Let me start by saying I don’t feel qualified to review a classic. Especially on a book I didn’t absolutely love. I am new to the reviewing games so I am still learning.

The Halloween Tree is a quintessential Halloween story. When I asked for recommendations for books for Halloween countless people said to check out this story. This book follows eight trick-or-treaters that visit a haunted house. Their friend Pipkin is snatched away and only the man in the house can help. Mounshroud takes them back in time to unlock the history of Halloween night.

The book started off great. The descriptive images and words brought back the feeling of mystery that Halloween always brought as a kid. The moment before the night begins it feels like anything can happen.

Halfway through the book I started to lose interest. The descriptions of the past felt rushed and muddled. The history of Halloween is the main reason I wanted to pick up the book. Sadly, we only got a quick glimpse of each.

The section about Dia de Muertos saved it. Otherwise, I’m not sure I would have finished it. Bradbury took more time describing this holiday. I almost felt like I was there. The ending was heartwarming and satisfying. It wrapped the story up with a moral and I discovered Mounshroud and the nights of the dead represented more than a fun Halloween romp. I won’t go too far into it because I don’t want to spoil the story.

All in all, it was a quick read. It would be perfect for kids this time of year. It was spooky and fun.

As I said in my October TBR. 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jefferey is a re-read for me. My middle school history teacher would read these stories to us for Halloween. It is amazing how those memories started flooding back as soon as I started reading this.

This is a collection of ghost stores that are popular in the state of Alabama.There are stories about a ghost steamboat, a hole that won’t stay filled, and a ghost that haunts his grave and is always ready to dance. My personal favorite is “The Ghost in the Courthouse Window.” I remember the picture of the ghost vividly from middle school.

This is a fun read if you love local folklore. I am from Alabama, so I have a connection to the story that makes it even better. I will probably pick this up and explore the tales again next Halloween.

I am writing this review a minute after finishing Ninth House. All I can say is wow. This is the first Leigh Bardugo book that I have ever read and I am hooked.

Ninth House is Bardugo’s first adult book. The main character is Galaxy “Alex” Stern. Alex can see ghosts so she numbs the experience with drugs and bad choices. She is hospitalized after she survives a homicide that left all of her friends dead. While there she is visited by the president of a Yale secret society, called Lethe. He offers her a job and a full ride to one of the most prestigious universities in America.

As Alex tries to fit into the position, she discovers it is much darker than she ever imagined. The secret societies are made up of influential people that deal with sinister, occult magic that should not be messed with.

I love dark books and this is all I could ask for. It has ghosts, necromancy, elemental magic, and so much more. It also has a good old-fashioned murder mystery. The writing is beyond compare. The first couple of chapters are confusing. You’re thrown into a world with very little description, but as you keep reading your questions are answered. As soon as that question is answered, more questions arise. It was such a great way to build the world. I couldn’t put it down because I needed to know what was happening next.

When I only had a hundred pages left, I noticed that I was stalling. I didn’t want this book to end. It ended on a cliff hanger and I am dying to know what happens. I can’t believe I have to wait so long for the next book to be published.

I hate giving bad reviews. Naturally, though, there will be books I don’t like.I wanted to love this book. It was one of my most anticipated fall reads. Around page 200, I discovered that I didn’t care about the story. The only character I connected with was the bone goat (explained in the story).

The writing was descriptive and I could fully imagine the world. I just lost interest in what was happening. I felt like the magic system was a little rushed when it was explained, and I still don’t completely understand the origin of the bone houses. Having the point of view from a grave digger was interesting. I would have liked to seen her more involved in her trade, but that could have come later in the story. I stopped at page 205. I feel like I am going into a reading slump. I think I will give this a shot later on to see if I can get into it. Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed it. I would love to hear some feedback.

“One evil spawned another, greater evil, and ultimately everything could be traced back to Black Spring.” This book is not for people with weak stomachs. It is terrifying. From page one the atmosphere was eerie and oppressive.

Black Spring is a Hudson Valley town with a dark secret. A 17th century women haunts the town. The Black Rock Witch is a living nightmare. Her eyes and mouth have been sewn shit to prevent her evil eye from causing mayhem. She shows up wherever she pleases and the town just deals with it. HEX is a high-tech surveillance team with one job, monitor the witch. The town is under lock-down and there are strict regulations to keep Black Spring’s secret in.

Parts of this story I did not expect. The town is militarized. I also did not expect to feel sympathy for the witch. The town’s people scared me more than she did.

Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this. The plot was a little slow building to the climax, but every paragraph has a purpose. The horror build terrifically. When a scary part would happen I would think this is the scariest part and then the author would top it. The ending will haunt me for a while.