Joni Jones and the Ghost Train by P.D. Leyshon

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy/Middle Grade

Format: eBook

Pages: 298

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

The Ghost Train is approaching... Are you brave enough to jump on?

A page - turning time travel, fantasy adventure for children aged 8-14, who enjoy the Harry Potter books, or films like The Goonies.

It is nearly a year since 11-year-old Cai Jones went missing on that awful Halloween night.

When Joni Jones starts hearing the eerie sound of a steam engine on the haunted old path in the woods, he is convinced it is linked to his older brother's mysterious vanishing.

After Joni and his friends, Osh and Ellie, sneak out to investigate, they discover a ghost train that takes them to a parallel spirit world, where all the ghosts that ever existed are trapped for eternity.

With the help of the Resistance, a commando unit of ghost fighters, Joni must rescue his brother, then somehow return home.

Travelling through time to fight ghosts isn't for everyone.

To have any kind of future, Joni and his friends must first conquer the paranormal past.

Review:

"It was a question that had troubled the villagers of Nant-Y-Glo in West Wales for nearly a year since that Halloween night when the eleven-year-old schoolboy disappeared. Eleven months and twenty-nine days, to be exact."

Joni's brother disappeared almost a year ago. Life has not been the same for Joni and his grandparents. Their hearts are filled with sadness and worry. Joni begins to experience strange occurrences. Waking in the night, hearing a train that should not exist. Seeing a woman and a white crow. Discovering his brother has his telescope pointed towards the old path in the woods, wondering why. He also discovers his brother's hidden diary with things written that are the same as what he is experiencing. 

Joni convinces his best friend, Osh, to investigate where the sound of the train is coming from. They never could have imagined what they would encounter or the adventure they will be taken on after jumping on the train. Eventually joining up with others, they learn where they are, why they are there, what they must do to rescue Joni's brother, and are able to return home safely. 

There is so much that occurs throughout the story. It is mysterious and filled with historical times. The adventure is exciting and engaging. I really enjoyed the quirkiness and diversity of the characters and the bonds between friends. It was great to see each of them discover more about themselves and begin to show their strengths. The descriptive prose created a vivid and atmospheric setting of the parallel world set in the past. There is just enough darkness that creates a creepy, ghostly, spine-tingling adventure.

As an elementary librarian, I can easily say that this is a perfect book for those kids that love a fantastical, historical, spooky read! There were certain names of the kids that popped into my thoughts that I know would love this book!

As an adult reading it with the kids in mind, it was really fun to read. But I also feel that as an adult, if you still love to read middle grade books, I definitely recommend grabbing your own copies to enjoy. Also, if you have your own children to read with or children with a passion for reading, this adventurous book is delightful!

**A very kind thank you to the author for reaching out and providing a complimentary copy!

Goodreads Author Link:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/
Amazon Author Link:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/P.D.-Leyshon/
BookBub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/

Author Website Link:

https://www.paulleyshon.com/books/

About the author

P.D. Leyshon is a TV Producer and Director responsible for delivering some of the UK's most popular property, history, and antique shows. He is also very experienced in directing children's tv. Two decades working on history shows have provided the inspiration for some of the characters and locations in his debut novel. A passion for history, geography, and all things peculiarly paranormal led to him creating 'Joni Jones and the Ghost Train'. Paul is available for media appearances and school visits via his website.

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/

Remembering Demons (The God Cycle Book 1) by J. Cornelius

Genre: Dark Fantasy

Format: eBook

Pages: 284

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

Have you ever wondered what lurks in the mirrors?

Daryl doesn't have to wonder... he knows.
But why do they stalk him? Why can't he remember anything?
It's enough to drive a guy crazy!

Meanwhile, the eerie asylum seems to know more than an old pile of rock and mortar has any right to and his therapy is uncovering a blood-stained past of pain and death, alongside something dormant within him of disturbing power. When Dr. Walker teaches him how to face his demons, the psychoses and dreams conspire to warn him of something even worse stalking him. Something ancient and evil.

To survive, Daryl must confront the repressed memories that drove him insane.

For madness—is a blunt instrument.

Review:

“The process of your capture is to be part of your punishment. First, I will break your body and then deliver what is left to Purgatory for eternal damnation.”

Daryl is in an Asylum, he does not know why he is there, nor does he remember his past. He has repressed his memories and is too fearful to face uncovering the truth. He meets with a therapist who is trying to help him not only remember and face his fear of pain, but also to stop believing his hallucinations are real and there are no monsters. 

Daryl is so confused he just does not know what to believe. His dreams do not feel like they are just dreams, they feel real, and he begins to realize there is so much more going on than he could have ever imagined.

Visits from imaginary friends, monsters in mirrors, angels and demons, pain, and fear. 

Will Daryl figure out who he is, face his past, and will anyone believe him when the truth is revealed?

"Feeling safe is a promise your past makes to your future. It does not, in fact, mean that you are safe."

This dark fantasy is like stepping into a fever dream, wondering if you will be able to step your way back out. The lines between the realm of monsters and gods and Daryl's world are blurred until he begins to realize many truths which then blends cohesively together. And yet there are the elements of surprise that still cause the mind to wonder and question, is it all real? Or is it a way of tolerating suppressed memories and past traumatic experiences? 

A blending of dark fantasy, elements of horror, mythology, and moments of humor. I chuckled a few times, which added a little enjoyable lightness to the story. 

If this sounds like a book that you would enjoy reading, please try it. If you feel a bit confused at first, stick with it because it will come together and it will be worth your time spent in a world of imagination.

**Thank you so much, J. Cornelius for reaching out and for the complimentary copy. 

 Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Cornelius/author/

BookBub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-cornelius

Author Website Link:

https://www.j-cornelius.com/

About the Author

J. Cornelius writes traditional and dark fantasy. His debut novel, Remembering Demons, is an epic dark fantasy novel with traditional fantasy and sci-fi elements. It is the first in The God Cycle series, a contemporary fantasy epic. Besides books, he also juggles a job as a full-time virus researcher and father of two beautiful girls and a boy for whom looks are too early to tell. He has also been a bartender, a food oil sommelier, a singer and composer of songs, and an embarrassingly avid dancer of dances. In his copious free-time he greatly enjoy making snaps and following the world of physics and cosmology, both of which have served as inspirations for the themes of The God Cycle.

Review Links:

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THE APARTMENT: Fear Stalks the Halls (Part 3 Houses of Horror Series) by Kevin Bachar

Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 264

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

An unholy being is unleashed in the terrifying novel from the EMMY-award-winning producer and screenwriter of the LIONSGATE horror film THE INHABITANT.

 What if the horrors of the past seeped into the present? THE APARTMENT is a place where every hallway, door, and staircase leads to madness. And where a serial killer by the name of THE HARVESTER has decided to stalk their victims.

Benjamin and his girlfriend Katherine move to New York City. Instead of stylish Manhattan, or hip Brooklyn, the couple end up on Roosevelt Island, a spit of land in the middle of the East River.

It's secluded and steeped in sordid history. The place was once known as the ‘Island of the Damned’ when it was home to a prison, a smallpox hospital, and a mysterious building where strange experiments occurred.

Review:

Katherine aka Kat has a special gift. Starting at the age of eight she has been able to see beyond what others are not able to. Pictures appearing in her mind showing her events happening or are yet to happen. Spirits appear to her at times, but there is one that is malicious, a bringer of doom. 

After a traumatic experience at the age of eight, her ability goes dormant for many years. She has also become very susceptible to becoming terribly ill. She must be incredibly careful not to be exposed, so she mostly stays secluded. 

"Time and trauma had etched their mark, leaving her with a perpetual wariness in her storm-grey eyes."

As her life moves forward, she has found love and a new future. She takes a huge leap of faith and moves to New York with her boyfriend, Benjamin. He chooses an apartment on a less populated island to help protect Kat from being exposed to illnesses. 

Kat soon learns that the apartment building and the island have many hidden dark secrets, and it has awoken her ability. Once again, she starts to see disturbing and horrible things.

The other tenants seem strange and distant, often cranky.

"Some people are just not pleasant."

There is now a murderer among them. The crimes are heinous and have everyone on edge, feeling unsafe.

As thoughts of the island linger in Kats mind, her visions become more frightening, and her dreams become more disturbing. She does not quite feel like her normal self anymore. 

Murder and mystery abound within these pages. Kat's character is so intriguing as she is not easy to figure out because of her ability, it turns one's mind to really wonder what is actually going on, what is real and what is not. The lingering spirits are unsettling because of how much pain they are in, lost and trapped. The most disturbing is learning what occurred on the island many, many years before, heart wrenching. 

The end chapters are full of surprises!

Ghosts, paranormal, thriller, serial killer, mystery, and horror. This was a fun read!

 Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kevin-Bachar/author/

BookBub Author Link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kevin-bachar

Author Website Link:

https://www.kevinbachar.com/

About the author

I’m a national EMMY award-winning documentary filmmaker and WGA screenwriter. If you’ve watched National Geographic, PBS, or The Discovery Channel you’ve seen my work. I’m the idiot in the water filming sharks in murky water or vampire bats in pitch-black caves. But I sometimes like to leave the factual world behind and work in fiction.

The elevated horror film I wrote - The Inhabitant - was released through Lionsgate last fall and is available on Prime. A reviewer in The Guardian wrote - “...there’s a lot more finesse here in the telling of the backstory … and a sense of menace lurking around every corner in the bland suburban setting; together it evokes indie “elevated horror” features such as It Follows.”

Review Links:

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The Atropine Tree by Sarah Read

 

Genre: Occult Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 317

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Aldane Manor is an ancient home of low-beamed ceilings, crumbling walls, poison gardens, and deadly secrets.

When Alrick Aldane returns to his family’s house, he expects to simply inherit his father’s land and title.

Instead, he discovers that he is also heir to the property’s disturbing history--one full of witchcraft--and a ghostly mystery that could condemn him to a fate worse than death.

Review:

"The wood was stained in splotches of unnatural colors, the surrounding plaster absorbing the hues—purples, reds, yellows fading out from the doorway as if it were a portal to another world."

House Aldane is a manor with a dark history. When Lord Aldane passes, the family is now all gathered in the manor. Alrick is under the impression that he will now be Lord of the manor, but his older stepbrother, Aemon, has other plans. He has gone to great lengths to ensure he will be Lord, and he uses his position of power in an unkind manner. 

Tredan is Alrick and Aemon's uncle who is also the alchemist of House Aldane. He works hard to save many ill orphan children, and he is now teaching Alrick the craft.

Alrick is a gentle soul and only wants what is rightfully his. He also wishes to help as many people as he can while keeping the family together and peaceful. 

"No healing could occur with Aemon in power—he was a hot infection keeping the wound open. Alrick would be the medicine. If necessary, the scalpel."

Nelda is Aemon and Alrick's sister. She is fascinated with nightshade and belladonna, and the trees such as laurel and oleander. Her mother's garden is filled with poisonous plants which she indulges in to open the door to the other side.

 As Tredan and Alrick work together to prove he is the rightful Lord, many hidden secrets become known. 

"There was duty to consider. And not all of the voices in the Aldane halls were happy. Frightened maids. Cries of anger. And the dead. So many voices out of their bottles."

 The Atropine Tree is a wonderfully written dark gothic horror novel. Fascinating characters and an engaging plot. Questionable practices, shattered lives as well as a decaying manor. Trapped souls, some hateful, and some that are favorable. Sickly scenes of death. Deeply buried secrets to unveil. A dark manor full of deceit, tension, danger, and adventure.

I really enjoyed reading this one, just fabulous!

**Thank you Bad Hand Books for the complimentary copy!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Link:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sarah-Read/author/

Author Website:

https://inkwellmonster.wordpress.com/

About the author

Sarah Read writes and reads dark fiction in Colorado. She is Fiction Editor for Pantheon Magazine. When she's not playing with words, she's playing with yarn. Her hands are perpetually covered in ink.

Publisher Website Link:
https://badhandbooks.com/

"You can do a lot with a bad hand. We're bringing you the best horror, crime, and dark fantasy fiction."

Review Links:

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https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/

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