The Hunting Ground – The Review
Written by Nikki-ann on Saturday, 11 June , 2011 at 6:06 pm
Author: Cliff McNish
Publisher: Orion
ISBN: 978-1842559932
When Elliot and his brother Ben, along with their dad, move into Glebe House (an old an crumbling mansion), they soon realise they’re not on their own. Sinister events are unfolding and they’re not safe in their own home, but can they escape the clutches of Glebe House and it’s former occupants before it’s too late?
I haven’t read a ghost story in a while, so I thought a young adult book wouldn’t be too scary of a re-introduction to ghost stories. However, The Hunting Ground is quite creepy for a kids book! I guess that’s why it says “Not for younger readers” on the back of the book!
I found the book to start very well, with tension building immediately. I certainly felt a little wary when I put the book down and turned off the light… If anything had made a sound shortly after I’d put the book down, I’d have jumped out of my skin! However, I thought the story faltered a little in the middle and I began to lose a little interest. Thankfully, the pace quickened again in the final third of the book and I found myself racing through it.
Only one thing really bugged me about the book and that was the diary sections. They find pages of a diary belonging to Theo (a boy who once lived at Glebe House) and the diary entries are dotted about the book as and when they are found. Theo’s diary started off being written like a diary would be, but then the writing started to read more like a story would. It was almost as it the story was actually shifting to the first person perspective, rather than reading a diary entry.
All in all, The Hunting Ground is an enjoyable (if slightly scary!) book and is definitely one to give a go.
Buy The Hunting Ground by Cliff McNish from Amazon UK
Cliff McNish is a British author, born in Sunderland.
This is the 17th book I’ve read for the British Books Challenge.
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Please note: I received this book free through the Amazon
Comments (6)
Category: Books,British Books Challenge,Childrens,Paranormal,Reviews,YA Fiction
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Comment by Yvonne
Made Saturday, 11 of June , 2011 at 6:31 pm
Hi Nikki,
I used to read a lot of James Herbert books and they were also not to be read alone or in the dark!!
I haven’t read anyting in this genre for several years, but have noticed in my dealings with books in the charity shop, that children’s and YA books, are becoming closer and closer to adult content as time goes on, some of them actually sound quite scary!!
Comment by Jo
Made Saturday, 11 of June , 2011 at 7:18 pm
This does look good. Always attracted to a book where there is a big house involved!
Hopefully on Vine again this month.
Comment by Kathleen
Made Monday, 13 of June , 2011 at 5:49 am
I love a good ghost story/mystery so this is one that appeals to me.
Comment by Andrea
Made Thursday, 1 of January , 1970 at 1:00 am
Oh I love a good spooky ghost story!
Comment by bermudaonion (Kathy)
Made Saturday, 18 of June , 2011 at 7:14 pm
I’m a big chicken, so kid’s ghost story is probably about all I could handle.
Comment by Kristina
Made Monday, 20 of June , 2011 at 2:09 am
This one looks really good! I hope it is coming out in the states! Great review!
Thank you for visiting my mailbox! I’m a new following 
Kristina
http://ladybugstorytime.blogspot.com/
P.S. I can’t wait to read Passion! I love that each chapter is another time in history!
