Nevermore by Kelly Creagh

Isobel can't believe she's paired with goth Varen for an English project. Varen seems equally disgusted, so their project is not off to a good start.

When Isobel's boyfriend and friends trash the ice cream shop where Varen works to make Varen stay away from Isobel, she realizes maybe Varen isn't so bad afterall. At least he handles things better. Isobel can't believe her boyfriend would do something so horrible.

Weird things start happening to Isobel after that night. First, she's chased through the woods behind her home. Then she meets a man who introduces himself as Reynolds and informs her she's going to save them all. She has no idea what he means, but shadow creatures begin to stalk her nightmares and even in the real world. Before she knows it, she's in a world of Varen's making.

And they're all going to die.

This is the first in a series, so be ready to want the next one right away. Isobel and Varen eventually figure out their feelings, only to be ripped apart. There are lots of references to Edgar Allan Poe throughout, especially since Varen is a huge fan and according to this story, the same thing that makes Varen go over the edge did the same for Poe.

Siren by Tricia Rayburn

Vanessa and Jessica look forward to their summer vacation every year. They head up the coast of Maine to Winter Harbor and spend most of their time together with the two boys next door, Simon and Caleb.

But one night Jessica gets angry at her parents and jumps off their favorite cliff--and disappears, along with Caleb.

Determined to learn more about her sister and best friend's life, Nessa heads back to Maine to find and talk with Caleb. Instead, she learns far too much about the creatures inhabiting the coast, as more bodies wash up on shore.

A thriller I could not put down. Although I guessed Nessa's true identity long before she does, the mystery keeps the pages turning. This is more of a "will they stop them at some point" rather than a "will they stop it in time" thriller. Lots of action, some romance, and of course, family secrets.

The House of Dead Maids by Clare B Dunkle

Tabby is taken to Seldom House to become the young maid. Once there, she finds the home in ruins, and instead of becoming the maid, she's asked to be the companion for the new young master.

Something strange is happening, though, and Tabby can't help but try to figure it out. The villagers all watch her when she's outside, and inside, Tabby is certain there's another young girl.

Only when Tabby finds the chamber full of old bones does she realize how threatening the whole situation is...she and the new young master are meant to be sacrificed.

A chilling tale that almost works. While it's chilling, the conclusion--and really the climax--stutter a bit and lost some momentum.

Never After by Dan Elconin

Ricky has been dreaming about The Island for a few nights now, so when Peter appears in his room one night, he figures a short visit couldn't hurt. He's been thinking about running away anyway.

When Ricky gets to The Island, he realizes Peter has no intention of letting him go back home. Ever. Chained up underground, Ricky has no hope of escape--until he's rescued by Alex, Hooke, Nigel, and Oscar. Oscar is captured in the process, so Ricky repays the favor by rescuing her. Together, the group plans on capturing Peter with one goal in mind--getting off The Island.

But they didn't realize Hooke just may have his own plans.

An interesting twist on the Peter Pan legend. Peter is the bad guy here, and you know that from almost the start. There are no adults and no ship on The Island. Lots of action and humor--I was laughing out loud with some of the jokes and pranks the boys played on each other.

Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman

Jacob's been in and out of the foster care system most of his life--until he stumbles into Mr. Fielding, who takes him in. They get along well together until a car accident kills Mr. Fielding.

But Jacob has a secret. Right before the crash, Mr. Fielding whispered "You are indestructible" to Jacob, which saved his life. Jacob's not sure, but he thinks he can't die. And when he accidentally writes the same phrase on Olivia's cast, he puts both their souls in danger.

The story seems a little odd, and it is. There is a lot of suspension of disbelief here, but the story itself is interesting and engrossing. Most of the book is spent trying to see the limits to this "power" of Jacob's, with Olivia getting more and more obsessed with it. When Jacob and his best friend realize they shouldn't have been playing with the idea, it's almost too late to save Olivia. Lots of action and suspense. You just have to ignore some of the most implausible ideas.

Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale

Marshall's sure he's going crazy. At first he thought he was just seeing the Gravedigger--a figure he's been drawing all year--outside the window of his house. Then he thinks the Gravedigger is trying to kill him--first at school, then again at home. All Marshall knows is he has to stay put until his dad gets home. Then they can get him help.

But help isn't easy to find. While Marshall is being stalked by a fictional character, his best friend goes missing. And Marshall can't help but wonder if the two things are connected. He heads to where Cooper was last seen with Cooper's sister Sydney. He hopes they aren't too late. But Cooper's life isn't the only one left on the line, and Marshall isn't safe from anyone or anywhere.

A great start to a new series. There's a lot of suspense and terror, but not quite the horror story I was prepared for. The setting and characters are vivid and charismatic--I couldn't put the book down. The ending especially leaves you with expectations for the next in the series. Can't wait!

The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

Will Henry is the assistant to a monstrumologist--someone who studies "life forms generally malevolent to humans and not recognized by science as actual organisms, specifically those considered products of myth and folklore". He's use to the unnatural hours, the demands the doctor makes on his time and his life for the past year since his parents' deaths.

One night, a grave robber brings a strange bundle to the monstrumologist's house with no explanation. The doctor takes one look and is sure they have a big problem on their hands--the bundle turns out to be the body of a young woman with a monstrosity wrapped around her. The monster has no head, a mouth with a lot of teeth in the middle of its chest, and eyes in its shoulders. The doctor is shocked to see such a creature in New England and so begins Will's even more bizarre life hunting monsters and puzzles.

As frightening the concept, especially since they go hunt the monsters in their underground lair, there is a lot of science in this horror tale. Will narrates this story that covers a few days. The story is engrossing and would be most interesting for older teens.

Losing Christina series by Caroline B Cooney

I couldn't believe it when I found this series on the shelf in the library I work in now! I loved this series when I was in middle school.

The Fog
Christina is beginning 7th grade and that means moving to the mainland for school. She'll be boarding with three others from Burning Fog Island--Benj, Michael, and Anya. She isn't looking forward from being separated from her parents, but believes she'll make lots of friends and enjoy school.

But things aren't always as they seem. The Islanders live with the Shevvingtons, and as soon as they move into the Inne, weird things start to happen. Anya believes the sea is out to get her, and can't maintain her grades or interest in anything but avoiding the sea. Are the Shevvingtons causing Anya's breakdowns? Can Christina save her?

The Snow
The winter opens with Dolly, Benj and Michael's younger sister, joining the boarders on the mainland. Dolly's only in 6th grade, but the Shevvingtons pulled some strings to get their next victim in place.

Meanwhile, Christina continues to be careful. She is aware that the Shevvingtons aren't going to just give up on her, Anya, or Dolly. But now it seems like there's someone else in the Inne. Someone else who may have a plan for the girls living there.

The Fire
The end of the school year is near, and Christina can't wait to go home. She figures with only a few days left, nothing can go wrong.

Christina also meets Val, one of the Shevvingtons' victims. During that visit, Val gets the courage to do something she's never attempted--she runs away from the mental institution she was put into. Straight to Christina. Can she save herself and Val before the Shevvingtons find out?

This is a great series and story about a seventh grader who has a clearer picture of what's happening in her life than all the adults around her. Everyone is convinced the Shevvingtons are fantastic people, and only Christina, and their victims, can see the truth. And no matter what, Christina can't give up.