The Lost Girl - A Fear Street Novel by R.L. Stine

Description
"Generations of children and teens have grown up on R.L. Stine's bestselling and hugely popular horror series, Fear Street and Goosebumps. Now, the Fear Street series is back with a chilling new installment, packed with pure nightmare fodder that will scare Stine's avid fan base of teen readers and adults. New student Lizzy Palmer is the talk of Shadyside High. Michael and his girlfriend Pepper befriend her, but the closer they get to her, the stranger she seems… and the more attractive she is to Michael. He invites her to join him on a snowmobile race that ends in a tragic accident. Soon, Michael's friends start being murdered, and Pepper becomes convinced that Lizzy is behind the killings. But to her total shock, she and Michael are drawn into a tragic story of an unthinkable betrayal committed over 60 years ago. Frightening and tense in the way that only this master of horror can deliver, The Lost Girl is another terrifying Fear Street novel by the king of juvenile horror"

 I have bought a lot of R.L. Stine books over the years but this is my first time actually reading one. I bought all the Goosebumps for my son when he was little. Then in his early teens I bought him all the Fear Street series. I watched the TV shows with him and recently even rewatched the Haunting Hour on Netflix because I enjoyed the R.L. Stine series so much, but as a woman in my 40s it just never occurred to me to read something that is targeted at teens or YA I'm only sorry I waited so long!

This is a stand alone story, as in you will not need to have read previous books in the  Fear Street series but you will certainly want to!

This is a story within a story, part happening now and part what has happened nearly 70 years ago.

New student Lizzy shows up in town, nobody knows anything about her other than wherever she goes she always seems to be lost. She latches on to. Michael and he and his girlfriend Pepper and their friends try to befriend her. There is something not quite right about Lizzy and the closer they get to her, the stranger she seems.  This is a very fast paced story with lots of thrills and chills. Though it is intended for a younger audience, adults who enjoy a good spooky story can enjoy it too. R.L. Stine can both scare and entertain without needing the distraction of excessive blood or gore.

I received an advance copy for review

Tell The Story To Its End by Simon P. Clark

"Tell the story to its end," says Eren with a grin.His yellow eyes are glowing like embers in the night.
"When I reach the end," I say, "what happens? You'll have the whole story."
"Hmm," he says, looking at me and licking his lips with a dry, grey tongue. "What happens then? Why don't we find out?"



Tell the Story to Its End by Simon P. Clark
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was anxious to read this book after seeing the beautiful cover and reading the description. The illustrations are lovely as well.This is the story of a 12 year old boy Oli who goes with his mother to spend time at his aunt and uncle’s home though he does not really know why, nor why his father is not able to be with them. The target audience is children approximately Oli’s age though I felt the heavy atmosphere, slow pace, and sometimes confusing story may dissuade readers of that age group. There is an ominous oppressing feeling through out and though I really liked the concept of Oli meeting the beast in the attic who feeds on stories, the story itself did not seem to go anywhere. I didn’t really feel any connection with the characters and I felt as if the end of the story just left me hanging.
I received a complimentary copy for review

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The Year Of Yearning By Jeff Harmsen

Description "Part dreamy time machine, part acid flashback, The Year of Yearning delves into the titillating mishaps of two quirky cousins from Kingston Ontario. While attending their final year of high school in 1978, Miles and Jo Martini succumb to profound infatuation; albeit, from entirely different perspectives.

The well read and romantic cousin attempts to woo a raven haired beauty by slipping his heartfelt poem into her locker. The athletic, somewhat crass cousin pursues a Wiccan Bombshell with nothing more than wishful thinking, held spellbound by her love potions and provocative whimsy.

Shocking, mind boggling complications beset both cousins, including a brutal beating and a humiliation common to guys who fall for hot, promiscuous women. Miles and Jo survive their darkest hours by supporting each other. In the end, they want what most of us want, the warmth of a meaningful relationship, like slipping into a cozy cotton sweater on a frigid night in winter.

Brazenly sexual and uniquely bizarre, this novel is heavy with heartache and great awakenings, heady with love and lust churning, all within The Year of Yearning."

I'm not sure how I would categorize this book if pressed to do so, but I can say it was an enjoyable read. Part thriller, part romance, The Year Of Yearning is a fun coming of age tale that mainly tells of the lives, loves and teen angst of cousins/best pals Miles and Jo, Interspersed with humor, a bit of supernatural, and lots of action.

I received a complimentary copy from the author for review

The Horror Challenge Volume I by J.H. Glaze

"Welcome to J.H. Glaze's unique brand of horror. The first volume of "The Horror Challenge" includes 14 short stories that provide the thrills you seek in a good horror tale. From the sentimental story of haunting, 'Spooky', and comical alien abduction tale, 'Bob Saves the World', to the final story in this collection, you will find yourself wildly entertained with the stories created by the author in response to suggestions from his readers."      

 This book was quite short and I was able to read it in a single day. I would not really call these "short stories" but flash fiction, super short, and to the point. It was a fun read but nothing really frightening or scary about it.