It's that time of year again, (you know, almost Halloween) and with it comes the urge to read something nice and scary. As I've mentioned before, though, horror books just don't seem to scare me for some reason. So I decided a while back that I would just have to be satisfied reading books that would creep me out.
A couple of weeks ago I did a search for this type of book and headed off to the library to pick up the few selections that they actually had - I've got a ton of promisingly creepy titles on my want-to-read list, but for some reason hardly any of them are carried by any of the libraries. What's up with that?! (I wonder who actually decides which books the libraries buy. . . .)
So here is the verdict on the latest round in my search for a good, creepy read:
I had to put a hold on
The Poisoned House, by Michael Ford, because the only copy in town was in a library branch like 60 miles from my house. Then, I had to hurry up and read it, because somebody else put a hold on it and I wasn't going to be able to renew it. Then, I guess they changed their mind because this morning my library account said I could keep the book. It's just as well for that other reader, because if they wanted something scary, or even creepy, this one wasn't. The book started out really good - by the end of the first chapter I was really optimistic. But then it took a turn and by that I mean it turned out to be less of a horror story and more of a historical fiction/ghost story with some family secrets and a bit of a mystery thrown in. It was absolutely NOT a gothic novel, as the title implies. Even though there was a ghost, there was nothing really wrong with the house itself. The book was an enjoyable enough read and had a couple of really creepy/almost scary scenes, but overall, the scary vibe just wasn't there. (Reading Level: 4.9/Middle Grade+)
This Monstrous Thing, by Mackenzi Lee, is a steampunk re-imagining of Mary Shelley's
Frankenstsein. So I have two things to say here. One, I haven't enjoyed about half of the steampunk novels I've read. This one, however, falls solidly into the enjoyed category. In fact, it would fall into the really, really enjoyed category of steampunk novels, if I had one (actually, I guess I do now). It only took me two and a half days to read it, it was that good. (Okay, so it was over the weekend and the first two days of the fall break from school so NO responsibilities, but more so because I was so into it I didn't want to do anything else.) And two, although the book wasn't scary, and I wouldn't really say it was creepy, either, it WAS really, really good, so you should definitely read it. Besides, it did have a dark mood and tone, and it was kind of about Frankenstein's monster in a roundabout way, making it a great read for the Halloween season. (Reading Level: ? /Middle Grade+)
Yeah, so,
Creed, by Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie, wasn't very good. It was about these three teenagers who run out of gas outside some weird town that turns out to be inhabited by a religious cult. I think it is supposed to be more of a thriller than a horror story, but I didn't find it to be scary or suspenseful. It was kind of a mix between every (bad) horror movie out there and an episode of that t.v. show where the two sisters try to help other teenagers escape from that town in Utah that is run by the polygamist cult. (I can't remember what the show is called, but I saw an episode right before I read this book!) Anyway, if I were you, I would skip this one and try something else instead.
So,
Dead Reckoning, by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill, is a western, steampunk, zombie story. Now I don't usually think of zombie stories as really falling into the horror category, but apparently a lot of people do, so here it is. I did not like this book. In fact, I only managed to get a quarter of the way through it before I quit reading it. Why? Because it was
just. so. boring. It took me four days to even get as far as I did, because I just couldn't get into it. (That might be a new record for apathy as far as a book goes for me - I actually chose to
watch t.v. before bed instead of reading last night. [gasp!]) I've read
much better westerns, steampunk novels, and zombie stories. This one just doesn't deliver in any of those categories.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by Cliff McNish's book,
Breathe. I was skeptical when I checked it out, because it is shelved in the juvenile fiction section of the library, not the YA section, and those books tend to be too simplistic for my liking. This one WAS on the simple side (the characters were
flat and
boring), but the concept was fresh and interesting so it kept me reading. Although this is mostly a ghost story, it does have parts that would be scary for a younger reader or for someone who gets scared easily when reading 'horror' stories (I'm sorry for the quotes - if you've followed my posts, you know how I feel about this particular genre). And the ghost story is a good Halloween kind of ghost story, not the kind where there just so happens to be a ghost but it's not supposed to be scary. So, I'd have to say that this is a good pick for a Halloween read. (Reading Level: 4.8/Middle Grades)
The
Mark of Cain, by Lindsey Barraclough, picks up four years after her first novel,
Long Lankin, ends. This is a long book, 486 pages, but it is very hard to put down. It is well written, plenty creepy, a bit scary at points, and full of suspense. In fact, this is actually the first book I've read in a LONG time that actually made me pause after turning out all the lights to go to bed! Although you don't have to read the first book in order for this one to make sense, it would probably help you avoid having questions while you read, leaving you free to fully focus on the story. So if you haven't read the first one yet, and you like reading horror novels, find a copy of both and enjoy a good, long, unsettling read. (Reading Level: ? /Upper Grades)
And the Trees Crept In, by Dawn Kurtagich, was weird, creepy, and yes,
actually SCARY! Finally, another book that delivers it all: horror, mystery, suspense, and the paranormal all rolled into one. This is not a book that you want to read at night...in the dark...all alone.
Especially if you live out in a rural place with no street lights. And especially if you live in a creaky old house. I wasn't too keen on the ending, but the author
did do a very nice job with it - perfect pacing, well written, and it made sense and wrapped up the story nicely even if it
was the type of ending that I wish authors would avoid unless absolutely necessary. Oh, and when you read this, because it is really good so you definitely should, pay special attention to the little book entries. I was halfway through the book before I realized what the author was doing, and it is a very clever and effective part of the story! (Just a note - the book is probably not appropriate for most readers younger than high school.) (Reading Level: ? /Upper Grades)
So there you have it: a handful of books to help you get in the Halloween spirit. I have a couple more on my shelf, but since we are already almost half way through October, I'll go ahead and send this your way so maybe you'll have time to read one or two yourself in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!
