This was a such and spooky nostalgic read for me. It reminded me of my Goosebump days. This was honestly deeply unsettling and surprisingly scary! I love Paul Trembley's adult novels and his foray into middle-grade did not disappoint. The imagery associated with Morel was genuinely so creepy and made me deeply uncomfortable. I found Casey to be a sweet and compelling main character who felt perfectly appropriate for his age. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have a few of Paul Tremblay’s books on my TBR, but this was my first book I read by him. I’m a bit surprised because this is his debut middle grade novel, not a genre I typically read. That being said, I enjoyed this short horror novel.

Casey is a young teen struggling to find himself. He is bullied because of his facial tics and had a “zoom incident” where his facial tics were recorded and shared around school. He struggles with school and often doesn’t want to go. His parents try to remedy the incident by inviting a boy named Morel over for a sleepover. They hope Morel and Casey will hit it off and be great friends getting Casey out of his funk. Well, things don’t really go according to plan. Morel is a little different and almost doesn’t seem humanlike and things start to take a dark turn.

This reminded me a little bit of 90’s teen horror books, like Goosebumps or something along those lines. I thought the writing was done well and I enjoyed the story. I was interested to see what would happen next and felt for Casey. I think a lot of young teens can relate to Casey and I might recommend this book to some of my students. It might read a little young for a high schooler, but I think middle schoolers would be a good audience for it.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this. It was creepy, and I was rooting for the main characters the whole time. Casey is great representation for people with tics.

A certain intense level of fear exists in the idea of being replaced, especially as a child. Ideas of lost friendships, parents no longer noticing your existence, or feeling misunderstood thrive in adolescence, something that has only become more relevant within the context of the isolation of the COVID pandemic. Paul Tremblay, master of deeply unsettling emotional horrors, explores this idea with his YA novel, Another, capitalizing on the strengths of creativity and individuality to combat these growing fears.

For Casey Wilson, everything has felt a bit off following a terrible incident on Zoom during the pandemic. He doesn’t feel quite as confident as he used to, his friends and family feel distant, and his tics have only increased in intensity and frequency. But, Casey’s parents inform him a new friend is coming over, a friend Casey’s never heard of until now. When Morel arrives, Casey is shocked to see this strange boy enter his home. He’s nearly featureless with no way to speak; yet, everyone else acts completely normal under these strange circumstances. Things grow even stranger when Morel doesn’t leave, and Casey’s parents begin to grow more and more interested in Morel rather than Casey. Soon, it feels as though Casey isn’t there at all, or is he?

Tremblay taps into numerous levels of unease with Another, not only for those of a younger age. Sure, a lot of the horror implemented within these pages is felt most intensely in our youth, but I would argue that the greater fears examined are those experienced by all. Morel’s shapeless form feels representative of the amorphous blob our world seems to be trending towards with our reliance on artificial intelligence, generic presentation, and terrifying malleability to be whatever anyone expects of us rather than ourselves. Through Casey’s individuality and artistic talent, we see a lifeline for an authentic, irreplicable experience.

This is what makes Another such a timely, important novel for readers of every age. I could unpack the masterfully creepy horror that Tremblay utilizes to get this message across, but I believe his ability to tell the stories we need most, in the tone we need to hear, is worth celebrating as well. In fact, I would even argue this is his most punk book yet with its robust messaging for individuality despite the incessant pressure to conform to the masses. Move over Pallbearer’s Club (I say with the utmost affection).

A book that belongs in the hands of every reader, Paul Tremblay’s Another is the kind of novel that settles deep within your mind to excavate the truest form of self in the face of fear. Casey and Morel’s journey towards an existence of individuality despite unideal circumstances feels vital in this day and age, especially for young readers who are learning the importance of self. Creepy, lingering, and apt for this time, Another is a stunning horror fiction release that needs to be read by all.

Tired of traumatizing adults, Paul Tremblay has come for the children. And I'm fine with that. They've had it too good for too long.

Casey is cautiously optimistic when Morel, a potential new friend, arrives for a sleepover. But there's something...off about Morel. He doesn't sleep or eat and can't speak. Despite this, Casey's parents are charmed by this stranger, to the point that Casey begins to feel like an outsider in his own home.

This was unsettling and compelling. As uncomfortable as I was, I couldn't put this down. I could see it possibly being a little long for kids, but I'm definitely not an expert, so take that with a grain of salt.

A wonderfully creepy read no matter your age.

Paul Tremblay can't miss. His middle-grade debut may be violence-free but it is unsettling and creepy as his adult horror books. The reader is immediately drawn to empathize with Casey, a shy middle school boy who suffers from tics and anxiety and has been shunned by his peers after an unfortunate incident in a Zoom classroom. When Morel is dropped off for an extended sleepover, Casey is disturbed when this stranger goes from mute mannequin to Casey's parents' favorite. An excellent horror read!

Tremblay does a remarkable job translating his nuanced contemplative and twisty adult horror novels for the middle grade audience. This would be great for any kid who is a fan of scary stories, like Mary Downing Hahn or R.L. Stine, but could also work for realistic fiction readers as well because the story addresses a lot of very realistic fears and situations. The story is set in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States as Casey and his family are taking in a lot of changes, returning to in-person school and activities, going from a two-kid household to one, as Casey's older sister Ally takes on her first year of college, and return to work for both Casey's parents. So, when the adults get a call on their emergency only landline phone from another parent setting up a playdate with a friend Casey's never heard of, they don't question it. They're just glad that Casey, who was struggling to make friends after returning to school, will have someone to hang out with over the school break. When that friend arrives in a burlap sack, it's already too late.

I would have thought this book came from a seasoned middle grade author, because it hits the notes just right, addressing the fears of those middle grade years with compassion and a really authentic voice. The characters are realistic and will relate to the MG audience who may struggle with similar fears about growing up, making friends, and dealing with the expectations of grown-ups. This would be a good book for a family/school/library book club, it would open up discussions on what happened for us during isolation, what changed after the pandemic was over, how we deal with being compared to other kids, whether siblings/friends/classmates etc., 'borrowing' from friends, and how we each have our own ways of seeing the world and problem-solving that work for us. It also just is really creepy in the best way!

Casey, a likeable but lonely kid, is told by his parents that a friend is coming for a sleepover. He has no idea who this kid is, but he's game! Things start out OK, but a little weird, and quickly get weirder, creepier and quite a bit more dreadful......

This is my favorite kind of horror novel. Believable character reacting to an unbelievable situation. Mounting tension, mystery, spookiness, unafriad to get really strange, but always groudned in our real world. Paul Trembley is known for smart horror and it happens here again. Don't come looking for gore and jump scares, this goes deeper and grips you. 5 stars.

This had the right amount of creepy. I enjoyed the progression of the story and finding out more about Morel and Casey.

I couldn't finish it last night because I needed daytime to be brave enough to continue. 🙈

I’ve been a fan of this author since his novel, A Headful of Ghosts, blew me away. I really enjoyed reading this young adult novel, which I believe is his first. The premise about a sleepover with a “friend” Casey doesn’t remember and finds deeply unsettling, is really intriguing and I was immediately drawn in. As Tremblay unfolded the plot I had to know more and ended up reading this book in one sitting. I highly recommend it for adults and YA readers alike!

Admittedly I have a soft spot for MG horror, but ANOTHER exceeded my expectations. This will slowly creep under your skin even as you hurtle uncontrollably towards the climax.

I loved this one! What a clever and fun way to explore this horror topic/trope with fungus, doppelgängers, etc. The eeriness and sense of dread builds and builds... I definitely would read more YA horror from Paul Tremblay as this was excellent!

And extra points for lots of Legend of Zelda and Buffy the Vampire Slayer references!

Casey has been having a rough time since The Zoom Incident, where his facial tics were recorded and shared by the class bullies. He has no friends, but when his parents bring home an old-fashioned rotary phone and it rings, somehow he has a new friend coming for a sleepover. Morel is a boy that looks to be more clay than human, but no one seems to notice. Casey tries to overcome the unease he feels around Morel, until Morel begins to become more human...

A middle grade horror story with echoes of [book:Coraline|17061] and [book:Mexican Gothic|53152636] - a strange story that kept getting stranger. Morel, the faceless clay boy who shows up on the doorstep, was so inhuman that had there not been a hint of Casey and his parents inhaling a spore of some kind, I would not have been able to understand why no one was freaking out. There were no jump scares, just a subtle unease that grew and grew. The little details that became important as Casey also began to change built up as well. There were some elements of this story that felt more adult, such as the epilogue in the POV of a store owner, but the horror aspect, while very unsettling, resolved in a way that calmed things down a bit.

Honestly, Another by Paul Tremblay reminds me of books I enjoyed when I was younger. Specifically the Goosebumps and Fear Street.

It’s an excellent middle grade horror book - just creepy enough without being as heavy and frightening as Tremblay’s typical work is. And while this does heavily reference and relate to the COVID-19 pandemic, I think there are some great themes related to the scary side of growing up and changing.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

I usually really enjoy Paul Tremblay’s books but this one was unfortunately a miss for me. The writing felt very simple even for a middle grade book. Some of the cultural references also make the story already feel dated & will only get worse with time I feel. Also didn’t really care for the whole fungi plot twist. I’m sure there’s definitely an audience for this but I’m just not part of it.

I love Paul's adult horror books, so I was excited to see he was writing something for the younger crowd. I really enjoyed reading this! Definitely gave me "Goosebump" vibes and is something younger-me would have loved. Would definitely recommend for any blossoming young horror fans :)

This book was a lot of fun. Some Paul Tremblay books can feel a little ambiguous and aren't the always the "easy to recommend" sort of books that a Joe Hill or Stephen King book can be. But this one, geared toward middle grade readers, has a simple premise. And while it retains the trademark Tremblay knack for mystery, ambiguity, and simmering dread it also has something kind of Spielbergian (and certain reminiscent of RL Stine!) due to the young protagonist's perspective. I know Tremblay is also a school teacher, and it seems to have given him ample fodder authentically tuning into that demographic's perspective.

It may be for younger readers, but I think Tremblay fans will find that he did not compromise on anything in his writing that appeals to older readers.

I requested this one mainly to see if it was okay for my 12-year-old to read. And let me tell you…I was surprised at how good I found it!

I’m giving it 4 stars overall.

Now, in terms of content, there’s nothing super graphic or wildly inappropriate, but it is mature in a quiet, psychological way. Nothing over the top, but definitely something younger kids might not fully connect with yet. I’d say it’s more suited for older teens who like slower, more introspective reads.

So for my 12-year-old? I’m gonna say not just yet. I think they’d get bored or confused, honestly. But as an adult? I really liked it. The writing is clever, and it sticks with you.

Bottom line: a strong book, just not the right fit for middle grade. But if you've got a teen who likes weird, moody stories and spooky vibes, this one might hit.

This was a very fun and entertaining middle grade horror novel. Another is about a young boy who doesn't have any friends and is feeling lost and lonely in his life until unexpectedly, his parents get a phone call that his "friend" is coming for a sleepover. What follows is a slowly building dread where this boy is questioning what is real, especially when his parents seem to be acting like everything is normal. And this friend is someone he has never heard of, never met, and seems to be made of clay. This was really spooky and also deals a lot with the main character's learning disabilities and difficulties in school along with the horror as well as the effects of COVID lockdown on children who were in school at the time. Very enjoyable for kids who like horrror.

This gives strong Goosebumps vibes. It was fun and spooky. Truly enjoyable, even for an old person, like myself.