The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey

I don't often read a horror story. Do you think it's about time I read more? I thought so too. I decided to give The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey a try.

This is actually Will Henry's story. William James Henry is 12 years old and an apprentice to Dr. Warthrop, a monstumologist - one who studies and will kill monsters. With Will Henry at his side, Dr. Warthrop is tracking the existence of the Anthropophagi, a monster that few have seen and fewer have lived to tell of their encounter. The Anthropophagi are gruesome monsters - headless, slimy, large, sharp clawed, a mouth in the middle of their body with teeth capable of devouring it's prey swiftly. Dr. Warthrop must determine how they came to America and how he is going to eliminate them before they wreck havoc on New England.

This story is pure horror. In my opinion, the character Will Henry is too young to see and experience what Dr. Warthrop expects him to assist with. If you are a fan of gruesome horror, a story of bloody carnage so evil you can almost smell it, then you need to read this soon. As for me, I'm not going to finish it. Yep, that's what readers sometimes do. I've given this story many opportunities to win me over but I just can't continue. I have finished more than half of the story but must put it down - I've read of one too many gruesome deaths. Please let me know how it ends if you are brave enough to finish it.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Nothing by Janne Teller

Life has no meaning. Nothing matters. Why should he go to school? Why achieve? It's all pointless. That is the proclamation of Pierre Anthon in Janne Teller's disturbing book, Nothing.

As Pierre takes up residence in his family's plum tree, he chides his seventh grade classmates daily because they will not agree with him. They don't like that their friend will not come down from the plum tree - day and night he's in the tree. They must do something to make him realize that life does have meaning. Their plan - to build something of meaning.

It begins innocent enough. They take turns bringing their most meaningful treasure, a personal sacrifice, to the growing pile - a favorite book, a pair of shoes, boxing gloves. Their pile of treasures grows and with each addition the sacrificial items become more gruesome. They keep their growing pile locked in an abandoned sawmill. They sneak under the cover of darkness to the sawmill unknown to their parents and authorities. How far will this go? Can this madness be stopped? Why are they demanding that each other's sacrifices become more and more meaningful which in turn more dangerous to relinquish.

At one particular gruesome scene, I had to stop reading. I couldn't believe the author was going to continue this insanity. I was extremely bothered by the direction this book was heading yet I wanted to know the outcome - to finish the book. It took me three days to pick it up again. I was near the end and I had to force myself to read through that scene.

If you decide to give this one a try, read it during the day. It's that middle-of-the-night reading that will get to you.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm