A Gothic Fairy Tale of the horror of evil and the power of love... The legend of the Ghost Train has been passed through the centuries, the mystery growing with the forest around its hiding place. No one really believes in it anymore. But every so often, the wheels begin to move again... Chloe and Lewis are visiting their Great Grandpa for Halloween when they hear the story of the Ghost Train and how their Great Grandma disappeared many years ago... Determined to track down the train and solve the mystery of her disappearance, the two children venture out into the forest at night... But evil is waiting for them. Can they escape the danger that lurks in the dark, or will they be lost forever along with the secret of the Ghost Train?
Born in South Wales, Lee Allen was an avid reader from a young age, already beginning to develop his fascination with mystery, intrigue, crime, horror and the supernatural. He soon turned to creating his own stories and hasn’t stopped writing since. He completed the manuscript for his first full-length novel while still in secondary school, which was later published as his debut crime thriller "Those Crimes of Passion" in 2012.
Heavily influenced by gothic fiction, he later released supernatural mystery "Alone" (2014); horror chiller "The Jack O’Lantern Men" (2015); short story collection "Whispers from the Dead of Night" (2020), a hybrid of horror and multiple sub-genres; and erotic horror crime thriller "Bitten" (2021).
His first children's book, "The Ghost Train", was published on Hallowe'en 2022, followed by the sequel, "The Ghost Tree", published on the Autumn Equinox 2023.
Lee continues to reside in Wales with his feline writing companion, immersing himself in imagination and research.
Esta es la historia de Chloe y Lewis dos niños que visitan a su bisabuelo en Halloween para tratar de animarlo pues hace tiempo que su bisabuela desapareció, en este pueblo escuchan la leyenda del Tren Fantasma la cual tiene siglos de existir, decididos a saber que paso con su bisabuela y a rastrear el tren de la leyenda se internan en el bosque sin saber que tan peligroso podría ser entrar a esta oscuridad.
El autor sin duda hace un buen trabajo al adentrarte en todo este ambiente de Halloween tanto en las descripciones del lugar, del ambiente como de las sensaciones de los protagonistas, maneja y desarrolla muy bien a los personajes desde los principales hasta los secundarios, ademas de que da cierto desarrollo a la leyenda que emplea, su pluma sin duda atrapa pues es bastante adictiva con elementos de terror muy bien manejados.
Este libro es perfecto para leer en época de Halloween ademas de que es un libro corto, ligero y muy fácil de leer, si estas comenzando a leer en inglés es sin duda un buen libro para iniciar o para adentrar a los adolescentes en la lectura.
Agradezco mucho a Booktasters y al autor por el envío del libro digital para esta colaboración, lo disfrute mucho.
This is the story of Chloe and Lewis, two children who visit their great-grandfather on Halloween to try to cheer him up because their great-grandmother disappeared a long time ago. In this town they hear the legend of the Ghost Train which has existed for centuries, determined to find out what happened. with their great-grandmother and to track down the train of legend, they go into the forest without knowing how dangerous it could be to enter this darkness.
The author undoubtedly does a good job of delving into this whole Halloween atmosphere both in the descriptions of the place, the environment and the feelings of the protagonists, he handles and develops the characters very well from the main ones to the secondary ones, in addition to which gives some development to the legend that it uses, its pen undoubtedly catches because it is quite addictive with elements of terror very well handled.
This book is perfect to read at Halloween time, in addition to being a short, light and very easy to read book, if you are starting to read in English, it is undoubtedly a good book to start or to introduce adolescents to reading.
I am very grateful to Booktasters and the author for sending the digital book for this collaboration, I really enjoyed it.
I want to start off with the first two sentences on the first paragraph. Two sentences that got me really hooked. My favorite sentences from the book.
Sometimes, people wear the patterns of their lives on their faces, like a mask that reveals rather than hides who you are. Behind every one of those masks is a story.
The thing of reading a children book at an older age is that things in the book could have a different, deeper, and darker meaning to us. And that’s what I totally feel while reading this book, especially at those two sentences. Nonetheless, I enjoyed every second I spent on reading this book. The story is well written and very descriptive. The scary and eerie element were also there yet not overly done. I can feel my heart beating at some parts but it’s not terrifying enough to scare children terribly. It’s scary, sad, and beautiful at the same time.
The portrayal of love in this book is amazing. The book describe love as something scary and painful yet also soothing and tender. The love between the Grandpa and Grandma is so pure and melancholic. I enjoyed their love so much.
What bugs me a little is the lack of information of the 300 years old witch. I think the information such as the witch’s background story of why she hates love much could add a bit more spice.
This is just my personal preference and there might be a lot more people who like the ending as it is, but I don’t like how the story ended. It seems too fortunate for me, too happy, that the Grandpa and Grandma got a chance to redeem and enjoy the time they’ve lost. Although it’s not a bad ending, it’s something that I neither like nor dislike. There should be something bigger that the Grandpa and Grandma should pay as an exchange of meeting their love again, death as example. Those kind of ending could teach children more about consequences, something I didn’t see on the ending that was given in this book.
Other than that, the story is pretty much enjoyable. It gives me chills here and there yet still maintaining the simplicity of a children book.
Legend of The Ghost Train has been passed down through generations, a frightening stream engine sitting somewhere in the shroud of forest where those who board are never seen again… Young siblings Chloe and Lewis are spending Halloween with their Great grandpa who is still wrecked by the mysterious disappearance of his wife many years ago. Seeing her great grandpa so haunted, Chloe decides to find the ghost train and solve the mystery of her great grandma’s disappearance. So, with Lewis in tow, they set of into the dark forest as night falls. But for the two young children, legend becomes reality when they discover the ghost train and the horrors that hide onboard.
My star: 5 STARS
I was very honoured to have been asked to read The Ghost Train by Lee who has stepped out for the first time to give young horrors fans this offering. As an adult who has read Lees adult horror books, and whose childhood was spent reading the Goosebump and Fear Street books, I really did enjoy the Ghost Train. The story is short but simple to follow with strong characters who you feel for and a page turning storyline that will not only chill young fans to the core but carries a strong moral and backstory. The feel of the atmospheric tone of the Halloween season, the woodlands and the fright as our two young characters venture into the night is very well put. The book itself is an ideal size for young children with easy-to-read wording while the cover – as I am sure you will agree – is epic. I am not ashamed to admit that, despite having the book in PDF format, I ended up buying a copy myself.
This is book one of The Ghost Legends series and I do hope many more titles follow. It truly is a must have to horror fans young and old so, so if your little terror enjoys books such as Goosebumps or Scary stories to Tell in the Dark, then they will definitely enjoy this one.
This book is a horror story dedicated to children, but from my perspective it is also a significant and highly recommended book for adults to read it.
The Ghost Train has such detailed descriptions and constant narrative rhythm that it creates an avid desire to know the outcome of the main characters, Chloe and Lewis, while also wanting to discover if there is any hope of recovering their grandmother from the clutches of the witch.
Although the story creates a gloomy atmosphere from the discovery of the train, the author adds the right touch of tension so that it is not overwhelming, and personally he manages to hook the reader in such a way that you cannot stop reading it until you know what happens to them.
Reading this book has brought back the nostalgia of discovering Hansel and Gretel as a child and loving every page of it.
Chloe is a great role model for the children who read this story, in terms of her courage and maturity to face difficult situations, just like Grandpa, who shows that love is the purest and most lasting form of appreciation that exists, and prevails even in old age. If I had to draw any inconvenience, it is the final farewell between the two characters. Although it is a bittersweet moment, I think it closes the book in a decent way, and creates expectations for a second part, which I sincerely hope to be able to read in the future.
If you are looking to expand your vocabulary in English, while reading a short but intriguing story, or simply want to introduce your child to reading, this is the perfect book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Inside the special storybook, there was a really promising and charming tale. But, it was like a blank canvas waiting for the coolest colors of creativity to make it super unforgettable.
The author did a great job by keeping things short and focused. But I couldn't stop thinking about how amazing it would be if we could explore the train's journey in more detail. Imagine if each train car was like a door to a different world! Like in one part, there could be a fancy dining car where the plates and cups are magic and the friends have sparkling talks. Then, in another part, a magical library car where books talk and change as you read them.
If the story had different chapters for each train car and its own magic, it would be like a big adventure where you discover something new on every page. The young heroes wouldn't just have to go through magic challenges, they'd also make really strong friendships with the fun characters they meet. This would make the story super interesting for kids and make them feel like they're right there in the magical world.
It's a pretty interesting. I can imagine myself getting into the story. I imagine myself a lot to be a part of those kids.
Do you like children's stories with horror genre? I suggest you to read this book. I feel like going back in time, where I was excited and scared all at the same time when i knew scary stories.
I love how the characters travel and the love story of his grandfather. But unfortunately, i don't think it's finished yet and there's a part of the story to go on. I hope this becomes a serial story 😭 This is pretty fun for me.
Even though it chose a horror genre, the story was very enjoyable, it felt like watching a movie when I was little. I can imagine it simply, the horror nuance is also quite scary, But there are a lot of scenes that made me laugh a lot too, like the recklessness of the two siblings. If something is missing, I think the scene of the grandfather coming into the ghost train seems to be rushed. And the sorcerer that was so terrifyingly made but not that strong. In the end, it is also quite simple and heartwarming. I like this story, simple, but still tense and gripping
All aboard for a bit of scary magic on the Ghost Train.
Grandpa is sad, but a visit from his grand daughter and great grand children soon lift his spirit, he finds himself telling them the story of how Great Grandma disappeared many moons ago.
Kids being kids they set off to find the Ghost Train, and hopefully their grandma. However things become more scary and Lewis especially wants to be back home in his bed.
This was a thrilling story and worth checking out for yourself.
First things first i really love this kind of book! I have received a free copy of this book and I am glad that I had a great time reading this book. I tried translating it into my native language and telling stories to my nieces and nephews even though they don't really understand what I'm talking about but I really enjoyed this book! I love how the story really brings out so much family insight and what a heartwarming horror book this is! basically I like this book
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Love conquers all. Great Grandpa goes to save his grandchildren from the ghost train and does with the bonus of finding his wife. However the price is that the grandparents for recovering their youth must stay. Death is not to be feared.
this was a strong start to the Ghost Legends series, it had everything that I loved about the genre. It had a great fairy tale element going on and loved how good this was written. Lee Allen has a great style and I loved the horror elements going on. It left me wanting to read more in this universe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a charming short story that made me smile. The writing had a simplicity that I appreciated, but at the same time, I felt the story and the characters were brought to life wonderfully. I also felt that it had some lovely moral messages. I think that my 8 year old self would have been very happy to find this on a bookshelf.
This books wonderfull and fun to read, u can see about love, waiting, and trust.
You can seesometimes looking for something dangerous will cost a fortune.
"Love may be huge and powerful and scary, but it was also kind and gentle and could heal the deepest pain. It was patient too. Pure happiness. Pure magic."
Thanks to the author and Booktasters for a copy of this book😊 It's quite a short read but it still quite interesting. The author did a good job bringing the spooky vibes. I do wish there's a backstory about the villain but nevertheless I still enjoyed my read.
The Ghost Train is a short story about a man who lost his wife many years ago as she went in search of the legendary Ghost Train, rumored to be the home of a wicked old (very old) witch. He loves his wife very much and is quite lonesome without her. His grandchildren come to stay with him and cheer him up. They've heard stories about the ghost train. It doesn't take them long to resolve to find the Ghost Train and learn the truth for themselves.
I won't give spoilers, but I did enjoy the read. Lee does a great job creating a spooky atmosphere for the children's adventure. I like the relationship built between the characters. If your kids are like mine and used to scary stories, they'll love it. If your kids scare easily, they may not want to read this until they're a bit older, but if you read it aloud to them, you could skip the more scary or disturbing parts. Fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Ray Bradbury will likely enjoy this book.
This book's genre is horror right? But instead of being scared, i felt so overwhelmed !! How i love every single words in this book, how i love the simple plot but so mesmerize ❤️🔥 This book is so light reading, you can finish it in one sitting.
The story follows an old man who lives alone in a village, one day his grandchilds come to him for a vacation. He takes them to the forest near by his house and tell a story abt his lost wife. He believes that his wife's been taken by the ghost train that pass the forest and one day his wife will be back to him, that's why he never leaves his house. Full of wondering, his grandchilds Chloe and Lewis decide to look for their grandma. They really want to prove that the ghost train is real.