Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Review: Mary: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan

Title: Mary: The Summoning
Author: Hillary Monahan
Series: Book One in the Bloody Mary Series
Published By: Disney-Hyperion (September 2, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Thriller/Horror
My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Book Description:
There is a right way and a wrong way to summon her. 

Jess had done the research. Success requires precision: a dark room, a mirror, a candle, salt, and four teenage girls. Each of them--Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna--must link hands, follow the rules . . . and never let go. 

A thrilling fear spins around the room the first time Jess calls her name: "Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary. BLOODY MARY." A ripple of terror follows when a shadowy silhouette emerges through the fog, a specter trapped behind the mirror. 

Once is not enough, though--at least not for Jess. Mary is called again. And again. But when their summoning circle is broken, Bloody Mary slips through the glass with a taste for revenge on her lips. As the girls struggle to escape Mary's wrath, loyalties are questioned, friendships are torn apart, and lives are forever altered.

A haunting trail of clues leads Shauna on a desperate search to uncover the legacy of Mary Worth. What she finds will change everything, but will it be enough to stop Mary--and Jess--before it's too late?










Who hasn't heard of Bloody Mary and been frightened as a child of the thought of her coming through the mirror at night and capturing your soul? Who hasn't shuttered at the very thought of going into a dark bathroom and chanting her name three times in the mirror to see what would happen? Who hasn't felt that thrill of excitement and dread all mixed together at all the possibilities of the whatifs?

What if you really called her to you? What if the stories were true and she was a terrible horrible ghost that would not leave you alone? What if there was more to her story than the legends told?

What if Mary was just an ordinary girl like you and I and something horrible happened to her?

What if. What if.

Can I just say for the record that I made a point not to read this one in the dark. Or alone, or in a bathroom. Can you say freaking creepy? Gah! 

Did I mention that while I love these type of reads, and I really do mean that, I am also the worlds biggest chicken and often terrify myself by reading them?

Well, I am and I did freak myself out with this one, or rather the author freaked me out with her great story telling abilities. I might not be able to look into a mirror again at night..ever. 

I can't even tell you much about this other than it is probably as scary as you are thinking it is and just as gross. The description, the detail...ick. I loved every minute of it.

This was such a fast read and was over way before I wanted it to be. I didn't have all my answers, I didn't have a conclusion and I definitely didn't have a happily ever after, not that I was really expecting one in this read but, still...there is a ghost on the lose, and she is out for blood, literally.

Oh I will so be picking up the second book as soon as it is released.








*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

42 comments:

  1. I don't shy away from books like this. I want!

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  2. I tend to struggle with YA horror books for some reason. The only one that has worked for me was Anna Dressed in Blood. I admit that it's also because I'm a bit of a scaredy cat and tend to stray away from horror.
    This one especially is one I'm going to stay away from because the episode of Supernatural with Bloody Mary scared me so much! I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Ali! :)
    Lovely review!

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    1. I saw that episode Nick and it WAS scary! This would probably scare you too, it reminded me a lot of it.

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  3. No no no no no no no no no Ali. NOOOOOOO. I already have trouble with mirrors in the dark, I can't bring myself to look in them for fear I'll have that horror movie moment where something is standing right behind me, so this book will likely scar me for life. *runs away and hides* Glad it was a fun (in a terrifying way), fast read for you!

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    1. Heehee, I did have trouble at night with mirrors for awhile after reading this, I won't lie. ;)

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  4. I love the idea and you're right I would have been really intrigued. But I think the lack of conclusion and answers would have upset me. Thanks for the discovery!

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  5. That's the best scary cover ever. I don't know if I'll ever read this because I need to use the mirror every so often hahaha :)

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  6. OMG I'm shivering in my Timbers Kindlemom. yikes!! And it's YA well I guess adults get the beegeebees scared out of them easier than the GenExers do :)
    Great Review thanks for sharing

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    1. I do wonder about that sometimes Debbie and I think you might be right!

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  7. I just recently read Maplecroft that also twists an old folk's tale (or in this case, an actual event) into something entirely different and totally loved it. It's also a what if kind of thing. I'm sure I'd love this one as well.

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  8. I just can't make up my mind on this one. I thought it was going to be cheesy but I think I would like it.

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    1. It wasn't cheesy at all, at least I didn't think so. Not a King novel of course but not cheesy either.

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  9. lol - We used to do this in elementary school, and then I'd scare the crap out of friends. I was an evil child ... and teenager ... and sometimes adult. :D It's difficult to scare me, but I love scary books. With that said, gory is different... blah. Gory doesn't equate scary/creepy to me.

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  10. I don't think I could read this one. I get freaked out WAY too easy! I'm glad you enjoyed!

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  11. Haha, I am such a chicken too so this book freaks me out just thinking about it. I think I might wait till the second book is out before I pick it up, I hate endings that aren't that satisfying and leave it open for the next book.

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    1. It will freak you out but in a totally good way..well, maybe not good but sort of. ;)

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  12. YAYYYY! I love creepy, scary books. I cannot wait to read it. Great review!!!

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  13. Not a nasty cliffhanger but yes a cliffie.

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  14. A creepy book. Lots of blood included. Count me in.

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  15. Oh darn, I could never read this book. Big no. (Because Bloody Mary is one of my worst nightmares!!)

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  16. Ohhh I read this later this week, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

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  17. That's great you enjoyed this, and it looks like it did what he meant too- scare! I was so afraid of Bloody Mary when I was younger, so I think I'd be too scared to read this one nowadays. haha

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  18. I love horror, well reading horror no matter how gruesome, and prefer suspenseful horror movies, not the blood and gore kind, although the books can be horrific. I have never nor will I ever say Blood Mary or call the Candy Man..I don't know why but it terrifies me.LOL

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    1. Oh the C-Man, I forgot about him, yes, I will never be doing that either.

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  19. Ooh I love scary reads like this, even if I'm a total wimp and I have nightares. :D I'm going to brave the cliffhanger and just read it. Lovely review!

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  20. Mirrors in the dark STILL freak me out! This one looks awesome and creepy..but in the daytime haha

    Great review! Glad you enjoyed it

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    1. They do me too! I hate looking in them at night I am always afraid something or someone will be behind me!

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  21. I love that you have been sharing scary books! I am always looking for a good creepy one. I love them! Awesome review :)

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  22. Scary reads freak me out and I like it !! I hope I will be able to read this.

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  23. This looks and sounds kind of creepy, but in a good way. Great review.

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