If you love spooky haunted house tales with a 90s vibe and a dash of teen drama, this book is right up your alley. It's a classic ghost story mixed with friendship, a bit of romance, comic relief, and underdog empowerment. Ella is a quirky, strong heroine who's easy to root for, and the best-friend banter adds charm and laughs even when things get creepy. Perfect for fans of paranormal YA, especially those looking for a nostalgic twist or something clean with page-turning suspense.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Not everyone will get along with Secret of McKinley Mansion. If you’re not a fan of teenage angst, stereotypical high school characters, or stories where the adults are mostly absent, you might find this one frustrating. Some found the pacing in the haunted house scenes repetitive and felt the story relied a bit too much on dark, meandering descriptions. Seasoned adult readers expecting complex character development or substance akin to Breene’s adult series may find it lacking.

A fun, fast-paced YA ghost story with plenty of scares and 90s nostalgia - great for teens or anyone in the mood for light paranormal chills, but might not hit the mark for those wanting deeper characters or a more mature read.

About:

'Secret Of McKinley Mansion' by K.F. Breene is a young adult paranormal story set in the 90s about a teenage girl named Ella who sees ghosts and experiences poltergeist activity in her small town. Despite being ridiculed by her classmates, Ella teams up with a new boy, Braiden, to uncover the mysteries surrounding the haunted house in their town. As they delve deeper into the supernatural occurrences, the story escalates into a scary horror adventure involving high school drama, ghostly encounters, and a dangerous exploration of McKinley Mansion. The plot unfolds with suspense, humor, and teenage angst, creating a captivating and entertaining read for all ages.

Characters:

Characters range from relatable protagonists to typical high school stereotypes, with varying degrees of likability and depth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is perceived as more suited for a younger audience with a mix of humor and lengthy descriptions of dark settings.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative centers on a teenage girl, Ella, who deals with the haunting secrets of her town while navigating high school dynamics and friendships.

Setting:

The novel is set in a haunted small town during the 1990s, providing a nostalgic atmosphere.

Pacing:

Pacing is uneven, starting slow but gaining momentum towards the climax; some sections may feel monotonous.

If it was my resident ghost, my roommate, as I liked to call him, he either didn’t have enough energy to open the door—yet—or he wasn’t ready to try and force me out of what had once been his room. If...

Notes:

The story is set in a small town called Larkin that has a lot of paranormal activity.

Ella is the main character who is considered the town's 'nut job' for claiming to see ghosts.

The plot revolves around a haunted mansion in Larkin where children have disappeared.

Braiden, the new kid at school, becomes friends with Ella and helps her with the ghostly threats.

The book has a strong theme of embracing individuality and standing up to bullying.

The writing style is more juvenile compared to K.F. Breene's other works, which disappointed some readers.

Scarlet is Ella's best friend who provides comic relief with her sarcastic humor.

The book evokes a sense of nostalgia as it is set in the 1990s.

Some readers found the descriptions of the haunted house overly repetitive, particularly the characters navigating in the dark.

There's a mix of horror, humor, and teen drama throughout the story, making it relatable for young adult readers.

Has Romance?

There is a romantic subplot involving Ella and Braiden, though it is not the primary focus.

From The Publisher:

It was a dark and stormy night...But then, it was always stormy when she came. Beckoning. Calling to her followers. And follow her they did - never to be seen or heard from again. Larkin, MO, is not the cute, sleepy town it appears to be. Beneath the quaint façade lurks a secret - a secret everyone knows, but no one will talk about. Everyone knows to keep curfew. To stay in on stormy nights. To avoid that big, empty house up on the hill. Until one day, a new family moves to town…

2018

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406 pages

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Secret of McKinley Mansion

K.F. Breene

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