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The Darkdeep #1
The Darkdeep
When a bullying incident sends twelve-year-old Nico Holland over the edge of a cliff into the icy waters of Still Cove, where no one ever goes, friends Tyler and Ella - and even 'cool kid' Opal -rush to his rescue... only to discover an island hidden in the swirling mists below.
Shrouded by dense trees and murky tides, the island appears uninhabited, although the kids can't quite shake the feeling that something about it is off. Their suspicions grow when they stumble upon an abandoned houseboat with an array of curiosities inside: odd-looking weapons, unnerving portraits, maps to places they've never heard of, and a glass jar containing something completely unidentifiable.
As the group delves deeper into the unknown, their discoveries - and their lives -begin to intertwine in weird and creepy ways. Something ancient has awakened... and it knows their wishes and dreams - and their darkest, most terrible secrets. Do they have what it takes to face the shadowy things that lurk within their own hearts?
Shrouded by dense trees and murky tides, the island appears uninhabited, although the kids can't quite shake the feeling that something about it is off. Their suspicions grow when they stumble upon an abandoned houseboat with an array of curiosities inside: odd-looking weapons, unnerving portraits, maps to places they've never heard of, and a glass jar containing something completely unidentifiable.
As the group delves deeper into the unknown, their discoveries - and their lives -begin to intertwine in weird and creepy ways. Something ancient has awakened... and it knows their wishes and dreams - and their darkest, most terrible secrets. Do they have what it takes to face the shadowy things that lurk within their own hearts?
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 2, 2018
134 people are currently reading
6107 people want to read
About the author
Ally Condie
30 books14.9k followersAlly Condie is a former high school English teacher who lives with her husband, three sons and one daughter outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves reading, running, eating, and listening to her husband play guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews
September 24, 2018
The Darkdeep by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs is the first book in the new middle grade horror series by the same name. A lot of people are comparing this one to Stranger Things which could be but since I haven’t watched those what it did remind me of is some of Stephen King’s horror but on a middle grade level. The story is one of a group of somewhat misfit kids encountering a group of bullies and of course that bullying leads to their discovery.
Nico, Tyler and Emma are out near Still Cove which is off-limits due to all the creepy sightings there over the years. The trio however just wanted to test out their new quad copter they had built when along comes Logan the town bully and his friends, including Opal who used to be friends with Nico’s group.
Things of course get out of hand and the drone the kids were so excited to fly ends up going into Still Cove. A rescue attempt leads to one of the group falling over and the rest attempting to help they all find themselves stumbling into more than they ever could have imagined when they find the Darkdeep.
Being an adult I know I’m not the intended audience for this story but I have to say I was quite impressed that it kept me entertained just the same. I’m one that often finds horror stories to be a bit of the same old same old having read so many but the ideas in here were interesting and the levels of creepiness just right for the intended audience without going too far. Definitely recommend checking this one out to any age really that enjoys a good scary tale.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Nico, Tyler and Emma are out near Still Cove which is off-limits due to all the creepy sightings there over the years. The trio however just wanted to test out their new quad copter they had built when along comes Logan the town bully and his friends, including Opal who used to be friends with Nico’s group.
Things of course get out of hand and the drone the kids were so excited to fly ends up going into Still Cove. A rescue attempt leads to one of the group falling over and the rest attempting to help they all find themselves stumbling into more than they ever could have imagined when they find the Darkdeep.
Being an adult I know I’m not the intended audience for this story but I have to say I was quite impressed that it kept me entertained just the same. I’m one that often finds horror stories to be a bit of the same old same old having read so many but the ideas in here were interesting and the levels of creepiness just right for the intended audience without going too far. Definitely recommend checking this one out to any age really that enjoys a good scary tale.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 11, 2018
4.5
My initial interest in this novel is that Ally Condie is one of the writers, and I have had a pretty good experience with her Matched trilogy and Atlantia. When This came up on NetGalley, I was so excited and hoping to be a reviewer for this book. And I was chosen! A big thank you to NetGalley. Bloomsbury, Ally Condie, and Brendan Reichs for the amazing opportunity of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many people are saying this has a very Stranger Things vibe to it. I won’t deny that, but I feel like it definitely has a feel of its own as well. I also noticed that some people found this book to be a bit scary for the target age group, but I don’t think so at all. Having experience teaching 7th and 8th grade, a huge percentage of those students are into Stranger Things and similar types of media, so this would fit right in. If there were more blood/gore versus finding a human skeleton, I might say it’s a bit creepy in a negative way, but it doesn’t have that kind of element to it.
Basically, three friends are playing on a cliff over a creepy, fog-covered cove, when a bully comes and loses a boy’s drone in the cove on purpose. After Nico falls over the cliff, his friends Tyler and Emma rush to find him, only for the three of them to discover an island with a lake in the middle, a boathouse full of creepy things in the middle of that. Opal, a girl who was with the bully, follows them, and it takes a while for her to be accepted as part of the group. In the bottom center of the boathouse, there is a pool of swirling water that the children end up naming the Darkdeep. When they go through, it spits them out, along with pulling something imaginary from their minds in the process, such as an animal or character from a movie. These figments seem fun at first, because that’s all they are: figments that can’t touch anything and disappear after awhile. Until they become more and more real and the children have to stop the horrors from destroying the town.
I honestly thought this was an absolutely amazing book for Middle Grade and that some high school students would enjoy as well. Even as a teacher, I found myself slamming through this book. The only thing I didn’t really like about the book was Emma. She felt like some of her actions were a bit unrealistic and forced for what a girl of that age might do in the given situation. Other than that, The Darkdeep is well-written and fast paced, and the adventures of the children as they learn about the Darkdeep and how it works, as well as leaving just enough mystery for the reader, is perfect. The cover is inviting and the color scheme is gorgeous. A highly recommended read for Middle Grade and higher!
My initial interest in this novel is that Ally Condie is one of the writers, and I have had a pretty good experience with her Matched trilogy and Atlantia. When This came up on NetGalley, I was so excited and hoping to be a reviewer for this book. And I was chosen! A big thank you to NetGalley. Bloomsbury, Ally Condie, and Brendan Reichs for the amazing opportunity of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.
Many people are saying this has a very Stranger Things vibe to it. I won’t deny that, but I feel like it definitely has a feel of its own as well. I also noticed that some people found this book to be a bit scary for the target age group, but I don’t think so at all. Having experience teaching 7th and 8th grade, a huge percentage of those students are into Stranger Things and similar types of media, so this would fit right in. If there were more blood/gore versus finding a human skeleton, I might say it’s a bit creepy in a negative way, but it doesn’t have that kind of element to it.
Basically, three friends are playing on a cliff over a creepy, fog-covered cove, when a bully comes and loses a boy’s drone in the cove on purpose. After Nico falls over the cliff, his friends Tyler and Emma rush to find him, only for the three of them to discover an island with a lake in the middle, a boathouse full of creepy things in the middle of that. Opal, a girl who was with the bully, follows them, and it takes a while for her to be accepted as part of the group. In the bottom center of the boathouse, there is a pool of swirling water that the children end up naming the Darkdeep. When they go through, it spits them out, along with pulling something imaginary from their minds in the process, such as an animal or character from a movie. These figments seem fun at first, because that’s all they are: figments that can’t touch anything and disappear after awhile. Until they become more and more real and the children have to stop the horrors from destroying the town.
I honestly thought this was an absolutely amazing book for Middle Grade and that some high school students would enjoy as well. Even as a teacher, I found myself slamming through this book. The only thing I didn’t really like about the book was Emma. She felt like some of her actions were a bit unrealistic and forced for what a girl of that age might do in the given situation. Other than that, The Darkdeep is well-written and fast paced, and the adventures of the children as they learn about the Darkdeep and how it works, as well as leaving just enough mystery for the reader, is perfect. The cover is inviting and the color scheme is gorgeous. A highly recommended read for Middle Grade and higher!
September 21, 2019
An eerie, creepy, sometimes hilarious supernatural mystery-thriller that might be described as Stephen King for middle-graders. It would probably appeal to fans of "Stranger Things" or "The Goonies." Creatures emerge out of the children's minds from the whirling Darkdeep pool. They start out as amusing, then gradually escalate to downright frightening. I didn't find it especially scary (the worst parts for me were the slugs and the giant cockroach), but some middle-graders might. On the whole, it's a fun, mildly scary tale for middle-graders, teens, and adults who like this sort of thing.
April 23, 2019
3,5 en realidad.
Reseña completa: https://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com...
La trama al ser infantil/juvenil es sencilla, sin grandes sobresaltos y con un ritmo un poco irregular, pues parece como si no pasara nada cuando es todo lo contrario... pero cuenta con unas cuantas sorpresas muy bien llevadas, la narración de los autores es adictiva, sin darte cuenta te sumerges entre sus páginas y devoras el libro en un par de horas, además el lugar donde transcurre todo está muy bien detallado, puedes imaginarlo con todo lujo de detalles y los personajes tienen un fondo muy elaborado.
El libro está contado por dos de los protagonistas principales, alternando sus capítulos para ofrecer una visión más amplia de lo que sucede con el grupo.
[...]
Un middle grade con buenas dosis de aventuras e intrigas.
Reseña completa: https://letraslibrosymas.blogspot.com...
La trama al ser infantil/juvenil es sencilla, sin grandes sobresaltos y con un ritmo un poco irregular, pues parece como si no pasara nada cuando es todo lo contrario... pero cuenta con unas cuantas sorpresas muy bien llevadas, la narración de los autores es adictiva, sin darte cuenta te sumerges entre sus páginas y devoras el libro en un par de horas, además el lugar donde transcurre todo está muy bien detallado, puedes imaginarlo con todo lujo de detalles y los personajes tienen un fondo muy elaborado.
El libro está contado por dos de los protagonistas principales, alternando sus capítulos para ofrecer una visión más amplia de lo que sucede con el grupo.
[...]
Un middle grade con buenas dosis de aventuras e intrigas.
May 26, 2019
Nico Holland and his friends, Tyler and Emma, go to Still Cove to have fun flying Nico's new drone. The cliffs above Still Cove are perfect for trying it out....nice flat area, 5 miles from town, nobody to bother them. Most people avoid the area. It's just a bit too remote and perpetually covered in dense fog. The currents and jagged rocks in Still Cove are too much for boats. The cliffs are just a bit too high and foggy to be safe. And, there are the legends about The Beast....a sea monster that trolls the waters of the cove attacking boats. But, legendary sea monsters don't mean too much to 12-year old kids when they have new, really cool, tech to try out! When local bullies fly Nico's quadcopter out into the fog and lose it over the cliff on purpose, things get dicey. Joined by Opal Walsh, abandoned by the bullies when she wanted to help look for the drone, the kids soon find themselves involved in the adventure of a lifetime. They find....The Darkdeep! (que ominous music stab here).
I love this book! It reminds me of so many awesome kid's adventure stories I have enjoyed -- Goonies, Gremlins, Stand By Me, Stranger Things, and most recently The Rim of the World (great movie streamable on Netflix!). The story is middle grade appropriate, but enjoyable for adults, too. It was a total binge read for me. I couldn't stop reading! The Darkdeep would be a great story to read out loud to kids at bedtime or to a classroom of students. It's suspenseful, but not scary. Plus, it has plenty of potential for writing prompts, activities, discussion and other classroom applications.
The Darkdeep is the first book in this series. The second book, The Beast, will be published in October 2019. I can't wait!!
This is the first book I have read by either of these YA co-authors. I have always been curious about the Virals series that Brendan wrote with his mother, Author Kathy Reichs. After reading The Darkdeep, I will definitely try other books written by these two authors!
I love this book! It reminds me of so many awesome kid's adventure stories I have enjoyed -- Goonies, Gremlins, Stand By Me, Stranger Things, and most recently The Rim of the World (great movie streamable on Netflix!). The story is middle grade appropriate, but enjoyable for adults, too. It was a total binge read for me. I couldn't stop reading! The Darkdeep would be a great story to read out loud to kids at bedtime or to a classroom of students. It's suspenseful, but not scary. Plus, it has plenty of potential for writing prompts, activities, discussion and other classroom applications.
The Darkdeep is the first book in this series. The second book, The Beast, will be published in October 2019. I can't wait!!
This is the first book I have read by either of these YA co-authors. I have always been curious about the Virals series that Brendan wrote with his mother, Author Kathy Reichs. After reading The Darkdeep, I will definitely try other books written by these two authors!
September 24, 2018
There have been some amazing middle grade books this year and The Darkdeep is another one.
