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Bloody Mary #1-2
The Bloody Mary Saga
There is a right way and a wrong way to summon her
Jess had done the research.
Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them-Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna-must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go.
A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror.
Once is not enough, though-at least not for Jess.
Mary is called again. And again.
But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered. A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary-and Jess-before it's too late?
Jess had done the research.
Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them-Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna-must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go.
A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror.
Once is not enough, though-at least not for Jess.
Mary is called again. And again.
But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered. A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary-and Jess-before it's too late?
- GenresHorror
512 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2018
About the author
Hillary Monahan
15 books337 followersHillary Monahan's YA debut MARY: The Summoning, a YA Horror retelling of the Bloody Mary myth, sold at auction to Hyperion and hit number two on the New York Times e-book bestseller list. MARY: Unleashed is out as of fall 2015. She's also published THE AWESOME with Ravenstone under the name Eva Darrows, which received starred reviews in both Kirkus and PW.
Her next three publications are an adult horror novel in the GODS & MONSTERS series for Solaris, due out in December of 2016. Spring of 2017 will see the YA contemporary DEAD LITTLE MEAN GIRL under the name Eva Darrows published through Harlequin Teen. Fall of 2017 sees the YA horror THE WAGON WITCH'S APPRENTICE under Hillary Monahan through Delacorte/Random House.
Inquiries can be addressed to: hillaryjmonahan at gmail dot com
Her next three publications are an adult horror novel in the GODS & MONSTERS series for Solaris, due out in December of 2016. Spring of 2017 will see the YA contemporary DEAD LITTLE MEAN GIRL under the name Eva Darrows published through Harlequin Teen. Fall of 2017 sees the YA horror THE WAGON WITCH'S APPRENTICE under Hillary Monahan through Delacorte/Random House.
Inquiries can be addressed to: hillaryjmonahan at gmail dot com
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 16, 2020
Summary:
When four friends decide to summon Bloody Mary, they have no idea what they are inviting into their lives through the mirror. Seeing her once, however, isn't enough and they decide to summon her again. The second summoning quickly spirals out of control, releasing Mary and her fury into their lives. While being haunted by the bloodthirsty ghost in every reflective surface, the girls learn horrible secrets not only about Mary, but also about each other.
The girls scramble to find out more about Mary's past and how to stop her before she kills every last one of them.
Personal opinion:
I was so excited for this book as I am guilty of calling Bloody Mary's name 3 times in a dark bathroom as a teenager. If I would have read this back then, I never would have attempted it.
So let's start with what I did like:
The personal note from the author at the beginning was a nice touch.
Also the vivid and somewhat gruesome descriptions of Maty were amazing and A++ on Mary's twisted backstory.
Now onto the not so great aspects:
While the swamp gas and Hawthorn monster were cool additions, I was left totally curious about them and wish the MC would have had more of an actual encounter with them.
Also the characters were pretty stereotypical. The pretty mean girl, the overweight girl with low self-esteem, the mean girl's best friend who keeps defending the mean girl's actions.
However, I was able to overlook those minor things because it was a good, creepy read that I would recommend reading far away from any mirrors.
When four friends decide to summon Bloody Mary, they have no idea what they are inviting into their lives through the mirror. Seeing her once, however, isn't enough and they decide to summon her again. The second summoning quickly spirals out of control, releasing Mary and her fury into their lives. While being haunted by the bloodthirsty ghost in every reflective surface, the girls learn horrible secrets not only about Mary, but also about each other.
The girls scramble to find out more about Mary's past and how to stop her before she kills every last one of them.
Personal opinion:
I was so excited for this book as I am guilty of calling Bloody Mary's name 3 times in a dark bathroom as a teenager. If I would have read this back then, I never would have attempted it.
So let's start with what I did like:
The personal note from the author at the beginning was a nice touch.
Also the vivid and somewhat gruesome descriptions of Maty were amazing and A++ on Mary's twisted backstory.
Now onto the not so great aspects:
While the swamp gas and Hawthorn monster were cool additions, I was left totally curious about them and wish the MC would have had more of an actual encounter with them.
Also the characters were pretty stereotypical. The pretty mean girl, the overweight girl with low self-esteem, the mean girl's best friend who keeps defending the mean girl's actions.
However, I was able to overlook those minor things because it was a good, creepy read that I would recommend reading far away from any mirrors.
September 18, 2020
2.5 stars
This book, technically two, is exactly what it says: a Bloody Mary tale. The story starts off with four friends doing the ritual and summoning Mary. No backstory; just that and it moves on from there.
The four friends seemed more like two pairs of best friends smooshed together and left you thinking why, and how, are they friends?
Jess is unlikeable, and pretty selfish. Shauna is the narrator that is the main lemming to Jess. Then there is Anna and Kitty; both lemmings and typical side characters.
The friends summon Bloody Mary and "scariness" ensues. Secrets are unearthed, mystery solved, friendships hindered, etc. Mary seemed quite formidable and the letters showing her past was typical of urban legend discoveries. I'd like a more fleshed out story for that to be honest.
I can't say much as this is too books in one, but felt more like an ongoing story. Plot was just "hit the floor and run", no history of friendships really explained, urban legend was predictable, and there was information discussed, not related to Mary, that would have been nice if it was expanded on.
Nothing spectacular, an easy " scary" read, but if you want something more developed: look elsewhere. Pretty much surface level story telling.
This book, technically two, is exactly what it says: a Bloody Mary tale. The story starts off with four friends doing the ritual and summoning Mary. No backstory; just that and it moves on from there.
The four friends seemed more like two pairs of best friends smooshed together and left you thinking why, and how, are they friends?
Jess is unlikeable, and pretty selfish. Shauna is the narrator that is the main lemming to Jess. Then there is Anna and Kitty; both lemmings and typical side characters.
The friends summon Bloody Mary and "scariness" ensues. Secrets are unearthed, mystery solved, friendships hindered, etc. Mary seemed quite formidable and the letters showing her past was typical of urban legend discoveries. I'd like a more fleshed out story for that to be honest.
I can't say much as this is too books in one, but felt more like an ongoing story. Plot was just "hit the floor and run", no history of friendships really explained, urban legend was predictable, and there was information discussed, not related to Mary, that would have been nice if it was expanded on.
Nothing spectacular, an easy " scary" read, but if you want something more developed: look elsewhere. Pretty much surface level story telling.
January 28, 2022
I found Mary: The Summoning through my library website in 2015. I was looking for scary books and with Mary: The Summoning, I definitely found it. I absolutely loved the book. I couldn't put it down when I read it and it scared the hell out of me. For a number of days, after I finished it, I was leery of mirrors and anything reflective. Mary: The Summoning is the only book to ever scare me. my review for the first book: my link text
This review may contain spoilers for both books.
It's been seven years since I read the first book. I have wanted to read the sequel for so long but no libraries near me ever got it. Last year, I found The Bloody Mary Saga which contains both books.
Mary: The Summoning did not scare me as it did seven years ago. I'm not sure why exactly. I guess it's people change and things don't always affect them the same years later. However, Mary: The Summoning will forever hold the title of the only horror book that's ever scared me.
I finally was able to read the sequel. While it did not scare, it was still awesome and so creepy. Hillary Monahan is so descriptive with Mary and everything in the books. I can really see it all in my mind. Both books are well-written and I just couldn't stop reading. I just had to find out what was going to happen next. I wanted to know Mary's story; I wanted to know what happened to her. Why had she turned into such a vengeful spirit? At times I wanted to hate Mary, but I also felt bad for her.
Shauna was a great character. Very likable. Jess, her family, and other characters whose ancestors were connected to Mary, I was never totally sure any of them could truly be trusted.
And Cody! I loved, loved her! I was very upset when she died.
Both books were awesome. I loved them and they are of my favorite books now.
This review may contain spoilers for both books.
It's been seven years since I read the first book. I have wanted to read the sequel for so long but no libraries near me ever got it. Last year, I found The Bloody Mary Saga which contains both books.
Mary: The Summoning did not scare me as it did seven years ago. I'm not sure why exactly. I guess it's people change and things don't always affect them the same years later. However, Mary: The Summoning will forever hold the title of the only horror book that's ever scared me.
I finally was able to read the sequel. While it did not scare, it was still awesome and so creepy. Hillary Monahan is so descriptive with Mary and everything in the books. I can really see it all in my mind. Both books are well-written and I just couldn't stop reading. I just had to find out what was going to happen next. I wanted to know Mary's story; I wanted to know what happened to her. Why had she turned into such a vengeful spirit? At times I wanted to hate Mary, but I also felt bad for her.
Shauna was a great character. Very likable. Jess, her family, and other characters whose ancestors were connected to Mary, I was never totally sure any of them could truly be trusted.
And Cody! I loved, loved her! I was very upset when she died.
Both books were awesome. I loved them and they are of my favorite books now.
March 17, 2021
When I first stated this one it scared the shit out of me. Like all the lights in avoiding mirrors paranoia, I thought for sure I was going to love this creepy little book. but....after that first couple chapters it sorta fell flat. The pacing was a little off, and I spent most of the book annoyed at the teenagers, none of them were very well developed and I didn’t find myself too attached to anyone. I am however interested enough to read the second book and find out how everything comes to a close!
February 19, 2019
When Jess suggests to her friends--Shauna, Kitty and Anna--that they play a game of Bloody Mary, they're hesitant, but if there's one thing Jess is good at, it's getting her way. But this turns out to be more than just a game. The Summoning actually WORKS. And their game may turn out to be a tragic mistake.
The writing was really well-done. I could see and feel everything I was meant to. The narrative was believable and effective. One problem I had with it was that physical comparisons relied heavily on comparisons--"She's pretty, but not AS pretty as so-and-so;" "He's muscular, but not as built as that guy;" etc. etc.--and that irritated me a bit, but that's the only thing that really bugged me throughout this book.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be believable. They managed to grow as people, but still be consistent in their behavior, changing in a way that fit their situations and their personalities.
Bloody Mary was creepy and intriguing--and I won't lie, I hesitated to shut the lights a couple nights. She was that well-written. I wouldn't have been surprised to seen a ghostly hand trapped inside my window.
The mystery was really well-done as well. It hooked me from the beginning, and held me til the end. Even now, I have so many more questions I wish I could ask. It kept me guessing til the end. Usually I can make a pretty good guess about an outcome, but I never saw any of these twists coming.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a spooky ghost story.
The writing was really well-done. I could see and feel everything I was meant to. The narrative was believable and effective. One problem I had with it was that physical comparisons relied heavily on comparisons--"She's pretty, but not AS pretty as so-and-so;" "He's muscular, but not as built as that guy;" etc. etc.--and that irritated me a bit, but that's the only thing that really bugged me throughout this book.
Other than that, I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be believable. They managed to grow as people, but still be consistent in their behavior, changing in a way that fit their situations and their personalities.
Bloody Mary was creepy and intriguing--and I won't lie, I hesitated to shut the lights a couple nights. She was that well-written. I wouldn't have been surprised to seen a ghostly hand trapped inside my window.
The mystery was really well-done as well. It hooked me from the beginning, and held me til the end. Even now, I have so many more questions I wish I could ask. It kept me guessing til the end. Usually I can make a pretty good guess about an outcome, but I never saw any of these twists coming.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a spooky ghost story.
October 13, 2021
DNF'd at Chapter 13 in book 2. This, unfortunately, isn't quite what I expected from this duology. I was hoping to actually get scared or at least be curious, but neither have happened. I was more grossed out and annoyed than anything.
December 29, 2018
Just absolutely intense! Super hard to put this one down
July 31, 2019
These two books were awesome. I'm sad in a way that their terrifying adventures are over but it was a good read to get to the end. Awesome duology!
August 1, 2021
What a ride! My head hurts while reading the story, I had so many questions. I liked the letters although I think that the letters were written in a modern tone not in an 1860’s tone.
August 21, 2022
3.5/5,rounded up.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews