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Squid Face Girl and A Wretched Little Book of Poems
Kali felt like a freak most of her life, but having tentacles on the bottom half of your face will do that to a person. Her peers at school bullied her, and her parents didn’t treat her much better, but everything changed when she found A Wretched Little Book of Poems in a mysterious little store. Now she is fighting for her life against flesh eating zombies, mutated laboratory creatures, haunted houses, and who knows what other horror. However, with the help of her new friends, she might just be able to escape the living nightmare she’s found herself trapped in. Suddenly her old life doesn’t look so bad...
365 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2021
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 14, 2022
Squid Face Girl is a debut novel based on the collection of poems found in the first book under the name of, A Wretched Little book of Poems. This books storyline is about a teen girl named, Kali. She's different in her physical appearance which is why she is bullied school bullies.
Her parents don't show much interest in her life. Things take a twisted turn when Kali visited a mysterious little store where she comes upon a Wretched Little Book of Poems. It is a magical book that takes her on a journey into another world full of horrors, tales and discoveries. Kali's life didn't look so bad after all. Thankfully through her new friends who helped out, Kali was able to return to her own world.
Book is long in read but tells a lot, book is a good read, well written and descriptive. Book also shows images and more. I enjoyed reading this book, I recommend it to readers who like reading these kind of horror like stories.
Her parents don't show much interest in her life. Things take a twisted turn when Kali visited a mysterious little store where she comes upon a Wretched Little Book of Poems. It is a magical book that takes her on a journey into another world full of horrors, tales and discoveries. Kali's life didn't look so bad after all. Thankfully through her new friends who helped out, Kali was able to return to her own world.
Book is long in read but tells a lot, book is a good read, well written and descriptive. Book also shows images and more. I enjoyed reading this book, I recommend it to readers who like reading these kind of horror like stories.
January 28, 2022
I had the privilege to beta read this novel a while ago. It was completely different from anything I've ever read before. It's incredibly telling to how well this author writes because if anyone could get me to read a YA horror novel, it would be Allen Isom. This was absolutely fabulous. I ordered a paperback copy for myself because I needed to own it.
Now for some details on this book.
Squid Face Girl is a debut novel by Allen Isom about a teenaged girl named Kali. Kali is unlike her peers in that she has tentacles on her face, like a squid. Because she is different, she is heavily bullied and left feeling unloved and alone both by her peers and her family. One day, Kali obtains a book called A Wretched Little Book of Poems in which people recount horrific tales of their own fears and shortcomings. Little does she know that the book is magic and pulls her into its pages in which she witnesses each tale first hand. This is a story of incredible growth, acceptance and friendship. As a reader, you learn alongside Kali and her companions just how important it is to not let your own fears control your life.
I did mention above that it is YA horror. There are elements of horror, but it was really well done that I think it would still be good for younger readers (high school aged.)
Props to Allen for writing a fabulous book. I look forward to reading more of his work!
Now for some details on this book.
Squid Face Girl is a debut novel by Allen Isom about a teenaged girl named Kali. Kali is unlike her peers in that she has tentacles on her face, like a squid. Because she is different, she is heavily bullied and left feeling unloved and alone both by her peers and her family. One day, Kali obtains a book called A Wretched Little Book of Poems in which people recount horrific tales of their own fears and shortcomings. Little does she know that the book is magic and pulls her into its pages in which she witnesses each tale first hand. This is a story of incredible growth, acceptance and friendship. As a reader, you learn alongside Kali and her companions just how important it is to not let your own fears control your life.
I did mention above that it is YA horror. There are elements of horror, but it was really well done that I think it would still be good for younger readers (high school aged.)
Props to Allen for writing a fabulous book. I look forward to reading more of his work!
May 13, 2022
Oh my goodness....good....ness...where do I even begin? This writer is on a whole other level when it comes to horror. Think Stephen King mixed with Jordan Peele. This one is definitely going on my hidden gems AND faves list! There is so much deeper meaning buried into the pages of this book— all puns intended. I couldn't possibly start to explain the genius of it justifiably enough. So, let me stop rambling and say— read this book. It's an elephant. You've got to eat it one bite at a time, but when you're finished— you'll be left in awe and will be a changed human at least a little tiny bit.
Thank you BookSirens for an accelerated readers copy for my honest review! I love, love, LOVED it.
Thank you BookSirens for an accelerated readers copy for my honest review! I love, love, LOVED it.
April 12, 2022
I’ve always enjoyed books about books, that is books which take both the reader and the characters through a magical world between the covers. Two examples of this I can think of right off the top of my head are The Neverending Story by Michael Ende and The Princess Bride by William Goldman. These books are fun and exemplify what it means to really “get into a good book.”
Squid Face Girl: & A Wretched Little Book of Poems by Allen Isom is, perhaps, one of the strangest books I’ve read in a long time. Kali, a girl with tentacles on her face, is bullied by her classmates and emotionally abused by her parents. While looking for escape, she find a book of poems (the Wretched Book from the title) in a mysterious book store, and like most people looking for escape, she returns to her room to read through it.
Each poem in A Wretched Little Book of Poems creates a world in itself, which Kali then finds herself in. From a haunted house to zombies to creepy alleys, Kali becomes trapped and must fight to get back to her rather unfortunate reality. Along the way, she meets several characters of the poems who help or hinder her adventures.
Squid Face Girl: & A Wretched Little Book of Poems is horror, with a side of wit and magical realism. This is definitely a Young Adult novel, and one that is written to please high school readers. There is message of hope within the pages, one with which the target audience would identify. From bullies to facing fears to overcoming the obstacles of life, there are definitely messages that resonate.
You do not need to read A Wretched Little Book of Poems first in order to enjoy this novel, although doing so would help. Written in the style of Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, Isom’s A Wretched Little Book of Poems is a great read by itself with some fascinating artwork. But the poems which make up the focal points for Kali are embedded within the novel, and provide a glimpse of things to come. If you like books about books or novels that combine elements of magical realism and horror into one of pure escapism, then Squid Face Girl: & A Wretched Little Book of Poems is quite the find.
Squid Face Girl: & A Wretched Little Book of Poems by Allen Isom is, perhaps, one of the strangest books I’ve read in a long time. Kali, a girl with tentacles on her face, is bullied by her classmates and emotionally abused by her parents. While looking for escape, she find a book of poems (the Wretched Book from the title) in a mysterious book store, and like most people looking for escape, she returns to her room to read through it.
Each poem in A Wretched Little Book of Poems creates a world in itself, which Kali then finds herself in. From a haunted house to zombies to creepy alleys, Kali becomes trapped and must fight to get back to her rather unfortunate reality. Along the way, she meets several characters of the poems who help or hinder her adventures.
Squid Face Girl: & A Wretched Little Book of Poems is horror, with a side of wit and magical realism. This is definitely a Young Adult novel, and one that is written to please high school readers. There is message of hope within the pages, one with which the target audience would identify. From bullies to facing fears to overcoming the obstacles of life, there are definitely messages that resonate.
You do not need to read A Wretched Little Book of Poems first in order to enjoy this novel, although doing so would help. Written in the style of Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, Isom’s A Wretched Little Book of Poems is a great read by itself with some fascinating artwork. But the poems which make up the focal points for Kali are embedded within the novel, and provide a glimpse of things to come. If you like books about books or novels that combine elements of magical realism and horror into one of pure escapism, then Squid Face Girl: & A Wretched Little Book of Poems is quite the find.
February 8, 2022
An interesting YA horror novel. It have a descriptive and imaginative storyline. The plot and the characters keep growing in every chapter as we going through the poems that written in a Wretched Little Book of Poem.
The ending somehow unexpected. But the lesson that we can learn is what will happen if we not letting our fear controlling us, accepting ourselves and growth our confidence to live our life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The ending somehow unexpected. But the lesson that we can learn is what will happen if we not letting our fear controlling us, accepting ourselves and growth our confidence to live our life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 16, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The premise of this book is pretty different from anything I’ve read before. Kali is an interesting character and her arc through the story is strong.
There are several spelling/grammar issues that pulled me out of the story, but all in all it was an entertaining read.
The premise of this book is pretty different from anything I’ve read before. Kali is an interesting character and her arc through the story is strong.
There are several spelling/grammar issues that pulled me out of the story, but all in all it was an entertaining read.
February 2, 2022
Engaging story
At first I was bored when I started reading this book but as the book goes on and characters such as kali become more defined the story becomes more interesting. Enjoyed reading this book.
At first I was bored when I started reading this book but as the book goes on and characters such as kali become more defined the story becomes more interesting. Enjoyed reading this book.
February 3, 2022
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
Written well!
Descriptive! Unique!
Written well!
Descriptive! Unique!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews