Cohen toes the line between magical realism and horror. Not completely frightening but certainly odd. While initially spooky, the atmosphere loses some of it's sharpness as it goes along.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

First of all, I think the book is a bit spookier than the cover so keep that in mind when recommending the book to kids. One thing I really enjoyed about the book was the switch in narrator in the middle of the book from Arlo to Alice, gave an interesting perspective and really made me think and question what was going on. I have to admit that there were a couple times in the book where I was a bit confused about what was happening, so I could see some parts being tricky for kids. But overall, a good spooky book.

From a teaching perspective, it would be very interesting to have kids read this and Tuck Everlasting to draw comparisons, find similar themes, and the books raise some good big questions.

I love that it's based on an actual story, of a logging town in New Hampshire which suffered an epidemic and that people were buried alive there. So interesting. It's creepy, and it seems like it'd be a good horror pick and a good summer read.

Another wonderfully creepy novel from Marina Cohen! I love how she takes relatable kids living their lives with all of the everyday thoughts, feelings, issues and so on, and plunks them into eerie settings where they have to navigate other-worldly forces and beings. What IS a shadow grave and more importantly, who or what inhabits it? You might not want to ask the locals in Livermore, and even if you do, you're not likely to get the truth. This story has a perfect blend of enough-but-not-too-much spookiness for this age group, and will keep you on edge and guessing right to the end.

Marina Cohen compels the reader to peel back the ick and creepiness of each new horror that she manages to concoct. In Shadow Grave, Arlo just wants some happy normal family time after all the disastrous things that have happened of late, but being stranded in Livermore after a car accident shows him that even the worst experiences he's had are comparatively cushy compared to what he's about to deal with. Taut and timely, I dare you to read this alone in the dark.

This is a bit predictable and a touch monologuey, but as an upper middle grade horror/ghostish tale, (don't be fooled by the kiddie cover), this was very effective. It's well paced, crisply written, and features a kid hero who keeps his wits about him and carries the story in convincing fashion. A strong contender for satisfying Lovecraft-lite for younger readers.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley
#netgalley
Spooky middle grade. Loved it.

Marina Cohen is one of those authors that have books I’ve been meaning to try. A while ago, I had the opportunity to read her latest release, Shadow Grave. I had no expectations going in, other than what was laid out in the synopsis.

I liked this story. From the start, it seemed like it would be a very spooky read, and I have to admit that it kind of was. There was something going on, and there were moments of tension. Plus, the setting was isolated, which created a sense of being trapped. It certainly had a sense of eeriness and mystery, which was something that the main character, Arlo picked up on. But there was directness to the narrative that limited some of the intensity that could have been there. That being said, when Shadow Grave hit its stride, the story sped toward the conclusion (and stuck the landing) with plenty of twists and turns. Ultimately, it had a strong dark fairy tale kind of vibe to it.

Shadow Grave also proved to be largely about its characters. That was a good thing, as it’s one of the areas where the story excelled. The topics could be heavy—absent parent, illness, accidents, etc.—but I ultimately liked the way Cohen approached them from the viewpoint Arlo. His character was largely shaped by everything he’d experienced prior to the start of the story. There was also his mother’s soothing reassurances, and the broken promises made by…well, someone else (If you want to know, you’ll have to read the story). These things formed the way he tried to handle the situation, while looking out for himself, his mother, and his little sister, Lola.

Overall, Shadow Grave was great. There were a number of good things about the story that I think a lot of readers would enjoy.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Roaring Book Press) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you!

This book wasn’t what I was expecting but in a totally good way! I really enjoyed the plot and the characters that were a part of this spooky book.

The book is told in three parts. The first and last parts come from the point-of-view of Arlo. He is a 12 year-old who is on vacation with his 9 year-old sister, Lola, and their mother. A happy thanksgiving away is meant to bring fun times but it becomes a disaster when they get in an accident and find themselves asking for help in a town called Livermore.

Arlo is a character I could relate to even though I am an adult. His sister watches a zombie show with him and she prefers that over unicorns. He was scared of zombies at her age. I still am, haha. Arlo watches this show only so that he doesn’t feel left out when his friends talk about it. I can understand not wanting to feel left out. I remember those days and it’s not a nice feeling. He also deals with anxiety and during the trip his mother is always trying to remind him that he is strong and to think positive. Because of his anxiety, he tries to have a plan in the back of his head. A perfect example of this was his use of first aid after the accident. He was a quick thinker and got the job done! Because of these two things, I feel like many kids will be able to relate to him.

When the book splits into another point-of-view, it comes from a girl named Alice who lives in Livermore. The town is very odd and so her point-of-view was quite interesting! We learn about a couple secrets when it comes to the town through her and she is a great friend towards Arlo and his sister Lola.

The plot wasn’t as spooky as I thought it would be but it didn’t stop me from enjoying what this book had to offer. I liked learning about the secrets of the town and it’s people. There are some cool plot twists as well. Although I still have a question or two about one thing in particular, it makes sense that it stays a mystery and I’m okay with how it all went down. I don’t think that kids will mind either.

I really liked the author’s note at the end as she explains where she found her inspiration, which does indeed include a real ghost town! Using things from history always intrigue me when it comes to these types of books.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read! This would be perfect for those who want to try a spooky book but want to read one that is more mild.