I am thrilled to be bringing an #UltimateBlogTour on behalf of #WriteReadsTours today. Thanks to The Write Reads and Farshore Books for my place on this tour and the copy of the book to bring you my own unbiased thoughts.
It’s basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.
What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute . . .? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together.
But it’s no coincidence that they’re all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge . . .
The first book in the DreadWood series, DreadWood is a Young Adult / Middle Grade book that is definitely a fast paced story. Jennifer Killick is an author that’s new to me, so I didn’t know what to expect. The cover and blurb grabbed me straight away and I could only hope the story within would keep me hooked. Well, it actually kept me so gripped I loved it!
A chilling horror mixed with adventure and even some humour, that introduces us to Angelo, Gustav, Niara and Hallie, The Loser Club. All made to attend a Saturday detention. None of them are looking forward to it but when it turns into something truly terrifying,they wished they could have just had the detention for sure!
Aimed at 9-12 year old children it’s a story of survival for four children who are classmates but never proper mates. Narrated by Angelo, a loner who is determined he won’t get involved at all with any of the three kids with him. As the day moves from being rubbish due to a detention, then starts to dial up a few notches until they are absolutely pooping their pants, we see Angelo and the others bonding as a group. This was heartwarming to be a witness to.
I loved the banter from them all,. It was really authentic, to the point that I could see these words coming out of my own grandchildrens mouth easily. Each of these kids had their own unique traits and voice throughout the book. That, along with the scary, spinetingling at times, settings made for a really atmospheric, intense read.
Jennifer Killick has created a plethora of vivid characters, the villains are so bad and every single one makes this story what it is, fantastic!
A definitely entertaining and scary, without actually going overboard for the age range it is aimed at. A brilliant start to the series, I want to read number two now please.
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 
Great review!!
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