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Dagger Hill
Stranger Things meets One of Us Is Lying in this creepy paranormal mystery about four friends who find themselves hunted by a malevolent presence in their sleepy hometown.
It knows your fear...
Summer, 1989. Four best friends—Gabe, Kimberly, Charlie, and Sonya—are preparing for their last summer together before senior year, after which they’ll all be splitting up to start college in different parts of the country. They make a promise to always find their way back to each other, no matter how far away from their sleepy Pennsylvania hometown they get.
But their plans are destroyed when a plane crashes right on top of their favorite hangout outside of town—and right on top of them.
In the catastrophic aftermath of the incident, Gabe, Sonya and Charlie are plagued by eerie visions and messages from an unknown watcher. They soon realize that the plane crash was no accident, and now they are being hunted by a sinister presence. And everyone is still searching for Kimberly, who has been missing ever since Gabe saw somebody wearing a gas mask carry her out of the woods the day the sky fell down on them...
It knows your fear...
Summer, 1989. Four best friends—Gabe, Kimberly, Charlie, and Sonya—are preparing for their last summer together before senior year, after which they’ll all be splitting up to start college in different parts of the country. They make a promise to always find their way back to each other, no matter how far away from their sleepy Pennsylvania hometown they get.
But their plans are destroyed when a plane crashes right on top of their favorite hangout outside of town—and right on top of them.
In the catastrophic aftermath of the incident, Gabe, Sonya and Charlie are plagued by eerie visions and messages from an unknown watcher. They soon realize that the plane crash was no accident, and now they are being hunted by a sinister presence. And everyone is still searching for Kimberly, who has been missing ever since Gabe saw somebody wearing a gas mask carry her out of the woods the day the sky fell down on them...
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2021
6 people are currently reading
952 people want to read
About the author
Devon Taylor
3 books47 followersDevon Taylor was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and currently lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and two daughters. His day job consists of sneaking around the house with ninja-like stealth to avoid waking up his kids. When not writing, reading, or tediously typing out text messages with all the correct spelling and punctuation, he spends his time with his family. He is the author of THE SOUL KEEPERS, THE GHOST SEEKERS, and the upcoming DAGGER HILL.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 2, 2022
third book on my netgalley arc mission before 2021 ends :))
Best friends Gabe, Sonya, Charlie, and Kimberly are preparing for their last summer together before senior year. The four of them are about to graduate from their small Pennsylvania hometown and go their separate ways across the country to college.
The group thinks leaving each other and unrequited romance; the normal things teenagers deal with- are their only problems. Come to soon find out, it’s the absolute least of their problems.
While on a picnic and in the middle of making a promise to always stick together no matter what happens in the future, an airplane crashes over them. The crash splits up the group and instantly wreaks havoc and chaos. Everyone is hurt and Kimberly goes missing. The group is left reeling with weird things happening and even more unanswered questions.
“The nightmare has to run its course.”
The group is under surveillance and tight control at the hospital and even once they’re let out. The town is plagued by eerie visions, nightmares, and cryptic messages. They realize something sinister is at play and someone may know more than they are letting on. Gabe, Charlie and Sonya quickly find out that they can’t trust the doctors, the army, and maybe not even their own parents.
“It knows your fear.”
Reminiscent of Strangers Things and Stephen King, Dagger Hill is one of the best young adult books I’ve read this year. Perfect for fans of different tastes in genres such as horror, science fiction, and a little bit of mystery. It is severely underrated, and I encourage everyone to pick up a copy and make it their next read. The chapters are short, and fast-paced. Some of the scenes are grossly disturbing and weird but so vivid. It can be a little creepy and may leave you watching the shadows for bugs and monsters. You can feel yourself immersed into the story, panicking with the characters, and trying to figure out what is happening.
Friendship also remains a prominent theme throughout the book. The group’s wholesome friendship never waivers. Each other’s safety is their priority no matter the circumstance.
“Even on the coldest days growing up, wherever we went, we always seemed to carry the sun around with us.”
Needless to say, I was hooked up until the very end. This would make an excellent movie and I can’t wait to see more from Devon Taylor in the future.
check out my original review on https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/da...
Best friends Gabe, Sonya, Charlie, and Kimberly are preparing for their last summer together before senior year. The four of them are about to graduate from their small Pennsylvania hometown and go their separate ways across the country to college.
The group thinks leaving each other and unrequited romance; the normal things teenagers deal with- are their only problems. Come to soon find out, it’s the absolute least of their problems.
While on a picnic and in the middle of making a promise to always stick together no matter what happens in the future, an airplane crashes over them. The crash splits up the group and instantly wreaks havoc and chaos. Everyone is hurt and Kimberly goes missing. The group is left reeling with weird things happening and even more unanswered questions.
“The nightmare has to run its course.”
The group is under surveillance and tight control at the hospital and even once they’re let out. The town is plagued by eerie visions, nightmares, and cryptic messages. They realize something sinister is at play and someone may know more than they are letting on. Gabe, Charlie and Sonya quickly find out that they can’t trust the doctors, the army, and maybe not even their own parents.
“It knows your fear.”
Reminiscent of Strangers Things and Stephen King, Dagger Hill is one of the best young adult books I’ve read this year. Perfect for fans of different tastes in genres such as horror, science fiction, and a little bit of mystery. It is severely underrated, and I encourage everyone to pick up a copy and make it their next read. The chapters are short, and fast-paced. Some of the scenes are grossly disturbing and weird but so vivid. It can be a little creepy and may leave you watching the shadows for bugs and monsters. You can feel yourself immersed into the story, panicking with the characters, and trying to figure out what is happening.
Friendship also remains a prominent theme throughout the book. The group’s wholesome friendship never waivers. Each other’s safety is their priority no matter the circumstance.
“Even on the coldest days growing up, wherever we went, we always seemed to carry the sun around with us.”
Needless to say, I was hooked up until the very end. This would make an excellent movie and I can’t wait to see more from Devon Taylor in the future.
check out my original review on https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/da...
Want to read
September 19, 2020This sounds so good I just can't -
If there is something I love more than historical fiction is paranormal mystery in it 😍
Anyone know where can I buy a time machine? It's urgent.
If there is something I love more than historical fiction is paranormal mystery in it 😍
Anyone know where can I buy a time machine? It's urgent.
February 14, 2025
This was a horrible novel.
Aside from the fact it's written in the first person (which I don't like.) It's written in present tense first person 🤮😅
On top of that, there are four main characters talking in present tense first person. Each one of those characters has zero personality, they're just names. The only mildly interesting one vanishes at the beginning.
It was unbelievably slow and repetitive. All four characters babble on endlessly about the same thing, over and over again. There was a decent story in there, but it only gave you fragments between all the padding and babble-speak and overly long, painful to read descriptions, which were so unnecessary.
You could edit out all the padding and you might be left with a fast paced YA Stranger Things type story, which is what this was supposed to be. Huge fail. I'd rate it zero if I could.
Try My Best Friend's Exorcism, Dead Flip or Video Night for excellent "set in the 80s" Horror/Sci-Fi vibes instead of this snoozefest.
Aside from the fact it's written in the first person (which I don't like.) It's written in present tense first person 🤮😅
On top of that, there are four main characters talking in present tense first person. Each one of those characters has zero personality, they're just names. The only mildly interesting one vanishes at the beginning.
It was unbelievably slow and repetitive. All four characters babble on endlessly about the same thing, over and over again. There was a decent story in there, but it only gave you fragments between all the padding and babble-speak and overly long, painful to read descriptions, which were so unnecessary.
You could edit out all the padding and you might be left with a fast paced YA Stranger Things type story, which is what this was supposed to be. Huge fail. I'd rate it zero if I could.
Try My Best Friend's Exorcism, Dead Flip or Video Night for excellent "set in the 80s" Horror/Sci-Fi vibes instead of this snoozefest.
October 21, 2022
Okay listen, this book wasn’t amazing but it definitely was enjoyable. I can clearly see what the author intended to do and I have to say I really was spooked out at times. It really felt like a good vintage horror, sci-fi story. But I think if the author was more experienced, and there was some more editing done to the story it would’ve been ten times better. Sometimes the pacing was just off and the story was either too slow or too fast. And some parts were really predictable and slightly cringe.
IN CONCLUSION the author writes very promising and this book will be great to look back on when he writes more stories !!
IN CONCLUSION the author writes very promising and this book will be great to look back on when he writes more stories !!
August 18, 2021
This was definitely a very creepy and strange storyline. I almost felt at first that it was more science fiction than paranormal. Still kind of feel that way. But in the way that you would think of Stranger Things. I definitely think this is a good book for anyone who enjoys that show. There’s a lot going on, and even some really good backstory, that in a way reminds me of the Fear Street movies that recently came out. While we got a lot of info spread out to us as the characters got it, there was so many more puzzle pieces added into our knowledge at the same time as the characters were getting it. All four of the main characters were well developed and had good story-lines. I kind of wish maybe we’d had a little more of an inkling about Kimberly’s little secret. I think if this was a tv show or movie, I can see how they would have given that to us, but maybe with a book it is harder without necessarily giving it all away up front. A really good thriller of a story, and I would love to see it as a tv show or movie!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
November 6, 2021
YES YES YES
This book is exactly what I wanted. I really hope Devon Taylor is writing more books like this, because I need some more of this from him. Small towns, groups of teens, and strange things that happen when we least expect it. The first half of this book was unsettling, and the last half was tense and scary. The writing style fit the story perfectly. It's just everything I wanted and more.
Wow... I didn't expect to love this as much as I now do. Definitely a book I want to reread during a spooky season in the future.
This book is exactly what I wanted. I really hope Devon Taylor is writing more books like this, because I need some more of this from him. Small towns, groups of teens, and strange things that happen when we least expect it. The first half of this book was unsettling, and the last half was tense and scary. The writing style fit the story perfectly. It's just everything I wanted and more.
Wow... I didn't expect to love this as much as I now do. Definitely a book I want to reread during a spooky season in the future.
August 17, 2021
Not much happens in the town of Windale, Pennsylvania, 1989. There are farms and the scientific agency TerraCorp. Four friends, Charlie, Gabe, Sonya and Kimberly are trying to savor their last summer together before senior year. As they picnic together on their favorite hangout spot, Dagger Hill, a plane that has taken off from TerraCorp crashes into the hill. They saw the pilot parachute out before the crash, but something else was in the plane and it took Kimberly with it. Something was unleashed on Dagger Hill that is affecting the residents of Windale. Gabe, Sonya and Charlie desperately try to find Kimberly and solve the mystery of Dagger Hill.
Dagger Hill is a young adult paranormal mystery that kept me guessing. Told from the alternating viewpoints of three of the teens, I was pulled into the suspense of the forces at play as well as having a great insight into Windale and the different views of the people who lived there. Each of the teens had a different background and economic situation and it was nice to see them have a meaningful relationship and truly care for each other. At times, the viewpoints overlapped and I felt like I was reading a bit of what I had just read. The setting of 1989 was not only nostalgic for me, but created a great atmosphere with emerging technology, but not a technologically savvy population. The mystery of Dagger Hill was well crafted as we learned little by little from different sources. The Bug Man kept me guessing as to what the force could be and its purpose, combined with the strange happenings at TerraCorp there was a perfect recipe for strange and malicious occurrences. I enjoyed watching Gabe, Charlie and Sonya band together to find Kimberly and figure out the purpose of the Bug Man. With an unexpected ending , Dagger Hill creates a perfect summer adventure.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Dagger Hill is a young adult paranormal mystery that kept me guessing. Told from the alternating viewpoints of three of the teens, I was pulled into the suspense of the forces at play as well as having a great insight into Windale and the different views of the people who lived there. Each of the teens had a different background and economic situation and it was nice to see them have a meaningful relationship and truly care for each other. At times, the viewpoints overlapped and I felt like I was reading a bit of what I had just read. The setting of 1989 was not only nostalgic for me, but created a great atmosphere with emerging technology, but not a technologically savvy population. The mystery of Dagger Hill was well crafted as we learned little by little from different sources. The Bug Man kept me guessing as to what the force could be and its purpose, combined with the strange happenings at TerraCorp there was a perfect recipe for strange and malicious occurrences. I enjoyed watching Gabe, Charlie and Sonya band together to find Kimberly and figure out the purpose of the Bug Man. With an unexpected ending , Dagger Hill creates a perfect summer adventure.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
August 28, 2021
This book was one wild ride - terrific use of suspense and dread laced with spine-tingling creatures and edge-of-your-seat action, full of characters that stay with you. One of my favorite reads this year!
August 17, 2021
To say that this one holds a few unexpected moments is an understatement.
Four friends vow to always find their way back to each other as they spend their last summer together before their last year in high school. When a storm rolls in during their get together on a hill, a plane comes out of nowhere and crashes right where they're standing. It's panic pure, and one of them is carried away by a masked survivor of the crash. When the three remaining friends wake up to find themselves in a hospital and under tight control, it's clear that something isn't right. And no one seems to know anything about the masked person who carried away their friend.
This one is a mix of science fiction, mystery, horror and paranormal. It's told from several points of view, and that works very well, since there is a lot going on and even more secrets behind those events. The beginning runs along a bit slow as the basis for each friend is, more or less, laid. It hopped around a bit too much for my taste as I didn't seem to really gain a connection to any of them before the weirdness sets in. Also, there are hints and bread crumbs in these first chapters, which weren't too hard to place. Still, it's definitely an intriguing, original read.
The science fiction elements fall in with a lovely dab between reality and imagination, making it hard to guess which direction the entire thing is really headed. And even this proves to be a surprise. The friends, as said, didn't gain enough depth for me to feel really connected to any of them, but that didn't hurt the plot as it twists and turns in sinister, unexpected or even strange directions. It's fun to try to guess where it's going, knowing that the outcome will still not be as expected. So, it's really intriguing on that front. It's definitely enjoying to read. I received a complimentary copy and found this one packed with tension.
Four friends vow to always find their way back to each other as they spend their last summer together before their last year in high school. When a storm rolls in during their get together on a hill, a plane comes out of nowhere and crashes right where they're standing. It's panic pure, and one of them is carried away by a masked survivor of the crash. When the three remaining friends wake up to find themselves in a hospital and under tight control, it's clear that something isn't right. And no one seems to know anything about the masked person who carried away their friend.
This one is a mix of science fiction, mystery, horror and paranormal. It's told from several points of view, and that works very well, since there is a lot going on and even more secrets behind those events. The beginning runs along a bit slow as the basis for each friend is, more or less, laid. It hopped around a bit too much for my taste as I didn't seem to really gain a connection to any of them before the weirdness sets in. Also, there are hints and bread crumbs in these first chapters, which weren't too hard to place. Still, it's definitely an intriguing, original read.
The science fiction elements fall in with a lovely dab between reality and imagination, making it hard to guess which direction the entire thing is really headed. And even this proves to be a surprise. The friends, as said, didn't gain enough depth for me to feel really connected to any of them, but that didn't hurt the plot as it twists and turns in sinister, unexpected or even strange directions. It's fun to try to guess where it's going, knowing that the outcome will still not be as expected. So, it's really intriguing on that front. It's definitely enjoying to read. I received a complimentary copy and found this one packed with tension.
October 7, 2022
Dagger Hill by Devon Taylor is a fictional book about a teenager named Gabe discovering the mysteries of Dagger Hill with his friends. The setting of the book is around the 1990s-2000s with his father on the countryside of his town. What they’re trying to know what is going around killing things around the starting of the book a farmers cattle has been murdered.
I liked the book. One thing I liked about it was how the characters are at a very similar age as me, and they’re going around trying to find the murderer of Dagger Hill. This was also my very first mystery book I ever read and I liked it a lot.
I liked the book. One thing I liked about it was how the characters are at a very similar age as me, and they’re going around trying to find the murderer of Dagger Hill. This was also my very first mystery book I ever read and I liked it a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2021
Fun YA horror fiction set in 1989 that didn't feel like nostalgia porn, had a lesbian character arc that didn't feel like queerbait, had some brutal moments that made me happy as a horror fan, the writing was solid, the characters were decent. My one complaint is that there are human characters that we could call villains, sure, but they feel a little too one dimensional. Overall though, a compelling dark tale of friendship in a small town.
September 21, 2021
I really liked this book. It was creepy and had a plot that clipped along at a good pace. It never got bogged down in too much detail or exposition. It kind of had a Steven Spielberg vibe like ET, Close Encounters, or Super Eight with a dash of Scooby Doo thrown in, but in this case the danger was real and not some old dude in a mask.
September 3, 2021
I received this book from the publisher/Xpresso Tour Hosts in exchange of an honest review.
I am always looking around for spooky and scary horror and I definitely got my fill with this AMAZING book! It was a bit of a slow start at first, getting to know the characters, the town, but quite soon things just went into a maelstrom of everything and I just couldn’t, wouldn’t put the book down. I am going to try to write a review but BOY I got so many feels about this epic book. It may be chaotic. Haha.
The author wrote this book so so good, I mean, at points it felt like I wasn’t reading… I was actually there. With the plane crash, really, the time stood still for these kids but it felt the same way for me. It was as if I was on that clearing. Watching everything, helpless to do anything. There are many other scenes that had this and I just love it when authors are able to do this. It definitely doesn’t always happen. It definitely made everything even scarier~
We have a group of friends as our MCs, but we also get to see some interludes in which we see some other characters. As the time goes on and things get more and more harried we see some more of the town people. I definitely loved those interludes and loved seeing how things got more and more scary in the town.
The main MCs, Gabe, Charlie, and Sonya, and in the beginning also Kimberley. I really liked them a lot, though, haha, I kept confusing Gabe and Charlie constantly. No clue why given that they were wildly different. One was a goofball and the other more serious. I loved Sonya especially as she was such a kick-ass girl (with some cool coding/hacking skills) who was determined to do whatever she could to get her girl back. Yep, you read that right! I was so happy to read about this! I was rooting for Sonya (and in more than one way given she hadn’t told Kimberley about her feelings).
They weren’t superficial characters at all, which is what sometimes happens in books with multiple POVs. I really liked reading about each character, about their future plans, about how they felt about their friends (and one of them should have seen the hints), about their friendship, and more. I was invested in each of these characters.
I was rooting for all of these characters, because as we learn more about the history of the town, about the anomalies, we know that the plane crash and the military aren’t the scariest things to come.
I loved learning more about the town, about Dagger Hill, about the anomalies. There is a lot more to this story and I was squeeing happily each time we got some new bit of information. The anomalies were well written, and while at first I was scared to bits about Bug Man, we later see that he is one of the good guys, which may sound weird but is absolutely 100% the truth. While he still scared me shitless I was also looking forward to seeing him again, see what his next step in the plan is to help these kids and their town.
Haha, can I say that I am not sure who is worse: The anomaly that is with Dagger Hill or Higgins? Lord. Higgins was just pure evil. I don’t see this as a spoiler, I got bad vibes from that person from the very start. I won’t say much more than that, but I was kind of hoping throughout the book that Higgins would just get eaten or disappear magically. XD
The ending, WOW, what a trip that was. If you thought the book couldn’t get any better than there is the ending with tons of excitement, scary moments, but also relief. It was just the perfect way to end this book!
All in all, I could probably talk and talk more and more about this book but I don’t want to make things too long, so I will stop here and just say this: READ THIS BOOK!! NOW!!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I am always looking around for spooky and scary horror and I definitely got my fill with this AMAZING book! It was a bit of a slow start at first, getting to know the characters, the town, but quite soon things just went into a maelstrom of everything and I just couldn’t, wouldn’t put the book down. I am going to try to write a review but BOY I got so many feels about this epic book. It may be chaotic. Haha.
The author wrote this book so so good, I mean, at points it felt like I wasn’t reading… I was actually there. With the plane crash, really, the time stood still for these kids but it felt the same way for me. It was as if I was on that clearing. Watching everything, helpless to do anything. There are many other scenes that had this and I just love it when authors are able to do this. It definitely doesn’t always happen. It definitely made everything even scarier~
We have a group of friends as our MCs, but we also get to see some interludes in which we see some other characters. As the time goes on and things get more and more harried we see some more of the town people. I definitely loved those interludes and loved seeing how things got more and more scary in the town.
The main MCs, Gabe, Charlie, and Sonya, and in the beginning also Kimberley. I really liked them a lot, though, haha, I kept confusing Gabe and Charlie constantly. No clue why given that they were wildly different. One was a goofball and the other more serious. I loved Sonya especially as she was such a kick-ass girl (with some cool coding/hacking skills) who was determined to do whatever she could to get her girl back. Yep, you read that right! I was so happy to read about this! I was rooting for Sonya (and in more than one way given she hadn’t told Kimberley about her feelings).
They weren’t superficial characters at all, which is what sometimes happens in books with multiple POVs. I really liked reading about each character, about their future plans, about how they felt about their friends (and one of them should have seen the hints), about their friendship, and more. I was invested in each of these characters.
I was rooting for all of these characters, because as we learn more about the history of the town, about the anomalies, we know that the plane crash and the military aren’t the scariest things to come.
I loved learning more about the town, about Dagger Hill, about the anomalies. There is a lot more to this story and I was squeeing happily each time we got some new bit of information. The anomalies were well written, and while at first I was scared to bits about Bug Man, we later see that he is one of the good guys, which may sound weird but is absolutely 100% the truth. While he still scared me shitless I was also looking forward to seeing him again, see what his next step in the plan is to help these kids and their town.
Haha, can I say that I am not sure who is worse: The anomaly that is with Dagger Hill or Higgins? Lord. Higgins was just pure evil. I don’t see this as a spoiler, I got bad vibes from that person from the very start. I won’t say much more than that, but I was kind of hoping throughout the book that Higgins would just get eaten or disappear magically. XD
The ending, WOW, what a trip that was. If you thought the book couldn’t get any better than there is the ending with tons of excitement, scary moments, but also relief. It was just the perfect way to end this book!
All in all, I could probably talk and talk more and more about this book but I don’t want to make things too long, so I will stop here and just say this: READ THIS BOOK!! NOW!!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2021
Dagger Hill is a YA paranormal mystery, set at the end of the 80s, that follows four friends in a small town as their lives change forever one summer. What seems like a normal break before their senior year of high school turns into a horrifying disaster that will leave these friends fighting not only to stay together, but also for their lives.
This was a fun story. It's definitely got a Stranger Things vibe, and that's one thing that immediately drew me in. Plus, the cover is pretty great. And I've read the Soul Keepers series by the author and enjoyed those, so I was excited to dive into this one. I can't say I was disappointed.
The book starts off with a rather horrifying scene, and it just sort of spirals from there. After a plane crashes right on top of the four friends, things get weirder and weirder, escalating as time goes on, and if they don't figure out what is going on and stop it before it's too late, well...
I loved the nostalgia factor of the story as well. Even with all of the streaming services out there nowadays, there was just something special about going to a video rental store. There's one in the story, and it reminded me how much I miss those days of Blockbusters and the like. I grew up in a very small town in Pennsylvania, and we had a local video store that I loved frequenting. I remember plucking the tag from under the case of the VHS tape (and eventually the DVD) I wanted to rent, taking it up to the counter, and getting the case with the move tucked within to take home with me to enjoy. Ah, good times. I also hoarded movie posters from the video store (I'd ask for the ones they had displayed when they were done with them, and the employees always indulged my obsession).
If you're a fan of Stranger Things, young adult novels with paranormal/supernatural/horror elements, or just good books in general, give Dagger Hill a whirl.
4.5 stars!
This was a fun story. It's definitely got a Stranger Things vibe, and that's one thing that immediately drew me in. Plus, the cover is pretty great. And I've read the Soul Keepers series by the author and enjoyed those, so I was excited to dive into this one. I can't say I was disappointed.
The book starts off with a rather horrifying scene, and it just sort of spirals from there. After a plane crashes right on top of the four friends, things get weirder and weirder, escalating as time goes on, and if they don't figure out what is going on and stop it before it's too late, well...
I loved the nostalgia factor of the story as well. Even with all of the streaming services out there nowadays, there was just something special about going to a video rental store. There's one in the story, and it reminded me how much I miss those days of Blockbusters and the like. I grew up in a very small town in Pennsylvania, and we had a local video store that I loved frequenting. I remember plucking the tag from under the case of the VHS tape (and eventually the DVD) I wanted to rent, taking it up to the counter, and getting the case with the move tucked within to take home with me to enjoy. Ah, good times. I also hoarded movie posters from the video store (I'd ask for the ones they had displayed when they were done with them, and the employees always indulged my obsession).
If you're a fan of Stranger Things, young adult novels with paranormal/supernatural/horror elements, or just good books in general, give Dagger Hill a whirl.
4.5 stars!
August 20, 2021
I thinks it was the year setting, 1989, that mostly grabbed my attention. I was 9 then so not quite the same age as these protagonist but old enough to remember certain pop cultures referred to in this novel so that was real fun! I'm usually not a horror fan either but while this was quite creepy, it wasn't that bad.
Dagger Hill reminded me a bit of Silent Hill (game) though on a very broad terms. I didn't watch or play the game; just saw bits & pieces of the game while hubby played. I guess it was more the supernatural creepy sort of feel of a small town. I stopped myself from reading the last 20% last night because I wanted to go to sleep feeling safe... 😅
I really like the friendship factor in this novel. As each character was struggling through feelings of sadness and even unspoken crushes, their friendship comes first and each other's safety. There wasn't that much romance in the story yet I still feel I could have done without what little there was.
The whole story felt very visual to me so I think this would probably do better as a movie because I got really confused at the final showdown about who's who! Dagger Hill was an enjoyable spine-tingling read which I'd recommend for those who likes being freaked out.
My thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for having me on this tour and copy of ebook in exchange of honest review
Dagger Hill reminded me a bit of Silent Hill (game) though on a very broad terms. I didn't watch or play the game; just saw bits & pieces of the game while hubby played. I guess it was more the supernatural creepy sort of feel of a small town. I stopped myself from reading the last 20% last night because I wanted to go to sleep feeling safe... 😅
I really like the friendship factor in this novel. As each character was struggling through feelings of sadness and even unspoken crushes, their friendship comes first and each other's safety. There wasn't that much romance in the story yet I still feel I could have done without what little there was.
The whole story felt very visual to me so I think this would probably do better as a movie because I got really confused at the final showdown about who's who! Dagger Hill was an enjoyable spine-tingling read which I'd recommend for those who likes being freaked out.
My thanks to Xpresso Book Tours for having me on this tour and copy of ebook in exchange of honest review
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September 12, 2021Thank you to Xpresso Tours for providing me with an advanced copy. This is no way shown in my review. You can see the other tour stops here!
~Rating~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The writing style and overall book gave me Iron Eagle (the movie) vibes, and that was all I needed to keep reading. Since Dagger Hill is set in the past there were references to the movies coming out in 1989 such as Back to the Future. If you liked this, I definitely recommend listening to The Eyes by Ethan Lex. The writing style is similar and they are both great mysteries!
Each character voice was very unique and hard to blend together. I loved the diversity in the main characters. I rooted for each character as they tried to carve the paths after the incident. Their different backgrounds and skin color makes it so everyone has someone to relate to.
The mystery was super twisty and I enjoyed the little details. The whole ‘suspicious government activities’ part reminds me of when I wanted to go meet the aliens in Area 51. There were so many important and fun things I never felt bored! I loved being transported to 1989! Overall, I definitely recommend for people who want to get into mysteries or people who already love them. I’ll definitely look out for more books by Devon Taylor.
~Rating~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The writing style and overall book gave me Iron Eagle (the movie) vibes, and that was all I needed to keep reading. Since Dagger Hill is set in the past there were references to the movies coming out in 1989 such as Back to the Future. If you liked this, I definitely recommend listening to The Eyes by Ethan Lex. The writing style is similar and they are both great mysteries!
Each character voice was very unique and hard to blend together. I loved the diversity in the main characters. I rooted for each character as they tried to carve the paths after the incident. Their different backgrounds and skin color makes it so everyone has someone to relate to.
The mystery was super twisty and I enjoyed the little details. The whole ‘suspicious government activities’ part reminds me of when I wanted to go meet the aliens in Area 51. There were so many important and fun things I never felt bored! I loved being transported to 1989! Overall, I definitely recommend for people who want to get into mysteries or people who already love them. I’ll definitely look out for more books by Devon Taylor.
July 26, 2021
Look at that freaking cover y'all! I spent the past few days devouring this genre meshing novel. If you're like me and a smidge on the obsessed side for Stranger Things than you will not want to miss the chaos that exists in these pages.
Part paranormal, part scifi and part nostalgic mystery and horror, Dagger Hill delivers a slow building plot told from alternating POVs. With well crafted thrills and atmospheric decadence alongside a crisply defined narrative. Definitely a novel I recommend for those looking for a new paranormal mystery to get lost in. PS: well done LGBTQ romance. It's releasing Aug. 17th, don't forget to add this to your TBR!
Part paranormal, part scifi and part nostalgic mystery and horror, Dagger Hill delivers a slow building plot told from alternating POVs. With well crafted thrills and atmospheric decadence alongside a crisply defined narrative. Definitely a novel I recommend for those looking for a new paranormal mystery to get lost in. PS: well done LGBTQ romance. It's releasing Aug. 17th, don't forget to add this to your TBR!
October 4, 2021
I was in the mood for something different, and DAGGER HILL delivered! Set in 1989, before everyone had a smartphone, four friends hang out during their summer before senior year, each dealing with different issues associated with coming of age, when the world as they know it comes crashing down around them in the form of a military plane. Before the plane crashes into Dagger Hill, the kids see someone parachuting out of it. And Gabe sees someone in a gas mask pick up and carry their injured friend, Kimberly, to safety. At least that’s what he thinks. Until the army begins to interview them and they realize something more is going on, and no one knows where Kimberly is. Or the man in the “bug” mask.
Plot
The story is gripping from early on and never lets go. The author uses a fun method for his storytelling — a combination of first person, newspaper articles, third-person, and interviews to bring his tale to life. It makes each chapter different from the last and helps reveal the information to the reader in a unique way. The plot unfolds at a steady pace with lots of twists and turns.
The Characters
The characters are awesome. Each of the main characters, Gabe, Sonya, Charlie, and Kimberly, are complex, with secrets, worries, and problems of their own as they try to hold onto childhood for one more summer. The adults, from Gabe’s police chief dad to Sonya’s scientist dad, to the army officials and doctors, are just as varied and complex as the main characters, making this more than just a plot driven tale.
Top Five Things I Loved About DAGGER HILL
1. Pacing. The story MOVES. But at the right pace. I stayed up late devouring the story but without becoming overwhelmed. It was perfect.
2. Setting. I love both the small town and the era it was set in. It feels modern, but without all the high-tech stuff that can interfere with a good thriller. Plus the music and movie references were a fun blast from the past.
3. Characters. While this is primarily a plot-driven tale, the character development is off-the-charts good and will stay with me for a long time.
4. Twists. So many good twists that left my jaw hanging open.
5. Storytelling. I love the way the author unfolds his tale using different techniques for a unique approach to a really unique story.
Bottom Line
Fabulous, fun, un-put-downable read!
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Plot
The story is gripping from early on and never lets go. The author uses a fun method for his storytelling — a combination of first person, newspaper articles, third-person, and interviews to bring his tale to life. It makes each chapter different from the last and helps reveal the information to the reader in a unique way. The plot unfolds at a steady pace with lots of twists and turns.
The Characters
The characters are awesome. Each of the main characters, Gabe, Sonya, Charlie, and Kimberly, are complex, with secrets, worries, and problems of their own as they try to hold onto childhood for one more summer. The adults, from Gabe’s police chief dad to Sonya’s scientist dad, to the army officials and doctors, are just as varied and complex as the main characters, making this more than just a plot driven tale.
Top Five Things I Loved About DAGGER HILL
1. Pacing. The story MOVES. But at the right pace. I stayed up late devouring the story but without becoming overwhelmed. It was perfect.
2. Setting. I love both the small town and the era it was set in. It feels modern, but without all the high-tech stuff that can interfere with a good thriller. Plus the music and movie references were a fun blast from the past.
3. Characters. While this is primarily a plot-driven tale, the character development is off-the-charts good and will stay with me for a long time.
4. Twists. So many good twists that left my jaw hanging open.
5. Storytelling. I love the way the author unfolds his tale using different techniques for a unique approach to a really unique story.
Bottom Line
Fabulous, fun, un-put-downable read!
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2021
Dagger Hill was a super fun read-a-like for Stranger Things. While the Upside Down is not present in this novel, there is a plane crash, military cover up, creatures, and a centuries old mystery. I had a lot of fun reading this one.
The narration switches between four best friends on the summer between their junior and senior year. They decide early in the novel to have a picnic on Dagger Hill, a place on the outskirts of town where no one ever goes. Their parents don't want them hanging out there, for reasons like "you just shouldn't be there." Not especially a deterrent for four teenagers looking for a fun and isolated picnic spot.
Once they get there, though, bad things begin to happen. A plane falls out of the sky directly above them and crashes, and knocks all four of them out. One of the four, Kimberly, gets taken by a mysterious person or thing, and the three others are determined to find her. As they learn more about what is really going on, they get swept up in an ages-old mystery that has haunted their town for hundreds of years, leaving nobody they can trust except for each other.
This book was, like I said, a fun summer read. It wasn't as fast-paced as I would have liked it to be, but that may have been more about me and less about the book. I do wish there had been more differentiation between the teen narrators, and I often had to flip back to see who was talking. I think this is a book that will keep teens engaged and excited as they try to discover the mystery and what happened to Kimberly.
CW: There is some profanity and talk of drug use among adults.
The narration switches between four best friends on the summer between their junior and senior year. They decide early in the novel to have a picnic on Dagger Hill, a place on the outskirts of town where no one ever goes. Their parents don't want them hanging out there, for reasons like "you just shouldn't be there." Not especially a deterrent for four teenagers looking for a fun and isolated picnic spot.
Once they get there, though, bad things begin to happen. A plane falls out of the sky directly above them and crashes, and knocks all four of them out. One of the four, Kimberly, gets taken by a mysterious person or thing, and the three others are determined to find her. As they learn more about what is really going on, they get swept up in an ages-old mystery that has haunted their town for hundreds of years, leaving nobody they can trust except for each other.
This book was, like I said, a fun summer read. It wasn't as fast-paced as I would have liked it to be, but that may have been more about me and less about the book. I do wish there had been more differentiation between the teen narrators, and I often had to flip back to see who was talking. I think this is a book that will keep teens engaged and excited as they try to discover the mystery and what happened to Kimberly.
CW: There is some profanity and talk of drug use among adults.
August 13, 2023
If you want the perfect end-of-summer read that is set in the 80s with hints of Stranger Things, The Thing, and The X-Files with a touch of Twin Peaks - pick up this book.
Taylor does a superb job of creating a friend group you can root for with realistic characters that your heart connects to. Gabe, Sonya, Charlie, and Kimberly are such strong characters where their loyalty and friendship to one another works so well, even if their character archetypes shouldn't work (think of Stephen King's Losers Club). They are the perfect narrators to the story and are all realistically capable of what they are doing rather than just being "adult" skilled characters at age 17.
I have a love for Scifi/Horror that deals with mad experiments or discoveries gone wrong and this one fits the bill. You have no idea how disappointed I am that my town doesn't have a cryptic research facility. The horror in this book is great, especially for teen readers getting into the genre, it relies on classic scares steeped in nostalgia along with some refreshing plot twists. The pacing also works really well for a YA horror novel, it keeps going along at a steady clip that keeps the reader engaged.
Big spooky recommend, also I am now waiting to see if there will ever be a miniseries of this book (also pretty please let me design the soundtrack).
Taylor does a superb job of creating a friend group you can root for with realistic characters that your heart connects to. Gabe, Sonya, Charlie, and Kimberly are such strong characters where their loyalty and friendship to one another works so well, even if their character archetypes shouldn't work (think of Stephen King's Losers Club). They are the perfect narrators to the story and are all realistically capable of what they are doing rather than just being "adult" skilled characters at age 17.
I have a love for Scifi/Horror that deals with mad experiments or discoveries gone wrong and this one fits the bill. You have no idea how disappointed I am that my town doesn't have a cryptic research facility. The horror in this book is great, especially for teen readers getting into the genre, it relies on classic scares steeped in nostalgia along with some refreshing plot twists. The pacing also works really well for a YA horror novel, it keeps going along at a steady clip that keeps the reader engaged.
Big spooky recommend, also I am now waiting to see if there will ever be a miniseries of this book (also pretty please let me design the soundtrack).
March 12, 2021
What follows is my personal opinion, and is no way representative of any orgs I'm involved with. Thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book so much. The opening scene sets up a difficult expectation to follow through with, but the author does a fantastic job of building to a crescendo that walks the line between supernatural horror and light gore without feeling gratuitous. The protagonists were not only believable, but more or less likable throughout.
Light ending spoilers in paragraph to follow.
My only real gripe is how neatly things seemed to be wrapped up in the end - it might have just been the build to get there, but I wanted to see more. There is also a somewhat trite bait-and-switch that didn't seem to make any sense for it's placement in the story, which seemed to have no real gravity in the ensuing pages.
End of spoilers
Dagger Hill is definitely a great book for teens and 20somethings looking to graduate from the light horror they're used to into a more genre-driven story. I hope the folks I recommend this to enjoy it as much as I did.
I loved this book so much. The opening scene sets up a difficult expectation to follow through with, but the author does a fantastic job of building to a crescendo that walks the line between supernatural horror and light gore without feeling gratuitous. The protagonists were not only believable, but more or less likable throughout.
Light ending spoilers in paragraph to follow.
My only real gripe is how neatly things seemed to be wrapped up in the end - it might have just been the build to get there, but I wanted to see more. There is also a somewhat trite bait-and-switch that didn't seem to make any sense for it's placement in the story, which seemed to have no real gravity in the ensuing pages.
End of spoilers
Dagger Hill is definitely a great book for teens and 20somethings looking to graduate from the light horror they're used to into a more genre-driven story. I hope the folks I recommend this to enjoy it as much as I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2021
Dagger Hill is told from the point of view of four best friends, Gabe, Kimberly, Charlie, and Sonya. It is the summer before their senior year. Most kids their age think they are grown at this age and they almost are, they also think they know more than their parents. Gabe, Kimberly, Charlie, and Sonya wonder sometimes if they are grown. Part of them thinks they are really still kids but another part of them thinks they are grown.
Gabe, Kimberley, Charlie, and Sonya go up on Dagger Hill to the place they have been hanging out at for a long time. Their parents don’t like the idea of them hanging out on Dagger Hill as they believe it to be dangerous. But kids don’t always listen to what their parents say.
I can see Gabe, Kimberley, Charlie, and Sonya sitting up on Dagger Hill just enjoying their day, having a picnic, and just hanging out, laughing and joking with each other like good friends do until they hear this roaring noise flying overhead. They look up low and behold what do they see but an airplane barreling down upon them. I can just see their faces as they take off running through the woods.
I can just picture the dust swirling all around as different parts of the plane come flying at them in all directions. The descriptions were so vividly written that I could just see myself there among all the dust. I could see the kids lying on the ground, wondering what was going on.
All of the kids were rescued and taken to the hospital, all except one. One of the kids was missing and no one knows what happened to her. She just disappeared into thin air as the saying goes. Where is Kimberley? What happened to her? Will they find her before it is too late?
I can see the connection between Stranger Things and Dagger Hill but when I was reading it I kept thinking about the TV show Roswell. I think it was the mystery surrounding the town, the plane crash, and the bug man. I would like to see Dagger Hill made into a movie or TV show.
I think it would be a big hit with paranormal, mystery, and even fans of aliens. One-click your copy of Dagger Hill today!
Gabe, Kimberley, Charlie, and Sonya go up on Dagger Hill to the place they have been hanging out at for a long time. Their parents don’t like the idea of them hanging out on Dagger Hill as they believe it to be dangerous. But kids don’t always listen to what their parents say.
I can see Gabe, Kimberley, Charlie, and Sonya sitting up on Dagger Hill just enjoying their day, having a picnic, and just hanging out, laughing and joking with each other like good friends do until they hear this roaring noise flying overhead. They look up low and behold what do they see but an airplane barreling down upon them. I can just see their faces as they take off running through the woods.
I can just picture the dust swirling all around as different parts of the plane come flying at them in all directions. The descriptions were so vividly written that I could just see myself there among all the dust. I could see the kids lying on the ground, wondering what was going on.
All of the kids were rescued and taken to the hospital, all except one. One of the kids was missing and no one knows what happened to her. She just disappeared into thin air as the saying goes. Where is Kimberley? What happened to her? Will they find her before it is too late?
I can see the connection between Stranger Things and Dagger Hill but when I was reading it I kept thinking about the TV show Roswell. I think it was the mystery surrounding the town, the plane crash, and the bug man. I would like to see Dagger Hill made into a movie or TV show.
I think it would be a big hit with paranormal, mystery, and even fans of aliens. One-click your copy of Dagger Hill today!
January 16, 2022
I received an e-arc from NetGalley for an honest review.
Dagger Hill is a great YA mystery set in 1989. I always find thrillers or horror stories set in the past intriguing. The lack of modern technology makes the story more interesting.
I loved the tone of this book. The characters were great as well and I loved that the main characters all had their own pov chapters. While I enjoyed the book, I was hoping for a little more thriller element. It’s more of a mystery than thriller.
This book follows a group of teenage friends after they survive a plan crashing right on top of them. As weird as that experience was, things get even weirder in their small town. One of their friends disappeared that day when a strange man clad in black and wearing a gas mask took her from the crash site. The army takes over and puts the town on lockdown. Then some of the townspeople start behaving violently. Can the teenagers find their missing friend and solve what’s happening to their town before it’s too late? You’ll have to read Dagger Hill to find out.
Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
Dagger Hill is a great YA mystery set in 1989. I always find thrillers or horror stories set in the past intriguing. The lack of modern technology makes the story more interesting.
I loved the tone of this book. The characters were great as well and I loved that the main characters all had their own pov chapters. While I enjoyed the book, I was hoping for a little more thriller element. It’s more of a mystery than thriller.
This book follows a group of teenage friends after they survive a plan crashing right on top of them. As weird as that experience was, things get even weirder in their small town. One of their friends disappeared that day when a strange man clad in black and wearing a gas mask took her from the crash site. The army takes over and puts the town on lockdown. Then some of the townspeople start behaving violently. Can the teenagers find their missing friend and solve what’s happening to their town before it’s too late? You’ll have to read Dagger Hill to find out.
Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
August 31, 2021
What a strange little book. A plane crashed into the regular hangout of four friends and brings with it a wild and weird adventure. I was immediately drawn to the cover of this one. I saw a gas mask and knew I needed to check it out. What I didn’t know is that the gas mask was attached a very mysterious presence(s) that would take over the town and make people behave in any number of abnormal ways. With the military in town trying desperately to cover something up, our three friends must work together to try and locate their missing fourth friend.
I don’t quite know what to say about Dagger Hill that won’t give away too much. There are elements of sci-fi, a teeny tiny bit of horror (but not really, it just gives you the same feelings), its suspenseful and mysterious. The characters are likeable and courageous. I’m still not sure I completely understand 100% of what happened, especially toward the end, but I did enjoy the read!
I don’t quite know what to say about Dagger Hill that won’t give away too much. There are elements of sci-fi, a teeny tiny bit of horror (but not really, it just gives you the same feelings), its suspenseful and mysterious. The characters are likeable and courageous. I’m still not sure I completely understand 100% of what happened, especially toward the end, but I did enjoy the read!
July 29, 2022
(Read as part of the Eliot Rosewater nominee reading list challenge.)
DANG this book is just great. Every part of it is just absolutely captivating, the supernatural horror and the characters’ journeys and the teenage emotions all just dragging you in, and an ending so gripping I couldn’t put the book down until it was over. For a story with so many twists, it progressed so naturally and all made so much sense when it came together. The only thing that could’ve improved it was an even longer epilogue, finding out what happened to every one of the characters involved, a little more detail on how they continued through 1990, especially the kids’ parents, some of whom’s fates were left quite vague. But again, that’s not a problem with the story per se, it’s just me wishing for MORE story. THAT’S HOW GOOD THE EXISTING STORY IS. As someone looking to get more into horror books, this was a perfect jumping-off point as well. Completely amazing.
Also, gay.
DANG this book is just great. Every part of it is just absolutely captivating, the supernatural horror and the characters’ journeys and the teenage emotions all just dragging you in, and an ending so gripping I couldn’t put the book down until it was over. For a story with so many twists, it progressed so naturally and all made so much sense when it came together. The only thing that could’ve improved it was an even longer epilogue, finding out what happened to every one of the characters involved, a little more detail on how they continued through 1990, especially the kids’ parents, some of whom’s fates were left quite vague. But again, that’s not a problem with the story per se, it’s just me wishing for MORE story. THAT’S HOW GOOD THE EXISTING STORY IS. As someone looking to get more into horror books, this was a perfect jumping-off point as well. Completely amazing.
Also, gay.
December 2, 2022
Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading Dagger Hill. I think the characters were clearly the book's strongest point. I really liked the main character's dynamics and wish we could have seen the four of them together for longer. The mystery was fast-paced and exciting, with the third-person sections in between chapters focused on other citizens of Windale being my favorite. The ending was decently satisfying and climatic.
The biggest sticking point for me, though, was the writing style. In many places the prose felt clunky and hard to understand. There was a lot of 'telling' instead of 'showing'. The whole plot was kind of confusing. I had to keep going back to some sections to fully understand the lore of what was going on. It wasn't super scary, if that's what you're looking for. There were some things that very much had the potential to be fully horrifying, but weren't explored all that much.
This was a fun read, not amazing but not awful. Just fun and okay.
The biggest sticking point for me, though, was the writing style. In many places the prose felt clunky and hard to understand. There was a lot of 'telling' instead of 'showing'. The whole plot was kind of confusing. I had to keep going back to some sections to fully understand the lore of what was going on. It wasn't super scary, if that's what you're looking for. There were some things that very much had the potential to be fully horrifying, but weren't explored all that much.
This was a fun read, not amazing but not awful. Just fun and okay.
September 10, 2021
Silent hill for teenagers....Creepy and pretty terrifying.
The potential to be made into a film is definitely lurking there.
The four main characters, teenagers on the threshold of their senior year, are interesting and quirky. Each has a different personality that gels well with the others but doesn't then blend into one boring entity.
Set in 1989, a time before the internet and mobile phones (as we know them now and the actual ability to carry one) Dagger Hill has a small town charm. A charm that contrasts against the awful things that happen there.
This is at least a young adult read with themes of horror and violence. It could easily sit on a shelf with books written by such greats as King and Laymon. It's the kind of book that crawls into your thoughts when you least expect it and creates vivid scenes in your mind.
The potential to be made into a film is definitely lurking there.
The four main characters, teenagers on the threshold of their senior year, are interesting and quirky. Each has a different personality that gels well with the others but doesn't then blend into one boring entity.
Set in 1989, a time before the internet and mobile phones (as we know them now and the actual ability to carry one) Dagger Hill has a small town charm. A charm that contrasts against the awful things that happen there.
This is at least a young adult read with themes of horror and violence. It could easily sit on a shelf with books written by such greats as King and Laymon. It's the kind of book that crawls into your thoughts when you least expect it and creates vivid scenes in your mind.
July 18, 2022
Government conspiracies, small hometown legends full of gruesome murders, and a mysterious figure that appears in your dreams and hospital rooms but doesn't seem able to speak = all the right ingredients for one horrifying work of fiction.
Set in a rural Pennsylvania town in 1989, Dagger Hill follows the traumatic early summer vacation of four life-long friends who are also their high school's "no-ones". This young-adult horror story starts with the terrifying butchering of a local herd of cattle and an accidental plane crash that leads to the near death of Gabe, Charlie, Sonya, and Kimberly; and then things only get worse for the friends from there.
Fans of horror and the show Stranger Things, and those who don't mind a fair bit of swearing, will enjoy this young-adult novel. This is also a good recommendation for readers looking for LGBTQIA+ protagonists.
Set in a rural Pennsylvania town in 1989, Dagger Hill follows the traumatic early summer vacation of four life-long friends who are also their high school's "no-ones". This young-adult horror story starts with the terrifying butchering of a local herd of cattle and an accidental plane crash that leads to the near death of Gabe, Charlie, Sonya, and Kimberly; and then things only get worse for the friends from there.
Fans of horror and the show Stranger Things, and those who don't mind a fair bit of swearing, will enjoy this young-adult novel. This is also a good recommendation for readers looking for LGBTQIA+ protagonists.
September 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. I liked the spooky vibes and the friendships between the characters and the surprising queer representation!
The atmosphere of creepiness was done really well and it was interesting being in a book set in the year I was born. I think this book would do really well translated onto a screen.
One of my only gripes with this is that I felt like the ending dragged on--but maybe that's just because I was ready for the story to end, aha.
Overall, I enjoyed this for its creepy nature and how well the author managed to scare me with a few scenes. This is perfect for Autumn reading if you love a fun and scary YA horror!
Happy reading!
The atmosphere of creepiness was done really well and it was interesting being in a book set in the year I was born. I think this book would do really well translated onto a screen.
One of my only gripes with this is that I felt like the ending dragged on--but maybe that's just because I was ready for the story to end, aha.
Overall, I enjoyed this for its creepy nature and how well the author managed to scare me with a few scenes. This is perfect for Autumn reading if you love a fun and scary YA horror!
Happy reading!
February 24, 2021
'Dagger Hill' by Devon Taylor is the rare novel that almost every reader can find something to like in. If you like horror, it's here. If you like Sci-Fi, it's here. If you like Paranormal, it's here. If you like LGTQ Romance, it's here. If you like Historical Fiction, there is some here. If you want to flashback to the late 1980's or learn about that time period, it's here. It's all in this book. #NetGalley
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