- Paperback: 162 pages
- Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing LLC (March 28, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1605923990
- ISBN-13: 978-1605923994
- Source: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
- Stars: 4
- Flames: 0
The Blurb:
As the townsfolk sleep, something creeps into the neighborhood. Hidden in shadows, its presence is as old as time itself, its intent not born of goodness. Nick, a teenager who fancies himself a detective, wakes to find his carved masterpiece missing. Now a mystery is afoot, and Nick has his first assignment, to find out who or what is snatching up the town’s pumpkins and why. Unfortunately, as with all great detectives, obstacles stand in Nick’s way—the neighborhood bully and his cronies, and the strange old lady and her dog who share the run-down house at the end of Nick’s block. As Nick investigates, an urban legend unravels . . . . The Legend of The Pumpkin Thief. Nick fears the legend as he embarks on the most dangerous adventure of his young life. Collecting clues, getting ever closer to the true nature of evil, he learns that curiosity comes with a high price.
The Review:
I'd just like to start up front by saying I like the story. Here was beginning grump about the book. The cover. The big honking publisher logo and "YA HORROR" on the top completely take away from the cover itself. And then the "of the" screams ROMANCE NOVEL... which this isn't. So from the moment I looked at the book I felt like someone should slap the cover designer! As for the story itself, I love it. It's a good young teen read. I don't think it fits the title of YA because it feels like it is more of a middle grade book. I talked to the author and he said Nick was originally 14 in the book but the publisher suggested the age bump... Bad call, Noble YA, bad call. The book is written in a tone that suggests the original age of the protagonist. Knowing this, I came to realize that even though the cover takes away from the story and the main character's age was tampered with in a way that screws with the feel of the story- the story is still really good. It's creepy in a good way. The kind of way that makes you wonder if this legend really exists and if he does, will he be jacking your pumpkins? Overactive imagination here! Believe me, when I stopped reading, the light was on and I was seriously considering waking up my husband because there had to be something outside or under the bed or even in the closet (we won't mention that I can see almost my entire interior of my closet from my bed). It is a great Halloween read, which is right around the corner. Nick is a great character (did I mention I hate the fact that the age was changed, yet? I do.). I love how he thinks and his goals for the future. I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE his little sister. Having been the little sister, I think Charles Day nailed it! :0)
So I suggest this book to anyone that likes a good young teen read with creepy elements. If you don't like creepy stuff, stay away. If you're looking for a YA book in the sense of the main character feeling the part of a 17 year old-ish, then I'd suggest a different book. Or maybe you can get passed that little age issue. It's a good read either way, really. I just hate when outside sources screw with good aspects of a book because they think it might sell more- which is what I suspect happened here.
About the Author:
Charles Day, a/k/a, The Evil Little Jester, is an HWA affiliate member, and the Mentor Program Committee Chairperson and a full member of the New England Horror Writers Association. He has published 14 short stories with various small press publishers, and his novella Lockdown (Wicked East Press, 2011). His biggest successes to date are the sales of his first thriller/suspense novel, Deep Within, (Twisted Library Press, Spring 2012) and a Novelette, The Plan (Naked Snake Press, Spring 2012). He is also the founder/owner of Hidden Thoughts Press—non-fiction works where the primary focus is mental wellness collections—and Evil Jester Press, a fiction imprint. He firmly believes that after walking the dingy halls of a psychiatric ward as an employee for 12 years, many of the characters who speak to him daily in his head are those he may have watched over, anxious to share their stories through the written word. You can find out more at charlesdayfictionwriter.blogspot.com. Welcome to his twisted world.
Connect with the author:
Charles Day, a/k/a, The Evil Little Jester, is an HWA affiliate member, and the Mentor Program Committee Chairperson and a full member of the New England Horror Writers Association. He has published 14 short stories with various small press publishers, and his novella Lockdown (Wicked East Press, 2011). His biggest successes to date are the sales of his first thriller/suspense novel, Deep Within, (Twisted Library Press, Spring 2012) and a Novelette, The Plan (Naked Snake Press, Spring 2012). He is also the founder/owner of Hidden Thoughts Press—non-fiction works where the primary focus is mental wellness collections—and Evil Jester Press, a fiction imprint. He firmly believes that after walking the dingy halls of a psychiatric ward as an employee for 12 years, many of the characters who speak to him daily in his head are those he may have watched over, anxious to share their stories through the written word. You can find out more at charlesdayfictionwriter.blogspot.com. Welcome to his twisted world.
Connect with the author:
RSS Feed
