Thursday, April 28, 2022

Review: Uncle Jed's Secret by Chris von Halle

Today's read comes from a series, which I have visited before...and enjoyed. These remind me a bit of the Goosebump reads with a tiny more bite. This one is the latest (released end of February) and promises chills and thrills. I was excited to see that the ebook version is only 99 cents on Amazon, at the moment. So, bonus for you guys, too!

Since ghost stories and 'things that go bump in the night' are always on the hot-to-grab shelf for middle graders, I'm not waiting until Halloween for this read.

Grab that flashlight and let's take a peek into the shadows!


UNCLE JED'S SECRET
Between Dark and Light
by Chris von Halle
Upper Middle Grade Horror
135 pages
ages 10 to 12












Don’t go to sleep…

As usual, twelve-year-old Jason is staying with his Uncle Jed in small-town Minnesota for a few days during the summer while his parents are away on business. But this time something’s horribly off. Ever since Uncle Jed’s wife died a few weeks ago, he’s been acting like a totally different person. He doesn’t eat the same food, have the same interests, or even use the same turns of phrases.

Grief can do strange things to a person, but Jason’s about to find out it’s far more than grief that’s plaguing his uncle. It’s something deeper. Something darker. Something else…

Between Dark and Light is a series of nonconnected children’s horror books featuring strange, eerie, supernatural events. Ages 10 & older!
 

GOODREADS   /     AMAZON


MY TIDBITS

Spooks and chills accompany unexpected twists to form an exciting...and short adventure.

While his parents attend a business trip, Jason is spending his usual time with his uncle, but this time will be a bit different since his aunt passed away a few months before. He expects his uncle to be depressed. He doesn't expect the big changes, though. Knowing that everyone mourns differently, he tries his best to go with the flow until things go downhill fast.

This does remind of a Goosebumps read with all the haunting moments and creepy surprises. The tale is told by Jason, who comes across as a nice kid. He has great relations with his parents and uncle, and seems like the boy next door. He's very understanding when it comes to his uncle's sudden changes, which works for the age group and makes him come across as simply a nice kid. His choices are understandable. Plus, he's easy to connect with and root for.

Creepiness settles in slowly with hints and nods, the entire time, at what is truly going on. It's not impossible to guess, but also not fully clear, either, and will keep readers on the edge of their seat. Tension mounts from page to page, and the end resolution comes quick but satisfyingly rounded. Younger and more sensitive readers should be aware that this does hit upon death and being threatened with a gun. It makes a great read for a fast thrill and is appropriate for the intended age group. 

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