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Say Her Name by James Dawson


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Roberta 'Bobbie' Rowe is not the kind of person who believes in ghosts. A Halloween dare at her ridiculously spooky boarding school is no big deal, especially when her best friend Naya and cute local boy Caine agree to join in too. They are ordered to summon the legendary ghost of Bloody Mary: say her name five times in front of a candlelit mirror, and she shall appear... But, surprise surprise, nothing happens. Or does it? 

 

This had all the makings of a classic horror story - a group of teens at a boarding school, a creepy dare, and a scary ghost, and I wondered how well it would work in the hands of a YA writer. And I have to say, it works very well indeed!

Whilst there are a lot of classic elements in the story, James stays away from making it too cliched, and there were plenty of surprises. Bobby, Naya and Caine are all persuaded to chant 'Bloody Mary' five times in front of the mirror, but of course nothing happens. Except that the following day, some strange things do start to happen, and Bobby soon realises that the curse is very real, and she has very little time to do something about it.

James has managed to write a YA book which is genuinely scary, whilst avoiding the pitfalls of 'adult' books.. there's no need for over-the-top descriptions or gore, because the chills are right there, waiting for you. At the same time, the book keeps a fresh, modern feel, the characters are are real enough that you start to be frightened for them, and there's even a touch of romance sneaked in!

As with his previous novel, Cruel Summer, this is for older teens upwards.. it's another 'cross-over' book which lots of ages will enjoy. Don't be put off by the fact that it's set in a boarding school, and is about teens - not only will the excellent writing keep you reading, but it will also make you view your bathroom in a completely new way!

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