
Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley, and Harper Collins Children’s books for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@netgalley
@paulgtremblay
@harpercollinschin
@harpercollins
Available : 7/22/25
When I saw Paul Tremblay was writing a middle grade children’s horror novel I was beyond excited. He is one of my favorite authors! This book was so good!!! Perfectly creepy!! I hope he writes more!!
Casey’s parents tell him that he has a friend coming over for a sleepover. He has no idea who it could be? He meets Morel, his skin is like clay and he doesn’t speak. His parents are really like him and want Clay to spend time with him. His parents start to become distant from him and favor Morel. Something is definitely wrong…
#read #books #reader #another #paultremblay #horror #netgalley #harpercollins #harpercollinschildrensbooks #bookworm #bookishlove #booksbooksbooks #tbr #creepy #spooky

Another absolutely fantastic book from Paul tremblay! Like all his others, I highly recommend! It’s a scary story like no other!

Another is a fun and spooky middle-grade horror that hops on the trend of fungal horror. Unsurprisingly, Tremblay had a gift for writing believable middle-grade diogue. No "How do you do, fellow kids?" here. Casey is an earnest main character, and I loved Morel. There were some expected elements and some twists; overall it was a nice lighthearted read that I can imagine younger readers will love. It isn't something I'd necessarily recommend to adult horror readers, but it's definitely worth the read if you're looking to read everything Tremblay had released (like I was!).

What a unique concept this was! The plot was obvious from very early on but that’s only because of my age and how I have read similar plots before. For a middle schooler, this would be a great introduction to thriller novels and it allows someone to be spooked just slightly but not enough to deter them from the genre. I also liked how tics weren’t demonized in this book and wasn’t the main plot line where all it did was focus on the tics.

This is perfect for readers who enjoy Mexican Gothic!
This book was a fast and delightful afternoon read! Tremblay captivates your attention, making you eager to discover what unfolds! This middle-grade novel maintains that quality without being too graphic for younger audiences!
Reading this made me nostalgic because it reminded me of my love of the Goosebumps books as a kid! Casey was the victim of a bullying video, also known as "the Zoom Incident", that went viral at the school he was at because of a facial tick he had. While the ones responsible were disciplined he still had a hard time making friends and was often alone. So when his mother receives a phone call one afternoon with the other person on the line asking for Casey's friend to stay with them for a few days he is puzzled. Casey wracks his brain trying to think of who would come over but when the "friend" comes over he is not what he seems. The friend is not someone Casey knows, and the whole way he arrived was very peculiar. He had rules like "No Bed" and "No Food", something that is striking for anyone in that situation. Slowly things start to change and it's not for the better. This one has all the creepy vibes and makes you think! I enjoyed it a lot!
Thank you Quill Tree Books and Netgalley for the extraordinary opportunity to read and review this one! It was a thrilling treat!

Paul Tremblay’s Another is a chilling and deeply unsettling middle-grade horror novel that explores loneliness, anxiety, the creeping terror of being forgotten and the longing for friendship. Casey is an incredibly relatable protagonist, struggling with isolation and nervous tics, making his slow descent into a waking nightmare all the more heartbreaking. Morel is an eerie and enigmatic presence, and the way Casey’s own parents turn against him adds to the suffocating dread. With masterful suspense and a creeping sense of unease, Another lingers in your mind long after the final page. I can't wait to share this one with my kids. 4 Stars.

Have you ever thought about having a doppleganger? Or, the whole body snatchers thing?
Well... you've come to the right place ladies and gents. Well for one... this brought so much nostalgia for me. I was obsessed with Goosebumps as a kid. I still watch them!! This has Goosebumps eerie vibes all over it.
This was my first time reading a middle grade horror and I loved it! Paul Tremblay really sets the tone for his readers in creating this uneasy and creepy atmosphere. Tremblay takes you on a spooky ride into the unknown. The parallel narrative is done so beautifully and itself was driven from education. Tremblay does a beautiful balance of educating his readers yet bringing in full circle the importance of self identity and listening to those inner gut feelings.
His writing is so beautiful and effortless. I was beyond impressed with how much I felt like I was in the room with Casey and Moral. Waking up with Casey in the middle of the night being covered in roots and spores.... eeek.
Well done Tremblay. I am a huge fan! I will definitely be picking up any middle grade books by him in the future. Besides who doesn't love a rotary phone?! :)
4.5/5 stars

<i>Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books for providing this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.</i>
As a fan of Paul Tremblay's adult fiction, I was thrilled to receive a copy of his first middlegrade book from NetGalley. While the book is aimed at preteens, the story is no less frightening than Tremblay's previous novels. <I>Another<i/i> follows Casey, a young boy who is desperate for a friend during the pandemic. When a strange man delivers a friend to his home, Casey feels both concerned and hopeful. The boy who arrives in a dusty sack is named Morel. He cannot speak, eat, or sleep in a bed and resembles a clay mannequin. Despite the oddity of the situation, the boys quickly become close friends. However, things take a turn as Morel begins to change.
<I>Another</i> offers depth rarely found in children's horror. Horror can be therapeutic. Stories help us make sense of real-life horrors, and this book accomplishes that beautifully. It captures the isolation and fear many of us experienced during the pandemic, as well as the disconnection that accompanied it.
The monster in this tale is unique. It's an odd story, and part of the fun lies in unraveling the mystery, so I won't go into too much detail. Suffice it to say that Tremblay wrote in his adult novel <I>Horror Movie</I> "All monsters are mirrors," and that statement is especially true here.
The author understands his demographic. Compared to his adult novels, this story is less ambiguous. While it’s easier for middle schoolers to grasp, the themes remain complex. For those who enjoy analyzing the details of a story and discovering deeper meanings, <I>Another</i> delivers.
Fans of Tremblay's writing, won’t be disappointed. The quality of the writing maintains the excellence of his previous work. He does not condescend to his young audience; it never reads like a children's book. Kids who enjoy being scared are gonna love it! I would recommend this to fans of R.L. Stine's <I>Goosebumps</i> series as well as fans of the TV shows <I>Creeped Out, The Haunting Hour, </i> and <I>Are You Afraid of the Dark</i>.

As a former spooky kid who grew up into a spooky adult, it is so wonderful to see books like Another that will resonate with the new generation of spooky kids. Paul Tremblay is an incredible writer, and while being a middle grade book, Another is eerie enough for grown up horror fans to enjoy just as much as their creepy kiddos will. I'm hopeful for a sequel!

This was an amazingly creepy introspective take on the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially on the young and impressionable. A quick and easy ready, different from his usual adult novels, but nonetheless creepy, suspenseful, and a great read!

Okay, so when I requested this book, Im not going to lie. I just saw Paul Tremblay and clicked. I did not realize this was a middle school horror book. I've made this mistake in the past where I was forced to slog through some books, but that wasn't the case here. Yes, obviously, his writing wasn't as gruesome as his usual, but Tremblay's writing really elevated the material. Not only was it engaging, but I was genuinely creeped out at parts! Plus, I love fungal horror, so I was pleasantly surprised!
The characters were well developed, I thought Casey was realistic and has some insecurities a lot of preteens could relate to. I liked the evolution of Morel as well. This book definitely was making me wonder where in the world it was going, and I got to say, I loved the journey!
There was some creepy stuff going on with the fungus, but I think the "horror" of "am I replaceable/do my parents wish my friend was their kid instead of me?" Is a feeling that will resonate towards the target audience.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with an advanced copy for my honest review.

As a teacher I was intrigued by this book and had no idea Tremblay wrote children’s books. As a teen trying to navigate friendships, things taking a dark turn is something that I think will help captivate young readers and get them into reading.

This was a really good and creepy middle grade book. I enjoyed meeting Casey and even creepy Morel. I didn’t know what to expect with this book. I know Paul Tremblay has never written middle grade, so that was new. It kept my interest the whole way through. Including the note from Paul at the end. Have already recommended it to some of my students. Thank you to Netgalley for the early read for an honest review.

This was ANOTHER genuinely creepy and unsettling book from Paul Tremblay. Even as an avid reader and watcher of horror meant for adults, this middle-grade book was able to get under my skin. I really enjoyed the perspective of our main character, and I feel like many kids will be able to relate to the struggles of Zoom school and the lonely, isolating feelings it brought. This will be a great resource for kids who are trying to process that era in an indirect way; I could definitely tell that that was Tremblay's intention.
I do unfortunately think that the book got a little too repetitive and some kids might find it boring, but I understand that that's the point! Lockdown times were as boring as they were terrifying. Every day was exactly the same aside from the fear building up, which is exactly the structure that this book follows. Hopefully it can connect with kids that will appreciate the subtle, growing terror. I would love to read another kids book from Paul Tremblay! He always brings the spooky vibes.

I didn’t know tremblay wrote books for kids/young adults so I was excited to check it out! It did not disappoint. Intriguing story with nice characters. The dread was there, it didn’t feel any less scary than a tremblay book for adults. I would totally buy this for my nephews.

Paul Tremblay's "Another" is a captivating read, designed for mid graders but crafted with such skill that it appeals to all ages. The story weaves together mystery, suspense, and supernatural elements, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Tremblay's ability to create relatable characters and a gripping plot is impressive. The themes are thought-provoking, touching on friendship, bravery, and the unknown, making it a compelling read for both young and adult readers. Overall, "Another" is a well-written, engaging novel that deserves 4 stars for its broad appeal and masterful storytelling.

“Another” by Paul Tremblay is considered a middle grade book but I as an adult truly enjoyed it. It captures what Paul does best and that is building an atmosphere that keeps you enthralled. I feel like this is reminiscent of “ Head full of Ghost”. I like that there was a small cast of characters and the interaction between Casey and Morel and watching Morel change. I also feel like it delves into what it feels like to be powerless as a child. There are so many creepy elements that anyone can enjoy.

It starts when Casey's parents come home with an old rotary phone and a call from someone saying they're bringing one of Casey's friends over for an extended visit. Then a strange man shows up emitting a lot of dust and emptying a clay-like boy out of a sack, one not fully formed or able to speak, but who charms the parents regardless. Though the new boy, Morel, becomes friends with Casey soon enough, something about his is very off, from the strange way his parent act around Morel to the odd sensations Casey experiences at night. Before he knows it, Casey finds himself in al living nightmare only he seems to be aware of.
In the preface of the book, Tremblay says he believes this is one of his creepiest books yet, and I have to agree. Though intended for middle schoolers, it reads more like an adult fairy tale. While there's no real violence or adult language, the story nonetheless feels like it could be an adult novel just centered around a young boy. This should appeal to horror lovers young and old. 4.5 of 5*

"Another" by Paul Tremblay is an engaging middle-grade story that hits all the right notes. It’s genuinely creepy at times, making me nostalgic for my Goosebumps-era reads. Tremblay balances the chills with heart, making this a solid pick for younger readers who enjoy a good scare without it being too overwhelming.
As an adult reader, I found myself enjoying it, and it’s definitely encouraged me to explore his adult novels.
I was provided this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, and I can say it’s worth a read. A solid 4 stars.

Tremblay builds suspense throughout, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat waiting to see what happens to Casey and his parents, but the real trick is the horror that sneaks up on you at night when you’re falling asleep.
This is horror, with creepy stuff and things that are certainly not of our world, but the core of the story is utterly human. The anxiety as your world is spinning out of control, the feeling of people missing who you were and resenting who you’ve become - that’s all grounded in the very real world of growing up.