Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Review of 'Fright Train (Weirdville #3)' by Majanka Verstraete


Fright Train

Charlie’s parents drop him off at the train station so he can visit his grandma in Weirdville. It’s a cold winter evening, so when his usual train is cancelled at the last second, Charlie wishes he’d stayed home.

An hour later, shivering from the cold, he climbs on board the next train to Weirdville, even though he’d rather not. It looks like something straight out of the nineteenth century, as if it used a time machine to arrive at the station.

His shivering doesn’t stop, for soon after Charlie boards, he realizes just how right he was to be wary of this strange train. Something is seriously wrong with all the people onboard. If only he could figure out what was going on. If only he could get off the train...


**My thoughts**

This one almost reminded me of something out of The Twilight Zone, for kids, with a modern twist. No one in their right mind would leave a young child by himself to get on a train, anymore, which is what reminded me of that classic series. But had he been with his parents, he wouldn't have ended up getting on this train, and nothing would have happened. Plus the part about it being so old-fashioned and different, and people warning him to not get on it.

But Charlie has to do what he is told, and so he gets on that train to go to Grandma. I was able to quickly realize the secrets hiding on this train, as it is again a familiar storyline. But Majanka throws her own spin on it. Yet again, even though I am an adult and these are books for kids, I had that slight twist in my stomach as I moved from page to page. I had a pretty good idea what was going to happen, but I needed to read it for myself. As with the other two books, my inner child was delighted and I quickly devoured it. I think my greatest disappointment was knowing that now I have no more books in the series to read. I really hope she pens some more, because even I can feel a lot more stories swirling around in Weirdville!


Buy links


About the author:

Majanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library.

She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her.

She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.

Majanka is currently studying for her Master of Laws degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”

Links

Author Website: http://majankaverstraete.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: @iheartreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, May 26, 2014

Review of 'House of Horrors (Weirdville #2)' by Majanka Verstraete


Book Description

When her parents allow her to go to the fair, Jacky is over the moon. The fair is most famous for its haunted mansion, the House of Horrors, and her friend Ben can’t wait to try it out. Her best friend, Cass, is a little more reluctant, but then again, Cass has always been a chicken when it comes to getting scared.

Jacky and Cass are determined to act tough, so when Ben suggests they try out the House of Horrors, the girls tag along, even though the place gives them the chills.

As soon as the three of them enter the spooky monstrosity, the ride comes to a screeching halt, and the horror begins.

The lights fade, and a hooded figure appears and tells them they’re stuck in a twisted game of cat and mouse. He will show them their worst fears, and if the kids manage to face down those fears, they’ll have a chance of getting out of the House of Horrors alive. If they don’t, well....

Thirty minutes to go. Thirty minutes to face their nightmares... and the clock is ticking.

**My thoughts**

I have never liked those Houses of Horror at fairs and festivals. They really are super cheesy. Yes, I may jump when something pops out, but more from being startled than actually scared. You can usually quickly figure out how the stunts are done and then move on. 

This House of Horror, though, is quite different. In addition to the cheesy mechanical things and the made-up actors is the super creepy ticket seller who reappears inside. He is forcing them to face their biggest fears, which aren't quite what you would expect them to be. I wonder what mine would really end up being?

While I was reading this one, I kept thinking of Harry Potter and his friends facing the boggarts. To overcome them, you had to overcome your fears. Only this version of fears is much more sinister and could be deadly. It's not as easy to make them go away. 

Yet again, another spine-tingling read in the Weirdville series that made my inner child jump with joy. I highly recommend it for those who love those scary stories for the younger generation.
About the author:

Majanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library.

She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her.

She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.

Majanka is currently studying for her Master of Laws degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”

Links

Author Website: http://majankaverstraete.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: @iheartreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Review of 'The Doll Maker (Weirdville #1)' by Majanka Verstraete


Book Description:

Derek’s little sister wants one of those creepy-looking dolls, staring at him from the strange new doll shop in town, and what his sister wants, she gets. Now they’re stuck with a doll that looks so human, it gives Derek the creeps.

When Derek tells his friends, Martin and Jamie, about the new shop with creepy human-like dolls, they want to see for themselves. That has “bad idea” written all over it, but he takes his friends there anyway.

They meet the mysterious doll maker, who reminds Derek of Dr. Frankenstein, and who brainwashes Martin into buying one of those scary dolls. Derek and Jamie push and pull Martin out of the shop, but something isn’t right with their friend. He’s shivering all over, and he has no memory of what happened in the shop.

Martin’s condition worsens every day, and Derek’s sister grows more and more obsessed with her new doll. Derek and Jamie have to find out what’s going on, and fast, because...

...the doll maker seems linked to a bunch of mysterious disappearances, and the last thing Derek wants is his sister, or his friend, being next on the doll maker’s list.

**My thoughts**

This first book is a great introduction to this series! For me, these books are really short, only taking me about a half hour to read. There is just enough horror thrown in to keep it creepy, yet not so much that it is too much for kids to read. Majanka has found a good balance between scary and overkill, which is important when writing for a middle grade crowd.

The idea of lifelike dolls and a creepy shop owner isn't a new one, yet this book tells its own version in a captivating way that keeps you intrigued. I have been reading horror stories since the young age of 9 and don't often get scared, yet had a little knot in my stomach from the thrill of the ride. I knew where the story was going to go, but wanted to know how it came to its conclusion. I could predict the twists, but didn't care, because it was still well done. My inner child was screaming in delight, because I would have been all over these books at a younger age. 

If you are someone who is terrified of creepy dolls, then obviously this book isn't for you. If you are a fan of scary stories that make you chuckle in nervousness, get started with this one. At only 99 cents, it is a great deal. 


Buy links

About the author:

Majanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library.

She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her.

She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in.

Majanka is currently studying for her Master of Laws degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”

Links

Author Website: http://majankaverstraete.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Majanka-Verstraete/398570476832115

Twitter: @iheartreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, May 15, 2014

'Madison and Mason Learn the Values of Fitness' by A. Daniels FREE 5/15-5/19/14



Blurb:
Grades 3rd-8th 


Madison and Mason are twins who play video games and eat junk food on the weekends. The children barely spend time outside getting enough exercise. This eBook, written by A. Daniels, helps all children realize the values of exercising and how much fun you can have by incorporating physical activities into your daily lives. The bright illustrations will help keep your child's attention, while the message will encourage them to have fun. Parents/teachers there are 10 questions and answers located at the end of this eBook.

Read an excerpt:
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Madison and Mason sat inside and played video games. They had been playing video games all morning and snacking on junk food. All the lights were turned off, and the only light was coming from the television screen. Madison and Mason’s mother walked into the living room and said, “It is a beautiful day outside. Why don’t we all go to the park and enjoy the sunshine?”