Spooky Reads!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!

With Halloween a mere two days away, I thought it would be fun to post about some "spooky reads" or otherwise Halloween-type books. Alright, I'll admit I don't have a lot of expertise here since I don't usually read dark books. But I did go through a Mary Higgins Clark mystery phase in high school and I occasionally crack a book that makes me leave on the hallway light while I sleep!

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago. 

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

The Name of the Star had me darting nervous glances around dark corners at night! I enjoyed the setting in Great Britain, the main character, and the creepy mystery behind it all (that obviously got to me!). This is a solid read for anyone who is looking for a YA contemporary mystery.

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.

When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

Ali is a very talented writer. This novel's prologue sucked me in and held me captive! A vivid world of fable and reality jumps off the page from the first line without relying on heavy backstory to show the reader what's going on. Desi is a compelling character, and I appreciate that she has morals her father wishes she didn't, that she sticks up for herself and wants a better existence!

Evie's always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours.

But Evie's about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

   

Okay, so while this book isn't necessarily "spooky", Paranormalcy is a fresh twist on werewolves, fairies, vampires and other Halloween-type creatures. I LOVED this book. Kiersten White has a singular, hilarious voice. I instantly fell in love with the main character, Evie, and I appreciated how clean this novel was. Paranormalcy is a truly unique paranormal story that anyone can appreciate.

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici / FreeDigitalPhotos.net