Review: How to Make a Golem and Terrify People by Alette J. Willis

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS.COM:

"You think you're a fairy godmother or something?" I asked. "Or something," Michael agreed.
Edda is tired of her nickname, 'Mouse', and wants to be braver. But when her house is burgled on her twelfth birthday, Edda is more afraid than ever. That is until new boy Michael Scot starts school. There's something peculiar -- and very annoying -- about know-it-all Michael. He claims to be a great alchemist who can help Edda overcome her fears by teaching her to build a golem. But surely they can't bring a giant mud monster to life? Can they?
Winner of the Kelpies Prize 2011.

MY TAKE:

I've been hearing a lot of good things about How to Make a Golem and Terrify People, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it since I'm not a fan of horror books. I'm glad I gave this a chance, though, because this book is a page-turner.

Edda is a young girl who feels that she's not very brave. She's scared of Euan, a bully at school, and after her house was broken into, she's become even more terrified. Michael, the new kid at school, helps her face her fears by helping her to create a golem to protect her and her home. Edda soon learns, however, that you should always be careful what you wish for.

Despite the title, this book isn't a horror book. It's more of a fantasy/thriller kind of book. It was well-paced and the descriptions were vivid, which was very important since the book is being told from Edda's point-of-view, and as an artist, Edda should be able to describe things well.

Michael was an odd character. Not only was he a weird character, by description, I also couldn't really tell if he was a good guy or a villain. Even by the end of the story, I couldn't tell exactly. I would like to think he's a good guy, though.

Thanks to NetGalley and Floris Books for providing me with an e-copy.

THE GOOD:

1. Interesting story and plot twists.
2. Good pacing.
3. Vivid descriptions.

THE BAD:

1. Edda is an artist so it would have been cooler if there were more illustrations.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"Well, I could," he said, oblivious to my sarcasm. "But it would leave certain traces, certain odours and it's best if I keep my presence a secret."

Yeah, the odour of pompous twit, I thought to myself.

READ IT IF:

1. You like fantasy/thriller stories.
2. You're looking for a page-turner.
3. You want to read something fun.

RATING:

SOUNDS INTERESTING?