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Thirteens #1
Thirteens
A sleepy town with a dark secret--and the three kids brave enough to uncover it.
Twelve-year-old Eleanor has just moved to Eden Eld to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother was killed in a fire. Her birthday, which falls on Halloween, is just around the corner, and she hopes that this year will be a fresh start at a new life. But then one morning, an ancient grandfather clock counting down thirteen hours appears outside of her bedroom. And then she spots a large black dog with glowing red eyes prowling the grounds of her school. A book of fairytales she's never heard of almost willingly drops in front of her, as if asking to be read. Something is wrong in the town of Eden Eld.
Eleanor and her new classmates, Pip and Otto, are the only ones who see these "wrong things," and they also all happen to share a Halloween birthday. Bonded by these odd similarities, the trio uncovers a centuries-old pact the town has with a mysterious figure known as Mr. January: every thirteen years, three thirteen-year-olds disappear, sacrificed in exchange for the town's unending good fortune. This Halloween, Mr. January is back to collect his payment and Eleanor, Pip, and Otto are to be his next offering...unless they can break the curse before the clock strikes thirteen.
Twelve-year-old Eleanor has just moved to Eden Eld to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother was killed in a fire. Her birthday, which falls on Halloween, is just around the corner, and she hopes that this year will be a fresh start at a new life. But then one morning, an ancient grandfather clock counting down thirteen hours appears outside of her bedroom. And then she spots a large black dog with glowing red eyes prowling the grounds of her school. A book of fairytales she's never heard of almost willingly drops in front of her, as if asking to be read. Something is wrong in the town of Eden Eld.
Eleanor and her new classmates, Pip and Otto, are the only ones who see these "wrong things," and they also all happen to share a Halloween birthday. Bonded by these odd similarities, the trio uncovers a centuries-old pact the town has with a mysterious figure known as Mr. January: every thirteen years, three thirteen-year-olds disappear, sacrificed in exchange for the town's unending good fortune. This Halloween, Mr. January is back to collect his payment and Eleanor, Pip, and Otto are to be his next offering...unless they can break the curse before the clock strikes thirteen.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2020
About the author
Kate Alice Marshall
15 books3,613 followersKate Alice Marshall is the author of thrillers and horror for all ages. Her YA and Middle grade books include I AM STILL ALIVE, RULES FOR VANISHING, and THIRTEENS. Her adult thrillers include WHAT LIES IN THE WOODS and NO ONE CAN KNOW.
She lives outside of Seattle with her husband, two dogs named Vonnegut and Octavia, and two kids. They all conspire to keep her on her toes.
She lives outside of Seattle with her husband, two dogs named Vonnegut and Octavia, and two kids. They all conspire to keep her on her toes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
October 21, 2020
There are things in the world that shouldn’t be, she would say. Things out of place. Little pieces of other worlds that slipped in, like a piece of gravel in your shoe. Some of them are kind, but most of them are dangerous. Be careful, Elle, and stay away from Eden Eld.
This book has cemented Kate Alice Marshall as one of my favourite authors.
It wasn’t perfect (a smidge chaotic just like Rules for Vanishing ) but DAMN was this entertaining and utterly engaging—I didn’t want to set The Thirteens down. I was so invested in the lore of Eleanor, Pip, and Otto’s world: a world that just so happens to overlap with the macabre of Rules for Vanishing, which I also very much enjoyed. The monsters are unconventional and the prose is trademark Kate Alice Marshall vivid; neither fall into cliché. Another thing she does so well is write friendships—the fierce loyalty, the imperfect nuances, the strength and love.
Not to mention, all the RFV easter eggs were *chef’s kiss* Easter eggs are my favourite things EVER, and this book really rewarded readers who’ve read the earlier (companion-ish) novel.
Marshall is just so good at getting under my skin! Kudos to you, ma’am!
November 21, 2020
eleanor, otto and pip beat any stranger things' character.
April 20, 2024
I've loved everything else I've read by KAM, but something about this series just didn't click with me! Maybe it's a mood issue, so I might try these again some time, but I couldn't get invested in the story or characters at all. :(
February 11, 2021
I'm officially a big fan of Kate Alice Marshall! This is lowkey super creepy for a children's book and I loved that.
Thank you Jenny for the recommendation, I would've never found her without you! Can't wait to read her next books ;)
Thank you Jenny for the recommendation, I would've never found her without you! Can't wait to read her next books ;)
February 15, 2022
3.5 stars
June 5, 2020
I could not put this book down! Pitched as Coraline meets Stranger Things, this book has the perfect amount of creepiness and suspense to make it a real page turner. It is extremely well written and I loved so many aspects of this book which I will list below.
1. The Characters
- Eleanor, Otto, and Pip are some of my favourite middle-grade characters that I have every read. They are very diverse, come from different backgrounds, and have different strengths which play off of each other nicely. They have to be so resourceful in this book and it somehow the author manages to write them in a way that is relatable to the ability that most 13 year old kids would have.
2. The Parents are Present
- The parents actually exist in this book, which is not something you see in a lot of middle-grade or young adult fiction. Granted some of the parents are evil but hey they are still in the book.
3. The Setting
- The descriptions of Eden Eld were so well done you could picture this place as almost any suburban town you have ever visited in your life. Eleanor's house is the creepy place in town that everyone is fascinated with, complete with spooky orchard out back. Otto's place has a bunch of kids, pets, run down cars, and tree forts galore. Pip lives on campus at the school, which very much invokes the image of brick and ivy. It's all so well thought out that I'm kind of hoping for a map in the finished edition of this book.
4. The Plot
- I loved the plot of this book. How this story unfolded, and how things were explained to you through Eleanor as she learned was perfect. Then as the story unfolded and the kids learned things, you went along for the journey. The pace of this book never felt rushed, or slow. I honestly could sing this books praise for forever.
I am super excited for the next book in this series, and to see where this story goes. I will 100% be picking up a finished copy of this book when it comes out. Highly, highly recommend this book. 5 stars across the board!
1. The Characters
- Eleanor, Otto, and Pip are some of my favourite middle-grade characters that I have every read. They are very diverse, come from different backgrounds, and have different strengths which play off of each other nicely. They have to be so resourceful in this book and it somehow the author manages to write them in a way that is relatable to the ability that most 13 year old kids would have.
2. The Parents are Present
- The parents actually exist in this book, which is not something you see in a lot of middle-grade or young adult fiction. Granted some of the parents are evil but hey they are still in the book.
3. The Setting
- The descriptions of Eden Eld were so well done you could picture this place as almost any suburban town you have ever visited in your life. Eleanor's house is the creepy place in town that everyone is fascinated with, complete with spooky orchard out back. Otto's place has a bunch of kids, pets, run down cars, and tree forts galore. Pip lives on campus at the school, which very much invokes the image of brick and ivy. It's all so well thought out that I'm kind of hoping for a map in the finished edition of this book.
4. The Plot
- I loved the plot of this book. How this story unfolded, and how things were explained to you through Eleanor as she learned was perfect. Then as the story unfolded and the kids learned things, you went along for the journey. The pace of this book never felt rushed, or slow. I honestly could sing this books praise for forever.
I am super excited for the next book in this series, and to see where this story goes. I will 100% be picking up a finished copy of this book when it comes out. Highly, highly recommend this book. 5 stars across the board!
February 2, 2024
➸ Trigger warnings for .
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
October 31, 2020
Das Buch bekommt von mir 3,5 ⭐️
Es ist wirklich eine süße und kurzweilige YA Geschichte für Halloween. Leider konnte sie mich nicht ganz so packen, wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte! Für meinen Geschmack hätte es noch ein bisschen gruseliger sein können 👻 Trotzdem hoffe ich, dass es einen zweiten Teil gibt, da ich unbedingt wissen möchte, wie es weitergeht! 🤭
Es ist wirklich eine süße und kurzweilige YA Geschichte für Halloween. Leider konnte sie mich nicht ganz so packen, wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte! Für meinen Geschmack hätte es noch ein bisschen gruseliger sein können 👻 Trotzdem hoffe ich, dass es einen zweiten Teil gibt, da ich unbedingt wissen möchte, wie es weitergeht! 🤭
October 29, 2023
This was such a fun Halloween book. Eleanor is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in her mom’s hometown, which has a lot of things that are not quite right. She quickly is befriended by Otto and Pip, and all three will turn 13 on Halloween in a few days. Most of the book is the kids solving the mystery of the town (involving riddles and clues) with the last third with them in serious peril on Halloween.
