GHP Recommends: Halloween Reads
Mary Fan, author of The Firedragon, Firedragon Rising, Tell Me My Name, forthcoming Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil (Flynn Nightsider series) and Fated Stars seriesEver Near and Ever Lost (Secret Affinity Books 1 & 2) by Melissa MacVicar.
When 16-year-old Jade moves into a historical home on Nantucket Island with her mother and new stepfamily, she finds herself roommates with the disturbed ghost of a long ago resident. The fantastic storytelling, abundance of ghostly spooks, and Jade’s relatable voice make this duology a highly entertaining read. Bonus points for featuring a biracial (half black half white) protagonist.
George Ebey, author of the forthcoming Legend of the Phoenix (Phoenix Saga series) and novella DEBBI (Rovers of Mars series)The Wolf’s Hour by Robert McCammon.
His epic classic tells the story of Michael Gallatin, a Russian born werewolf working as a spy for the British Secret Service during World War II. I know what you’re thinking. A werewolf fighting Nazis during World War II? Isn’t that a little…campy? Well let me assure you, there is nothing goofy or comical about this book. Raw and visceral, McCammon handles the werewolf mythos in a way that is truly unique. The lore, the history, it’s all there in vivid detail that will leave you wanting more. For spooks and creep factor, and all out thrills, this one is not to be missed.
Abby Keeble, publishing assistant at Glass House PressRebecca by Daphne Du Maurier.
Rebecca is the story of a young heroine who at the beginning of the novel is the companion to a stodgy old woman named Mrs. Van Hopper. Her prospects in life and daily activities are dismal at best, until she meets Maxim de Winter. After only knowing each other for a few weeks, de Winter, who is much older than the protagonist, proposes and takes her to his home at Manderley. Upon her arrival, the heroine struggles to fit into her role as head of the house, made much more difficult by the lingering presence of the former (and deceased) Mrs. De Winter, Rebecca. Rebecca was successful and beloved by all, and throughout the novel the truth of her disastrous fate is revealed as we watch the protagonist fail to live up to her in the eyes of all in the household, especially the housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. Rebecca captivated me initially with the intrigue of the heroine’s marriage to a mysterious older man. Du Maurier does an excellent job of portraying the banality of the protagonist’s life before meeting Maxim De Winter, thus making the reader rejoice at his odd proposal and offer to whisk her away from her dreary life. Upon the heroine’s arrival at Manderley, I was enthralled by the chilling mystery of Rebecca. I felt the heroine’s fear at the increasing hostility of Mrs. Danvers and her discomfort in her inability to fit into her new life. Rebecca remains one of my all time favorite novels because of Du Maurier’s entirely magnetizing storytelling.
Diary of a Fairy Godmother by Esmé Raji Codell.
Diary of a Fairy Godmother centers around young witch, Hunky Dory, who is at the top of her class in charm school. On the cusp of graduating, Hunky discovers that a different life is calling for her: one of granting wishes and happiness, rather than the mischievous, carefree ways of witchood she has always known. It’s a heart-warming story of growing up and defying expectations, while still emphasizing the importance of friendship and family love. With illustrations reminiscent of Tim Burton’s style and a fun spin on traditional witchy tropes, it is definitely a great read for this season of spooks.
Carrie White-Parish, CEO of Glass House Press, editor and publisher
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
I saw the movie first, and immediately went out to read the book. Don’t read this if you don’t want your heart literally ripped out of your chest, because it’s absolutely the worst emotional terrorism. But it’s also incredibly creepy. Watching the MC walk into the field, when you know what’s going to happen. Then watching her ‘watch’ life as it goes on. The heart-rending scenes as her father fights to find her killer. Her little sister’s equally dramatic arc. And most of all—the thing that gave me the biggest chills, and kept me up at night—the idea that her family could still feel her. Could still see her, even, as she fought with them to bring her killer to justice. I read this book years ago, and it still haunts me. As a believer in ghosts, this one spoke right to my soul.
Linda Foster, author of Fallen Souls (The Realm of the Claimed series)
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages–not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When one of the strangers–beautiful, haunted Akiva–fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages–not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.When one of the strangers–beautiful, haunted Akiva–fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
PT McHugh, author of Keeper of the Black Stones (Stone Ends series) and forthcoming novel A Rebel’s Stone
The Stand by Stephen King.
I’m not a big horror fan but I did read The Stand by King and it was a great read. It’s a story about a post apocalyptic world, thrown into chaos because of a computer error in a Defense Department laboratory. The aftermath is almost no cities, no safety, no order, and no people. Those who are left battle among one another, choosing sides, and are stretched between the good of an ancient woman and evil of a man named Randall Flagg, the dark man.
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