NOTE: This is a translated version of the original review posted in spanish.

Rating: 3.7 Stars

I'm closing out my February readings with the latest book from one of my favorite horror authors. The moment I knew Paul Tremblay would be publishing a new book this year, I ran to Netgalley to request an advanced copy. How could I let it pass?!

This time, Tremblay brings us a horror novel aimed at children, in which our main character is struggling with bullying at school and is at a vulnerable moment in his young life. Just at that moment, the boy and his family receive a strange visit from a "friend" made of clay, who will gradually take on a more important role in his life. At first, the book is a bit slow and confusing. I didn't understand where the story was going until I was well into the reading. However, once the narrative picks up the right pace, things start to get more interesting.

It's funny how in horror novels involving children, the parents are always the worst possible role models. In this case, the reader can't help but feel desperate when reading the scenes with Casey's parents. They are impressively clumsy. Obviously, this will begin to make sense when Paul Tremblay explains the reason why Casey's parents behave the way they do. It's here that Tremblay reveals that this is a botanical horror novel, in which natural elements will play an important role in the plot.

I liked how Casey's frustration and fear became more palpable as the story progressed. Morel slowly takes over her life, aiming to replace her, and Casey realizes there's little she can do about it. This is a perfect book for young readers, as it's an entertaining story. However, I don't think more mature readers will enjoy it, as it can be a bit simplistic and lacks major plot twists. I recommend it to anyone looking for a simple story to read on a trip or a weekend at home.

This was a cute book. It's a middle grade story and a very quick read. I recommend checking it out. Thank you to Netgalley for this arc.

Casey Wilson is struggling at school. It’s the middle of the pandemic and the stress and isolation of hybrid schooling, the potential for illness, and an embarrassing Zoom mishap have sent Casey into a tailspin. So, when Casey’s parents receive a phone call to set up a sleepover with a friend, Casey has no idea who that friend may be. All Casey’s friends no longer talk to him, embarrassed by his new stress-induced tics. When Morel and his father show up on the Wilson’s doorstep, Casey has no idea who they are. Morel can’t speak and looks more like clay than boy. He cannot possibly be a real person. However, Casey’s parents are charmed by Morel. Soon, they even start to pay him more attention than Casey. As the sleepover drags on for days, Casey feels like he’s fading into the background of his own home. Who is Morel? What is he?

Another is an upcoming release for middle-grade readers by horror author, Paul Tremblay. I grew up with Goosebumps and Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark. I’m thrilled to see that there are horror authors out there that will be able to add to the relatively small pile of horror books for middle-grade readers. This read felt age-appropriate for the target audience, but still created a sense of creepiness and unease. I enjoyed Casey as a character and felt that there were some really great lessons in here. It’s ok to be different. It’s ok to learn differently. It’s ok to like drawing more than baseball. It’s ok to see a therapist. It’s ok to struggle as long as you never give up. It’s ok to just be yourself. Sometimes accepting yourself opens you up to finding true friends where you may not have had the courage to look before. All of these are wonderful lessons for middle schoolers and even older readers. I think it will be easy for many to see themselves in Casey. I also loved the relationship between Casey and his sister, Ally. Their banter was such a wonderful aspect of the book and I’m so glad that their bond was included. So many books focus on sibling rivalry, so it was nice to read a book where the siblings still acted like siblings, but there was clearly love there as well. I will not give anything away regarding who or what Morel is, but I will say that Tremblay uses one of my favorite horror genres/“monsters.” If he wants to write an adult horror in this genre, I’m all aboard. Just saying. Hint hint, Paul. Anyway, it was an honor to get the opportunity to read and review a Tremblay book before release. Special thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Quill Tree Books for the opportunity. Another by Paul Tremblay will release on July 22, 2025, so if you have a young horror lover in your life, hop on it! 4/5 stars

ANOTHER is a perfectly creepy middle grade tale with a lot of heart. Casey is a 12 year old boy who is struggling in school after the COVID pandemic forced him to isolate and then reintegrate. Morel shows up at his doorstep, a new, strange friend, filling a void in Casey's life. But, something is very off about Morel. His parents don't seem to notice and Casey wants so much to be a good friend to Morel that he chooses to look past his oddities until those oddities threaten Casey's very existence. ANOTHER is a story of friendship, family, and organic horror featuring a wonderful protagonist that I think a lot of kids will relate to. Casey struggles with making friends and fitting in and Paul Tremblay illustrates beautifully that all the things that make him different also make him special and worthy of love. All of this wrapped in a very spine-tingling package will delight and recruit new young horror fans, while scratching the itch a lot of us older horror fans have for R.L. Stine's GOOSEBUMPS books. I also loved the fact that the story was left kind of open so that we might get more of Morel.

Paul Tremblay brings his signature creeping dread to a middle-grade audience with Another, an unsettling horror novel that explores isolation, family dynamics, and the lingering effects of a post-pandemic world.

At the center of the story is Casey Wilson, a lonely, anxious pre-teen still haunted by the mysterious “Zoom Incident.” When his parents announce that a friend is coming over for a sleepover, Casey is confused—he doesn’t have any friends. Then Morel arrives, a silent, strange boy with clay-like skin and an unnerving presence. As Morel’s stay extends indefinitely, Casey’s loving parents begin to change, favoring this eerie newcomer over their own son. And in the dark, when Casey catches glimpses of Morel out of the corner of his eye, he realizes Morel might not be human at all.

Tremblay masterfully captures the unique anxieties of growing up—social rejection, family alienation, and the strange loneliness that lingers in the digital age. The horror here is slow-burning and psychological, relying on unease rather than outright terror. Some younger readers might find the pacing a bit sluggish, but those who enjoy atmospheric horror will appreciate the way the tension builds to a chilling, ambiguous conclusion.

With its eerie premise and deeply relatable protagonist, Another is a haunting, memorable read for fans of Goosebumps with a darker edge. While the slow-burn storytelling may not satisfy readers looking for fast-paced scares, those who appreciate psychological horror will find themselves thinking about this book long after they turn the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

A super creepy middle grade novel! I love Paul Tremblay so much and hope he does more middle grade! When I was little I loved this series of books that included one called The Jack-o-Lantern that Ate my Brother - this gave me vibes similar to that and I LOVED it. An uncanny kind of feeling like something is off here.

I didn't realize this was a middle grade book until after I was approved for the ARC. Regardless, I still enjoyed it. I would have devoured this book as a kid though. The characters were very well done and premise was creative and unique. Unfortunately I just can't fully connect with books geared toward the younger audience so that's why I only gave it 3 stars. I still highly recommend if you have a young reader in your life that likes a creepy story.

**Review: *Another* by Paul Tremblay**

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.8/5)

Paul Tremblay’s *Another* is an unsettling, slow-burning horror novel that brings his signature creeping dread to a middle-grade audience. Blending post-pandemic anxieties, social isolation, and a bizarre imposter narrative, this eerie tale will resonate with young horror fans and longtime Tremblay readers alike.

At the heart of *Another* is Casey Wilson, a lonely, anxious pre-teen still struggling with the aftermath of the “Zoom Incident.” Isolated from his peers and dealing with worsening tics, Casey is surprised when his parents announce that a friend is coming over for a sleepover—except he has no idea who they’re talking about. Enter Morel, a strange, silent boy with skin like clay and an unnerving presence. As Morel’s stay extends indefinitely, Casey’s normally loving parents grow increasingly distant, favoring this eerie newcomer over their own son. And when the lights go out, Morel doesn’t look human at all.

Tremblay captures childhood isolation with a haunting authenticity, making Casey a deeply sympathetic protagonist. His fears—both mundane and supernatural—are woven seamlessly into a story that feels personal and universal at the same time. The novel taps into the unique anxieties of growing up in a post-pandemic world, from social rejection to the disorienting effects of remote learning. These elements add an emotional depth that elevates *Another* beyond standard middle-grade horror fare.

However, *Another* is a slow burn, which may frustrate younger readers expecting fast-paced thrills. The tension builds gradually, with a creeping sense of unease rather than outright jump scares. While this is classic Tremblay, the ambiguity of the horror might not satisfy those looking for a more concrete resolution. The pacing drags at times, particularly in the middle, making it feel like the story takes the scenic route when a more streamlined approach could have been more effective.

That said, *Another* delivers on the eerie atmosphere and psychological horror, proving that Tremblay’s mastery of unease translates well to younger audiences. The book’s final act is genuinely unsettling, leaving readers with that lingering, skin-crawling discomfort that defines the best horror stories.

**Final Verdict:** *Another* is a compelling, eerie middle-grade horror novel that offers a fresh take on childhood fears and isolation. While its slow pacing and ambiguous horror may not work for everyone, Tremblay’s talent for crafting unsettling atmospheres shines through. A great pick for fans of *Goosebumps* with a darker edge, and for middle-grade readers who want horror that sticks with them long after the lights go out.

Paul Tremblay is fantastic at crafting creeping dread, and I'm excited to see him branch out into other age groups! Younger readers will devour this spooky story and beg for more.

I really enjoyed this quick middle school read! It was actually so creepy, I was not expecting it at all. Mushrooms, spores, the pandemic, creepy kids? All the elements of a good horror read. I wish there was a less ambiguous ending but I heard Paul lives for those! I really enjoyed the characters, especially Casey! His feelings were truly that of a middle schooler. This would be a great read for a teen, I know I would’ve loved it!!

Thank you NetGalley and Paul Tremblay for the ARC!

3.5/5

Paul Tremblay has made a seamless transition from adult horror to youth horror fiction. His characters are always likable, interesting, and real, and "Another" is no exception. If he had not stated at the beginning of the story that this book was for juv readers, I never would have been able to tell the difference. I recommend this not only for juvenile horror fans but also adult fans of Tremblay's other works.

Even after the lift of COVID19 lockdowns, pre-teen Casey is still experiencing the isolation and anxiety that came with it. With the added middle grade terror (and reality) of cyber-bullying, Casey isn’t just cut off from his friends, he’s afraid of connection. Until one day when his parents come home with a strange old rotary phone, which soon receives a call informing his parents that a friend from school will be coming to stay. Casey, who considers himself friendless even after returning to school in-person, finds this news odd. When the mystery friend arrives, things turn out to be stranger than he could have ever imagined.

This is peak Tremblay, regardless of the reader’s age. You experience a lingering sense of unease from start to finish, largely because there is always something or someone you can relate to as the story unfolds. We can empathize with this isolation, the complexity of fearing connection while also desiring it, feelings of loss, both of others and of yourself. The most terrifying feeling that resonates throughout this book is helplessness. All that being said, of course there is moral (as well as a Morel) to the story too. No matter how you feel or have been made to feel, what makes you YOU will always remain at your core. By feeding your passions, you feed your hope. You feed your soul. You are irreplaceable and more capable than you might know.

For a middle grade novel this book is very unsettling.

Release date is not until July 22nd, so I won’t talk about it much other than to say this is great for all ages.

Don’t let the middle grade category put you off. It’s actually one of Tremblay’s creepier stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy!

Another by Paul Tremblay is the author's first middle grade horror novel. I have loved some of Tremblay's work (Head Full of Ghosts) but been disappointed by others (last year's Horror Movie), so I wasn't sure what to expect. The novel got off to a slow and improbable start for me (even keeping in mind that something fantastical is bound to happen in a supernatural horror story). However, I was eventually drawn into the story. There were some creepy visuals that I think were just the right amount of horror for a middle grade story. Even more so than the creepiness, what got me into the story was what Tremblay had to say about kids adjusting to school life post-COVID lockdowns and the effects of online bullying. The characters annoyed me at times (trying to keep in mind that the plot explains why they make such strange decisions), but I felt Casey was a sympathetic protagonist and I loved the way his sibling relationship with his older sister away at college was essential to the plot.

Another is a mostly-satisfying work of middle grade horror that I think kids would enjoy. 3.75 stars.

“Another… 50 pages than I probably needed.”

Look, I love Paul Tremblay. The man can craft suspense like nobody’s business, and Another definitely kept me turning the pages. But somewhere around the midpoint, I started wondering if I was trapped in the book myself—just endlessly wandering through unsettling ambiguity, waiting for the next big moment. It’s tense, it’s eerie, it’s got that signature Tremblay what-the-hell-is-even-happening vibe… but it also felt like it took the scenic route when a shortcut would’ve done just fine.

That said, the dude knows how to mess with your head in the best way, and when the payoff comes, it’s worth it. Not my favorite of his, but still better than 90% of the horror books out there. Would I read his grocery list? Probably. Would I hope it had a little more urgency than this one? Also yes.

Just finished reading Another by Paul Tremblay, anticipating another thrilling ride. Unfortunately, this middle grade horror missed the mark for me. The pacing was super slow and it dragged on longer than I hoped. I’m all about that spine-tingling suspense, but it didn’t deliver until the very end, leaving me feeling bored along the way. Total bummer since I usually love his works!

In 2025, I’m reading books written by women. But once I found out that Paul Tremblay had written a Middle Grade horror book, I knew I’d have to make an exception. And I’m happy to say that Tremblay didn’t disappoint me.

A lonely boy without any friends meets a boy named Morel. The strange thing is that Morel appears to be made from clay, not flesh. As the two become closer, the MC becomes terrified that he’s losing his place within his family. Is he capable of standing up for himself? Find out by reading this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

the master of horror has gifted us with a young adult novel that is just as scary as his adult books !

*****Thank you Net Galley for supplying this book in exchange for my honest review*****
I’m not sure if this is Paul’s first journey into young adult, but this man knows how to do it! This was horrifying creepy, regardless of age, yet not so spooky that your young ones will be up all night. Thoroughly enjoyed this!

Tremblay is one of my favorite contemporary horror writers and I could never pass up the chance to read some of his new work. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this middle-grade horror story. The premise was clever, creepy, and filled with some horrendous imagery that I will never unsee. And, as with any solid book, regardless of its target demographic, it had themes I could easily relate to.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!