I bought The Halloweeners as a fun read for Halloween.

This novella is about a group of kids who love Halloween, and each have their own character of zombie, witch, vampire and ghost. Within these pages is a story of friendship, young love, bullying, nasty teachers, and perhaps a little revenge.

One of my PE teachers in secondary school was pure evil. Just the mention of Miss Glover makes me shudder over 20 years later! Teachers really do have a huge impact on you. Luckily, at the other end of the scale, was the most marvellous teacher ever in primary school, Mr Zienko, who was strict but ever so funny. He did the most amazing school plays, and I got to be a cowgirl, witch and belly dancer in his plays. Such fun times, which helps to make up for the memory of Miss Glover trying to half strangle me once!

“Kirsty didn’t trust men with hair on their faces.” made me giggle, as I remember a scenario but sort of in reverse, as my dad always had a beard, but shaved it off for a play he was in over 30 years ago, and one of my younger sisters wouldn’t go near him, as she was convinced he was no longer her daddy, as Daddy has a beard.

As the main characters are aged around 13 years old, I think this book would most suit children around that age, although I still enjoyed it as an adult, as it reminded me of my school days, so felt nostalgic and slightly emotional remembering the good old days. Plus, I also enjoyed the little references from other books I’ve read by this author.

First of all a huge thanks ….no scratch that ……a truck load of hugs and love to John for not only trusting my words but sending me the copies as soon as they are ready because he knows that I am that madly and badly waiting for his works. So in spite of being repetitive I am going to say it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH JOHN.

I can honestly say that perhaps John Hennessy is the only author, whose works evolve and develop so much that his growth as a writer is almost tangible and it is always interesting to see what new he brings to the table every time he writes a book.

There has been no one who has been able to write horror so good enough to scare the good life out of me as much as John has done in my whole reading experience. ( also making me wonder as to how his brain works… no wonder aliens are rotating our earth, probably trying to have a peak at John’s brain… :P)

KIDS !!

If Uncle John ever says that he is going to tell you a bedtime story run as far as you can or hide in the nearest corner because you probably will never come out of the closet after reading his books and listening to his stories and that probably makes him the best in his genre

This book is parked on a whole different level than the previous one in the series. In the previous books, the story kept dwindling whenever John tried in bring in the flashback but come to this book and it is as smooth as butter in narration and he manages the travel between past and present quite effortlessly and seamlessly

Characters as usual remains the brightest in the book, even in passing each character jostles you and impresses you with their part. Language is sharp and crisp just like the previous books and it seems that finally John has brought me to a point where I am trying hard to find a fault. It could be the story too that must have made me so blind to everything else

JOHN !! My BOY !! you did it !! :P

Do you like horror? Do you like reading stories that could make you shiver and yell “mommy”? Do you like to have nightmares as a consequence of reading a horror novel? Then look no further , pick this book and start reading it with all the windows and doors shut tightly and the lights at full brightness (even in broad daylight)

This novella focusses on a ten year old boy and his school friends. The young love within this story is adorable. Time at school isn’t always happy though, as there are some nasty bullies (yes, I remember those too). There are also some creepy things taking place, such as The Witch of Hill Top Green, The Tooth Fairy with Blood-Red Wings, and the Ghost of Normandy Road. But how much of it is real, or just legend to scare the children?

The sense of creepiness within this story reminded me of a childhood memory. I was only a few years old, and was messing about in bed rather than sleeping, so my dad pretended to be Wee Willie Winkie, and used a long stick to knock on my upstairs bedroom window. My parents had told me about Wee Willie Winkie and used it to make sure I went to bed on time, so I was absolutely terrified by the knock on my window. I remember screaming, then crying my eyes out while sat in my bed. I can still picture my mum and dad appearing in the doorway of my bedroom to see what was going on. My dad didn’t admit to pretending to be Wee Willie Winkie for years. Needless to say, I didn’t mess around in bed after that night.

On a more positive note, I did have a much nicer tooth fairy than the one in this book. When I had 6 teeth taken out at the dentist when I was just 9 years old, I placed them under my pillow, but the following morning, I discovered a postage stamp sized letter from Fiona, the tooth fairy, explaining she was unable to carry all 6 teeth and would be back for the remaining 2 teeth the following night. I read that tiny letter for years after that, and feel a little sad that I lost it at some point.

I love a book that triggers childhood memories, especially the magical ones. This story certainly did that. There is an innocence running through this novel, but at the same time a somewhat harrowing undertone, which I think gave this story a great balance.

Overall, a very well written story with interesting characters. I found it very hard to put down, reading it until almost 3am, and dying to finish it later that day, once I had got some sleep and done my work.

As an adult I really enjoyed this novella. As a teenager I would have loved it. I loved the ending. I never saw that coming, and briefly sat stunned at what I had just read.

Although I didn’t find this scary, there are some descriptions that are graphic or violent enough for me to not necessarily recommend this to young readers. Great book for fans of young adult horror and dark fairy tales. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more in the Haunted Minds series.

I received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.

So not this cover but there was another one for this ebook that drew me in and had me wondering if I would enjoy it. Anyone who follows my reviews knows that I am not too big on Sci-fi books so for me this is a story I was just going to dive into it. 

It started off really good for me as far as the world where Abby lives in. It seems that the human race that is left live with no emotions and work for aliens. Though everything changes when Abby wakes up with black veins and it seems there is more to her than meets the eye.

When she finally escapes those that pretty much need/want her blood the world she sees is something she has never expected. It seems that she has been lied to her whole life and there seems to be others just like her as well though they all come in different forms of life. 

She meets new people who will teach her about who she is and what the monsters out there lurking around are. Abby ends up learning that she is the key to everything the chosen one even though she isn't sure exactly what she is suppose to do. 

Abby is considered an abnormal which just means she is different from "normal" humans she wants to see the good in everyone but at the end of the day not everyone is nice.

It seems everyone is hunting Abby and those who help her out but will they succeed in getting her blood? Will Abby soon get all the answers she needs while tracking through the vast land and beyond. 

There is plenty of running and action through out the book pretty much from the time we start reading Abby's story. 

I think the characters needed a bit more development as I wasn't able to connect with anyone on any level. I also wanted information on how the aliens and the black blood of the abnormals came to be. Maybe in book two this will be answered?

If you like anything supernatural such as vampires, aliens, witches and so forth and action I say get this book. Try it out you may enjoy it.