lilac Skully and the Haunted House is the first book in the Supernatural Adventures of Lilac Skully, a series of fun, spooky stories with a lot of heart. If you like books about ghosts and awesome little girls—you’ll love this imaginative, haunted tale!
Warning! This book has a satisfying-yet-cliffhanger ending. You’ll want to read the next book in the series, too.
Start reading Lilac’s adventures today!
115 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2017
93 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 25, 2019
3.5/5 ⭐️
October 12, 2019
I found three of this series on a bookshelf that I am cleaning out and they looked like quick and fun October reading material. The covers are gorgeous! The story was fun and I like the characters. As I have stated before, I get really tired of bad parents in books who neglect their children. I get that there appear to be extenuating circumstances that cause the dad to be distracted and he has not come to terms with the mother's death, but it still gets old to me. Lilac is a frightened yet spunky 9-3/4 year old who looks like Luna Lovegood and that amused me. I will be passing these books along after I read them but they were a nice distraction. Middle school aged kids who like an unlikely kid champion (think Home Alone movies) would likely eat these up.
October 6, 2018
This is a fun and spooky read perfect for young readers and adults alike. It was a very entertaining book with just the right amount of creeps to be scary but not truly terrifying for the little ones. This is advertised as a middle grade read but I think it fits more for readers as young as 7-8 years old. Even as an adult reading this book I found it funny and it definitely got me into the Halloween mood.
I look forward to reading the next book and continuing Lilac’s Adventures!
I look forward to reading the next book and continuing Lilac’s Adventures!
October 2, 2018
Rating 5/5
Home alone in a haunted house. What could possibly go wrong? Seriously? Everything! And it does. What does a young girl who is afraid of ghosts do when she lives in the same house with them? Yes, there is more than one. Lilac even wrote a book about how to avoid ghosts. Most of her advice was to RUN! Good advice.
This is a scary and humorous tale of a young girl alone in a supposedly haunted family mansion. There is no supposing about it. It IS haunted. Scary stories and things that go bump in the night are common fears growing up but what if they were real? Like Edgar Allan Poe who can take you to the edge of terror and drop you off, so does Amy Cesari. The ghosts are so well defined that they seem real. Kinda scary, right? My fav was Mr. Fright. Lilac Skully and the Haunted House takes you to the brink and back again in a spine tingling and goosebumpily kind of way. This is certainly a tale for all ages that will have you gasping and laughing all at the same time.
Parental Note
The story is a bit scary but not frightening out of your skin scary. There is friendship, facing and overcoming fears and lots of antics. I would recommend Lilac Skully for children 7-12 and for adults who never quite grew up.
Home alone in a haunted house. What could possibly go wrong? Seriously? Everything! And it does. What does a young girl who is afraid of ghosts do when she lives in the same house with them? Yes, there is more than one. Lilac even wrote a book about how to avoid ghosts. Most of her advice was to RUN! Good advice.
This is a scary and humorous tale of a young girl alone in a supposedly haunted family mansion. There is no supposing about it. It IS haunted. Scary stories and things that go bump in the night are common fears growing up but what if they were real? Like Edgar Allan Poe who can take you to the edge of terror and drop you off, so does Amy Cesari. The ghosts are so well defined that they seem real. Kinda scary, right? My fav was Mr. Fright. Lilac Skully and the Haunted House takes you to the brink and back again in a spine tingling and goosebumpily kind of way. This is certainly a tale for all ages that will have you gasping and laughing all at the same time.
Parental Note
The story is a bit scary but not frightening out of your skin scary. There is friendship, facing and overcoming fears and lots of antics. I would recommend Lilac Skully for children 7-12 and for adults who never quite grew up.
November 14, 2017
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Can you imagine living in an actual haunted house? Can you imagine being a young girl living in that haunted house, your dad has gone missing, and you are all alone? This is the exact predicament that Lilac Skully has found herself in.
Lilac lives in a small room off of the kitchen because it is the only place in the house where the ghost do not go. Lilac’s dad has left a very strange note that he had to go away and she has no idea how long he will be gone. Lilac can’t even go into the cellar to get food because one nasty ghost lives down there.
And if things are not bad enough with all of the ghost in the house, now she has to deal with someone trying to break into her house. This is just all too much for Lilac to handle. Is Lilac going to be run out of her house or does she make a stand and fight?
Lilac Skully and the Haunted House is one of the best scary but heart-warming stories I’ve read in awhile. Friendship abounds in this story and it is a book that you will not put down until you are done.
