What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hundredth Floor
Sometimes, the greatest horrors aren’t physical ones.
Kyle Toombs, seventeen, is about to walk the race of his life. Suffering from the mental and physical aftereffects of a terrible accident that almost took his life, bullied at school, he enters a contest in order to show that he’s capable of doing the impossible.
The contest is at a local hotel, and the rules are simple—walk up to the fifty-ninth floor and then down again.
Rule number two is that he must have a partner, and his partner comes in the form of Marina Ohanian, another student who has secrets and scars of her own.
Along the way, things go from the mundane to the unsettling to the truly horrifying, as a demon named Ankrus makes an appearance, toying with their minds as well as the reality they are in.
Various scenarios, some that are amusing in a grotesque way, and some that are simply grotesque, beset the duo, and they offer challenges to the mind and spirit.
It’s up to Kyle and Marina to concentrate on the task at hand—finishing the race—before Ankrus can accomplish his own task, one that is too terrifying to contemplate.
Kyle Toombs, seventeen, is about to walk the race of his life. Suffering from the mental and physical aftereffects of a terrible accident that almost took his life, bullied at school, he enters a contest in order to show that he’s capable of doing the impossible.
The contest is at a local hotel, and the rules are simple—walk up to the fifty-ninth floor and then down again.
Rule number two is that he must have a partner, and his partner comes in the form of Marina Ohanian, another student who has secrets and scars of her own.
Along the way, things go from the mundane to the unsettling to the truly horrifying, as a demon named Ankrus makes an appearance, toying with their minds as well as the reality they are in.
Various scenarios, some that are amusing in a grotesque way, and some that are simply grotesque, beset the duo, and they offer challenges to the mind and spirit.
It’s up to Kyle and Marina to concentrate on the task at hand—finishing the race—before Ankrus can accomplish his own task, one that is too terrifying to contemplate.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2021
7 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Frankel
92 books237 followersJ.S. Frankel was born in Toronto, Canada, many moons ago and managed to scrape through high school and university, earning a BA in English Literature and leaving no book unopened during his time at the University of Toronto. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Japan in order to teach English to the hapless residents of whichever city he happened to be living at the time.
In 1997, he married the charming Akiko Koike and their union produced two rather interesting children. Frankel and his family make their home in Osaka where he teaches during the day and attempts to write YA fiction at night.
In 1997, he married the charming Akiko Koike and their union produced two rather interesting children. Frankel and his family make their home in Osaka where he teaches during the day and attempts to write YA fiction at night.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 16, 2021
A Hell-Raising Adventure
Drawn to J.S. Frankel’s Teen & Young Adult novels for his accurate portrayal of “fringers” at odds with their peers, ‘The Hundredth Floor’ was no exception. Kyle Toombs and Marina Ohanian each bring their own psychological baggage with them when they enter the Tower Hotel’s walking contest in commemoration of its 100th anniversary.
Horror at its finest, Kyle and Marina embark on a seemingly impossible “walk through hell and back” along floors sixty to one hundred, which—er uh—for all intents and purposes, don’t exist. Ankrus, a sadistic, hell-spawned fiend with a murderous connection to the hotel, calls the shots by exploiting their deepest fears along a frightful climb.
While impossible for some, not for this author, who:
Vividly depicts the unspeakable horrors Kyle and Marina encounter along their hell-raising adventure which inhibits them from differentiating reality from illusion.
Interjects the characters’ horrendous backstories.
And, my favorite—plausible character transformation.
One of Frankel’s darker stories, he grabbed my attention from the first floor, and held it all the way up to the hundredth.
A highly recommended climb!
Drawn to J.S. Frankel’s Teen & Young Adult novels for his accurate portrayal of “fringers” at odds with their peers, ‘The Hundredth Floor’ was no exception. Kyle Toombs and Marina Ohanian each bring their own psychological baggage with them when they enter the Tower Hotel’s walking contest in commemoration of its 100th anniversary.
Horror at its finest, Kyle and Marina embark on a seemingly impossible “walk through hell and back” along floors sixty to one hundred, which—er uh—for all intents and purposes, don’t exist. Ankrus, a sadistic, hell-spawned fiend with a murderous connection to the hotel, calls the shots by exploiting their deepest fears along a frightful climb.
While impossible for some, not for this author, who:
Vividly depicts the unspeakable horrors Kyle and Marina encounter along their hell-raising adventure which inhibits them from differentiating reality from illusion.
Interjects the characters’ horrendous backstories.
And, my favorite—plausible character transformation.
One of Frankel’s darker stories, he grabbed my attention from the first floor, and held it all the way up to the hundredth.
A highly recommended climb!
February 9, 2021
This book starts out oh so normal and then things go oh so wrong. The scares aren’t only obvious, they linger in your mind after reading. I had to take lots of breaks and read fluffy, happy stories during this.