Nico, Tyler, and Ella are friends. Nico's dad caused some issues in town while trying to protect the owls. Because of that, a lot of people were laid off work and they blame him for it. Logan's dad runs the big company that was hurt by this. He bullies Nico a lot, mostly because of that. While out flying a drone by the cliffs of Still Cove, Logan and his friends show up and start harassing them. He flies Nico's drone into the fog and into the cove. Nico gets close to the edge and falls over.
Opal was with Logan, but left to go back and check on her old friend, Nico. She and the others decide to find a way down to find him. They find a cave with a rowboat and take it out on the water. They find an island with a weird houseboat and pond. Luckily Nico is there and isn't hurt. So the four of them decide to check out he houseboat. Inside, they find all kinds of odd things, including a basement. Obviously that seems odd for a houseboat, so they go down there. What they find is a weird well of water that is swirling constantly.
Ella decides to put her foot in the water and it grabs her and drags her under. She somehow comes up outside the houseboat. After she does, a weird animal appears. It was her make believe friend from when she was younger. The kids realize that the Darkdeep can bring up figments. But the figments start getting stronger and they have to find a way to save the town.
I loved the friendships in this book. That stood out more than anything. These kids love each other and have such an incredible bond. I also loved the creepy vibes and all the weird creatures that kept appearing. The cave, tunnel, and "treasures" they found were so interesting, too.
I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read the second book. I gave this one 4 1/2 stars (rounded up to 5). Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my copy for review.
Nico, Tyler, and Ella are friends. Nico's dad caused some issues in town while trying to protect the owls. Because of that, a lot of people were laid off work and they blame him for it. Logan's dad runs the big company that was hurt by this. He bullies Nico a lot, mostly because of that. While out flying a drone by the cliffs of Still Cove, Logan and his friends show up and start harassing them. He flies Nico's drone into the fog and into the cove. Nico gets close to the edge and falls over.
Opal was with Logan, but left to go back and check on her old friend, Nico. She and the others decide to find a way down to find him. They find a cave with a rowboat and take it out on the water. They find an island with a weird houseboat and pond. Luckily Nico is there and isn't hurt. So the four of them decide to check out he houseboat. Inside, they find all kinds of odd things, including a basement. Obviously that seems odd for a houseboat, so they go down there. What they find is a weird well of water that is swirling constantly.
Ella decides to put her foot in the water and it grabs her and drags her under. She somehow comes up outside the houseboat. After she does, a weird animal appears. It was her make believe friend from when she was younger. The kids realize that the Darkdeep can bring up figments. But the figments start getting stronger and they have to find a way to save the town.
I loved the friendships in this book. That stood out more than anything. These kids love each other and have such an incredible bond. I also loved the creepy vibes and all the weird creatures that kept appearing. The cave, tunnel, and "treasures" they found were so interesting, too.
I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read the second book. I gave this one 4 1/2 stars (rounded up to 5). Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my copy for review.
January 1, 2019
Creepy dark fantasy (but not too dark, as it is middle grade) about a group of friends . . . and frenemies . . . who find a strange, secret spot outside of town. Is it magic, is it a hallucination? Is it pure evil and they SHOULDN'T BE TOUCHING IT?! (Mom instincts kicking in, there!) Really nice set up for a series, and enough humor to leaven the creepiness, but I wouldn't give it to an overly sensitive child (if they're scared of the recent Goosebumps or House With A Clock In Its Walls movies, this is not the book for them!).
I did feel, as an adult reader (kids may think different) that it was too short, and stuff happened too fast for me to really savor it. I'm hoping the sequel gives me more, more, MORE!
I did feel, as an adult reader (kids may think different) that it was too short, and stuff happened too fast for me to really savor it. I'm hoping the sequel gives me more, more, MORE!
January 8, 2019
We read this book together after seeing Ally Condie at an event at our local bookstore. I worried it might be too scary for the kids, but they never got all that scared. There were definitely some tense chapters, and once I think they *might* have been more scared than they let on. The kids like action-packed books and this one fit the bill for them.
It's definitely not the most complex plot or characters we've come across, but the kids were always happy to sit down and read a few chapters, which is what we're looking for. It was also a nice change-up from our usual books. The kids are hoping there's a sequel.
It's definitely not the most complex plot or characters we've come across, but the kids were always happy to sit down and read a few chapters, which is what we're looking for. It was also a nice change-up from our usual books. The kids are hoping there's a sequel.
January 9, 2021
C’est peut-être moi qui n’étais pas due pour lire ce genre d’histoire, mais je ne suis même pas arrivée à le terminer. Je n’ai pas embarqué et — même en lisant en diagonale — je n’ai pas eu envie de le finir. C’est bien bien personnel et je sais que d’autres ont aimé, mais je décide de le laisser de côté et de lire autre chose 🤷🏻♀️.
March 4, 2019
This book was a fun and eerie middle grade adventure that made me nostalgic for my youth by reminding me of the times I spent reading Goosebumps as a kid. Actually, I feel like there was a lot of spooky series’ that I read in the nighties/early millennium!
This was a quick, fun imaginative adventure which at the core is also about friendship and facing fears. Important messages were told in a casual way which had the effect of keeping that topic important but also not adding an additional “cheese” factor.
After reading this first book in a new series, I felt that it was a great introduction and I’m interested to see where the series continues. I wonder what the next creepy thing will be of if the Darkdeep will be seen again.
***Thank you to Raincoast Books for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
This was a quick, fun imaginative adventure which at the core is also about friendship and facing fears. Important messages were told in a casual way which had the effect of keeping that topic important but also not adding an additional “cheese” factor.
After reading this first book in a new series, I felt that it was a great introduction and I’m interested to see where the series continues. I wonder what the next creepy thing will be of if the Darkdeep will be seen again.
***Thank you to Raincoast Books for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
August 4, 2018
What a ride! I really enjoyed this relatively fast-paced MG that will be hitting the shelves this fall (October 2) in perfect time for Halloween.
I definitely felt like it was Stranger Things meets middle grade, but am hesitant to say that I’d recommend it to kids any younger than 10. While it has a strong message of over coming fear (something I thought was great) it could prove to be a little much for readers with a vivid imagination.
I loved the interplay between the original core group of four friends and the addition (no spoilers) here and how Condie and Reichs really pulled out some great lessons about friendship, bullying, and the power of fear.
I’d recommend that parents who aren’t sure how their child might react to the slightly darker themes of this book read it first so they can have a conversation with their child during/after reading it.
All in all, I’d recommend it to mature MG readers who like adventure with a side of creepy!
