Title: Nightbooks
Author: J.A.White
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books
Publication Date: July 24, 2018
Number of Pages: 320
Genre: Horror
Age Level: Juvenile
Synopsis:
A witch imprisons a boy, and he must tell her a new scary story each night to stay alive. This thrilling contemporary fantasy from J. A. White, the acclaimed author of the Thickety series, brings to life the magic and craft of storytelling.
Alex’s original hair-raising tales are the only thing keeping the witch Natacha happy, but soon he’ll run out of pages to read. When that happens, Natacha will trap him forever. He’s loved scary stories his whole life, and he knows most don’t have a happily ever after. Trapped in a tale, Alex is desperate for a different ending—and a way out of this twisted place.
My Thoughts
My favorite types of stories are the scary ones. The spooky tales that send shivers down my spine. So, when I came across this middle grade story, I thought it’d be a perfect fit for me.
It’s about a boy who is a writer. He sneaks out of his apartment to throw away his scary stories. While doing so, he is drawn into an apartment and is invited inside by a woman who is watching his favorite movie. After hanging out with her for a while, she tells him he must stay at her apartment and tell her a scary story each night in order to stay alive. It’s a different take on the Scheherazade story.
He soon meets another girl trapped there named Yasmine, and the two of them must figure out how to survive.
As interesting as the summary sounded, I wasn’t that into it. It wasn’t scary at all, and I’m not even sure kids would think it’s scary. I feel like more could have happened.
Boring
When the boy tells his stories to the witch, I was really bored. I breezed through those scenes because I didn’t want to hear a story within a story, but that’s just me. There was a twist ending, though, so that was something.
However, I’m not saying it was terrible. But it was a bit forgettable. Go ahead and read it, though. In spite of my thoughts, it might be perfect for you. I’ve definitely read worse middle grade stories, but this one didn’t wow me. As a school library assistant, I don’t even think to recommend this one or comment on it when a kid checks it out. When I see a book I love in their hands, I’ll usually say something like, “Oh, that’s a good one.” But not with Nightbooks.
Netflix made a movie based on this book, and it followed the story pretty well. Not too scary, either. Of course, if you’re looking for something not too scary for a child, then this one might be a great choice.
Contrarily, it’s a different story with Shadow Weaver by MarcyKate Connolly, Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn, or Serafina and The Black Cloak by Robert Beatty. Now those books are my cup of tea! They’re creepy with a plot to keep you up at night!
Want a book that will make you laugh and is a mystery? Check out my review on The Incredibly Dead Pets of Rex Dexter!
My Rating out of 5
Accelerated Reader (AR) Info
Level: 4.8
Points: 9
Quiz Number: 197781
Word Count: 60,027
Interest Level: Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Let’s Chat!
-Did you find the book scary?
-Did you like the book?
-If you haven’t read it, do you think you will?
-Did you see the movie? What did you think?
-How did you feel about Natacha at the end?
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