Review: Duplicate Effort (Retrieval Artist #7) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

5 stars for Duplicate Effort (Retrieval Artist book 7) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

In my opinion, an author who ventures - and more importantly is willing - to kill off her story characters is one who will go far in spinning stories that are remarkably different and then proceed to top them off with phenomenal sequels. Rusch, author of the Retrieval Artist series definitely qualifies as one such; she takes me by surprise book after book with the unexpected and irrevocable dropout of characters most of whom at first instance give the impression of vital importance.

In this seventh and final instalment of the Retrieval Artist series, Rusch skilfully gathers all the big names and put them to work as they scramble to solve the mystery - a case which seems to be mostly about technology and designs - of the year.

• First, we have Ki Bowles, an investigative reporter who used to work in InterDome Media, the biggest media conglomerate on the Moon, making a huge comeback with news that stagger even the most calm.

• Following closely behind the footsteps of Ki Bowles is Detective Bartholomew Nyquist, a down-to-earth character who prefers to live his life, do his job and spend time with the people he cares about. He is assigned the lead detective in the case.

• Then we see the return of Attorney Wagner from Wagner, Stuart and Xendor, the Moon’s largest law firm which also happens to be one of the largest law firms in the Earth Alliance.

• Next, we have investigation in the works by none other than Noelle DeRicci, Miles Flint’s former partner at the police department. As Security Chief for the United Domes of the Moon, DeRicci is now charged with protecting not just Armstrong but all the Domes on the Moon against the unknown and unimaginable.

• Last but not least, we have the star of the series, Miles Flint, without whom there will be no story to tell. Though Flint has left the Detective Division about four years ago to work - as a Retrieval Artist - at the edges of the law, he is still pretty well known at the precinct and carries some clout to aid in his research.

As with most cases - and in reality - in the series, not everything has an answer. But yet the author works her way through the haze of a maze to emerge with brilliant solutions to dilemmas that grapple with ethical issues. This in conjunction with the enterprising attitude makes Rusch an extraordinary author; one who continues to roll out the greatest science fiction fantasy novels of all time.

Though I am happy to have travelled alongside Flint for the past many weeks, I am sad to have reached the end of his/our journey. Yes, I have a lovely and memorable time but I also agree that all good things must - come to an - end. And so it is with some reluctance amid much joy that I part with Flint, the Retrieval Artist.

Publisher: WMG Publishing
Publication date: 9 Nov 2012

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Retrieval Artist Miles Flint has a mission: take down the law firm of Wagner, Stuart, and Xendor. He enlists the aides of old friends and old enemies. But as the mission gets underway, one member of his team dies horribly.

Flint can no longer take on the entire universe. He violated the rules of his Retrieval Artist mentor and now has a lot to lose. But he can’t reverse the events he set in motion—and the crisis he caused might destroy everything—and everyone—he loves.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Recovery Man (Retrieval Artist #6) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

5 stars for Recovery Man (Retrieval Artist book 6) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

The moment I finish reading book 5 Paloma, I move on happily to book 6 where I read and read and.. suddenly halt - my eyes literally zoom in and freeze on a particular sentence that makes my jaws drop and my eyebrows to shoot up to my hairline - for the author has dropped a bombshell so huge that I am momentarily stunned into silence and stillness.

To recap, the author introduces the art of retrieving via the Retrieval Artists since inception of the series. Somewhere along the way, Trackers who join the lucrative business of searching for the Disappeared are disclosed. In this latest instalment, the author adds a third category to this esoteric profession - Recovery Man – and brilliantly spins a splendid story that takes on a life of its own.

Retrieval Artist
Retrieval Artists are private detectives who specialise in finding the Disappeared, people who deliberately go missing, usually to avoid prosecution or death by any one of fifty different alien cultures. Most - if not all - Retrieval Artists will do everything they can to ensure the Disappeared can continue living their new lives in their new identities without being found by people who meant them harm. Usually Retrieval Artists worked for lawyers or insurance companies to find a Disappeared who is up for an inheritance or is the beneficiary of a policy; though occasionally, Retrieval Artists work for the families who want to notify the Disappeared that the search is off and they are welcomed to return home.

