Showing posts with label child abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child abuse. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

The Boy in the Cemetery by Sebastian Gregory

The Boy in the Cemetery
Sebastian Gregory
Publisher: Carina
Kindle Edition, 122 pages

About the Book:
This is the story of a girl who didn’t want to live…

Carrie Anne is desperately unhappy. Tangled in a web of abuse, she seeks solace in the cemetery that backs onto her garden. But something creeps between the gravestones. Carrie Anne is not alone…

…and a boy who cannot die.

The cemetery is home to a boy. He has guarded these forgotten bones since meeting a gruesome end two hundred years ago. Neither dead nor alive, he has been watching for a long time. And now, he finally has the visitor he’s been waiting for…
My Thoughts:

There is a boy that goes by the name Boy because he cannot remember his name, was an abused child from the 1800's that ended up alone and then went to a graveyard to find the dead's secrets.

In present day, there is a girl, Carrie Anne, who is an abused child that wants to sleep in death. Her family moves to a new town with a graveyard behind their home. As she tries to hide her family secrets, her macrabe fascination shines through and makes her stand out and she becomes a target.

This story is creepy, macrabe and downright gross at times and should please any reader that enjoys that kind of a story. This story is not full of fun and games but takes on some serious issues like child abuse, attempted suicide and sexual abuse. With those issues, I'm not sure how to approach where to categorize the genre. It has a child main character so I would lean that way, but at the same time the abuse and suicide issue is touchy. I would suggest an adult read this book before handing it to their child to make sure they are mature enough for the subjects.

With that said, I was entranced by the whole story and enjoyed it throughout. The ending was one that I didn't totally see coming but looking back it made sense and seems there would be nothing that would be more appropriate. I love the characters and wanted to rescue both and became quite involved with the story because of this.

This is one story that I won't be forgetting for quite a while. I recommend it to all that love horror and enjoy children as main characters. This is truly perfect for those that like Tim Burton's and possibly even Neil Gaiman's style. Not sure I'd recommend it for young adults because of the subject matter and feel that it needs to be a parental decision.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley courtesy of the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

"Covenant Child" by Terri Blackstock

Covenant Child
Author: Terri Blackstock
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN-13: 978-1401686970
Paperback: 336 pages

About the Book:
Amanda’s heart broke as she watched them drive her beloved twins away. She resolved to hope . . . and to fight for them to her last breath.

Kara and Lizzie are heiresses to one of the largest fortunes in the country. But when their father dies suddenly, the toddlers are ripped from the arms of Amanda, their loving stepmother, and given to their maternal grandparents, who only want the children’s fortune for themselves.

While even the stipend their guardians get for supporting them is squandered, the children are left to raise themselves. Kara and Lizzie grow up believing they are worthless . . . until the day when they learn the truth.

My Thoughts:

Gripping me from the first page, this book would have been devoured in one sitting if I had not had to tear myself away for other obligations. I just could not put it down! Terri Blackstock is a true master of storytelling and will keep the reader captivated from beginning to end. She had me gasping more than once at the realism of the abuse that Kara and Lizzie suffered - heartrendingly done by their own grandparents!

This novel has such a wonderful story line of unconditional love and forgiveness, although not apparent at first. As it unfolds, there is such a powerful message of unending love and faith. This book is going to be with me for a long, long time and comes highly recommended. This is one novel that should be on everyone's TBR list! 



I received this book through the Booksneeze program. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.