4.5 stars for Welcome to the Dark House (Dark House book 1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz.
If you ask me: physical book or digital book? I will tell you, for the sake of ease and convenience, I take the e-book version - blame it on techology - anytime over the dead tree version. But deep down inside, I am still a great lover of books, physical that is, be it paperback, hardback, large print books or even timeworn books. I love the smell of books in libraries and old book stores; it not only relaxes me but fills me with warmth, happiness and a strange sense of peace.
Unfortunately, no matter how handy it is to read by the use of an e-reader, there are some things about the reading experience which simply cannot be replicated from holding, flipping and perusing a tangible book. Sometimes, due to the way a story is written and presented, it remains best to read the novel the old-fashioned way. Welcome to the Dark House is one such book that makes me grateful to have laid my hands on the paperback. Though I do not possess the digital version, I dare say with certainty that should I have read it on my e-book device, the pleasure I gain will surely be different and likely one of considerably diminished enjoyment.
When I first start reading, I know this is a first person narrative - narrator being Ivy, a 18-year old girl – but what I am not aware of is that it covers first person point of view from six totally different characters. As I read on, I feel a kind of respect towards the author whom I think is gutsy enough to have attempted this adventurous feat which is by no means easy. But boy, do I get blown away! The author does it so astonishingly well with no unnecessary overlap that I do not feel in the least mind trapped in any one of the six characters while seeing events unfold through the eyes of each and sweeping me off to the next level of heightened episode.
Regardless of the above merits, I do have two small objections. (1) As fast-paced as the plot goes, there is a small portion which I find is a touch too slow-going and a tad too draggy. (2) I have to constantly flip back – lucky me reading an actual book and not e-book which wastes precious seconds while refreshing - to the start of each chapter, where name of the narrating character is imprinted, to remind myself of who the speaker is. Nevertheless, these two grievances of mine do not impede on the overall reading experience and I am still able to enjoy the mind-boggling story tremendously.
For the past 6 years, Ivy Jensen has been living in the shadow of the nightmare that has seen the tragic demise of both her parents. More than anything, she wants to shake off the horrors of that fateful night and her terrors of the bogeyman coming back for her. While she understands that it is unlikely she can live life with no fears, it is possible to choose living with fear rather than in fear. With this determination in mind to conquer her fear, she takes part in the 'Nightmares Be Gone Contest' and becomes one of the seven participants hand-picked to enter the Dark House.
As the story develops and progresses, the motive that drives each of the seven characters - other than Ivy - to take part in the contest is slowly revealed.
Seven participants.
Seven different reasons.
One common goal.
Welcome to the Dark House.
The story, ominous and creepy, flows fluidly from beginning to end in such a remarkable way that I feel as If I am watching a 3-D motion picture – from the moment of entry into the Dark House and later on into the heart of the horror-themed amusement park - instead of reading 2-D pages out of a book. I am so looking forward to getting my hands on the sequel to Welcome to the Dark House - Return to the Dark House.
Credit Roll
Ivy Jensen
Natalie Sorrento
Shayla Belmont
Garth Vader
Parker Bradley
Frankie Rice
Taylor Monroe
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion; Reprint edition
Publication date: 23 Jun 2015
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What's your worst nightmare?
For Ivy Jensen, it's the eyes of a killer that haunt her nights. For Parker Bradley, it's bloodthirsty sea serpents that slither in his dreams.
And for seven essay contestants, it's their worst nightmares that win them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at director Justin Blake's latest, confidential project. Ivy doesn't even like scary movies, but she's ready to face her real-world fears. Parker's sympathetic words and perfect smile help keep her spirits up. . . at least for now.
Not everyone is so charming, though. Horror-film fanatic Garth Vader wants to stir up trouble. It's bad enough he has to stay in the middle of nowhere with this group-the girl who locks herself in her room; the know-it-all roommate; "Mister Sensitive"; and the one who's too cheery for her own good. Someone has to make things interesting.
Except, things are already a little weird. The hostess is a serial-killer look-alike, the dream-stealing Nightmare Elf is lurking about, and the seventh member of the group is missing.
*Blurb from author's website*
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