Nightbooks

Alex is on his way to the basement of his building when he gets lured into a magic apartment and trapped by a witch. In order to keep her happy he must read her the scary stories he wrote, but what will happen if he runs out of ideas?I really enjoyed all of Alex's own stories within the book, they were so deliciously creepy and it made me want to watch and read some more horror. There are quite a few intriguing mysteries running through the book, is the apartment alive, what are those creepy figurines and why exactly was Alex trying to destroy his books? I loved every page of the book and will be looking out for more by this author.

This book was brilliant. Well written, the tension was built perfectly and it’s actually quite scary! So maybe if you’re buying it for your child, read it to them in the day.Overall, it’s fantastic. 10/10

Oh what a great reading it was. As an adult lover of middle grade age literature, I can recommend it to any 12+ book lovers.

Eu achei interessante a história e como eu comprei na Book Friday esse livro saiu de graça. A capa é linda, as páginas são as comuns americana (papel jornal) e sem orelha na capa. Estou ansiosa pra ler.

My personal rating is 3 stars, but readers of scary, creepy and gruesome will rate it much higher. The main character of Nightbooks is Alex, lover of monsters, dark magic, and anything terrifying. He records his very creative horror stories in regular black and white composition books until an event pushes him to destroy them. On his way to do just that, he is lured into an apartment in his building and enters a witch’s lair. (Shades of Hansel & Gretel.) Poor Alex is thrust into a prison with not only Witch Natacha, but her loyal feline familiar Lenore, and fellow captive and apparent slave Yasmin. In order to stay alive and soothe the earthquake-like rumblings of the magical dwelling, Alex must tell Natacha a terrible story each night or face dire consequences. (Yes, 1001 Arabian Nights.) Author J. A. White spins short horror stories within the main book that will send chills up the spine of even the most calloused lovers of the genre and I was very interested in how or if Alex and Yasmin would escape and return to their homes and families. Ultimately, the conclusion had few surprises, but I found myself pleased with how the author wrapped it all up. But this book is truly dark and will be disturbing to many. There isn’t a single instance of profanity or the slightest sexual innuendo or action, but librarians and parents should give serious thought to the age group they are purchasing for. It would not surprise me if professional reviews place it squarely with at least the 12 and up crowd as White’s Thickety series was. A 2020-2021 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee