Gloam, by Jack Mackey, is a deeply atmospheric book with just-right levels of creepiness for the middle grade audience. From the minute Gwen and her siblings arrive at their Grandmothers dilapidated, rapidly molding home on Gloam Island, something feels deeply amiss. Their guardian, Henry, is under immense stress, having come into care of the kids following their mother’s death. Likewise, the children are still reeling from the loss of their last blood relative who cared to know them. When Henry hires Esme Laverne to take care of the children while he is away at work, Gwen immediately distrusts her, yet has trouble convincing her younger siblings of the same conclusion. Mackay precisely nails the feelings of being unheard or dismissed by adults at the age of 13. Through Gwen, Mackay portrays the terror a teenager facing the world alone might experience, and monsters the siblings face over the course of the book is perfectly balanced in the Goldilocks zone of the middle grade horror genre, without ever talking down to the reader. The danger Gwen, Roger, Hester, and Hazel are facing at Esme Laverne’s hands encroaches the safety of their Grandmothers house as quickly as the rot that has begun to overtake the property spreads, and each of the siblings must face their monsters and their fear before they can begin to heal from their immense personal losses, and begin to reach healing and home.

Thirteen year old Gwen and her three younger siblings have moved with their stepfather Henry into their late grandmother’s house on Gloam island. Though the home is spooky, especially at night, Henry works hard to convince them all that monsters do not exist. To help out, Henry hires a mysterious caretaker named Esme to manage the children while he is unavailable, much to Gwen’s chagrin. She cannot explain exactly why, but there is something unsettling about Esme, and Gwen must determine the root of her feelings before tragedy strikes. This frightening middle grade story leans deeply into a side of horror-centric literature not often reflected in novels for this age group. Recounted in the third person from primarily Gwen’s perspective, the narrative focuses on her feelings and experiences while providing adequate emotional distance for the reader. Brief chapters and suspenseful storytelling keep the pages turning, and readers must pay attention to uncover all the details of Gwen’s backstory as they are revealed in pieces throughout the novel. Descriptive writing and a unique premise make the story enjoyable to read, and the undercurrent of grief Gwen feels at the loss of both her mother and her grandmother appears at choice moments in the book. Blending both jump scares and the approach of a psychological thriller, this novel effectively places young readers in a frightening environment from the safety of their imaginations. Best for middle grade readers with an interest in spooky storytelling, this is an intense addition to library collections for brave young readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun read and will be a great kids book. I really enjoyed this story.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book before its release! Mackay’s debut is wonderful! Though the intended audience is much younger than my age, I thoroughly enjoyed this story! It reminds me of Coraline and A Series of Unfortunate Events, both favorites of mine. I loved the eeriness paired with the heavier topics of grief and coming of age. This was masterfully done and handled with so much care! I’ll be sure to keep this author on my radar!

Atmospheric and eerie, with some genuinely creepy moments. Gwen’s story is engaging, though parts felt familiar to many other middle grade horrors. Still, the tension made it a worthwhile read.