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Dread Wood #1
Dread Wood
The brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spooky Crater Lake. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine’s Goosebumps
It's basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.
What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute . . .? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they're all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge . . .
It's basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.
What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute . . .? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they're all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge . . .
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2022
88 people are currently reading
1528 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 301 reviews
April 19, 2022
Having detention sucks, having detention on a Saturday is even worse. And for our four students it is down right scary.
Dread Wood High is an old manor house, with newer buildings added once it became a school. It has a field and gardens plus animals for the students to tend to.
It also home to a pair of creepy grounds keepers. Who seem to get more and more sinister as the book progresses. Why do they keep humming the Itsy Bitsy Spider?
There is something scary happening under the ground at that school. And if it wasn't for Angelo, Hallie, Gustav and Naira having detention on that Saturday no one would ever know.
A mssing pig, a teacher who disappears when the ground opens up swallowing him whole. Strange sticky white substance. What is going on?
Will these kids survive detention?
Dread Wood captivated me from the start. It is very fitting to be compared to RL Stine. I felt like I was watching an episode of 'Are you Afraid of the Dark?'
Normally when authors use modern slang in their books I am kind of iffy about it because it can take me out of the story but for this book it actually worked in its advantage. Because it a group of preteen kids and that's how they talk. It also wasn't forced in and if flowed well for me.
I found Dread Wood to be a very quick read and I know could easily be read I one sitting if I hadn't have had to work. I enjoyed the set up of the 4 kids, finding out the connection they all had in common other than classmates, because they were not friends. And what actually caused them to have detention. There is more going on then just kids acting up. I love that from the start I was getting creepy vibes and I wanted to know more of what was happening. I guessed correctly with one part of the storyline but it wasn't until other events happened that I figured things out.
I honestly can see middle-graders, those that read MG aswell as those that don't typically read MG really enjoy this book. When an author can write something that will universally appeal to all age ranges that is a wonderful sign that you are getting a great story.
I really am looking forward to The Fear Ground and anything else Jennifer Killick writes. Time for me to check out her backlog.
Originally posted on I Can Has Books as a part of The Write Reads Ultimate Book tours
Dread Wood High is an old manor house, with newer buildings added once it became a school. It has a field and gardens plus animals for the students to tend to.
It also home to a pair of creepy grounds keepers. Who seem to get more and more sinister as the book progresses. Why do they keep humming the Itsy Bitsy Spider?
There is something scary happening under the ground at that school. And if it wasn't for Angelo, Hallie, Gustav and Naira having detention on that Saturday no one would ever know.
A mssing pig, a teacher who disappears when the ground opens up swallowing him whole. Strange sticky white substance. What is going on?
Will these kids survive detention?
Dread Wood captivated me from the start. It is very fitting to be compared to RL Stine. I felt like I was watching an episode of 'Are you Afraid of the Dark?'
Normally when authors use modern slang in their books I am kind of iffy about it because it can take me out of the story but for this book it actually worked in its advantage. Because it a group of preteen kids and that's how they talk. It also wasn't forced in and if flowed well for me.
I found Dread Wood to be a very quick read and I know could easily be read I one sitting if I hadn't have had to work. I enjoyed the set up of the 4 kids, finding out the connection they all had in common other than classmates, because they were not friends. And what actually caused them to have detention. There is more going on then just kids acting up. I love that from the start I was getting creepy vibes and I wanted to know more of what was happening. I guessed correctly with one part of the storyline but it wasn't until other events happened that I figured things out.
I honestly can see middle-graders, those that read MG aswell as those that don't typically read MG really enjoy this book. When an author can write something that will universally appeal to all age ranges that is a wonderful sign that you are getting a great story.
I really am looking forward to The Fear Ground and anything else Jennifer Killick writes. Time for me to check out her backlog.
Originally posted on I Can Has Books as a part of The Write Reads Ultimate Book tours
November 22, 2024
7.57 on CAWPILE
February 20, 2022
Something unpleasant is lurking in the grounds of Dread Wood High. And unfortunately for classmates (but not mate-mates lol) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira, they’re heading into school for a Saturday detention, unaware that they’re walking headfirst into danger. From that starting point, things start to move quickly, and we’re dragged into a creepy mystery that keeps us turning the pages. It’s lightened with lots of sparkling dialogue between the kids, the kind of authentic banter that Jennifer Killick excels at. My favorite example of this:
“Any chance of Mission-Impossibling it? Naira asks.
“Naira,” Gus gasps. “You used a noun as a verb! Now I know we’re all about to die.”
With scuttling horrors, subterranean scares and creepy caretakers, this is a great claustrophobic horror and we get to enjoy the bonding between the children as they’re compelled to join forces, despite their differences. I predict this will be another hugely popular book in classrooms and libraries and will delight both the author’s growing fanbase and anyone looking for a gripping and scary-but-not-too-traumatizing middle grade horror.
“Any chance of Mission-Impossibling it? Naira asks.
“Naira,” Gus gasps. “You used a noun as a verb! Now I know we’re all about to die.”
With scuttling horrors, subterranean scares and creepy caretakers, this is a great claustrophobic horror and we get to enjoy the bonding between the children as they’re compelled to join forces, despite their differences. I predict this will be another hugely popular book in classrooms and libraries and will delight both the author’s growing fanbase and anyone looking for a gripping and scary-but-not-too-traumatizing middle grade horror.
April 5, 2022
When four classmates are given detention on a Saturday morning, they thought their day couldn’t get any worse. However, they don’t expect to be faced with a life or death situation.
Middle-grade readers who love a bit of action, adventure, mystery, and a few scary moments grab a copy of this book. Dread Wood is an amazing story that features four very unlikely heroes, two extremely unlikely villains, and something hidden beneath the school field!!
The plot is superb, I loved the way the characters bounced off one another. Their working together, even though they didn’t particularly like one another at the start, and their friendship that grows with each passing minute.
The writing is spot on, it had me hooked from the off and the pace felt fast all the way through. I can see middle-grade readers becoming hooked on Dread Wood and eagerly awaiting the sequel, just like me.
This is a must-read book. Although if you have a severe phobia of spiders you might want to give it a miss!
Middle-grade readers who love a bit of action, adventure, mystery, and a few scary moments grab a copy of this book. Dread Wood is an amazing story that features four very unlikely heroes, two extremely unlikely villains, and something hidden beneath the school field!!
The plot is superb, I loved the way the characters bounced off one another. Their working together, even though they didn’t particularly like one another at the start, and their friendship that grows with each passing minute.
The writing is spot on, it had me hooked from the off and the pace felt fast all the way through. I can see middle-grade readers becoming hooked on Dread Wood and eagerly awaiting the sequel, just like me.
This is a must-read book. Although if you have a severe phobia of spiders you might want to give it a miss!
March 28, 2023
The book has been compared to the Goosebumps series, and rightly so! The story was creepy, engaging and short to binge-read. All the characters have their own distinct traits. The initial plot of this book reminded me of 'One of us is lying' with 4 students in detention and no mobile phones. But from there the story completely drifted apart into an adventurous mode.
P.S.: The Itsy Bitsy spider was an interesting touch. My memories related to this rhyme are now forever changed.
Genre: #middlegrade #horror #mystery #contemporary
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Thank you @netgalley @jennifer.killick.56 @fireflypress and @harpercollinsuk for the Digital ARC.
#DreadWood #NetGalley
P.S.: The Itsy Bitsy spider was an interesting touch. My memories related to this rhyme are now forever changed.
Genre: #middlegrade #horror #mystery #contemporary
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Thank you @netgalley @jennifer.killick.56 @fireflypress and @harpercollinsuk for the Digital ARC.
#DreadWood #NetGalley
January 17, 2024
Excellent scary book choice for those in grades 4-8. The publisher indicates grade 3 as well, but it is likely that a) the 208 pages is too much, b) violence is too high, and c) vocabulary would be daunting for anyone younger than grade 4. Four 7th grades are assigned to Saturday detention and forced to work and supposedly bond and feel remorse for their misdeeds. Don’t worry, this is NOT a Breakfast Club do-over. Yes, Angelo and fellow students Hallie, Naira, and Gus do begin their punishment period feeling like they are nothing alike and do begin to discover some common ground, but it is after being chased by man-eating spiders the size of large dogs and attempting to root out the ill intents of creepy caretakers employed by an interesting mansion in England with all sorts of interesting spaces to explore. Fast-paced and full of action, this one is sure to be enjoyed a great deal by lovers of Stine (Goosebumps), Stroud (Screaming Staircase) and K.R. Alexander (The Collector, Bury Me, The Darkroom and more). Text is free of profanity and sexual content but is full of all sorts of jump scenes, sinister actions against staff and students, and gruesome crunching by the arachnids. Race is not indicated for any of the main characters and as romance is not a part of the plot, who knows if any of the characters are non-binary?
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
Thanks for the eARC, NetGalley.
January 19, 2022
Spine-tingling, rib-tickling stuff. What a stonker of a read.
No one does creepy/funny like Jennifer Killick.
Right then, phew … I’m off to change my underwear and have a lie down.
No one does creepy/funny like Jennifer Killick.
Right then, phew … I’m off to change my underwear and have a lie down.
January 9, 2023
Trigger warnings: spiders. Seriously, so many spiders. Animal death, bullying, poverty
3.5 stars.
Okay, I don't know how I didn't notice that there are like a thousand spiders on the cover of this book, but I didn't. Also, as an Australian, this was freaking TRAUMATIC because I absolutely buy this potentially happening at some point in the future.
Anyway. I liked the characters, and I really enjoyed the Jurassic World references as a way for the kids to process what was going on around them. That being said, I absolutely do NOT believe this needed to be a series. One and done with the spider mayhem, pls.
3.5 stars.
Okay, I don't know how I didn't notice that there are like a thousand spiders on the cover of this book, but I didn't. Also, as an Australian, this was freaking TRAUMATIC because I absolutely buy this potentially happening at some point in the future.
Anyway. I liked the characters, and I really enjoyed the Jurassic World references as a way for the kids to process what was going on around them. That being said, I absolutely do NOT believe this needed to be a series. One and done with the spider mayhem, pls.
April 15, 2022
I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, with thanks to The Write Reads Tours and the author and publisher.
Dread Wood is what happens when a middle-grade version of The Breakfast Club meets a Goosebumps book. Four classmates have all received a Saturday detention, they aren't friends but each has accepted their fate of spending their Saturday together with the eager and eccentric teacher Mr Canton, who is eager to get them to work together to get back on track! He plans to do this by having the kids pick up litter, and tend to the school animals. However, this isn't going to be any normal Saturday detention. When Mr Canton goes missing looking for the school groundskeeper after they hear weird noises and find weird substances on the ground, the weirdly quiet and ever-present Mr Latchitt goes from being a simple groundskeeper to the prime suspect in a day that just keeps getting weirder. When they find Mr Canton again, it isn't for long when suddenly a giant hole swallows him into the ground, leaving the children to their own devices and having to protect themselves from whatever is trying to swallow them through the ground and whatever scheme the Latchitts are up too. Spoiler: its spiders. Giant ground laying spiders who hunt in packs and have been created by the Latchitts, who aren't really the Latchitts, they're disgraced scientists who want to prove they can do something great. The kids also find out that their detentions aren't so random. Each has been selected specifically for this detention, on this day.
I grew up on Goosebumps books, frankly, I still find some of them horrifying to this day. If I had read this 15 years ago and been told it had been concocted by RL Stine, I would believe you entirely. This reads like a Goosebumps book written for kids in 2022. It's spooky, fast-paced and it has characters I think a lot of kids would be able to relate to. There's the main character, Angelo comes from a working-class family and is strong-willed and headstrong, naturally taking leadership where he can, but he doesn't necessarily excel in school. Naira, is the hard-working princess of the group who is under pressure from her mother to do well and excel in life. Gus has a big energy and an even bigger heart. Finally, Hallie, the adrenaline junkie of the group throws herself head first into every scenario.
I don't often read middle grade but the blurb selling this as a book similar to that of a Goosebumps book had me sold, and I wasn't disappointed. I feel like I should maybe give middle grade books more of a chance now.
Dread Wood is what happens when a middle-grade version of The Breakfast Club meets a Goosebumps book. Four classmates have all received a Saturday detention, they aren't friends but each has accepted their fate of spending their Saturday together with the eager and eccentric teacher Mr Canton, who is eager to get them to work together to get back on track! He plans to do this by having the kids pick up litter, and tend to the school animals. However, this isn't going to be any normal Saturday detention. When Mr Canton goes missing looking for the school groundskeeper after they hear weird noises and find weird substances on the ground, the weirdly quiet and ever-present Mr Latchitt goes from being a simple groundskeeper to the prime suspect in a day that just keeps getting weirder. When they find Mr Canton again, it isn't for long when suddenly a giant hole swallows him into the ground, leaving the children to their own devices and having to protect themselves from whatever is trying to swallow them through the ground and whatever scheme the Latchitts are up too. Spoiler: its spiders. Giant ground laying spiders who hunt in packs and have been created by the Latchitts, who aren't really the Latchitts, they're disgraced scientists who want to prove they can do something great. The kids also find out that their detentions aren't so random. Each has been selected specifically for this detention, on this day.
I grew up on Goosebumps books, frankly, I still find some of them horrifying to this day. If I had read this 15 years ago and been told it had been concocted by RL Stine, I would believe you entirely. This reads like a Goosebumps book written for kids in 2022. It's spooky, fast-paced and it has characters I think a lot of kids would be able to relate to. There's the main character, Angelo comes from a working-class family and is strong-willed and headstrong, naturally taking leadership where he can, but he doesn't necessarily excel in school. Naira, is the hard-working princess of the group who is under pressure from her mother to do well and excel in life. Gus has a big energy and an even bigger heart. Finally, Hallie, the adrenaline junkie of the group throws herself head first into every scenario.
I don't often read middle grade but the blurb selling this as a book similar to that of a Goosebumps book had me sold, and I wasn't disappointed. I feel like I should maybe give middle grade books more of a chance now.
February 7, 2022
Four children turn up for a Saturday morning detention after an incident in the dining hall that week. Four very different characters all confined to the old school with Mr Canton. I mean, things couldn’t be worse….of course they could!
A totally gripping story that doesn’t hold back with the scares! Cliff hanger chapters, twists and turns, this is not for the feint hearted but it’s a thrill of a ride ( written for 9-12 year olds) A spooky horror story but full of friendships, secrets and the lesson that honesty may be hard but it helps us work together. A must read!
A totally gripping story that doesn’t hold back with the scares! Cliff hanger chapters, twists and turns, this is not for the feint hearted but it’s a thrill of a ride ( written for 9-12 year olds) A spooky horror story but full of friendships, secrets and the lesson that honesty may be hard but it helps us work together. A must read!
April 10, 2022
Technically I received an e-book copy to review, but I bought my own copy as I was already planning on doing so + the e-book didn’t work for me. So happy my copy came in on time!
OK, this is so going to be a hard review to write, so bear with me, because it may get very messy. Haha. XD
I just LOVE Jennifer Killick’s works. I followed her from the start with Alex Sparrow series, went to Crater Lake, and now thus Dread Wood as a new series (yes, there is a sequel coming and BOY do I need it know in my hands).
If I have to shortly describe the book it would be: Breakfast Club x Worms (but with Spiders) x Jurassic Park x Floor is Lava. It is a beautiful and terrifying thing. Because I was scared for a lot of this book. For real. I mean, spiders are already big on my NOPE NOPE NOPITY list, and these aren’t just cute little ones. Oh no. These are big, bad, hungry, very hungry, did I mention hungry?, and they will kill you. If they get the chance. And if you think, but you can see them coming? OH, OH, how cute. Nope. Nope, floor is lava all right. Run. Grab a mower. Climb a building. But if you will be safe? Well, you have to read the book. But it was certainly a ride for me. And I was really on the edge of my seat, or curling up in bed as I did with the first 200 pages. There is never a dull moment.
In this book we follow Angelo and he detention-mates, Hallie, Naria, and Gus (Gustav). They are having detention on this Saturday, you know, a few hours of doing stuff because of things they did. If only they knew what detention would really mean. I loved that while we follow Angelo because he is the MC, we learn about the characters along the way. We see a glimpse in each of their lives and it was just perfect. I really warmed up to all of these characters and I loved seeing them bond, get closer. See that each of them isn’t so bad. Even Gustav, a character most avoid, is actually a very sweet guy who will do anything for his friends/comrades. I was so sad to read that each of them haven’t had the easiest of times, especially Angelo.
But yes, I was angry with our cast as well. For what they have done. We do find out why each of them has done it, but I still wanted to shake them around a bit. Throwing them for the spiders is a bit harsh, but I can shake them at least a bit. And then later we find out something even more important and I just wanted to shake them even harder. I am glad that they all realised what they did wasn’t right. That it was wrong.
I love the animals (the pigs especially), though we all know what happens to
There are SO MANY references and I love love it! Scooby Doo, talk about my sweet raptors (and then decided who is who and finding out who really are the raptors), Jurassic Park/World, there is mention of anime (Gustav, yas), Harley Quinn, and more. I had so much fun finding all the references and then squeeing in delight at them. It made the book even more fun to read.
I just LOVE love the mad scientist trope, seriously, if it is a good one? You can wake me up for it. Haha. And Mr and Mrs Latchitt? They are THE mad scientist! They are like professor Wu from Jurassic Park/World. Let’s make scary and deadly beasties, teehee. Why is that wrong? We just want to make a fun and happy family. That is not bad right? OK, their reasoning for why these 4 kids was a bit outlandish, BUT looking back on it? I think it did fit how craycray they were. It was clear that they very much lived in their own world. And whoever thought they were wrong? Well, I guess they were safe up until the things in this book, I guess people should just run now. XD Also, the Incy, Wincy, Spider song? Brilliant addition. I mean, horror just gets many times scarier when you add a children’s song to it. XD
The ending was just a big NOPE-fest, but very awesome! And it definitely opens up A LOT of possibilities for next books.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to all, and thanks to The Write Reads tour for allowing me to be part of the tour!
UPDATED/ADDITION: I was just putting the book on the shelves and I noticed THAT THERE ARE SPIDERS ON THE COVER! I never noticed! OMG! That is brilliant! Love it! YAS!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
OK, this is so going to be a hard review to write, so bear with me, because it may get very messy. Haha. XD
I just LOVE Jennifer Killick’s works. I followed her from the start with Alex Sparrow series, went to Crater Lake, and now thus Dread Wood as a new series (yes, there is a sequel coming and BOY do I need it know in my hands).
If I have to shortly describe the book it would be: Breakfast Club x Worms (but with Spiders) x Jurassic Park x Floor is Lava. It is a beautiful and terrifying thing. Because I was scared for a lot of this book. For real. I mean, spiders are already big on my NOPE NOPE NOPITY list, and these aren’t just cute little ones. Oh no. These are big, bad, hungry, very hungry, did I mention hungry?, and they will kill you. If they get the chance. And if you think, but you can see them coming? OH, OH, how cute. Nope. Nope, floor is lava all right. Run. Grab a mower. Climb a building. But if you will be safe? Well, you have to read the book. But it was certainly a ride for me. And I was really on the edge of my seat, or curling up in bed as I did with the first 200 pages. There is never a dull moment.
In this book we follow Angelo and he detention-mates, Hallie, Naria, and Gus (Gustav). They are having detention on this Saturday, you know, a few hours of doing stuff because of things they did. If only they knew what detention would really mean. I loved that while we follow Angelo because he is the MC, we learn about the characters along the way. We see a glimpse in each of their lives and it was just perfect. I really warmed up to all of these characters and I loved seeing them bond, get closer. See that each of them isn’t so bad. Even Gustav, a character most avoid, is actually a very sweet guy who will do anything for his friends/comrades. I was so sad to read that each of them haven’t had the easiest of times, especially Angelo.
But yes, I was angry with our cast as well. For what they have done. We do find out why each of them has done it, but I still wanted to shake them around a bit. Throwing them for the spiders is a bit harsh, but I can shake them at least a bit. And then later we find out something even more important and I just wanted to shake them even harder. I am glad that they all realised what they did wasn’t right. That it was wrong.
I love the animals (the pigs especially), though we all know what happens to
There are SO MANY references and I love love it! Scooby Doo, talk about my sweet raptors (and then decided who is who and finding out who really are the raptors), Jurassic Park/World, there is mention of anime (Gustav, yas), Harley Quinn, and more. I had so much fun finding all the references and then squeeing in delight at them. It made the book even more fun to read.
I just LOVE love the mad scientist trope, seriously, if it is a good one? You can wake me up for it. Haha. And Mr and Mrs Latchitt? They are THE mad scientist! They are like professor Wu from Jurassic Park/World. Let’s make scary and deadly beasties, teehee. Why is that wrong? We just want to make a fun and happy family. That is not bad right? OK, their reasoning for why these 4 kids was a bit outlandish, BUT looking back on it? I think it did fit how craycray they were. It was clear that they very much lived in their own world. And whoever thought they were wrong? Well, I guess they were safe up until the things in this book, I guess people should just run now. XD Also, the Incy, Wincy, Spider song? Brilliant addition. I mean, horror just gets many times scarier when you add a children’s song to it. XD
The ending was just a big NOPE-fest, but very awesome! And it definitely opens up A LOT of possibilities for next books.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to all, and thanks to The Write Reads tour for allowing me to be part of the tour!
UPDATED/ADDITION: I was just putting the book on the shelves and I noticed THAT THERE ARE SPIDERS ON THE COVER! I never noticed! OMG! That is brilliant! Love it! YAS!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 23, 2022
I had so much fun reading this book!
I don't read a lot of horror, so middlegrade horror is about as scary as I'm willing to go. For me, Jennifer Killick is the best there is at writing genuinely tense and scary horror, but with the knowledge that things are never going to go too far (though there were some points in this book where I was crossing my fingers and hoping the thing I was worried might happen, wouldn't actually happen!)
In addition to the creepy horror elements, Jennifer's books are also brilliant action-packed stories. I love watching her groups of characters find increasingly inventive ways of dealing with the situations they find themselves in. The pay off when all their crazy ideas come together is a similar to the epic moment in a film and I love reading them!
The final thing I love about the way that this author writes are her characters. They always feel completely believeable and genuine from the way that they speak and act, to their references and the way they interact with each other. They also have so many layers which are peeled back over the course of the book that you can't help but love them. It's great that Jennifer creates characters which allow her to explore how difficult life can be for children at that inbetween stage of transitioning from primary to secondary school. All of her characters embody the idea that you shouldn't judge someone at face value because you might never know the struggles they are going through privately.
This is a brilliant book, particularly suitable for readers aged 9 - 13 who are looking for an action-packed, horror adventure.
Content: Whilst there's not any actual swear words in the book, there are lots of instance of the characters saying butt, ass or shiz in place of swearing so make your own decisions about who you feel appropriate to share this book with.
I don't read a lot of horror, so middlegrade horror is about as scary as I'm willing to go. For me, Jennifer Killick is the best there is at writing genuinely tense and scary horror, but with the knowledge that things are never going to go too far (though there were some points in this book where I was crossing my fingers and hoping the thing I was worried might happen, wouldn't actually happen!)
In addition to the creepy horror elements, Jennifer's books are also brilliant action-packed stories. I love watching her groups of characters find increasingly inventive ways of dealing with the situations they find themselves in. The pay off when all their crazy ideas come together is a similar to the epic moment in a film and I love reading them!
The final thing I love about the way that this author writes are her characters. They always feel completely believeable and genuine from the way that they speak and act, to their references and the way they interact with each other. They also have so many layers which are peeled back over the course of the book that you can't help but love them. It's great that Jennifer creates characters which allow her to explore how difficult life can be for children at that inbetween stage of transitioning from primary to secondary school. All of her characters embody the idea that you shouldn't judge someone at face value because you might never know the struggles they are going through privately.
This is a brilliant book, particularly suitable for readers aged 9 - 13 who are looking for an action-packed, horror adventure.
Content: Whilst there's not any actual swear words in the book, there are lots of instance of the characters saying butt, ass or shiz in place of swearing so make your own decisions about who you feel appropriate to share this book with.
June 8, 2024
If you liked Scooby Doo growing up then this is a book for you.
The perfect mix of creepy and tense and absolutely action packed! I love it when a group of opposites become friends, and these guys absolutely charmed me. I also love when you can learn neat little facts from kids books, and there were plenty about animals, bugs, and one about Roman Wedge formations, - what a treat.
I love when a kids book manages to sneak a few adult jokes in for any parents reading (or for any kids who understand more than they should) but the joke about the pigs being in the proverbial really got me.
The perfect mix of creepy and tense and absolutely action packed! I love it when a group of opposites become friends, and these guys absolutely charmed me. I also love when you can learn neat little facts from kids books, and there were plenty about animals, bugs, and one about Roman Wedge formations, - what a treat.
I love when a kids book manages to sneak a few adult jokes in for any parents reading (or for any kids who understand more than they should) but the joke about the pigs being in the proverbial really got me.
May 15, 2022
That was one creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy book, jeez i had goosebumps reading it, absolutely hated reading it but couldn't put it down cause i wanted to know what's gonna happen next.
let's just say that i was glad to close the book by the end of it ^^
let's just say that i was glad to close the book by the end of it ^^
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September 7, 2022I want to start by saying I LOVED THIS BOOK, but I won’t be giving it any stars on GR, or recommending it for MG readers. I usually never do that, but with my faith, & the way my mama raised me..she would never have let me read a book with GD said in it, & that’s what happens in here on page 225. Since the book is 314 pages, I was already invested. It’s only said that once thankfully, but I still think it’s so unnecessary. They “round about cuss” too. Don’t know how else to say it. Lol Which when you’re going to say GD, not sure why you have to say “shiz” in sub of another word. But ok lol. The last book that did this, the MC was more MG age. These kids are in high school, & unless I’m not remembering, it doesn’t say their age. It seems more upper MG, younger YA-but it’s only listed as MG as far as I know. Anyway, if that doesn’t bother you, the story & writing were even better than her Crater Lake books. This was like the movie Tremors meets Arachnaphobia or 8 Legged Freaks lol. I LOVE the original Tremors movie, so loved that. So creepy! Lots of danger, action, suspense, & humor. The dialogue/banter between these kids is so good. Gus had me laughing so many times. Some great lessons in here, & relatable issues as well. Loved the friendship that forms between these characters, & the bond they now share. The ending was amazing. All of that makes it even more disappointing that word was in there. Really hope it’s note in the sequel. So far so good. But again, that’s a personal issue. A STUNNING cover by Tom Clohosy Cole too.💜
October 23, 2022
An exciting, hair raising book for older children/ younger teens, with an emphasis on friendship, teamwork and self acceptance.
Beware if you have arachnophobia, though.
Beware if you have arachnophobia, though.
October 11, 2023
Oh my goodness this book gave me the absolute creeps! One of the best thriller horror kids books I’ve read - I loved the characters in this, particularly the main character. I loved that it felt like slightly older children but accessible for readers aged 9-12 (who don’t mind a scare!). The baddies are bad, the monsters will give you nightmares, and the goodies are flawed. Brilliant writing! There is a cinematic quality to this book to which I think would make a great Netflix adaption. Will definitely been reading the rest of this series!
October 2, 2024
Original and fun!
January 31, 2022
I loved this! Creepy, thrilling and hilarious, with a brilliant cast of characters at its heart. Can’t wait for the next book!
April 18, 2022
I read and reviewed this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser for having me on this tour. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Trigger warnings: death, animal death, violence, gore, blood, falling down holes, SPIDERS (very big TW!!), revenge.
Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick is a middle-grade horror, and actually the first book in what appears to be a middle-grade horror series, which I’m very excited about continuing after having read this book. It is the kind of book that you can read so fast and still like you’ve been immersed in a world for hours, and it was thankfully not too scary, just the right amount of edge-of-your-seat and “omg what the hell is happening” vibes! I’m so glad I got to read this book because I had a great time and it let me discover this great author, who I’ll definitely be reading more of.
This book is set in Dread Wood High School and its grounds on a Saturday detention session for four students who got a bit out of control during a lunch break. I’m sure I’ve already mentioned that I love school settings, and this one was very different with the horror vibes, but it was still so fascinating. I really liked this setting, although I think I imagined it smaller than what the author really had in mind since the plot was so fast-paced and didn’t really leave me time to fully immerse myself in this setting.
I did, however, very much enjoy the way the whole place felt. There was a particular vibe and atmosphere that was really spooky, and you all know I’m a sucker for a great atmosphere in a book. This one had the same kind of vibes as Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, and I kept remembering that book while reading this one. I loved Home Before Dark, so that is definitely a compliment to Dread Wood as it really pulled off the atmosphere nicely.
I found the manor on the property to be quite spooky, although I would have really loved to read more about it, have some more descriptions of it, as most of the plot takes place outside or in other buildings. I read the chapter from the second book in the series which was included at the end of my eARC, and I have a feeling that my desire of knowing more about Dread Wood will be sated quite soon.
I don’t want to go into too much detail about the characters in this part as I usually would, because I found that going in blind and just learning about them and what linked them made the plot and the book very engaging. What I will say is that this was definitely a kind of “found family” vibe because the characters kind of hate each other at the start, or at the very least are trying to avoid each other like the plague.
They are chucked into this wild race-against-time plot where everything goes wrong and the impossible happens, and that brings them closer. They all have their demons, their fears, their regrets, their guilt, and I really enjoyed reading about each of their stories because I found it made them very relatable, human and above all, very endearing. I didn’t have a preference when I started reading this book, but now I definitely love them as a whole and through their moniker “Club Loser”.
Angelo, Naira, Gus and Hallie are just great characters. They have their flaws, but in the end, they do what is right, they stick together and they help one another out, which is such a fantastic thing in a book like this. You’ll be happy to hear they did not succumb to the age-old horror trope of “one leaves, dies, the others follow and then die as well” while the person watching or reading is screaming at them to stop and turn back. Well… there was a tiny moment like that, but do not fear, friendship prevails and saves the day!
A spooky atmosphere to go with a great new voice in MG horror: And the final point I want to touch on in this review is one of my all-time favourites = ATMOSPHERE! This was done great here. The story was creepy, not scary, which is a really tough balance to get. I think this would creep out anyone, especially kids, but I don’t think it would scare them unless they are sensitive to one of the TWs mentioned above. The school setting was spooky, especially the manor, some of the characters were so creepy it honestly made my skin prickle and the revelation of what’s going on is just spine-tingling. I loved it! It was so well done and I haven’t read a book like this since Home Before Dark, so it was a really great one to pick up.
The writing style was really solid and I just flew through this book. Jenifer Killick has a great voice and I found the whole story really fluid, original, atmospheric and I especially loved the characters and their friendship that came out of this detention session. I didn’t expect a lot of the plots and the revelations were well done and definitely surprised me as I would have never expected the direction it went. Although I will say it does need a massive “stop here if you are afraid of spiders” trigger warning because they are a big part of the book. That’s probably a bit of a spoiler, but I do think it needs mentioning.
I gave this book 4 stars and overall, I really enjoyed it. It was a great middle-grade horror read that kept me guessing and I just couldn’t put it down until I had gotten to the end as I was genuinely worried about each character once the action really got going.
If you love middle-grade books with that spooky/creepy factor, a fantastic group of teens that come together and learn from their mistakes all while having each other’s backs, a school setting and some very surprising twists, you should definitely pick up this book. But only if you are not afraid of spiders!!
Trigger warnings: death, animal death, violence, gore, blood, falling down holes, SPIDERS (very big TW!!), revenge.
Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick is a middle-grade horror, and actually the first book in what appears to be a middle-grade horror series, which I’m very excited about continuing after having read this book. It is the kind of book that you can read so fast and still like you’ve been immersed in a world for hours, and it was thankfully not too scary, just the right amount of edge-of-your-seat and “omg what the hell is happening” vibes! I’m so glad I got to read this book because I had a great time and it let me discover this great author, who I’ll definitely be reading more of.
This book is set in Dread Wood High School and its grounds on a Saturday detention session for four students who got a bit out of control during a lunch break. I’m sure I’ve already mentioned that I love school settings, and this one was very different with the horror vibes, but it was still so fascinating. I really liked this setting, although I think I imagined it smaller than what the author really had in mind since the plot was so fast-paced and didn’t really leave me time to fully immerse myself in this setting.
I did, however, very much enjoy the way the whole place felt. There was a particular vibe and atmosphere that was really spooky, and you all know I’m a sucker for a great atmosphere in a book. This one had the same kind of vibes as Home Before Dark by Riley Sager, and I kept remembering that book while reading this one. I loved Home Before Dark, so that is definitely a compliment to Dread Wood as it really pulled off the atmosphere nicely.
I found the manor on the property to be quite spooky, although I would have really loved to read more about it, have some more descriptions of it, as most of the plot takes place outside or in other buildings. I read the chapter from the second book in the series which was included at the end of my eARC, and I have a feeling that my desire of knowing more about Dread Wood will be sated quite soon.
I don’t want to go into too much detail about the characters in this part as I usually would, because I found that going in blind and just learning about them and what linked them made the plot and the book very engaging. What I will say is that this was definitely a kind of “found family” vibe because the characters kind of hate each other at the start, or at the very least are trying to avoid each other like the plague.
They are chucked into this wild race-against-time plot where everything goes wrong and the impossible happens, and that brings them closer. They all have their demons, their fears, their regrets, their guilt, and I really enjoyed reading about each of their stories because I found it made them very relatable, human and above all, very endearing. I didn’t have a preference when I started reading this book, but now I definitely love them as a whole and through their moniker “Club Loser”.
Angelo, Naira, Gus and Hallie are just great characters. They have their flaws, but in the end, they do what is right, they stick together and they help one another out, which is such a fantastic thing in a book like this. You’ll be happy to hear they did not succumb to the age-old horror trope of “one leaves, dies, the others follow and then die as well” while the person watching or reading is screaming at them to stop and turn back. Well… there was a tiny moment like that, but do not fear, friendship prevails and saves the day!
A spooky atmosphere to go with a great new voice in MG horror: And the final point I want to touch on in this review is one of my all-time favourites = ATMOSPHERE! This was done great here. The story was creepy, not scary, which is a really tough balance to get. I think this would creep out anyone, especially kids, but I don’t think it would scare them unless they are sensitive to one of the TWs mentioned above. The school setting was spooky, especially the manor, some of the characters were so creepy it honestly made my skin prickle and the revelation of what’s going on is just spine-tingling. I loved it! It was so well done and I haven’t read a book like this since Home Before Dark, so it was a really great one to pick up.
The writing style was really solid and I just flew through this book. Jenifer Killick has a great voice and I found the whole story really fluid, original, atmospheric and I especially loved the characters and their friendship that came out of this detention session. I didn’t expect a lot of the plots and the revelations were well done and definitely surprised me as I would have never expected the direction it went. Although I will say it does need a massive “stop here if you are afraid of spiders” trigger warning because they are a big part of the book. That’s probably a bit of a spoiler, but I do think it needs mentioning.
I gave this book 4 stars and overall, I really enjoyed it. It was a great middle-grade horror read that kept me guessing and I just couldn’t put it down until I had gotten to the end as I was genuinely worried about each character once the action really got going.
If you love middle-grade books with that spooky/creepy factor, a fantastic group of teens that come together and learn from their mistakes all while having each other’s backs, a school setting and some very surprising twists, you should definitely pick up this book. But only if you are not afraid of spiders!!
March 21, 2023
The book has been compared to the Goosebumps series, and rightly so! The story was creepy, engaging and short to binge-read. All the characters have their own distinct traits. The initial plot of this book reminded me of 'One of us is lying' with 4 students in detention and no mobile phones. But from there the story completely drifted apart into an adventurous mode.
P.S.: The Itsy Bitsy spider was an interesting touch. My memories related to this rhyme are now forever changed.
Genre: #middlegrade #horror #mystery #contemporary
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Thank you @netgalley @jennifer.killick.56 @fireflypress and @harpercollinsuk for the Digital ARC.
#DreadWood #NetGalley
P.S.: The Itsy Bitsy spider was an interesting touch. My memories related to this rhyme are now forever changed.
Genre: #middlegrade #horror #mystery #contemporary
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Thank you @netgalley @jennifer.killick.56 @fireflypress and @harpercollinsuk for the Digital ARC.
#DreadWood #NetGalley
June 12, 2022
I loved the pace and thrill of this book. It’s just such great writing. It has all the elements of a great horror story: a group of imperfect, misunderstood heroes; evil, cackling villains; jump scares aplenty; and bloodthirsty, terrifying creatures to rival any of the residents of Jurassic Park. There were many tense hold-your-breath, edge-of-seat moments.
The main characters all explore some of the different issues and situations youngsters experience when growing up; they’re very real and relatable. I really liked the way they developed and revealed themselves without it seeming forced or twee.
Perfect for readers 10 - 14 years, I would say, or for anyone who enjoys a good MG read.
The main characters all explore some of the different issues and situations youngsters experience when growing up; they’re very real and relatable. I really liked the way they developed and revealed themselves without it seeming forced or twee.
Perfect for readers 10 - 14 years, I would say, or for anyone who enjoys a good MG read.
April 11, 2022
I don’t know what I was expecting when I started Dread Wood. I’d just come off the back of reading a genuinely scary sci-fi horror book -which you may hear more about soon-, and that was off the back of reading a not so scary but very atmospheric folk-y horror-y book. This, apart from being middle grade, sits on the other side of the horror spectrum from those two. It’s an attempt to make a monster movie fit into a middle grade novel, and you know what? It works. It doesn’t do any one thing especially well and it has its flaws, but the package as a whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
For our cast we have Spunky Girl, Cautious Girl, Comedy Relief Guy and Narrator, whose primary character trait seems to be that he’s poor. Speaking as someone who is poor I don’t really mind that. I’ve banged this drum plenty already. More poor characters in our fiction please! Particularly kid’s fiction. And it does affect your personality and your decisions. It does become a part of who you are and filter how you see the world. Being that none of the other characters are particularly deep, I don’t mind that he isn’t. Then we’ve got our antagonists who aren’t not cliche, but who are effective none the less. The setting is nice and claustrophobic, as all good horror settings have to be, if the characters can just walk away it ruins the plot somewhat. A locked gate and a groundskeeper who doesn’t want to let you out are as good a narrative device as any other.
There’s some light spoilers incoming at this point, so if you want to avoid them I’ll give you a takeaway now: I liked this book, it was good dumb fun, written well and compellingly. The plot moved along at a good clip and the tension started nice and early. Flat but serviceable characters. Probably won’t read again, but enjoyed it a lot all the same. Three and a half stars. Maybe four if I’m feeling generous.
Okay, squad. Spoilers.
Have you ever seen the film Eight Legged Freaks? I wouldn’t blame you if you hadn’t. It came out in 2002 and was only okay, but this book is like a small scale version of that. The monsters are dog sized sliders, and they’re pretty cool. The explanation for how they became dog sized is nonsense, but it doesn’t have to be scientifically coherent for it to be cool, and these badboys are cool. Also, apparently Scarlett Johannsson was in Eight Legged Freaks. I suppose not even she is immune to being in a bad film.
The book isn’t immune to plot holes. The groundskeepers apparently have their pet spiders well trained and when they’re whistling a jaunty tune the spiders don’t attack, and that works just fine for the two or three hours on a Saturday the book takes place in. But what about the five weekdays before that, and the five before that and so on. Are you telling me one of them is always stood on the school field whistling or humming so an errant dog sized spider doesn’t gobble up an unsuspecting student? But I only thought about that plot hole as I closed the book. It didn’t distract me at the time. The plot moves quickly enough, and the book kept me interested enough that I didn’t stop to think of it during the story, only once I’d finished it. And even now, thinking about said plot hole, it doesn’t detract from how much I enjoyed the book. Some plot holes do that, because the story they’re in isn’t good enough to make you not mind it, but for some stories, like this one, you’re willing to suspend your disbelief just that little bit further.
Dread Wood is a good time. Definitely worth reading.
For our cast we have Spunky Girl, Cautious Girl, Comedy Relief Guy and Narrator, whose primary character trait seems to be that he’s poor. Speaking as someone who is poor I don’t really mind that. I’ve banged this drum plenty already. More poor characters in our fiction please! Particularly kid’s fiction. And it does affect your personality and your decisions. It does become a part of who you are and filter how you see the world. Being that none of the other characters are particularly deep, I don’t mind that he isn’t. Then we’ve got our antagonists who aren’t not cliche, but who are effective none the less. The setting is nice and claustrophobic, as all good horror settings have to be, if the characters can just walk away it ruins the plot somewhat. A locked gate and a groundskeeper who doesn’t want to let you out are as good a narrative device as any other.
There’s some light spoilers incoming at this point, so if you want to avoid them I’ll give you a takeaway now: I liked this book, it was good dumb fun, written well and compellingly. The plot moved along at a good clip and the tension started nice and early. Flat but serviceable characters. Probably won’t read again, but enjoyed it a lot all the same. Three and a half stars. Maybe four if I’m feeling generous.
Okay, squad. Spoilers.
Have you ever seen the film Eight Legged Freaks? I wouldn’t blame you if you hadn’t. It came out in 2002 and was only okay, but this book is like a small scale version of that. The monsters are dog sized sliders, and they’re pretty cool. The explanation for how they became dog sized is nonsense, but it doesn’t have to be scientifically coherent for it to be cool, and these badboys are cool. Also, apparently Scarlett Johannsson was in Eight Legged Freaks. I suppose not even she is immune to being in a bad film.
The book isn’t immune to plot holes. The groundskeepers apparently have their pet spiders well trained and when they’re whistling a jaunty tune the spiders don’t attack, and that works just fine for the two or three hours on a Saturday the book takes place in. But what about the five weekdays before that, and the five before that and so on. Are you telling me one of them is always stood on the school field whistling or humming so an errant dog sized spider doesn’t gobble up an unsuspecting student? But I only thought about that plot hole as I closed the book. It didn’t distract me at the time. The plot moves quickly enough, and the book kept me interested enough that I didn’t stop to think of it during the story, only once I’d finished it. And even now, thinking about said plot hole, it doesn’t detract from how much I enjoyed the book. Some plot holes do that, because the story they’re in isn’t good enough to make you not mind it, but for some stories, like this one, you’re willing to suspend your disbelief just that little bit further.
Dread Wood is a good time. Definitely worth reading.
April 8, 2024
I don't normally record the books I read to my son, but I enjoyed Dread Wood so much that I think it deserved it.
A great mix of child friendly horror and comedy, I found the book pretty thrilling and surprisingly funny.
I am hoping my son wants to continue the series!
A great mix of child friendly horror and comedy, I found the book pretty thrilling and surprisingly funny.
I am hoping my son wants to continue the series!
July 8, 2023
I love the characters and the way their relationship naturally grows but there was barely any tension. The glass children for example, another horror book for children, manages to have interesting characters and keeps me, as an older teen, on the edge of my seat.
I can see why so many people love this book and I would too if it had just not been a horror book. I kept hoping for a plot twist since the “bad guys” were plain evil from the start and the other scary parts were stupid, not explained with magic or science, it just happened.
But as I said, I love the characters and their dynamic and I think I went into this book expecting too much.
I can see why so many people love this book and I would too if it had just not been a horror book. I kept hoping for a plot twist since the “bad guys” were plain evil from the start and the other scary parts were stupid, not explained with magic or science, it just happened.
But as I said, I love the characters and their dynamic and I think I went into this book expecting too much.
May 30, 2024
Dit is een van de coolste, engste, grappigste en meest avontuurlijke kinderboeken die ik ooit heb mogen lezen! Het laat zien hoe kwetsbaar kinderen zijn, maar ook hoe veerkrachtig en sterk en vindingrijk ze zijn. Het boek zelf is inderdaad horrorachtig eng en ongelooflijk hilarisch. De achtergrond van het verhaal, de reden waarom de kinderen op die dag op school zijn, is gewoonweg prachtig en ontroerend te noemen. Dit boek is niet alleen maar horror en niet alleen maar grappen maken. Het gaat óók over hoe kinderlevens echt kunnen zijn. Daar komt bij dat dit boek bovennatuurlijk goed vertaald is door Thomas Olde Heuvelt.
January 8, 2025
so.. are Angelo and Gus in love with each other or what's going on? Is this doomed yaoi hidden in a horror book? If it is, I completely believe it. Besides that, it's a shorter book, but a very well written story. It flows perfect (to my standards, at least), and the characters are enjoyable. Would recommend! Also those spiders are my kids and I understand that old couple. the spiders are my children and Red Skull is my favorite.
April 12, 2023
PARENTS:
Frequent cussing
Constant use of the word 'Jesus'!'
Queer rep support (brief)
Environment rep support
Animal deaths
Very serious subjects discussed
Psychopaths
I don't think it is age-appropriate. Sad because without such things this was a pretty good book.
Frequent cussing
Constant use of the word 'Jesus'!'
Queer rep support (brief)
Environment rep support
Animal deaths
Very serious subjects discussed
Psychopaths
I don't think it is age-appropriate. Sad because without such things this was a pretty good book.
Read
January 2, 2023“I know things are bad, but can we stop using nouns as verbs?”
September 25, 2024
Quick children's horror book that feels like "Tremors" and "Jurassic Park" (which the kids name check, but it really is 80% "Tremors").
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