I picked this book up at a start-of-summer book giveaway at my school, and I chose it because its creepy illustrations and thin spine width seemed appropriate for my kids (elementary age). My kids sometimes like creepy stories, and this one follows a fifteen year old named Billy who is an apprentice at a prison.

I knew nothing else about these stories or the world the author created when I sat down to read what I estimate to be a 10,000-20,000 word novella. It reads much like a ghost story, with facts of the story being told outright (with some spooky twists, of course), rather than dwelling on details or indirectly characterizing the story or characters.

I can’t say much else about the plot without giving it away, except to say I wish it had been longer. The illustrations were great, adding to the mood of the piece, and they helped emphasize some of the details that were left out of the text. But I would have liked a little more development, a little more settling into the character before dropping the reveal. With its short length, every important detail stood out.

That said, it reminded me a little of the classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, with this tale being just a bit more beefed up.

There is a little bit of bloody, scary imagery, so I will warn my kids about it before I offer them the chance to read it. It is a ghost story fantasy, so there is also mention of witches and the devil, so parents should use discretion when giving the book to kids.

Overall, it’s a fun, easy, creepy read for readers of dark tales.