Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke

Things in the Basement by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Milo has just moved into a rambling old home and his Mom can't find his sister's pink sock and sends Milo to the basement to look. Oh boy does that open up another basement or 2 as he descends into various openings, doors etc. Along the way he meets "friends" who Milo trusts to help him find the sock. What adventures ensue, this is another great Ben Hatke graphic novel. Fantastic illustrations & a great plot!

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Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares (Paola Santiago #2) by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay Mejia in exchange for an honest review. This second in the Paola Santiago series was thrilling with heart pounding adventures for Paola, her nightmares now in a forest and it seems her father is involved somehow. Is this good or bad? My heart ached for Paola in this second book as she experienced friendship drama, mother and new boyfriend issues, and trusting her scientific mind over and above her new reality. As Paola is plunged into new nightmares, her best friend Dante seems to be angry with her all the time and won’t let her come over to his house and visit with his abuela. When Dante is at soccer practice she sneaks over and what happens sends shockwaves through her! Dante’s abuela addresses her as Maria (her mother!!!) and warns her against the bad men in her life. When his abuela passes out, Paola is devastated and reaches out to her friend, Emma, for help. I could not stop reading this suspenseful sequel that packs so many punches and psychological dilemmas for Paola as she revisits the missing boys and their leaders, monsters with green eyes and powers from the Highwayman that are beyond brutal. As Paola valiantly tries to wade through the mysteries, disappearing friends, and vanishing family, the reader will be plunged into her world of doubt, betrayal, lies, and mysteries. This is a must read, highly recommended for middle grade mystery lovers!

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Our Dark Duet (Monsters of Verity #2) by Victoria Schwab

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, did I hate this ending!!! But I will not give it away with spoilers. I could not stop listening to Therese Plummer superior narration as both humans and monsters head toward crisis after crisis, the ChaosEater, and a way to stop the evil of the C0rsai and Malchai. The Flynn compound vs Alice/Sloane and their death grip on the humans in Verity. Loved August and Kate's steadfast march together to fight for humanity, using music, weapons, heart, and WILL. This 2nd & final book was gripping, terrifying, and what made it so such great pacing by the narrator, Therese Plummer and such great world building by the author, Victoria Schwab. Oh, the horror of it all. Could not stop listening.

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Troll Hunters by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Krause

Trollhunters by Daniel Kraus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Trollhunters by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Book Group and Disney-Hyperion for the ARC, Troll by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus. What a spellbinding read! Daniel Kraus has done it again, crafting a horror story where the evil doers are so disgusting, you root for Jim Sturges and his best friend, Tubby, to triumph. Jim is a very normal teen with an overprotective dad, who suffered the loss of his brother 45 years ago as they rode bikes under a bridge. When 190 children went missing along with his brother, Jack; Jim’s dad changed. He outfitted their house with special locks and shutters and has had many hard and fast rules pertaining to safety for as long as Jim can remember. As Jim and Tub suffer bullying daily at school, other kids are starting to disappear again. Only now is Jim beginning to believe there really are monsters under his bed and under bridges. When Jim is called upon to save the missing kids, his lady love and his town; will he be able to muster the courage to be a trollhunter by night? Can he be a trollhunter fighting evil beside his 13 year old Uncle Jack and other disgusting monsters? Teens will love this illustrated, scary book and will want to read more, more, more; I hope a series is in the works! Highly recommended for those who love horror, building tension, thrilling plot twists and fierce characters.


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