Tracker
Trackers use any means possible to bring a once-safe Disappeared back to face their legal charges or to serve their sentences with no regard for the consequences. They usually piggyback on the work of others – Retrieval Artists especially – to find the Disappeared and gain a finder’s fee for the effort. Usually Trackers find people for alien governments, though sometimes they worked for lawyers or human governments. A real Tracker, one who is registered with the Earth Alliance agency, is expensive; most governments only hire Trackers for the most grievous cases as they do not have enough resources to engage a Tracker for every Disappeared.

Recovery Man
Recovery Men work like Trackers, except without the regulations as they are not members of the Earth Alliance. Usually they recover artifacts such as heirlooms, rare and exotic creatures/plants/non-sentients; and in exceptional cases, people. A Recovery Man is at best, a con artist and at worst, a ruthless thief who will stop at nothing to get whatever he is after.

This time, the story takes us to a brand new place. Readers are transported from the usual backdrop of Armstrong Dome on Earth’s Moon to the city of Valhalla Basin on Callisto, one of the larger moons of Jupiter which is also the eighth closest (outermost) satellite to said planet. Besides the new story setting, the author also brings forth a new alien group, the Gyonnese – an extremely rule bound species – who come from a planet named Gyonne.

Once again, I am awed by the author who has a unique way of affecting and influencing readers through her work of fiction. Indeed, all her writings in this space opera book - orbital rides, off-Moon hotels, Moon space, solar system, contaminants, environmental suits, medical programs, escape pods, nanobot, enhancements, etc – make me look at the world with a different understanding and question the status quo.

Perhaps what takes my breath away most of all is the skill and ease in which the author moves her characters around and about. I am utterly bowled over by the workings of the author's mind. How is it possible that one can come up with such an intricate plot - one after another - and write so seamlessly well that the story characters not only float in a forward-moving fashion but have the capabilities and abilities to step back to the past?

Notably though, this time round the story concludes in a way that I do not expect it to. Looking back, I cannot agree more with the way the author wraps up Recovery Man. The intended ending is, after all, for the greater good - while leaving space to be expanded upon and loopholes to be exploited against in the next book - in the grand scheme of things.

Publisher: WMG Publishing
Publication date: 28 Nov 2011

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When she arrives home from school on Callisto, Talia Shindo finds two strange men in her house. They terrorize her, and kidnap her mother. The men leave Talia behind. She’s thirteen, brilliant, and determined to find her missing mother.

Retrieval Artist Miles Flint works a seemingly unrelated case, digging into files left him by his mentor. Only he finds a connection to the Shindo kidnapping, a connection that shatters everything he ever knew.

The two cases collide, changing Flint, changing Talia, and changing the universe around them—forever.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Paloma (Retrieval Artist #5) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

5 stars for Paloma (Retrieval Artist book 5) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

When I start off with book 1 The Disappeared some time ago in mid-July, I am aware that the Retrieval Artist series is comprised of 7 instalments. However, I have only a vague impression of book title 5 which means pretty much nothing to me at that time. It is towards the last couple of chapters in book 1 that it dawns on me that the name Paloma is no light-weight but one of significance and importance. With this realisation in mind, I slowly inch my way towards book 5 - a book named and dedicated solely for a retired Retrieval Artist - Paloma.

Who exactly is Paloma? Not much is known about this lady - who goes strictly by a first name with no last; not even on records - besides the fact that she used to be a Retrieval Artist before selling her business to Miles Flint and retires for good. This book is where the author reveals it all. Ingeniously.

Book 5 starts the ball rolling - where book 4 Buried Deep leaves off - with the return of Miles Flint from his vacation, one which he uses as an excuse to get away from everyone and anyone so as to be alone by himself with nothing to think about and yet all the time to re-examine everything about himself and his string of careers from computer specialist to Space Traffic patrol officer to City of Armstrong detective to Retrieval Artist.

I love it that the author sets aside this particular story to reveal a part of Flint where she has kept hidden in the earlier books. Here, Flint is caught up in a maelstrom of emotions including but not limited to confusion, anger, betrayal, grief, respect and - most of all, a feeling he himself is not even aware that he is capable of - love. Paloma is after all, the one out of his two contacts, other than Noelle DeRicci, that he ever let himself be close to; his friend if he ever has one and a mentor as well, not just a retired someone whom he buys the business from.

As I read along, the story slowly turns into a civil case involving the most powerful attorney – one that makes its appearance in one of Flint’s early cases - from the Moon's largest law firm located in Armstrong and one of the most notorious Retrieval Artists of all time.

Once again, the author does a remarkable job of writing and spinning a splendid plot where it does not seem deliberate even when the paths of the same few characters - Miles Flint, Noelle DeRicci, Bartholomew Nyquist and Ki Bowles - cross to make headlines.

Best of all, this is a book where I get to enjoy to my heart's content, the third person narratives on most if not all, the characters that I adore.

Publisher: WMG Publishing
Publication date: 23 Sep 2011

*** Favourite quote 1 ***

The police didn't like Retrieval Artists, anyway; that Flint — a former detective, considered one of the city's best — had gone to that barely legal world made them angry.

*** Favourite quote 2 ***

"You suspect me?" Flint asked. "We don't have enough information to suspect anyone right now," Nyquist said. Flint smiled coldly. "You mean, you suspect everyone right now." Nyquist nodded. "That's the other way to put it," he said.

~ Paloma
Kristine Kathryn Rusch

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Retrieval Artist Miles Flint gets an urgent message from his mentor, Paloma. But by the time he arrives at her apartment, she’s dead, the victim of a terrible murder. The police, already on the scene, think Flint’s connected to the death.

Effectively frozen out of the investigation, he starts one of his own, and discovers secrets that Paloma kept, secrets that make Flint question everything he knew about her, everything she taught him about honor, ethics, and being a Retrieval Artist.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Return to the Dark House (Dark House #2) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

5 stars for Return to the Dark House (Dark House book 2) by Laurie Faria Stolarz.

By sheer chance or hard work, I find it, see it, grab it and hoard it. By it, I mean the hardcover book of Return to the Dark House; a book I seek high and low ever since the credits start rolling in my front row seat to Welcome to the Dark House. Gripping the hardback against my chest - ecstasy beyond words - I thank my lucky stars for this unbelievable find.

Some people awake to escape their nightmares. Ivy Jensen - the only known survivor since the Dark House amusement park night - awakes into one (after another); on top of the ordeal she suffers from her parents' murder seven years ago, she now has to contend with the latest horror since the Dark House weekend.

In this sequel, Ivy continues to receive the Nightmare Elf e-Newsletter from the anonymous someone who orchestrates the entire elaborate setting two months ago. Much as she works to put her nightmares behind, in the deep recesses of her mind, Ivy knows that she will not be able to move forward until she finds closure - by seeking out Parker Bradley and the rest of the Dark House Dreamers whether alive or dead - to the whole Dark House episode. As the author so plainly puts it in her book title, Return to the Dark House is all about Ivy's return trip to the dark house; one that is spooky, gothic and complete with creepy gargoyles.

In my opinion, the author has done a fantastic job of putting readers in the shoes of the narrators such that I feel as if I am the wronged party who has been dealt the injustice. Reliving the pain that originates from the Dark House weekend through flashbacks by Ivy - as she grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder - makes me feel as if I have gone on an intense emotional rollercoaster ride.

In book 1, we know that one of the contest winners - a girl by the name of Taylor Monroe - leaves the Dark House way before the die is cast for her role in the amusement park. Back then, I am so preoccupied with the rest of the 6 characters that I am not in the least bit bothered about the reasons that give rise to Taylor's disappearance. In this book 2, the author brilliantly draws her back and builds upon this character by giving her a voice, one that subtlety keeps me intrigued - from the moment of her appearance - to keep the pages turning to unravel her side of the story.

In all honesty, besides the almost predictable return of Taylor Monroe, that and the starring of Ivy Jensen in her lead role - where there will be actual sequel filming by the Nightmare Elf; a psychopath - in Return to the Dark House, I have not the faintest idea what to expect in this instalment. As a result, almost every chapter is loaded with spine-tingling surprises that give me the heebie-jeebies and at the end of it all, I am simply awed by the creativity of the author in spinning such a smooth sailing tale of horror origins.

In reading Return to the Dark House, I feel as if I have made a return trip - by myself - to the same big screen to catch the sequel of a horror flick, one that is even more involving and mind-boggling than the first. At the end of it all, when the credits start rolling yet again, I feel both relieved and sad; relieved to have survived another heart-stopping dark house adventure and yet sad that it has come to a close. The good thing is that based on the way the story concludes, I am 99.9% certain that a book 3 is in the pipeline. Yay!

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: 21 Jul 2015

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Two months have passed since Ivy narrowly escaped the Nightmare Elf’s grip, but the memories of Parker, Natalie, Shayla, Frankie, and Garth continue to haunt her. Their killer is still out there—somewhere. The police trail has gone cold, though, and it’s up to Ivy to piece together the clues to find him.

When a cryptic video arrives in her inbox, Ivy soon finds herself back in the spotlight, this time on a twisted scavenger hunt through the dark, ancient halls of a long-forgotten Gothic school building. Ivy’s not alone, either. Taylor Monroe has returned to the scene. But can Taylor be trusted? Or is she another pawn in the Nightmare Elf’s deadly game?

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: The Wrong Man by Kate White

4 stars for The Wrong Man by Kate White.

Be it cover or title, there is nothing particularly eye-catching about this book. Nor does name of the author rings a bell. Come to think about it, I almost put this book away for good and miss out on a whole lot of exciting story. Ironically, what pulls me back from doing so is the author; my interest is greatly piqued when I realise that the writer is the former editor in chief of Cosmopolitan magazine - the international fashion magazine for women - and that, is a whole new ball game for me.

The story goes like this...

Kit Finn, an interior designer, has an impulsive urge to try something risky in her life. This leads to an acceptance of dinner invitation with a total stranger staying in the same boutique hotel - in Islamorada, Florida - as her. Never in the life of this 35-year old protagonist will she have imagined that such a simple gesture can lead to inconceivable consequences which turn into one of her worst nightmares ever.

The story has an excellent start. Before long - by the end of third chapter - I am swept off the ground by the constant bombardment of fresh developments to the story. The more I read, the more intrigued and captivated I am by the unforeseen changes in the turn of events. In fact, I am so pleased with the writing and storyline that I feel blinded by the brightness of 5 dazzling stars. That is until I hit the halfway mark; suddenly I find myself torn between giving a rating of 3.5 or 4 stars. Yes, the story flows and there is still a certain amount of suspense and guess-work. But as exciting as it gets, the truth is, the initial high thrill of excitement has tapered off in line with the conjectures that go round and round in circles. In other words, it gets stale.

Also I cannot help but keep thinking that should this novel of suspense be written in first person narrative instead of third person, it may have worked even better in leaving a deeper imprint and greater impact on the reader. After all, this story is written with Kit Finn in mind and all events are viewed through her eyes. But of course, this is just my two pennies' worth of thoughts as each and every author has his/her own style of writing.

Upon finishing the book, I conclude that it warrants a rating higher than 3.5 stars - thanks to the final unexpected twist - but not more than 4. So, 4 shining stars it is.

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; First Edition edition
Publication date: 16 Jun 2015

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Bold and adventurous in her work as owner of one of Manhattan’s boutique interior design firms, Kit Finn couldn’t be tamer in her personal life. While on vacation in the Florida Keys, Kit resolves to do something risky for once. When she literally bumps into a charming stranger at her hotel, she decides to make good on her promise and act on her attraction.

But back in New York, when Kit arrives at his luxury apartment ready to pick up where they left off in the Keys, she doesn’t recognize the man standing on the other side of the door. Was this a cruel joke or part of something truly sinister?

Kit soon realizes that she’s been thrown into a treacherous plot, which is both deeper and deadlier than she could have ever imagined. Now the only way to protect herself, her business, and the people she loves is to find out the true identity of the man who has turned her life upside down.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Buried Deep (Retrieval Artist #4) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

5 stars for Buried Deep (Retrieval Artist book 4) by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

Ever since the Disty first make their appearance in book 1 of the Retrieval Artist series, we learn that it is best to steer clear of this particular species of aliens due to their belief in vengeance killing. However, due to interstellar commerce, it is almost impossible to have zero contact with these extra-terrestrials. Hence, to avoid being prosecuted for crimes – which so often, in the eyes of human laws are regarded as insignificant, harmless or not even considered offenses at all - against the Disty, the humans can only aim to minimise communication and hence mitigate the risk of incurring the wrath of the Disty.

In this book 4, the Disty are once again thrust into the limelight but by one not of their choice. As the humans learn more about the Disty, their culture and rituals, it seems that the less is understood about them for the Disty are extremely secretive, especially about personal matters – even to the extent of revealing their names – and it makes dealing with them more of a nasty chore than welcomed challenge. As a result, no one in the Earth Alliance can comprehend completely the Disty and their traditional rituals of dealing with the dead. This lack of in-depth knowledge in turn leads to devastating consequences in the crisis that follows.

Something has been unearthed on the Disty dominated Mars; something so terrifying to the Disty that they are fleeing Saraha Dome where it is found; something so petrifying that the Disty have turned irrational to get out of said Dome by any means - trampling one another, taking trains, stealing aircars and jamming exits in the port - even if it means dying in the process. To survive the catastrophe, these panicky Disty may travel to any available port in the solar system and Armstrong Dome being one of the largest and closest to Mars stands out as an ultra-bright beacon to attract these soon-to-be refugees.

Buried Deep is a story competently written and a title cleverly chosen. The mystery is so well buried decades ago deeply into the grounds in Sahara Dome on Mars that it requires a professional - Retrieval Artist – to uncover the truth hidden within layers of the past upon the past.

It is always fascinating to see how my favourite character, Flint combines his past police training with his data-recovery skills - acquired from his time as a computer specialist - to aid in his research by taking up significantly lesser amount of time than the average Retrieval Artist. Another equally captivating character is Noelle DeRicci. The respect she has earned from the marathon attack since book 2 Extremes and the bombing incident in book 3 Consequences is forcing her into places she does not want to go and positions she does not want to hold. Yet, DeRicci bravely takes up the reins of leading as Chief of Moon Security and asserts her belief to protect by taking matters into her hands.

I truly enjoy reading the Retrieval Artist series ingeniously fabricated by this author. In Buried Deep, she continues to astound me in how she builds a case story with the subplots and then proceeds to link them up beautifully to form the big picture. Just when I am almost convinced that the issue at hand has spiralled out of control with no possible solution in sight and has reached a hopeless point of no return, the author surprises me by revealing the light at the end of the tunnel. Suddenly all’s well that ends well.

Publisher: WMG Publishing
Publication date: 7 Jun 2011

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A cold case starts it all—human bones discovered beneath the Martian soil in the alien Disty’s main city. The Disty evacuate, believing the area contaminated. Forensic anthropologist Aisha Costard investigates and discovers that the bones belong to a woman last seen thirty years before.

But the woman didn’t vanish, nor did anyone believe her dead. She Disappeared, along with her children, after being charged with crimes against an alien civilization. Costard believes the children hold the key to this mystery, but she can’t find them on her own. So she returns to the Moon to hire Miles Flint.

As Flint investigates, events move swiftly around him, and suddenly what began as a simple murder case turns into an incident that might destroy the entire solar system….

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: The Mistletoe Bride & other Haunting Tales by Kate Mosse

3 stars for The Mistletoe Bride & other Haunting Tales by Kate Mosse.

The Mistletoe Bride & other Haunting Tales is the first time the author is writing short stories – 14 tales and a play - as a collection and according to her, are works of fiction inspired by either a particular time and place or the English and French folklore.

This anthology has a good mix of traditional ghost accounts written in first person narratives as well as those told in the third person. Though it is centered on the supernatural theme - the haunting of a house by the dead that has not been laid to rest; the seeking of revenge by the spirits that have returned from the dead - the stories are not in the least bit terrifying, at least, I am relieved to say that I have neither been spooked nor scared out of my wits reading them. Instead, I am mostly overcome with sadness and a sense of loss or guilt for the fictional characters. Coincidentally, my favourite story is the one gracing the book cover; The Mistletoe Bride is beautifully written with a melancholy tone of love lost that echoes over time and space.

Interestingly, I am charmed by the Author’s Note - a narrative of the narrative - that follows after each story, explaining the context and original inspiration of how the story comes about from beginning to end. It certainly provides an insight into the making of each tale and presents the author as a very real person, not just a printed name on the book cover.

While I appreciate the efforts the author puts in on coming out with this many creative short stories all by herself of which I enjoy reading most, I cannot help but feel dissatisfied upon flipping to the last page of each. Unfortunately, this is but an effect due to the nature of short stories itself where there is just that much depth a writer can cram into each story.

Publisher: Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd); First Edition edition
Publication date: 24 Oct 2013

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A wonderfully atmospheric collection of stories from one of our most captivating writers, inspired by ghost stories, traditional folk tales and country legends from England and France. These tales are richly populated by spirits and ghosts seeking revenge; by grief-stricken women and haunted men coming to terms with their destiny – all rooted deep in the elemental landscapes of Sussex, Brittany and the Languedoc.

The collection includes The Mistletoe Bride, La Fille de Melisande, Red Letter Day, The Lending Library, and The House on the Hill.

*Blurb from author's website*

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Review: Welcome to the Dark House (Dark House #1) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

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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