The mysterious stranger

The book the mysterious stranger is a book by Mark Twain that’s set
in the Middle Ages, in a small remote village in Austria called
Eseldorf. In the book there are three boys called Theodor, Nickolas
and Seppi who are living normal lives. Until one day they meet a
mysterious boy who’s young, handsome, and beautifully dressed but
unknown to them he is Satan reincarnated. Throughout the book
there is a lot of which craft like when 11 school girls go missing and
where found burned at the stake. Towards the end farther peter is in
his trail when Satan enters with the body of wilhing meidling. The
attorney of defence who proves all the gold pieces but four where
minted in that year so farther peter could go free.
Through the book I enjoyed was how there was lots of twists and
turns with many different characters. I don’t like how the book
doesn’t actually finish so it finishes on a cliff hanger which I like in
most places but it’s annoying at the end of the book as you won’t
find out what happens.
Overall I think it’s a good read and interesting for people who like
witchcraft and like books set in the middle age but I would
recommend it because I prefer comical or funny books and it wasn’t
very entertaining.

Frankenstein

The story about Frankenstein’s monster is known all around the globe; the 7ft tall, green skinned
monster. Yet the original story (by Mary Shelley) holds more sorrow than fright, more
misunderstanding than madness. Slowly, it begins with R.Walton sailing his boat through the Artic
Ocean in search for The North Pole. Until he meets a mysterious man (Dr Frankenstein) who reveals
his shocking story about his abomination.
What captured my attention the most was when the book showed a depressing side from
Frankenstein’s monsters point of view which captured the contrast between the two characters (Dr
Frankenstein and the Monster) perceptions. Mary Shelley strengthens the sorrow we feel towards
the monster, not Frankenstein.
Overall, I found the book intense on many subtle levels. Mary Shelley’s abilities to draw the reader
to the depths of her compelling mind left me demanding more.

Bodyguard Hostage

The book: ‘Bodyguard Hostage’ by Chris Bradford is a fiction and adventure book mainly based in
America.
At the start of the book, a kid from London called Connor sees a helpless boy being beaten up by
much stronger, older teenagers. He sticks up for the kid that was getting beaten up and manages to
get them to leave. Shortly after, he then gets approached by someone called Colonel Black, who
runs a bodyguard academy. Conner signs up and starts learning.
About a third of the way through the book, he is assigned to guard the American President’s
daughter, but the president doesn’t want her to know.
Two thirds of the way through the book Connor and the President’s daughter, Alice, end up in very
deep trouble.
I think that this book is very good, as it includes quite a lot of tension and action.
I think that this book would be suitable for readers 12 and up, as the book doesn’t include many
difficult words, and is easy to read.
Overall I rate this book a solid 4/5 stars.

Frankenstein

Frankenstein is an old, famous classic by Mary Shelley written in 1818. Frankenstein is about a scientist who creates a monster and unintentionally causes destructive events. Hard working university student, victor Frankenstein who discovers how to give life to a dead body and uses his knowledge to unintentionally makes a monster. He thinks his scientific discovery will lead to other scientific break- through but when he comes out the other side he is full of regret.

I didn't particularly enjoy this book but I could be biased as I don't really enjoy non modern books as I don't understand the language used or the way it's written, but some parts l did enjoy liked the fact that although Frankenstein sees his monster as a brutal demon, the book allows readers to see events from the monster's perspective. I liked the chapters in the story that were narrated by the monster because I sympathised with his loneliness. This book is regarded as a horror story but I would disagree I see this book as more sad than horror. The writing is complex and vivid and expresses the anguish of both monster and who not enjoy complicated and slightly old fashioned writing will find it difficult to read, but the story was well told and the writing definitely brought it to life. It's hard to believe it came from the imagination of a 19 year old girl writing in 1818.

Overall would give this book a 3/5 As I think it is hard to read because of the old fashioned language but I did enjoy parts of the book, particularly the parts from the monsters point of view and I would strongly recommend this book to people who enjoy old-fashioned horror.

CShillam

Dracula

Dracula is, without a doubt, one of the best classical horror stories of all time. Written in 1897 by Irish author Bram Stoker, this novel has been passed down from generation to generation and has inspired many films and movies about the great vampire. The story begins with Jonathan Harker who is going to visit Count Dracula. During his visit, he learns that Dracula is a vampire and that he is planning to live in London so he can drink more blood. However, a small team, led by Professor Van Helsing, attempt to stop Dracula and kill him once and for all.

The plot was thrilling has the things I expected to happen next didn't. There are a few surprises inside the book which have changed the plot once or twice. One of the best things about this book is that there are lots of unanswered questions. Where are Dracula’s servants if he has any? Are there any more vampires about that Dracula made victim of? This will allow readers to expand on the idea of Dracula without Stokers help. In fact, that might be one of the reasons on why it is so popular.

Some of the characters in the novel were a bit of a let-down as they didn't really have a big of an impact in the book. For example, Lucy’s character wasn’t used much and yet the plot of the novel is set around her and her friends. I also think the ending was a bit disappointing because I expected there to be some more of action just like at the beginning. However, I don't understand how, in some scenes, Dracula was outside in the sun. One example of this is when Jonathan spots him in the park watching a girl. Surely he would have turned to dust if he was exposed to sunlight? Overall, this novel is one of the best I've read for a while. But what stands out is that it was written in the late 19th century and is still being read today. Stoker, unfortunately, was broke when he was writing this book and ,when it was published, didn't improve his living conditions. However, he has created a legacy which might last for an incredibly long time if not forever. I think the novel is perfect but might want to improve here and there.

The Woman In Black

The iconic victorian England sci-fi/horror novella wrote by Susan Hill in 1983, processes a well thought out theme and eerie presence to grip the reader and make them want to follow reading and discover the true identity of 'The Woman In Black.' The book starts off with the London family Arthur Kipps, a  retired solicitor having to tell a ghost story to his step children, where he dashes in the horror to his room, after thought provoking images of past experiences of being a solicitor in the search of the dead woman's will, Alice Drablow.

He finds himself on the journey to find Alice Drablow's will by his boss, Mr Bentley, he's told by his boss that the house he must go to is in Yorkshire, and that Alice was a social outcast, and that both her and the house has a strange presence but proceeds to go on with plans due to his economical state. I feel like this book applies to people who want a gripping and disturbing ambient experience while reading. Compared to Susan Hills other novels such as The Soul of Discretion which was published in 2014, The woman in black proves to be one of the more popular and well known.

Yet little does he know the curse of the small place in Yorkshire, that when encountering the woman in black, a child in the town dies a tragic death...

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book due to its excellent gripping techniques of always keeping the reader on edge. I wouldn’t recommend to those of the light hearted, and don’t enjoy horrors. I rate this novella 4 out of 5

The Woman In Black

Now, as an elderly man Arthur Kipps rests contently on a cold Christmas Eve masked by a roaring fire. He is accompanied by his loving wife, Esme and all his stepchildren. Arthur's life is as it should be; peaceful. That is until his stepchildren, whilst sat in a circle, begin to tell chilling ghost stories and his idyllic night is ruined. It is only now, after many years that Arthur puts pen to paper to tell the story that haunts him. The very reason for his distress on that night.

Arthur writes of a time, many years earlier when he was a young man beginning his career as a solicitor, during an engagement to a young woman named Stella. Assigned the task of sorting the affairs of a recently deceased client Alice Drablow. He is sent to her home in the small town of Crythin Gifford; far away from any other place. As soon as he begins his trip something is off. Whilst the townspeople are lovely and welcoming the slight mention of his work with Mrs. Drablow quickly turns them to meet him with blank faced fear, deflection or completely ignoring him. Frustrated but eager to do his job Arthur ignores the cryptic warnings and takes it as superstitious nonsense. He quickly makes his way to the sec


His first encounter with the woman in black is during the funeral of Mrs. Drablow. He's scarcely sees her but when he does he Arthur Instantly realised her ghostly features and assumes she is dreadfully ill. He then sees her for a second time after realising Eal mash house is haunted. She stood in the grave yard that accompanied the house. Arthur,  knew he'd encountered a ghost and and this terrified him but  worse was yet to come. Towards the end of the book the woman in black’s story and intentions are revealed and sure to shock all.
An atmospheric ghost story of the gothic persuasion, the woman in black is a spine-chilling, traditional horror at its best. The book is only 160 pages long and in it crams a lot of tension, terrifying moments and haunting experiences in. Personally, I love this book the terrors are spread through the book and as they unfold become more and more shocking. I completely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a truly horrifying ghost story.

luded Eal Marsh House, situated at the edge of town and surrounded by marshland. Despite the the desolation of the house; the impossible conditions and words of caution for the townspeople Arthur decides to stay there.