Member Reviews
Thank you to Netgalley, Paul Tremblay, and the publishers for the chance to read and review this book. I loved it! This is a great thriller for children and teachers. There is so much quality storyline perfect for classroom discussions and guided reading groups. A perfect book for great discussions. This would be a fun read for parents as well! A child friendly thriller that is sure to be a winner!
What an incredible read! This is one of my favorite reads by this author. The book was engaging and well written. The dialog flowed so well, and the characters were all well written. Casey a middle schooler, who has had a difficult time in school ever since a zoom class incident in which someone took a nervous tic and made a viral meme out of it. So, when his parents tell him that a friend is coming over for a sleepover, he has no idea who it might be, but he is very excited. When Morel appears, he is not like any friends Casey has met, as Morel has a clay like appearance and doesn't speak, but Casey is happy to have a friend to talk and hang out with. However, as the days go by and Casey parents grow distant from him and fawn over Morel, he knows something is very wrong.
Omg this story was chilling and uncanny. I could literally feel everything as it was happening and kept wondering what will Casey do?
This is such a great fun engaging read. I really loved the relationship and dynamic between Case and Morel. I would have liked to get a bit more of a backstory on Morel's caregiver and his end goal, as well as his and Morel’s relationship. I also would have loved to see where Morel was spending his days. Reading the last chapter twice. I loved the ending even more the second time around. I think it was a clever ending, that allows the reader to add up the clues. I really enjoyed reading this story and think it is a great book for school libraries, I think middle graders will absolutely love this book.
I also loved the insight the author shared at the end. I actually didn't know he was a teacher before he became an acclaimed author. Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this arc for my honest review.
(4.25) This was a great read for me! As someone that’s only recently reading more Middle Grade horror books, I really felt Iike Tremblay did a great job at capturing the essence of a young kid during the early pandemic times—something I think it’s very important to think about because kids experience difficult times, too, they’re just less of a conversation.
The story had small pacing issues in my opinion, but nothing to take away from the dreadful atmosphere that Tremblay creates! Overall, definitely recommend this to Middle Grade fans!
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC copy!
3.5 stars. Definitely took me back to my Goosebumps days! A fun read and I enjoyed the creepy aspect.
Wow, what another fun read this turned out to be. I wasn't sure what to expect from a book targeted at school aged kids. But, the creep factor was in full force. All the anxiety and worry was enough to pull me back to the age Casey is in Another. Many thanks to the fine people at HarperCollins for my ebook ARC.
Another by Paul Tremblay is a really great middle-grade horror that is perfect both for newcomers to horror and horror superfans.
Another is about a lonely boy and a stranger that appears bringing him a new friend that comes to stay at his home.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books fore the ARC.
This was a fun read! Definitely reminded me of goosebumps!
Thank you NetGalley & publisher for the ARC
Another by Paul Tremblay is a chilling and captivating middle-grade horror novel that balances genuine scares with heartfelt storytelling. Tremblay masterfully creates an eerie atmosphere that will keep young readers on edge, while weaving in relatable themes. The characters are well-developed, making their journey through the mysterious and unsettling plot all the more engaging. While some moments may feel a bit intense for more sensitive readers, the story’s balance of horror and heart makes it a standout. A perfect read for young fans of spooky, thought-provoking adventures.
New York Times bestselling author Paul Tremblay has solidified himself a master storyteller in the horror genre over the years. With Another, Tremblay has also proven to be capable of weaving tales that captivate readers across generations.
When Casey Wilson’s parents tell him that his friend is coming for a sleepover, he has no idea who that might be. Ever since the Zoom Incident, everyone treats him like a pariah, and his tics are worse than ever.
When Morel appears, he’s not like any friend Casey has ever met. His skin is like clay, and he doesn’t speak. But Casey’s parents are charmed by the strange kid, and it’s nice to have someone to talk to besides his sister, Ally, who is away at college. As his normally loving parents grow distant from Casey, they gush and fawn over Morel. Casey knows something is wrong—but with no end in sight to the sleepover, he’s exhausted. And in the dark, out of the corner of his eye, Morel doesn’t look like a kid at all...
Paul Tremblay's Another brings to the forefront a tale where childhood fears and supernatural elements coalesce seamlessly. As we follow our protagonist, Casey, during a pivotal moment in his life when he feels isolated from everyone around him due to what the book refers to as the Zoom Incident. This opens him up to allowing even a complete stranger into his life which may not go as planned. The author expertly uses this to build empathy for Casey while setting the stage for an unsettling story.
While Tremblay has been known for his horror stories, tackling a middle grade horror is something new. What he was able to accomplish with Another just adds to the storied author's abilities as a writer. Tremblay builds moments filled with tension around every corner (or page flip) experiencing subtle chills rather than overt scares. The book feels more spooky and uneasy than outright scary–similar to what R.L. Stine crafted in his Goosebumps books. While a bit darker and different than a Goosebumps tale, Another falls into the same vein as the classic middle grade horror author.
Another by Paul Tremblay delivers an experience more eerie than frightening, making it accessible yet thrilling for middle graders and beyond. While crafted for a younger audience, Another will truly resonate with all ages. Something a little different from the norm, but Tremblay has another hit novel on his hands (pun intended).
This was my first book by Paul Tremblay, so I’ll admit I didn’t know much about him before starting. I picked it up because of its eerie description and striking cover, even though it's aimed at middle school readers. After reading some reviews that compared it to Goosebumps, I decided to dive in. I thought it was brilliant. The book definitely had an unsettling atmosphere, but as the main character—and as the reader—you find yourself making excuses and convincing yourself everything is fine. But it’s not. Reflecting on childhood, this book taps into all those childhood fears. Despite being intended for younger readers, I’d still recommend it to adults. I’ll definitely be exploring more of this author’s work.
I was extremely excited to receive this book as an ARC. I’m very familiar with Paul Tremblay and his books. He’s a venerated horror author in the horror community. Before I began, I didn’t realize this is Tremblay’s first middle grade book and he explores the theme of what if you were suddenly replaced. It was quite a creepy story and enjoyable.
Out of the blue, Casey’s parents bring home an antique rotary phone. They show Casey how it works and before long, it rings. Casey’s parents inform him a man is bringing a friend to stay for several days. Once he gets there, Casey notices some weird things about this boy, Morel. He can’t speak and he seems to be made of clay. To make simple facial expressions, Morel must sculpt his face. But as time goes on, Morel becomes more and more like Casey. Eventually, Casey’s parents begin to mistake Morel for Casey, and Casey becomes more clay like. Will Casey’s parents realize their mistake before Morel’s father comes to retrieve him?
Even though it’s for middle grades, the story is creepy. I tried to think how I would’ve felt reading this when I was 12 and in my Goosebumps era. The idea of another child coming into my home and replacing me in my family is pretty scary. Especially if the parents can’t tell the difference between the two boys. I think Tremblay’s book is a slam dunk on terrifying 11-13 year olds and I’m excited for my daughter to read it when she’s old enough.
Another comes out July 22, 2025 if you want to get a copy of your own.
When Imaginary Friends Are Safer
I'm long past middle school, but this novel scared me to the core. Paul Tremblay knows the inner weaknesses and insecurities of the human mind and they are horror's way in. He layers words describing an ordinary life in such a way that certain voids form and fill with murky secretions that fester until they burst.
Is it a good book for middle-schoolers? They're already a bubbling mass of contradictions, but most are quite capable of seeing their world as full of terrors. I've always looked at horror fiction as a kind of therapy. The catharsis that follows puts reality into better perspective. Another may give a kid the heebie-jeebies for a while, but my tweenaged self would have loved it.
Thank you to Paul Tremblay, Harper-Collins/Quill Tree Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced readers' copy of Another. I'm under no obligation to make my review favorable, but I'm delighted to do so! It's a great read for tweens and adults alike.
“Another” may have a predictable plot for those of us who have read more, but I know this novel is going to blow the minds of lots of young readers. Tremblay does a great job at bridging modern issues with horror themes. There are moments where it feels like Tremblay tries a bit too hard at crafting a modern teenager while still character, but it’s nothing that takes away from the book as a whole. I had a lot of fun with this one and can’t wait to add it to my shelf when it is published next July!
I received a free copy of, Another, by Paul Tremblay, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Casey's parents have invited his new "friend", over for a sleep over. Cast has never even met Morel before and his is not like other boys. This was an interesting read.
I am a huge fan of Paul Tremblay and have every one of his books and have nearly read all of them! So, when I got approved on NetGalley, I was thrilled! Discovering that he was venturing into middle school story telling made me even more excited, and this is exactly the kind of book my twelve-year-old son and myself would enjoy reading together. The story revolves around Casey, who is having a tough time in the friend department. Until one day, the family’s vintage rotary phone rings, and Casey receives a call from a friend he’s never heard of. This peculiar friend shows up in a sack and dumped at the families’ feet. As Casey’s parents start acting increasingly strange, he must figure out how to protect himself and his family. I have to say, this book took me back to my childhood, reminiscent of reading Goosebumps under the covers and scaring myself silly! It’s a fantastic read for both kids and adults!
Paul’’s previous works have been hit or miss with me, but when I saw he had a YA novel, my interest was really piqued. Especially after reading the blurb and taking a peek at the cover. After diving headfirst into it, I can safely say that this might actually be one of my favorite pieces of work by him. The story was very reminiscent of something I would have read during my own childhood so it hit me right in the nostalgic feels. It was creepy and captivating and had me eagerly waiting to turn every page to see what was coming for me next. I really hope he continues to produce more pieces like this.
A fun Goosebumps-style read that truly creeped me out. I love the characters and the representation of the fear and uncertainty of being a kid!
This gave me a sense of nostalgia from my middle school years of reading goosebumps! Highly recommend for kids of that grade level and even adults!
I absolutely loved this book. It was a quick read. I did not want to put it down. Even if it’s middle grade, I think adults will enjoy it as well. It reminded me a bit of old goosebumps books, in a good way. I loved the messages for the young, while also being able to take those messages as an adult.
Tremblay should make more middle grade. This was wonderful.
Paul Tremblay’s first venture into middle grade horror is as strange and chilling as you’d expect. The story follows Casey Wilson, a boy already set apart by a mysterious “Zoom Incident” that has everyone eyeing him warily. When a friend he never asked for—Morel—shows up for a never-ending sleepover, Casey finds his once-loving parents strangely entranced by this silent, clay-skinned intruder.
The atmosphere is both tense and sad. Casey’s own struggles, including his worsening tics, get no sympathy as everyone falls under Morel’s uncanny spell. The creeping dread builds quietly, seeping into every corner of the house. Tremblay plays with the idea of trust and belonging in a way that’s accessible to younger readers but still unsettling enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine.
This is a story about feeling isolated in your own home, about not knowing who to turn to when the people you love start acting like strangers. Tremblay’s style ensures that you never feel completely safe, and kids looking for a spooky, thought-provoking read will find something special here. It’s eerie, emotional, and wonderfully weird—just right for readers who love sleeping with a nightlight on.