Jack Kelly wakes up from a coma believing he is a married man with a wife and kids.  However, when Jack wakes up he is a thirteen year old child with vivid memories through adulthood and the accident that he believed that his brother suffered is now his own.  Along with the brain injury, Jack can now read people's minds, feel their emotions and see the ghosts and demons that linger in the city and pull people into the next world.  With an introduction to others like him, Jack begins to refine his gift and hones into one particular ghost in the apartment building across from his school.  The ghost and Jack have a connection, but the ghost does not want to leave.  A supernatural fight ensues as Jack tries to convince the ghost to move on.  


From the beginning, Jack's story pulled me into this intriguing supernatural thriller.  From the start, the demons and ghosts in the shadows were gripping, creating an intense and foreboding atmosphere.  I was very interested in Jack's family as an adult and how that experience shaped how he came back as a child.  Jack's reintroduction to life and his childhood after his coma were fascinating. Jack's character held the duality of being in a child's body with the memories and emotional control of an adult.  The writing switched between the points of view of Jack and the ghost, Kasper Greenstreet.  I was equally attracted to Kasper's storyline as Jack's.  Being able to read about Kasper's life and death created him as a full person.  I loved reading about his artistic process and the passion he put into his work.  As Jack's interactions with Kasper increase, so does the suspense, culminating in an exciting ending.  With many questions still unanswered, I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​A year ago, Jack Kelly woke up from a coma with a special set of abilities.  With those abilities, he was able to spiritually battle an enraged ghost in his friend's apartment complex.  The battle took a toll on everyone involved and Jack's friend, Peter, ended up in a psychiatric unit.   After returning, Peter decided he could no longer stay in the apartment, especially with the painting the ghost had completed in life.  While Jack knows that the ghost is no longer around, the painting still seems to have a strong pull and is receiving a lot of attention from a mysterious Mr. Phillips who insists on having the painting as his own.  Fifteen year old Jack knows that Mr. Phillips is not human and will use the painting for nefarious means.  Now, Jack must try to keep the painting safe and away from Mr. Phillips.  

The Book of Demons is a fast-paced sequel to The Book of Souls. I would definitely recommend reading The Book of Souls first in order to understand Jack's history, his abilities and his connection and the history of the painting. I was immediately pulled into the story from Mr. Phillips point of view and how he came to receive his strange powers.  I was excited to get back to Jack's story and see how he was dealing with life after the spiritual battle.  It was interesting to see him dealing with everyday high schooler issues alongside battling a necromancer and protecting the painting.  I actually would have liked to read more from Mr. Phillips point of view to know more about his powers and what he wanted in the painting. The ending wrapped up pretty quickly, and while I was happy for Jack, I wanted to know how he was able to return. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​"...myths are created by people, for their own reasons; a monster is a shadow cast by a human."


Virgil is sent to clean out their Aunt Deb's house.  Aunt Deb died of COVID, unlike many of Virgil's other family members who have just seemed to have disappeared. As Virgil begins to clean out Aunt Deb's attic, they begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the woods of the house.  There's something strange about the woods by the house and it might be coming for Virgil next.  

Family Curse-Field Notebooks (1880-2020) is a delicious bite of a horror story.  I absolutely wish that this was longer, and enjoyed that the story does lead you to think of the many possible routes for the lights in the woods. I adore writing in the form of journal entries and Family Curse does not disappoint with a turducken of journals from three family members and notes from Virgil.  It was interesting to see each family member's take on the disappearances and the lights in the woods- a serial killer, fairies, or aliens.  I was also intrigued by Virgil's family and how different neurodivergencies and gender non-conformities have presented and been tolerated throughout the years and how those people have seemed to attract whatever is in the woods.