The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender {review}

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall 
by Katie Alender
♦publisher: Scholastic Point
♦release date: August 25th, 2015
♦hardcover, 336 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦stand-alone
♦source: from publisher for honest review

In this asylum, your mind plays tricks on you all the time…

Delia’s new house isn’t just a house. Long ago, it was the Piven Institute for the Care and Correction of Troubled Females—an insane asylum nicknamed “Hysteria Hall.” However, many of the inmates were not insane, just defiant and strong willed. Kind of like Delia herself.

But the house still wants to keep “troubled” girls locked away. So, in the most horrifying way, Delia gets trapped.

And that’s when she learns that the house is also haunted.

Ghost girls wander the halls in their old-fashioned nightgowns. A handsome ghost boy named Theo roams the grounds. Delia finds that all the spirits are unsettled and full of dark secrets. The house, as well, harbors shocking truths within its walls—truths that only Delia can uncover, and that may set her free.

But she’ll need to act quickly, before the house’s power overtakes everything she loves.

From master of suspense Katie Alender comes a riveting tale of twisted memories and betrayals, and the meaning of madness. 

Review: Once again, Katie Alender gives her readers a perfect blend of great characters, horrific  moments, and emotional impact. I know I've said this before, but she is one of those authors that I can always pick up and know I'm going to get a spine-chilling great story. 

The story starts off with Delia's family moving into the "house" that her aunt left her. Upon arriving they find a daunting old mansion that they discover was once an asylum---one where many women were wrongful held and where several people died. I love the way the beginning is written. They are short chapters inserted called "Observations after the fact" so you know some huge twist is coming, but when it does it's still left me shocked and heart-wrenched. 

Delia's character grows so much throughout this story, from headstrong and a bit angsty to courageous and smart, a caring sister and good friend who only wants to see the people she cares about safe. The other characters were all well written, and I loved the different personalities from different eras all thrown together in this terrifying situation. Most seemed content to accept their captive eternity, but Delia sparks them to action.  I do wish there had been more of Theo, that he'd had a bit more involvement in the story and maybe a bit more romantic buildup, but the story was still great without it. 

It's definitely a creepy story, perfect for those moments when you just want to be spooked!  But it's also a great emotional story about family and sisterhood, friendship and finding strength, forgiveness and letting go. If you can't get to it any sooner, I highly recommend this one for a perfect Halloween read!

Find Katie Alender online:  Website  •  Twitter  •  Instagram

Purchase the book:  BookDepository  •  Indiebound   •   Amazon  

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

 

Famous Last Words

by Katie Alender

 

hitting shelves September 30, 2014 from Scholastic Point

 

description:

Hollywood history, mystery, murder, mayhem, and delicious romance collide in this unputdownable thriller from master storyteller Katie Alender.

Willa is freaking out. It seems like she's seeing things. Like a dead body in her swimming pool. Frantic messages on her walls. A reflection that is not her own. It's almost as if someone -- or something -- is trying to send her a message.

Meanwhile, a killer is stalking Los Angeles -- a killer who reenacts famous movie murder scenes. Could Willa's strange visions have to do with these unsolved murders? Or is she going crazy? And who can she confide in? There's Marnie, her new friend who may not be totally trustworthy. And there's Reed, who's ridiculously handsome and seems to get Willa. There's also Wyatt, who's super smart but unhealthily obsessed with the Hollywood Killer.

All Willa knows is, she has to confront the possible-ghost in her house, or she just might lose her mind . . . or her life.

Acclaimed author Katie Alender puts an unforgettable twist on this spine-chilling tale of murder, mystery, mayhem -- and the movies.

 

My thoughts: Never met a Katie Alender book I didn't love.  She has such a great writing style with a good dose of creepy and fun.   Plus, mystery based on famous movie murder scenes?? As a fan of Katie Alender's AND of classic movies, I think this sounds awesome!!

Becky's View: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender
♦publisher: Scholastic
♦release date: September 24, 2013
♦hardcover, 304 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦stand-alone
♦source: from publisher for honest review

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger...

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

Review: Being a ghostly horror story featuring one of my favorite historical figures and written by an author that has always been a favorite of mine put Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer at the top of my most-anticipated reads list this year.  And as with Katie Alender’s other books, I was not disappointed.  Her writing style was perfect for this, bringing in the beautiful Paris setting through the eyes of a first-timer, giving us characters that are complicated and realistically flawed, and bringing in just the perfect amount of creepiness and horror, while still leaving the real gore to be filled in by the imagination.

The main storyline finds Colette discovering that her ancestor is connected to Marie Antoinette.  They arrive in Paris in the midst of a serial killer rampage…several well-connected young people are meeting a bloody end at the hand of what appears to be the ghost of Marie Antoinette herself.   When Colette starts to see the ghost everywhere and finds she is connected to the victims, she must find out how to stop the murders before her own time runs out.