It’s a great blend of creepy and mysterious with good characters. The ending sets it up for sequels, which wasn’t really necessary, but all right.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild violence; some descriptions of scary things that may be disturbing
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
It’s a great blend of creepy and mysterious with good characters. The ending sets it up for sequels, which wasn’t really necessary, but all right.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence/Gore: Mild violence; some descriptions of scary things that may be disturbing
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
April 27, 2021
If I knew any kids into horror (my nephew does NOT like being scared sadly ☹️) I would buy this book for them in a heartbeat, an absolutely perfect introduction to the genre for children. As it is I'm probably gonna but the sequel for myself ASAP because wow what a DELIGHT
June 29, 2023
Honestly loved this! It's a solid middle grade read with strong protagonists, a compelling story, intriguing puzzles (even if, yes, the clues were occasionally a bit on the nose and the characters didn't figure them out as fast as i did). It hooked me from the first chapter and wrapped up with a satisfying conclusion while still making me want to read more ^-^
March 29, 2022
coloque numa mesma história crianças, fantasia e investigação… o que poderia dar errado? NADA! também gostei do toque sombrio
August 22, 2023
CW: kidnapping, child death, emotional abuse/emotional neglect, fire, mental illness
Oh my god this is the cutest scary story I've ever read I love them ALL 😭😭 Can't wait to continue this series!
Oh my god this is the cutest scary story I've ever read I love them ALL 😭😭 Can't wait to continue this series!
March 21, 2021
I read Kate Alice Marshall's Rules for Vanishing last year, and I loved it. I completely missed the release of Thirteens. I know why. It was marketed as mystery and fantasy instead of horror. I get why publishers do that. I don't like it, but I get it. Unfortunately, those of us seeking horror can easily miss books that should be marketed straight to us. Enough of this rant, though. Let's talk about Thirteens!
I adored this book. It's strange, and it has the perfect amount of unsettling that kids would really understand. There are "wrong things" in this world that parents don't really see. Or if they do, their brains make up for it and make them forget.
There's a huge fairy tale aspect to Thirteens. If you dig dark fairy tales, this is definitely one you should put on your radar.
My burning question is is this a series? If this is a series, I'm really excited to pick up the next one. I can't wait to see what happens next. If this isn't a series, then my opinion on the ending will change completely. While there was an ending to Rules for Vanishing, I had no idea what it meant. It was left up to the reader's interpretation. The ending to Thirteens is either a great setup for the sequel or it's a classic case of cheater, cheater pumpkin eater there's no ending to this one either. Fingers crossed!
Update: there's a sequel!
4.5/5 stars
I adored this book. It's strange, and it has the perfect amount of unsettling that kids would really understand. There are "wrong things" in this world that parents don't really see. Or if they do, their brains make up for it and make them forget.
There's a huge fairy tale aspect to Thirteens. If you dig dark fairy tales, this is definitely one you should put on your radar.
My burning question is is this a series? If this is a series, I'm really excited to pick up the next one. I can't wait to see what happens next. If this isn't a series, then my opinion on the ending will change completely. While there was an ending to Rules for Vanishing, I had no idea what it meant. It was left up to the reader's interpretation. The ending to Thirteens is either a great setup for the sequel or it's a classic case of cheater, cheater pumpkin eater there's no ending to this one either. Fingers crossed!
Update: there's a sequel!
4.5/5 stars
December 29, 2021
THIRTEENS
Kate Alice Marshall
IT'S CREEPY AND IT'S SPOOKY
IT'S ALL TOGETHER UKOOKY
WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN
ELEANOR, PIP, AND OTTO SEE EM
ITS BIRTHDAY HALLOWEEN!
Seriously, this is pretty creepy and spooky for a middle school book. Very entertaining, if you overlook the bit of a jumbled mess midway. I will read Ms. Marshall again and suggest her to my Granddaughter.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
Kate Alice Marshall
IT'S CREEPY AND IT'S SPOOKY
IT'S ALL TOGETHER UKOOKY
WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES THIRTEEN
ELEANOR, PIP, AND OTTO SEE EM
ITS BIRTHDAY HALLOWEEN!
Seriously, this is pretty creepy and spooky for a middle school book. Very entertaining, if you overlook the bit of a jumbled mess midway. I will read Ms. Marshall again and suggest her to my Granddaughter.
4 stars
Happy Reading!
August 29, 2020
Kate Alice Marshall’s first foray into middle grade books...and it is a beauty!
The town of Eden Eld is a quiet, prosperous town where nothing really happens. Eleanor (always known as Elle to her mum) has just moved there to live with her aunt after an awful incident. She feels ill at ease, and is definitely not made any more comfortable by the strange things she sees and hears around her.
On her first day at school Elle is befriended by Otto and Pip, two larger than life characters who can also see these strange creatures. They try to help Elle settle in, but it quickly becomes apparent that these three have been brought together for a reason.
The reason is linked to a mysterious book of fairy tales that Elle remembers her mother reading to her. The stories talk of a character called Mr January who struck a bargain with the inhabitants of Eden Eld...that every thirteen years he would take three children, all born on Halloween, and they would never be heard of again. In exchange the town would prosper.
Naturally, our three new friends learn that they’re the intended targets for this year’s sacrifice. We follow them on their quest to break the curse.
As the mother of a child born on Halloween I couldn’t resist this. The story is slight fully quirky - dark and yet not overly scary. I love the hints of more to come...wouldn’t it be great to see them again and see whether they succeed in their new aim?
The town of Eden Eld is a quiet, prosperous town where nothing really happens. Eleanor (always known as Elle to her mum) has just moved there to live with her aunt after an awful incident. She feels ill at ease, and is definitely not made any more comfortable by the strange things she sees and hears around her.
On her first day at school Elle is befriended by Otto and Pip, two larger than life characters who can also see these strange creatures. They try to help Elle settle in, but it quickly becomes apparent that these three have been brought together for a reason.
The reason is linked to a mysterious book of fairy tales that Elle remembers her mother reading to her. The stories talk of a character called Mr January who struck a bargain with the inhabitants of Eden Eld...that every thirteen years he would take three children, all born on Halloween, and they would never be heard of again. In exchange the town would prosper.
Naturally, our three new friends learn that they’re the intended targets for this year’s sacrifice. We follow them on their quest to break the curse.
As the mother of a child born on Halloween I couldn’t resist this. The story is slight fully quirky - dark and yet not overly scary. I love the hints of more to come...wouldn’t it be great to see them again and see whether they succeed in their new aim?
November 7, 2022
While reading this book, my face could best be described as the eyes wide emoji. This was definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year.
If you’re an adult reader like me, and grew up reading and watching Goosebumps, and watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? then you will understand why I’m now fully obsessed with this.
If you’re a fan of Stranger Things, you will devour this book. Yes, it’s classified as middle grade because the characters are 12/13, but it seriously does read like an episode of Stranger Things. Same vibes.
If you have a middle grade reader in your life who is looking for something spooky and epic to read, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s heart poundingly scary but in a fun way.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next book!
If you’re an adult reader like me, and grew up reading and watching Goosebumps, and watching Are You Afraid of the Dark? then you will understand why I’m now fully obsessed with this.
If you’re a fan of Stranger Things, you will devour this book. Yes, it’s classified as middle grade because the characters are 12/13, but it seriously does read like an episode of Stranger Things. Same vibes.
