Author: Dawn Kurtagich
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Little Brown Books for Children (September 15, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Horror/Thriller
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Book Description:
Over two decades have passed since the fire at Elmbridge High, an inferno that took the lives of three teenagers. Not much was known about the events leading up to the tragedy - only that one student, Carly Johnson, vanished without a trace...
...until a diary is found hidden in the ruins.
But the diary, badly scorched, does not belong to Carly Johnson. It belongs to Kaitlyn Johnson, a girl who shouldn't exist Who was Kaitlyn? Why did she come out only at night? What is her connection to Carly?
The case has been reopened. Police records are being reexamined: psychiatric reports, video footage, text messages, e-mails. And the diary.
The diary that paints a much more sinister version of events than was ever made publicly known.
One thing that can be said about this time of year, is that it is full of wonderful creepy, crazy stories and The Dead House, definitely fits in with that description.
This book was, to say the least, unique in every way imaginable. From the content, to the setting, to the unreliable narrative to the secondary characters that can't be trusted. Where everyone's sanity is questioned and the mystery itself it just that, mysterious and sometimes hard to decipher.
It has been hours since I have finished this and my thoughts and feelings are still all over the place. I'm not quite sure what to think about it all. From Kaitie to Carly, to Ari to Brett, it was all just weird, but, in a really good, crazy, messed up, kind of way.
Told from journal entries, to interviews, to video footage, this truly was an interesting read with the twisty narrative and facts that were every bit as unreliable as the two main characters. Possession, ghosts, curses, murder, and danger, are just a few of the plot twists waiting for you inside this read.
Creepy and imaginative and sometimes downright scary, this definitely kept my on my toes and flipping the pages. And even though my thoughts and feelings are still a big jumbled mess, I will say that this was a fun and entertaining read that kept me wanting more as much as it did guessing.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
You used my favorite word for these kinds of books - twisty. Love twisty, creepy books. I also can't resist an unreliable narrator. Great review!
ReplyDeleteYou will love this then!
DeleteOh geez, I don't know. I've been getting a little more into creepy these days, but this sounds CREEPY. Maybe in October . . . o.O
ReplyDeleteIt is really creepy but also so worth it!
DeleteOoooooo sounds good! I love a good twisty and creepy read.
ReplyDeleteYou will absolutely love this Erin!
DeleteLOL I think I'm probably too big of a wuss for this one. Heh
ReplyDeleteYou never know til you try it!
DeleteI wanted to have this one read before the release date but ah well. So glad you enjoyed it I started it and was concerned I wouldn't enjoy it but reading your review. Maybe I will. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's okay, you still have time to read it and it's great for fall!
DeleteThis sounds like my kind of book - a touch of creepy abd twisty! Gah, there's so many right now that I want to read them all, lol. I'm glad you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Ali :)
There really are, I'm loving it!
DeleteYEAH ALI!!! I loved this on too. Typically the format and the fact that we're not 100% sure what happened in the end would be things that bothered me, but I thought they worked so well here! Can't wait to see what she writes next:)
ReplyDeleteYes! I know what you mean but it didn't bother me at all in this.
DeleteCrazy, weird and messed up definitely appeals to me, Ali! I'm very curious about the book since I've heard such great things about it from around the blogosphere. I'll need to find myself a copy of this from the library!
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Ali!
Definitely do Nick, I think you would like all the weirdness. ;)
DeleteGreat review Ali, and the read looks really interesting. You know I would never have read something this dark as a young teen. Yikes! Kids today have a much broader range of reads available to them.
ReplyDeleteSo true! I did read King as a teenager so I can't say I wouldn't have read this, which is crazy because I avoid King now as an adult LOL!
DeleteI just accepted this on audio yesterday..I am ready or creepy!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! I hope you love it too!
DeleteI'm wondering if the horror level is subtle enough for readers who don't typically read this genre. It sounds creeptastic nonetheless :)
ReplyDeleteIt is, it wasn't too over the top at all. ;)
DeleteI feel like going "Boo!" while hiding under a white sheet, lol :) It's the kind of thing this book inspires... I'm adding it :)
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you like it!
DeleteSaving this for Halloween! Looks like I may need to have the lights on while I read it. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt really wasn't too bad but it would be killer for Halloween. ;)
DeleteMy interest was piqued as soon as you said, "unreliable narrator." That's a really fresh take I haven't seen before.
ReplyDeleteI love the unreliable narrator. They really are so much fun because you never know what to trust or whom to trust.
DeleteWasn't this just terrifying? I'm so glad you liked it as much as I did, Ali! It was, at the very least, memorable, and I'm all for books that stand out.
ReplyDeleteYes! Memorable is a great word to describe this Maja and I definitely won't be forgetting it anytime soon.
DeleteYou are definitely gearing up for halloween, sister!
ReplyDeleteI know! It has been so much fun. I can't seem to get enough of these type of reads right now.
DeleteI really want to read this one! I'm glad you liked it. This is the best time of the year for mysteries and thrillers.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteI remember seeing another review of this and I'm kind of curious. I like to not read many creepy books but once in awhile is sometimes okay.
ReplyDeleteI think you would really like this and although it was creepy, it really wasn't too bad at all.
DeleteDefinitely read this one Heidi. I think you would like all the crazy and creepy twists.
ReplyDeleteThe twisty mystery sounded good, but I'm not sure about the way the stories told. The interviews, news clippings thing usually doesn't work for me. Along with untrustworthy narrators I'm just not sure. You made it sound so good though!
ReplyDeleteIt was different but done very well.
DeleteThe cover alone speaks of spooky times ahead. Lol. I'm glad you enjoyed it despite minor misgivings.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joy, me too.
DeleteThe cover if fabulous. The book sounds amazing. I love reading these kinds of book :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll like this one!
DeleteThere are so many awesome creepy nooks I need to get my hands on. And soon!
ReplyDeleteYes, this time of year is perfect for them all!
DeleteI keep hearing amazing things about this one everywhere and I confess that I'm really curious now!
ReplyDeleteGlad we could all pique your interest Melliane!
DeleteWell, you peaked my interest. Love creepy!
ReplyDeleteI really am too lately.
Delete