5 comments about Secret Admirer (Fear Street, No. 36).

1. peaople who say this is 4 kids under 12 or whatever your wrong its just cause you dont understand it this book was amazing i loved it i couldnt put it down it took me 40 or 50 min. 2 read it



2. Selena has landed the lead in the school play and her popularity is sky high. Then she receives a present with a trhreatening content, and accidents start happening on the set. Some one doesn't like Selena very much.
   
   I didn't like this one very much.
   The protagonist is so conceited and doesn't see how she treats her friends. I simply couldn't root for this character.
   As I finished the book, I almost felt ready to cheer for the purpetrator!
   
   The plot is fairly good, though by no means among the best Fear Street books.



3. This is one of the best Fear Street books I have read. The main story is Selene Goodrich becoming popular at Shadyside High because of her acting career. Everyone adores her, everyone supports her. Then Selena starts getting mysterious notes from "The Sun" who claims to be her secret admirer. Selena takes all this as joke but then, bad things start to happen. Alison, Selena's understudy is injured after a cabinet is thrown on her. Selena also gets a dead mouse in front of her house with another note from The Sun, a speeding car nearly kills her. Then, someone else is murdered. Selena knows the Sun is responsible but who is the Sun? Could it be Danny Morris, that guy who Selena just broke up with or could it be Eddy, the new guy in town? Or is it someone else?
   
   This book was a pageturner. In two hours, I was finished with this book. I was really surprised when Selena found out who the killer was. The book provided a good murder scene and the killer was also smart.



4. This was a great book. Yet... some stuff I expected [i knew who it was all along] that just may be because i'v read sooo many of his books. I highly recomened his seres 'The babysitter' one of his best.Hit and Run



5. The "Secret Admirer" has got to be one of the spine-chilling horror I have ever read. The story goes on when Selena is receiving presents from a stalker who is obessed with her. In the end she found out is the stalker and she never thought it was someone close to her.

5 comments about Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War (Bram Stoker Award for Young Readers).

1. "Days of Magic, Nights of War" picks up immediately where the first volume left off, which is a good thing for anyone who's followed the series. "Abarat" is an excellent young adult novel; "Days of Magic, Nights of War" manages to be even better: richer in detail, characters, background, and plot--and even more exciting--this novel is rare in that it stands perfectly on its own. You don't have to read the first one to understand the second perfectly.
   "Abarat" follows the adventures of Candy Quackenbush, a seemingly normal teenage girl who is accidentally swept away from her world, into a magical archipelago known as the Abarat, where time is not time at all, but a place, or rather, places: each island inhabits one of the hours on the clock. For instance, there is Gorgossium, which stands at the hour of midnight; the Nonce, which is three in the afternoon; and Scoriae, which stands at seven in the evening. The first novel chronicles her initial discovery of the Abarat; her first encounter with her best friend, Malingo; her fight against Christopher Carrion, the Lord of Gorgossium, whose dearest ambition is to vanquish all the magic and goodness in the Abarat--already flagging severely--and replace everything with a permanent midnight, over which he will rule supreme.
   All of this is established in the first novel, yet it is woven seamlessly through this second one. In the second one, Christopher Carrion, intrigued by Candy and hating her for it, sends assassins after her, tracks her, and in the end pursues her himself--all the while preparing for the day of Absolute Midnight.
   Candy, meanwhile, is discovering that she is NOT an ordinary girl; for one thing, she is a powerful incantatrix (spell-sayer) and, oddly, remembers things from the Abarat, things she has never even seen. While running from Carrion, she darts all over the islands, dodging the Lord of midnight while trying to save the Abarat, and unraveling the mystery of just who she is. If she and her companions are to save the Abarat from Christopher Carrion, she must know who she is, for she is irrevocably tied to the Abarat's fate.
   The second installment of Barker's saga is beautifully written and imagined. It's not flawless--Barker's writing can drag a little--but it's still beautiful, from style to character to plot and all in between and beyond. Personally, I was disappointed on this score: in the first volume, Barker sets the stage for SOMETHING between Candy and young, slightly sinister entrepeneurial genius Rojo Pixler, but there is no mention of him in this novel. Pixler, even if he's not precisely evil, is dangerous. Carrion wants to plunge the Abarat into absolute midnight; Pixler may not want destruction, but he wants to destroy the heart of the Abarat just the same by plumbing all of its magic and mysteries and putting them up for sale--for his own benefit. Even in their clash or confrontation or whatever it is didn't happen in this book, to exlcude even a mention of him when he's obviously important is a literary misstep.
   However, that's a relatively minor complaint--in fact, that and the very occasional flatness of Barker's generally incredible writing are the only complaints, certainly nothing that would have kept me from buying the book if I'd known. I'd reccommend it to any fantasy fan, and most people in general. But beware: this book has creepy imagery, both in the form of Barker's drawings, and in the descriptions and actions of characters. The horror of the stitchlings and the sacbrood, and definitely the sadism of Mater Motley, Christophert Carrion, and even Admiral Bloat are above most younger readers. Even Letheo's physical and psychological suffering at the hands of Christopher Carrion are causes for pause, if not censorship. Anyone 12 and older can handle this book without a problem. Most 9-11 year olds will be able to as well, and even younger readers capable of this material should be all right in most cases. Still--just in case, if you have any doubts--review it, because even though it's amazing, it's amazing at least in part because of the contrast between goodness and horror.
   All in all, this novel was excellent, and I do reccommend it.