If you have a middle grade reader in your life who is looking for something spooky and epic to read, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s heart poundingly scary but in a fun way.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next book!
November 3, 2020
Thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
I had a great time with this book. To fully give this book justice I suggest reading it at Halloween if you can. It's pitched as Coraline x Stranger Things. To me, it reminds me much more of Sawkill Girls but for a younger audience.
I appreciate that this book moves so fast and keeps you so engaged. It easily falls into the MG ranks of Small Spaces and Ghost Squad.
I didn't realize it would be a series when I picked it up but I would definitely like to revisit these three!
I had a great time with this book. To fully give this book justice I suggest reading it at Halloween if you can. It's pitched as Coraline x Stranger Things. To me, it reminds me much more of Sawkill Girls but for a younger audience.
I appreciate that this book moves so fast and keeps you so engaged. It easily falls into the MG ranks of Small Spaces and Ghost Squad.
I didn't realize it would be a series when I picked it up but I would definitely like to revisit these three!
July 6, 2020
Delightfully spooky and fun! I love the characters, the mystery, the enchantment is it all! I can’t wait to come back to Eden Eld (I hope there is more to come!).
May 27, 2022
Hello Again!
Recently, I read a bunch of YA contemporary in a row ( and while I love YA contemporary) I decided it might be time to read something middle grade and maybe a little spooky or mysterious. So I scanned over my shelves and saw my copy of the Thirteens! I immediately pulled it and added it to my newest nightstand stack excited to mix things up a little bit in the coming days.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Eleanor is one of the newest residents of a town called Eden Eld, here she is living with her aunt and uncle in a massive old weird house. She will also be going to the local middle school. Eleanor is moving in with her aunt and uncle after a terrible fire in her house killed her mother. After getting settled into school and her new life (and seeing some weird things but trying to shake them off), Eleanor will be celebrating her birthday very soon, on Halloween! Soon Eleanor makes two friends Pip and Otto, both of whom also have the same birthday as her and also happen to see these weird things she is seeing around town. They spend time trying to teach Eleanor about the things they are seeing (the wrong things) and what might be happening. However, nothing can prepare the group for what they are about to learn and what they must do in order to stay safe from the town on their birthday.
I decided to listen to this one on audiobook and I was quickly captured by the story, I nearly finished this book in one listen because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. What I did not know going into this book was that it is a part of a series! So I definitely need to look into the other two books for more answers about Eden Eld and the group. But within this book, I feel like I got the chance to know Otto, Pip, and Eleanor very well! I also really enjoyed getting to know Eleanor’s aunt and uncle. The story was gripping and had many fun turns. I think I may pick up book two during spooky season (A.K.A. Halloween)!
Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars
Recently, I read a bunch of YA contemporary in a row ( and while I love YA contemporary) I decided it might be time to read something middle grade and maybe a little spooky or mysterious. So I scanned over my shelves and saw my copy of the Thirteens! I immediately pulled it and added it to my newest nightstand stack excited to mix things up a little bit in the coming days.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Eleanor is one of the newest residents of a town called Eden Eld, here she is living with her aunt and uncle in a massive old weird house. She will also be going to the local middle school. Eleanor is moving in with her aunt and uncle after a terrible fire in her house killed her mother. After getting settled into school and her new life (and seeing some weird things but trying to shake them off), Eleanor will be celebrating her birthday very soon, on Halloween! Soon Eleanor makes two friends Pip and Otto, both of whom also have the same birthday as her and also happen to see these weird things she is seeing around town. They spend time trying to teach Eleanor about the things they are seeing (the wrong things) and what might be happening. However, nothing can prepare the group for what they are about to learn and what they must do in order to stay safe from the town on their birthday.
I decided to listen to this one on audiobook and I was quickly captured by the story, I nearly finished this book in one listen because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. What I did not know going into this book was that it is a part of a series! So I definitely need to look into the other two books for more answers about Eden Eld and the group. But within this book, I feel like I got the chance to know Otto, Pip, and Eleanor very well! I also really enjoyed getting to know Eleanor’s aunt and uncle. The story was gripping and had many fun turns. I think I may pick up book two during spooky season (A.K.A. Halloween)!
Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars
January 1, 2023
Plot line was very original and though I was mostly set against this book before I read it (I expected it to be like horror/supernatural, which I don't like) I will say it mostly won me over. How? Because it did stray back into the territory of classic fantasy, both in the villains and how the heroes battle them--with logic, friendship, and loyalty. Always excellent traits for children to exhibit in the face of evil.
I did take one star off solely for personal convictions in that there was a sentence condoning Wiccanism (not practiced by the main characters) and I really hate when fantasy tries to tie an imaginary world to the real world by assigning moral values to people and groups that don't show up in the story in any other way. This bothers me for two reasons 1) I don't like Wicca, which I realize is an entirely personal belief, but more importantly, 2) What did this add to the story? Nothing. Nothing but the author's personal viewpoint about the aforementioned group.
I truly believe that readers should be encouraged to discern virtuous traits and decide for themselves what groups in the real world exhibit these traits. Good stories can only act as a mirror to your own life and to your world. They cannot determine the value of what is shown. But perhaps I just love how deftly Lewis handles this same imaginary/real world connection in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, when Aslan tells Lucy and Edmund, "But there (earth) I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
I did take one star off solely for personal convictions in that there was a sentence condoning Wiccanism (not practiced by the main characters) and I really hate when fantasy tries to tie an imaginary world to the real world by assigning moral values to people and groups that don't show up in the story in any other way. This bothers me for two reasons 1) I don't like Wicca, which I realize is an entirely personal belief, but more importantly, 2) What did this add to the story? Nothing. Nothing but the author's personal viewpoint about the aforementioned group.
I truly believe that readers should be encouraged to discern virtuous traits and decide for themselves what groups in the real world exhibit these traits. Good stories can only act as a mirror to your own life and to your world. They cannot determine the value of what is shown. But perhaps I just love how deftly Lewis handles this same imaginary/real world connection in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, when Aslan tells Lucy and Edmund, "But there (earth) I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
September 6, 2020
Rules for Vanishing
was my favorite (YA) horror book of 2019, so when I found out Kate Alice Marshall had written a MG horror for 2020, I was beyond ready to be spooked again. And spooked I was!
Marshall's writing is precise and atmospheric, and the pacing of Thirteens is breakneck. I practically read this in one setting. The blurb sets this up well: Eleanor moves to Ashton House to live with her uncle and aunt and starts to see things that had left her alone for years. Maybe, just maybe, the town of Eden Eld is the root cause of the weirdness.
While the marketing for this is Coraline meets "Stranger Things," I'd argue that Small Spaces meets "Gravity Falls" is a better equivalent for the structure and feel of Thirteens. Regardless, if you're a middle grade reader looking for some folk horror, this delivers.
*CWs: parental abandonment, child neglect, attempted murder, housefire recounted, implied death of a mother, pregnancy & labour (off-page), and kidnapping (*copied from rachel C's review)
Marshall's writing is precise and atmospheric, and the pacing of Thirteens is breakneck. I practically read this in one setting. The blurb sets this up well: Eleanor moves to Ashton House to live with her uncle and aunt and starts to see things that had left her alone for years. Maybe, just maybe, the town of Eden Eld is the root cause of the weirdness.
While the marketing for this is Coraline meets "Stranger Things," I'd argue that Small Spaces meets "Gravity Falls" is a better equivalent for the structure and feel of Thirteens. Regardless, if you're a middle grade reader looking for some folk horror, this delivers.
*CWs: parental abandonment, child neglect, attempted murder, housefire recounted, implied death of a mother, pregnancy & labour (off-page), and kidnapping (*copied from rachel C's review)
March 2, 2022
Honestly this was an unexpectedly fun, fast paced and really intriguing book and perfect to binge in one sitting.
Our story follows Eleanor as she adapts to her new life and new friends in the small town of Eden Eld. Halloween is around the corner and that also happens to be her birthday.
However this year Halloween will have a completely different meaning for Eleanor. Since she moved to Eden Eld she has been seeing things. Things that should not be there. Things that only she can see.
Together with her friends she will try to figure out what these visions mean and they will have to find a way to escape them.
I was surprised by how good this book was when it comes to build up the atmosphere and tension, as well as to deliver some really interesting twists.
Perfect for: people that want a really creepy story based on the secrets of a small town. With a focus on friendships and the supernatural.
Our story follows Eleanor as she adapts to her new life and new friends in the small town of Eden Eld. Halloween is around the corner and that also happens to be her birthday.
However this year Halloween will have a completely different meaning for Eleanor. Since she moved to Eden Eld she has been seeing things. Things that should not be there. Things that only she can see.
Together with her friends she will try to figure out what these visions mean and they will have to find a way to escape them.
I was surprised by how good this book was when it comes to build up the atmosphere and tension, as well as to deliver some really interesting twists.
Perfect for: people that want a really creepy story based on the secrets of a small town. With a focus on friendships and the supernatural.
September 17, 2021
4.5 stars
What a great middle grade horror book!
This has such a good hook — the main character has come to live with her aunt because her mom tried to kill her (for mysterious reasons), so now she lives in a giant creepy old house and goes to a giant creepy old private school.
There’s a sort of Stepford/WandaVision vibe with all the people in the town and strange spooky happenings. And there are dark fairytales introduced that become important.
It starts off being creepy right off the bat, but the dark stuff is balanced well with warm characters and a cute immediate friendship, and some cozy autumnal vibes.
This is a good match for kids/people who like (or are to young to watch but are interested in) Stranger Things or Fear Street (much less gruesome but similar lore), and some Runaways vibes too.
Spook factor: 3.5/5
What a great middle grade horror book!
This has such a good hook — the main character has come to live with her aunt because her mom tried to kill her (for mysterious reasons), so now she lives in a giant creepy old house and goes to a giant creepy old private school.
There’s a sort of Stepford/WandaVision vibe with all the people in the town and strange spooky happenings. And there are dark fairytales introduced that become important.
It starts off being creepy right off the bat, but the dark stuff is balanced well with warm characters and a cute immediate friendship, and some cozy autumnal vibes.
This is a good match for kids/people who like (or are to young to watch but are interested in) Stranger Things or Fear Street (much less gruesome but similar lore), and some Runaways vibes too.
Spook factor: 3.5/5
April 8, 2024
4.5 rounded down. This was such a fun read! Honestly, I wish the tv show “Wednesday” could have been a bit more like “Thirteens.” Just the right amount of spooky, and I found our three pre-teen protagonists very likable. As you typically get with middle-grade and YA books, there were some clues and events that were pretty coincidental, but I could look past that for the most part. Very excited to read the next one!
November 6, 2023
5☆
I loved this!! This is such a fun and clever middle grade horror that still works for older people as well!
Once again, the authors writing is amazing, and I love how they create such multi-leveled worlds that are so fascinating to me. I loved the characters and how deeply they were built as well.
The end of the book leaves just enough open to want to immediately jump into the next book!
I loved this!! This is such a fun and clever middle grade horror that still works for older people as well!
Once again, the authors writing is amazing, and I love how they create such multi-leveled worlds that are so fascinating to me. I loved the characters and how deeply they were built as well.
The end of the book leaves just enough open to want to immediately jump into the next book!
October 20, 2020
Favoritado.
Que livro meu Deus preciso de uma continuação pra já
Que livro meu Deus preciso de uma continuação pra já
October 27, 2021
exciting concept, less exciting execution
November 1, 2021
This was a fun Halloween read! It felt like the author was trying to do a lot in only 200 pages, it was kind of all over the place and it had a disappointing ending, but it was still fun!
April 1, 2022
4.25
I really enjoyed this. What a delight. A mixture of Coraline and Stranger Things. A whimsical, dark fairy tale. Lovely.
I really enjoyed this. What a delight. A mixture of Coraline and Stranger Things. A whimsical, dark fairy tale. Lovely.
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