Colette is, as I said, flawed, sometimes frustratingly so.  Her dad walked out on them recently, leaving them struggling to make ends meet.  She also struggles with severe claustrophobia which lends to a few heart-pounding moments in the plot.  Both things leave her insecure and living a lie with her rich friends, one of whom she knows will cast her out if she knows Colette’s not rich anymore. While it was irritating to watch Colette make such poor choices and bend over backwards for her snotty friend, it definitely left her room to grow and left me rooting for her to finally realize her own worth and stand up to the horrible Hannah.  The ending outcome had me cheering for both Colette and her sweet friend Pilar. 

Helping her find the connection between the murders is their tour guide, Jules.  I had to love him, he was sweet and helpful and sincere, and sees more in Colette that she is able to see in herself.  I also loved Audrey and was glad she was there to help Colette with the mystery and with becoming a better person.

The setting itself is a wonderful character in the story.  From Versaille to the Catacombs, and of course a very classic scene set at the Eiffel Tower, Alender paints a gorgeous visual of the City of Lights.  The sights of Paris are woven right into the storyline, amping up the  magic and wonder and horror in key scenes.

A perfect balance between the story of a girl deciding who she wants to be and a chilling murderous ghost story---Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer gave me one more reason to call myself a fan of Katie Alender.

Find Katie Alender online:  Website  •  Twitter  •  Facebook

Purchase Marie Antionette, Serial Killer:  Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer
by Katie Alender

hitting shelves October 1st, 2013 from Scholastic Press

description: Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

My thoughts:  The first time I heard about this one, my jaw dropped. Gorgeous Paris setting, hidden history, murder and...the ghost of one my favorite historical characters, all pissed off and killing people?? Excuse me if I sound morbid---but this sounds awesome.  Plus, it's Katie Alender. Loved the first two books in her Bad Girls Don't Die series  (haven't gotten around to reading the last, but I'm sure it's amazing. :D)

Review: From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

publisher: Disney Hyperion

release date: June 14th, 2011

hardcover, 448 pages

intended audience: Young Adult

sequel to: Bad Girls Don't Die (2009)

rating:



source: ARC from publisher for review

Warning! The description and review may contain slight spoilers for book one in this series!

description: Alexis is the last girl you'd expect to sell her soul for beauty and popularity. After all, she already has everything she needs--an adorable boyfriend, the perfect best friend, and a family that finally seems to be healing after her sister Kasey's unfortunate possession by an evil spirit.

But then Kasey tells Alexis about the mysterious new club she has joined, and the oath she has taken to someone named Aralt. Worried that Kasey's gotten in over her head again, Alexis and her best friend Megan decide to investigate by joining the Sunshine Club, too. At first, their connection with Aralt seems harmless. Alexis tries a new -- normal-- look, and finds herself reveling in her elegance and success.

Still, despite the Sunshine Club's outward perfection, the group is crumbling from within, and soon Alexis finds herself battling her own personal demons. She can hardly even remember why she joined in the first place. Surely it wasn't to destroy Aralt...why would she hurt someone who has given her so much, and asked for so little in return?

Review: I read Bad Girls Don't Die before my blogging days, but I absolutely loved it. It was incredibly creepy, the characters were strong, eccentric, and stepped away from many of the usual stereotypes we see so much of today. It hit on two things that absolutely freak me out---hauntings involving children and creepy possessed dolls (when i was growing up, my mom collected antique porcelain dolls---my imagination got away from me a few times late at night!). I had no idea this would be a series, as Bad Girls Don't Die had a definite ending, but when I heard about From Bad to Cursed, you can bet I was pretty excited to get my hands on it!

In this second installment, Kasey has come home from the mental hospital after almost killing the entire family and destroying their former home under the command of a spirit-possessed doll. Alexis is glad to have her home, but wary of Kasey's condition and how she'll fit in to her school life. She's torn between letting her fend for herself and keeping an eye on her to make sure nothing like what happened in their past ever happens again. Meanwhile she's trying to get on with her own life, balance boyfriend, school, and a high-stakes photography competition. Then Kasey starts hanging with a group who've dubbed themselves the Sunshine Club. At first it seems innocent enough, just a group of girls who have given themselves extreme makeovers inside and out. But Alexis soon discovers there is something way more sinister guiding them...and then she gets sucked into it herself.

There are some great twists and turns here, great intense story-telling, and lots of surprises. I definitely didn't feel this one was as scary as the first book---but definitely just as compelling. With a club full of 22 girls, sometimes there were a few too many names flying around to keep track of---there was one that became such an important part in the story in the second half, but I couldn't for the life of me, remember where she came from! I loved the ideas that are presented throughout this story---the question of what success and getting everything you want is worth. The question of doing for yourself and not putting too much blind faith in things working out fine on their own. Alexis and Kasey are both complicated characters this time around, and it's interesting and unique to hear a story told from the point of view of someone who is under a spell for a good part of the book.

A great second book---will there be more? I don't know, but I'll definitely be reading it if there is! Although, there would have to be a pretty good explanation as to why these two sisters keep landing themselves in paranormal trouble!

Visit Katie Alender's site here!

Purchase From Bad to Cursed at: Amazon • BN.com • BookDepository • Indiebound

Trailer:

Book Trailers: The Revenant & From Bad to Cursed

Some cool new trailers hit the web today! I can't wait to read either of these!

From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender:



and The Revenant by Sonia Gensler:


Both lovely & creepy! :)