The Halloween Tree

Published: 1972

Author: Ray Bradbury
Genres: Adventure, Boys & Men, Children's, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Folk Tales, Horror, Literature, Myths, Paranormal, Scary, Supernatural, Teen, Time Travel, Young Adult

Rating: 100/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle version here:

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The Halloween Tree (2016) (Animation):

https://amzn.to/3EAQhb3

Check the summary of this book here:

The Halloween Tree Summary

The Review:

This book is an artistic history lesson on the roots of Halloween, a festival that is sometimes overlooked and misunderstood in 21st-century America. This narrative is both invigorating and nostalgic for many. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all go back to our childhoods and have one more lovely and terrifying All Hallows' Eve?

During my adolescent years, I read practically all of Mr. Bradbury's stories and am pretty passionate about his work. The fact that it was aimed at children did not deter me from reading it. Many stories for children have been published that are fantastic tales that adults would not only appreciate but also learn something new from. This is where 'The Halloween Tree' comes in.

It's a short read, and I finished it in one sitting because it's just around 150 pages long, which is like a trailer for some of the novels I've read in my life.

It isn't as gory as some of Stephen King's works. It may be frightening for young people or children, as well as some adults, but it only gave me a few false alarms.

It's essentially a story about the Halloween custom. You'll learn something new if you don't know why North Americans celebrate the occasion the way they do. However, I was conflicted about the tale. The beginning and end were enjoyable, but the middle section reminded me of what one could see after being stoned.

This was a lot of fun to read, even if it did feel a little hurried at points. I wish I could have spent more time in each little town since learning about the many cultures and traditions was fascinating. I liked how each boy's costume related to the stories, and I liked the descriptions and phrasing used throughout the book — gorgeous, mystical, and whimsical, it reminded me a lot of Alice in Wonderland at many points but it is not related to that classic in any way except for the trippy feel of it. The copy I read also featured some really lovely graphics, which was a wonderful touch.

This novel also offers a unique viewpoint on death, including how it has been seen throughout history and by different civilizations.

I don't recollect any female characters in this novel, and I didn't realize it until now. I believe that was simply the way the narrative was written and not anything the author intended.

Note: 

I never watched the animated version so comment or message about it if you already watched it.

Final Thoughts:

I think this book must be read by all the children when they reach the age of at least thirteen to fourteen years old so they can learn the true story or stories behind Halloween.

Even grownups who have never read it before should read it. As I previously stated, you can read novels like these as an adult since some of these classics are so beautiful and provide us with so much to think about and learn at any age. Just enjoy the trippy parts also because that is the fun of reading a book like this.

Giving full marks Even though some readers may not enjoy it as much as I and many others do, I know many adults who read it every year in October because of its nostalgic value. Finally, I must say that I strongly recommend it to everyone.

Synopsis:

“Make storytime a little spookier this fall with fantasy master Ray Bradbury as he takes readers on a riveting trip through space and time to discover the true origins of Halloween.

Join the shadowy Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud as he takes eight trick-or-treaters on an unforgettable journey to find their missing friend, Pip. Travel through space and time, from the tombs of ancient Egypt to the gargoyles of Notre-Dame Cathedral, all the way to the cemeteries of Mexico on el Día de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Is Pip still alive? And if so, can his friends save him from a ghastly fate before it’s too late?

"If you want to know what Halloween is, or if you simply want an eerie adventure, take this mystery history trip. You couldn't ask for better than master fantasizer Ray Bradbury." --The Boston Globe”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

Ancient Egypt, Carapace Clavicle, Clavicle Moundshroud, Friend Pipkin, Group Of Boys, Halloween Night, Halloween Tree, History Of Halloween, Notre Dame, Ray Bradbury, Read Aloud, Writing Style

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World's Scariest Places Book 6

Hotel Chelsea

World's Scariest Places Book 6

Published: 1, September 2020

Author: Jeremy Bates
Genres: American, Classics, Fiction, Ghosts, Haunted Houses, Horror, Movie Tie-In, Mysteries, Occult, Shape Shifter, Suspense, Thrillers, Vampire, Werewolf

Rating: 85/100

Recommended: 90/100 Yes.

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The Review:

With excellent narrative, Jeremy Bates once again demonstrated his talent. His imagination breathed new life into old rumors, and the conclusion of his prologue was completely unexpected. This is a book I would suggest to everyone who appreciates a fantastic story with a lot of twists and turns. This book is fantastic.

When I used the word fantastic, it was for people who enjoy twists and craziness, and the ending of this book is completely insane, but I still loved it because of how insane it was. Many readers may not like it, as they have with almost all of Jeremy Bates' endings.

I am sure Jeremy Bates' writing gets better and better with each new book I read. I'd like to say more, but I don't want to give anything away. All I can say is that the book did not go in the direction I expected, which is amazing. The entire time, you're left wondering. His take on the events at the Chelsea Hotel is brilliant, inventive, and engaging. As always, I must add that he is a really brilliant writer whose books just blow the reader's mind.

I have to admit that this was the weakest book in the series. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't up to the others' standards. The book began with the impression that it couldn't possibly be anything but a fantastic read, what with the wonderful characters and the fascinating history of Hotel Chelsea. Unfortunately, I was mistaken. Because of the novel's many twists and turns, I found myself wondering where the story was going, but the problem with me is that I always give all writers a chance, even unknown ones, and Jeremy Bates is already an established author, so I read all the way to the end and was not dissatisfied, as I had observed in many other readers.

Final Thoughts:

Readers will be divided once more due to the way the second half of the book changes direction and then the final half was completely insane due to the extremely unexpected ending. For me, it was a very interesting twist that is very close to what I am telling people about the supernatural and science, as well as how people around the world think differently depending on culture and literature. This novel has nothing to do with what I'm saying, but it's very close, and I can't even discuss it because of spoiler issues.

Even if you like Jeremy Bates, you might not like what happens at the end this time. I still gave it a lot of points because I liked the story and the ending, but others may give it five to ten points less than I did. Don't give up or lose hope in him because Jeremy Bates is an exceptional writer, and even though his books get low scores, he continues to write great stories with great plots and twists that become even better because of close to life flawed characters that are sometimes so annoying that readers begin to hate the book and author, but I love that in a writer and especially in a book. So read the book and make your own decision.

Synopsis:

“"Bates brings the atmosphere." —Publishers Weekly

"Fans of spooky stories and ghostly encounters will relish the atmosphere of the Chelsea Association Building's Hotel Chelsea, with its dual magnificence and slowly-building terror." —Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review

OVER ONE MILLION READERS HAVE TAKEN THE JOURNEY TO THE WORLD'S SCARIEST PLACES. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.

The latest novel in the bestselling World's Scariest Places series takes you to the historic Hotel Chelsea in New York City. Many people consider it a cauldron of creativity due to the numerous writers, musicians, artists, and actors who have called it home over the years. But it is perhaps best known for being one of the most haunted places in the country...

When a magazine reporter is tasked with writing a story about the Hotel Chelsea's never-ending renovations, he befriends some of the hotel's eccentric characters. As the days go by, and he experiences increasingly abnormal events in his life, he begins to wonder if there's more to the Hotel Chelsea, and its residents, than meets the eye.”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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World's Scariest Places Book 5

Mountain of the Dead

World's Scariest Places Book 5

Published: 5, May 2018

Author: Jeremy Bates

Genres: American, Classics, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Horror, Movie Tie-In, Mysteries, Supernatural, Suspense, Teen, Thrillers, Vampire, Young Adult

Rating: 90/100

Recommended: 95/100 Yes.

Buy The Kindle Version Here:

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Free With Free Audible Trial:

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The Review:

This was a terrific page-turner, and I thought Jeremy Bates handled the alternating chapters brilliantly for most of the book, but by the end, the earlier drama was no longer a drama because readers knew what had transpired. Characters in this book are significantly more three-dimensional than I imagined.

I've been captivated by the Dyatlov Case for years, much like the individuals in the narrative, so this was a must-read for me. The narrative of the unexplained deaths of the nine hikers in 1959 is interspersed with a current account of an American author and his companion investigating the case in the Ural Mountains. The plot continues to be exciting, with some unexpected turns.

It's difficult to write a review for this book yet again. With the exception of a few words and situations that I found unbelievable, the author has done significant research on the authentic Dyatlov's group story and accurately follows it. The novel's potential present is a great leap of imagination, yet it is unfortunately unrealistic. If this isn't a concern for you and you don't mind terrible horror mixed in with brilliant writing, you'll probably appreciate it.

I couldn't have guessed the action moments, which had a race for your life feel to them; the tale truly caught me off guard. The last few moments were even more unexpected, given how unique and unseemly the folks that came together were. While on their trip to the last peak, the main character and his pals came across more unknown and terrible locales, adding to the story's horrors. I had a great time reading this story and would strongly suggest it.

Now one of my favorite series is Jeremy Bates' World's Scariest Places and I've read all the books from this series in a short amount of time. I believe he does a fantastic job of educating the reader about these locations and the cultures in which they are set; I feel like I'm getting a history lesson while reading. Mountain of the Dead was not, in my opinion, a "bad" novel or a "weak" installment in the series. If anything, Helltown seems out of place among the other titles in the series because I noticed a formula being used to write all these books but Helltown did not use it.

One more thing that I was expecting from the start was the ending and it was chilling to know I was correct but I know many readers are not going to like it.

Final Thoughts:

Genuine images from 1959 are used to illustrate the tale, many of which were shot by the hikers themselves as their journey progressed. On their trip, we grow to connect with them, which deepens our engagement in their narrative and deaths. The narrative, the innovative way fact, and fiction are interwoven, the characters, who are both well-drawn and engage our compassion, the outstanding written style, and the descriptions of the Siberian landscapes have all earned this book top marks from me. Despite certain brutal passages, I do not believe the novel is classified as horror. It is, in my opinion, a clever and sympathetic story beautifully presented and well worth reading. It comes highly recommended by me.

Still, I know that some readers will dislike it for the same reasons that they always do: the characters that do stupid things and then the lectures that these books are all about. Another major disappointment was some typos that I discovered, which I hope are corrected as soon as possible. The audio was good, and I thought it was easier to listen to the book than read it, so I recommend it if you prefer listening to audiobooks to reading them.

Synopsis:

“OVER ONE MILLION READERS HAVE TAKEN THE JOURNEY TO THE WORLD'S SCARIEST PLACES. NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.

The greatest unsolved mystery of the 20th century—until now.

Fact: During the night of February 1, 1959, in the remote reaches of Siberia, nine Russian hikers slash open their tent from the inside and flee into a blizzard in sub polar temperatures.

Fact: By morning all are dead, several having suffered gruesome, violent deaths. What happened to them has baffled investigators and researchers to this day.

It has become known as the Dyatlov Pass Incident.

Now, an American true-crime writer seeking answers to the enduring mystery sets out to retrace the hikers' steps on their fateful expedition—though nothing can prepare him for what he is about to discover...”

Useful Search Related Words & Keywords:

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