2. 
   Great book - great service from Amazon. Wish Clive Barker would write another in the series!



3. Candy Quackenbush, Christopher Carrion, Wolfswinkel, Mater Motley, Malingo, John Mischief and his brothers, and other characters from the first book of Abarat, together with Finnegan Hob, Geneva Peachtree, and other new characters bring Abarat, the islands of the twenty five hours to life.
   
   Clive Barker has created a rich, vibrant world just across the sea of Izabella from our own. A day away, or unreachable, Abarat of infinite possibility and variety is in the middle of a war between Night and Day, and Candy Quackenbush is so close to the center of the fight that she can't see the scope of it. The old characters are developed far beyond expectations set in the first book, and the new ones compliment the old characters while raising questions and introducing new depths to this story and world.
   
   Powerful imagery, quick paced story, and characters who draw you into their world work together to make this book a brilliant achievement from a master of literature. What makes this especially remarkable is that this is the second book of what has been pitched as a trilogy. Normally, the 'middle' books are not up to the standard of the first or last. "Days of Magic, Nights of War" escapes this sterotype, and only fans the flames of desire for the conclusion.
   
   The sequel can't come soon enough.
   
   E.M. Van Court



4. Well, you have to have read the first one to really sink your teeth in this one. Oh, were do I start. The story is fabulous and builds so much on what was gleaned in the first book. There's lots of intrigue and little subplots. Ooh, this book just packs a wallop of a story. The pictures are amazing and just draw you into the world of Abarat. You've just got to read this book to believe it. Warning the ending will have to begging Clive Barker to produce the third. Highly, recommended!!!!



5. The two books of Abarat are fun to escape into. The names and situations are goofy at times, but still make you want to read on to finish the story. This has lead me to read more of Clive Barker. The Great Secret Show and Coldheart Canyon, I am in the middle of Weaveworld. I have found no matter the earlier his works or the newer attempts are equally entertaining. There is some shock value, but is that not the reason for delving into this genre of books. Praise to such talent.

5 comments about Everworld #11: Mystify The Magician.

1. (WARNING, MAJOR SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW)
   
   I began reading this series a long time ago. I first discovered it upon reading a wikipedia article about it, giving me an idea of the plot, the setting, the characters, etc. I read all the books, "Search for Senna", through "Understand the Unknown." I had my expectations for this series before I read it, and they were not met. Everything was a mediocre, watered down, mindless illusion of what this story could have been in more capable hands.
   
   It's funny. After ten books of disappointments, shaky characterization, terrible motivations, and hopelessly condensed story, I still hoped, envisioned, believed in some naive part of my mind that this book would be at least okay, would still be a complete adventure. Maybe I was still hoping, in vain, that the series would somehow get better.
   
   But I wasn't prepared for this. I hereby declare, "Mystify the Magician" to be the greatest literary disappointment I have ever read in my entire life. This book is the epitome of facepalms, the grand high paragon of wallbangers, the living spirit of bad storytelling, the very definition of literary failure, the condensed quintessential essence of disappointment, the very heart and soul of wasted potential. This book came frightfully close to sucking the will to live right out of me.
   
   I know that I've dissed some pretty bad books, but nothing like this. Mystify the Magician makes Stephenie Meyer, Robin Hobb, and Terry Goodkind at his worst look like Tolkien. I could--not--believe how bad it was. I was in numb shock. Numb shock!
   
   Characterization takes a nose-dive from the start. Senna, previously a visionary, ambiguous, self-motivated, cunning, compelling, tragic, and deeply human character abruptly transforms into a two-dimensional, mustache-twirling James Bond villain hellbent on being as comically evil as possible, effectively switching gears from True Neutral to Chaotic Evil. Then she dies at the end.
   
   Wait, what?
   
   Seriously K.A. Applegate, what gives? Did you have this book ghostwritten(again) by someone who didn't know a thing about storytelling and crafting? Or did you just want to take the easy way out? Seriously, this reads like a piece of bad fanfiction written by someone with only a shaky understanding of the character involved.
   
   All the deep, expansive, and thoughtful character development and motivation that Senna received two books ago in "Inside the Illusion" is thrown out the window. Applegate took her most complex, most human character and turned her into a joke.
   
   If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know that Senna Wales is my favorite character, and I'm not just bummed about my pony dying. The sad thing is that I didn't feel any sense of accomplishment, or sorrow, or fulfillment, or anything over this death. Just hollow disappointment, like I just watched someone burn a fistful of $100 bills just for the lolz.
   
   I already knew that Senna was going to die. I knew it from the first time I read the wikipedia article about the series. I knew it before I even became attached to the character. I knew it going into this book. I had already had the image of how it was going to happen built up in my head, but I didn't get any sense of a spectacular finish or a harmonic tragedy coming to an end. Couldn't Senna at least have been allowed to go out with a little grace? When a book manages to disappoint and depress you even when you already expected the worst and fully knew you were going to be disappointed to some degree, you know things are bad.
   
   The rest of the book fails largely on account of the same problem that plagued the first ten books, only worse than ever. There is dismal worldbuilding, any possibility of exploring Eire tossed away in favor of a hastily scrapped together plot that consisted almost entirely of the Sennites rampaging through Everworld and the four primary characters scampering around trying to stop them. The only positive thing I can say about this book is that it is exciting.
   
   This is the culmination of the failing of the Everworld series. I was disappointed with it the moment I read the very first chapter of the very first book, and it is almost fitting that it ends that way as well, with a climax of epic disappointment. I'll read the last one, though I don't have much hope of Senna returning to life or her death being revealed as a fluke. Just one more book and this trainwreck will at last be over.



2. This is book 11 in the Everworld series. I think I like this one the best so far. They've all been great though. This one starts out with Christopher in the mouth of a giant. He is able to escape with much struggle and is helped by a half elf/half human lady named Etain. They are taken to her town which is much like Ireland. Here they find that they have discovered primal forms of technology. Like electricity, cable cars, telegraphs, etc. Christopher soon falls in love with Etain. Everything crumbles when the giant (who is actually there to protect their island) is killed by a gun and Senna evades them. She brings many of her followers from the real world to Everworld armed with weapons and soon the war begins. Want to know how it ends... you have to read the book!



3. Ever world
   
   Ever world is by K.A. Applegate it is a exciting fanasty book that I recommend to kids 13 and up. It's a really good book with a lot of killing and gory in some parts in the book. The story opens when they are trapped inside ever world and they are trying to find there way out by finding where they have started from when they got there after they got sucked in Etain met a woman David and his friends are trying to get help from her they walk in this valley and they saw a dog so they ran and the dog is trying to attacked them and the woman falls off a cliff and breaks every bone in her body after that the soldiers are trying to kill them and Etain grabs the gun trying to kill the solider.
   
   My first character is Etain because he's tall,strong and skinny he is a magician and he has long hair. His personality traits are protective and by saving his friends by shooting a soilder his behavior is sometimes mean and a really good friend.My other character is David his feelings are a good friend and very strong his description is short,skinny and he has long hair his personality traits are he is a really good friend and his behavior is mean most of the time.
   
   
   I recommend this book as a really exciting book.
   
   Would they escape ever world?



4. this book is about some kids how get traped in a fantiy world. the main carter is christopher. this book is where some kids that think ther home but not and a magisen named mrlin is trying to cacht them. then chistopher falls in love whit a which and dos not want to leav her. and the climax is the where mrlin kills a gint.i like this book a lot.



5. I may have read this book...almost 3 years ago but i was looking through Amazon and I saw this book and I never put my own review for it any where...then i remembered how awsome this one was...it was like a wacky twist after another!

   AWSOME
   didnt like Sennas death though...but oh well

5 comments about Picture Perfect.

1. Many Ian Slaters live within his young body. There's School Ian, who tries to please his principal father and the teachers though he knows he isn't well liked. There's Home Ian, who works hard to please his exacting father and suffers in silence when he does not. There's even an Ian for the times he spends with Teddy Camden, his best friend. Ian doesn't acknowledge 'Luke' who keeps him together through the toughest times.
   
   And those tough times are what this book's about. Teddy's missing and everyone suspects Ian. Daytime, his classmates' accusing eyes follow Ian around. Nights, he dreams of Teddy being alive and needing help while he's locked in the closet.
   
   Ian desperately wants to find Teddy so he can be a hero and please his father. As time wears on, the images of his dreams become more real and the danger to him is much greater. Will he be able to resolve his issues in time to help his friend?
   
   "Picture Perfect" is a very well done young adult novel suitable for grades 9 to 12. I'd probably recommend this to better readers as even I found the appearance of 'Luke' at first confusing.
   
   The author wrote very realistically about child abuse and the dissociation that happens when a child is traumatized as Ian was. This book could very well be an excellent resource for abuse counselors as well as teachers and librarians hoping to reach young audiences.



2. Genre: Fiction Mystery
   
   Short Summary: This story is about two kids that go to get some pictures of some trees out in the forest. The two friends Ian and Teddy were going to meet at the forest his friend didnt showed up he got lost.
   
   What I Liked most about the book: Its kind of like suspense that a kid got lost.
   
   Favorite Character: Ian is favorite character because his kind of smart.
   
   A line on the book that means something to me: A new Idea explodes like a flash going of in my brain. Page # 56
   
   What I Would say about this book to someone else: I would say that it was kind of boring because the author wrote something that didnt make sence like voices in the woods.
   
   One question I have after reading this book: Why was there voices on woods that ian heard.
   
   My strongest reason for recommending this book: You should read it if you like fiction with a little of suspence and mystery.



3. Picture Perfect
   
   Elaine Marie Alphin
   
   4 out of 5
   
   Ian Slater's best friend Teddy is gone. One minute Teddy was there and the next he was gone. Now that nobody knows what happened to Teddy; the people in the small town of Sawville start wondering if Ian is as good a guy as he seems. Ian doesn't know what happened to Teddy either but he is determined to find out. On the path to find his friend he finds out more about his father, his other friends, Teddy, some of the residents of Sawville, and even himself.
   
   I very much enjoyed this book. It was mysterious, realistic, and quite a page turner. The ending wasn't what I had expected and I was shocked to find out what happened to Teddy.
   
   If you are the kind of person who likes stories of other people`s realistic problems and like to read mystery book than this is a book for you.



4. Teddy Camden and Ian Slater are best friends. One day Teddy doesn't come home and no one knows where hre is. Ian thinks Teddy left him a message but doesn't know who to tell, or who to trust because it seems like everyone he trusts is dissappearing. Teddy needs Ian to find him, but Ian doesn't know where to look. Also they think that Ian had something to do with Teddy dissappearing. I liked this book because it left you wondering so you had to read more. The thing I didn't like was that some of it was confusing.



5. This book kept me reading from beginning to end. I loved every minute of it! The mysteries kept from best friends keeps going on and on. Ian's abusive father, Teddy's obssession with finding his father, there are even some things that they don't know about themselves! A great story of determination fear and friendships. I read this for a school book report and I'm glad I came across it. For those of you who have finished this wonderful novel, it kind of makes you think of what's going on in your own head, huh? :-D!

5 comments about Parasite Eve.

1. The book, Parasite Eve, pulled me in immediately and I read with wide-eyed upsetness. The story begins with a car crash. The lovely Kiyomi appears to be dead. How will her loving husband cope? How will this biologist possibly keep at least a part of her alive?
   
   Yes, this is pretty icky in spots, and it has the pacing that is usual in translations of Japanese novels. That is, it appears slightly off to the western reader. But, guess what? Some of us find that very appealing in a thriller.
   
   I found the idea of mutant mitochondria excellent (always thought that would be a good idea, and there are several other science fiction writers that have tackled that possibility very well). The writing was strong enough to make my heart break for the husband, Toshiaki Nagashima, and for Kiyomi's parents.
   
   I didn't expect the end of this book to play out as it did, and that is always a plus for me, too. The writer kept me engaged and surprised clear to the end.



2. The premise of this story is that mitochondria -- tiny, bacteria-like organisms that live inside human cells (in real life) -- have evolved to become a sentient entity that wants not just to parasitize humanity but to annihilate it completely. While this is a decent-enough back story for the series of videogames it spawned, however, it's a fairly goofy premise for a novel.
   
   Other reviewers have remarked that there's a lot of science jargon in this book, and that's true -- but it's completely pointless jargon. The author rattles off all sorts of facts about mitochondria and cell biology, but it's really nothing more than a smokescreen. The events of this novel defy not only the facts of cellular biology but the laws of physics themselves.
   
   Some will say, "So what? It's just a story." In the movie Iron Man, we saw a man fly for long distances in a suit of armor that not only violated the principles of aerodynamics but lacked any visible source of fuel for its rockets, and we loved it. But that's just my point -- Iron Man didn't see a need to offer us a ten-minute discourse on solid-fuel rocket engineering to cover up its obvious lapses in believability. It was telling a fun story and that was that.
   
   Parasite Eve, on the other hand, seems to want to try to justify its ridiculous plot with pages of dense descriptions of biology labs and processes. If you have even a glimmer of knowledge of these subjects, however, you'll immediately recognize that what is being described does absolutely nothing to justify what happens next; it's just a bunch of words. As W.C. Fields once said, "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull."
   
   Take away all the scientific mumbo-jumbo and the rest of the novel reads like a comic book, or a B-grade horror movie. In fact, the author describes much of the action in ways that recall the most cliched devices of horror moviemaking -- you can almost visualize what the special effect would look like, at what point the camera will cut to a character's reaction shot, and what the character's next line of dialogue should be.
   
   Be aware that there are a few fairly graphic episodes involving penises, vaginas, melting human flesh, and various other nastiness. If you're looking for a horror novel, none of that should really shock you. If you're looking for something intelligent, on the other hand, look elsewhere. This is a completely banal, forgettable horror book with a thin plot, cardboard characters, and an icky monster. And it's not even particularly good at that. Recommended mainly for hardcore fans of J-horror or the eponymous videogames; others will probably be disappointed.



3. I was a bit surprised when I read this book as I watched the movie and played the games years before I got the chance to jump into this novel.
   
   The story is slightly slow in the beginning but once the pace is quicken there is no going back.



4. The writing method is good. The story has a lot of hospital related words. For me, the story is not so good. It's a little terrifying, but I think the story lacks on that emotion that makes the reader hooked in it.



5. Most of the action in this book takes place over the last few chapters. Sena spends a very long time explaining quite a bit of biology so at times it reads almost like a textbook or maybe lecture notes. Stick with it though because it gets very interesting once the plot starts moving.

5 comments about Inside the Illusion (EverWorld, Book 9).

1. This is, hands down, the best book in the entire Everworld series, my absolute favorite of them all. Put quite simply, this book is awesome overload.
   
   I was very excited to read this book, chiefly because it was narrated by none other than Senna Wales, my favorite character in the entire cast by a thousand light years. I was not disappointed. This book exceeded my hopes.
   
   Everworld is still not a perfect series, and this book doesn't quite bring it up to five star levels, but it is unquestionable that it improves on all the previous books by a wide margin in just about every possible way.
   
   Senna narrates as the group continues on their journey, and at intervals along the way, she remembers things from her past. We finally see Senna's origins, how she ended up with the family of April, the half-sister who hated her, what her parents' names were, how she feels about the rest of the group, what her plans are, how her powers work, and loads of other good stuff.
   
   For someone who has been begging, praying, hoping for deeper character introspection and history since I first read, "Search for Senna" this was a treasure chest of stark, glittering awesomeness. Senna's childhood stories were simultaneously interesting, inquisitive, hilarious, thoughtful, sorrowful, and loaded with character development. Senna's calculating and intelligent personality was a much needed relief from David's idealistic hero fantasies, Christopher's acidic and prejudiced "wit", April's self-righteous spiels, and Jalil's hardcore skepticism.
   
   I'd been fascinated with Senna since I first heard about this series. I was greatly looking forward to reading this book. I had expected Senna to be a ten. What I got was an eleven. She had the most fascinating character, the most history and development, the most unique voice, the best personality, and quite frankly, she dominated this book. She was the center of my attention back when her personality was mostly in the dark. Now that her psyche is actually explored, she makes the rest of the cast look like cardboard cut-outs.
   
   Senna Wales has to be one of the most cunning characters I've ever read about; she's the kind of magnificent, scheming chessmaster who ranks right up there with Petyr Baelish, David Xanatos, and others of their ilk. Her manipulations ran deeper than even I thought, her mastery and exploitation of human nature almost unbelievable, her cleverness and ability to adapt off the charts. She is called the witch who binds the other characters together for darn good reason!
   
   At the same time, I felt a very strong sympathy for her, almost sorrow. Her life story was very sad, very lonely, very cold. It was one of the most effective examples of a sympathetic villain/anti-heroine I've seen for a long while in fiction. After this book, I can say for sure that Senna Wales has secured a place as one of my all-time favorite characters in literature.
   
   The next best part about this book has to be the climax. "Inside the Illusion" had undoubtedly the best finish of any Everworld book. Far from an anticlimax or a hastily scrapped together series of events, the finish here was absolutely amazing. Merlin showed up again, and the ensuing confrontation was a genius blend of Merlin's power and prestige, Senna's guile and improvisation, an absolutely epic battle, and the rage of gods and the unleashing of modern weapons thrown in for good measure. I kind of wish there could have been a little more falling action and closure, but it was still much, much better than any previous Everworld climax.
   
   The best scenes, besides the climax, have to be the mind games Senna plays on Jalil and April with her magic. She has a malicious sense of revenge and humor, mixed with a great understanding of the human psyche. These scenes were wonderful and terrible and believable and awesome all at once.
   
   When I was reading this over, I noticed something. The first word in this book is "I" and the last word is "me." It's narrated from Senna's first person perspective. Someone has a bit of an ego, yes indeed.
   
   Inside the Illusion is an absolutely marvelous book, a masterpiece by Everworld standards, and still very good even by those of the literature I normally read. If you can make it through the generally mediocre and poorly realized saga with occasion gems that is Everworld to get this far, you will not be disappointed. This read was powerfully inspiring and provided priceless insight into the mind of one of my favorite characters of all time. This is the one that makes the whole journey, all the disappointments and sorrow over what might have been and drug-like addictions, all worth it.



2. This book is a bit different because it comes from Senna. I've been wondering why she is the way she is and this book helps explain it. I never really liked Senna and even with this book I still don't but I do feel a bit sorry for her. Here we meet the god of the alligators and travel on into Egypt to find Senna's mother. We find that she isn't much different than Senna herself. We also find out some of the plans Senna has in store including what she is rallying over in the real world. Her own mother even goes behind her back and lets Merlin know where Senna is. Is this a good thing or bad? Is Merlin able to catch Senna?



3. I agree with some thoughts already posted. The books have always overdone each other, which makes the series so good. But it also gets a bit tedious, as mentioned in another post. But overall, the series is the best I've ever read...

   This book, gets in deep detail with Senna, whom I have always wanted to read about. You really get to know her more, and your opinions about her will most likely change. You get to see her past and how she developed into what she is now. If you've read the previous books, read this one: It answers most of the questions you have about the series!




4. I have read the entire series and it is just the best thing ever! I mean it. I just finished the last book and it is just sooooo good of an ending I wish I could just read it over and over. If you enjoy mythology stuff and fantasy you will love these books!



5. Now this was a book I didn't want to put down! If you've read all or even some of the previous ones, this book is must. Finally, some of the mysteries of Everworld begin to unravel, as Senna finally explains her place in everthing...and everyone else's. As the five kids make their way into Egypt, hoping to find Senna's mother, instead they're captured by a large group of Amazons who have conquered the land... I won't say anything else to avoid spoiling the story, buy truly, this one is the best so far. Senna isn't a character I expected to hear from, but somehow, getting inside her twisted head for the first time, it was hard not to identify with her, and sympathize with her at least a bit. Prior to this book, I despised Senna, but now she just might be my favorite. Also, the Amazons as well were simply above cool! Nothing like some good strong females to make a story more exciting. Anyway, this book was great, and I recommend it to anyone who's been following the series. These books don't stand well on their own, and you'd be hopelessly lost otherwise.

5 comments about The Midnight Club.

1. This book is awful. The story description isn't even what the book is about - there's virtually no part of the plot that involves the death pact. It's a touching story as far as the kids being in a hospice, but overall the story didn't make much sense and was kind of silly.



2. In a hospice for the terminally ill, five teenagers, who meet every night to tell each other scary stories, make a pact that the first of them to die must try to contact the others from beyond the grave.



3. I did not get this book at all. I found it rather self-indulgent of wannabe writers; maybe I am just too old and cynical to appreciate youthful passion. To be fair, it was an interesting concept, setting the characters in a hospice, and I'm sure Mr. Pike could have done a fine job expressing more feelings of sorrow at the brevity of life instead of lingering on the exciting-but-forgetful stories.



4. The back cover blurb of this book is actually pretty misleading. It says that this book is about a group of terminally ill teenagers who make a pact that the first of them to die will attempt to contact the others from beyond the grave. Based on this, and the fact that Pike is an established horror author, I assumed that this would be a book about homicidal ghosts or something equally lurid. However, this is definitely not the case. For a start, no one actually dies until page 140 (of 211) and even then they don't make beyond the grave contact until after page 200. This is definitely not a horror novel. What "The Midnight Club" is really about is teenagers trying to deal with their own mortality. Every night at midnight the aforementioned teens meet to tell each other stories and it is through these stories that the characters cope with their illness and with death.
   
   I am a big fan of Christopher Pike and have read almost 30 of his books. The main reason why I like them is because he doesn't talk down to his readers. Although his books are generally about teenagers (and presumably targeted at them), he speaks to them as though they are intelligent adults and I think that is why he is so successful. He is also a very good writer. This book, however, is not one of my favourites. A number of Pike's books feature subplots about past lives and alternative religions and after reading a couple of books with those sorts of plots, I already know all of Pike's ideas on the topic and I'm just not interested anymore. This is one such book. In my opinion, Pike is at his best when he is writing crime stories without supernatural elements. Although I thought many of the stories told by the characters in this book were good, I still think that he has written many better books than this one.



5. This book has been noted as being one of Pike's best, but I have to disagree. First of all, the back synopsis is completely misleading on what the story is actually about. Yes, there are 5 kids in a hospice who meet every night at Midnight to tell stories. Yes, they agree that when the first one dies they are to try and make contact. Thats about it. It also says that when the first person dies thats when their stories really begin and thats also true - however the first character doesn't die until 2/3 of the way into the book.
   
   The book is mainly about how your past lives tie in with your current life and also your next life. Its based around the stories that each character tells at their midnight meetings - most of these stories wouldn't fall into the horror category either, save a few tales. It was an ok story, just not what the publisher leads you to believe.
   
   Other issues I had were the long chapters. It made the book drag a bit for me, having all of the characters stories from their midnight meetings in one big chapter. You start to forget who told which story and what it was about by then end of the book.
   
   All in all, if you're interested in a story about past lives or meeting people from your past you should give this a read. Don't go into this thinking that its a thriller though!

5 comments about Everworld #04: Realm Of The Reaper.

1. Another fairly mediocre book in a fairly mediocre series. This book is okay, but not great.
   
   Story is a bit weaker in this novel than in the others. All the books have an unpleasantly cramped feel, but this one feels more than anything like a minor sidequest, a brief fall into hell(literally, almost) along the way to a greater objective.
   
   The ending was okay, nothing spectacular, nothing special, just "meh." Thankfully, Senna showed up towards the end and adds some much needed complexity by revealing a few of her characteristically intriguing motives and goals. Her personality, sketchier than the other characters' at the start, is coming together like the pieces of a puzzle.
   
   Unfortunately, I can't really say the same for the rest of the cast. I find them to be gradually becoming more and more annoying and less and less sympathetic the further I read into these books. In fact, if every character except Senna died, I probably wouldn't really be very moved. The only marginally okay one was the hopelessly naive and idealistic "hero" David Levin, who seems to be becoming more passive as the books go on. The other four seem to be endlessly taunting and kicking him around(except for Senna, who is opting for turning him into her personal dog instead). He, at least, elicits some sympathy from me. The other three can go die extremely painful deaths and I won't care. Jackasses.
   
   That's not to say they aren't well written. In fact, probably one of the better parts of the series is the unflinching honesty and realism. However, that does little to comfort me when the majority of the main characters have annoyed me to the point where I'm hoping for their deaths.
   
   The Everworld series is not particularly remarkable, which is kind of why it is a mostly obscure series. There's some good characterization and dialog, but all in all there's only one character in the book that makes it anywhere near remarkable, and I think you know who I'm talking about. The biggest plus here is that it introduced me to a very intriguing character. If Senna wasn't in this series, I don't think I'd still be reading it.
   
   Best scene: Senna completely fooling the four and using their own paranoia of Everworld against them when April tries to use her as a guinea pig. Way to turn the tables.



2. This is the fourth part of the Everworld saga. This time Jalil, the smart one of the group, is the narrator of the story. After their battle with Loki, They leave Galahad's land and start moving. They run into this wierd town. Jalil, along with David, the heroic one, Christopher, the comedian of the group, and April, the only girl with them at the moment, are actualy captured by some of the guards from the town. So as they walk in they notice something very odd about the people there. They realize that it is mostly guys. There are barely any women around. Not only are there mostly guys in this place, they are all small in size. But that doesnt mean they are small in strength. They look very tough and could easily take down Jalil and the rest of them. They all wonder why. But later that night they realize why they are tough. Hel, a half-dead, half-living woman, as well as Loki's daughter, takes some of the men and brings them to her lair. And it jsut so happnes she chooses Jalil, Christopher, and David. They try to run away but she has migcal powers and seems irresistable and they can't manage to even leave. So they follow her to her lair. How will they manage to escape this half-dead magical woman. they call Hel. You have to remember that Hel's magic only affects men. Their jsut so happnes to be a woman in Jalil's gang.



3. I would have to say that so far, this is my favorite book out of the Everworld series (I still have 8 more to go). April, Jalil, David and Christopher have escaped Loki only to be in a never ending forest with not much to eat or drink. They finally come to what looks like a town and the smell of baking bread drives them closer to it. They find that it is more a prison than a town. Mostly everyone in town in male and terrified of "she". Who is this she and why is everyone so scared of her?



4. A Review by Jonathan

   The group Jalil, April, David, and Christopher are still searching for the witch Senna. They stumble upon a village of men. The need for food and rest drove them to an inn. They cannot leave this village unless a dredded "She" of which people speak, lets them. They learn of Loki's daughter Hel, and that she plans to torture them for the end of eternity. If they can't escape her clutches, they will certainly die.

   I liked the feel of the environment of this book. It envelopes and immerses the reader. It creates an atmosphere that helps the reader along. It also creates a sense of emotion such as fear. Another point of liking is that it is very easy to get into. The book has a clean, crisp plot that is easily readable, yet enjoyable. One more point of interest is the problems that the characters face. This adds to the intensity of the book. I like the fact that most of their problems are god related. This makes it interesting because they also have to survive. They don't know what will happen to them in the real world if they die in Everworld. Sometimes the concept of their consciousness traveling between universes can be confusing, but I get it. This is a semi- easy book.

   I recommend this book to people that take a liking to thrills and adventure. Also, there is a lot of action in this book. I think this book is excellent, I think the same about the entire series. This is a semi-easy book to read.




5. I loved this book because of its extreme intesity. It made you excited and anxious to see what happens next. It is unpredictable and builds up tension while you read. I would reccomend this book for anyone between the ages of 12-and up.

5 comments about The New Year's Party (Fear Street Super Chillers, No. 9).

1. Reenie and her friends constantly play tricks on one another, trying to scare each other. At Reenie's Christmas party the gang play a trick on P. J., the silent new kid. He dies, and then his body disappears. Then one of them is killed. Who is the murderer?
   
   Overall, a good Stine book, with likable yet realistic characters and a good story line.
   
   The only bad part about this story is that it's kind of obvious. Despite that I had to read on to see how it turned out and I liked the story, so I'd still recommend it.



2. I Love Horror and Suspense Novels. I can honestly say that one of my favorite series is R.L Stine's Fear Street books. With R.L Stine you are never disappointed. "The New Year's Party" is one of the best in the Series!



3. One of R.L. Stine's best!!! The story completely messes with your head and is full of twists and turns! I honestly can't name one flaw.
   
   Of course I would recommend it! I finished this book in approximately 2 days.



4. Why does everyone like this book? Just because what happened in 1965 and the present was related? What I was looking for in this book were the chase scenes and the suspicion of the characters. The supernatural part was overacting for me. The part could never happen.



5. I didn't find the book suspenseful. Actually, when I read it, it wasn't what I had expected. The ending was unrealistic. Human beings that become ghosts and suddenly vanish? Come on, that's not a typical Fear Street ending.

5 comments about Gallows Hill (Laurel-Leaf Books).

1. While I agree that this is an excellent story, the kindle version of this book is so full of misspelled words that it makes it very difficult to read. Every page has misspelled words. I bought this for my niece to enjoy (and introduce her to Kindle) but had to keep helping her figure out what each of the misspelled words were suppose to be. In many places throughout the story, the word "die" is used where "the" is suppose to be. I also bought her the other Lois Duncan book, I hope that it is better. I'm afraid that this was a poor choice for an introduction to Kindle for her.



2. A very good book. But remember, this book will only make sense to you if you have read some books on witchcraft, such as The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I highly recommend that you should read The Crucible before reading this book.



3. I requested this book, not realizing it was a young adult book. I am 25 , so I typically dont read young adult books, but I went ahead with this one. I have to say I really enjoyed it, and even had a hard time putting it down. I give it 5 stars, for being well written and interesting.



4. This is one of my absolute favorites by Duncan. I read it in high school and was hooked to every word. Goodness, but why can't horror writers for teens write like this anymore?! It is an absolutey fascinating story that is the perfect guilty pleasure or companion for a stormy night. It was everything a good story needs: a bit of Salem Witch Trial history, romance, teen angst, and Duncan's brilliant way of bringing out everyone's psychological moves without dragging down the story. The sheer supernatural flavor of the dreams was a brilliant touch, and Duncan once again combines nervous, self-conscious teenagers with brooding horror.



5. This is probably the most supsensful book I have ever read, I was always "interested" in what happened with the Salem Witch Trials but never really got around to reading anything about it. This book got me started!! I finished it within two days and decided that for my history project (it was 5 months away) I was going to do it on The Salem Witch Trials. Those five months I researched all about them till I almost knew it by heart. I will soon be reading other books involving the Salem Witch Trials : A Break with Charity by Ann Rinaldi and The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble. I cannot wait to start reading Lois Duncan's other suspense novels!! Please read this!! Trust me it WON't waist your time.