Well done horror with a thread of teamwork and the blossom of romance. Plus an ending that will....let’s just say it’s *not* the way I expected at all!
My rating: five scary stars
I received this from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Well done horror with a thread of teamwork and the blossom of romance. Plus an ending that will....let’s just say it’s *not* the way I expected at all!
My rating: five scary stars
I received this from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
November 29, 2023
Once upon a time, a routine inside an ordinary life was turned into a tragedy. There came a day when a man who wished to die took it upon himself to plant a bomb on a public bus...thus taking many innocent souls with him.
Except for Kyle Toombs.
The 17-year-old survives with limited ability, pain and haunted memories. From a poor household and bullied at school, Kyle protects himself the best he can, and interacts with the world sarcasticly, more often than not. Until the day the principal at his school decides that he will be taking part in a walking race to the top.
Now, I won't give any serious spoilers, but if you know Frankel's work, then you know the interaction & byplay between the distinct personalities of his characters is a serious hilight in his work. And the back-and-forth between Kyle and Marina, a young lady from another school he is partnered with is a great pleasure to read.
Will they make it; will they win? Read the book and find out. You'll be soo glad you did.
Except for Kyle Toombs.
The 17-year-old survives with limited ability, pain and haunted memories. From a poor household and bullied at school, Kyle protects himself the best he can, and interacts with the world sarcasticly, more often than not. Until the day the principal at his school decides that he will be taking part in a walking race to the top.
Now, I won't give any serious spoilers, but if you know Frankel's work, then you know the interaction & byplay between the distinct personalities of his characters is a serious hilight in his work. And the back-and-forth between Kyle and Marina, a young lady from another school he is partnered with is a great pleasure to read.
Will they make it; will they win? Read the book and find out. You'll be soo glad you did.
October 13, 2021
A wonderful story again by Mr. Frankel! My grandma has gifted me quite a few of his books and I love them all. Az, who is blind and Lynn, who basically becomes his sight are faced with a great many challenges and danger around every turn. Working together they confront and conquer what seems like the impossible. Thrilling. Page turning. Filled with suspense, exciting characters and even love. I recommend it!
January 18, 2021
Title: The Hundredth Floor
Author: J. S. Frankel
Publisher: Devine Destinies
ISBN: 978-1-4874-2886-0
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T8P2SBS/...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Sometimes, the greatest horrors aren’t physical ones.
Kyle Toombs, seventeen, is about to walk the race of his life. Suffering from the mental and physical aftereffects of a terri-ble accident that almost took his life, bullied at school, he en-ters a contest in order to show that he’s capable of doing the impossible.
The contest is at a local hotel, and the rules are simple—walk up to the fifty-ninth floor and then down again.
Rule number two is that he must have a partner, and his partner comes in the form of Marina Ohanian, another stu-dent who has secrets and scars of her own.
Along the way, things go from the mundane to the unset-tling to the truly horrifying, as a demon named Ankrus makes an appearance, toying with their minds as well as the reality they are in.
Various scenarios, some that are amusing in a grotesque way, and some that are simply grotesque, beset the duo, and they offer challenges to the mind and spirit.
It’s up to Kyle and Marina to concentrate on the task at hand—finishing the race—before Ankrus can accomplish his own task, one that is too terrifying to contemplate.
Total Score: 5/5
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Summary:
Kyle’s has always felt out of place at school, but after his father died things continued to fall apart. There was a terrorist attack that killed many people leaving Kyle horribly injured. Even after that, Kyle fought his way through therapy, but the scars9internal and external) never completely healed. His biggest impediment was Rod, the school bully who took extreme delight in abusing other, but especially Kyle. After deciding enough is enough, Kyle fights back where rod is forced to enter a walking race. For Kyle it is a challenge to walk to the fifty-ninth floor and back down. No running going back or cheating allowed. Now you would think that would be difficult enough for Kyle, but after being paired with Marina the two begin. What they find and the Horrors they endure will test their strength of will and trust in each other.
This may be a dark story in many ways, but Kyle and Marina’s desire to overcome everything in their way was inspiring. Their fight to survive pushed them to strengths they didn’t know they had if they can just survive what lies ahead.
Author: J. S. Frankel
Publisher: Devine Destinies
ISBN: 978-1-4874-2886-0
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T8P2SBS/...
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Blurb:
Sometimes, the greatest horrors aren’t physical ones.
Kyle Toombs, seventeen, is about to walk the race of his life. Suffering from the mental and physical aftereffects of a terri-ble accident that almost took his life, bullied at school, he en-ters a contest in order to show that he’s capable of doing the impossible.
The contest is at a local hotel, and the rules are simple—walk up to the fifty-ninth floor and then down again.
Rule number two is that he must have a partner, and his partner comes in the form of Marina Ohanian, another stu-dent who has secrets and scars of her own.
Along the way, things go from the mundane to the unset-tling to the truly horrifying, as a demon named Ankrus makes an appearance, toying with their minds as well as the reality they are in.
Various scenarios, some that are amusing in a grotesque way, and some that are simply grotesque, beset the duo, and they offer challenges to the mind and spirit.
It’s up to Kyle and Marina to concentrate on the task at hand—finishing the race—before Ankrus can accomplish his own task, one that is too terrifying to contemplate.
Total Score: 5/5
Reviewer: Teresa Fallen Angel
Summary:
Kyle’s has always felt out of place at school, but after his father died things continued to fall apart. There was a terrorist attack that killed many people leaving Kyle horribly injured. Even after that, Kyle fought his way through therapy, but the scars9internal and external) never completely healed. His biggest impediment was Rod, the school bully who took extreme delight in abusing other, but especially Kyle. After deciding enough is enough, Kyle fights back where rod is forced to enter a walking race. For Kyle it is a challenge to walk to the fifty-ninth floor and back down. No running going back or cheating allowed. Now you would think that would be difficult enough for Kyle, but after being paired with Marina the two begin. What they find and the Horrors they endure will test their strength of will and trust in each other.
This may be a dark story in many ways, but Kyle and Marina’s desire to overcome everything in their way was inspiring. Their fight to survive pushed them to strengths they didn’t know they had if they can just survive what lies ahead.
February 15, 2022
From the onset of The Hundredth Floor, I was rooting for Kyle Toombs. J.S. Frankel creates a believable underdog in Kyle whose internal voice makes you laugh and deeply sympathize with him and the challenges he's faced. Continually bullied and ridiculed by his classmates, he's come to underestimate himself. His partner in the hotel's 100-year anniversary race, Marina, also has a history of abuse and trauma. The school bully and the demon haunting this hotel come to see this duo as weak. But they've misjudged this pair because Kyle and Marina's strength lies in all the difficulties they've overcome.
The Hundredth Floor is a fast-paced young adult book that won't let go until all aspects of our fears are explored. The character arcs are believable and the horrors Kyle and Marina face leave your skin crawling.
The Hundredth Floor is a fast-paced young adult book that won't let go until all aspects of our fears are explored. The character arcs are believable and the horrors Kyle and Marina face leave your skin crawling.
July 29, 2024
This book is a YA horror book about two teens in a race to the top of a hotel, but get intertwined with a demon while doing so.
I loved J.S Frankel's previous read and I do want to read more, but I just don't think this book was meant for me. The horror was unique, but I feel like this book took a more humorous approach to horror than I'm used to. There was an abundance of gross-out humor and jokes I believe were more suited to a teen boy audience than me. But paired with this humor were a lot of serious discussions of homelessness, abuse, death, suicide bombings, r@pe, bullying, ableism, and fat-shaming.
It made for an odd mixture that just wasn't my cup of tea.
That isn't to say someone might not enjoy this book. It has some good, mature discussions, and an easy introduction into the horror genre.
DNF at 57%
I loved J.S Frankel's previous read and I do want to read more, but I just don't think this book was meant for me. The horror was unique, but I feel like this book took a more humorous approach to horror than I'm used to. There was an abundance of gross-out humor and jokes I believe were more suited to a teen boy audience than me. But paired with this humor were a lot of serious discussions of homelessness, abuse, death, suicide bombings, r@pe, bullying, ableism, and fat-shaming.
It made for an odd mixture that just wasn't my cup of tea.
That isn't to say someone might not enjoy this book. It has some good, mature discussions, and an easy introduction into the horror genre.
DNF at 57%
September 16, 2022
Sooooooooooooooooooooooo good! Highly recommended to anyone who loves paranormal and horror stories. Great job Jesse!
June 17, 2021
A brilliant book.
Kyle is a young man who is not haunted by his past but also struggles everyday due to his injuries. He is not having the time of his life like the other students and is often bashed and beaten by bullies. One day he and his bully are forced by the principal to join a race to the hundredth floor. Reluctantly he goes, but to his surprise not only he makes a new friend Marian but also meets a bad ass girl.
Once the race begins all hell breaks loose. There is excitement and danger at every turn, and Kyle and Marian not only battle the ghost that haunts this hotel but also their own fear.
Young and adult horror fans will definitely enjoy this one!
Kyle is a young man who is not haunted by his past but also struggles everyday due to his injuries. He is not having the time of his life like the other students and is often bashed and beaten by bullies. One day he and his bully are forced by the principal to join a race to the hundredth floor. Reluctantly he goes, but to his surprise not only he makes a new friend Marian but also meets a bad ass girl.
Once the race begins all hell breaks loose. There is excitement and danger at every turn, and Kyle and Marian not only battle the ghost that haunts this hotel but also their own fear.
Young and adult horror fans will definitely enjoy this one!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews