Review: Menacing Manor (Sinister Summer #4) by Kiersten White

Title: Menacing Manor

Series: Sinister Summer #4

Previous books in this series: Wretched Waterpark (#1) | Vampiric Vacation (#2) | Camp Creepy (#3)

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Middle Grade, mystery, humor

Publication date: May 2023

Published by: Delacorte Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: After escaping from Edgaren’t and Dr. Jay, the Sinister-Winterbottoms and their friends arrive at Stein Manor Science Camp. They all work together to distract the friendly teenage camp director so they can explore and look for clues about where their parents might be.

Meanwhile, Theo and Alexander settle on a daring plan. They know exactly where Edgaren’t is going to be: coming for them, and the books. This time, they’ll be ready. This time, they’ll get answers. And this time, they won’t trust the adult in charge, which is easy enough when it’s enormous, lurking, unfriendly Mr. Frank. But as they get closer to opening the books and their parents’ histories, an unexpected foe is watching everything they do. . . .

Fake volcanoes! Real sea caves! Strangely modified frogs! Startling betrayal! And a lightning-struck manor! all combine for the electrifying penultimate Sinister Summer adventure.

My rating: ★★★★☆

This summer is going to be strange and scary no matter what until we figure everything out.

This book was so fun! This whole series has been a blast so far! I particularly liked this one because of all the Frankenstein references. All the references to classic horror novels have been so fun and have honestly made me want to read the original books.

Review: Camp Creepy (Sinister Summer #3) by Kiersten White

Title: Camp Creepy

Series: Sinister Summer #3

Previous books in this series: Wretched Waterpark (#1) | Vampiric Vacation (#2)

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Middle Grade, mystery, humor

Publication date: January 2023

Published by: Delacorte Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: Follow the Sinister-Winterbottoms on their most outrageous adventure yet, when they find themselves at a normal summer camp!

After leaving the Sanguine Spa in pursuit of Edgaren't, the kids find themselves at a mysterious summer camp, Camp Creek. There are lake games and happy counselors, and there's even a tie-dye cabin. It's all very . . . normal.

But if Theo and Alexander know one thing, it's that normal doesn't always mean good. When everyone around her starts acting strange, Theo wonders if maybe the fumes from the tie-dye cabin are seeping into their brains, and she resolves to investigate what's really going on at Camp Creek.

My rating: ★★★★☆

The Sinister-Winterbottoms had been to the strangest water park ever, where the cabanas were mausoleums, the slides were gargoyle tongues, and the wave pool was a cave that triggered existential terror. They had visited the Sanguine Spa, with its tunnels and caves and downright vampiric residents—both the bats and, possibly, Lucy herself—and the woods that felt like they would eat the children if they could. They had braced themselves for whatever was next, certain that they were ready for any menacing weirdness they would face.
But nothing had prepared them for what they were looking at right now.

Review: The Fox and the Devil by Kiersten White

Title: The Fox and the Devil

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Adult, horror, paranormal romance, historical fiction

Publication date: March 10th 2026

Published by: Del Rey

Source: eARC for review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis: An obsession with a beautiful serial killer entangles a vampire hunter’s daughter in an immortal sapphic romance in this enthralling gothic fantasy from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lucy Undying.

Anneke has a complicated relationship with her father, Abraham Van Helsing—doctor, scientist, and madman devoted to studying vampires—up until the night she comes home to find him murdered, with a surreally beautiful woman looming over his body. A woman who leaves no trace behind, other than the dreams and nightmares that plague Anneke every night.

Spurred by her desire for vengeance and armed with the latest in forensic and investigatory techniques, Anneke puts together a team of detectives to catch her mysterious serial killer. Because her father isn’t the only inexplicably dead body. There’s a trail of victims across Europe and Anneke is certain they’re all connected.

But during the years spent relentlessly hunting the killer, Anneke keeps some crucial evidence to infuriatingly coy letters, addressed only to Anneke, occasionally soaked in blood, and always signed Diavola. Devil. The obsession is mutual, and all the more dangerous for it.

The closer Anneke gets to her devil, though, the less sense the world makes. Maybe her father wasn’t a madman, after all. Diavola might be something much worse than a serial killer . . . and much harder to destroy. Because as Anneke unearths more of Diavola’s tragic past, she suspects there’s still a heart somewhere in that undead body.

A heart that beats for Anneke alone.

My rating: ★★★⯪☆

I'll never let her have a moment's peace. I'll hunt her to the ends of the earth.

I really enjoy Kiersten White's writing, and I was really looking forward to this one because the concept sounded so interesting! Unfortunately, I think this was more of a case where I liked the premise more than the execution.

Review: Vampiric Vacation (Sinister Summer #2) by Kiersten White

Title: Vampiric Vacation

Series: Sinister Summer #2

Previous book in this series: Wretched Waterpark

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Middle Grade, mystery, humor

Publication date: September 2022

Published by: Delacorte Press

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis: The spooky summer adventures of the Sinister-Winterbottom twins continue in another gothic mystery: can Theo and Alexander solve the secret of the Sanguine Spa in the little Transylvania Mountains?

After leaving Fathoms of Fun, the kids are on their way to the next odd summer destination their aunt has chosen for them. This time, they find themselves dropped off at the Sanguine Spa in the "little Transylvania Mountains". There they meet the owners: Mina, her mysterious little sister, Lucy (who is extremely pale, can't go in the sunlight, and has an affinity for hanging upside down from the ceiling), and their intimidating guardian, the Count.

When the Count sends all the children in the spa on a scavenger hunt, the Sinister-Winterbottoms use the excuse to snoop around and discover that this spa may be more than just eerie--it might also hold clues to what happened to their parents. When Wil starts to show vampiric symptoms, the twins resolve to investigate what's really going on at the Sanguine Spa.

The second book in the Sinister Summer series continues the adventures of the Sinister-Winterbottoms and their aunt who never saw a discount vacation destination she didn't love.

My rating: ★★★★☆

I have loved Kiersten White’s middle grade novels—they are just so silly and fun! I really enjoyed Wretched Waterpark, so I was very much looking forward to reading this book! And overall, I liked it!

One of my favorite things about the book was the setting. Sanguine Spa...

Review: Wretched Waterpark (Sinister Summer #1) by Kiersten White

Title: Wretched Waterpark

Series: Sinister Summer Series #1

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Middle Grade, mystery

Publication date: June 7th 2022

Published by: Delacorte Press

Source: eARC from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis: Twelve-year-old twins Theodora and Alexander and their older sister Wilhelmina Sinister-Winterbottom don’t know how they ended up with their Aunt Saffronia for an entire summer. She’s not exactly well equipped to handle children. The twins are determined to make it a good vacation, though, so when Aunt Saffronia suggests a waterpark, they hastily agree.

But Fathoms of Fun is not your typical waterpark. Instead of cabanas, guests rent mausoleums. The waterslides are gray tongues extending from horrible gargoyle faces. The few people they encounter are very, very odd. And the owner disappeared under bizarre circumstances, lost to the Cold, Unknowable Sea—the wave pool.

When Wil goes missing, rule following, cautious Alexander and competitive, brave Theo will have to work together to solve the mystery of Fathoms of Fun. But are they out of their depth?

My rating: ★★★★★

One of my favorite books by Kiersten White is Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales, a spooky MG book that intertwines nursery rhymes and fairy tales in a really fun way. When I found out Kiersten White was writing another MG book, I was very excited! And I am happy to say that I loved Wretched Waterpark! It’s such a great, summer-y read!

Review: Hide by Kiersten White

Title: Hide

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Adult, horror

Publication date: May 24th 2022

Published by: Del Rey

Source: eARC from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis: The challenge: spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park and don’t get caught.

The prize: enough money to change everything.

Even though everyone is desperate to win—to seize their dream futures or escape their haunting pasts—Mack feels sure that she can beat her competitors. All she has to do is hide, and she’s an expert at that.

It’s the reason she’s alive, and her family isn’t.

But as the people around her begin disappearing one by one, Mack realizes this competition is more sinister than even she imagined, and that together might be the only way to survive.

Fourteen competitors. Seven days. Everywhere to hide, but nowhere to run.

Come out, come out, wherever you are.

My rating: ★★★★☆

When I first heard that Kiersten White was not only writing a horror novel but an ADULT horror novel, I was like, “YES! I’m all in!”

Literary Nails: The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

I'm back with another book-inspired nail art design! This one I decided on very last minute because it's a book that was released just recently. It's also very Halloween-y...

Review: Endlessly (Paranormalcy #3) by Kiersten White

Title: Endlessly

Series: Paranormalcy #3

Previous books in this series: Paranormalcy (#1) | Supernaturally (#2)

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: July 2012

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

In Endlessly, pink-loving, butt-kicking Evie has way too much on her to-do list. Paranormals are begging her to open a faerie gate so they can leave the human world, something Evie’s not sure she has the power to do. The Dark Queen is torturing humans and must be destroyed.

On top of all that, Evie’s prom is coming up. She’s not sure what to wear, and, oh, yeah, her shape-shifting boyfriend, Lend, has been cursed so that he falls into an enchanted sleep whenever he and Evie are in the same room…and even Evie’s ex-boyfriend, the faerie Reth, can’t reverse the dark magic.

An epic battle is looming, and the choices Evie makes will determine the fate of whole paranormal world—and her own life.

My rating: ★★★★☆
And we have come to the conclusion of the series. A series I started 7 years ago and have only finished it just now. Heh. Hehe...

Review: Supernaturally (Paranormalcy #2) by Kiersten White

Title: Supernaturally

Series: Paranormalcy #2

Previous book in this series: Paranormalcy

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: July 2011

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be...kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.

But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.

So much for normal.

My rating: ★★★★☆
Evie is trying to live a normal life with Lend. Going to high school, going on dates... just normal teenager stuff. But if you think Evie’s left IPCA behind for good, think again! She starts taking jobs on a case by case basis, with her own rules, but things just go wrong. So much for normal.

Review: Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales by Kiersten White

Title: Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: Middle Grade, fantasy, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: July 2017

Published by: Scholastic

Source: Own Hardcover

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Synopsis:

Once upon a time, a girl skipped into the forest and became a zombie.

Wait, no, that's not how this story is supposed to go. Let's try again.

Once upon a time, a boy did a horrible job as a sheep-sitter and burned his tongue on stolen pie.

No, children in these stories are always good and virtuous. From the top.

Once upon a time, a king and queen tried to find a princess for their son to marry, and he wound up fleeing from a group of very hairy vampires.

Hmmm...

What about, once upon a time, a bunch of fairy tales got twisted around to be completely hilarious, a tiny bit icky, and delightfully spooky scarytales... in other words, exactly what fairy tales were meant to be. Grab some flaming torches, maybe don't accept that bowl of pease porridge, and get ready for a wickedly fun ride with acclaimed author Kiersten White and fairy tales like you've never heard them before.

My rating: ★★★★★

Vampires and Zombies and Stepmothers, Oh my!

I can always count on Kiersten White for a fun, humorous read, and this was no exception! While yes it is an MG novel, I do like to read them every once in awhile, and this one was amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Literary Nails: The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Hey guys! Ready to see some more (super glittery!) book-inspired nail art?

This week's bookish nail art was inspired by...

The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Review: The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

Title: The Chaos of Stars

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, paranormal, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology

Publication date: September 10th 2013

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: The publishers via Edelweiss (thank you!!)

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Synopsis:

Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

My rating: ★★★★★
I read Kiersten's Paranormacly a while ago, but I absolutely loved it! She is just a fantastic writer and I was very excited to read The Chaos of Stars because I am a HUGE fan of mythology! So this was a MUST read for me! And this book...LOVED it! It was just very beautifully written with amazing descriptions! I especially loved the museum bit.

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Title: Paranormalcy

Series: Paranormalcy #1

Author: Kiersten White

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publication date: August 2010

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Borrowed from library

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Synopsis:

Evie’s always thought of herself as a normal teenager, even though she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she’s falling for a shape-shifter, and she’s the only person who can see through paranormals’ glamours.

But Evie’s about to realize that she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

So much for normal.

My rating: ★★★★★
OMFG I LOVED this book!! It was amazing!! Can someone please tell me why I didn’t read this book sooner?! Lol