Silent as the Grave

Light as a Feather #3

by Zoe Aarsen

Look out for the original series—starring Peyton List, Brent Rivera, Liana Liberato, Ajiona Alexus, and Dylan Sprayberry—now streaming on Hulu!

McKenna’s mission to save her friends from their predicted deaths concludes in the third and final installment in the Light as a Feather series that is Riverdale meets The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina!

It’s not a game anymore…

McKenna has managed to rid Violet of the curse claiming the lives of so many in Willow, Wisconsin, but evil still plagues the town. McKenna’s friend Mischa now carries the curse, and when it comes for her family, she pledges revenge on those she deems responsible for their deaths...including McKenna and everyone she holds dear.

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult, Thriller, Supernatural, Mystery

368 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

Zoe Aarsen is an author, graphic designer, and horror fanatic who resides in Los Angeles, CA.

Reviews

[a. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is it just me or did the energy fizz out of each book after the first book ?
I felt like most of the events from this book and Cold as Marble could have been merged together instead ?

So anyway, here's the thing - this entire series ( this book included ) was so full of twists and turns I LOVED IT. It was just enough to make us intrigued but not too much as to make us irritated with the story. The creepiness and ghost-haunts are slightly less in this one, but McKenna's paranoia makes up for it.

My one ( 1 ) problem with this story was that we didn't really look into McKenna's unhealthy relationship with food and her obsessive need to make her body appear 'perfect'.

[Grimoire_de_Cactus · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai adorer cette trilogie. Les personnages sont attachants, les actions nombreuses, les rebondissements incroyable et j'ai eu du mal à poser le bouquin. Ce tome 3 est encore plus profond que les autres je trouve, plus mature. La fin m'a fait versé une larme mais je trouve le final très réussi. Je l'a recommande, si vous ne l'avez pas encore lu.

[Yashaa Bajracharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Since the second book (Light as a Feather, Cold as Marble) ended in the most unexpecting way, I began this book immediately.
So the story continues McKenna Brady and Trey Emory to go to the Olympic games to break the curse that unfortunately transferred to Mischa Portnoy (Who's a gymnast participating in the Olympics). They get a ton of help from Laura who studies witchcraft but I found her boss to be really creepy. Half of the book, McKenna doesn't even look like herself (a spell cast over her so that the police won't recognize her) which I also found to be really weird to picture, plus Trey says she looks like Olivia Richmond which probably disturbed him considering the car accident. As usual, they had to face a lot of obstacles on the way due to the evil spirits trying to stop them. I was quite surprised when Candace Cotton (who also was a victim of the game but her behaviour hadn't changed) tried to contact McKenna to help her.
I have mixed feelings for Violet Simmons, I mean it's like she wanted to help them but at the same time can't really fully trust her. Nor her father who was how the whole mess started in the first place so I don't like his character at all. I'm kinda glad how he ended, although I felt sorry for Violet even though I still don't know what to think of her.
Lastly, the Emory family. It all made sense when I found out that it was Trey's mother who cast a curse on the Simmons family considering Mr. Simmons actions. I didn't hate on what she did since she was hurt, however it was terrible that the people she loved had to pay the price. The ending of this book was so heartbreaking and honestly, Trey didn't deserve it after everything he's been through.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this series, it was well-written and I wish the ending would've been different.

[Ashley Catelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid conclusion to a spooky series!

[Louise W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad it's over.

I loved this thriliogy! Wished it wouldn't have end. I'd love it if Zoe Aarsen would do more books like this series.

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. I can’t believe it’s over. And McKenna and Henry got married in the end 😭😭 I was rooting for them

[Tiffany Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silent As A Gave
McKenna is now living in Florida and working at an assisted living home. She and Henry have kept in touch and talk daily. McKenna knows it's just temporary there so she hasn’t tried to make any friends. Every day she starts her day by doing a protection spell for Mischa who has taken up doing tarot readings. Mischa though has promised since she found out she always pulls out the Tower card that she’s not given any more readings and it’s been two new moons and there haven’t been any deaths. McKenna now attends Hyde Park High where she has meetings with a counselor. (therapist). She frequently asks about Trey but she only gets one call from him (a week) until he turns 18.

One day on the way to work, Jenny tries to communicate something to Jenny (by scalp tingles). When she gets there she meets the new resident Mrs. Robinson (a frail, black, lady) who asked to be introduced to her friend. Only Mckenna is the only one else in the room. She then sees that the lady is blind. Mrs. Robinson calls them “invisible”. She says that Jenie is trying to communicate with her but she won’t listen. She goes on to say she’s stuck underwater in a dark place because of McKenna and that there are spirits all around her that her sister is trying to protect her from but they need to be fed to continue their business. (They feed on life). Mrs. Robinson says she’ll help her communicate and McKenna as instructed pours salt around the perimeter. She explains it keeps the evil out. She instructs her on the other things to bring (essential oils, fennel, egg shells,). She says she’ll bring all the items Wednesday. Later she talks to Mischa who tells her she’s ignored doing the readings but she fears they’re getting angry. It seems like Mischa now thinks that its on her to make up for the three Violet didn’t sacrifice. She keeps seeing 3’s. McKenna fears that like with Violet they’ll start coming after Mischa’s family. McKenna tells her she’s close to finding a way to break the curse and just keeps resisting.

The next evening, McKenna’s dad tells her his new wife found a candlelight in her room and a circle with a pentagram inside and salt on the floor. (Clearly a warning from the spirits). He tells her no more candles. He also tells her Rhonda is pregnant and having complications. So, it’s important not to put her under any stress. The next day, Mckenna finds all the items gone. She thinks it’s Rhonda. When she talks to Trey that morning, she finds out that he’s in the infirmary. He says it’s because “he doesn’t feel good” but she knows there’s more to it. The pendulum confirms it has something to do with Violet and he’s in danger. While talking to Mischa, McKenna hears a noise on her phone like a tornado’s coming. She can’t find anything out of the normal in Willow so she dismisses it. After they perform the ritual, Mrs. Robinaon tells McKenna Jenny is trying to communicate with her through radio waves. After this, she hears about tornados touching down on the news and Cheryl leaves a message that she has something urgent to tell her about Mischa. Cheryl tells her Mischa’s house was flattened. Mischa’s sister Amanda is injured badly. Another tornado hit Mischa’s dad’s shop. The third hit on the street of Mischa’s mother’s real estate company. Mrs. Robinson gives McKenna a gris-gris for protection. She gives her a tip about throwing a pinch of salt to the east. If it looks different when it hits the ground your dealing with something bad. (While talking to Henry we learn that the tornados killed Mischa’s parents). Henry says he’s going to deal with it once and for all.

On the way to school, McKenna is almost hit by a car but is saved by a classmate. At school, she tries the salt tip. It turns red. In class, she receives a text from Violet. Violet says maybe they can stop the curse before the next new moon. She tells McKenna she needs to return to Willow. She says use Mischa’s parents' memorial as an excuse. Mischa later sends a text blaming McKenna and says she’s going to make her pay. McKenna is finally able to establish a connection with Jennie on the bus. Jennie says she has to get home and remind their mother about her funeral. She wants her to remind her mother how Mischa’s mother was there for them when Jennie died. On the flight home, McKenna asks how to get the curse off, Mischa. Jennie says she might have to lure them out, When she get to the airport, Trey is there to meet her. Trey was headed to Florida to meet with her. So, he changes his flight (taking McKenna’s phone) and promises to give it back to her later when he gets there. It turns out Trey got into a fight and busted out of Northwestern.

Mckenna gets a call from Violet and is told Amanda might not make it. She says Mischa is here and to come over. Violet and Henry show up to find Mischa has Violet in a headlock. Mischa says they need to play the game again, but McKenna says it won’t work. Mischa says they’ll play the game, she’ll predict Violet’s death, then the curse will go back to Violet, and she’ll kill herself. McKenna says that won’t work either. Violet says she knows it won’t work because she’s already tried (killing herself). She says the spirits just won’t let you die. They always intervene. Henry says they’ll play the game, but she has to release Violet. But Mischa continues to chock the life out of Violet. So, Mckneena offers to let Mishca predict her own death.

Mckenna asks Jennie can she get the spirits to show Mischa a fake death. Jennie says she’ll convince them. Mischa draws five cards. Then there’s a hurricane. One card raises. The others burst into flames. The fire forms a ring. Mischa takes the levitating card. The card is the 10 of Swords reversed. Mischa says the card has to do with resistance. It’s usually presented to someone whose had a loss/. Someone who ccan move on with their lives after a bad situation and can be free to welcome change. A Reversal means they’ve lost a battle and refuse to accept defeat but it’s a no-win situation. She says it has to do with the minor arcana which has to do with air. McKenna will be leaving in 4 days to go back to Florida by airplane.

Emotions turn ignited when McKenna realizes Henry likes her as more than a friend on the way back. Emilio (the guy who saved McKenna) texts her and she calls him back,. She finds out Mrs. Robinson is his grandmother. She says the spirits won’t be fooled again. She suggests finding a better host. At Henry’s house, Candace is the one who Mckenna reaches when trying again to get her sister. Candace suggests using Henry Before she cuts off for good Camdace prefers a; last name. That night, McKenna leaves a note for Henry on what she knows of the curse just in case. She figures that Trey is hiding out at the library by the hint he left. Trey says he has to leave Willow.

Trey goes on to tell McKenna that he got paid a visit by a lawyer The lawyer told him that Violet has a disease and will die before she turns 21 without a kidney transplant. It turns out he’s a match. He turns it down, doesn’t sign the contracts. That night someone attacks him while his roommate watches. His mother wants him to do the testing. He pleads with McKenna to just leave with him.McKenna tells him about her sacrifice. She says he should go, but he says now he can’t. He says he’ll stay until after the memorial.

Violet randomly mentions to McKenna while giving her a ride that Trey (if he chooses) can have half of her inheritance without strings attached. She confirms that she does have kidney issues that had gotten worse since January but it’s not a requirement for him to donate her one. It was written in her grandmother’s will. That day she talks to Mrs. Robinson and tells her she lost the connection to Jenny. But she says she’s not gone. The spirits probably are just blocking her. She then explains what items Mckenna will need to capture the spirits.

At the memorial, there’s news that Amanda is healing. Cheryl is chosen to be “the vessel” (unknowingly). McKenna tries to perform the ritual. Mischa starts to chock herself to death.. Mischa vomits and McKenna captures them in the jar. But they quickly realize that it didn’t work. The spirits have taken over her body. When they get back home, McKenna’s house is on fire! McKenna finds out from Mrs. Robinson that her mistake was using a brick from Mischa’s house. She asks Mrs. Robinson if it’s possible they Mischa’s soul is also in the jar. She says it’s a possibility. Mrs. Robinson advises McKenna to watch Mischa’s behavior and she’ll have to find a more hospital host.

. Jennie suggest they trick the spirits by making them think they have McKenna’s soul but instead, it’ll be Jennies, but if this doesn’t work they could both be banished to the dark place. They just might leave Mischa’s body if McKenna dies in a way they don’t predict. But one of her friends will have to kill her. Mrs. Robinson, suggest they make a deal with them and make some voodoo dolls for protection. They’re able to lure Mischa to Violets. The spirits say they want McKenna’s half-brother. If they can deliver that they’ll release their hold. Violet thinks Violet acts like she thinks McKenna is playing a game, aims her gun at her, and shoots *at* her. Henry jumps in front of her and takes the bullet. Trey pulls the pins out of the voodoo doll in time. Violet returns Mischa’s soul. The five spirits take control of McKenna’s body and they battle her and Jennie for their souls. Jennie gets pulled into another realm and she pulls McKenna in with her. Trey pulls her back and McKenna comes back to herself. Jenna is gone. The connection broken. Mr. Simmons appears, starts shouting accusation’s at Trey, and waving the gun around. McKenna sees that he’s going to kill her, and blame Trey. But Trey blocks his shot. Mr. Simmons fires shots as he changes McKenna through the house. Trey is able to tackle Mr. Simmons and McKenna gets the gun. She doesn’t have a clear shot so she just runs.

McKenna and Mr. Simmons find themselves on a roof. All of a sudden, Trey pushes Mr. Simmons off the roof, but he grabs McKenna. Luckily, McKenna is able to pull herself up and Mr. Simmons hits the ground. McKenna is able to pull herself up and Trey and she go to Henry. Mrs. Simmons arrives but they’re able to get to Violet’s room. Something whispers to McKenna's history and then they see Violet’s stuffed animals levitating (Jennie). They encourage McKenna to tell the story of her death. They chant. Everything goes silent. Police burst into the room. Everything goes dark. McKenna wakes up in the hospital.

Violet is there. Violet says she told the cops that her father came home and thought there were intruders and shot Henry. Trey’s fine. Mischa’s fine. She told the police they were hanging out on the roof and her dad thought they were burglars. He recognized Mckenna but then fell off the roof. She says she knew about the curse but did nothing to help stop it. After it’s all over, they find out that there’s a rosebush on Trey’s mom’s property that might have started it all. So they destroy the rose bush and burn the ashes,, Trey promises to come to Florida. Later, McKenna goes on to be a medium. Cheryl goes on to be apolice officer and calls on McKenna to help with cases. McKenna and Violet become close friends. Trey inherited a fortune (because of his mother) but dies right after McKenna leaves from internal bleeding (from the beating). (The Rule of Three). T re’s grandparents got killed in a car crash Their deaths counted as two out of three results of the curse she cast. Trey was claimed as the third. Mrs. Robinson passes. She leaves a note that Jennie is still in the dark place but she’s not alone. She says she’ll find a way to contact her soon. Jennie has the spirits imprisoned. McKenna knows when she dies that’s when the curse will die. Henry and McKenna end up together. McKenna goes to Wisconsin and goes to veterinary school. Henry ends up with his own law firm. M Mischa and McKenna eventually lose touch. She marries and has a daughter. Violet gets her master's and moves to Europe. McKenna never has kids. Sometimes tho she returns to Willow with Henry but avoids going past their old street. She’s never able to contact Jennie through radio again but can still feel her presence.

My Thoughts:
Weirdly I didn’t have a single thought about this book. There wasn’t anything I have to criticize in it. I didn’t have any issues with how it ended. There was nothing that I read that didn’t fit or make sense. Trey’s death was a little unexpected so soon in the ending but not particularly a shock. I guess one thing I can say about the series is it renewed my interest in watching the series over. Having read the books, having a little more background cleared up a lot. Tho the series and the books do differ. It’s always nice to have the original events before shows add in their two cents and completely different directions. Even tho Silent As A Grave didn’t leave me with much, overall this was a decent series as mystery series go. I liked Mrs. Robinson in addition to the characters. I thought she added so much to the storyline. I’m can’t say she wasn’t used enough but it was sad to see she wasn’t around longer.

Rating: This book I rate a 5 but overall I rate the series a 7.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! I had kind of figured out a little of how it would end but there are some surprises too. I'm just sad that this is the last book!

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I already predict it that I would probably hate this final book and I am so disappointed when it came true.

First, witchcraft was introduced and now they're trying with a new way with this voodoo thing since the witchcraft way failed. As much as I like to read new things about the story but the plot has gone far away from the beginning where it all started from a group of high school teenage girls playing a creepy game.

There are some things that bothered me while I was reading this. But, the things that bothered me actually might contain spoilers for the others.
In short, I don't like the ending of this story at all because I am not satisfied at all even with the epilogue. I have to admit the pacing was really slow in the beginning and the ending just felt rushed.

First of all I didn't like the way the author ended things with Trey. I mean he deserves more than just drop dead in the sidewalk ?! His death was even mention in an epilogue set in 10 years later and was told by Violet. I feel so disappointed.
Right until that last chapter I was sure my prediction about Trey and McKenna were going to drift away was wrong but his death just took me by surprise.

Another thing was, after three books and after everything they tried to break this curse in the epilogue McKenna was still "playing the game" with Mischa or Henry by telling the same story to how she died in Violet's house ? What kind of conclusion is this ? Even McKenna is scared to what happen when she stop playing the game and just assume it will die with her years later when she was supposed to die ?! What if it didn't and her child carries it instead ? This is so weird. It feels like everything they've done from the first book until this final book is in vain ? .

Most of the time I felt bored reading this book. The way the plot goes in this story feels the same as the second book. The difference is just that they are trying to break the curse with a different way, insert voodoo. Thus, I feel like I've read this before but added with a bit of twist. But, since I lost interest in this story pretty much early the twist didn't even ignite my interest to come back.

Overall, I felt disappointed because I kinda hope the ending would actually be happy for everyone. This series has potentials to be more because I really like the first book, however the rest just didn't live up to the expectation.

[Lexie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I often hoped to hear Jennie’s voice, I was never able to find it again. But I often sensed her presence, and knew that she was the reason why I was able to receive messages from souls on the other side with such ease.
And I never stopped listening for her.

Summary

  "Silent as the Grave" by Zoey Aarsen was good but never seemed to quite capture the magic of the first two. In short, it was underwhelming.

  McKenna Brady knows that she failed to destroy the curse and that it has instead shifted to Mischa. It bothers me that she repeatedly assured Mischa that she was not cursed despite knowing otherwise. When the spirits retaliate against Mischa for not sacrificing someone by the new moon, by sending three tornadoes to kill her parents and seriously put her sister on the brink of death Mischa is justifiably upset at McKenna for not telling her that she was, in fact, cursed. Naturally, Mischa retaliates against McKenna and Violet as they work together to come up with a way to banish the spirits

  The plot for this book was slowly-paced in the beginning and rather rushed at the ending, making the difference rather jarring. Trey's death was also rushed. I expected to see him die in a heroic or self-sacrificing way, the typical cliché, but his death was only briefly mentioned in the epilogue, almost like an after-note as if the author was like "Oh I forgot to kill off this guy!" I did like the introduction of a new character, Mrs. Robinson, an elderly but sharp lady who lives at the nursery home that McKenna volunteers for. I thought it was interesting how the author incorporated non-European inspired magic such as voodoo into the story. I wish she had appeared in the earlier books because her witty perspective was refreshing

Thoughts

  All in all, this was not a bad way to wrap up this trilogy although I felt the ending and the epilogue to be rushed. Overall, this book wrapped everything up neatly but was underwhelming.

[Milly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely the most frustrating book of the series! Thought this started out a little slow moving, while the latter half felt quite rushed.

I was so glad to finally get to read this - Light as a Feather was always one of my favourite series back in my Wattpad days. However, the ending, particularly the epilogue, really let me down - why spend 3 books setting up and strengthening a relationship only to end it in the last 15 pages? There were lots of hints about Trey’s fate, but I had hoped it might be executed more neatly and with a fuller explanation, as the reason given felt very much like a scrambled attempt at a logical explanation for something that instead seemed like it was included purely for shock value.

Also I felt Mischa’s storyline pre-epilogue ended pretty unclearly, and in those last chapters she’s barely acknowledged.

Many (though not all) of the loose ends are tied up (what happened to Candace & Olivia? Why did Mrs Emory only decide to help right at the end? And just: Trey???) and I love how effortless Aarsen’s writing style feels. Sadly I don’t think this was the strongest conclusion to an otherwise thrilling series.

[J.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mckenna may be in Tampa, but her problems in Willow are far from over.

After a freak storm she finds her way back to Willow to help Mischa while also trying to break the curse haunting them once and for all.

No one is safe this time around and Mckenna is about to learn that certain actions have life threatening consequences.

The third and final book of the series that kept up the witchy, life threatening action.

Silent as the Grave has a lot going on with Mischa being the new curse carrier, Mckenna being in Tampa and Trey's family situation. All of the drama made the book hard to put down.

While the first book is still my favorite in the series, this was a good ending.

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment and conclusion of the series was just as good as the first ones. Exiled to Florida, McKenna is trying to keep Mischa safe even though she now holds the curse. Living with her dad and stepmother, she has little interest in school and is just waiting for the day she and Trey can be together again. The spirits don’t want to wait though and go after Mischa’s family. Back in Michigan, McKenna with the help of Violet, Henry and Trey works to rid them of the curse forever. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and this book, but that was a curve the author through in the epilogue. I did not see that coming at all. These are great mysteries with a paranormal spin.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I loved this series, this was probably my least favourite book in the series. I was completely engrossed in how McKenna and Trey constantly dodged authorities, but the magic and glamour charms just felt so unrealistic and far-fetched compared to the magic we've seen in the previous book.

I was completely shocked at what happened to Trey at the end because I really thought he would have a happy ending after all he had been through. But oh well, I guess life doesn't always have happy endings either.

Overall this series was enjoyable and I would recommend it to those interested in YA novels.

[Penny-sue Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book in the Light as a feather trilogy and Oh my! This book was so hard to put down! The story continues and all the while you are thinking no McKenna! Leave it alone! Move on with your life! But she can't. She has to protect those she loves. Fast paced and a fitting conclusion. An easy five stars! Brilliant trilogy!

[Erika Moreno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, so I really loved Light as a Feather (book #1) and think that the story would've been perfect as a standalone. Once we get to book #2, things become more unrealistic and kinda cringe-y. Same with book #3. However, overall all the books are well-paced and intriguing and I really enjoyed this trilogy.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly didn't like this one quite as much as the others. The first one was the best one, but I did still want to find out what happened to the characters in the last installment. Didn't really wrap up how I THOUGHT it would, and at times I sort of skimmed through things quickly because it felt drawn out, but all in all, I'm glad I finished the trilogy!

[Megan Selph · Rating 2 out of 5]

worst book in the series, very rushed at the end. Trey’s death was a joke and Mckenna being with Henry in the end is just…. not realistic and just overall very sad for him. it’s giving Ted going back to Robin at the end of HIMYM. very unnecessary and heartbreaking because it is very clear that she never loved him the way he loved her. the plot was very recycle and repeat from the other 2 books.

[Arianna V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me with many questions, answered all but one. What happened in the fire? McKenna almost constantly wondered about why she woke up and not her twin sister. I wish that had been resolved, and if it was, I wish it had been clearer. Still, I really enjoyed reading it!

[murphy ✌ (daydreamofalife) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5

Probably my least favorite of the series, but still a hell of a lot better than I was expecting initially.

P much no review since I finished this in like March, and can't remember everything well enough.

[Jennifer Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love how this book ended!! I hate when I am left wondering what life was like after a book ends and this one made sure to complete the series out!
Never realized that this was also on Hulu!

I really enjoyed this whole series!

[Escarlet rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me gusta este libro

[Jo Tynan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[S.E.C.R.E.T · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG so good. The epilogue nothing I expected and the whole time the book kept you on the edge of your seat.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ending!!!!!

[Kel Moate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one wasn’t it for me. I feel it didn’t finish strong at all and then, at the end, just threw together what everyone was up. That big of a time jump killed the ending for me.

[Maryam · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHAT WAS THIS ENDING? NO NO NO
I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS.
JUST..NO

[od · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this on Wattpad, this book wasn't completed so it was nice to have a satisfying ending

[Jeanne Lawrence]

Fun although macabre series --- this is book 3 in the trilogy. Also a HULU TV series. I call this genre Teen Horror.

[Jan Lorenzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sin más, se me hizo largo. La historia está bien, pero no me encajó mucho.