What a unique, enjoyable read!

It reads like A Series of Unfortunate Events meets Nancy Drew and I'm digging it. It's dark and Gothic, but not too dark. For me, it was just the right amount of creepy. It's mysterious without getting bogged down in misery. The Sinister-Winterbottom siblings are the upbeat heroes you really want to root for, each with their own unique quirks and special abilities.

I think the author did a great job of developing interesting characters. The mystery was twisty and interesting and left enough unanswered questions at the end that I really need the next book in this series. Seriously! Finish it already!

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book. I liked the creepiness of the Wretched Waterpark and how people kept going missing. It did feel like a Scooby-Doo mystery like other reviewers were saying, but I enjoyed it because of that feeling. Some of the only things that hindered my from liking it more was that it didn't wrap up as well as I would have liked to. And I didn't like that the characters (two sisters and a brother) were all named male names(nicknames), it made the audiobook confusing and I didn't like that.

So, I am kind of late writing this review, since it Wretched Waterpark was released last summer (July, 2022), but I am still appreciative of NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the e-ARC. And I have just got share my opinions!

I had read books by Kiersten White previously and LOVED them. I was not disappointed in Wretched Waterpark. The Sinister-Winterbottoms twins and their sister, Wil are unsure what to expect from spending their summer with their aunt, Saffronia. Then Saffronia suggests they spend their days for a week at Fathoms of Fun Waterpark. Theo and Alexander begin to think things are looking up. (Sadly shaking my head)

Creepy, filled with adventure, and just reminiscent enough of the Series of Unfortunate Events books to pull in middle grade readers that might want a bit of spine-tingling fright in their reading diet--but it is not so much as to keep them awake at night.

I fell in love with this world and its characters and am looking forward to Vampiric Vacation and Camp Creepy, the next two books in the Sinister Summer series.

This was sold to me as part ‘A series of unfortunate events’ and part ‘Scooby Doo’ and honestly throw in a touch of gothic Tim Burton vibes and that’s exactly what you have!

Two pre-teens (along with their sister) are shipped off to a mysterious aunts house for the summer who promptly forces them to spend their days at a mysterious water park. It’s gothic, spooky, and definitely kooky haha. Then their sister disappears and the hi-jinx ensues! Off to her rescue scooby dooby doo *cough cough* I mean Sinister-Winterbottom twins activate!!

Anyways highly enjoyed this middle grade read and while the mystery is solved, there is an overarching mystery to their lives that isn’t solved allowing for continuing stories which I’m excited about!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

this book was so fun! i read it over two days and was sad to see it end. it was fast paced and compelling throughout. i wouldn’t say it was anything spectacular or mind blowing, but it was a quick, easy, fun read !!

This is a great start to a series that will be perfect for kids who want a good mystery that's not too heavy or dark, that won't keep them up or give them nightmares. I read it to my 9 year old (who's a huge fan of water parks), and she couldn't get enough. The villains were sinister without being scary, the voice was fun an consistent, and the characters absolutely loveable and relatable (her favorite was Theo; mine was Alexander). We thoroughly enjoyed sharing this story together. The cliffhanger and unanswered questions definitely left us wanting more, We can't wait to start the next book in the series--and hopefully find out what in the world happened with the twins' parents!

Wretched Waterpark is an interesting middle-grade mystery with a gothic water park setting. It makes perfect first book in Sinister Summer Series by introducing the series, characters, and Sinister-Winterbottom family.

I haven’t read the Unfortunate Events series but those who have read have mentioned this has a similar vibe. Writing is lucid and atmospheric with dry offbeat humor and quick banter. First half is all build-up and introduction. It takes time to get into the mystery but the characters make up for it.

I loved both Theo and Alexander. They both loved each other and always stayed together and supported each other even with their different nature and liking. All other secondary characters are mysterious and interesting. Their descriptions are hilarious and it was amusing the way the twins nicknamed them.

Setting is the best part. I wish there was a map of the park. The description of the park is outstanding. There is huge tower with gargoyles and from gargoyles’ mouths tongues twist out into long slides and those slide are named – oblivion, abandoned hope, mortal coil, afterlife, and so on; cabana looks like a mausoleum; raft to use for slide looks like a coffin, and there is a library in the waterpark! It makes a perfect gothic setting and creates an amazing creepy atmosphere but not in a terrifying way.

Mystery is not that mind-blowing. The revelation of Mr Widow’s disappearance turned out way too simple but I still liked how the twins exposed evil Mrs Widow’s sinister plan. While all mystery of the waterpark is solved here some mysteries are remained to be revealed in the next books that I’m eagerly waiting to read now.

Why 4 stars-

This felt it slow for middle-grade genre and there are slight fillers or I think writing is like that as it feels like we are reading kid rambling so which means more words used for something we can say in lesser words (I hope that makes sense). Mystery isn’t that strong and like I said some revelations were just okay.

Overall, Wretched Waterpark is fun, entertaining, and strange but interesting middle-grade mystery with an amazing gothic water park setting.

A rollicking fun book! Kiersten White nails it in this enjoyable middle grade book. The Sinister-Winterbottom twins are a pair to root for. I loved the gothic, atmospheric vibes of the story. The characters are funny and I loved the banter and laugh-out-loud moments. With lots of clues and puzzles to solve, readers will eat this story up. A wonderful first book in a new series.

This book reminded me of A Series of Unfortunate Events mixed with Hotel Transylvania, and I loved it! Theo and Alexander were both such strong characters in very different ways.and it was so refreshing. Twins can't always be exactly the same (especially in books for younger readers) but here I liked that they supported each other as siblings but still had their own . I thought White's semi-sarcastic writing style and the relationships between the siblings, especially the oldest sister Wil, was so great in this book. And of course, the best of all, was the waterpark itself. I wish I was reading this in the summer/fall but alas. I still enjoyed this immensely and want more!

I did not expect to enjoy this "somewhat dark" middle grade novel as much as I did, but here we are. I picked this up because I knew Kiersten White from her new release in the world of adult action/horror, Hide. This is one that I'm looking forward to continuing to read through the entire series. I'll also be pressing it into the hands of reluctant young readers... I think it will be a hit with them!

This was a perfect spooky but not too spooky, creepy but not too creepy middle grade book for the fall. Loved it and can’t wait to give it to my kids to read!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this introduction to a new middle grade series.

Though this series didn't grab me, I think it will find its audience. It's a quick mystery that is somewhat reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events. It wasn't quite as developed as I wished it had been, but I do think there will be a population of kids who eagerly anticipate a sequel.

I actually gave this one to my eight-year-old daughter to read, and she gave it two thumbs up. Ha! She loved the mystery elements and the characters. It was her first longer book to read and I couldn't believe how fast she read it. She's now asking for more of White's books, which we'll purchase!

I thought that this book was cute with some creative and interesting characters. I wasn't blown away by the plot twist and the ending but I think that kids looking to get into the mystery genre could really enjoy it. I thought that the setting was neat and will definitely be a draw for many readers. Overall, I think that this story will be enjoyed by kids that are looking to delve into mysteries for the first time.

I believe this is a series that will be well received in my school. It's got it all a mystery, creepiness, and adventure. The kids who love horror I think will really like it because of the creepy characters and the kids who like solving things will like those parts. Well done

We really enjoyed this fast read as a family (and ended up listening to the audiobook as well). It is just the right amount of creepy, mysterious, and amusing for the upper elementary / middle grade reader.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Childrens - Delacorte Press for this ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Is a fun and cute story sprinkled with adventure. The writer has a pretty good reputation with her books although this is the first time I'm reading a children's book of hers. There's a few more coming out in the next few months related to the series so I'm looking forward to that. Definitely recommended. #wretchedwaterpark #netgalley

White follows the pathway that Lemony Snicket laid, presenting the reader with odd scenarios that the characters largely accept as simply the way the world works. There is a larger mystery at play that is certain to be further revealed as the series progresses but this volume has a complete story all it's own. While that mystery/adventure is a fairly wild one, it never takes itself too seriously so we don't question the logic of events. While it lacks the pseudo-serious tone of Snicket's series, it has a charm all it's own. If your reader has worked through A Series of Unfortunate Events give Sinister Summer a try.

"Wretched Waterpark" by Kiersten White is the start of a series that is sure to be a favorite among middle grade readers. A great book to recommend for readers that enjoy Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

What a fun middle grades read! Wretched Waterpark, is the first in a series about the Sinister siblings and what looks to be some pretty crazy and fun adventures. I enjoyed the bits of humor tucked in to a fun mystery. The characters have great personality, the story line is well thought out, and I look forward to reading more in the series.