This is a quick read but that's not entirely a point in it's favor. We get a fairly shallow exploration of the concepts. And the story isn't especially frightening for horror.

The Raven's Pass and Return to Raven's Pass series are scary stories for middle grade readers. The plot is less developed and more predictable than the Goosebumps series, but for kids who need an easy, short book, they fill a niche.

Lacy could use a lesson in kindness when she's caught cheating. That's exactly what she gets when a strange girl appears out of nowhere and pretends to be her. The problem is that the imposter is a nice version of Lacy and everyone likes her better. But it's all a farce. There's nothing good about her. If she can't convince her dads of the truth, Lacy is going to be replaced for good.

I love a good middle grade book and I am ultimately aware that they are pitched to a younger audience so as a result the content and language will be of a less mature nature. However, for me this story was just okay but it was lacking because it wasn’t very detailed or descriptive and felt almost as though it was written by a middle grader for a school task; trust me I am an expert on this as a middle grade English teacher myself.

I wanted to love it more as the concept of the story was good but the execution meant that I found it boring and unimaginative in its style.

For a part of a series of quickly-read junior horrors, this really works. Lacey is quickly established as a very self-centred young missy, until she sees her double on the edge of her town's spooky forest. Sentenced to repeated geometry homework, having cribbed from someone without their knowing, and with the task to represent herself better when it comes to thinking of others, she suddenly finds the Other Lacey representing herself – putting her name down for unwanted activities, and getting star grades. Lacey therefore might end up gaining much by thinking about herself – but she could also lose her life to the perfection the imposter offers...

What books for this age range – definitely less than twelve – need do is just have a spooky something in the forest. This goes waaaay beyond that, then, with the doppelganger situation and the character arc Lacey is forced to confront. (It also has her having two fathers, for those for whom such things are important.) This is creepy and then some for the target reader, and rich and meaningful too. I would like to think the three other "Return to Ravens Pass" books are such quality, but I can't guarantee it – what I can say is that this has the feel of really going above and beyond all that was needed, and by dint of that deserves full marks. The illustrations, by the man who drew for the first five-book series several years ago now, are spot-on, too.

The other is a great book for middle schoolers. It has the right mix of humor and scares. I love this series.

A fun read or kids looking to get into spooky books. A light read, this story will have kids on the edge of their seats till the very end.

The Other is a lovely light horror book for middle-grade readers about a girl, Lacey, who starts seeing her double in the forest next to her house. She's identical to her, so much that she is slowly taking over her friendships and responsibilities!

I really enjoyed reading this little book: it's spooky, fun and with a lesson to learn! I particularly appreciated the fact that the "evil" double was actually behaving better than the protagonist, so she had to realize her mistakes and correct them to beat her twin. The book also includes some lovely illustrations, in black and white, which match perfectly the horror theme of the book.
Overall I enjoyed The Other, I could definitely see me recommending it to young readers!

* I'd like to thank Megan Atwood, Capstone and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Capstone for this ARC!

This was a great light horror read about a girl who saw someone who looked identical to her in a forest one day...

I loved the plot, and I was hooked throughout! The illustrations here and there were also a lovely edition! The black and white art really added to the horror element of the novel!

Even though this is a middle-grade novel, anyone of any age can read it. Even I was slightly creeped out by the thought of having an evil double!

I love how there's a deeper message to the story (how Lacey had become a self-centered person who didn't pay attention to those around her, yet she eventually learns to appreciate her friends and family, and how to become a better person).

I love how her evil doppelganger was a better version of herself, yet her intentions aren't as good willed as I had first thought.

Brilliant read!

This book kinda scared me surprising for a middle schooler book ! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC ! Lacey is a little selfish and cheats on her assingment. Shes very Selfish and her friends/family are over it.

This book is modern Goosebumps.
It’s creepy and it has a point. I think middle school kids would definitely enjoy it. Might be a too scary for anyone younger

Thank you to Capstone / Stone Arch Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Lacey is selfish and doesn’t leave space in her life for her friends and family, she thinks of herself and only herself. Then she starts seeing another version of herself haunting her and doing things she hasn’t done, everyone in her life likes this new other Lacey with glowing red eyes.

This was eerie and I loved how the other Lacey turned out (will not spoil it), but it was so creative and creepy. It was great seeing Lacey’s character progression from her rude and selfish attitude to learning her ways and caring again for those in her life.

If you are looking for a light horror for a young reader they would love this, it’s not too scary but had scary parts and is eerie throughout. The characters are written really well with really great illustrations. It’s easy to read and progresses nicely through the story.

I really enjoyed this book and I love there are others in the series to read too, it also gives you some extra facts and projects you can think about, perfect for a teacher to use in a class setting.