Title: Tanglewood Road
Author: Elliot Arthur Cross
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Length: Novella (130pgs)
Publisher: Queerteen Press (24th May 2013)
Heat Level: Low
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Cody Langdon moves to Florida to start over after a failed suicide attempt. His mom hopes the change in scenery will do him more good than the medication he refuses to take, but Cody hates the sweltering summer heat and the loneliness of living in a state without any friends.
With several weeks to go until school begins, Cody sulks alone in the house while his mom works. Refusing to acclimatize himself to his new surroundings, he insists on wearing his usual black clothing and cranks the air conditioning all day.
The odd thing is, Cody hasn’t seen a single sign of life since his arrival on Tanglewood Road. The lawns are well-kept, cars are parked in the driveways, and trash is put out once a week, but Cody has never actually seen anyone living on the street. Slowly, his thoughts spiral into obsession and paranoia. Where is everyone?
Then Cody stumbles upon a support group for those who have survived demonic attacks. The posts online only strengthen Cody’s resolve when he learns about a murderous demon who has long stalked Southwest Florida. Has this same demon set up residence on Tanglewood Road, or is Cody’s cabin fever getting the best of him?
Purchase Link: http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=87
Review: Cody’s family moved to Florida after Cody’s failed suicide attempt in the hopes that a new start will bring Cody out of his depression. Cody hates Florida, so he sulks alone in his house waiting for school to start. But, he begins to notice something wrong on the street. There are no signs of life. Cody begins to investigate the strange absence of neighbors and comes across a demonic survivors’ group on-line that talks about his street, and Cody strengthens his resolve not to fall victim to the terrible monster.
This is a great young adult paranormal story that delicately borders the horror genre. Cody is sixteen; he suffered bullying when he was outed by someone he thought liked him. Now, after a failed suicide attempt his parents have moved to Florida so he can have a new start. Cody has noticed something wrong on their street though and is determined to get to the bottom of it. It leads his to make horrifying discoveries and leads him on a path that will test his sanity and make some unusual friends.
I really enjoyed this book with its mysterious paranormal aspects and the friendships Cody discovers with a diverse group of demonic attack survivors and the sweet relationship he develops with Adam, a young man who survived an attack similar to his own. The way the story develops is wonderful. Making you wonder, at first, if Cody isn’t really just imagining it all and is losing his sanity. The way that it further develops to include everyone from the DSG and leads us on a further adventure than just Tanglewood.
Cody is a typical teenager. he mopes and whines, is depressed and doesn’t want to do anything. The new friends he meets are brilliant. Adam, a teenager who has been through hell and locked up in a mental institution. Dominic, an older gentleman who has been hunted by a curse. Lin, who lost her son to an evil spirit. Caleb, who lost a friend in a strange way and Naomi who had a narrow escape from a succubus’s son. Together they come together to help each other out and it makes a great story. I am looking forward to the sequel Clearclay Park to see what this group of people faces next.
I recommend this to those who love young adult stories, paranormal bordering on horror, twists and taking on the paranormal and a happy for now ending.