I loved the concept of this story. The author’s world building is excellent and the range of characters interesting. As this is the first book in a series, it would have been easy to have information dumps but this hasn’t happened. The pace is good and we are learn about some characters. I am sure there will be more in-depth coverage of those we didn’t, in future books.

A spooky and engaging Y/A book that I thoroughly enjoyed! Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

The Abandoned Theater by Dana Robertson is a super fun read with some good twists! Good book for all ages to enjoy! Can’t wait for the next one:))) will recommend to friends!

I was fortunate to get an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. In this compelling young adult novel, the Springvale theater, a relic of past performances, holds dark secrets from eight years ago when Mr. Winnodov mysteriously vanished during what ultimately became the last show. Fast forward to the present, and a new mystery unfolds as a group of children sneaks into the theater—only for one to go missing.
Beth Shoner, who discovers that the missing child is someone she knows, is propelled into a race against time with her friends to uncover the truth. As they delve deeper, Beth realizes that the past eight years of her life may not be what they seemed, and she finds herself in a pivotal role—her choices could mean the difference between rescue and disaster.
This story is a briskly paced adventure, making it an easy and engaging read. However, the rapid tempo occasionally leaves little room for deeper exploration, which might leave some adult readers craving more nuance. Nevertheless, its accessibility makes it a perfect fit for middle-grade readers.
The novel masterfully weaves together elements of thriller, mystery, and fantasy, all while tackling significant themes like grief, divorce, and the complexities of young friendships. The character development is particularly strong, allowing readers to form genuine connections with Beth and her companions.
Overall, this book is a delightful journey filled with suspense and heart, making it a must-read for young adults and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted tale of discovery and resilience.

this was a very engaging book!! the characters were fleshed out and the story had depth to it, not to mention that it dealt with a myriad of different themes; it was wonderfully layered!

A seriously spooky YA Horror story melds seamlessly into Epic Fantasy while also coping with overtones of life issues such as divorce, parental fatalities, parents acting out, friendships vs. cliques, town and familial secretkeeping. The characters are engaging and the story holds a plethora of surprises, encased in a lyrical, imaginative, writing style.