Book Review: Kim’s Thoughts on The Companion by Katie Alender
I read The Companion by Katie Alender last year and shared my thoughts with my friend Yami from A Bookworm’s Thoughts on release day! Our review is here. The Companion even made my Top 10 of 2020: see that post here. Now Kim has read it and is sharing her review today!
The Companion
Author: Katie Alender
Published: August 25, 2020
448 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
The other orphans say Margot is lucky.
Lucky to survive the horrible accident that killed her family.
Lucky to have her own room because she wakes up screaming every night.
And finally, lucky to be chosen by a prestigious family to live at their remote country estate.
But it wasn’t luck that made the Suttons rescue Margot from her bleak existence at the group home. Margot was handpicked to be a companion to their silent, mysterious daughter, Agatha. At first, helping with Agatha–and getting to know her handsome older brother–seems much better than the group home. But soon, the isolated, gothic house begins playing tricks on Margot’s mind, making her question everything she believes about the Suttons . . . and herself.
Margot’s bad dreams may have stopped when she came to live with Agatha – but the real nightmare has just begun.
Kim’s Review:
Dude, this was creepy!
Sometimes reality can be scarier than the worst paranormal elements! Thankfully, this one wasn’t so twisty that I felt stupid for not getting it, yet I still had to think. I enjoyed going through all the possibilities in my head. I was immediately drawn in by Margot. As callous as it sounds, her trauma intrigued me. It was survivor’s guilt, yet she was so aware about it. And then of course, if something seems to good to be true, it probably is and the Suttons’ cracks started showing pretty quickly.
The house, I would like to live there! Creepy, yet livable! I think this is a great book for teens, especially those who like psychological thrillers! It’s very Jane Eyre, just add a psycho!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Book Review: The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender
The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall
Author: Katie Alender
Published: August 25, 2015
329 Pages
Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
In this asylum, your mind plays tricks on you all the time…
Delia’s new house isn’t just a house. Long ago, it was the Piven Institute for the Care and Correction of Troubled Females—an insane asylum nicknamed “Hysteria Hall.” However, many of the inmates were not insane, just defiant and strong willed. Kind of like Delia herself.
But the house still wants to keep “troubled” girls locked away. So, in the most horrifying way, Delia gets trapped.
And that’s when she learns that the house is also haunted.
Ghost girls wander the halls in their old-fashioned nightgowns. A handsome ghost boy named Theo roams the grounds. Delia finds that all the spirits are unsettled and full of dark secrets. The house, as well, harbors shocking truths within its walls—truths that only Delia can uncover, and that may set her free.
But she’ll need to act quickly, before the house’s power overtakes everything she loves.
Kim’s Review:
This is the second time I’ve read this book and I’m so glad I went back to it. Since it was so long ago, I barely remembered anything about the story. Katie Alender has established herself as a solid horror author. She does a great job with atmosphere. Her settings create the perfect atmospheres that push her stories forward. Hysteria Hall … why don’t I have a rich relative who leaves me an old mental hospital? The story was simple, but unique. The twists were surprising and unpredictable. My only real issue with this story is Delia’s parents. It just annoyed me how much they overreacted to her little stunt. I added tips to my future parenting notes after reading this book. But overall, it was creepy, it was fascinating, and I really liked it a lot! I think it’s a great book to hand to teens to encourage their love of reading!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
A Release Day Double Review of The Companion by Katie Alender
Today is release day for The Companion by Katie Alender and today I bring you a double review for it! This double review is not with Kim, but my friend Yami, who runs her own Facebook page: A Bookworm’s Thoughts. We received our copies from the publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers via Bookish First on the same day and I approached her on if she wanted to do a double review and she said sure!
The Companion
Author: Katie Alender
Published: TODAY, August 25, 2020
448 Pages
Book Description:
The other orphans say Margot is lucky.
Lucky to survive the horrible accident that killed her family.
Lucky to have her own room because she wakes up screaming every night.
And finally, lucky to be chosen by a prestigious family to live at their remote country estate.
But it wasn’t luck that made the Suttons rescue Margot from her bleak existence at the group home. Margot was handpicked to be a companion to their silent, mysterious daughter, Agatha. At first, helping with Agatha–and getting to know her handsome older brother–seems much better than the group home. But soon, the isolated, gothic house begins playing tricks on Margot’s mind, making her question everything she believes about the Suttons . . . and herself.
Margot’s bad dreams may have stopped when she came to live with Agatha – but the real nightmare has just begun.
Jessica’s Review:
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Dates Read: August 11-18, 2020
This is the first book I have read by Alender, and it will not be the last. From the beginning we are pulled in to the accident that Margot survives. Margot tell us the story in first person, so we are along with her for the duration of the novel. We experience everything with her from the group home to moving in with the Suttons.
This is a standalone YA/Horror novel and you know something that is going on is just not right. It is not gory horror, but psychological and a very quick read. It really was one I did not want to put down! I wanted to know how this one was going to end! Yes, it is somewhat predictable but to get to the ending and then be thinking “What did I just read!?!??!?” But this is meant in a great way! Even better is that we have a satisfying ending.
This is one where you cannot say much as it is best to go into it not really knowing much, but do read this if you enjoy thrillers and horror. You won’t regret it!
Many thanks to the publisher G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for granting me a copy via BookishFirst.
Yami’s Review:
Yami’s Rating: 4.5 stars
Another of Katie Alender’s book that I enjoyed. This one was more of a thriller. Poor Margot went through a great tragedy in the beginning of the book. Being the only survivor from a car accident with her family is such a horrible thing. So when a family decided to take her into their home, you would hope things will get better for her but right from the start you know things are just not right. I figured out a lot of the stuff from the beginning but it was still an enjoyable, crazy ride. I don’t know how much I could say without giving anything away so I will just end it here. Also, I was very happy with the ending.
Check out Yami’s Facebook Page and give her a like if you wish!
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK