The Summoning (Bloody Mary Series #1)
4.7
10
5
1
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781423186939 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Disney Press |
| Publication date: | 08/11/2015 |
| Series: | Bloody Mary Series , #1 |
| Pages: | 272 |
| Sales rank: | 290,363 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.60(d) |
| Age Range: | 12 - 17 Years |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
The Summoning (Bloody Mary Series #1)
4.7 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
10 reviews.
 |
I received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
At first reading this book I didn't think it would be that scary as it didn't seem that way to me. But as I read further along it actually made me want to cover all my mirrors in the house. I remember when I was a kid and did the whole calling of "Bloody Mary" but of course when nothing happened I felt a bit sad that it didn't work. Now I am glad it never worked because I don't think I could handle the haunting of Mary.
This is a book I would recommend for the ages 12 and up being as it is hardly scary, not a lot of gruesome details just enough to make you squeamish. Bloody Mary takes place when four teenage girls summon Mary not once but twice and that is when it starts getting good. The four teenagers don't quite realize the hell they have opened up for themselves. And when one of them is picked out by Mary herself well her life is no longer the good one that she had. Mary wants Shauna and it doesn't matter the cost. Now Jess is one who wanted to bring forth Mary and later on when reading the book there seems to be more to than just summoning Mary that Jess has in mind. The ending wasn't a huge cliff hanger like most stories but it is a cliff hanger to where you will want to get the next book to see if Mary can be stopped or will she succeed with getting the person she wants. I also want to know more of Mary's background, such as how she became known as Blood Mary. I though that was quite interesting with the letters that were being sent from Mary to her sister.
The reason this book is getting a 4 rating is because when Shauna gets hurt, and it seems like she got hurt pretty badly. Her mother doesn't really seem to notice. I mean she knows something is off with her daughter which is good but I am surprised she doesn't notice maybe bloody clothes? Or the fact that when she touched her daughter she flinched. I know it is a minor detail but it just bothered me a bit.
If you are looking for a good down to earth classic semi-horror story built on the legend of Bloody Mary then this is one I would recommend for all to read and even a good read for the teenagers as it is clean.
|
|
Interesting plot and characters. Very scary and a good start to a series of books. Can't wait to read the next book.
|
|
I loved this book! I am well over the recommended 12-17 age group but this book was a page turner for me. I found it very hard to put down. Already ordered the next one and can't wait to start reading it!
|
|
True legend c
|
|
Positively creepy. You know those horror movies that have people moving in unnatural ways? Really creepy ways? This is one of those books. It will give you the worse case of goosebumps ever. The only reason I gave it a 4 star instead of a five is because the beginning was a little slow compared to the rest of the book.
|
|
It was awesome. I could hardly put it down. Couldn't wait to see what happened. I spent a lot of time saying no, usually followed by stating that I liked that person. There were a few questions I had that weren't answered but I'm hoping that since It's a series my questions will be answered as the series goes on. I would definitely recommend it to anyone I know who likes novels in this genre. Can't wait for the next one to come out.
|
|
Is there really a creepier legend than 'Bloody Mary'?
Honestly, not to me. There is something nasty about the idea of being alone in a bathroom, shutting out the lights, staring in the mirror, and trying to invoke this legendary ghost. The anticipation... the nerves.. the acrid stink of fear. I never quite understood the attraction. And yet... I do. But who was Bloody Mary, and how did she come to be this terrifying figure hiding in mirrors, waiting for daring teenagers to call to her?
How could I not ask for a copy of a novel that may give me some fictional insight into this exact question??
This story really is as exploratory and terrifying as I hoped it would be. Many times I cursed the absolute selfishness and stupidity of young Jess, as out of her own daring curiosity, she convinces her circle of friends to humor this scary ritual. To Jess' delight, and her friends' absolute horror, the invoking of Bloody Mary actually works, and she appears in all of her undead glory, nasty as can be.
I admit, my heart was hammering away, and continued to do so for many parts of this story. As Mary focuses her attention on one of Jess' friends and begins to terrorize her, I could just feel and smell her constant fear. I could not fathom living in so much fear 24/7. My anger for Jess grew throughout the book, as we come to discover that she had more information that she initially discloses to her friends, and it becomes evident she was aware of not only the possible psychological but physical damages that could occur from going through with this.. but her obsession with Mary drives her to put everyone at risk to get answers, and drove ME to wish I could punch a fictional character through book pages.
I really enjoyed the diary pages from Mary throughout this story, and it made me even more invested to want to know who Mary really was when alive. Mostly, I wanted to know what events drove her to become the wretched wraith of a being she was in present time. Surprisingly, I began to feel empathy for her, and just as abruptly, I would lose that empathy while reading a horrid scene in present time, to then be transported back in time and begin to feel empathy for her all over again. The writer certainly took me through a rollercoaster of emotions in this novel, effectively making me anxious for answers that, unfortunately, I do not yet have... To be continued....
I can't wait for the second installment in this series. This was well written and provoking, and gave me the right amount of goosebumps. Think twice about reading this novel before bedtime, though you will find it hard to put it down if you are as fascinated by this legend of 'Bloody Mary' as I am.
*I received a eBook copy of this book for free to review from the author/publisher through Netgalley; this in no way influenced my review, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.*
|
|
When Jess suggests that Shauna, Kitty, Anna and herself call Bloody Mary the girls are hesitant at first but Jess can be very persuasive. Its a harmless Urban Legend, right? Wrong!!! The first time they do it they see a figure emerge from the fog. They don't get a good look at her because they freak out and Jess sends Bloody Mary away. Once isn't enough for Jess though. She convinces the girls to do it again and this time try to talk to her. The girls are even more hesitant this time but Jess got rid of her once and she can do it again.
This time though the circle is broken and Bloody Mary pushes through the glass. Shauna is closest so Mary grabs her and tries to pull her in to the glass. She escapes and they manage to force Mary into the glass by throwing salt at her. Shauna is injured and bleeding and the girls cant get rid of Mary. Now that Mary has the scent of Shaunas blood she wont leave until she finishes what she started. Shauna and her friends need to find out how to get rid of her before its too late.
All I can say is wow, this was on heck of a creepy ride!! I think everyone knows about Bloody Mary. The idea alone is creepy but to try summon her is just dumb! I grew up with that legend and the legend of Candy Man. Both scared me so much when I was young and there's no way you would catch me saying those names into a mirror. NO WAY - *Shudder*!!
Anyway. This starts pretty much straight away we the girls summoning Mary. They manage to glimpse her but freak and send her away. From the very start you are hooked with the authors style. You feel like you are one of the girls, the author makes you feel the terror, the tenseness and the creepiness of the situation. I wanted to hide under the covers when I was reading this!!! From the first time Mary is called you are sent on the creepiest ride and it doesn't let go till the very end.
Shauna, Kitty and Anna never knew what could happen if they managed to call Mary, while Jess knew some things. One thing I loved about the book was how the girls never turned their back on Shauna. They tried everything they could to find answers and to help her. They were all very strong characters. Shauna especially. She is tagged by Mary and now Mary can appear through anything shiny. Shauna could break down but she doesn't. She knows she has to find answers and a possible way of getting rid of Mary forever. But the deeper she digs the more secrets that unravel. Can she figure out Marys story and stop her??
The authors vivid descriptions of Mary were just down right shudder inducing!! I could picture everything that she described and if I was watching it on the big screen (which I could totally see this as a great movie) I know Id be hiding behind my hands ;) I absolutely loved how you could almost feel the atmosphere as the author described it. She can sure write creepy!!! I also loved reading the letters from Mary to her sister. We get a glimpse of how Mary went from being a nice girl to the horror she is today.
From the creepy atmosphere to the scary Mary, this book is a must read. Its a non stop, edge of your seat, heart pounding, thrilling story. I flew through the pages and didn't want it to end. I can not wait for more and this book is one that will stay on my favourite shelf forever. Scarily creepy and hauntingly brilliant, I finished this a few days ago and I'm still scared to look in a mirror ;) I would highly recommend to everyone.
|
|
It’s hard to review a book you’ve fallen in love with, and I’ve absolutely fallen for the plot, characters, and the sublime writing that is hidden in the pages of MARY: The Summoning. This is one of the best YA gothic horror novels I’ve read in my entire life – and I’d recommend it to just about everyone.
Shauna’s best friend, Jess, is obsessed with summoning Bloody Mary. But whereas Shauna thought it was just a stupid, silly party game, it turns out to be so much more. Once Mary is correctly summoned, and not in the clumsy way most urban legend stories say you have to summon her, then…well, the shadow creeping along the mirror, and the bony fingers reaching out from the afterlife, are sufficient to give Shauna nightmares for the rest of her life.
For Shauna, Kitty and Anna, one encounter with Mary is sufficient for a lifetime, but Jess demands they summon her again. And again. Until their circle gets broken, and Mary is freed…
Mary’s ghosts starts to haunt the four friends, appearing in mirrors, any reflecting surface – which is just about anymore – and trying to grab them and pull them into the afterlife with her. Shauna, the main target of Mary’s attack, needs to find out more about Mary’s history in order to stop the vengeful ghosts. Loyalties and friendship are tested, and what is revealed, may be shocking to all of them…
Shauna is one kick-ass protagonist. At the start, I thought she was a little passive, willing to follow Jess, no matter what she did, but she soon grew a backbone and started to stand up for herself. I disliked Jess with a passion, but that’s not at all surprising considering what happens in the book. If you want to know what, you’ll just have to read it for yourself, though.
Just about everything about this book is perfect. The writing is great, and at times the descriptions were so creepy I nearly crawled into my closet to hide. The characters each have distinct personalities, and it’s easy to keep them apart. The mystery about Mary was intriguing too, highly supsenseful, and not at all what I expected.
But the best part? This book was deliciously creepy. Creepy in a way I didn’t expect – the kind of fear that crawls under your skin and makes you look over your shoulder every once in a while, expecting to see Mary’s ghost. That fear, the gothic horror fear that not a lot of books manage to convey. This one does, though.
Highly recommended, especially to people looking for a solid gothic horror novel, and well, for everyone who wants a good scare. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
|
|
First, kiss your hand.Second, post this on three different books.Last, look under your pillow.(I don't guarantee this will work.)
|
Explore More Items
