Katie Alender

Sixteen-year-old Cordelia and her family move into the house they just inherited in Pennsylvania, a former insane asylum the locals call Hysteria Hall--unfortunately the house does not want defiant girls like Delia, so it kills her, and as she wanders the house, meeting the other ghosts and learning the dark secrets of the Hall, she realizes that she has to find a way to save her sister, parents, and perhaps herself.

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall

ashley hopkins

I adored this book. I love Katie Alenders ghost books. They always give me this chill while reading them.

Delia's new house isn't just a house. Long ago, it was the Piven Institute for the Care and Correction of Troubled Females -- an insane asylum nicknamed "Hysteria Hall." However, many of the inmates were not insane, just defiant and strong willed. Kind of like Delia herself. But the house still wants to keep "troubled" girls locked away. So, in the most horrifying way, Delia becomes trapped. And that's when she learns that the house is also haunted. Ghost girls wander the hallways in their old-fashioned nightgowns. A handsome ghost boy named Theo roams the grounds. Delia learns that all the spirits are unsettled and full of dark secrets. The house, too, harbors shocking truths within its walls -- truths that only Delia can uncover, and that may set her free. And she'll need to act quickly -- before the house's power overtakes everything she loves. Katie Alender brings heart-pounding suspense, gorgeous writing, and a feminist twist to this tale of memories and madness.

Kath Lau

This is the book of @wethebookdragons for the month of October and I really want to join the readalong because I love horror/scary stories. My highschool term paper was about ghost hunting and I was collecting True Philippine Ghost Stories books when I was in college. Horror asian films are my favorites and some of them are Shutter, Ju-On, One Missed Call, and The Ring. I also love American Horror Story.

I didn't know what to expect because it was the first book I've read from Katie Alender. All i know is that the cover and title are both creepy and intriguing. I'm happy that I ended up liking this book even though I expected it to be much creepier/scarier.

Delia died on their first night (written on the synopsis) in their new house and this event shocked me because I wasn't expecting it at all. Delia is trapped in the house together with the other ghosts who later on became her friends. Years later, her mother and Janie return. Now, the house wants the "troubled" Janie and Delia have to do something to keep her sister and family alive.

I loved that this book is written in first person POV because it made me feel more connected to the story. Delia is a fun and interesting character as well as Janie. They're both stubborn but deep inside they are loving and tough. All the characters are intriguing, even the house itself.

I finished this in two days so I can say that it's an easy read and a very artfully well-written one. Impressive plot twists and I cannot think of any dull moments. The romance, though it didn't develop, is really unnecessary but Theo is still an interesting character. One of my favorite parts is when Delia learns how to be a ghost. Like how to pass through the wall and touch solid things. This book is creepy but I think it is more on mystery than horror.

I know that this is a horror book but some scenes made me quite emotional and almost brought me to tears. It's heart-breaking if you put yourself in Delia's position. I'm very satisfied with how the story ends and I will definitely read more of Katie Alender's books.

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall is a page-turner, inspiring and an entertaining read. Perfect read for Halloween.

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall

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