This was my 4th read by Marina Cohen, & I can honestly say she has definitely become a favorite author. She does the creepy, spooky, eerie, dark upper MG that I just love. This was phenomenal. This whole town is so spooky. Gives me Victorian abandoned ghost town vibes. The people who live there make it even creepier. The author has such vivid & immersive writing that just pulls you into the story, & with this type of story-it makes it even more eerie & atmospheric. 1 thing I’ve noticed the author s to do each book, is have chapters that show the past of some part of the story/characters so you can see what led to the current situation. She does that again with this book, & it’s something I always enjoy. It always makes me feel more connected to the story/characters, & have just a better understanding in general. Our MC Arlo grabs your heart. That poor kid has been though so much. A mother who has been battling illness in the past, an absent father who cares more about his new wife & the kids they have together & not including him or his sister in any of it, anxiety/fear..Between what has happened with his mom, & his dad’s absence & constantly letting him down..it has made Arlo so fearful of everything, & non trusting that things really will be ok. He also feels the protector for his mom & sister. So much on his shoulders. So of course after a car crash where his mom is injured, coming upon this creepy town & its residents is A LOT for Arlo, to say the least. He shows true bravery though-even though he’s terrified, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get his family to safety. So many relatable issues & themes for kids in here, to go along with the fantastical spooky elements. What we end up learning about this town, the residents, & the mystery of it all as a whole-never saw coming. Such an intriguing idea, & makes you think. Makes you wonder what you would do..& what type of person you could become as a result as well. This is full of danger, suspense, family, imagination, heart, atmosphere-& superb descriptive, hauntingly beautiful writing. Add in high stakes, the trapped feeling you get(the isolated town with no phones & no way out), makes for a suspenseful fast-paced thrilling read. Also, loved learning in the authors note things that helped inspire this story. A few inspirations include: a classic children’s book(won’t say which cause it might spoil certain aspects), another was a poem by Robert Frost(loved that being in here, & the symbolic deeper meaning that, again, makes you think), & the 1 the most interesting to me(I love spooky things & history) is the real Livermore. A “ghost town” in New Hampshire! I love when books are inspired in some what by real life places/people/events. So cool! HIGHLY recommend. Can’t wait for more from this author. STUNNING cover by Hannah Peck as well.
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