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Can you imagine living in an actual haunted house? Can you imagine being a young girl living in that haunted house, your dad has gone missing, and you are all alone? This is the exact predicament that Lilac Skully has found herself in.
Lilac lives in a small room off of the kitchen because it is the only place in the house where the ghost do not go. Lilac’s dad has left a very strange note that he had to go away and she has no idea how long he will be gone. Lilac can’t even go into the cellar to get food because one nasty ghost lives down there.
And if things are not bad enough with all of the ghost in the house, now she has to deal with someone trying to break into her house. This is just all too much for Lilac to handle. Is Lilac going to be run out of her house or does she make a stand and fight?
Lilac Skully and the Haunted House is one of the best scary but heart-warming stories I’ve read in awhile. Friendship abounds in this story and it is a book that you will not put down until you are done.
Follow me:
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/lauriepurser27
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.weebly.com/
November 18, 2017
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
Can you imagine living in an actual haunted house? Can you imagine being a young girl living in that haunted house, your dad has gone missing, and you are all alone? This is the exact predicament that Lilac Skully has found herself in.
Lilac lives in a small room off of the kitchen because it is the only place in the house where the ghost do not go. Lilac’s dad has left a very strange note that he had to go away and she has no idea how long he will be gone. Lilac can’t even go into the cellar to get food because one nasty ghost lives down there.
And if things are not bad enough with all of the ghost in the house, now she has to deal with someone trying to break into her house. This is just all too much for Lilac to handle. Is Lilac going to be run out of her house or does she make a stand and fight?
Lilac Skully and the Haunted House is one of the best scary but heart-warming stories I’ve read in awhile. Friendship abounds in this story and it is a book that you will not put down until you are done.
Follow me:
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/lauriepurser27
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.weebly.com/
Can you imagine living in an actual haunted house? Can you imagine being a young girl living in that haunted house, your dad has gone missing, and you are all alone? This is the exact predicament that Lilac Skully has found herself in.
Lilac lives in a small room off of the kitchen because it is the only place in the house where the ghost do not go. Lilac’s dad has left a very strange note that he had to go away and she has no idea how long he will be gone. Lilac can’t even go into the cellar to get food because one nasty ghost lives down there.
And if things are not bad enough with all of the ghost in the house, now she has to deal with someone trying to break into her house. This is just all too much for Lilac to handle. Is Lilac going to be run out of her house or does she make a stand and fight?
Lilac Skully and the Haunted House is one of the best scary but heart-warming stories I’ve read in awhile. Friendship abounds in this story and it is a book that you will not put down until you are done.
Follow me:
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - https://twitter.com/lauriepurser27
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.weebly.com/
October 22, 2019
I've been reading a lot of "middle grade" age-level books lately that are absolutely stellar (Serafina and the Black Cloak and Small Spaces to name a few) which is a big part of the reason why I chose to read this book despite the fact that it appears to be several notches below *cough* my age and usual reading level. The other reason why I chose to read it is because of its cute little purple sky/haunted mansion cover... Does that not look like a perfect little book to curl up with in mid-October?! Of course it does.
This book was cute and my instinct about it being a great October read was on point, but that's pretty well all I have to say about it. On somewhat of a side note, it (endearingly) reminded me of the Casper movie starring Christina Ricci and Devon Sawa, which I have not seen in wayyyy too long.
This book was cute and my instinct about it being a great October read was on point, but that's pretty well all I have to say about it. On somewhat of a side note, it (endearingly) reminded me of the Casper movie starring Christina Ricci and Devon Sawa, which I have not seen in wayyyy too long.
October 27, 2017
What a delightfully spooky, action packed and fun story. Geared for readers 8 and up, the spookiness is just enough without being over the top..just right for young and old readers alike. The author has a good style and voice and the story flows well, and at only 169 pages it's a quick read.
Lilac who is 9 and 3/4, is unexpectedly left home alone, finding only a note from her dad telling her he'd be home in a little while. Well 2 weeks have gone by, and she only has the ghosts for company...ghosts that she is terrified of. Yes that's right, the house in haunted. But what happens when someone breaks in and not only steals her dads paranormal research materials, but tries to kidnap the ghosts too!!
The characters are very well done, and I was drawn in right from the start, There is a book 2 coming out and I can't wait to continue the adventure.
