Horrid by Katrina Leno REVIEW

Horrid

by Katrina Leno

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Synopsis

Following her father's death, Jane North-Robinson and her mom move from sunny California to the dreary, dilapidated old house in Maine where her mother grew up. All they want is a fresh start, but behind North Manor's doors lurks a history that leaves them feeling more alone...and more tormented.

As the cold New England autumn arrives, and Jane settles in to her new home, she finds solace in old books and memories of her dad. She steadily begins making new friends, but also faces bullying from the resident "bad seed," struggling to tamp down her own worst nature in response. Jane's mom also seems to be spiraling with the return of her childhood home, but she won't reveal why. Then Jane discovers that the "storage room" her mom has kept locked isn't for storage at all — it's a little girl's bedroom, left untouched for years and not quite as empty of inhabitants as it appears....

Is it grief? Mental illness? Or something more...horrid?

Review

Horrid is deliciously creepy. It is so atmospheric and dreamy. I don't usually get creeped out by books, however this one had me totally creeped out. I was reading it while in bed and had to put it down until the morning. I could just be a big baby but I was creeped out! I loved how I wasn't sure how everything was going to play out. It seemed like it could have went in just about any direction.

Jane was a magnificent main character. She's a mystery lover, kind of odd, slightly creepy and she's also the new girl so none of her new friends know her enough to throw the reader any clues on if she is going crazy or really experiencing something paranormal. Jane is quick to anger although we don't know if that is a normal part of her personality or a result of losing her dad and having to suddenly move far away from everything she's ever known. Along with her mother, she ends up living in her mother's childhood home. A run down creepy house that Jane doesn't know anything about and her mother never wanted to revisit.

If you're looking for a book to slightly freak you out that you can just chill and enjoy during spooky season then give this one a try. I really enjoyed it and think it's a great October read.