When eighteen year old Caitlin agreed to babysit her eccentric Aunt's two cats and house, she had no idea that Justin was finally going to ask her for a date the same weekend. Torn between family and crush, she chose to take her best friends' suggestion to heart, arranging a small Friday night gathering. Little did she know a fairy was about to crash the party with trouble hot on her wings
Caitlin will have to dig deep to find even a smidgen of belief in magic or there won't be any hope of saving her new friend from being hunted.
In this young adult fantasy, award-winning author, C.A. King, explores the answer to one of the questions readers have always wanted to ask...
2 time USA Today Bestselling Author, C.A. King, has received the following Awards/distinctions:
Hamilton Spectator Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author category 2017 & 2018 & 2019 Brant News Readers' Choice Award: Best Local Author 2017 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Best Novella/Short Story 2017 Silver medal 2017 SIBA Awards - Best Novella 2017 SIBA Awards - Best New Adult 2018 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Gold Medal in the Fiction - Supernatural genre 2018 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards: Bronze Medal in the Fiction - New Adult genre 2019 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Fiction - Supernatural genre 2019 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Young Adult - Fantasy - Urban genre City of Brantford Featured Artist February 2020 Burlington Post Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020 Toronto Star Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2020 Burlington Post Readers' Choice Award in the Best Local Author Category 2021.
"Hmmmmmm, Who am I?…Who am I? Silence…chews pencil… Who am I?…Who am I? Hmmmmmm, I am… a daydreamer…a hopeless romantic…an optimistic pessimist…a psychic…a childish adult…an animal lover…an over-emotional wreck…an adventurer…an artistic fool… Aha! I am…A Fiction Writer! Nice to meet you!"
About the author!
I was diagnosed with clinical depression after the loss of my mother, father and husband within three years of each other; all to cancer. 24/7 in-home care, coupled with the loss I felt, left its mark on my psyche.
Depression takes up a lot of my life. Reading and writing are the only things I have found that help (in connection with regular medication), even if only for a short time. To escape to a different world can make a big difference in my mood in real time.
To put things in perspective, when I was at my lowest point, I couldn't open mail, talk on the phone, or even drive to the store. Walls of sadness surrounded me. As they closed in, tears would fall. There didn't need to be a reason or trigger.
People ask me why I started writing. My answer is simple: I wanted to create a world into which other people with similar problems could escape. I wanted to share the one place that had helped me for many years.
I have always said that as long as one person finds a little bit of happiness out of my books, I am, in my opinion, an accomplished author. The same is true for every writer out there. Please don't ever let anyone tell you different.
I read books as well as write them and have visited the worlds many different authors have created. Those worlds not only make me feel better, but give me the strength to face real life again. I want to thank everyone who writes - I want them to know they are making a difference.
The action in this book starts pretty much immediately. There is a hidden driven anti-bullying message which runs throughout the book and I loved it.
The Bad
The action, the garden, the fairy the other land.... all so wicked! I let myself go and enjoyed every page of this book.
The Ugly
A poignant message and a super fantasy. I would highly recommend to teachers, parents of kids being bullied and anyone that feels a bit insecure. I will be recommending this to my cousin who is an Educator and an anti-bullying specialist. Super fantasy!
Few people know this book started as a joke between myself and my niece (yes her name is Caitlin). It grew into one of my favourite stories. Now if I could only get my niece to read it! :)
I loved this new short from C.A. King. I had no idea what to expect going in other than it would be a great read from a author I have grown to love. This was probably my absolute favorite book from C.A. King yet. I was hooke from the very beginning in with Aunt Petunia’s story in the prologue.
“Fairies are born from emotions and wishes,” Petunia explained. “When you blow a bubble, you fill it up with all you are feeling. That’s why there are different kinds of fairies. Have you ever noticed if you are in a bad mood and blow a few bubbles, you start to feel better? That’s because all of that turmoil is released inside the bubbles.” She poked her niece in the tummy.
Caitlin giggled, Wiggling away.
“Those fairies aren’t the nicest, but on the flip side, if you are celebrating a birthday and are happy, all that joy goes into the making of a different fairy,” Petunia continued.
“What if they pop?” Caitlin asked.
“Oh,” Petunia replied, shaking her head. A serious expression crossed her face. “Many of them do. That is why fairies are so rare. Only a select few float off into the clouds. It’s there that life begins, but that isn't the end of the struggle for a new fairy. Any bubble that reaches the greatest heights and floats back down has within it the beginnings of a new fairy- magic dust. You’ve heard of fairy dust, haven’t you?”
From the prologue we fast forward to when Caitlin is eighteen years old. Aunt Petunia is no longer the favorite aunt with the magical stories. She is now a recluse bestselling author only socializing when work requires her to. She lives on the outskirts of town in a creepy house with two cats. One day Aunt Petunia stops by and announces that she has to leave for a funeral and needs her to watch her house. The only problem with that is the guy she has been hoping to land some time with before graduation chose this weekend to finally ask her to hang out. When her friends convince her to have a secret get together at the house surely it wont go well for many reasons.
Here is where I really loved the way this book played out so well. This was a wonderfully crafted story, and one that I enjoyed at thirty-three but, I will be adding it to my list of books to share with my eleven year old. This has a great underlying message of anti-bullying. The situations are realistic and yet are done in a way that is appropriate for multiple audience levels. It is fun, engaging, and magical. I felt very much like I was reading a Harry Potter novel. That good magical feeling that you have when you open one of those novels. I don’t want to give away too many more details. For those you will have to buy this for yourself. I wouldn’t wait for the Halloween season either, enjoy it year-round! This one will need to be on my bookshelf! Thanks C.A. King for a wonderfully, magical read!
Telepathic cats, a newborn fairy locked away in a garden shed, an army of gnomes, and a magical realm are some of the wonders young Caitlin discovers when she’s asked by her eccentric fantasy-author aunt, Petunia, to housesit for a weekend.
C.A. King tells an amusing and enchanting story in “Do Not Open Until Halloween”, placing a clueless teenager about to come into her own as a magical being, in charge of a house filled with randy teenagers ready to party and supernatural traps just waiting to be sprung. There are shocks and surprises around every bend as Caitlin uncovers clues about her dear aunt’s true identity and how a simple turn of time and fate have caused her to become something much more than she ever expected.
“Do Not Open Until Halloween” is a fun and frenzied supernatural coming-of-age tale custom made for teens. King includes instances of bullying, peer-pressure, and rule-bending that offer both advice and life-lessons as she leads her characters on a journey into a magical realm where the temptations are many and dreams can come alive in the blink of an eye. I highly recommend this engaging and enjoyable book for ages 13 and up.
I’ve been waiting to read this story for months, but wanted to save it for October and I’m sooooo glad I finally read it. Do Not Open Until Halloween was a grand adventure.
I was a little skeptical at first because fairies aren’t really my thing. I’m very picky about the fairy stories I read, but this one turned out amazing. Caitlin and her friends didn’t know what they were getting into when they decide to to have a get together at her aunt’s creepy house while she’s out of town. And they didn’t expect to be pulled into a chase through the magic realm in search of a fairy.
Halloween or not, I seriously recommend this read. I felt like a kid again. Amazed by everything new around each corner.
Do Not Open Until Halloween is a wonderful new story by C.A King. It is a short story, which made it a quick and easy read. The story has an original premise and is a young adult fantasy with magic, magical creatures, some spookiness, adventure, and a wonderful underlying (anti-bullying) message. I can always count on Ms. King to write a story that will pull me in and keep me hooked right through till the end, and this book was no exception. I love her all her books, so I was really excited to see this pop up on my feed and snapped it up right away. Caitlin grew up listening to her Aunt Petunia’s fairy stories and the wonderful tales she would tell. But now at 18 she still loves her Aunt but thinks she’s just peculiar. When her Aunt asks Caitlin to house sit for her and take care of her two cats, Caitlin agrees- but then the boy she’s been crushing on asks her out, which clashes with her new responsibilities. So she decides to invite a small group over to her Aunt’s place instead. But what happens when her world collides with the magical realm. When an unexpected ‘guest’ arrives, trouble soon follows, and Caitlin will have to decide what she believes in. What will she do? You will enjoy reading this wonderful story to find out all the fascinating details. This is such an imaginative, unique and well written story. Ms. King has a very dynamic and magical style, with wonderfully detailed descriptions and rich, vibrant scene setting. Through her words we are transported into the story to watch everything play out right alongside the characters. Through Ms. Kings incredible world building skills, a whole new fascinating world opens up. The characters were well developed, quirky, and interesting. I loved Aunt Petunia (and the cats). I hope we will get the chance to explore more of this world again!
Do Not Open Until Halloween by C.A. King was a fast pace, unique read, that had me hooked from start to finish.
Not my first read by this author so I knew I was in for something great. I was not disappointed. This book, takes you on a whirlwind adventure almost right out of the gate. It sets up the story in the prologue and adds a twist that will shock you. The ending is sweet, pulling and is left open enough so that if need, C.A. King can revisit this world at any time, and I do hope that is soon.
Coming in at 186 pages this isn't a overly long read. In saying that, I'm not going to go into characters, or plot, because that will ruin this original read. I want you to experience every little thing this tale has to offer. I will tell you that, the detail is on point, the story itself has so many little things packed into it, that if you blink, you might miss something important. There is a sense of danger mixed into the adventure, and you can't help but read on to see if they will save the day.
Overall this book was that perfect short read that will hit all your fantasy and otherworldly reading bone. It is a classic in the making and as I have said, I do hope this adventure is continued. The only thing left is to give you my super high recommendation and my stamp of approval.
I give Do Not Open Until Halloween by C.A. King, 5 stars.
When Caitlin was young, she used to love the stories of fairies and otherworldly things her aunt made up. Now, at 18, she loves her aunt but thinks she is quite eccentric. But when her aunt asks Caitlin to watch her house and her two cats, she agrees. Then the senior she has a crush on asked her to a party for that same weekend. She decides to make the best of it and invites the boys and her friends to hang out at her aunt's house. Little does she know what she is really in for. When reality and the magical world collide, she has decisions to make. Who are her friends and who are enemies? Will they be able to fix the mess they made?
While I have read this author before and always loved the books, she has amazed me yet again. This story was fantastic. It is fun and adventurous and pulled me into her world of wonderful fantasy. The characters are interesting each one is different. I thoroughly enjoyed this different and wonderful book and would love to see more of this world in the future. My favorite characters were Aunt Petunia and her cats!
I highly recommend this book to older middle grade and older. I have been an adult for a long time and it was fantastic!
Do Not Open Until Halloween By C.A. King 4 Stars!!!!
This is such a great read! I really like magic related books and this certainly filled the bill. I was drawn into the book from the get go. The author has such a refreshing writing style that I didn't want to put the book down.
I was really drawn to Caitlin's character. I like the fact that she was sort of a rebel but really deep down she was the good girl her aunt knew she was. I like how she needed to believe in the magic for it to work. I am a crazy cat lady so I really loved how the cats were more than just familiar. I also found that the relationship between Caitlin and her aunt is quite special. I really found this to be a really nice change of pace. There was just enough drama included as well. I found it really interesting that the magical realms were created by writers and more over that their books were the worlds histories. I like the fact that the author focused on Caitlin being her aunt muse and that unbeknownst to her she also helped to create part of the magic realms. The villain being her creation.I really found this book to be a great read and I really look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I really liked this book. The first thing that caught my attention was the title -- Do Not Open Until Halloween. I immediately wanted to know why. Add the fact that the blurb mentioned cats and fairies and I was sold!
C.A. King's YA novel features Caitlin, an 18-year-old who might have believed in magic once but no longer does. Her aunt, however, is a famous fantasy author whose penned plenty of novels. She made a much younger Caitlin promise to read them, only she didn't and everything that happens in this quick-paced novel is a result of that.
The cat characters, Merlin and Calindra, were my favorites! I loved how Petunia's house was a character in and of itself, and I was hooked by the time the, quest began. The magical realm was very interesting and I can see how C.A. King can set many other stories in that world since it feels like we only scratched the surface. I guessed the reveal of the one working against Caitlin, but not the twist behind why, and I liked that part a lot. The moral was apt, but not heavy-handed, and I think it would really hit home with the target audience.
Now that Caitlin knows and accepts the magical realm, I'm interested to see what happens next!
Wonderful aunt-niece mystery with adventure and magic!
I loved the storyline of this! The quirky aunt, the unsuspecting niece going to house-sit, the mysterious writings that were ignored until it was nearly too late... I definitely suspected that someone wasn't who they were for a long time. It made me read fasterto try to solve the mysteries and questions I had. I really connected a lot to the aunt, but my younger self would have definitely been the niece. Wanting to have fun with friends, but reluctantly being sneaky to win over that cool boy. Sometimes lessons are just learned the hard way. I loved the story telling and descriptiveness of the writing. I only marked down a star because there were times I had to reread a paragraph here or there near the end to understand exactly how the magic worked, but I attribute a lot of that to reading this towards the end of 2020 when my brain was fried. Lol the ending wrapped up beautifully thought and I really really want to see how Aunt Petunia manages to involve her niece on more adventures and "training" going forward! I highly recommend this book! (The story is not as horrifying as the cover appears, but it definitely has suspense and scary situations that keep you on your toes and keep the heart beating!)
Do Not Open Until Halloween By: C.A. King 5 out of 5 stars
The story Do Not Open Until Halloween by C.A. King is a YA fantasy book that I loved reading. It is a story that hooked me in from the very beginning and I didn’t want to put it down until I had finished that last page. It is a book that will have you believing in magic and magical creatures. I enjoyed reading about the character of Caitlin. Caitlin is a girl that is good and kind of heart. She has a choice to make when she promises to watch her aunt’s home and is asked out by Justin, a boy that she likes. The way in which she decides to handle both situations has her now scrambling to deal with a fairy that was not invited. Caitlin must find her belief in magic if she is to save the fairy. Read this book to find out about the adventure that Caitlin finds herself on and how it all turns out. This story is one that will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. The story is humorous at times and I found myself with a smile on my face. Find out if the question of where fairies come from is answered. This is a wonderfully written story that I would recommend reading.
A great read about the unexpected. Caitlin does her aunt Petunia a favour by catsitting whilst Petunia is at a funeral. Wanting to ask out a boy, she invites some friends over to pass the time. When things go wrong and rules are broken, will she be able to set it right before Petunia returns home? A great read. Well developed plot with twists and turns that I just couldn't put down. Well developed characters like Caitlin trying to do the right thing or Dwayne as kind and knowledgeable. Great cast of supporting characters like the eccentric author Petunia or the annoying Justin or the stubborn Merlin. I loved the dip into the horror genre with the visual detail of the house in its gothic look and overgrown weeds and mysterious shed to create unease which was beautifully done. Also the fantasy with the gnomes and cats as otherworldly and a different take on fairies with the bubbles was a brillaint addition to the genre. Fast paced action and rules waiittng to be broken in a shifting magical location made for a captivating read. Overall, a great read and I would give it five stars.
Do Not Open Until Halloween by CA King was an interesting story. The story is about fairies and magic. Though it does not go too in-depth on magic, it is about a fantasy world. I have to say based on the cover and title of this story I was thrown off, anticipating a scarier type of novel. But that was not the case at all. Caitlin once believed in magic as a child, as so many do. Her Aunt promised to write her the stories she told and becomes an author to do so. When the stories become truth to Caitlin she has a choice, to help or to ignore. The story was fast paced and did not take me very long to read. There were a few parts that were confusing but that is because it was the other realm and magic can be sort of tricky. I liked the plot and the flow of the story. The author knows how to tell a great story and keeps your attention throughout. The genera is not something I typically go for, but that did not throw me off from the book. I have read a few other stories by this author and know that though it’s not my typical taste, I will always come back for another bite.
I know, I know... It clearly said "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL HALLOWEEN" but I couldn't help it, I HAD to read it as soon as it hit my Kindle. This is one or my favorite authors who writes such spectacular stories that I couldn't resist.
I have something in common with a character in this story. You see, I'm a "flamboyant introvert" (I also explain it as an extroverted introvert) and had to make sure that the story portrayed said character in a grand manner. (She was portrayed perfectly.)
Did you know that "Darkness can never hurt you as long as you have hope in your heart for a bright sky ahead."? You will learn that and more when you read this incredible story. It's a story of magic and friendship and stories, ohh the stories.
I recommend this beautifully written story to everyone from my young cousins and my elderly mother's book club alike.
Actually, can I rate it with 31 stars for Halloween???
Even though not completely focused on Halloween, Do Not Open Until Halloween was an excellent read leading up to holiday! It had the right amount of magic and and the right amount spookiness and suspense to make one feel at home in the season.
My favorite parts of this book were King's world-building and her characters, especially Aunt Petunia, Merlin, and Calindra. And I would love to see more of main character Caitlin's adventures should the author choose to expand upon this piece.
Another great thing about this book is King's message about bullying: standing up against bullying and making sure to check oneself to avoid being a bully as well. I could, however, have used more details on the nature of Caitlin's experience with this issue and its affect on the climax/resolution of the story--though I worry that might have changed the tone of the book overall.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a lover of portal fantasy adventures.
Do Not Open Until Halloween C.A King 5 out of 5 stars
Do Not Open Until Halloween is not the first book I’ve read by C.A King and while I’ve enjoyed every book I have read by this author, this one is my absolute favorite so far. This book hooked me from the very beginning as we get a glimpse into Aunt Petunia and Caitlin’s past relationship. As the story progressed I found myself lost in this magical realm and truly intrigued. As someone that has always been interested in fairies this story was truly fun and satisfying from start to finish. Being a fairly short read the pages flew by. C.A King really knocked it out of the park with this book, but what’s just as great as the characters and unique storyline is the opportunity she took to address bullying both throughout the storyline and the written message after the book concluded. If you like fast paced fantasy I definitely recommend this five star read.
This is definitely an original story. It was kind of like Dungeons and Dragons, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory and the Wizard of Oz all rolled into one story. It is a fantastical journey into the imagination.
Caitlyn promised her Aunt Petunia that she would house sit while she went away for the weekend. Caitlyn’s friends pressured her to invite some guys over as well. Unexplainable things happen and they accidentally stumble upon a real live fairy. Having to save the fairy, they need to believe and take a leap of faith into a magical realm.
The action starts pretty much from the beginning and is quick paced. I did feel like the story was rushed at times. It would have been nice if the author incorporated the fairy a little more. I liked the underlying anti bullying theme that was happening. I enjoyed the book though I think it is better suited towards a younger audience.
This woman writes some of the best fantasy I've ever read. Do Not Open Until Halloween is no exception. Caitlin's Aunt tells the best stories and it wasn't that long ago that Caitlin believed every word. The unfortunate side effect of teenage bravado has pushed those thoughts to the side and boys and school has taken over. When Petunia asks Caitlin to house sit for her on the same weekend Caitlin's crush asks her on a date, she's pretty torn on who to choose. Justin may never ask again if she turns him down (tragic but I don't think he's good enough for her) but Petunia is family and she's already promised. What is an 18 year old to to except throw a party? The problems start when one of those creatures Caitlin doesn't believe in anymore crashes the party and is in trouble. King always has a way of adding to and twisting the stereotypical fantasy characters to make them new and fascinating. I will read anything this magnificent woman publishes.
I can always count on this author to give me stories that have me glued to my kindle as soon as I start them, and the best part is I keep coming back for more and I don't even read most of the genres her books are from. I choose these books simply because her name is on them, because she is an amazing story teller.
The journey that Caitlin and her friends went on in this book was just plain awesome, and I loved her aunt. The whole story was written in a way that had me almost believing everything in it and that's why I keep coming back LOL I did have to keep reminding myself how old these characters were because at times they seemed younger than what they were but that didn't make me love the story any less.
I highly recommend this book and actually anything this author writes.
I always look forward to diving into C.A. King’s books as they take me on one of a kind journeys and they never disappoint. Just like all of her other books Do Not Open Until Halloween is a must-read fantasy novel! This was a shorter read but it was highly entertaining the whole way through. This fantasy read is action-packed, intense, dramatic, dark and so captivating. I found myself smiling and giggling from start to finish as Caitlin embarks on her very own one of a kind adventure. All of the detail in this story made it so easy to picture everything playing out in my mind, which made it so entertaining. C.A. King has an imagination like no other and I would absolutely recommend this fantasy read to everyone!
I look forward to reading more of her work in the future!
C.A. King you are amazing. I have always wondered where fairies came from and now I do. If you want to know where fairies come from you need to read this book. Ms. King has an amazing attention to detail that you will picture everything in your head. I can imagine the characters living right next to me. They are fully developed with in the story you see the characters grow that much more. There are so many curves and loopy-loops which make the story even better. This story is about Caitlin and her friends and holding a “little” get together at her Aunt’s house. The journey is one of discovery and magic. By the end of the story will you believe in magic? I know I do now.
5 Star Do Not Open Until Halloween By C.A.King is a YA fantasy book. I'm going to be honest and say I wasn't sure about this book,until I started reading and I was hooked from the beginning till the end. I've read other books by this Author and have never been disappointed. Caitlin is a good girl with a kind heart. But what happens when she's asked out on a date with Justin?She'd already promised her aunt she would house sit.Caitlin handles both situations in a way that has her now dealing with a fairy whom wasn't invited. She must find her belief in magic in or for the fairy to be saved. I highly recommend this book,and I look forward to reading more from this Author.
I received this book as a gift from the author for my school library, and I am so glad that I did. This is not a topic that I had ever come across before. I have read stories of magical realms, and I had read stories of fairies, but I have never seen those topics put together the way that C.A. King has.
At times the story seemed as though it was going to be a rehashing of other books I have read before, but then there would be a twist that I didn't expect.
Do Not Open Until Halloween By C.A. King I was hooked as soon as I started reading this awesome young adult fantasy. This book took me on a wonderful magical journey that I couldn't get enough of. This was a wonderfully well written, full of detail, exceptional story. Even though it's written for young adults I do believe people of any age can appreciate this story. I felt like I was in the story with Caitlin and her friends, rooting for them. I can't say enough good things about this story except that it's a must read!!!! I highly recommend this book!
Do Not Open Until Halloween by C.A. King is a short, fun read. The story is about Caitlin who is asked to housesit for her Aunt. Little does Caitlin know that life will be getting more interesting very quickly. Like other books by C. A. King this is a good, imaginative read. I read this in one sitting and was glad to get to read this story. The characters are good and interesting, while the story is a mix of sci-fi and fantasy. I look forward to reading much more from this author in the future. I always enjoy the stories.
This is a Young Adult book that I loved and read in one sitting. This is a story about witches, fairies, spells and really just finding something within yourself you didn’t know was there. If you have ever wondered where fairies come from this is the book for you! This group of characters will take you on a journey of believing in magic. Find out what happens to Caitlin and her friends when they spend some time in her aunt's house. I highly recommend this book!
C.A. King's Do Not Open Until Halloween is a young adult science fiction/fantasy story. The way the story unfolds is well told and full of magically driven characters. Enriched in details, this story quickly pulls you into the fantasy as the story is told. Creative and imaginative, Do Not Open Until Halloween is an addictive story you cannot help but to finish. Highly recommend this story as it is one I would definitely read again.
This YA fantasy hooked me on the first page. C.A. King is quickly becoming a “go-to” author for me. King’s books are well-paced, richly detailed, and allow the reader to fly off into a whole new world. This story is another winner. Although not long in page number, this is another King story that is riveting and solid. I loved every minute I spent in its pages.