Wounded By Stephen Cole

wereling
Tom Anderson stormed out of his family’s rented cabin during their vacation, claiming to need some alone time. He can’t shake the feeling of being watched as he hikes to the river. As he wades into the river, he is surprised by a grizzly bear forcing him into deeper, faster water towards the rapids about which his father warned him. Tom survives his trip through the rapids and pulls himself weakly to shore. While Tom is relishing in his survival, another low growl stops his laughter. The last thing he remembers is staring into two narrow yellow eyes. Tom awakens in the Folan family’s cabin. His rescurers care for his wounds but keep him locked in the room and refuse to contact his parents. There is something odd about this family. Wesley, the younger son, warns Tom that is older sister Kate is nothing but trouble and the reason they had to move to this cabin. Upon exploring Kate’s room, Tom finds black candles and books on dark magic. She may be someone of which to steer clear. But Tom soon discovers that things are not what they seem in the Folan family and Kate is his only hope for survival. Wounded is the first volume in The Wereling Trilogy.

Bliss by Lauren Myracle

blissBliss In The Morning Dew, who has been raised in a commune, finds herself living with her proper Southern grandmother when her parents skip out to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War. Bliss’s grandmother has enrolled Bliss in the prestigous Crestview Academy for high school. But Crestview has a history and Bliss with her sixth sense hears and feels an evil ghostly presence in one particular school building. Bliss’s new friends have a history too. Bliss, set in the ’60s, brings together many issues of the time, as the tale gets creepier and creepier.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

graveyardA young toddler wanders away from his home during the night as a killer has murdered his family. He toddles up the street to the old graveyard with the killer on his trail. The residents of the graveyard sensing danger, hide the toddler from the killer and raise him. Nobody (Bod) Owens has the protection of the graveyard and its residents. The ghosts assign Bod parents and guardians, who teach him what they know and keep him away from the killer who is still searching for Bod. The Graveyard Book is a magical and thrilling read. Come check it out.

Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Wait Till Helen ComesWhen Molly and Michael’s mom remarries and they have to move with her new husband, Dave and his daughter Heather to the country, they are not overjoyed. This has spoiled their summer plans with friends. Living in the country is boring compared to the big city but they try to make the best of the situation by exploring their new environment. The family’s new home is an old coverted church which comes with its own graveyard. Molly notices a change in Heather’s behavior after a visit to the graveyard and the discovery of a small tombstone. Strange things begin to happen around the house and Heather blames both Michael and Molly. Tensions begin to rip the family apart. Heather continues to manipulate the adults and threaten her new siblings with “Wait till Helen comes!”

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

TantalizeQuince’s parents died in a car accident three winters ago. The most important thing she has left of them is the Italian restaurant that the family owns, which is now being run by her Uncle Davidson until Quincie turns twenty-one. Business has been slow in the downtown Austin restaurant, so Uncle D has decided to change Fat Lorenzo’s into a vampire-themed restaurant. Sanguini’s seems cursed from the start when Vaggio, the head chef, is violently murdered in the kitchen and the police begin to suspect Quincie’s best friend and love interest, Kieren, as the murder. It doesn’t help that Kieren actually is a hybrid-werewolf. When the new chef arrives and murders in the downtown area continue, Quincie finds her life taking a very unsettling turn.

The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn

old willis placeDiana and Georgie watch from the shadows of the woods as the new caretaker, his daughter and dog move into the trailer on Oak Hill Manor. Diana knows that caretakers never stay long because the Old Willis Place, as Oak Hill Manor is more commonly known, is haunted. But Diana decides to make friends with Lissa Morrison, the caretaker’s daughter, even if means breaking all the rules.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

haunting of cray 2The beautiful and mysterious Alaizabel Cray is discovered by seventeen-year-old Thaniel, the wych hunter, while he was on the trail of a cradlejack, a vampire-like creature.  Alaizabel has been possessed by Thatch, an old wych, who along with a sinister society have evil in store for Victorian London.  Thaniel and his colleagues rally to save Alaizabel and the city from a host of murderous fiends. If you like gothic horror tales, you should enjoy this one.

Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

A living nightmare cirque du freak What are you willing to sacrifice for your best friend? Cirque du Freak, The Saga of Darren Shan, Book 1 is the first book in the twelve book series by Darren Shan. As the series begins, Darren is just an ordinary guy who likes hanging out with his friends doing guy stuff.  One night Darren and his best friend, Steve, sneak out to watch a visiting freak show.  That’s when events start to go wrong for Darren. Throw in a vampire and a giant spider, and suddenly Darren’s life starts to sprial out of control. 

If you’ve read any of the Cirque du Freak series, let us know what you think.  But remember, don’t give everything away!