PS. you can find out more at lilacskully.com
I received a review copy from the author, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lilac who is 9 and 3/4, is unexpectedly left home alone, finding only a note from her dad telling her he'd be home in a little while. Well 2 weeks have gone by, and she only has the ghosts for company...ghosts that she is terrified of. Yes that's right, the house in haunted. But what happens when someone breaks in and not only steals her dads paranormal research materials, but tries to kidnap the ghosts too!!
The characters are very well done, and I was drawn in right from the start, There is a book 2 coming out and I can't wait to continue the adventure.
PS. you can find out more at lilacskully.com
I received a review copy from the author, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 29, 2018
I received Lilac Skully and The Haunted House from the author, Amy Cesari as a gift in exchange for a fair review. What a fun adventure this middle grade book is! I truly would have loved this book as a child...heck, I did as an adult! Lilac is a 9 and 3/4 year old girl living in a haunted house. Her father has left her alone for 2 weeks, and things start getting really weird when her house appears on the news. That evening, her home is broken into, and ghost hunters steal one of the ghosts haunting her home! She makes plans to deal with the thieves with the remaining ghosts and another nights action packed adventure begins. I really liked little Lilac, with her white hair, huge gray eyes and her cat named Casper. I want to know more about where her father is and why he left her. I’m so happy to have read this book and I look forward to the next in the series Lilac Skully and the Carriage of Lost Souls. Thank you Amy Cesari for sharing your books with me!!!
October 27, 2017
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book-all opinions are my own.
I enjoyed reading Lilac Skully And The Haunted House by Amy Cesari. Lilac is a little girl that is left home alone, after her dad mysteriously disappears leaving only a note behind. But Lilac isn't the only person living in the mansion, but she is the only living soul. When unexpected things start to happen Lilac befriends her companions, and together they over the unexpected. It's a short, sweet spooky book. The ending will leave you wanting more. 🎃
I love Lilac's character and how she overcomes her fear of living alone with ghost. She's a courageous and adventurous girl thats nine and three quarters, I found her age to be cute probably because it reminded me of the platform in HP lol 😄 I recommend this not just for middle grade readers but for adults too.
March 31, 2018
This was a new author to me. I loved how this 10 year old girl combats ghosts and ghost hunters. She was so scared , she would not leave the kitchen. Unfortunately her father left her one night and did not tell her where he was going or how long he would be gone for. She decided to hold a séance and then all hell broke loose. She had ghosts all over the place. One mean one did not like little girls and created such a ruckus it brought ghost hunters, media and neighbors as well as the local police.I wont tell you what happens next, but it is on the brink of hilarious and freaky at times. It took about 3 hours to read.
March 20, 2020
I wanted to give this book a higher rating. However, the book needs another editor—some words are missing and other times letters are missing. For instance “office” instead of “officer.” It’s just a pet peeve of mine but I honestly think that books should NOT have grammar/spelling issues unless it’s on purpose. And this was not on purpose.
The story was unique. I wanted it done differently, better. The premise is interesting and I do plan on reading the other books in the series, but this isn’t the strongest start. I feel that the beginning could have been shorter and didn’t have to drag out so long. I just wanted more of the action, not so much the introspection in the beginning.
The story was unique. I wanted it done differently, better. The premise is interesting and I do plan on reading the other books in the series, but this isn’t the strongest start. I feel that the beginning could have been shorter and didn’t have to drag out so long. I just wanted more of the action, not so much the introspection in the beginning.
June 13, 2021
I enjoyed this story about a young girl who lives in a house full of ghosts. Her father is missing and strange people keep breaking in to steal the ghosts and her father's equipment.
The story moves very well and the characters are all engaging.
I'm a little surprised this is considered middle-grade. Lilac Skully, who isn't even 10 years old, has been physically abandoned by her father for the past two weeks and emotionally abandoned by her only parent for years. It's a dark plot twist to an otherwise engaging story.
Highly recommended and on to the next book in the series.
The story moves very well and the characters are all engaging.
I'm a little surprised this is considered middle-grade. Lilac Skully, who isn't even 10 years old, has been physically abandoned by her father for the past two weeks and emotionally abandoned by her only parent for years. It's a dark plot twist to an otherwise engaging story.
Highly recommended and on to the next book in the series.
September 17, 2020
I love Lilac. She is definitely a character to feel sorry for... her lot in life isn't great. But she rises to the occasion and saves the day. Her work isn't done yet - be prepared to read the second book in the series as the first ends with a bit of a cliffhanger. I know I plan on continuing to read about her adventures. I recommend this book for all the "weird" middle schoolers you know... the ones who are a little different. Weird is wonderful!
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December 23, 2020A nine-year old girl is left for weeks alone in a haunted house while her distracted and possibly kidnapped dr. father attends to his paranormal research. Her home is invaded by villains and she must work with her ghost friends to repel their clumsy attacks. She has a cat named Casper and she dreams of being a librarian. Her neglect and loneliness complement the ambiance of restless spirits. Cute and formulaic but a good pick for middle school students.
October 3, 2017
I loved this book. The writing is top notch, it has just the right amount of creepy atmosphere without being over the top or inappropriate for kids, and the main character was someone I connected with really fast (at least within the first chapter). I think this is a great idea for a series and will likely be a favorite of many kids who get a chance to enjoy it! Five stars!
October 27, 2017
I won this book in Goodreads giveaway. I read it to make sure it was appropriate for my daughters. While it is a ghost story, I don't think it's too scary for my 9 year old to read. It was a cute story about a little girl living in a haunted house. I am going to pass it along to her to read. I can't wait to hear what she thinks! :)
January 23, 2018
3.5 stars. It was cute and my daughter loved it! The scariness level was perfect for a seven-year-old. Just enough to get her interest but not truly frighten her. The story was interesting and characters were good. However, it could have used better editing and been condensed in parts. The book started to drag at the end and I did NOT like the cliffhanger ending.
May 2, 2018
This is a super cute children's series about a little girl living in a haunted house. Lilac has been afraid of the ghosts in Skully Mansion since she was a little girl. But when her father goes missing she has no choice but to face her fears in order to save the ghosts of Skully Mansion, her father's equipment, and herself from a corrupt group of paranormal investigators.
October 9, 2017
Adorable ghost story
This strangle little story of a haunted house was an adorable middle grade book. I was disappointed that it ended on such a weird cliff hanger but over cute story.
This strangle little story of a haunted house was an adorable middle grade book. I was disappointed that it ended on such a weird cliff hanger but over cute story.
March 4, 2018
Loved this, it was quite quirky and not what I expected at all.
August 8, 2018
Lilac Skully is a delight. She is resourceful and brave. This is an action-packed spooky charmer that will delight children.
October 13, 2018
Cute middle grade read. Reminded me of Home Alone but with ghosts.
November 12, 2018
Loved this book! Very entertaining, and I’m sure children’s and adults both will love it!!
January 18, 2020
This is a 4- for me but close enough to round it. Read like a haunted house version of home alone. Will be a good read for kids who like ghost stories that aren’t too scary.
September 26, 2020
A fun and cute spooky story that gave me much haunted home alone vibes!
November 30, 2020
Really cute and simple story that also helps teach to overcome fears.
2020 Challenge: Believathon 3
2020 Challenge: Believathon 3
October 23, 2021
Cute middle grade, not the best I’ve read but it was fun. A younger age would definitely find it entertaining
November 13, 2019
I bought this novel a while ago and, for some reason, had trouble getting into it on more than one occasion. After finishing it — my opinion has not necessarily changed.
The premise is a sweet Halloween tale: a girl lives in a haunted house; she has to learn to cope with the spirits who share a residence with her. The first few pages do establish an eerie, traditionally Halloween setting for us in a creaky old Victorian mansion.
Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, the novel feels a little ... shallow to me. There’s not enough flashback or depth given to the protagonist’s fear of ghosts; not nearly enough time focused on her building a relationship with these ghosts; and barely any pages put into describing who the villains are and what motivates them.
The beginning of the novel also spends an inordinate amount of time having the protagonist attempt to shut a heavy window shutter.
The premise is a sweet Halloween tale: a girl lives in a haunted house; she has to learn to cope with the spirits who share a residence with her. The first few pages do establish an eerie, traditionally Halloween setting for us in a creaky old Victorian mansion.
Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, the novel feels a little ... shallow to me. There’s not enough flashback or depth given to the protagonist’s fear of ghosts; not nearly enough time focused on her building a relationship with these ghosts; and barely any pages put into describing who the villains are and what motivates them.
The beginning of the novel also spends an inordinate amount of time having the protagonist attempt to shut a heavy window shutter.
February 18, 2019
Ages 8 & up, definitely a middle grade type novel but fun & cute. Anyone with kiddos who might be interested in a ghostly Home Alone-esque plot give it a try :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews