The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender

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deadgirlshysteriahall

 

In this asylum, your mind plays tricks on you all the time…

Delia’s new house isn’t just a house. Long ago, it was the Piven Institute for the Care and Correction of Troubled Females—an insane asylum nicknamed “Hysteria Hall.” However, many of the inmates were not insane, just defiant and strong willed. Kind of like Delia herself.

But the house still wants to keep “troubled” girls locked away. So, in the most horrifying way, Delia gets trapped.

And that’s when she learns that the house is also haunted.

Ghost girls wander the halls in their old-fashioned nightgowns. A handsome ghost boy named Theo roams the grounds. Delia finds that all the spirits are unsettled and full of dark secrets. The house, as well, harbors shocking truths within its walls—truths that only Delia can uncover, and that may set her free.

But she’ll need to act quickly, before the house’s power overtakes everything she loves.

From master of suspense Katie Alender comes a riveting tale of twisted memories and betrayals, and the meaning of madness.

I have always set a rule in my reading that I would try and read one spooky themed book in October.  I set the romance books aside and enjoy at least one book to go with the Halloween themed thrills and mystery.  This time I chose The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender. The cover is spooky and the glimpse of a scene we get on the back cover drew me into the story.

Not only do we have a house full of creepy and insane ghosts, but we have a house hell bent on keeping out of control teen ghosts from leaving the place. Delia inherits this mansion/asylum from her relatives and ultimately ends up being a part of the ghost world more than she would like to be.

The story was suspenseful and the author did wonderfully at describing things with giving the reader the chills.  You learn to never trust anyone until they prove that they are worthy of that trust — sometimes being the people you would least expects. Secrets are revealed as Delia learns more about the previous patients and family heritage.

While this book is aimed for the teenage audience, adults will enjoy it as well I believe.  It adds just amount of spooky for the month of October reading.

[sc:rate5 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

2016 Scholastic Almanac for Kids

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2016almanac

Updated for 2016 with the newest, most exciting facts and stats.

Need help with studying? Love trivia? Just want to impress your friends or teachers? The Scholastic Almanac for Kids 2016 has information about practically everything! If you have questions, this book has answers. Packed with hundreds of facts, stats, and all of the info you need to keep boredom away and get your homework done. The 2016 edition features an eye-catching cover, completely updated facts and stats throughout, and new pop-culture sections.

 

 

My children and I crave trivia and facts.  We play board games weekly that is trivia based, and we love whenever there is a new almanac released! Scholastic feeds are addiction in the 2016 Almanac for Kids.

The featured topics in this almanac include:
Pop Culture
-Music. TV, Movies, Books, Games
Celebrate
-Birthdays, Calendars and Holidays
Our World
-Landmarks, Population, Languages, Religion, Etc.
Science and Technology
-Space, Inventions, Weight and Measures, Etc.
Nature
-Animals, Plants, Human Body, Weather, Etc.
History
-World, USA and US Government
Geography
-World, Flags and Facts of the World and USA

Also featured are full color pages, timelines and plenty of lists. Anything your child wants to know seems to be in this book. Almanacs are always full of knowledge and important dates/events to remember. This 2016 Almanac will keep your child entertained for hours!

[sc:rate5 ]

GOODREADS / AMAZON

Review: Rebel Spirits by Lois Ruby

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Rebel Spirits
Author: Lois Ruby

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Infused with history and mystery, this tale of ghosts, love, and murder takes place in present-day Gettysburg, where the Civil War still looms large.

Lori Chase doesn’t know what to think about ghosts. She may have seen a few in the past, but those were just childish imaginings…right? Only now that she is living in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, spirits seem to be on everyone’s mind. The town is obsessed with its bloody Civil War history, and the old inn that Lori’s parents run is supposedly haunted by the souls of dead soldiers.

Then Lori meets one such soldier–the devastatingly handsome Nathaniel Pierce. Nathaniel’s soul cannot rest, and he desperately needs Lori’s help. Because Nathaniel was not killed in the famous battle. He was murdered. Lori begins to investigate the age-old mystery, stumbling upon shocking clues and secrets.

At the same time, she can’t help falling for Nathaniel, just as he is falling for her…

MY THOUGHTS

 

As I ventured into reading this tale of ghosts, warriors, love and sacrifice, I realized that this book is the perfect book for the preteen crowd.  It introduces the paranormal romance and ghostly characters that still keep it tame enough that the younger generations should feel like they are being introduced to theses things for future books.  I felt this story and mystery kept a younger reader interested enough to want to finish the story path that the characters are on.  The book is focused towards the Tween level but could also be used as a stepping off point to start reading darker and more books that handle darker things.

While I felt this book was written well, I still find the younger generation of tweens enjoying it better before jumping into the darker stuff that is further ahead in this genre.

[sc:rate3 ]

3/5

AUTHOR WEBSITE, GOODREADS , AMAZON

The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron

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The Dark Unwinding
Author: Sharon Cameron
Genre: Young Adult
Source: Publisher/Scholastic
ISBN: 9780545327862

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance!

When Katharine Tulman’s inheritance is called into question by the rumor that her eccentric uncle is squandering away the family fortune, she is sent to his estate to have him committed to an asylum. But instead of a lunatic, Katharine discovers a genius inventor with his own set of rules, who employs a village of nine hundred people rescued from the workhouses of London.

Katharine is now torn between protecting her own inheritance and preserving the peculiar community she grows to care for deeply. And her choices are made even more complicated by a handsome apprentice, a secretive student, and fears for her own sanity.

As the mysteries of the estate begin to unravel, it is clear that not only is her uncle’s world at stake, but also the state of England as Katharine knows it. With twists and turns at every corner, this heart-racing adventure will captivate readers with its intrigue, thrills, and romance.

MY THOUGHTS

This book was suppose to be a sort of steampunk, gothic, fantasy, young adult mash-up.  While I agree with it being young adult and dark, I don’t think it had too many elements to make it a true steampunk book.  Yes it is set in the Victorian era and there are some things that have the machine like feel to it, but beyond that there isn’t much more to classify it as that.  I may not have a full understanding of what steampunk is truly about, but if this was it then I am not missing much.

Putting that aside though, the story wasn’t bad.  Yes it is heavy on the setup in the beginning, but after you drudge through the beginning, it does get better.  I liked the dark feel the book had and the characters were pretty good as well.  The romance was slow going but not stalled too much.  I actually liked it that way because the inst-love would have dragged the story down.  Plot over love was a plus in this book. The writing was good and kept me interested to the last page.  I liked how the ending was done and left the reader to think that there will be another book to follow.

The cover art on this book is also amazing.  I found myself drooling over that dress and the Victorian feel to it.  I actually think the art department actually listened to what the book was about and gave it a true image of the story.  That is always a plus in my opinion.  If you are into a young adult book with a darker but enjoyable feel to it, then this is one that you should look into checking out.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

The Bar Code Tattoo by Suzanne Weyn

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The Bar Code Tattoo
Series: Bar Code #1
Author: Suzanne Weyn
Publisher: Scholastic
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 9780545470544

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)

Individuality vs. conformity. Identity vs. access. Freedom vs. control. The bar code tattoo.

The bar code tattoo. Everybody’s getting it. It will make your life easier, they say. It will hook you in. It will become your identity.

But what if you say no? What if you don’t want to become a code? For Kayla, this one choice changes everything. She becomes an outcast in her high school. Dangerous things start happening to her family. There’s no option but to run . . . for her life.

Individuality vs. conformity.
Identity vs. access.
Freedom vs. control.

The bar code tattoo.

MY THOUGHTS

After reading the summary on the back of this book, I was intrigued.  It seemed to me like it could be a cool new read in the Young Adult genre.

In the future, everyone is getting the new Bar Code Tattoo.  Every bit of information in your life is recorded in that tattoo.  Some believe this to be a good thing, while others are not on board with it.  With the hints of deception and suspense, I was excited to start this series.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t what I was expecting.  The plot and story wasn’t bad, but I think it is a better series for the younger adults then the older ones.  Adults who like to read young adult books might find this book just a little too “young adult” and not enjoy it as much.

There were some high points in the book though that kept me interested enough to finish the read.  I liked finding out the secrets and such through Kayla’s eyes.  The author did write at a great pace and has a unique writing style.  Again, it just felt as if it was too young for mature readers.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!