Dreadwood
By Jennifer Killick

Dreadwood is a middlegrade horror for 9 years plus, by the author of the hugely popular Crater Lake. She is an author who fans of Goosebumps by R.L. Stine enjoy. I jumped at the chance at the blog tour to see what all the fuss is about. Find out if it was worth it in my review and also discover more about the book in the blurb.

Blurb

Turn the lights on. Lock the door. Things are about to get SERIOUSLY SCARY!

The brand new must-read middle-grade novel from the author of super-spooky Crater Lake. Perfect for 9+ fans of R.L.Stine’s Goosebumps

It’s basically the worst school detention ever. When classmates (but not mate-mates) Hallie, Angelo, Gustav and Naira are forced to come to school on a SATURDAY, they think things can’t get much worse. But they’re wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.

What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keeping humming the tune to Itsy Bitsy Spider? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute…? Cut off from help and in danger each time they touch the ground, the gang’s only hope is to work together. But it’s no coincidence that they’re all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting and is out for revenge…

Review

Children love something that’s a bit scary, when in the comfort of their own home. School on a Saturday is sure to put the frighteners on any child, but then Killick ups turns the screw even more. It’s most definitely a page-turner!
Meet Hallie, Gus and Naira in detention on a Saturday at Dreadwood High and staff – teacher, Mr Canton and groundsman, Mr Latchitt. You can see how they landed detention. On a Saturday is odd enough, but then strange things start to happen, starting with the mysterious disappearance of Mr Canton…
Mr and Mrs Latchitt have something about them that feels toe-curlingly strange! That, once past the behaviours of the children and their ideas and lifestyles is when it really gets interesting. Holes sealing up is just one thing as the intrigue deepens and the mystery gets darker and twisty, with its tunnels, spiders and references to well-known fairytales and rhymes.

Children will find this nail-bitingly atmospheric and entertaining to read, with its fast-paced spookiness and characters to latch onto.

The next story is – The Fear Ground. I have had the privilege to read the extract and it is most definitely going to be a book that will be worth the wait.

Thanks to Farshore Books and The Write Reads for inviting me onto the blog tour and for the book.