This Middle Grade horror novel was a blast to read!
Thank you so much to The Write Reads and Farshore for allowing me to be part of this experience and also providing me with a complimentary eARC and media kit!
Purchase this book (affiliate link): Amazon
About the Author
Jennifer Killick is the author of Crater Lake, the Alex Sparrow series, and middle-grade sci-fi adventure Mo, Lottie and the Junkers. She regularly visits schools and festivals, and her books have three times been selected for The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge. She lives in Uxbridge, in a house full of children, animals and Lego. When she isn’t busy mothering or step-mothering (which isn’t often) she loves to read, write and run, as fast as she can.
Twitter: @JenniferKillick
Review
Book CWs
For a list of warnings, tropes, and representation for this book, check out its page on BookTriggerWarnings.com.
Premise
Turn the lights on. Lock the door. Things are about to get SERIOUSLY SCARY!
The brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spooky Crater Lake. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine’s Goosebumps
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…
Review (No Spoilers)
Welcome back to my blog, everyone! Today’s review is of the newly-released middle grade horror novel, Dread Wood. I’ve been reading a lot more middle grade than usual, and let me tell you, I am having a blast! This book was a whole lot of fun, from the creepy atmosphere, to the eerie absence of adult figures, to the creepy crawlies prowling in the dark.
The story follows four students who have found themselves in weekend detention after they each committed various atrocities at school. Detention starts, a blood-curdling scream is heard, and the teacher goes missing. What the heck is going on??
The whole band-of-misfits thing this book had going for it reminded me a lot of some of societies favorite horror tv shows and movies such as IT and Stranger Things. I could definitely see this book being adapted into an amazing film or series. The characters are all flawed in character, but in ways that are both relatable and understandable. With their funny banter and childish glee, you can’t help but root them on until the end.
Dread Wood is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone looking for a Goosebumps-esque MG novel. It also seems to be the first in an upcoming series, so you can bet your bottom I’m excited to see what other adventures this fun, loyal, and incredibly scrappy group will get into!
P.S. the blurb says Itsy Bitsy Spider but the eARC I had said Incy Wincy Spider (both are correct depending on geography) so just be aware that there might be two different versions of the novel out there depending on where you get it from, much like with A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Disclaimer: Most posts made on this blog will include affiliate links, identified by the phrase (affiliate link). As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you.
Jenjenreviews 
Fab review
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review!!
LikeLiked by 1 person