I definitely felt like it was Stranger Things meets middle grade, but am hesitant to say that I’d recommend it to kids any younger than 10. While it has a strong message of over coming fear (something I thought was great) it could prove to be a little much for readers with a vivid imagination.
I loved the interplay between the original core group of four friends and the addition (no spoilers) here and how Condie and Reichs really pulled out some great lessons about friendship, bullying, and the power of fear.
I’d recommend that parents who aren’t sure how their child might react to the slightly darker themes of this book read it first so they can have a conversation with their child during/after reading it.
All in all, I’d recommend it to mature MG readers who like adventure with a side of creepy!
February 21, 2019
Nico, Opal, Emma and Tyler stumble upon a mysterious houseboat in the middle of Still Cove (thought to be haunted). The houseboat contains all kinds of interesting trinkets, but it is what is below the houseboat that is the most interesting -
I read this book to preview it for our (K-8) school library. It is clearly a middle school book, but the librarian wanted to know how scary it was to determine the appropriate grade level. The book is dark but not graphic in any way. Personally, I think a 5th grader could easily handle it. As for the other stuff I normally look for in my previews - the hormone level is "crushes" at best. There are a few times when Nico is inexplicably jealous and gives Opal strange looks, but there really isn't even a mention of feelings and no kissing. Language - "jerk" is the worst word used. No other bad language. Violence - Hmm, some of the figments do attack the kids, but no blood is spilled. There is a bit of bullying that occurs between Nico and another boy from town, but it ends up resolved at the end.
I read this book to preview it for our (K-8) school library. It is clearly a middle school book, but the librarian wanted to know how scary it was to determine the appropriate grade level. The book is dark but not graphic in any way. Personally, I think a 5th grader could easily handle it. As for the other stuff I normally look for in my previews - the hormone level is "crushes" at best. There are a few times when Nico is inexplicably jealous and gives Opal strange looks, but there really isn't even a mention of feelings and no kissing. Language - "jerk" is the worst word used. No other bad language. Violence - Hmm, some of the figments do attack the kids, but no blood is spilled. There is a bit of bullying that occurs between Nico and another boy from town, but it ends up resolved at the end.
February 26, 2023
VILKEN FANTASTISK BOK. Herrejävlar. Ett perfekt exempel på att bra barnböcker kan avnjutas även av vuxna. Jag har bara läst en Stephen King bok men det här kändes typ som Stephen King fast för barn. Skräcken är definitivt mer åt det mystiska och konstiga hållet och man vet inte riktigt vad det är som händer men det är det som gör boken så himla fantastisk. Man förstår tillräckligt för att totalt SLUKA berättelsen. Och gissa om jag blev glad när jag såg att det ska komma en uppföljare!
Karaktärerna är fantastiskt gestaltade och likaså deras relationer till varandra. 10 of ten would recommend.
Nico har precis lyckats samla ihop tillräckligt med pengar för att bygga klart sin drönare. Nico och hans två kompisar Tyler och Emma ger sig ut för att testflyga drönaren när de blir avbrutna av ett gäng mobbare. Som ett resultat av det ramlar Nico ner för en klippa rakt ner i det mystiska viken som alla vet att man borde göra sitt bästa för att undvika. Under räddningsuppdraget hittar kompisgänget en ö som ingen av dem hört talas som förut som varit dold i den mörka dimman.
På ön hittar de en sjö och på den står en gammal husbåt där ingen verkar ha satt sin fot på väldigt länge. Inuti är den full av massa konstiga grejer men det konstiga av allt finns bakom en lönndörr som leder ner till källaren. Där finns Avgrunden, en mystisk substans som kan få dina värsta mardrömmar att komma till liv.
Karaktärerna är fantastiskt gestaltade och likaså deras relationer till varandra. 10 of ten would recommend.
Nico har precis lyckats samla ihop tillräckligt med pengar för att bygga klart sin drönare. Nico och hans två kompisar Tyler och Emma ger sig ut för att testflyga drönaren när de blir avbrutna av ett gäng mobbare. Som ett resultat av det ramlar Nico ner för en klippa rakt ner i det mystiska viken som alla vet att man borde göra sitt bästa för att undvika. Under räddningsuppdraget hittar kompisgänget en ö som ingen av dem hört talas som förut som varit dold i den mörka dimman.
På ön hittar de en sjö och på den står en gammal husbåt där ingen verkar ha satt sin fot på väldigt länge. Inuti är den full av massa konstiga grejer men det konstiga av allt finns bakom en lönndörr som leder ner till källaren. Där finns Avgrunden, en mystisk substans som kan få dina värsta mardrömmar att komma till liv.
August 24, 2018
An arc of this book was sent to me by Bloomsbury in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Darkdeep is a perfectly fast paced middle grade story that is full of friendship and adventure mixed with spooky. Super fun to read with a good amount of suspense. Although I have to admit it was a bit slow at the beginning, halfway through the book, it just picks up and the ending was just GREAT! I love the original plot ideas and plot twists! Definitely a good book to read with Halloween coming up soon. This book is absolutely perfect for younger readers.
The Darkdeep is a perfectly fast paced middle grade story that is full of friendship and adventure mixed with spooky. Super fun to read with a good amount of suspense. Although I have to admit it was a bit slow at the beginning, halfway through the book, it just picks up and the ending was just GREAT! I love the original plot ideas and plot twists! Definitely a good book to read with Halloween coming up soon. This book is absolutely perfect for younger readers.
May 8, 2021
I thought the Darkdeep was a well written, cute middle grade novel. I think I would have liked it a lot more when I was younger than I did now. Part of it was that I was expecting something kind of creepy along the lines of Neil Gaiman. I thought the Darkdeep was more goofy than creepy. I liked the cast of characters, they were all pretty well defined by the end of the book. But it was also ridiculous that they never told any adult what was happening. I get it. You can’t in middle grade/young adult novels because the focus is on the kids and them being the heroes. But still. Having an adult might have been helpful. Especially with some of the protagonists “kid logic”. They were constantly declaring things to be impossible and stating, “that’s not how it works.” Okay kids, but realistically you don’t know what you are dealing with and have no idea what is/isn’t possible. Emma was particularly annoying is this regard.
I was also a little disappointed that the ending is a cliffhanger. Personally I was much more interested in the “thing in the jar” than the figments but at the same time I don’t think I care enough to continue the series. Overall cute and enjoyable but not a middle grade strong enough to transcend its target audience. It’s okay, not everyone can be Kate DiCamillo.
I was also a little disappointed that the ending is a cliffhanger. Personally I was much more interested in the “thing in the jar” than the figments but at the same time I don’t think I care enough to continue the series. Overall cute and enjoyable but not a middle grade strong enough to transcend its target audience. It’s okay, not everyone can be Kate DiCamillo.
January 28, 2020
I liked the premise of this book fine, but that's pretty much where it ended.
I think four kids finding a secret place with a secret evil presence is pretty cool. The descriptions of the creatures as well as the ways that they eventually manifest themselves are not cool. They're uninspired, lazy and truncated.
The writing style used is a textbook example of surface skimming, using as few words as possible to describe what actions the characters are doing and what the creatures look like. It's like Ernest Hemingway's ghost possessed the author(s) and then suddenly forgot its vast vocabulary but still chose to write using Minimalism. The style is choppy, awkward and just plain not enjoyable to read.
I only wish there was a movie from the '80s or a TV show on Netflix with a similar premise . . .
I think four kids finding a secret place with a secret evil presence is pretty cool. The descriptions of the creatures as well as the ways that they eventually manifest themselves are not cool. They're uninspired, lazy and truncated.
The writing style used is a textbook example of surface skimming, using as few words as possible to describe what actions the characters are doing and what the creatures look like. It's like Ernest Hemingway's ghost possessed the author(s) and then suddenly forgot its vast vocabulary but still chose to write using Minimalism. The style is choppy, awkward and just plain not enjoyable to read.
I only wish there was a movie from the '80s or a TV show on Netflix with a similar premise . . .
December 10, 2019
På svenska heter boken Avgrunden. En uppföljare som heter Besten kommer under 2020.
Stephen King fast för barn. Skräcken är definitivt mer åt det mystiska och konstiga hållet och man vet inte riktigt vad det är som händer men det är det som gör boken så himla fantastisk. Man förstår tillräckligt för att totalt SLUKA berättelsen.
Nico har precis lyckats samla ihop tillräckligt med pengar för att bygga klart sin drönare. Nico och hans två kompisar Tyler och Emma ger sig ut för att testflyga drönaren när de blir avbrutna av ett gäng mobbare. Som ett resultat av det ramlar Nico ner för en klippa rakt ner i det mystiska viken som alla vet att man borde göra sitt bästa för att undvika. Under räddningsuppdraget hittar kompisgänget en ö som ingen av dem hört talas som förut som varit dold i den mörka dimman.
På ön hittar de en sjö och på den står en gammal husbåt där ingen verkar ha satt sin fot på väldigt länge. Inuti är den full av massa konstiga grejer men det konstiga av allt finns bakom en lönndörr som leder ner till källaren. Där finns Avgrunden, en mystisk substans som kan få dina värsta mardrömmar att komma till liv.
Stephen King fast för barn. Skräcken är definitivt mer åt det mystiska och konstiga hållet och man vet inte riktigt vad det är som händer men det är det som gör boken så himla fantastisk. Man förstår tillräckligt för att totalt SLUKA berättelsen.
Nico har precis lyckats samla ihop tillräckligt med pengar för att bygga klart sin drönare. Nico och hans två kompisar Tyler och Emma ger sig ut för att testflyga drönaren när de blir avbrutna av ett gäng mobbare. Som ett resultat av det ramlar Nico ner för en klippa rakt ner i det mystiska viken som alla vet att man borde göra sitt bästa för att undvika. Under räddningsuppdraget hittar kompisgänget en ö som ingen av dem hört talas som förut som varit dold i den mörka dimman.
På ön hittar de en sjö och på den står en gammal husbåt där ingen verkar ha satt sin fot på väldigt länge. Inuti är den full av massa konstiga grejer men det konstiga av allt finns bakom en lönndörr som leder ner till källaren. Där finns Avgrunden, en mystisk substans som kan få dina värsta mardrömmar att komma till liv.
December 30, 2019
4 kids find something spooky in the nearby cove, sadly silly drama make the book less fun.
I have been meaning to read this one for a while and then I had the luck to find the book for quite cheap and in English somewhere. I could finally read it!
This started off as 4.5, then we got so much unnecessary drama/bitching between Nico and Opal which continued for wayyy too long so 4 stars, then Logan was suddenly added to the Darkdeep business and things got weird and so 3.5 stars and with how things went afterwards.. 3 stars. Sadly, that means that this book is going to be donated or put in a mini library. I would have loved to keep this one.
I will write a good/not so good review:
-I really liked the Darkdeep and what happened when you went into it. It seems like quite a fun ride.. well at first at least.
-The figments were a bit hit and miss but I did like when they went fully out of hand and got quite creepy (though some figments I just couldn't see as creepy). Plus, I like the idea that figments/fears can come to life and have a frolick around earth.
-The houseboat and what it contained. Though we don't see a lot of it as the kids mostly keep to a couple of rooms, it was still interesting and I would love to explore it and catalogue all the stuff that is in it. There is so much and I am curious about all of them. What is their history.
-We find out about guardians who keep the Darkdeep in check and I loved the idea that there were doing this. I wonder how people are selected though and how they kept it going.
-Tyler was the only one with a brain. Or well a common sense. Whereas everyone else was mostly like let's do this and go for it... he actually thought it over and decided it may not be a good idea.
-The cover. I just love it to bits!
-I also liked the idea of the Radish Festival. That is pretty nice, though a bit cringy because it is a radish. :P
Not so good:
-The whole drama and stupid stuff between Opal and Logan and Nico. Really, I was just rolling my eyes at all the stupidity and arguments that went between them. Nico especially was just a dick. I thought he was way worse than Logan. Yes, Logan is a bully, but Nico is just a dick. Constantly being dismissive and untrusting of Opal who is just helping him and protecting him. Yes, at times she wasn't doing it right, but hello she is like 12?
-The horror. I thought it would get more creepy, but instead it was mostly just silly and nonsense.
-Emma. My lord that girl was definitely not first in the common sense/brain department when those were handed out. She endangers her friends but instead of seeing that the Darkdeep is dangerous she is just freaking pouting all the time that she can't create more figments... What the hell girl?
-The truth about the house/the guardians. It took till almost all the end until we FINALLY get some more information that would have been nice to have in the middle of the book. Now it was just too late for me.
-The ending was also a bit too open for me, I get there is a second book, but eh.
-How the kids thought it was a good idea to leave tracks that they were there during that moment of chaos. They should have known it would come back biting them in the ass.
-How everyone was acting towards Nico. I can imagine them being unhappy about Nico's dad and what he did for the jobs due to the owls... but being rude towards a kid? How can you?
-Logan got on my nerves. At times he showed he had a good and sweet side, but mostly I just wanted to have the Darkdeep eat him.
All in all, sadly I won't be reading the second book, unless I get it for free. :P
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have been meaning to read this one for a while and then I had the luck to find the book for quite cheap and in English somewhere. I could finally read it!
This started off as 4.5, then we got so much unnecessary drama/bitching between Nico and Opal which continued for wayyy too long so 4 stars, then Logan was suddenly added to the Darkdeep business and things got weird and so 3.5 stars and with how things went afterwards.. 3 stars. Sadly, that means that this book is going to be donated or put in a mini library. I would have loved to keep this one.
I will write a good/not so good review:
-I really liked the Darkdeep and what happened when you went into it. It seems like quite a fun ride.. well at first at least.
-The figments were a bit hit and miss but I did like when they went fully out of hand and got quite creepy (though some figments I just couldn't see as creepy). Plus, I like the idea that figments/fears can come to life and have a frolick around earth.
-The houseboat and what it contained. Though we don't see a lot of it as the kids mostly keep to a couple of rooms, it was still interesting and I would love to explore it and catalogue all the stuff that is in it. There is so much and I am curious about all of them. What is their history.
-We find out about guardians who keep the Darkdeep in check and I loved the idea that there were doing this. I wonder how people are selected though and how they kept it going.
-Tyler was the only one with a brain. Or well a common sense. Whereas everyone else was mostly like let's do this and go for it... he actually thought it over and decided it may not be a good idea.
-The cover. I just love it to bits!
-I also liked the idea of the Radish Festival. That is pretty nice, though a bit cringy because it is a radish. :P
Not so good:
-The whole drama and stupid stuff between Opal and Logan and Nico. Really, I was just rolling my eyes at all the stupidity and arguments that went between them. Nico especially was just a dick. I thought he was way worse than Logan. Yes, Logan is a bully, but Nico is just a dick. Constantly being dismissive and untrusting of Opal who is just helping him and protecting him. Yes, at times she wasn't doing it right, but hello she is like 12?
-The horror. I thought it would get more creepy, but instead it was mostly just silly and nonsense.
-Emma. My lord that girl was definitely not first in the common sense/brain department when those were handed out. She endangers her friends but instead of seeing that the Darkdeep is dangerous she is just freaking pouting all the time that she can't create more figments... What the hell girl?
-The truth about the house/the guardians. It took till almost all the end until we FINALLY get some more information that would have been nice to have in the middle of the book. Now it was just too late for me.
-The ending was also a bit too open for me, I get there is a second book, but eh.
-How the kids thought it was a good idea to leave tracks that they were there during that moment of chaos. They should have known it would come back biting them in the ass.
-How everyone was acting towards Nico. I can imagine them being unhappy about Nico's dad and what he did for the jobs due to the owls... but being rude towards a kid? How can you?
-Logan got on my nerves. At times he showed he had a good and sweet side, but mostly I just wanted to have the Darkdeep eat him.
All in all, sadly I won't be reading the second book, unless I get it for free. :P
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
October 11, 2019
I received an ARC of this book in a giveaway. Note that anything quoted may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Death, Injury, Fighting, Bullying
I think the older I get, the more I appreciate the Middle Grade genre. Granted, I’m not old in some people’s opinion. What I feel like I never outgrow are the simplistic lessons many Middle Grade books have to offer--The Darkdeep being one of them. Essentially, The Darkdeep is about a group of kids coming together to overcome their differences, and ultimately, their fear.
I don’t know about you, but I will never lose my appreciation for a story that discusses real-life matters that are applicable to any-aged reader. The Darkdeep may be more geared towards the older Middle Grade reader and up, as it does contain some eerie and scary elements, but it is applicable to many. In a world that has so many facets that are larger an individual, teamwork, and coming together, can change the outcome in an instant.
Another point I love about this novel is that it is a story that is enjoyable, easy to read, impactful, and has many of the qualities I look for in a good book. The concept is creative, and kept me wanting to know more about the plot the entire way through. The characters, Nico, Opal, Ella, Tyler, and Logan all have individual personalities, and are relatable to the majority of readers. Each character has something that they struggle with, and ultimately have to overcome those fears in the end in order to defeat the Darkdeep. I think a story like this has a good takeaway, and I’m looking forward to reading more in The Beast.
Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: None.
Violence: Moderate for this genre, as it does focus on some aspects that may be more dark in comparison to others in this genre.
My Rating: ★★★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ PinterestFacebook
Content Warning: Death, Injury, Fighting, Bullying
The pool was the darkest thing she’d ever seen. And it was deep.
I think the older I get, the more I appreciate the Middle Grade genre. Granted, I’m not old in some people’s opinion. What I feel like I never outgrow are the simplistic lessons many Middle Grade books have to offer--The Darkdeep being one of them. Essentially, The Darkdeep is about a group of kids coming together to overcome their differences, and ultimately, their fear.
He’d never felt so powerless inside the Darkdeep. So small and insignificant.
I don’t know about you, but I will never lose my appreciation for a story that discusses real-life matters that are applicable to any-aged reader. The Darkdeep may be more geared towards the older Middle Grade reader and up, as it does contain some eerie and scary elements, but it is applicable to many. In a world that has so many facets that are larger an individual, teamwork, and coming together, can change the outcome in an instant.
Another point I love about this novel is that it is a story that is enjoyable, easy to read, impactful, and has many of the qualities I look for in a good book. The concept is creative, and kept me wanting to know more about the plot the entire way through. The characters, Nico, Opal, Ella, Tyler, and Logan all have individual personalities, and are relatable to the majority of readers. Each character has something that they struggle with, and ultimately have to overcome those fears in the end in order to defeat the Darkdeep. I think a story like this has a good takeaway, and I’m looking forward to reading more in The Beast.
Vulgarity: None.
Sexual content: None.
Violence: Moderate for this genre, as it does focus on some aspects that may be more dark in comparison to others in this genre.
My Rating: ★★★★
My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ PinterestFacebook
August 31, 2018
I'm giving this a 3/5 stars today, but I think that may be higher if I read it again. I don't really know how to feel about this yet. I was slightly bored about half way in. It started to get a little repetitive. But I did stick it out, and I loved the last 30%. It was so good. I've never seen Stranger Things, so I couldn't say if it compares, but it gave me major Scooby Doo vibes. I really enjoyed this book, and I'm excited to recommend it to people at the bookstore I work at. This may be a middle grade, but the end got a bit scary for sensitive kids.
September 9, 2018
A comment on the ARC read "Stranger Things meets The Goonies." Love both the series and the movie. While this book is not as intense or scary, I see the similarities. That being said I found this an enjoyable read, and excellent start to the series.
Any fan of Strangers Things and The Goonies will enjoy.
Any fan of Strangers Things and The Goonies will enjoy.
July 19, 2018
Such a fun middle grade! It was like Stranger Things mixed with The Goonies.
July 9, 2022
*dusts off the old typewriter I reserve specifically for writing negative goodreads reviews* here we go again
It's been a long time, besties. I've been fairly lucky for a while in terms of the books I've read: most of them have been good, a couple fantastic, and a few lukewarm. But actually bad ones? Not since at least last year, and possibly even 2020. So this was fun.
Welcome to The Darkdeep! I started reading this because recently I've been in a bit of a horror phase (especially middle grade horror). There are some subtypes I care for less than others, so I make sure to weed out my tbr and only keep the ones with descriptions that pull me in in some way. That's how I ended up borrowing this book.
I barely made it 15% in before I realized this was not going to be an enjoyable ride. But one thing about me is that I don't dnf books, for better or for worse, so I was in this for the long haul.
Without further ado, here are the reasons for my severe dislike:
The writing:
The writing in The Darkdeep is not good. And I'm normally not one to even notice the actual craft of a novel, so it's saying something that I did. Everything is just described as-is. He did this. She did that. He said this. She felt that. OVER AND OVER. Where is the variety??? You don't need to show 24/7 but telling the ENTIRE time gets so robotic. The whole book just feels soulless.
Not to mention the writing just doesn't make sense sometimes? The book switches between two 3rd person limited POVs every other chapter. There were a bunch of times where sentences just didn't match up with that.
Example: We are in Nico's POV. The book goes "Nico muttered something under his breath." what???? We're in Nico's head right now, since he's the POV character. Why wouldn't we know WHAT he muttered???
Another example: We are in Nico's POV. The book goes "Nico had the good grace to blush." You can't consider YOURSELF as having the good grace to blush, that's something you would say about SOMEONE ELSE.
You get the point.
Also, use of the word "orbs" for eyes...
The CHARACTERS:
Cardboard cutouts. These characters will never feel like real people, because again, this book lacks a soul and so do the characters in it. Nico and Opal are the main two characters and out of the 5, they're the two we know the LEAST about. I couldn't tell you a single one of their personality traits. The side characters aren't great either but they at least have, I don't know, a defining characteristic?? Nico and Opal are nothing. Empty void. One of my notes from while I was reading is "the real horror of this book is that we're supposed to think these characters are human when they're very clearly some creatures trying their hardest to pretend they're human".
Motivations and emotions are meaningless. Logan walks through a warehouse confidently (because he's been there many times) and I'm supposed to believe that this makes Nico grudgingly respect him more. Yes, the guy that's been bullying him nonstop for months. At least he walks like he knows where he's going (?) It feels like the authors were like "this NEEDS to be his reaction in order to make the plot move forward the way I want it to" and not because it would be a realistic response.
I'll talk about the drama more in the next section but the emotions surrounding that are so fake and confusing. Characters flip flop ALL THE TIME. On one page Nico will be mad at Opal, the next he'll have a whole epiphany that they're on the same side and shouldn't be fighting and look she's doing nice things! and then the next he's mad at her again. Rinse and repeat, with the same thing happening on Opal's side too.
No plot, just drama:
This is probably the biggest problem I have with The Darkdeep. So. much. manufactured. drama.
"Wait," you say, "isn't that normal? Isn't that just how books have conflicts?"
Normally, yes. But THIS drama is so wildly ridiculous and overextended that it gets tedious about two chapters in. The catalyst that starts the main "plot" of the book results from Logan bullying Nico. Logan bullies Nico because Nico's father did something that indirectly caused problems at Logan's father's company. These kids are in MIDDLE SCHOOL. Nobody CARES about their parents' companies. Parents with kids that age usually wouldn't even BRING UP work problems with them. Yet somehow I'm supposed to believe that Logan cared SO MUCH that he BULLIED NICO FOR MONTHS ABOUT IT. And all the drama between Opal and Nico is because of Opal's friendship with Logan vs her friendship with the Nico/Emma/Tyler group, and I already kind of went over why that was ridiculous and dragged out for too long.
Despite all the problems that presented themselves early on, I held out hope that maybe the plot itself would be good. No. I picked this up because it's marketed as a horror and it's not even MG level scary. Like, not even a bit, not even when it tries to be. NOTHING HAPPENS FOR MOST OF THIS BOOK. It's just a group of people standing around, repeatedly saying "we need to figure out what's going on before we do anything else" and then NEVER figuring out what's going on.
We get the first actual information related to the main mystery of the book at 88% through. At the climax, stakes are randomly made up on the spot to throw in more situational drama, like when or when
After all that it really seems like a one-star but it also didn't do anything offensive, surprisingly.
I tend to be author-blind when adding middle grade books to my tbr but I'm kind of rethinking that policy after this one. One of the two authors here also wrote the Matched series and I remember reading the first book of that years ago and really really disliking it, probably for a lot of the same reasons.
Oh well. Ngl I missed writing crit/rant reviews. It's why I first started posting on this site and it sort of feels like a homecoming.
It's been a long time, besties. I've been fairly lucky for a while in terms of the books I've read: most of them have been good, a couple fantastic, and a few lukewarm. But actually bad ones? Not since at least last year, and possibly even 2020. So this was fun.
Welcome to The Darkdeep! I started reading this because recently I've been in a bit of a horror phase (especially middle grade horror). There are some subtypes I care for less than others, so I make sure to weed out my tbr and only keep the ones with descriptions that pull me in in some way. That's how I ended up borrowing this book.
I barely made it 15% in before I realized this was not going to be an enjoyable ride. But one thing about me is that I don't dnf books, for better or for worse, so I was in this for the long haul.
Without further ado, here are the reasons for my severe dislike:
The writing:
The writing in The Darkdeep is not good. And I'm normally not one to even notice the actual craft of a novel, so it's saying something that I did. Everything is just described as-is. He did this. She did that. He said this. She felt that. OVER AND OVER. Where is the variety??? You don't need to show 24/7 but telling the ENTIRE time gets so robotic. The whole book just feels soulless.
Not to mention the writing just doesn't make sense sometimes? The book switches between two 3rd person limited POVs every other chapter. There were a bunch of times where sentences just didn't match up with that.
Example: We are in Nico's POV. The book goes "Nico muttered something under his breath." what???? We're in Nico's head right now, since he's the POV character. Why wouldn't we know WHAT he muttered???
Another example: We are in Nico's POV. The book goes "Nico had the good grace to blush." You can't consider YOURSELF as having the good grace to blush, that's something you would say about SOMEONE ELSE.
You get the point.
Also, use of the word "orbs" for eyes...
The CHARACTERS:
Cardboard cutouts. These characters will never feel like real people, because again, this book lacks a soul and so do the characters in it. Nico and Opal are the main two characters and out of the 5, they're the two we know the LEAST about. I couldn't tell you a single one of their personality traits. The side characters aren't great either but they at least have, I don't know, a defining characteristic?? Nico and Opal are nothing. Empty void. One of my notes from while I was reading is "the real horror of this book is that we're supposed to think these characters are human when they're very clearly some creatures trying their hardest to pretend they're human".
Motivations and emotions are meaningless. Logan walks through a warehouse confidently (because he's been there many times) and I'm supposed to believe that this makes Nico grudgingly respect him more. Yes, the guy that's been bullying him nonstop for months. At least he walks like he knows where he's going (?) It feels like the authors were like "this NEEDS to be his reaction in order to make the plot move forward the way I want it to" and not because it would be a realistic response.
I'll talk about the drama more in the next section but the emotions surrounding that are so fake and confusing. Characters flip flop ALL THE TIME. On one page Nico will be mad at Opal, the next he'll have a whole epiphany that they're on the same side and shouldn't be fighting and look she's doing nice things! and then the next he's mad at her again. Rinse and repeat, with the same thing happening on Opal's side too.
No plot, just drama:
This is probably the biggest problem I have with The Darkdeep. So. much. manufactured. drama.
"Wait," you say, "isn't that normal? Isn't that just how books have conflicts?"
Normally, yes. But THIS drama is so wildly ridiculous and overextended that it gets tedious about two chapters in. The catalyst that starts the main "plot" of the book results from Logan bullying Nico. Logan bullies Nico because Nico's father did something that indirectly caused problems at Logan's father's company. These kids are in MIDDLE SCHOOL. Nobody CARES about their parents' companies. Parents with kids that age usually wouldn't even BRING UP work problems with them. Yet somehow I'm supposed to believe that Logan cared SO MUCH that he BULLIED NICO FOR MONTHS ABOUT IT. And all the drama between Opal and Nico is because of Opal's friendship with Logan vs her friendship with the Nico/Emma/Tyler group, and I already kind of went over why that was ridiculous and dragged out for too long.
Despite all the problems that presented themselves early on, I held out hope that maybe the plot itself would be good. No. I picked this up because it's marketed as a horror and it's not even MG level scary. Like, not even a bit, not even when it tries to be. NOTHING HAPPENS FOR MOST OF THIS BOOK. It's just a group of people standing around, repeatedly saying "we need to figure out what's going on before we do anything else" and then NEVER figuring out what's going on.
We get the first actual information related to the main mystery of the book at 88% through. At the climax, stakes are randomly made up on the spot to throw in more situational drama, like when or when
After all that it really seems like a one-star but it also didn't do anything offensive, surprisingly.
I tend to be author-blind when adding middle grade books to my tbr but I'm kind of rethinking that policy after this one. One of the two authors here also wrote the Matched series and I remember reading the first book of that years ago and really really disliking it, probably for a lot of the same reasons.
Oh well. Ngl I missed writing crit/rant reviews. It's why I first started posting on this site and it sort of feels like a homecoming.
October 13, 2020
I love when books surprise me. This one certainly did. All I wanted was a monster in the woods tale (or in this case, the cove). You won’t see what’s coming in this story. The characters may not grab you right away, but the book moves with suspenseful chapter endings and an ever evolving plot that takes quite the turn at imagination-ville.
This almost should be a longer book. The mythos set up here deserves a bit more space to expand, however it is the first book in the series, so my hope is there are a lot more surprises in store. I’d say this would be a stellar book to hand out this Halloween.
This almost should be a longer book. The mythos set up here deserves a bit more space to expand, however it is the first book in the series, so my hope is there are a lot more surprises in store. I’d say this would be a stellar book to hand out this Halloween.
July 1, 2019
I was enjoying it, I was, but then I forgot I was reading a middle grade and the enjoyment kinda dwindled. I wanted creepy sea monster vibes but I got power rangers and tinker bell and a lot of unanswered questions. I know there is a sequel but I wanted some satisfaction in the end and I feel like I barley got any. I don’t know if I’ll continue on. It kind of disappointed me but I also don’t read much middle grade so that might be a fault on my end.
February 2, 2020
This was GREAT
if you love IT and the losers club or the kids from stranger things and you’re looking for a “kids ride bikes around town and fight an evil entity while also being adorable and having cute friendship stuff and cute crushes happen, but also it’s actually pretty spooky” type book then this is for you! I basically loved everything about it except that it’s too short, but luckily book two is out so I can go read that now
if you love IT and the losers club or the kids from stranger things and you’re looking for a “kids ride bikes around town and fight an evil entity while also being adorable and having cute friendship stuff and cute crushes happen, but also it’s actually pretty spooky” type book then this is for you! I basically loved everything about it except that it’s too short, but luckily book two is out so I can go read that now
October 25, 2018
A good read for some mild spooky vibes around Halloween! I do wish the secondary characters had been a bit more defined, but overall an enjoyable and sufficiently unsettling read.
February 16, 2019
Del estilo de Cuenta conmigo, It y Stranger Things.
Entretenidísimo.
Entretenidísimo.
January 7, 2020
Meh. Interesting premise, but I just couldn’t get into it. Ages 12 and up.
October 23, 2018
Hey Marketing Department,
You got me with the “Move over, Stranger Things” review.
As a result, I'm judging this more harshly.
You got nothing on Stranger Things.
(It was ok.)
You got me with the “Move over, Stranger Things” review.
As a result, I'm judging this more harshly.
You got nothing on Stranger Things.
(It was ok.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 430 reviews