Review: Read At Your Own Risk

By Remy Lai

New York: Henry Holt Books, 2024. Fiction. 160 pages.

Hannah Lee didn't think that skipping assembly with her friends would be a big deal. After all, the rumors that the school's attic is haunted are obviously just rumors, what could possibly happen if they tried to contact ghosts? It turns out, Hannah is now haunted. Not just haunted, cursed. In Biology, a scalpel flies out of her hand and lands in the middle of her forehead; an itchy sensation in her gums turns out to be centipedes; and that's only the beginning. Hannah decides to start keeping a journal to keep record of what is happening to her. Of course, that doesn't mean she is immediately forthcoming with the truth. And it doesn't do anything to stop the evil spirit from inhabiting her journal as well. Hannah thinks that local horror author Leon Star might be able to give her advice, but all he can do is warn her she doesn't have much time left.

This very scary and very enjoyable book is certain to be popular with anyone who likes to be a little bit spooked. The sketch journal format works really nicely in making this book just a little scarier, and supplying some welcome dark humor. A twist at the end serves as a larger metaphor and fits into the book really nicely without disrupting the story. Confident and reluctant readers will cruise through this book.

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